Aid for families caring for disabled may end

A program that aids thousands of Tennessee families caring for disabled loved ones is on the chopping block under the proposed budget for the Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.

Commissioner Debra Payne said eliminating the program would save $7.5 million. That’s the biggest chunk of reductions totaling $21.9 million to comply with Gov. Bill Haslam’s directive that every agency cut spending by 7 percent.

To read more, please visit:  

http://www.tennessean.com/story/news/health/2014/12/02/aid-families-caring-disabled-may-end/19804139/  

Give Back Night at Moe's Southwest Grill - 2 nights!

Enjoy a great meal and support The Arc Mid-South at the same time!  Moe's Southwest Grill will be hosting two Give Back Nights to benefit The Arc Mid-South on December 17th and February 18th!  When you eat at Moe's between 5:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. on either of these dates, 15% of your purchase will go to support The Arc Mid-South.  

For more information, please contact (901) 327-2473.  Come out and join us and support a great cause while having fun!  

Register today and earn money for The Arc Mid-South!

The Kroger Community Rewards program was designed to make our fundraising the easiest in town by simply using your Kroger Card!  You lose no benefits personally and Kroger donates a portion of the dollars spent to The Arc Mid-South.  Enroll now for the Community Rewards Program.  All participants must re-enroll each year in order to continue earning points during the coming year.  It's easy - just shop, swipe your card, and earn.  

The Arc Mid-South's organization number with Kroger is 81469.  Do you already have an account?  Please sign in here and link your Kroger Plus Card to The Arc Mid-South.  If you don't have access to the internet, please contact The Arc at (901) 327-2473 for assistance.  

Employment for People with Disabilities

Join The Arc Mid-South for:

Conversations that Matter -
The Changing Employment Landscape in
Tennessee and Nationwide

When: Tuesday, September 9, 2014
Where: Community Foundation of Greater Memphis
1900 Union Avenue, Memphis, TN 1:00 -3:00 pm
or
SRVS – Learning Center
3971 Knight Arnold Rd, Memphis, TN 5:30-7:30PM

New Concussion Resource

New Concussion Resource from the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention; Heads Up to Parents

This interactive site will help to recognize, respond to, and minimize the risk of concussion or other serious brain injury.

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(http://www.headsupparents.org/index.html

Senator Calls For Expansion Of Community-Based Services

By MICHELLE DIAMENT

June 24, 2014Text Size  A  A

A new proposal in the U.S. Senate would eliminate a government bias toward placing people with disabilities in institutional rather than community-based settings.

U.S. Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, said Tuesday he is introducing a bill that would put an end to what’s known as the “institutional bias.”

Current law requires Medicaid to provide nursing home services to people with disabilities, but does not mandate that home and community-based options be offered. As a result, many states have long waiting lists for individuals wishing to obtain services in the community and a Senate report last year found that over 200,000 working-age Americans remain segregated in nursing homes.

Harkin’s proposal dubbed the Community Integration Act would change things by requiring that states deem all individuals who are considered eligible for institutional care to also be eligible for supports in home and community-based settings. What’s more, the bill would prohibit states from making people ineligible for services in the community based on their particular disability.

Read more at:  http://www.disabilityscoop.com/2014/06/24/senator-expansion-community/19470/ 

Congress To ‘Combat’ Autism No More

In a win for self-advocates, lawmakers said this week that they will no longer seek to include the term “combating” in the title of the nation’s primary autism legislation.

A bill to reauthorize hundreds of millions of dollars in federal spending for prevalence tracking, research, early identification efforts and other autism initiatives will move forward under a new name — the Autism Collaboration, Accountability, Research, Education and Support Act, or Autism CARES.

The new name emerged earlier this week in a U.S. Senate proposal to renew the law previously known as the Combating Autism Act. A committee in the U.S. House of Representatives quickly followed suit by attaching the new title to its version of the bill and voting to move the measure on for consideration by the full House.

To read more, please visit this site:

http://www.disabilityscoop.com/2014/06/12/congress-combat-autism-no/19436/ 

2014 Mid-South Autism Conference

2014 Mid-South Autism Conference 

Date:  June 19 - 21, 2014

Where:  University of Memphis, Fogelman Executive Conference Center

Participants & Features:   

• Speakers including Temple Grandin, autism experts, and more
• Breakout sessions
• Lunch all three days
• Vendors from all over the Mid-South

For more information, please visit the website at http://www.midsouthautismconference.com/ or call (901) 231-1931.   This event is being sponsored by Transformations Autism Treatment Center.  

