PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATES WEBLETTER
News and Information for Disability Professionals
Volume 13– 56th Edition
September 23, 2009

Finding the right balance of stories and resources for our newsletters is not always an easy task. With over 8,500 subscribers with many and varied interests in disabilities, selecting articles and reports that are of interest, relevant and newsworthy can be a challenge. With each issue our objective is to maintain a balance of subjects and issues that are of interest to all of our readers. With that in mind we make every effort to include information, articles and reports about current issues, concerns and breakthroughs in areas of special education, advocacy and awareness, technology, community living, inclusion, access and employment. We then match these with popular resources professionals working in these fields can use. Our goal is to give our readers something they can identify with and use in their work.

In this issue we have met this challenge with stories and resources on five topics; housing, education, money, technology, and employment. The five stories include information on HUD capital advances totaling 511 million dollars for disability and elderly housing, the elimination of exit exams for California students with disabilities, a new report linking disability and poverty, a high tech tongue magnet that controls wheelchairs and an ensuing law suit as a result of a job coach not being notified about a critical employee/employer meeting. We have also included “PDA Highlights” to give you the latest information about new disability resources and some great deals.

IN THIS ISSUE

PDA HIGHLIGHTS
QUOTES OF THE MONTH
HOUSING - HUD Releases $511 Million In Housing Aid
EDUCATION - Educators Unhappy Students with Disabilities No Longer Must Pass Exit Exam
MONEY - Role of Disabilities Ignored For Tens Of Millions Experiencing Income Poverty
TECHNOLOGY - Tiny Magnet Reads Tongue Motion To Control Wheelchairs
EMPLOYMENT - EEOC Sues Target Stores For Discriminating Against Employee

PDA HIGHLIGHTS

SEPTEMBER SAVINGS- While the economy is getting better; we at Program Development Associates recognize that budgets and funds remain very tight in this challenging economic environment. Here is how we can help. Save 10% off of any program offered on our website. There are no restrictions or dollar minimums! All you need to do is place your order before September 30, 2009 and use our special coupon code SEPTPDA to ensure you receive the discount on our order. More info at http://www.disabilitytraining.com/news0809.php

SPECIALS - In addition to our 10% off with September Savings you can save even more money with any of our 90 different Special discounts. As you browse our web site look for discounts on selected items and package deals or just click http://www.disabilitytraining.com/product-list.php?Specials-pg1-cid56.html for a complete listing.

AMERICAN RECOVERY AND REINVESTMENT ACT (ARRA) - Our ARRA resource center is open and continues to expand. Choose from over 90 DVD’s or curriculums that may help you meet stimulus funding goals. http://www.disabilitytraining.com/arra-main.php

NEW RESOURCES!

Our collection of over 700 resources is continuously monitored and updated to assure you are getting the most current and popular disability information and training materials available. Since our last newsletter we have added over 50 resources on several disability topics. We have listed a few here for you, if you wish to see all or our recent additions click on the link at the end of the list.

• AGED CARE: WORKING WITH INCONTINENCE IN THE ELDERLY - Addresses incontinence issues in elderly patients and helps them maintain their dignity and independence.
http://www.disabilitytraining.com/product-info.php?Aged_Care_Working_with_Incontinence_in_the_Elderly_DVD-pid466.html

• AUTISMVISION - Specifically developed to foster the social inclusion of children with autism, ages 8 to 11, in general education classrooms.
http://www.disabilitytraining.com/product-info.php?AutismVision_DVD-pid482.html

• BEYOND HIGH SCHOOL: STRATEGIES FOR NON-TRADITIONAL STUDENTS - This unique program provides encouragement for high school students, reminding them that there are different avenues to a successful and rewarding life after high school.
http://www.disabilitytraining.com/product-info.php?Beyond_High_School_Strategies_for_Non_Traditional_Students_DVD-pid476.html

• DEALING WITH ANGER - Gives middle school students the tools they need to recognize and deal with their own frustration and stress.
http://www.disabilitytraining.com/product-info.php?Dealing_with_Anger_DVD-pid487.html

• FIXING MY BRAIN: NEUROPLASTICITY AND THE ARROWSMITH PROGRAM - Profiles Barbara Arrowsmith, takes viewers inside the school she founded, and follows the progress of four cognitively challenged students enrolled there.
http://www.disabilitytraining.com/product-info.php?Fixing_My_Brain_Neuroplasticity_and_the_Arrowsmith_Program_DVD-pid497.html

