ADD Summits Still Open for Registration

From the NRCA Capitol Insider--
There are three remaining summits sponsored by the Administration on Developmental Disabilities (ADD). The Agency is seeking input on the following questions:

1. What do children with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) need to live happy lives with their families?
2. What do adults with IDD need to live meaningful lives in their communities?
3. What do seniors with IDD need to live long, healthy lives in their homes?

Visit http://www.envision2010.net/registration_about.php to register to participate via telephone or in person: on November 15 in Dallas, TX; December 2 in Detroit, MI; or December 6 in Denver, CO.

ADD oversees the programs created by the Developmental Disabilities Act:
1) Protection and Advocacy Systems (P & As)
2) Councils on Developmental Disabilities (DD Councils)
3) University Centers for Excellence in Development Disabilities (UCEDs)
4) Projects of National Significance

Capitol Insider Highlights

Highlights from The Capitol Insider for the Week of September 27, 2010:

The ARC and UCP to Oppose CLASS Act Repeal
Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) introduced S. 3829, a bill to repeal the CLASS Act. Senators Chambliss (R- GA), Coburn (R-OK), Cornyn (R-TX), and McCain (R-AZ) joined as co-sponsors of the bill. The CLASS Act, part of the Affordable Care Act, creates a nationwide long term insurance program to assist people with long term service needs while avoiding the impoverishment necessary to receive Medicaid benefits. The Arc and UCP strongly supported passage of the CLASS Act and will oppose its repeal.

Obama to Sign "R" Word Elimination Bill
The House of Representatives passed Rosa’s Law (S. 2781), substituting the term “intellectual disabilities” for “mental retardation” in many federal laws. The bill is identical to the bill passed by the Senate earlier this year. President Obama will sign the bill into law soon. The terminology change does not affect eligibility or services available under the laws where the terminology is changed. This bill is a huge victory for self advocates and their families who have fought for years to remove the term “mental retardation”.

Expanding Assistance in Individuals with Autism
The House of Representatives passed HR 5756, The Training and Research for Autism Improvements Nationwide Act to amend Title I of the Developmental Disabilities Assistance Act and Bill of Rights Act (The DD Act), expanding assistance to children and adults with autism. The bill would authorize $17 million grants to University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDDs) to provide training and services, and provide grants for up to four new UCEDDs that collaborate with minority institutions. The bill now does to the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee for consideration.

Previous issues of the Capitol Insider are available at www.ucp.org anytime by choosing "Capitol Insider" under "Public Policy." If you have any questions, please contact Annie Acosta at acosta@thedpc.org.

Today is National Spread the Word to End the Word Day

Condensed Release From the Office of Texas State Senator Judith Zaffirini--

Wednesday (March 3) is National “Spread the Word to End the Word” Awareness Day, offering us a rich opportunity to focus on using respectful language for persons with intellectual disabilities by eliminating the “R-word.”

Our efforts were bolstered recently when an American Psychiatric Association review panel unveiled proposed revisions to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, an influential guidebook in the mental health field. One recommended change favored by the panel is particularly overdue: eliminating all variations of the word "retarded" and replacing them with respectful language referencing persons with intellectual disabilities...

To find out how you can help promote respectful language, visit http://www.r-word.org/. More than 70,000 persons have visited the site and pledged to support eliminating the R-word in their everyday speech.

Capitol Insider Announcements

From the ARC/UCP Capitol Insider
Volume 14, Issue 46November 23, 2009

International Paralympics

The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) voted on November 20 to reinstate eligibility for athletes who have intellectual disabilities (ID) to participate in the Paralympics. Since 2001, athletes with ID have been banned from participation in the Paralympics due to violations by a Spanish basketball squad which included players who did not have ID. The DPC wrote a letter to the U.S. Paralympic Division of the U.S. Olympic Committee urging that they vote "yes" for the reinstatement. (It is not known at this time how the US voted; but the USPC had been urging a "no" vote.) See the IPC's press release at:
http://www.paralympic.org/Media_Centre/News/General_News/2009_11_21_a.html

Immigration

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) today announced that it has established a streamlined, standardized process for receiving requests for accommodations from customers with disabilities. Customers in need of accommodations from field offices and Application Support Centers should now call the National Customer Service Center (NCSC) at 1-800-375-5283 (TDD: 1-800-767-1833).

