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PLUK eNews November
17, 2004
http://www.pluk.org/eNews/Nov_17_04.htm
Volume 3 Issue 7
Welcome to PLUK's electronic
newsletter!
(Download the printable pdf version at: http://www.pluk.org/eNews/Nov_17_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.
"If you think education is expensive, try ignorance." -- Benjamin Franklin
Ballot Cast by Disabled Voter May Impact Legislature,
Voter Access
A disabled voter in Lake County cast one of only 33 provisional ballots in
the three-way race for Montana House District 12, and the impact of that vote is
echoing with disability-rights advocates and concerned citizens statewide.
The reason for the stir is not just the slim lead held by the current winner
(two provisional votes, as of official canvass on November 9) but also the
actions of a Lake County election judge who challenged the voter's mental
competency because the man could not sign his signature. This challenge is
raising blips on the advocacy radar. In a recent article, John Stromnes of the
Missoulian quotes Raelynn Lauderdale, an advocacy specialist from the Montana
Advocacy Program (MAP), saying, "there's no law that says you have to have
a certain IQ to vote. The only way this vote could be challenged is and not
counted is if this person was judged of unsound mind in a court of law."
Now, according to Stromnes, Lake County election officials will likely
investigate court records to determine the competency of this single voter and
to verify whether the man has been formally considered "of unsound
mind."
For more information on provisional votes and to read more about this
legislative race, visit the Missoulian online at http://www.missoulian.com.
To read John Stromnes complete article go to http://www.missoulian.com/articles/2004/11/07/news/mtregional/news06.txt.
Advocating for Your Child With a Disability/Serious
Health Care Need, December 11, Bozeman
A parent workshop sponsored by PLUK (Parents Let's Unite for Kids)
Saturday December 11th from 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Bozeman Adult Learning Center
1218 Durston Road (across the street from Gallatin Rest Home)
REGISTRATION REQUIRED:
Please contact Rebecca, toll-free at 1-877-847-8890 or radams@pluk.org.
(Registration is for contact information only in case of cancellation)
Electric Wheelchair for Sale in Billings
Brand new blue Jazzy 1121, used only 4 times. Asking $3,000 or b/o. Contact
Lila at 406/254-7183.
Professional Development in Autism Center (PDA): Autism
Spectrum Disorder Training for Educators
The PDA Center is funded by the US Department of Education. Trainings are
free (yes, really), and cover a variety of needs on several levels:
For more information on this remarkable training resource, please visit the PDA website at http://depts.washington.edu/pdacent/index.html#description.
Media Reports of AD/HD RX Medication Abuses Create
Confusion About Seriousness of Disorder
http://www.chadd.org/press.cfm?cat_id=10&subcat_id=29&press_year=2004&press_id=134
Television programs and evening news broadcasts-from "Desperate
Housewives" to "World News Tonight with Peter Jennings" to
"Fox News"-have recently featured sensational storylines and
unsubstantiated abuse statistics about the misuse of medications designed to
treat attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (AD/HD) by people for whom these
medications are not prescribed.
CHADD is concerned that these depictions create great confusion among the
general public with regard to the seriousness of AD/HD and the proven safety and
efficacy of these medications when properly administered.
Stimulant medications do have the potential for abuse by anyone, which is why
the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency has "placed stringent controls on their
manufacture, distribution and prescription," according to the National
Institute on Drug Abuse. CHADD emphasizes the importance of working closely with
the medical community to diagnose and treat mental disorders, including
following physician directives regarding the administration of stimulant
medication. In addition, CHADD's 16,000 family members are concerned with the
diversion and misuse of medications.
Medication, under the prescription of a treating medical professional and when
taken as prescribed, along with other non-medication interventions, provide the
most effective foundation for the treatment of AD/HD. For more information on
CHADD's approach to the diagnosis and treatment of AD/HD, please refer to
CHADD's Fact Sheets at http://www.chadd.org/webpage.cfm?cat_id=24.
National Inclusive Schools Week Dec. 6-10
The 4th Annual National Inclusive Schools Week will be celebrated December
6-10, 2004. Celebration kits can be downloaded from The National Institute for
Urban School Improvement's website at: http://www.inclusiveschools.org.
The kits include lesson plans, activities, posters, and bumper stickers. This
year's theme is "Working Together" to promote change across all levels
of the system to create a more inclusive community.