• IT'S NEVER TOO LATE: STOPPING TEEN SUICIDE - Teaches viewers how to recognize and respond to the risks of teen suicide.
http://www.disabilitytraining.com/product-info.php?Its_Never_Too_Late_Stopping_Teen_Suicide_DVD-pid525.html

• SENSORY STRATEGIES TO IMPROVE COMMUNICATION SOCIAL SKILLS AND BEHAVIOR - Time-tested strategies and creative activities for sensory strategies.
http://www.disabilitytraining.com/product-info.php?Sensory_Strategies_to_Improve_Communication_Social_Skills_and_Behavior_DVD-pid456.html

• STUDY SKILLS FOR PEOPLE WHO HATE TO STUDY - Designed to help students get organized, this program helps set goals and priorities, and allows students to stay in charge of their schoolwork.
http://www.disabilitytraining.com/product-info.php?Study_Skills_for_People_Who_Hate_to_Study_DVD-pid519.html

• TOLERANCE: RESPONDING TO DIFFERENCES - Middle school years are the prime time when kids “make fun” of each other for differences in clothing, speech, physical traits and ethnicity. Consisting of four dramatic scenes and real-life interviews will challenge your students to look at each scene and determine what they would do in each situation.
http://www.disabilitytraining.com/product-info.php?Tolerance_Responding_to_Differences-pid494.html

• WORK PLACE DISABILITIES: BEYOND WHEELCHAIRS - Learn how employees with disabilities can be a valuable asset in your workforce.
http://www.disabilitytraining.com/product-info.php?Work_Place_Disabilities_Beyond_Wheelchairs_DVD-pid503.html

For a complete listing of our latest additions visit our "New Resource" section at http://www.disabilitytraining.com/product-list.php?New_Resources-pg1-cid55.html

QUOTES OF THE MONTH

"These capital advances will help thousands of our very low-income elderly and persons with disabilities to find good housing they can afford,"
HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan. 1st Story

“What is particularly disturbing here is that Target already knew this employee was disabled and needed assistance with communicating during in-person meetings,”
EEOC Regional Attorney Anna Y. Park of the agency’s Los Angeles District Office. 4th Story

HOUSING

HUD RELEASES $511 MILLION IN HOUSING AID
(U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development)
September 10, 2009

WASHINGTON, DC-- [Excerpt] The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development today announced $511 million is available to provide non-profit organizations interest-free capital advance funds to produce affordable rental housing with supportive services for the elderly and persons with disabilities through HUD's Section 202 and Section 811 Capital Advance programs.

"These capital advances will help thousands of our very low-income elderly and persons with disabilities to find good housing they can afford," said HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan. "Senior citizens and persons living with a disability should never have to worry about being able to find a decent place to live."

HUD provides the Section 202 and Section 811 funds to non-profit organizations in two forms:

Capital Advances - This is funding that covers the cost of developing, acquiring, or rehabilitating the development.

Project Rental Assistance Contract (PRAC) - This is funding that goes to each development to cover the difference between the residents' contributions toward rent and the HUD-approved cost of operating the project.

Entire article:
HUD offers $511 million in capital advances for housing very low-income elderly and persons with disabilities
http://www.hud.gov/news/release.cfm?content=pr09-165.cfm

This article is reproduced here under special arrangement with Inclusion Daily Express Disability Rights E-mail News Service. http://www.InclusionDaily.com ©Copyright 2009 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.

RELATED RESOURCES FROM PDA

FAMILY GUIDE TO LONG-TERM CARE - Step-by-step information families can use for planning, living options, care, insurance, and managing your loved ones financial affairs.
http://www.disabilitytraining.com/product-info.php?Family_Guide_to_Long_term_Care_DVD-pid153.html

EMERGENCY RESPONSE TRAINING - This comprehensive emergency response-training tool educates both the individual and the caregiver. While it addresses training goals and objectives incorporated in the individual consumer plan it can also be used for initial skill assessment.
http://www.disabilitytraining.com/product-info.php?Emergency_Response_Training_DVD-pid299.html

SAFETY & HOUSEKEEPING - Providing essential information about housekeeping skills and this DVD gives practical instruction about cleaning products and methods.
http://www.disabilitytraining.com/product-info.php?Safety_Housekeeping_DVD-pid110.html

EDUCATION

EDUCATORS UNHAPPY THAT STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES NO LONGER MUST PASS EXIT EXAM
September 9, 2009

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA-- [Excerpt] Educators are calling the agreement to suspend the high school exit exam as a graduation requirement for students with disabilities a disservice to the students' education.

