This free virtual discussion, part of the “Engagement Series” from Person Centered Services, is geared toward people receiving Care Coordination, family and caregivers, and anyone else who might benefit from the information.
Recognizing & Preventing Domestic & Sexual Violence will feature Kelly Weiss, project coordinator from the Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence. The discussion will include:
Details
When: Dec. 14, 2023
Time: 6 p.m.
The grassroots Coalition for Self-Direction Families of New York State (C4SD), led by families of New Yorkers with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (I/DD), wants to expand its agenda and, to do so, wants to know yours.
The goal of C4SD, which just launched in October 2023, is to “protect and improve the system of individual Self-Directed budgets in New York State, as one of the primary pathways to achieving integrated lives, based on freedom of choice.” It has been focusing on the “red flag” policies that make it increasingly difficult to get approval for activities that fall under the “Community Classes & Publicly Available Training/Coaching” category. (Read more about that here.)
Now, it wants to know the services you’re interested in, your vision for the Self-Direction system, and what the organization’s top priorities should be next. It’ll take you mere minutes to answer the questions designed to help you and your loved one. Click here for the C4SD Self-Direction Survey now!
The Supreme Court’s 1999 Olmstead decision gave people with I/DD the constitutional right to live and receive services in the most integrated setting appropriate. C4SD works to: protect this right; make Self-Direction easily available to anyone who chooses it; and end all policies that prevent the free exercise of choice.
The special ed teacher crisis, a controversial federal proposal affecting pay for Direct Support Professionals, a Hallmark Christmas movie shines a light on autism and more news for the week ending Nov. 18, 2023.
The number of students in special education has doubled over the past four decades so, which helps explain the growing shortage of special ed teachers nationwide. This week, The 74, a nonprofit news organization, has several reports that show the scope of the challenges and workarounds:
Disability groups rally for higher wages, citing thousands of vacant positions Read about the Capitol rally that called on Gov. Kathy Hochul to invest in the Direct Support Professional workforce. (Times Union)
Inside the Pleasantville Cottage School controversy Another (very measured) look at Pleasantville Cottage School, a residential center for vulnerable and troubled children and teens that also serves individuals with I/DD. (lohud)
Maine Rarely Sanctions Residential Care Facilities Even After Severe Abuse or Neglect Incidents From 2020 to 2022, residential care facilities were cited for rights violations and hundreds of other deficiencies. (propublica.org)
Knoxville Police Department launches program to improve safety for those with developmental or cognitive disabilities Another city helps smooth communication between first responders and the disability community. (wbir.com)
Disability Providers Warn Federal Overtime Pay Rule Could Jeopardize Services A new proposal could address one problem while creating others. (Disability Scoop)
At Least 2 Million Children Have Lost Medicaid Insurance This Year (New York Times)
A New Tool Helps Disabled People Track—and Shape—Laws That Impact Them Plain-language documents can make information more accessible to people with disabilities that affect cognition and memory. (Mother Jones)
Runner Among First with Down Syndrome Ever to Finish NYC Marathon: ‘Victory Dance at the Finish Line’ 33-year-old Kayleigh Williamson, who has also run 20 half-marathons, completed the iconic race with her mom by her side. (msn.com)
Hallmark Movies & Mysteries Shines a Light on Autism in ‘A World Record Christmas’ They’re heeeere and by that, I mean Hallmark’s Christmas movies. (Parade)
So, you’re loved one has been determined eligible for services from the New York State Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) and there is talk of the “Life Plan.” This document outlines a person’s goals and desired outcomes, habilitation goals, clinical and support needs and more. It changes as the needs of the person change. (See “What is the Life Plan.“)
Fair Hearing Help NY, a free, website for New Yorkers representing themselves at administrative hearings with the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA), is up and running and ready to help. It was launched by the Legal Aid Society, Empire Justice Center and New York Legal Assistance Group in partnership with Columbia Law School’s Lawyering in the Digital Age Clinic.
Its goal is to help New Yorkers navigate the complex process of administrative hearings and offer information that will allow them to more fully participate and exercise their due process rights.