Special Olympics Founder Dies

Eunice Kennedy Shriver, founder of the Special Olympics, died today at age 88. The Special Olympics, today an organization that includes more than 2.5 million participants in 150 countries, began in 1961 as a summer day camp for children with intellectual disabilities at Shriver’s family farm in Maryland. Special Olympics held its first official event in 1968 in Chicago.

Shriver’s legacy in the area of advocacy for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities includes her creation of the National Institute on Child Health and Human Development and the President's Committee on Mental Retardation, both created during her brother John F. Kennedy’s presidency. The federal funds attached to these endeavors resulted in significant research and educational programming in the field.

President Obama released a statement saying Shriver was “an extraordinary woman who, as much as anyone, taught our nation -- and our world -- that no physical or mental barrier can restrain the power of the human spirit."

For a tribute to Eunice Kennedy Shriver, please visit: http://www.specialolympics.org/ or
http://www.eunicekennedyshriver.org/
"It is my deepest hope that the world can begin to look at our friends with special needs and, for once, tell them, 'Yes, you do belong; yes, you are wonderful; yes, you can be a shining light of hope for the world!"— Eunice Kennedy Shriver

SOURCES:
“Remembering Eunice Shriver: Life and Times, Special Olympics” http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/discussion/2009/08/11/DI2009081101008.html
“Eunice Kennedy Shriver, Special Olympics founder and sister of JFK, dies at 88”
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-eunice-kennedy-shriver12-2009aug12,0,4627914.story

March 31- Spread the Word to End the Word Event

"R-word" awareness actitivities are scheduled nation-wide to "Spread the Word to End the Word", a campaign to stop the use of the word "retard". The "R Word" and stigmatizing references to people with intellectual disaiblities recently made headlines with President Obama's remarks on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno". View a clip of his comment: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vE0yAEvVsUo (various clips are available).

Through “Spread the Word to End the Word,” an on-line youth rally Live stream will occur at www.schooltube.com, 12:35 PM Eastern Time. R-word Pledge Rallies will take place at
American University, Beirut, lebanon; all high schools in state of Delaware; school in the Fort Worth Independent School District, Texas; at the University of Kansas, Western Michigan University, University of Nebraska, Lincoln; Princeton University, and Slippery Rock University, Pennsylvania, just to name a few. Visit http://www.specialolympics.org/03-31-09_Spread_the_Word.aspx.

Texas State School Deaths Spark Protests

AUSTIN, Texas— Protesters gathered at a Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) board meeting yesterday to demonstrate against alleged mistreatment of state school residents who have disabilities, including intellectual disabilities. Wearing shirts with the number 53 on them and chanting “Shame on you” and “53 deaths on your watch”, the protesters disrupted the meeting for about 10 minutes, until security personnel escorted them out. The protesters belong to an Community Now, an advocacy group. According to the Austin-American Statement, “A federal Department of Justice report released last week found at least 53 patients in Texas' large residential facilities died in 2007 from preventable conditions that were often the result of lapses in care.” Since 2004, the state has terminated or suspended over 800 employees for mistreating consumers.

SOURCES:

Protesters disrupt meeting about Texas' state schools for the disabled.

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/texassouthwest/stories/DN-stateschools_11tex.ART.State.Edition1.4ac8359.html

Protesters disrupt state meeting

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/tx/6157643.html

Protesters disrupt state council meeting, angry about conditions at state schools

http://www.statesman.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/austin/politics/entries/2008/12/10/protesters_disrupt_state_counc.html

(INCLUDES VIDEO of Protest)

RELATED:

http://www.offthekuff.com/mt/archives/009890.html

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/texassouthwest/stories/DN-stateschools_25tex.ART.State.Edition2.42b6d15.html

http://www.houstonpress.com/2008-07-31/news/texas-woman-fights-abuse-at-the-state-s-schools-for-the-mentally-retarded/

UK Groups Promote Sex & Relationships for People with LD

Author’s Note: The United Kingdom disability community uses the term learning disability (LD) to refer to individuals who have intellectual disabilities (ID)/cognitive delay/mental retardation (MR). As used in the UK, it does not equate with the U.S. definitions of learning disability.