An agreement between Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and the Legislature during July's budget negotiations suspended the California High School Exit Exam as a graduation requirement for eligible students with disabilities beginning this school year.

Students with disabilities who have individualized education plans that indicate they are on the diploma track and have satisfied any other requirements will not be required to pass the exam in the 10th grade as a graduation requirement.

A student with a disability who failed the CAHSEE in 10th grade will not be required to pass the test.

However, every student disabled or not, will still be required to take the exam for federal reporting purposes in the 10th grade for the No Child Left Behind Act program.

Entire article:
Educators unhappy that students with disabilities no longer must pass exit exam
http://www.insidesocal.com/educationnow/2009/09/educators-unhappy-that-student.html

This article is reproduced here under special arrangement with Inclusion Daily Express Disability Rights E-mail News Service. http://www.InclusionDaily.com ©Copyright 2009 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.

RELATED RESOURCES FROM PDA

BEYOND HIGH SCHOOL: STRATEGIES FOR NON-TRADITIONAL STUDENTS - Providing encouragement for high school students, this DVD reminds them there are different avenues to a successful and rewarding life after high school.
http://www.disabilitytraining.com/product-info.php?Beyond_High_School_Strategies_for_Non_Traditional_Students_DVD-pid476.html

BREAKTHROUGH - Provides a comprehensive multimedia presentation for staff developers and administrators building an expert instructional system for students and teachers.
http://www.disabilitytraining.com/product-info.php?Breakthrough_DVD_SET-pid454.html

DEVELOPING GOOD STUDY SKILLS - With 2 videos as well as a print component this set is designed to instruct students on tried and true methods to help them study more effectively and achieve higher grades.
http://www.disabilitytraining.com/product-info.php?Developing_Good_Study_Skills_DVD-pid527.html

MONEY

ROLE OF DISABILITIES IGNORED FOR TENS OF MILLIONS EXPERIENCING INCOME POVERTY
(Center for Economic and Policy Research)
September 15, 2009

WASHINGTON, DC-- [Excerpt] When the Census Bureau releases its yearly data on income poverty this Thursday, there will likely be little focus on disability as a cause and consequence of poverty.

Yet, as a new report from the Center for Economic and Policy Research (CEPR) shows, the share of people experiencing income poverty who have disabilities is far larger than conventionally understood. Nearly half of all working-age adults experiencing poverty during the year have a disability, and more than half of household heads will experience a period of disability by their mid-50s.

The paper, “Half in Ten: Why Taking Disability into Account is Essential to Reducing Income Poverty and Expanding Economic Inclusion,” reviews recent research on disability and poverty that finds higher rates of disability over the life cycle and among persons experiencing poverty than earlier research. This research employs newer, sophisticated data sources and defines disability in a way more consistent with the modern consensus.

Entire article:
Role of Disabilities Ignored for Tens of Millions Experiencing Income Poverty
http://www.inclusiondaily.com/news/2009/red/0915a.htm

Related report:
Half in Ten: Why Taking Disability into Account is Essential to Reducing Income Poverty and Expanding Economic Inclusion
http://www.inclusiondaily.com/news/2009/red/0915b.htm

This article is reproduced here under special arrangement with Inclusion Daily Express Disability Rights E-mail News Service. http://www.InclusionDaily.com ©Copyright 2009 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.

RELATED RESOURCES FROM PDA

ABANDONED TO THEIR FATE - Beginning in the Middle Ages and concluding with the modern shift toward independent living and community inclusion, this program focuses on the moral, aesthetic and economic policies that shaped the lives of people with disabilities
http://www.disabilitytraining.com/product-info.php?Abandoned_to_their_Fate_DVD-pid161.html

FREEDOM EQUALITY & JUSTICE FOR ALL – This is a remarkable package of specific, concrete strategies for promoting and strengthening self-advocacy.
http://www.disabilitytraining.com/product-info.php?Freedom_Equality_Justice_for_All_DVD-pid156.html

MY LIFE MY CHOICE - See what is possible when seven adults are given the freedom to follow their hearts and live their lives as they choose.
http://www.disabilitytraining.com/product-info.php?My_Life_My_Choice_DVD-pid165.html

TECHNOLOGY

TINY MAGNET READS TONGUE MOTION TO CONTROL WHEELCHAIRS
(Sun-Sentinel)
August 18, 2009

FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA-- [Excerpt] The tongue stud, that in-your-face accessory to rebellion, could spell freedom of another kind for people with major paralysis, thanks to researchers developing a magnetic control system operated entirely inside the mouth.

