Mastering the 504 Plan

[This is an encore blog I posted several years back-- I wanted to make sure to review this annually.]

It is that time of year—parents start thinking about Spring Break activities, vacations and developing a new strategy for dealing with teachers, administrators and various other academic interveners, disguised as well meaning and caring purveyors of public school education for the next school year. That's right-- Special Education Meeting [Student Support, Team meeting, Committee on Special Education, Medical Needs Group-- it goes by a variety of names]--Season.

So here is my Five Step Survival Guide to special education advocacy:

1.Have a Building Based Plan. Many districts require special education services to go through a central office. If you can avoid this, by all means do. These people do not know you child, and only have his/her psychological testing, social work evaluations to go by. (Have you ever wondered how you would be described in an evaluation done by a perfect stranger asking you things you don’t tell you best friend?) While this snapshot may be clinically acceptable, it is only a snapshot—you child needs should be based on more than that. If you cannot avoid going through a central committee, still pursue an unofficial meeting with the building based team leader—it may be the speech, OT or PT. In the worst-case scenarios, someone is usually the carryover year to year, and is the de facto coordinator of special services.

2.Know your Legal Rights. Well meaning administrators and teachers tell parents so much bad, subjective and completely wrong information, its scary. Parents have been mandated to medicate children, allow aversive therapies (electro-shock), deny medication (insulin), etc. that is critical parents have a copy of the IDEA law, the 504 section of the ADA, and the mandatory guide to special education services, which is required (but seldom seen). Learn the appeals process, the grievance process, etc.

3.Know Your Legal Options. There are lots of treatments, therapies and services that are available outside of the school district. Some health departments’ offer home based services to children at the pre-school stage, or children with serious medical conditions. Many health insurance plans cover speech, OT, PT. There are also services through the Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities for children with less severe issues (respite, summer camp, special play groups, equipment rental, etc.) If you have to try to wrangle services form the school district, there are disability advocates through centers for independent living (CIL’s), VESID and other local disability rights organizations; let you finger do the walking through the Yellow Pages.

4.Get a Second Opinion. You child’s kindergarten teacher may know finger paints and nursery rhymes, but that does not apply to disabilities. Most teachers are not required to take any classes about disabilities, or any cognitive impairment. Those fortunate enough to be at a school with a minor or electives have a limited selection, and little or no practicum. Always get a psychological evaluation outside of your child’s home school. This local person never can give a truly unbiased assessment, when they have the feedback of peers, teachers, and building neighbors.

5.Develop Your Own Plan. The Internet had leveled the playing field between parents and practioners. Anything you want to know about any issues, illness or disability is yours for the reading. Gather information, go the libraries and support groups, to bounce ideas around. Use parenting experience to document your child’s strengths, weaknesses, responses to stimuli, etc. This information should be distilled to a one page report to give to new teachers; share the long various with the building based special education/support services team.

Not everyone will value your level of preparation and knowing what you want, but one person will benefit—your child.

------------------
There are also other resources available online: Terry Mauro has some good sources, with links to other state standards.

Other conditions are now protected under the ADA and 504 Plans, including juvenile arthritis, diabetes, learning disabilities and other medical conditions that impact the learning process.

Asperbergers on This American Life

Yesterday I heard an interesting story on NPR. [You have to get past the first story aobout a guy who imitates President Obama for a living.] The second story is about a guy who finds out he has Asperberger's by a quirk of fate-- his wife takes a free test online -- and how it makes his life better.

You be the judge...

Music Therapy on NPR- research and autism

I am a fan of Science Friday, with Ira Flato.

The December 16, 2011 topic was Music Therapy. There was a nice constellation of MD, Music Therapists, and a parent of a child with autism called in.

Some good information about an international research project that is measuring the efficacy of music therapy for a variety of conditions, including autism.

Disability Awareness Day at Fenway Park

Autistic Man has Trouble with the National Anthem - But Then Something Amazing Happens

-------------
Saw this posted on Facebook and had to share.

here is the comment that went with it....
--------------
When this autistic man started having trouble singing the national anthem, something happened that could bring you to tears. What an amazing display of humanity. It's great to see that there is still goodness in the world.
--------------
Everyone deserves their moment, and the support for the good intention and doing a job, no matter how difficult!

Fastest Man on No Legs

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Oscar Pastorius is back-- and determined to be qualify for the Olympics. i think the world needs to be open to this and other opportunities for the differently able to compete.

