Help support and bring awareness to Delaware County Special Olympics and Delaware County Coalition of Victim Services.
Tuesday, August 26, 2014
Sunday, August 24, 2014
DRO requests student information from Ohio Department of Education
Disability Rights Ohio (DRO) is representing a group of students in a class action suit against the Ohio Department Education. The suit is challenging the adequacy of funding for special education funding for disabled students that attend Ohio public schools.
DRO has requested the release of students information from Ohio Department of Education. The information to be released will include a student identifying number; demographic information, such as school, grade,
gender, race, age, and disability category; attendance statistics; information on suspensions and
expulsions; and results on state tests such as the Ohio Graduation Tests, the Ohio Achievement Assessments, and the Third Grade Reading Guarantee. Data released will not include students' names, addresses, or any other identifying information. DRO may only use the information for the purposes of their class action suit; the data may not be released to the public or used in any other capacity.
Parents may object to the release of their child's information by submitting an objection in writing to:
Clerk’s Office: Judge Watson’s Docket
U.S. Courthouse
85 Marconi Boulevard
Columbus, Ohio 43215
RE: DOE V. STATE, Case No. 91-464
DRO has requested the release of students information from Ohio Department of Education. The information to be released will include a student identifying number; demographic information, such as school, grade,
gender, race, age, and disability category; attendance statistics; information on suspensions and
expulsions; and results on state tests such as the Ohio Graduation Tests, the Ohio Achievement Assessments, and the Third Grade Reading Guarantee. Data released will not include students' names, addresses, or any other identifying information. DRO may only use the information for the purposes of their class action suit; the data may not be released to the public or used in any other capacity.
Parents may object to the release of their child's information by submitting an objection in writing to:
Clerk’s Office: Judge Watson’s Docket
U.S. Courthouse
85 Marconi Boulevard
Columbus, Ohio 43215
RE: DOE V. STATE, Case No. 91-464
Friday, August 22, 2014
Williams Syndrome Awareness
Recently I was informed about Super Sociality: Williams Syndrome Awarness; a blog that has wonderful stories about individuals with Williams Syndrome. The blog contributors are Douglas Patterson and Spencer Channell. They are high school students that want to bring awareness to Williams Syndrome.
Click here to check out their blog http://supersociality.blogspot.com/
The following is an entry from the blog by Spencer Channell. I think it is fantastic!
The Haglers Playing Harmonica!
"It has just been an amazing journey and it's been amazing to watch. Especially to parents of younger children: get ready to be amazed at the kind of life that's going to unfold." - Mike Hagler
'Amazed' is an apt descriptor of how Douglas and I have felt as we've researched Williams and gotten to know Garrison better.
As a freshman, I rode on the morning bus with Garrison - he was lively, talkative, social, charming, and memorable. He used to bring a harmonica with him and perform miniature concerts for the rest of the students, establishing a joyful, engaged environment on the bus. Each time the bus pulled away from his driveway, he would face the window and say, "bye mom!" even if she couldn't have heard him.
Needless to say, some genetic disorders can be 'amazing.' It would be a disrespect to Williams Syndrome to merely summarize its biological causes and methods of diagnosis; you simply must tell the stories. The truth-revealing impacts people with Williams make are too precious to not share.
Watching a person grow, mature, and learn from the challenges presented to them at birth helps us better understand the nature of life on earth. "It's a fascinating thing to watch the accomplishments of a child with 'special needs' versus perhaps a child who we would term 'normal'," said Mr. Hagler.
What should we do, then, when a person with 'special needs' enters our life? We should allow our understanding of the world to be expanded by our experiences with them. We should get informed about the things we can do and walk beside them. Just like with anyone, we should be sensitive, listen to their stories, and try to better understand the way they experience the world.
On parenting, Mr. Hagler advised, "don't be afraid to try new things...you don't have to just listen to the experts...seek out as many different resources as you can."
Wednesday, August 13, 2014
Save the date and support Focus on Abilities!!!
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Friday, August 8, 2014
DRO warns that current state initiatives will not be enough to forestall legal action
As many of you are most likely aware, there are many changes being made in how individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities(ID/DD) receive services and supports through out the country, and in particular here in Ohio.
Disability Rights Ohio (DRO) sent a letter 07/01/2014 to the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities (DODD), Governor Kasich, the Office of Health Transformation, and the Ohio Department of Medicaid. In their letter DRO recognizes that the State of Ohio has made and is in the process of making changes to how individuals with ID/DD receive services and supports, however the changes that have been made are not sufficient to address the needs of their findings. Read the article here : http://www.disabilityrightsohio.org/sites/default/files/sites/default/files/u62/DRO_to_Governor_Kasich_et_al_re_ICFs-IID.pdf
July 31, 2014, DRO received a response from DODD that stated the department's position is that they share the vision of the DRO however they did not agree with DRO's findings and an invitation was made for all parties to meet and discuss the issues at hand. Read DODD's response here: http://www.disabilityrightsohio.org/sites/default/files/sites/default/files/u62/Response_to_July_1_DRO_letter.pdf
DRO responded that they would indeed meet with the department. DRO expressed their disappointment in the response from the department and is now threatening legal action for their alleged violations of ADA as well as the rights of individuals with ID/DD. DRO's response here:http://www.disabilityrightsohio.org/news/dro-warns-current-state-initiatives-will-not-be-enough-forestall-legal-action
I am confident that DODD, Governor Kasich, the Office of Health Transformation, and the Ohio Department of Medicaid have the shared vision of DRO as well as those of us that have chosen to make a career in this industry. There is no denying that there are still many areas in which we can improve how we offer support and services to those with ID/DD. That being said, I think the DRO isn't being fair in their assessment and judgement of DODD; nor do I think DRO is being fair in giving the departments ample time to make the necessary and desired changes.
