An overview of what to know about inclusive postsecondary education, Netflix’s autism dating show is back, and more news to know for the the week ending Jan. 20, 2024.
Phoenicia woman heads to Washington to advocate for hiring people with intellectual disabilities The owner of Mauve’s Place, which employs people with disabilities and whose daughter has Down syndrome, is set to testify before a congressional panel on the benefits to small businesses hiring people with intellectual disabilities. (Daily Freeman)
Montana Commission OKs Initiatives to Help Disability Care Workers The 88% turnover rate for intellectual and developmental disability care workers in Montana is more than double the 43% average found in a study of 48 states. (Billings Gazette)
Q&A: Yes, college is possible for students with developmental disabilities An easy-to-read overview of what to know about inclusive postsecondary education (IPSE) programs at colleges across the U.S. (Youth Today)
Organization Looks to Reduce Wait Times for Autism Evaluations with Virtual Visits As You Are says it can help cut down on the long wait times for evaluations. (CBS News Boston)
Highland Popcorn to open in St. Paul, employing people with disabilities Once again, it’s up to parents to create jobs for their young adult children with disabilities. (CBS News)
‘Dumb and Dumber’ Directors Peter and Bobby Farrelly Discuss Portraying Disabilit The upcoming Slamdance film Daruma, executive produced by Peter Farrelly, blends physical disability with comedy and drama. The duo talks about authenticity and inclusion. (LA Mag)
Autism Dating Show Set To Return Netflix said it will debut season two of the series “Love on the Spectrum U.S.” (Disability Scoop)
The new monthly social group Fashion, Beauty & Bonding provides a special, welcoming place for individuals identifying as females with disabilities to come together and connect.
In partnership with professionals including from Neiman Marcus, they will learn make-up, hair and fashion techniques in a fun, supportive environment that celebrates diverse beauty.
Details
Cost: Each session is $15/members and $20/non-members (EXCEPTION: Session 3, Fashion Fundamentals, is $100 for both members and non-members; see why below.) Participants can do as many or as few sessions as they like.
NOTE: This is not reimbursable under Self-Direction, Community Class, but it was suggested to me that those who need assistance with hygiene for work might be able to get it approved under Job Coaching, so check with your fiscal intermediary.
Session 1 — Makeup Exploration: Jan. 27, 2024, 12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Participants will join a makeup artist from Neiman Marcus for an afternoon of empowering discussions, inclusive tutorials and connection.
Session 2 — Hairstyling and Hair Care: Feb. 10, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
The group will learn about hairstyling and hair care from Angie Johnson, a professional hairstylist for movies and films in New York City.
Session 3 — Fashion Fundamentals: March 16, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
At Neiman Marcus Westchester, participants will be led through practical lessons and discussions about when to wear what, in addition to defining their style and shopping. A skilled personal stylist will walk the participants through understanding diverse body types, mobility considerations, and unique fashion needs, fostering creativity and confidence in their style choices. All money paid for this program will be put toward a gift card for the participant to purchase something for their wardrobe or beauty collection.
Session 4 — Bonding Brunch and Photo Shoot: April 27, 10:30 to 1 p.m.
Participants will practice the skills that they have learned throughout the first three sessions. There will be makeup and hair stations so that the participants can get all glammed up before their photo shoot.
Registration: Click here to view all and to register.
More information: Contact Annie Bridson, director of Supportive Services, Shames JCC on the. Hudson, at abridson@shamesjcc.org.
The program is co-organized by Shames JCC on the Hudson, Neiman Marcus and Future Centered Care.
This virtual peer-to-peer discussion group, held on the second Tuesday of each month, is for self-advocates with disabilities in their 20s and 30s interested in dating and relationships.
It’s organized by the Westchester Institute for Human Development (WIHD) self-advocacy group Hear Our Voices, and facilitated by Nicole Hastings, coordinator of Self-Advocacy & Community Engagement at WIHD, and Clair Polin, volunteer coordinator at WIHD.
This year’s discussions started Jan. 9, but new members are always welcome!
Details
When: Feb. 13, March 12, April 9, May 14, June 11, 2024
Time: 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.
It’s never too early to start the post-high school transition process for students with disabilities.
This three-day conference, presented by the Community Support Network at Westchester Institute of Human Development (WIHD), can help young self-advocates, families, school district personnel and others get the process rolling and help you reach your goals.
Called the “2024 Community Support Network Transition Institute,” it will cover all aspects of post-secondary transition planning including employment, supported decision-making, self-direction, social and recreational programs, systems navigation, self-advocacy, policy issues and more.
This year’s threads include:
For more information, email CSN@WIHD.ORG.
New York’s Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) has committed a $3.5 million annual investment in FSS Programs across the State to support loved ones with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) living at home with their families.
For the initiated, FSS, or Family Support Services, helps families who are caring at home for a relative with a developmental disability by providing aid to the caregiver, enhancing family stability and preserving family unity.
The Statewide FSS Committee has created an anonymous survey to help them better understand the need for additional FSS programs across the State in preparing for a Request For Proposals (RFP) designed to turn this $3.5 million into new FSS programs in 2024.