Missing Woman With Intellectual Disability Found Dead Between Parked Cars

“This article is devastating. It breaks my heart to read a story about how little compassion we have for someone who is not only poor, but who also has a disability.  Most everyone in this country would be outraged if this was a blonde or toddler!  “

It saddens me to realize we still live in a country where an immediate investigation is not always the first plan of action."

Carlene Leaper, Executive Director 

To read more, please visit:
http://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/Missing-Woman-Found-Dead-Between-Parked-Cars-249065901.html

In First, Contestant With Special Needs On ‘Wheel Of Fortune’

There have been many recent tales of “Wheel of Fortune” woe, including the unfortunate “Boozing my shore excursion” lady. And the weirdness of the lucky guess “New baby buggy” guy.

But Wednesday, the show had its first inspirational contestant in quite awhile with Trent Girone. The 21-year-old Peoria, Ariz., resident is a self-described “Wheel of Fortune” fanatic, but more important, he’s the first contestant with special needs ever to compete on the show. Girone has had nine brain surgeries and has both Asperger’s and Tourette syndromes, but that didn’t stop him from taking early control of the wheel by successfully guessing the first puzzle, “a smashing success.”

 To read more, please visit: http://www.disabilityscoop.com/2014/05/02/in-first-wheel-fortune/19330/

Helpful link about autism

Check out this helpful link for information about autism screening, diagnosis, and treatment: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/a-parents-guide-to-autism-spectrum-disorder/index.shtml

April is Autism Awareness Month

April is national Autism Awareness Month and The Arc and The Autism NOW National Autism Resource & Information Center are working to empower people with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) with the information and resources they need to live their lives to the fullest potential. We are also working to help others become more accepting of people with ASDs.

Just this month, the CDC declared that 1 in 68 (a 30% increase from previous figures) children may be impacted by autism spectrum disorders, so it’s a fair bet that each one of us knows someone with autism or someone who has a family member or friend with autism. Since this disorder is a spectrum and not everyone with a diagnosis of ASD “appears” to have autism, you may know someone on the spectrum and not even realize it.

That’s why it’s important to dispel all of the myths and misinformation to understand and accept what having an ASD really means. And that’s why The Autism NOW Center (www.autismnow.org) exists, to weed through the volumes of information out there and provide high-quality, vetted resources and information to people with autism and other developmental disabilities, their family, friends, colleagues, teachers, employers and others.

To promote awareness and acceptance, we invite you to view and share a new video about Autism NOW and learn more. Also, we encourage you to join in the conversation! Follow us online and on Autism NOW’s blog  and read the personal stories of people with autism in a series of guest posts during April. And use the hashtag #AutismAware to generate discussion about autism awareness and acceptance. 

Great Resource for People Affected by Autism

Work is a Beautiful Thing: Meet Patrick

2014 Weekend Retreats and Summer Camp

The Arc Mid-South has provided Respite Weekend Retreats for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities for over 30 years.  Formatted to be "mini-camps", the weekend retreats are staffed with a ratio of 3:1 and offer social, recreational, and educational activities to participants while helping campers achieve greater independence.  Any individual capable of participating in a group setting and at least the age of 8 may be eligible to attend. 

Our retreats start with check-in on Friday at 7 pm and end on Sunday at 12 noon.   Campers will enjoy a variety of activities and fun with their peers.

If you are interested in registering or for additional information please call Lucille Richardson at (901) 327-2473 or info@thearcmidsouth.org.   We look forward to having you! Please click here for dates and locations.

March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month!

“Disability is a natural part of the human experience that does not diminish the right of individuals with developmental disabilities to live independently, to exert control and choice over their own lives, and to fully participate in and contribute to their communities through full integration and inclusion …” 
- Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000

This month, Governor Bill Haslam signed a proclamation designating March as Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. Governor Haslam and the Tennessee disability community wishes to recognize the valuable contributions made by individuals with developmental disabilities who live, work, play, vote, volunteer, worship and build relationships in our local communities.

Visit our website to donate to our organization or attend an event in commemoration of Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month!

American Girl Petitioned To Make Doll With Disability

For as long as she can remember, 10-year-old Melissa Shang has battled Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, a form of muscular dystrophy. The incurable genetic disease damages nerves — causing debilitating muscle weakness and numbness — and requires Melissa to use a wheelchair or walker to get around.

When she was 7, Melissa fell in love with American Girl dolls, the pricey must-have toy of young girls from coast to coast and beyond. She cajoles her college-student sister to play dolls with her on trips home. The dolls and their accessories top every birthday and Christmas wish list.

