PLUK eNews June
14-18, 2004
http://www.pluk.org/eNews/Jun_14_04.htm
Volume 2 Issue 49
Welcome to the weekly PLUK eNews!
(Download the printable pdf version at: http://www.pluk.org/eNews/Jun_14_04.pdf
)
We are proud to present news of interest for Montana families of children with disabilities and special health care needs, and for the professionals and educators who serve them; however, it does not constitute an endorsement.
WHAT'S A PARENT TO DO? NAMI Releases Task Force Report
On Children & Psychiatric Medications
Arlington, VA-For children and teenagers with mental illnesses, the
greatest risk may be to do nothing, NAMI (National Alliance for the Mentally
Ill) warned today, in releasing a report on "Children and Psychotropic
Medications."
"Mental illnesses are profound and life-threatening illnesses. That's
the reality before anyone even starts to talk about medications," said NAMI
medical director Kenneth Duckworth, M.D. "Life is uncertain. Risks are real
and must be carefully weighed. But sometimes the worst risk lies in doing
nothing."
The report comes at a time when the U.S. Surgeon General has warned that one in
ten children or teenagers struggle with mental illnesses, but 80 percent never
get the help they need. At the same time, the Food & Drug Administration
(FDA) currently is reviewing the safety and effectiveness of using some
psychiatric medicines with children. Questions also have arisen in other
contexts, such as the role of schools in helping to identify early warning signs
of mental illness. The report emphasizes sound clinical practice and policy
concerns including parental choice, the physician-patient relationship, and
access to effective treatments.
To read the rest of the June 9, 2004, press release, go to http://www.nami.org/Template.cfm?Section=top_story&Template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=15859.
The NAMI report is available on-line at http://www.nami.org/kidsmeds.
Teleconference: "Addressing Discrimination and
Stigma Through Mental Health Consumer Contact" June 22, 2004
This training is presented by the Resource Center to Address Discrimination
and Stigma (ADS Center), a program of the U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Center for
Mental Health Services.
Date: Tuesday June 22, 2004
Time: 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Eastern Time)
Cost: Free
Speakers: Patrick Corrigan, PsyD; Carmen Lee; Ramiro Guevara
Objectives: Participants on the call will learn how contact with mental
health consumers can help the general public reduce their fear and
misperceptions about mental illnesses. The goal is to provide participants with
the theory behind this method of reducing discrimination and stigma, as well as
practical information about models that they might replicate or become involved
in.
Register: http://www.adscenter.org/regpage.shtml.
For more information, contact Jennifer Melinn at info@adscenter.org.
NAMI-Billings Annual Picnic, June 15
Billings' voice on mental illness, the local NAMI is hosting the annual
membership picnic at Rose Park, June 15th. People who are interested in becoming
NAMI-Billings members are encouraged to take a look at the membership
information offered during the picnic. Bring your favorite picnic treats. Brats,
drinks, and tableware will be provided.
To RSVP, please call 256-2001
Wheelchair Getaways, LLC.
Want to try before you buy a modified vehicle? Want more travel options for
vacations, special events, or medical visits? Wheelchair Getaways is a
nationwide franchise offering accessible van rentals, sales, and service to
wheelchair users. Vans and mini-vans by Ford, Chrysler, and General Motors are
outfitted with:
* Available on select models at most locations
The vehicles are backed by 24-hour emergency assistance.
To qualify for a rental, the applicant (minimum driver age, 23 years) must have
a valid driver's license, proper certification/endorsement (for hand
controllers), and current automobile insurance. Prices and vehicles vary by
location. The Montana branch, located in Helena, serves Montana, northern
Wyoming, and northern Idaho using the following rates (subject to change):
For more information, and current fees/rates, please contact:
Jack and Thelma Lofink, Owners
Big Sky Handicapped Services, LLC
3110 Miranda Drive
Helena, MT 59602
Toll Free: 800-630-8267
Phone/Fax: 406-227-6524
http://www.wheelchairgetaways.com
National Reservations: 800-642-2042: http://www.wheelchairgetaways.com
Calling all young artists with disabilities
http://www.vsarts.org/programs/vw/
For the third year, VSA arts & Volkswagen of America, Inc. are pleased to
launch a call for entries to identify promising young artists with disabilities.