UNITED KINGDOM— Several organizations in the UK have launched programs to address the sexual health and relationship needs of people with learning disabilities (intellectual disabilities). ENABLE Scotland (http://www.enable.org.uk/) launched “Dates n Mates”, a dating service for people with LD/ID. Organizers aim to counter the discrimination many people with intellectual disabilities face in the area of intimate relationships, dating, and friendships. “Dates n Mates” will operate in conjunction with other charitable groups. The Family Planning Association, a top UK sexual health organization also provides relationship and dating resources for people with disabilities and disability-related professionals (fpa; http://www.fpa.org.uk/). Training is available in diverse areas, including autism spectrum disorders and sexuality and positive sexuality for adults with LD. Supporters of these programs say accessible information about sex and relationships helps reduce the risk of exploitation and abuse.

SOURCES:
“Disability Sex Campaign” (audio only story)
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/7576455.stm
“Would Like to Meet … But Not Be Judged”
http://www.theherald.co.uk/features/features/display.var.2329615.0.Would_like_to_meet_but_not_be_judged.php
RELATED:
Disabled World
http://www.disabled-world.com/artman/publish/disabilitysexuality.shtml
Sex, Dating and Disability: How to Help Youth Make Healthy Choices
http://ici.umn.edu/products/impact/192/over11.html

Thunder Heard ‘Round the World

Disability rights and advocacy group protests about Ben Stiller’s new movie, “Tropic Thunder” continue to splash headlines in major news outlets around the U.S. Now, news sources around the world are also reporting the story! Here is a very small sample:

From the United Kingdom:
“Ben Stiller and Tom Cruise's Tropic Thunder 'Offensive to the Disabled'”
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/celebritynews/2545958/Ben-Stiller-and-Tom-Cruises-Tropic-Thunder-offensive-to-the-disabled.html

From Canada:
“Tropic Thunder and Other Recent Cinematic Boycotts”
http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/theampersand/archive/2008/08/12/tropic-thunder-and-the-greatest-cinematic-boycotts-of-all-time.aspx

From Moldova (near Romania)
Disability Advocacy Groups to Protest Tropic Thunder Premiere
http://www.cbc.ca/arts/film/story/2008/08/11/protest-tropicthunder.html?ref=rss

From Malaysia:
Tropic Thunder Disability Controversy
http://www.star-ecentral.com/movies/buzz/buzz.asp?file=archives/buzz/2008/8/7TropicThun&date=8/7/2008&title=Tropic%20Thunder%20disability%20controversy


Plan a Star Boycott— Do you want to know which Hollywood A-list stars attended the TT premiere? Check out this Monsters and Critics photo feature:
http://www.monstersandcritics.com/movies/features/article_1423480.php/In_photos_Tropic_Thunder_Los_Angeles_Premiere

UPDATE: DreamWorks/Stiller Offensive Film

08 August 2008

UPDATE—DreamWorks met on Wednesday with disability community leaders and disability-rights groups including The Arc of the United States and leadership from Special Olympics to discuss offensive portrayals and “hate speech” language in Ben Stiller’s new film “Tropic Thunder” and its promotional materials. Chip Sullivan, head of publicity for DreamWorks, said the meeting was “very productive”; however, disability rights groups have not yet said the same. Disability advocacy groups will view the film soon and respond again to the studio. DreamWorks removed the “Simple Jack” website associated with the film from the Web. The Arc (http://www.thearc.org/) is preparing local and state chapters for a movie boycott if concerns remain.

SOURCES:
“DreamWorks: Simple Jack "Retard" Movie Offended People So We Took Site Down”
http://www.businesssheet.com/2008/8/dreamworks-simple-jack-retard-movie-offended-people-so-we-took-site-down
Stiller Screens New Film for Disability Groups
http://www.pr-inside.com/stiller-screens-new-film-for-disability-r745384.htm
“DreamWorks "Retard" Scandal Update: Disability-Rights Groups to Watch "Tropic Thunder," See If They Are Offended”
http://www.businesssheet.com/2008/8/dreamworks-retard-scandal-update-disability-rights-groups-to-watch-tropic-thunder-see-if-they-are-offended

RELATED:
Patricia E. Bauer blogs about Wednesday’s meeting:
http://www.patriciaebauer.com/2008/08/07/tropic-thunder-meeting/
View the ARC memo through Patricia Bauer’s blog:
http://www.patriciaebauer.com/aug-5-berns-memo/