Families will only have a voice in allocating the funds in those regions with active Advisory Councils. Westchester, FYI, is the only remaining Council in Region 3, south of the Capital Region, and it currently has very few registered members.
If you live in Westchester, Rockland, Orange, Sullivan, Putnam, Dutchess, Ulster, Greene, or Columbia counties, and you have a loved one living at home and want a voice in allocating these new monies, complete the attached forms, found at this link.
Finding good medical care for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) can be difficult to do — all the more so if they have Medicaid, given the waitlists for Medicaid doctors. Not surprisingly, this can have serious consequences.
Individuals with I/DD “experience significant health disparities, including increased rates of co-occurring mental and physical health conditions and decreased life expectancy,” according to a study that came out this past November.
Kerri Neifeld, commissioner of the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD), recently joined the NYS Dept. of Health’s “Grand Rounds” — which offer an opportunity for healthcare professionals to hear from subject matter experts — to discuss medical equity for people with I/DD.
You can check out the Dec. 15th, 2023, webinar, but I’ve also put many of its highlights here. While the webinar was targeted at professionals, I think family members and caregivers will find the information helpful; knowing the problems can help you find solutions.
Neifeld cited some statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):
The most important suggestion is to communicate. Panelist and family physician Dr. Vince Siascoco suggested that if a patient can’t clarify their symptoms due to communication problems, a health provider should examine things such as behavioral changes and make sure they do a good medical workup. Make sure you suggest these avenues if you feel you’ve hit a dead end.
And of course, if your loved one is verbal, make sure the provider is giving them the space and time to discuss their issues. If a doctor is shoving you out the door, sit tight and ask them to listen.
A look at Gov. Hochul’s commitment to people with developmental disabilities, a quarter of teens with autism may be undiagnosed and more news to know for the week ending Jan. 13, 2024.
Hochul touched on several things, but not the critical need to raise the salaries of Direct Support Professionals. Maybe if people make enough noise, it will make its way into her actual budget proposal.
According to this article, she did mention plans to ensure people with disabilities are living as integrated as possible, issuing an executive order focused on improving employment and expanding transitional and specialized mental health housing. (WXXI News)
Related: Officials prepping legislative agenda to aid New Yorkers with disabilities (From December 2023, Spectrum Local News)
NYC Says Not Moving Forward With Tens of Millions of Dollars in Cuts to Programs for Students with Significant Disabilities, but Messaging Unclear The planned cuts totaled roughly $97 million across District 75. (Chalkbeat)
IRS Raises ABLE Account Limit The Internal Revenue Service said that the federal gift tax exclusion increases $1,000 to $18,000 effective at the start of this month. (Disability Scoop)
A Quarter Of Teens With Autism May Be Undiagnosed Most of the teens without a diagnosis had a milder level of impairment, according to recent findings. (Disability Scoop)
Should we tell our family and friends about our son’s autism diagnosis? A mother asks a parenting columnist about her high-functioning son with ASD. The short answer: Don’t wait too long to disclose the diagnosis. (Washington Post)
Can parents file civil suits over corporal punishment? SCOTUS declines to answer Had the Supreme Court agreed to hear the case, it would actually not have decided on the constitutionality of corporal punishment in schools. (k12dive.com)
Assistive technology is AI’s next billion-person market Several companies showed off new products at this year’s CES in Las Vegas. (Axios)
What Is Ableism? A Social Psychological Perspective A look at a term that’s gaining momentum. (Psychology Today)
Texas A&M Cavalry Horses Help Riders With Disabilities A free program at Texas A&M uses the connection between horses and humans to help participants lead more confident and independent lives. (Texas A&M Today)
This webinar is part of the Transition Workshop Series from Rockland BOCES, which covers topics relevant to all New York families and students with disabilities.
This webinar will explain the Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program (CDPAP), a Medicaid program that provides services to disabled individuals who need help with activities of daily living (ADLs). You’ll learn:
Details
When: Wed., Jan. 10, 2024
Time: 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Register here or you can email Mary Ellen Urinyi at murinyi@rboces.org to participate.
This is the first event in a five-part Lunch & Learn series hosted by the New York State Special Education Task Force (SETF).
Participants will learn the following:
Panelists:
Details
When: Wed., Jan. 10, 2024
Time: 12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Adapt Community Network, a New York City not-for-profit that provides programs and services for people with disabilities, is holding a free webinar for parents, family members, caregivers, and professionals who want to enhance the lives of children, teens and young adults with autism.
It will introduce the different tools, resources and services available through Autism Speaks, a non-profit autism awareness organization that calls itself the largest autism research organization in the U.S.
Spanish and Mandarin translations will be provided.
The speaker is Andrew Nelson, director of the Autism Response Team at Autism Speaks. A certified case manager, he has worked locally and globally to help grow autistic leadership, train others in self-advocacy principles, and teach theater-based approaches in the autism community.
Details
When: Thurs., Jan. 11, 2024
Time: 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.