Fifteen (15) finalists, ages 16 - 25, will be awarded a total of $30,000 in cash
awards that is distributed as follows: a $10,000 grand prize, a $5,000 first
award, a $3,000 second award, and 12 awards of excellence in the amount of
$1,000. Selected artwork will be part of an exhibit in Washington, D.C. during
October of 2004 that will then tour throughout the United States for the
following two years.
THEME
This year's theme, "Driving Force", challenges artists to consider
what motivates and inspires creativity. We are interested in both
representational and abstract work. Artwork may illustrate actual aspects of the
artist's inspiration such as the environment, myth, or personal discoveries.
Abstract work that relates to the artist's feelings or emotions is also
encouraged. Work might also reflect the experience of living with a disability
and its role in shaping or transforming motivations.
Applicants are asked to present evidence that will best exemplify the extent and
quality of their accomplishment. The jury will be looking for the development of
original ideas in the work submitted - imagination, competence, and the skillful
use of materials. Art must be an original work that has been completed in the
last three (3) years. Eligible media include: paintings and drawings (oil,
watercolor, acrylic, pencil or charcoal), fine art prints (lithographs, etching,
intaglio, or woodcuts), photography, and two-dimensional mixed media. Artwork
should not exceed 60 inches in either direction.
ELIGIBILITY
Open to young artists from 16 - 25 living in the United States who have a
physical, cognitive, or mental disability. A disability is defined as an
impairment that substantially limits a major life activity. For more information
about disabilities that apply, please visit http://www.vsarts.org/resources/general/dag/
Latch Hooking for Kids, July 9 - August 6, Billings
PLUK is sponsoring a 5-week class for kids of all ages and abilities.
July 9th-Aug. 6th, 2004
Fridays 12:30-2:30PM
You will need to purchase a small latch hook kit to work on.
Call or stop by PLUK to sign up. Hurry! Space is limited and tuition is FREE!
Parent's Let's Unite for Kids, 516 N 32nd St, Billings MT 59101, 255-0540
"Show Me the Money": Flexible Funding for Job
Success
This website is intended to help people use flexible funding to find and
keep the jobs they want. The funding might come from the Vocational
Rehabilitation or Developmental Disabilities agency in your state, your school
district, or maybe through the Social Security Administration. The flexible part
means that you decide how to use the funding to get the job you really want. You
might pick a service provider agency, take classes, buy equipment for your
business, or interview and hire a job coach who works directly for you.
http://www.communityinclusion.org/publications/flex_funding/
Welcome to HireAbilities!
HireAbilities is a national network of emerging professionals with
disabilities. We believe that people with disabilities are capable of the same
success and leadership in their careers as people without disabilities. In our
work as a nonprofit, we partner with:
We work with our partners to ensure that talented emerging professionals with
disabilities find their niche and excel. With the success of one individual,
comes the possibility for even more diverse, disability-friendly workplaces.
http://www.hireabilities.org/
"There can be no difference anywhere that doesn't make a difference
elsewhere" -- William James (U.S. philosopher with dyslexia)
ArtsBridge: Careers in the Arts for People with
Disabilities
ArtsBridge has formed a National Partners Network bringing together
disability membership organizations, disability service providers, arts service
organizations, and national arts organizations to share information on careers
in the arts for people with disabilities. ArtsBridge has developed a guide to
careers in the arts which has been distributed to rehabilitation counselors
throughout the United States and has been posted on the Quest For Arts website.
ArtsBridge staff is currently gathering examples of best practices for employing
people with disabilities. Quest will share the results of this survey through
the Partners Network and on its website.
http://www.quest4arts.org/company/about.htm#artsbridge
ADD/ADHD IN THE WORKPLACE
A diagnosis of Attention Deficit Disorder may not automatically mean that
accommodations are needed in the workplace. Many people work well in their jobs
without needing them. This article discusses protection under the ADA and
general accommodations that have proven helpful for people with ADD/ADHD. http://add.about.com/library/weekly/aa111202a.htm
DIABETES AND THE WORKPLACE
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has released a fact
sheet on how the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) applies to diabetes in
the workplace. This publication, available on the EEOC web site, is designed to
assist employers, as well as applicants and employees with diabetes, in
understanding their rights and responsibilities. The fact sheet is available
on-line at http://www.eeoc.gov/facts/diabetes.html
ExceptionalNurse.com
Welcome! If you are a student with a disability considering a nursing
career, this is the place for you. If you are a nursing student with a
disability, this is the place for you. If you are a nurse with a disability,
this is the place for you. If you are a nursing educator or a guidance counselor
working with a student with a disability, this is the place for you.
