Newsletter February 2008

NEWSLETTER APRIL 2008

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PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATES WEBLETTER

News and Information for Disability Professionals

Volume #12 – 47th Edition

April 4, 2008

With Old Man Winter slowly moving on we hope we’re at the end of what seems like ‘the eternal wait’ for spring here in the northeast. We hope your spring is close at hand also as we welcome you to our Spring Edition of our webletter. As you go through this month’s webletter you will be treated to a potpourri of disability related information including links to several web sites. You will also find news stories from around the country and a few brand new DVD and CD-ROM releases.

IN THIS ISSUE . . .

PDA Highlights
Quote of the Month
POLITICS- Advocates Pin Hopes on David Paterson
TECHNOLOGY – Advocates Ask Lawmakers to Require Noisier Cars
FAMILIES - Dodd Measure Would Allow Tax-Advantaged Disability Savings Accounts
CULTURE – “I’m Dancing Because I Can,” says Matlin
ADVOCACY - Many Respond Angrily To Professor’s Comments About Down Syndrome

PDA HIGHLIGHTS

We are always looking for high quality resources that disability professionals, trainers, teachers and college professors can use to educate and advocate. Since the last newsletter our search has resulted in several new and interesting DVD and CD-ROM resources. We have added resources about Career and Job Exploration, Autism, Learning Disabilities, Mental Health, Brain Injury and Physical Disabilities. If you have a resource or know of one you would like us to consider for distribution please contact Hank Riner at hriner@disabilitytraining.com.

Here are just a few of our recent additions!

Principles & Practices: Transition-from Consumer to Producer
http://www.disabilitytraining.com/pptf.html

Beyond Barriers to Passion and Possibility
http://www.disabilitytraining.com/bbpd.html

Embracing Autism
http://www.disabilitytraining.com/emab.html

Without Apology
http://www.disabilitytraining.com/wiad.html

Pressure Ulcers
http://www.disabilitytraining.com/puld.html

Making Connections
http://www.disabilitytraining.com/mcld.html

Every 21 Seconds
http://www.disabilitytraining.com/etsd.html

Ability Explorer
http://www.disabilitytraining.com/aexc.html

People Say I’m Crazy
http://www.disabilitytraining.com/psid.html

Inside Dyslexia
http://www.disabilitytraining.com/idyd.html

Diagnosing Depression
http://www.disabilitytraining.com/dgdd.html

Home Health Aide/Personal Care Assistant
http://www.disabilitytraining.com/hhad.html

Non-Traditional Job Search Basics for Re-Entry Success
http://www.disabilitytraining.com/ntjd.html

We know how budgets can be less that what you would like. At http://www.disabilitytraining.com/special.html we have selected over 100 resources and discounted some of them up to 50% to help you get more for your training dollar!

QUOTE OF THE MONTH

"We hope his leadership will create a New York where having elected officials who have significant disabilities is the norm and no longer newsworthy."
--Chris Hilderbrant, director of advocacy for the Center for Disability Rights, writing about David A. Paterson, who becomes the first legally blind governor of any U.S. state when he is sworn in to replace outgoing New York Governor Eliot Spitzer (First story)

POLITICS

Advocates Pin Hopes On David Paterson
By Dave Reynolds, Inclusion Daily Express
March 13, 2008

ALBANY, NEW YORK -- Disability advocates have pinned their hopes on New York's lieutenant governor David A. Paterson to be a positive role model and to represent the needs of citizens with disabilities when he becomes governor on Monday.

When the 53-year-old Paterson is sworn in, he will be the first legally blind person and first African-American to hold the post that Eliot Spitzer is leaving.

Paterson will also be the first New York governor with a disability since Franklin Delano Roosevelt was elected to take the job in 1929. But Roosevelt, who had polio, hid his disability from the public.
Paterson has not.

In fact, the Democrat -- who was credited with helping his party gain seats in the state Senate before Spitzer chose him as his running mate -- has been open about his disability. New York lawmakers, for example, have grown accustomed to seeing him walk to the podium with the aid of an assistant.

Paterson, who became blind as an infant, has considered his disability a 'window on the disenfranchised'.

And, as one commentator put it last year, he "has come a long way since he popped a grammar-school classmate in the face with a lunchbox for making fun of his disability."

Chris Hilderbrant, director of advocacy for the Center for Disability Rights, wrote in the Rochester Democrat & Chronicle: "Paterson's rise to the highest position in New York's government demonstrates what can be achieved by a person with a disability, given the needed supports and accommodations. We hope his leadership will create a New York where having elected officials who have significant disabilities is the norm and no longer newsworthy."