So, what does “self-representation” mean for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities? The website is also helpful for a family member or caregiver who is going to assist someone else at their fair hearing, according to Anne K. Callagy, citywide director, Government Benefits Practice, the Legal Aid Society.
When an individual’s benefits, such as SNAP, are reduced, discontinued, or the application is denied, they can request a Fair Hearing. A Fair Hearing allows the individual to make their case and the agency will review the decision.
According to OTDA’s Annual Report, 155,662 hearings were requested in New York State in 2022. Ninety-seven percent of Appellants are not represented by counsel.
This one slipped by me. On Sept. 29, 2023, when the News & Documentary Emmy® Awards presented the winners of the Documentary category, the titles included My Disability Roadmap, an extraordinary short film directed by Samuel Habib and Dan Habib.
The documentary follows Samuel Habib, a young man who has cerebral palsy and a rare genetic disorder. He travels to meet successful adults who have disabilities to create a roadmap for himself and others.
The film is only 22 minutes long — stop and watch it now! You’ll be glad you did.
Both Dan Habib, Samuel’s dad and an award-winning documentary film director and producer, and Samuel work with the Westchester Institute of Human Development. Dan Habib is the organization’s Inclusive Communities Project Director, while Samuel Habib is its multi-media production assistant and presenter.
Inclusive Communities was created to “leverage WIHD’s expertise and the power of documentary film to promote greater acceptance and inclusion of children and adults with disabilities in schools and communities through curriculum, training, public awareness, and worldwide outreach,” according to the WIHD website.
“Brendan Klein’s Employment Journey” is a free webinar from the coordinator of Self-Advocacy and Community Engagement at the Westchester Institute for Human Development (WIHD).
A passionate self-advocate at both the local and state level, Brendan has enormous experience with both advocacy work and issues surrounding employment.
The presentation will include information about the transition from high school, post-secondary education opportunities, the value of diverse internships and volunteering, and how employment experience helps to develop self-advocacy and independence skills. Supported Employment (SEMP) and social connections will also be discussed.
Details
When: Monday, Nov. 20, 2023
Time: 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
“Encouraging” developments at ACCESS-VR, a counter-intuitive take on the subminimum wage, a new PBS series for kids to be led by an autistic character, and more news for the week ending Nov. 9, 2023.
Greenburgh nonprofit to close special education pre-K program A Greenburgh Town official did not know why the Stepping Stones program, part of the Lois Bronz Children’s Center, was closing, but said enrollment has been down. (news12.com)
Adult changing facilities focus of new bill Introduced by State Sens. Rob Rolison and Pete Harckham, it would mandate, among other things, that rest stops, amusement parks, libraries and other public buildings built after Jan. 1, 2024, have at least one adult changing table. (NYN Media)
Jobs Program for People with Disabilities Enacts Improvements The Examiner News looks at “several encouraging developments” at ACCESS-VR. (The Examiner News)
Fiscal watchdog pushes Hochul to sign home care transparency bill Citizens Budget Commission officials say the info would help the state’s overwhelmed home care industry and Medicaid spending. (Spectrumlocalnews.com)
Philly voters approve ballot question making Office for the People with Disabilities permanent (Philadelphia Inquirer)
Governor Josh Shapiro announces support, expanded benefits for Pennsylvanians with autism (6abc.com)
Unmet Needs: The State of Special Education in Portland (pdxparent.com, via Medical Motherhood)
Uncovering Racial Disparities in Georgia’s HCBS Waiver Waitlist (New Disabled South)
Disabled people are underrepresented in politics. A new organization aims to change that Disability Victory will start training the first cohort of disabled people who want to run for office in early 2024. (19thnews.org)
More Medical Schools Expected To Train Doctors On IDD Elevance Health is putting up $1.42 million in funding to more than double the number of medical schools preparing future doctors to care for this population. (Disability Scoop)
