PLUK eNews May
31 - June 4, 2004
http://www.pluk.org/eNews/May_31_04.htm
Volume 2 Issue 47
Welcome to the weekly PLUK eNews!
(Download the printable pdf version at: http://www.pluk.org/eNews/May_31_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.
An understanding heart is everything is a teacher, and cannot be esteemed highly enough. One looks back with appreciation to the brilliant teachers, but with gratitude to those who touched our human feeling. The curriculum is so much necessary raw material, but warmth is the vital element for the growing plant and for the soul of the child. -- Carl Gustav Jung
June 2004
Monthly Update Available online
The June 2004 Monthly Update is available online at: http://www.pluk.org/MU/MU_Jun04.pdf
The paper version should be out within the next two weeks.
Nonverbal Communication Cards - Revisited
(Note from editor: last week we published a story about nonverbal
communication cards, see http://www.dailylocal.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=11422160&BRD=1671&PAG=461&dept_id=17782&rfi=6.
We had many requests as to where they may be obtained. After some research, we
found this source.)
Can your first responders communicate with EVERYONE they need to? A person
with Autism? The lost child who is frightened to speak? Anyone whose speech is
difficult to understand? People who do not speak English as a first language? An
individual with a seizure disorder or Alzheimer's disease? An individual with
deafness or who is hard of hearing? Individuals who have suffered strokes or
closed head injuries?
Various communication barriers make it difficult or even impossible for many
individuals to ask for help. First responders are often faced with having to
gather important information from individuals where communication may be
hampered for a variety of reasons. The Operation Communication Board is a new
tool designed to improve communication abilities for those difficult times.
Operation Communication Boards are intended for simple communication by both
parties to access and clarify immediate needs and to gather basic information
needed to assist in emergency situations. These boards are not intended to
replace a qualified translator or experienced care provider.
Operation Communication Boards are produced and sold at cost by the non-profit
organization Silent No More, Inc. They are sold in packages of 10 with
info sheets for $5.00 plus shipping and handling charges. For more information
please contact Susan Rzucidlo at (610) 274-2364 or e-mail srz@dol.net.
(Information supplied by LEAN On Us, http://www.leanonus.org.
The Law Enforcement Awareness Network offers recommendations for resources and
materials to assist first responders in the field.)
Agencies urged to hire disabled students for summer
jobs
By Elizabeth Newell, enewell@govexec.com
May 24, 2004 - Labor Secretary Elaine Chao and Defense Secretary Donald
Rumsfeld issued a joint memo Monday asking agencies to step up use of a program
designed to provide summer internships for college students and recent graduates
with disabilities.
Through the Workforce Recruitment Program for College Students with
Disabilities, the Labor Department gives public- and private-sector
organizations access to a database of almost 1,600 potential interns. The
database provides employers with background information about the students, who
are pre-screened through face-to-face interviews. Employers can search the
database by state, school or area of study.
"It's an advantage to get a diverse workforce in place," said W. Roy
Grizzard Jr., assistant secretary of Labor for disability employment policy. The
recruitment program, he added, "brings an individual with a disability into
an office where an individual without a disability can see that they can carry
the workload and make a positive contribution."
Read the complete release at: http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/0504/052404e1.htm
House Committee Approves McKeon Bill to Improve Access
to Technology for Individuals with Disabilities
May 19, 2004 WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The U.S. House Committee on Education &
the Workforce today approved H.R. 4278, the Improving Access to Assistive
Technology for Individuals with Disabilities Act. The bill, authored by Rep.
Howard P. "Buck" McKeon (R-CA), reauthorizes the assistive technology
state grant program and will help to ensure a larger share of the resources
distributed under the program goes directly to individuals with disabilities.
The bill was approved by voice vote with no recorded opposition.