Lou Moneymaker told WISH-TV: "It'll give people all over the country an opportunity to see someone who is blind or visually impaired excel in the workplace. It's a very visible job."

Related:
"Advocates Hope New Governor will Bring Disability Awareness" (WBFO)
http://www.inclusiondaily.com/news/2008/red/0313a.htm

"Disability Advocates Cheer Paterson's Promotion" (WKBW)
http://www.wkbw.com/news/local/16657616.html

"How a Blind Man Will Lead a State - Well" (New York Times)
http://www.inclusiondaily.com/news/2008/red/0313b.htm

"Judge Paterson only on his abilities" (Democrat & Chronicle)
http://www.inclusiondaily.com/news/2008/red/0313c.htm

"Local man has hopes for Paterson as governor" (Poughkeepsie Journal)
http://www.inclusiondaily.com/news/2008/red/0313d.htm

"The Vision Thing" (New York Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/14/opinion/14kuusisto.html

This article is reproduced here under special arrangement with Inclusion Daily Express Disability Rights Email News Service. http://www.InclusionDaily.com ©Copyright 2007 Inclusion Daily Express. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, redistributed in any form or displayed on any web site without prior approval from Inclusion Daily Express. News@InclusionDaily.com

LOOKING FOR HISTORY OR ADVOCACY TITLES ABOUT SELF-DETERMINATON?

A LITTLE HISTORY WORTH KNOWING
http://disabilitytraining.com/alhd.html

DISABILITY IDENTITY AND CULTURE
http://www.disabilitytraining.com/dic.html

I AM A LEADER
http://www.disabilitytraining.com/iaal.html

THE DIVERSITY SERIES: AGE AND PHYSICAL ABILITY WORKPLACE ISSUES
http://www.disabilitytraining.com/divd.html

TECHNOLOGY / SAFETY

Advocates Ask Lawmakers To Require Noisier Cars
by Dave Reynolds, Inclusion Daily Express
February 27, 2008

PHOENIX, ARIZONA--The Arizona Legislature is considering a measure that would require quiet cars to be made louder.

The proposed bill was drawn up after members of the National Federation of the Blind of Arizona approached lawmakers and pointed out that the increasing number of nearly silent hybrid cars is creating a dangerous situation for pedestrians with vision-related disabilities.

Hybrids use a standard gasoline engine at high speeds. But at lower speeds -- such as in city traffic and parking lots -- they run on batteries and are almost silent.

This is proving dangerous for people who rely on their hearing to judge when cars are approaching.

The Tucson Citizen reported that Arizona had 9,455 hybrids registered in 2007 -- about a 70 percent increase over the previous year. The numbers are expected to grow dramatically in upcoming years as gasoline prices continue to climb.

Advocates say automakers have been slow to respond to the need for blind pedestrians to hear oncoming hybrids. Similar measures have been introduced in several other states.

"This bill is to encourage the auto industry to step up and address these issues more quickly than they are now," explained the bill's sponsor, state Representative Ed Ableser.

Opponents of the measure argue that any noise requirements should be set at the federal level.

HERE ARE 3 TITLES FOR YOU ON VISION, TECHNOLOGY AND ADAPTIVE EQUIPMENT FROM PDA

TECHNOLOGY AND SELF-ADVOCACY
http://www.disabilitytraining.com/tsad.html

FREEDOM MACHINES
http://www.disabilitytraining.com/fmad.html

OVERCOMING PROBLEMS WITH SPEECH, HEARING, AND VISION
http://www.disabilitytraining.com/opsd.html

For more you can also visit: http://www.disabilitytraining.com/tech.html

FAMILIES

Dodd Measure Would Allow Tax-Advantaged Disability Savings Accounts
By Dave Reynolds, Inclusion Daily Express
March 13, 2008

WASHINGTON, DC--U.S. Senator Christopher Dodd from Connecticut has introduced legislation designed to allow families of Americans with disabilities to set aside money for future supports without worrying about losing their current government benefits.

The Disability Savings Act of 2008 would let families save money in separate accounts with "tax-advantaged savings tools" such as a tax credit. Money could be taken from the accounts tax-free to pay for education, medical services, job training and transportation.

Money set aside in disability savings accounts would not be counted as income when considering eligibility for Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income, and other federal benefits.

When Dodd announced the measure on Tuesday, he said it would give a sense of relief to families asking the stressful question: "When we're gone, who will take care of our loved one with a disability?"

The Democrat said he would be looking for a Republican cosponsor for the bill.