For more information, please visit: http://www.disabilityscoop.com/2014/01/06/american-girl-doll-disability/18990/

Centre on Human Rights for People with Disabilities - Real Life Stories

Rachael's story
‘Rachael’ is a teenager with multiple disabilities including Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and a mental health disability. When Rachael’s mental health deteriorated, she was detained under the Mental Health Order. While in hospital, Rachael experienced many problems, as staff did not understand the effects of her multiple disabilities, in particular autistic spectrum disorder and how it affected her behaviour. This caused added stress for Rachael and her family, who believed this lack of understanding was preventing her from getting the treatment she needed.

An advocate from Disability Action’s Centre on Human Rights spoke with Rachael and her family and realised that the problems went further than her treatment in the hospital. Rachael was also not getting the support she needed at school and in the community, which seemed to contribute to the deterioration of her mental health. Medical professionals from the Trust and representatives of Rachael’s school, social services and voluntary organisations, were due to meet to coordinate support for when Rachael was discharged from hospital. However, some representatives failed to show up to these meetings. Rachael’s condition became life threatening.

What human rights were violated?

Rachael’s right to the highest attainable standard of health.

Rachael’s right to education with support to maximise her academic and social development.

Rachael’s right to live independently in the community, with the support necessary to do so.

Rachael’s right to respect for home and family. Rachael and her family needed more support.

Support provided by the advocate

The advocate liaised with the hospital immediately to highlight the issues Rachael was experiencing.She explained Rachael’s multiple disabilities and the adjustments she required and eventually the hospital responded positively. The advocate contacted representatives who attended the multi-disciplinary meetings. She explained the importance of these meetings, in developing joined-up provision of support for Rachael. Where a representative failed to attend a meeting, the advocate liaised with them directly and presented proposals.

The advocate negotiated new arrangements for Rachael with social services and the Education and Library Board. A new social care package was also agreed. The advocate has also ensured that Rachael’s support package is now regularly reviewed. Rachael successfully returned to school and obtained GCSEs before progressing on to college.

To read more, please visit:  http://www.disabilityaction.org/centre-on-human-rights/advocacy/real-life-stories/ 

Centre on Human Rights for People with Disabilities - Real Life Stories

Harry's story

‘Julie,’ the mother of ‘Harry’ - a child with a learning disability, also believed Harry had Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The educational psychologist from the Health and Social Care Trust did not agree. Julie was convinced that Harry showed signs of ASD and this was affecting his performance at school, so she went privately to a doctor for a second opinion. He diagnosed ASD.

Julie subsequently sought reasonable adjustments to be made for Harry at the school. However, the Education and Library Board would not help as their policy is to only accept a diagnosis from a professional working within the Trust. As Harry did not have ASD included in his Statement of Special Educational Needs, he could not avail of the additional reasonable adjustments he required.

What human rights were violated?

As a child with a disability, Harry has the same human rights as other children. He has the right to an education and the support necessary to maximise his academic and social development.

Support provided by the advocate

The advocate contacted the Trust’s educational psychologist, the school and the Education and Library Board, which helped to secure additional reasonable adjustments for Harry at school. However, the Education and Library Board continued to discount the diagnosis of ASD and Harry found it increasingly difficult to cope at school, without the extra support he needed.

The family felt they had no other option but to educate Harry at home. The advocate supported the family to present their case for home education to the Education Welfare Service and signposted them to sources of support.

Schools Allegedly Using Emergency Rooms For Timeout

A group of parents are suing after they say their children with disabilities were repeatedly sent from school to hospital emergency rooms in response to tantrums and other behavior issues.

The parents of six New York City students are suing the city and the local Department of Education alleging that schools are calling ambulances to transport children to hospitals because they don’t have proper procedures or staff in place to address the situations.

One student referred to as J.H. in court papers, now age 6, was sent to the hospital by ambulance against his mother’s wishes on numerous occasions including one instance when school staff said he was “not listening” and “refused to sit on a rug,” according to the lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court in New York last week. The child’s mother says her son is now disinterested in going to school and afraid of police and the hospital.

Meanwhile, a now-7-year-old with autism known as D.E. was sent to the ER repeatedly as a kindergartner after having tantrums even though he was often calm before the ambulance arrived and his mother asked to take him home instead. On several occasions, the mother and son spent between four and six hours at the hospital before staff determined that the boy did not require emergency services, the lawsuit alleges.

To read more, please visit:  http://www.disabilityscoop.com/2013/12/17/schools-er-timeout/18978/