School District Approves Anti-Bullying Books with Disability Themes

In California, the Alameda School District approved has just approved a new reading list of 21 books focused on themes such as disability, religion, race, and sexual orientation to help elementary students learn about groups who face discrimination and stereotyping. The effort is aimed a reducing bullying, especially of individuals from potentially vulnerable groups and minorities.

The approved list is not without controversy, however, as some parents raised concerns about the inclusion of books related to sexual orientation. Nonetheless, Patricia Sanders, President of the Alameda Education Association supports the approval.

SOURCE:

“Alameda school board approves books to help curb bullying”

http://www.insidebayarea.com/oaklandtribune/localnews/ci_14911424

Blind UCLA Grad Can Use AT for Bar Exam

SAN FRANCISCO- Northern District of California Judge Charles Breyer ruled in favor of Stephanie Enyart, a Blind graduate of the UCLA Law School, who will be allowed to use her preferred assistive technology on her upcoming Bar exam in late February. The National Conference of Bar Examiners previously denied her request due to concerns that the integrity of the text could be compromised. The Bar also noted that Federal disability law "does not require testing organizations to provide disabled examinees with their preferred accommodations." Nonetheless, the judge ruled Enyart’s request reasonable, noting she the Bar should permit her to use the assistive technology she is accustomed to. Ms. Enyart is currently employed with

SOURCES:
Disability Rights Advocates, an organization based in Berkeley, California. Court Rules in Favor of Visually-Impaired Grad
http://www.dailycal.org/article/108028/court_rules_in_favor_of_visually-impaired_grad
Sounds Fair: Court Says Blind Law Student Can Use Software For Blind On Bar Exam
http://www.businessinsider.com/court-says-blind-law-student-can-use-software-for-blind-test-takers-for-bar-exam-2010-2
Blind student wins computer aid for bar examhttp://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/01/30/BARA1BPRQF.DTL

Schools Win Stay in Special Education Case

NATIONAL EDUCATION ASSOCIATION--
NEA reports that 7th Circuit Court of Appeals in Chicago has granted Milwaukee Public Schools a stay on US District Court Magistrate Judge Aaron Goodstein’s June 9th ruling requiring Milwaukee Public Schools to identify all students who may be eligible for special education services from September 2000 to June 2005. The schools had appealed the ruling as “too broad and too costly to implement”.
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The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (8/28, Richards) says the most recent action is “hitting the pause button on the case." Now the schools and Disability Rights Wisconsin will argue their positions in front of the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals in a series of written briefs and, most likely, oral arguments.

RELATED:
Milwaukee Judge Orders Compensatory Special Education
http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/speced/2009/06/milwaukee_judge_orders_compens.html
MPS Wins Reprieve in Special Education Lawsuit
http://www.jsonline.com/news/milwaukee/55980517.html

US Signs UN Disability Rights Convention

President Obama announced the US signing of the United Nation’s International Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD).  Susan Rice, US Ambassador to the UN, signed the treaty on July 30th at the United Nations as required under international legal arrangements. Upon signature, the U.S. must uphold the general purpose of the treaty, but is not legally bound under international law to any specific article until the Senate ratifies it by two-thirds majority vote. Read the President's related remarks at:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/Remarks-by-the-President-on-Rights-of-Persons-with-Disabilities-Proclamation-Signing/


US participation in the UN CRPD has been a long time coming, stalled for years under previous administrations. When ratified, the US will join numerous other nations who’ve signed and ratified the protocol. Here’s looking forward to the day the US is “in the red” on the map!

ARC and UCP Seek Lobbyist

The Arc and United Cerebral Palsy's Disability Policy Collaboration is seeking a Senior Lobbyist to cover disability rights, technology, emergency management, and family related issues.  The Application deadline is August 3, 2009.  For more  information, see: 

http://www.idealist.org/jobs/7702-103/345426-163 or

http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/doc/npo/1284865475.html