"I'm pleased that the Committee came together in a bipartisan way to pass
the Improving Access to Assistive Technology for Individuals with Disabilities
Act," said Rep. John Boehner (R-OH), chairman of the Education & the
Workforce Committee. "The common-sense reforms we've made today will help
even more individuals overcome the limitations of their disabilities with the
help of technology."
Read the complete release at: http://edworkforce.house.gov/press/press108/second/05may/at051904.htm
Life Skills Groups Starting Monday June 7, Billings
What: The Montana Foster Care Independence Program's next session of
Life Skills Groups, for youth ages 15-19 years.
Topics: Employment, Money Management, Apartment Living, Cooking, etc.
When: Monday June 7, 2004, 3:30-5pm. Groups run for six weeks.
Where: First Steps House, 204 S. 29th
Contact: Paige Koster, 259-2558
Money Smart: Free training program
The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) has launched a free
training program called Money Smart, geared to teach adults outside the
financial mainstream how to enhance money and banking skills. The program
consists of 10 instructor-led modules on basic financial topics and presents an
interesting opportunity for organizations interested in training persons with
disabilities. Out of the 49 million Americans with disabilities, one in three
persons live at or below the poverty level. To learn more about Money Smart,
visit http://www.fdic.gov/consumers/consumer/moneysmart/index.html
HHS Will Launch New Program Supporting Physical
Activity for Children and Youth with Disabilities
More than 50 Partner Organizations Will Support The "I Can Do It, You
Can Do It" Campaign, Kicking Off May 26
HHS Secretary Tommy G. Thompson this month will launch a new program to support
good health and physical activity for the 6 million American children and youth
who have disabilities. Joined by more than 50 participating national
organizations, the initiative is being led by HHS' Office on Disability in
collaboration with the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports (PCPFS).
Read the complete release at: http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2004pres/20040519.html
FOR DISABLED: Virginia guide sets trend
By Zinie Chen Sampson, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
RICHMOND - St. John's Church is Richmond's oldest house of worship, and the
site of Patrick Henry's famous "Give me liberty or give me death"
speech in 1775.
For visitors who need it, here is some equally important information: The
church's brick paths are level enough for people in wheelchairs to navigate
without assistance, and a wheelchair lift is also available.
Facts about St. John's and other state tourist sites appear in The Virginia
Guide for Persons With Disabilities, which was recently commended by the Society
for Accessible Travel and Hospitality, a national advocacy group.
Read the complete article at: http://www.journalnow.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=WSJ%2FMGArticle%2FWSJ_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1031775578627
Self-Paced Web Class Explains ADA
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Basic Building Blocks is an
introductory web course that explores the legal requirements and the spirit of
the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. The course content is self-paced
and organized into 12 topics that have been designed to be studied in order,
covering the basic principles and core concepts of the Act. The Great Lakes ADA
and Accessible IT Center has developed this online course through a
collaboration with the 10 Regional Disability and Business Technical Assistance
Centers (DBTACs). http://www.adabasics.org/
Parents Wanted for Survey
IRIS Media, Inc. creates research-based educational materials for teachers,
families and adults with developmental disabilities. They are currently looking
for parents of adult children with cognitive or intellectual disabilities to
participate in a research project on future planning. Parents will receive
planning materials to evaluate and can earn up to $100 for their participation.
For more information, parents can phone Lisa Cassidy toll free at 877-343-4747,
x204; can email her at lisa@lookiris.com;
or can check the website at http://www.lookiris.com/concern.html
Immunization Safety Review: Vaccines and Autism (2004)
This eighth and final report of the Immunization Safety Review Committee
examines the hypothesis that vaccines, specifically the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR)
vaccine and thimerosal-containing vaccines, are causally associated with autism.
The committee reviewed the extant published and unpublished epidemiological
studies regarding causality and studies of potential biologic mechanisms by
which these immunizations might cause autism.