I’m tired of disability activists pretending my son doesn’t exist This interesting take on the push to end the subminimum wage notes Competitive Integrated Employment for all “sounds lovely and inclusive, but it ignores the lived experience of profoundly autistic people and their families.” (Washington Post)
Flipping the Script on Teaching Neurodivergent Students — and the Implications for All Learners A look at New York University’s move from a “deficit” model to an “asset-based” model that’s neurodiversity-affirming. (the74million.org)
Designers Work To Make Playgrounds More Inclusive One of the “most ambitious” undertakings for Landscape Structures is the new Motion Junction playground in upstate New York. (Disability Scoop)
Walmart expanding sensory-friendly shopping hours nationwide All Walmart stores nationwide and in Puerto Rico will have sensory-friendly hours between 8 a.m.-10 a.m. local time, seven days a week. (ABC News)
‘Carl the Collector,’ PBS Kids’ First Series Led by an Autistic Character, to Premiere in Fall 2024 It will feature a cast of diverse characters alongside a production team of neurodiverse and neurotypical writers, advisers and voice talent. (Hollywood Reporter)
Actors With Visible Disabilities “Essentially Excluded” From TV During 2021-22 Season (Deadline)
Mount Pleasant, N.Y., escalates its fight with a controversial residential treatment center, another “not-in-my-backyard” housing fight, Happiness Falls, a new novel featuring a non-verbal autistic character gets glowing reviews, and more news for the week ending Nov. 4, 2023.
25 Migrant Children to Stay at JCCA Residential Treatment Center and School in Westchester County The highly controversial center for children and teens with severe behavioral, emotional and educational challenges set off an uproar with the news. (Examiner News and News12.)
Disability service center opens in Albany The Willamette Vocational and Resource Community is a private not-for-profit. (Albany Democrat-Herald)
Organization for disabled adults opens second location at Shames JCC in Tarrytown The Extended Family launched in 2017 with four participants. (Hudson Independent)
NYC families push for special ed open houses as high school admissions season heats up Information ranging from what types of special ed classes are typically offered to building accessibility can be difficult to come by. (Chalkbeat.com)
Advocates demanded $1.25 billion to make NYC schools more accessible. They got $800 million. (Chalkbeat.com)
Disability-focused housing in Florida town approved, despite neighbors’ anger A commissioner who voted for the housing said, “Pinellas County is a county for all. That means it’s a county that includes our developmentally disabled population, and they deserve to have a place to live as well.” (Tampa Bay Times)
Georgia Allegedly Asked Judges to Consider Detaining Foster Kids with Disabilities The State said this would just be until they found a placement for them, a move that the judge said would violate the law. (Disability Scoop)
Autism Action Partnership provides Omaha, Neb., police with sensory kits These particular kits have communication cards, fidget toys, sunglasses and noise-canceling headphones. (ketv.com)
Why a Texas School District is Opening a Health Clinic for Students on Medicaid It’s mind-boggling to me, but some parents have grooming and indoctrination concerns about the care option. (The74million.org)
Justice Department Warns Sheltered Workshops May Violate ADA The department issued similar guidance in 2016 under the Obama administration, but it was rescinded by the Trump administration. (Disability Scoop)
Can Autistic Children Be Securely Attached? This writer says it’s time to reframe attachment behaviors as a unique expression of different wiring and not a deficit. (Psychology Today)
‘Happiness Falls’ is a heart-tugger as well as a page-turner This new novel has a non-verbal main character with a double diagnosis of autism and Angelman syndrome. (Washington Post)
The CUNY School of Public Health & Health Policy is looking for young adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities to work with a Health Educator to understand the concerns of adolescents and young adults about socialization and sexuality.
The study is funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and endorsed by The New York State Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD). Anyone who enrolls in the study will do six weeks of health education over Zoom for one hour a week. They would complete four surveys throughout and be paid up to $25 an hour.
Qualifications
Interested?
Email the Steps2 Team at Steps2@sph.cuny.edu or call (934) 226-5719 for more information.
Address
CUNY Graduate School of Public Health & Health Policy, 55 W. 125th St. #7th Floor, New York, N.Y., 10027