ExceptionalNurse.com is a nonprofit 501 (c) 3 resource network committed to
inclusion of more people with disabilities in the nursing profession. By sharing
information and resources, ExceptionalNurse.com hopes to facilitate inclusion of
students with disabilities in nursing education programs and foster resilience
and continued practice for nurses who are, or become, disabled.
http://www.exceptionalnurse.com/
The Disclosure Dilemma For Advocates
By Laverne A. Buchanan, Ed.D.
Should you? Shouldn't you? When? To whom? Such questions frequently arise
for parents, counselors, and teachers whenever the topic of disclosure of a
disability arises. Many disabilities, such as certain learning, cognitive, and
perceptual disabilities, are not readily apparent. Students and employees with
hidden disabilities may be understandably reluctant to disclose information
about the presence and nature of a disability for fear of discrimination and
negative perceptions.
Many factors can influence the ultimate decision of whether or not disclosure is
the best course of action in a given circumstance. Young adults engaged in the
transition to postsecondary education and employment will benefit from counsel
and guidance about how to make sound judgments regarding disclosure.
Counselors, advocates, and family members should reinforce any advice regarding
disclosure with instruction about effective self-determination and
self-advocacy, concepts with which students in transition should be familiar.
Ultimately, students and employees with disabilities who can articulate their
particular needs and objectives, and who have been coached on the selective
sharing of personal information, enjoy greater control over their circumstances.
Read the complete article at: http://www.heath.gwu.edu/Templates/Newsletter/Issue%207(July%202003)/Disclosure%20Dilema.dwt
Birthday Time?
Does your child have a birthday coming up? Are you dreading the decorating,
food preparation and cleanup? If so, Contact Bill at Montana Candy Bar &
Deli at 294-2327. Montana Candy Bar & Deli offers birthday parties at their
store located at 111South 24th Street West in the Rimrock Mini Mall.
They will do the decorating, provide lunch, ice cream and activities for the
kids giving you an opportunity to sit back, relax and enjoy the party for a
change. Be sure to take your camera for great photo of all the activities.
AND PLUK will receive a portion of the proceeds!
Get your Albertson Community Partners card!
PLUK has joined Albertsons' Community Partners Card Program. This program is
designed to help non-profit organizations raise funds needed for their programs.
A percentage of your grocery total will be donated to PLUK. All that is needed
is to show your Community Partners card each time you make a purchase at
Albertsons. It does not cost you anything.
If you are interested in assisting PLUK in raising funds this way, please
contact Bernice at 255-0540 to get a Community Partners card.
1. Monday Morning in Washington, DC, http://www.inclusionresearch.org
2. Rocky Mountain DBTAC, http://www.adainformation.org
3. Transition Newsflash, Montana Center on Disabilities, http://www.msubillings.edu/transition
4. PEN Weekly NewsBlast http://www.publiceducation.org
5. Reference Points: Transition updates from the TATRA Project, http://www.pacer.org/tatra/tatra.htm
6. The American Indian Disability Technical Assistance Center Training Calendar http://aidtac.ruralinstitute.umt.edu/TrainingCalendar.htm
7. Rural Policy Matters, http://www.ruraledu.org/rpm/rpm.htm
8. Technology for Nonprofits: http://www.techsoup.org
Parent's, Let's Unite for Kids - PLUK
516 N 32nd St
Billings MT 59101-6003
800-222-7585; 406-255-0540; 406-255-0523 (fax)
plukinfo@pluk.org
http://www.pluk.org
Edited by: Roger Holt rholt@pluk.org
Proofed & condensed by: Elisabeth Mills scribe@pluk.org
Mission Statement: Parent's Let's Unite for Kids unites parents, professionals, families and friends of children with special needs to support one another, and share information for the benefit of their children.
Vision Statement: Given information and support, individuals with disabilities and their families will feel empowered to advocate for themselves and participate fully in educational and community opportunities.
Statement on accessibility: Today, we endeavor to be conscious of the need for making all electronic information accessible, as we are aware of physical accessibility issues in our community. For design guidelines visit http://ncam.wgbh.org/cdrom/guideline/
Privacy Policy: We do not sell, rent, or lend the e-mail addresses of our subscribers.