The committee concludes that the body of epidemiological evidence favors
rejection of a causal relationship between the MMR vaccine and autism. The
committee also concludes that the body of epidemiological evidence favors
rejection of a causal relationship between thimerosal-containing vaccines and
autism. The committee further finds that potential biological mechanisms for
vaccine-induced autism that have been generated to date are theoretical only.
The committee does not recommend a policy review of the current schedule and
recommendations for the administration of either the MMR vaccine or
thimerosal-containing vaccines. The committee recommends a public health
response that fully supports an array of vaccine safety activities.
In addition, the committee recommends that available funding for autism research
be channeled to the most promising areas. The committee makes additional
recommendations regarding surveillance and epidemiological research, clinical
studies, and communication related to these vaccine safety concerns.
Access the complete report at: http://www.nap.edu/books/030909237X/html/
TWO NEW GENETIC DISCOVERIES HAVE IMPLICATIONS FOR
MENTAL RETARDATION
A team of researchers has discovered a gene for Cornelia de Lange Syndrome,
a disorder consisting of mental retardation, heart defects, and physical
abnormalities. The discovery is expected to speed the development of a prenatal
genetic test for the syndrome. Read more at http://www.nichd.nih.gov/new/releases/cornelia.cfm
In other news, researchers are a step closer to understanding why a high
proportion of the population is genetically at risk for neural tube defects.
Certain neural tube defects can be associated with mental retardation. Read more
at http://www.nichd.nih.gov/new/releases/genetic_basis.cfm
Both studies were funded by the National Institute of Child Health and Human
Development, one of the National Institutes of Health.
Two-Year Report Card on Federal Education Reform:
NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND IS "FAILING OUR CHILDREN"
FALSE ASSUMPTIONS, ARBITRARY RULES HURT SCHOOL QUALITY, EQUITY
NEW ACCOUNTABILITY MODEL PROPOSED TO IMPROVE CLASSROOMS
National Center for Fair & Open Testing, Thursday, May 27, 2004
The first two years of implementation of the controversial "No Child
Left Behind" (NCLB) law have damaged education quality and equity because
of the law's incorrect assumptions and arbitrary requirements, according to a
170-page report released today. In addition to critiquing NCLB, Failing Our
Children by the National Center for Fair & Open Testing outlines a
fundamentally different approach to assessment and accountability that the
authors say would better promote needed school reforms.
"The current federal law is aggravating, not solving, the real problems
that cause many children to be left behind," explained FairTest Executive
Director, Monty Neill, the report's lead author. "NCLB must be thoroughly
overhauled if the federal government is to make a useful contribution to
enhancing the quality of education in U.S. schools, particularly for low-income
and minority group students."
Read the complete press release at: http://www.fairtest.org/Failing%20Our%20Children/Failing_Our_Children_PR_052604.html
View the report at: http://www.fairtest.org/Failing_Our_Children_Report.html
What's Proficient? The No Child Left Behind Act and the
Many Meanings of Proficiency
The goal of the federal No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) is to have 100
percent of America's public school students "proficient" in reading
and math by the year 2014. This is hardly a rhetorical goal. NCLB's Adequate
Yearly Progress (AYP) formula requires states to calculate annual achievement
targets for schools and districts based on the ultimate goal of 100 percent
proficiency; missing those annual targets means failing AYP, which carries
increasingly stiff sanctions.
But what does "proficient" mean? Does it mean, as U.S. Department of
Education officials and others usually say, that students are on grade level?
Does proficient mean the same thing in California as in Colorado, for example,
or in math as in reading, or across the school grades? The answer is no on all
counts. By demonstrating that "proficient" does not have a single,
objective meaning, this issue brief helps in understanding the wide differences
in AYP failure rates across the states, the meaning of student achievement
reports under NCLB, and the prospects for achieving the law's goal of 100
percent proficiency by 2014. For more information, contact Bella Rosenberg,
Assistant to the President, brosenbe@aft.org
Download the issue brief at: http://www.aft.org/privatization/downloads/WhatsProficient.pdf
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.
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