In order for changes on this scale to be successful, care has to be taken in a number areas; financing, adequate and appropriate service providers, community participation-just to name a few. In addition to that, the changes that DRO is demanding doesn't have 100% support from individuals with ID/DD and their families. A common concern that is voiced right now in the heat of all of this is that many state they don't want some of what DRO is demanding; they state that they like their lives.
We have opponents of DRO such as Georgia's Department of Disabilities that state swift and severe changes that they have made in response to pressures from advocacy groups have resulted in some tragedies. It is at this time that they have decided to halt any further transitions from their developmental centers and ICFMRs until at least January 2015 pending further research and development of these new programs.
While I applaud DRO for advocating for the individuals that require supports and services, I would ask that DRO take a bit of a step back, use their efforts to facilitate change with all those involved rather than issue demands that very could prompt rash decisions that in the end may not work to the greater good.
Disability Rights Ohio (DRO) sent a letter 07/01/2014 to the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities (DODD), Governor Kasich, the Office of Health Transformation, and the Ohio Department of Medicaid. In their letter DRO recognizes that the State of Ohio has made and is in the process of making changes to how individuals with ID/DD receive services and supports, however the changes that have been made are not sufficient to address the needs of their findings. Read the article here : http://www.disabilityrightsohio.org/sites/default/files/sites/default/files/u62/DRO_to_Governor_Kasich_et_al_re_ICFs-IID.pdf
July 31, 2014, DRO received a response from DODD that stated the department's position is that they share the vision of the DRO however they did not agree with DRO's findings and an invitation was made for all parties to meet and discuss the issues at hand. Read DODD's response here: http://www.disabilityrightsohio.org/sites/default/files/sites/default/files/u62/Response_to_July_1_DRO_letter.pdf
DRO responded that they would indeed meet with the department. DRO expressed their disappointment in the response from the department and is now threatening legal action for their alleged violations of ADA as well as the rights of individuals with ID/DD. DRO's response here:http://www.disabilityrightsohio.org/news/dro-warns-current-state-initiatives-will-not-be-enough-forestall-legal-action
I am confident that DODD, Governor Kasich, the Office of Health Transformation, and the Ohio Department of Medicaid have the shared vision of DRO as well as those of us that have chosen to make a career in this industry. There is no denying that there are still many areas in which we can improve how we offer support and services to those with ID/DD. That being said, I think the DRO isn't being fair in their assessment and judgement of DODD; nor do I think DRO is being fair in giving the departments ample time to make the necessary and desired changes.
In order for changes on this scale to be successful, care has to be taken in a number areas; financing, adequate and appropriate service providers, community participation-just to name a few. In addition to that, the changes that DRO is demanding doesn't have 100% support from individuals with ID/DD and their families. A common concern that is voiced right now in the heat of all of this is that many state they don't want some of what DRO is demanding; they state that they like their lives.
We have opponents of DRO such as Georgia's Department of Disabilities that state swift and severe changes that they have made in response to pressures from advocacy groups have resulted in some tragedies. It is at this time that they have decided to halt any further transitions from their developmental centers and ICFMRs until at least January 2015 pending further research and development of these new programs.
While I applaud DRO for advocating for the individuals that require supports and services, I would ask that DRO take a bit of a step back, use their efforts to facilitate change with all those involved rather than issue demands that very could prompt rash decisions that in the end may not work to the greater good.
Sunday, August 3, 2014
Accessible Icon
New York is the first state to require all new and replacement signs that indicate accessibility for people with disabilities to include an image that is active and in motion! Click on the link to read more:
http://www.disabilityscoop.com/2014/07/28/in-first-state-handicapped/19552/
This is simply fabulous! I love the new accessible icon. I am hopeful that it and other creative accessible icons are used through out the country. While this may be a small change in the grand scheme of issues that people with disabilities face. I think this is a wonderful step towards helping rid society's preconceived ideas regarding people with disabilities.
Check it out and share your thoughts:
http://www.disabilityscoop.com/2014/07/28/in-first-state-handicapped/19552/
This is simply fabulous! I love the new accessible icon. I am hopeful that it and other creative accessible icons are used through out the country. While this may be a small change in the grand scheme of issues that people with disabilities face. I think this is a wonderful step towards helping rid society's preconceived ideas regarding people with disabilities.
Check it out and share your thoughts:
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