Called the tongue drive, it uses a magnetic field to read tongue movement as commands to a computer or a wheelchair.

"Imagine all the different ways you can bend your tongue," said developer Maysam Ghovanloo, assistant professor of the school of electrical and computer engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology. "The possibilities are endless."

The prototype is a small magnet -- the size of a grain of rice -- adhered to the tongue. Wireless headphones with magnetic sensors detect movement and transmit commands to a laptop computer.

Electrical engineer Jason Disanto took the system for a test drive.

This article is reproduced here under special arrangement with Inclusion Daily Express Disability Rights E-mail News Service. http://www.InclusionDaily.com ©Copyright 2009 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.

RELATED RESOURCES FROM PDA

AUGMENTATIVE COMMUNICATION STRATEGIES FOR ADULTS WITH ACUTE OR CHRONIC MEDICAL CONDITIONS - A practical guidebook and CD set that gathers everything professionals need to support and improve communication for adults with specific medical conditions.
http://www.disabilitytraining.com/product-info.php?Augmentative_Communication_Strategies_for_Adults_with_Acute_or_Chronic_Medical_Conditions_BOOK-pid594.html

SUSAN RODDE'S WHEELS OF ACHIEVEMENT - An advocate with disabilities, Ms. Rodde explains why a person with a disability wants to be treated with the same respect as anyone else, and how much a positive attitude can help.
http://www.disabilitytraining.com/product-info.php?Susan_Roddes_Wheels_of_Achievement_DVD-pid520.html

HOW TO HELP SOMEONE WHO USES A WHEELCHAIR INCLUDING WALKERS CRUTCHES & CANES - This program for care providers covers important safety concerns, with professionals explaining and demonstrating the proper use of equipment and the importance of body mechanics.
http://www.disabilitytraining.com/product-info.php?How_To_Help_Someone_Who_Uses_a_Wheelchair_Including_Walkers_Crutches_Canes_DVD-pid295.html

EMPLOYMENT / LAWS

EEOC SUES TARGET STORES FOR DISCRIMINATING AGAINST EMPLOYEE
(EEOC)
August 26, 2009

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA-- [Excerpt] The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission today filed a discrimination lawsuit against national retailer Target Stores, Inc. for unlawfully denying a reasonable accommodation to an employee with multiple disability-based impairments and substantially reducing his work hours due to the medical conditions.

The disabled worker could not effectively communicate with others without the assistance of a job coach because of his cerebral palsy and limited intellectual functioning. The EEOC charged in its lawsuit that Target subjected this employee at Target’s store in Foothill Ranch in Southern Orange County to discriminatory practices on the basis of disability when it failed to notify his job coach and parents of any in-person meetings involving work issues and job performance, as requested.

The disabled employee was compelled to attend these in-person meetings alone without the assistance of a job coach or parent, even though repeated requests had been made by both the job coaches and parents to be in attendance at the meetings. Target had hired this employee with full knowledge of his disabilities and need for a reasonable accommodation, according to the EEOC. Such alleged conduct violates Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and Title I of the Civil Rights Act of 1991.

Entire press release:
EEOC sues Target for disability discrimination
http://www.eeoc.gov/press/8-24-09.html

This article is reproduced here under special arrangement with Inclusion Daily Express Disability Rights E-mail News Service. http://www.InclusionDaily.com ©Copyright 2009 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.

RELATED RESOURCES FROM PDA

COMMUNICATION SKILLS FOR THE WORKPLACE - The number one asset for any employee is the ability to communicate effectively. Students will see that effective communication not only makes a business run better and enhances the prospects for the employee who can master it.
http://www.disabilitytraining.com/product-info.php?Communication_Skills_for_the_Workplace_DVD-pid513.html

WORK PLACE DISABILITIES BEYOND WHEELCHAIRS - The program shows how employees with disabilities can be a valuable asset in the workforce.
http://www.disabilitytraining.com/product-info.php?Work_Place_Disabilities_Beyond_Wheelchairs_DVD-pid503.html

ACCOMMODATING EMPLOYEES WITH DISABILITIES - With the viewpoint of "Good Access is Good Business" this program shows employers how easy it can be recognize and respond to requests for job accommodations.
http://www.disabilitytraining.com/product-info.php?Accommodating_Employees_with_Disabilities_DVD-pid171.html