Related:
Disability Savings Act of 2008
http://dodd.senate.gov/index.php?q=node/4316/print

HERE ARE 3 OF OUR 40+ FAMILY ORIENTED RESOURCES

INCLUDING SAMUEL
http://www.disabilitytraining.com/isad.html

ONE OF THE FAMILY
http://www.disabilitytraining.com/ootd.html

RAISING A CHILD WITH DOWN SYNDROME
http://www.disabilitytraining.com/racd.html

CULTURE

"I'm Dancing Because I Can," Says Matlin
By Dave Reynolds, Inclusion Daily Express
February 26, 2008

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA--Academy Award winning actress Marlee Matlin has confirmed that she will be featured in the new season of ABC-TV's "Dancing With The Stars" when it premieres on March 17.

Matlin won a 1986 Best Actress Oscar for her role as a deaf student in "Children of a Lesser God".

She told People.com that sign language "has given me an internal metronome". That, along with reading lips and using powerful digital hearing aids, will help her compete against other celebrities.

"I'm really doing it for my kids because they want me to be the coolest mom ever," she told People.com.

"In all seriousness, I'm doing it because I can. Simple enough," she wrote on her MySpace weblog. "Really, for me and the other 26 million Deaf and hard of hearing people out there, the only thing we CANT do is hear. The rest is all possible."

Related:
"I’m Dancing as fast as I can" (MySpace) http://www.inclusiondaily.com/news/2008/red/0225b.htm

"Dancing with the Stars" http://abc.go.com/primetime/dancingwiththestars/index?pn=index

A FEW RELATED RESOURCES FROM PDA!

WE ALSO DANCE
http://disabilitytraining.com/wadd.html

HOW TO COMMUNICATE EFFECTIVELY WITH SOMEONE WHO HAS HEARING LOSS
http://www.disabilitytraining.com/hcdc1.html

CRASH COURSE IN AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE
http://www.disabilitytraining.com/crac.html

Below is link to a YouTube video that has been watched by over 4 million, that we think you may find the video both amazing and beautiful. It’s titled “HAND IN HAND”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LnLVRQCjh8c

ADVOCACY

Many Respond Angrily To Professor's Comments About Down Syndrome Abortions
By Dave Reynolds, Inclusion Daily Express
February 25, 2008

CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA--A University of North Carolina biology professor stirred up controversy earlier this month when he suggested, during a class lecture, that fetuses found to have Down syndrome should be aborted.

Professor Albert Harris, who has taught at the university for 35 years, told his class on February 11: "In my opinion, the moral thing for older mothers to do is to have amniocentesis, as soon during pregnancy as is safe for the fetus, test whether placental cells have a third chromosome number 21, and abort the fetus if it does. The brain is the last organ to become functional."

Harris later said he wanted to spark discussion on the issue, and that he has a right to express his opinion.

What he did spark was the outrage of many people -- including students, alumni, and parents of children with Down syndrome.

Some students that attended the lecture said Harris gave very little time for discussion after he gave his own opinion.

Some alumni have said Harris should not have mixed his point of view with facts in the science class.

Senior Lara Frame, who has a brother with Down syndrome, took Harris' statements more personally.

"I've never run across anyone who would say that to another individual, much less a class," she told the Daily Tar Heel.

The head of the biology department defended Harris, adding that the professor would not be punished for stating his position.

In an opinion piece for the Fayetteville Observer, Vickie Erben, who has a daughter with Down syndrome, wrote: "Some might argue that Professor Harris was exercising his right to free speech when he aired his opinion during his class. And I guess that I would say that he has a right to state his beliefs. And I also have a right to say that he is wrong."

Related:
"Professor's remarks draw fire" (Daily Tar Heel)
http://www.inclusiondaily.com/news/2008/red/0225a.htm

"All children give us experiences" (Fayetteville Observer)
http://www.fayobserver.com/article?id=286420

HERE ARE A FEW RESOURCES ON ADVOCACY

A COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE TO INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES
http://www.disabilitytraining.com/cgib.html

A LITTLE LOWER THAN THE ANGELS
http://www.disabilitytraining.com/altd.html

ABANDONED TO THEIR FATE
http://www.disabilitytraining.com/abfd.html

HUMAN RIGHTS
http://www.disabilitytraining.com/hrcd.html

NAZI MEDICINE
http://www.disabilitytraining.com/nmd.html

PRINCIPLES & PRACTICES SERIES: TRANSITION: FROM CONSUMER TO PRODUCER
http://www.disabilitytraining.com/pptf.html

FOR A COMPLETE LISTING OF OUR ADVOCACY RESOURCES:
http://www.disabilitytraining.com/advhis.html

Share your thoughts, comments or questions with Program Development Associates. Recommend this webletter to a colleague, or change your own subscription by e-mailing info@disabilitytraining.com, calling 315-452-0643, or visit us on the web at http://www.disabilitytraining.com.

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