IF REPEATING A GRADE DOESN'T HELP KIDS, WHY DO WE MAKE
THEM DO IT?
Making students repeat a grade hasn't worked for 100 years, so why is it
still happening? And why do government officials, school leaders, and teachers
persist in recommending retention as a remedy for low student achievement --
even when researchers call it a failed intervention? Linda Darling-Hammond,
executive director of Columbia University's National Center for Restructuring
Education, Schools, and Teaching, has a one-word answer: assumptions. Many
schools, she says, operate on the assumption that failing students motivates
them to try harder, gives them another chance to "get it right," and
raises their self-esteem. Those claims aren't true, Darling-Hammond maintains.
The widespread trust in retention is uncritical and unwarranted, she says. It
ignores several decades of research showing that, for most children, retention:
(1) Fails to improve low achievement in reading, math, and other subjects; (2)
Fails to inspire students to buckle down and behave better; (3) Fails to develop
students' social adjustment and self-concept. Darling-Hammond concedes that
grade retention might benefit some students in the short term, but in the long
term, holding students back puts them at risk. More often than not, students who
are retained never catch up academically. Many eventually drop out, and some end
up in the juvenile justice system. The belief that students, as well as their
parents, are to blame for low achievement plays into most retention decisions,
writes Susan Black. But teachers and principals seldom accept their share of
blame for inept instruction, lackluster lessons, low expectations, and other
school factors that contribute to students' academic disengagement and behavior
problems, Darling-Hammond says.
http://www.asbj.com/current/research.html
Educating Our Children Together: A Sourcebook for
Effective Family-School-Community Partnerships
By Susanne Carter and CADRE
This sourcebook stresses the need for schools, communities, and families to
work together to educate children to be productive and caring 21st century
citizens. American families are described as more diverse than ever before,
spanning cultures, languages, levels of education, and socioeconomic and
demographic differences. Family involvement is defined in an expansive way to
include and recognize the value of a broad spectrum of activities that involve
family members and/or guardians helping children to learn, both at home and at
school. Barriers that limit family involvement are also recognized. Research
evidence over the past three decades is cited that demonstrates family
involvement significantly contributes to improved outcomes. Guidance for schools
getting started in family involvement activities is provided with the caveat
that not all of the more than 80 promising practices organized into eight
"cluster strategies" included in the sourcebook will work for every
school. To be most effective, school administrators and teachers, in
consultation with parents and community representatives, need to select and/or
adapt strategies based upon individual schools' needs, priorities, resources,
student population, and community support.
http://www.directionservice.org/cadre/EducatingOurChildren_01.cfm
President Signs Assistive Technology Act
Victory for Millions of People with Disabilities Who Strive for
Independence
A Press Release from the Association of Assistive Technology Act (ATAP)
Projects, http://www.ataporg.org
(Washington, DC) -- President Bush signed the Assistive Technology Act of 2004,
which will ensure that individuals with disabilities throughout the US and its
territories have access to the technology they need to help them be independent
in school, at home, the workplace and in the community. This legislation
represents an important commitment to people with disabilities from the
President and the Congress.
Millions of people with disabilities rely on assistive technology to help them
gain and maintain independence. Every state and US territory has an Assistive
Technology Act Program (AT Program) funded under the provisions of the
Technology-Related Assistance Act of 1988. Legislation supporting the State AT
Programs was scheduled to sunset on September 30, 2004. The AT Act of 2004
supports the continuance of State AT Programs and eliminates the sunset
provision. By eliminating the sunset provision, the government sent a clear
signal that it supports a federal investment for people with disabilities, which
will pay off for communities, the economy, businesses and people with
disabilities.
New Support Groups in Helena
Kelly Newman of Helena is sponsoring two new support groups in her home.
The first meets every Tuesday at 10:30AM. It is a group just for Mom's of
high-needs kids.
The second is an Autism Awareness group which meets every Saturday at 3:00 PM.
It is for individuals, couples and kids.
For more information contact Kelly at 406/449-2371.
AAPD Summer 2005 Internship Opportunities
SUMMER 2005 INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES FOR COLLEGE STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES
available through AAPD. Additional information and the applications are
available on the AAPD website: http://www.aapd-dc.org
or call 1-800-840-8844 (v/tty).
MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC AMERICA FOUNDATION - AAPD CONGRESSIONAL INTERNSHIP
PROGRAM
The Mitsubishi Electric America Foundation and the American Association of
People with Disabilities (AAPD) Congressional Internship Program was created to
provide an opportunity for students with disabilities to work on Capitol Hill
and acquire valuable work experience that will enrich their academic studies. As
congressional interns, participants gain insight into congressional office
operations, public policy development, and constituents' roles in the
legislative/political processes. In 2005, eight students with disabilities will
be selected for this 8-week internship. Airfare, summer housing, and stipends
will be provided.
Submission Deadline: received by 5:00pm (Eastern Time) on December 15, 2004.
Summer 2005, Full-time, $1,500 stipend; free housing; free airfare
http://www.aapd-dc.org or
1-800-840-8844 (v/tty)
MICROSOFT - AAPD FEDERAL INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY INTERNSHIP PROGRAM
The Microsoft-AAPD Federal Information Technology (I.T.) Internship Program
was created in 2003 to provide undergraduate students with disabilities, who
have a demonstrated interest in I.T. careers, with the opportunity to
participate and benefit from highly sought-after federal internships. The
internship is made possible through a generous grant from Microsoft and will be
administered by AAPD. In 2005, this internship program will provide ten students
with disabilities to work for a U.S. government agency for eleven-weeks in
Washington, DC. Airfare, summer housing, and stipends will be provided.
Submission Deadline: received by 5:00pm (Eastern Time) on December 15, 2004.
Summer 2005, Full-time, $2,500 stipend; free housing; free airfare
http://www.aapd-dc.org or
1-800-840-8844 (v/tty)
Additional information and the applications are available on the AAPD website: http://www.aapd-dc.org or call 1-800-840-8844 (v/tty).
Closing The Gap Forums.
http://www.closingthegap.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi
Upcoming PLUK trainings and activities planned for 2004-05
PLUK associate boards around the state are sponsoring a number of trainings
and activities this coming year. Mark your calendar if you are interested in
participating.
Go to http://www.pluk.org/training
for more detailed information and registration.
January 2005
Title: Staying Cool When Our Buttons are Pushed: An Introduction
Date: Tuesday, January 11, 6:00 - 8:00 PM
Where: Interactive video conference airing statewide from Missoula
Presenter: Doug Cochran Roberts
Title: Staying Cool When Our Buttons are Pushed
Date: January 24, 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Where: Mansfield Center, Billings (tentative)
Presenter: Doug Cochran Roberts
February 2005
Title: Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
Date: Tuesday, February 8, 6:00 - 8:00 PM
Where: Interactive video conference airing statewide from Great Falls
Presenters: Jill Plumage, Fort Belknap Hospital
Title: Special Education in Montana (legal aspects and case studies)
Date: February 9, 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Where: Great Falls (location to be announced)
Presenter: Kathy Manley Coburn
Title: Financial Planning and Resources for Families
Date: February 24, 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Where: Missoula (location to be announced)
Presenters: Nancy Gibson & Karen Grove
March 2005
Title: Bullying: an Introduction to What we can do
Date: Tuesday, March 8, 6:00 - 8:00 PM
Where: Interactive video conference airing statewide from Kalispell
Presenters: Dr. Marlene Snyder and panel
Title: ADHD issues
Date: March 9, 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Where: Kalispell (location to be announced)
Presenter: Stephanie Luehr
Title: Staying Cool When Our Buttons are Pushed
Date: March 21, 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Where: Bozeman (location to be announced)
Presenter: Doug Cochran Roberts
April 2005
Title: TBA
Date: Tuesday, April 12, 6:00 - 8:00 PM
Where: Interactive video conference airing statewide
Presenters: TBA
Title: Bullying: What we know, What we can do
Date: April 15, 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Where: Miles City
Presenter: Dr. Marlene Snyder
Title: Tools for Independence: Assistive Technology
Date: April 121, 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Where: Wolf Point
Presenter: Roger Holt, ATP
May 2005
Title: TBA
Date: Tuesday, May 10, 6:00 - 8:00 PM
Where: Interactive video conference airing statewide
Presenters: TBA
Title: Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
Date: Tuesday, May 17, 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Where: Great Falls
Presenters: Jill Plumage, Fort Belknap Hospital
Other Community Activities
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/
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