Don't feel sorry for 'tink, tink'-- strive to emulate his determination and cheer him on!
-----------
Bladerunner: Oscar at the 2004 Athens Paralympics
Oscar Pistorius smiles whenever he is introduced as "the fastest man on no legs" even though some might be offended by the somewhat politically incorrect sobriquet.
For Pistorius, a talented sprinter who had both his legs amputated when he was a baby, it is just an indication of how far he has come ? and how much more he could achieve.
In a groundbreaking race next weekend in Sheffield, 20-year-old Pistorius will take on the current Olympic champion.
Not as some freak show or demonstration race ? but because for the first time in history, a disabled runner has earned his place among the world's elite on merit.
"Already a Paralympic champion and world-record holder in amputee races over 100m, 200m and 400m, Pistorius is now achieving something revolutionary.
With aid of high-tech carbon-fibre legs, he is almost as fast as the best able-bodied runners in the world.
While he could well set yet another world record for amputee athletes next week, that is no longer his goal.
Nothing short of qualifying for the Beijing Olympics next year will satisfy him.
But his case could divide the sport. While many see him as a groundbreaking hero, redefining the very concept of athletic achievement, others claim his artificial legs amount to cheating.
Pistorius himself can't see what all the fuss is about because he considers himself as just another athlete.
"I'm not disabled," he says breezily. "I just don't have any legs."
If this sounds like a story straight out of Hollywood, it will come as no surprise to learn that Tom Hanks is bidding to make a film about Pistorius, nicknamed the Bladerunner because of the carbon-fibre blades he attaches just below the knee.
Made by a specialist firm in Iceland and known as 'Cheetahs', they cost £15,000 a pair and are the Ferraris of artificial legs.


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-466904/The-fastest-man-legs-Olympics-sights.html#ixzz1WvVPyw29

Autism and Humanity

There was a good story this morning on NPR's program On Being. It was about autism, and how and what my friend from Ohio calls those not on the Autism Spectrum but "Leaning heavily on the fence"


Pertinent Posts from the Being Blog» Asperger's, Autism, and Parenting

StoryCorps's animated short of a mother and her son with Asperger's syndrome reminds us of the lessons Paul Collins shared about raising his autistic son.

» Outhumaning the Humans An autistic man illustrates the limitless possibilities of the human mind.

» Hitchcock's Rope, Music for Our Autism Program Hitchcock's cinema classic serves as inspiration for this show's musical selections.

Recommended Video» Television Logo Histories
For their son Morgan and other people with autism, YouTube has fostered a community catering to his interest in television logo histories. So we asked him for links to some of his favorite videos. Here's some of his favorites of PBS and Paramount.

Selected Writings on Autism»

"Five Weeks" by Stephen Jay Gould
The famous scientist recounts a personal story about his autistic son and the charming simplicity of calculating dates.

» "Parallel Play" by Tim Page
The music critic for the Washington Post reflects on living with Asperger's syndrome.

» "The Vanishing Boy" by Paul Collins
Making the difficult decision to put his son on anti-depressants, our guest tells his story and calls it one of the most important things he's ever written.

NYS Groundbreaking Consumer Directed Program Under Attack

The Center for Disability Rights is under attack - Tell Monroe County Executive Maggie Brooks to Restore the CDPAS Contract by phone and in person!


The Center for Disability Rights is under attack by the Monroe County
Executive, Maggie Brooks. Without warning, on July 22nd, CDR received a
terse, 5 sentence letter informing us of the contract termination with
no explanation included. All of our CDPAS consumers received a letter
the same day telling them that the county is terminating its contract
with CDR and that they have until just August 1st to choose from one of
five for-profit agencies for their Consumer Directed Personal
Assistance.


The next day, CDR received from a friend in the local media, a copy of a
three page letter from the County Executive to the media. The letter
was filled with blatant falsehoods mixed with misunderstandings of the
roles of CDR and the county in the CDPAS program. Here is CDR's letter
to Maggie Brooks debunking her allegations against CDR:

Videos of
consumers refuting the county's charges show the reality of people with disabilities having their personal control and independence taken away.

Share these; make them go viral as meanwhile, Brooks continues to use
the media as a buffer to not have to talk with us. Many more documents
available on CDR's website.

Our consumers and their attendants have been thrown into chaos and Ms.
Brooks refuses to talk to them. Nearly 300 consumers are in danger of
losing their attendants and possibly their services outright.

Currently consumers, supporters and staff have camped out in front of
the County Building on Main Street in Rochester. We have been out there
24/7 since Monday and will continue until this is over.

Medical Marijuana for the Treatment of Autism

I heard this on a morning radio program-- you decide if this is valid or someone looking for fifteen minutes of fame. Used to address aggression, rage, anorexia symptoms or lack of appetite, some identify medical marijuana as a wrench in toolkit of treatments to address the range of behaviors/issues in the autism spectrum.

French Woman with CP to be webcam internet site

The parents of Anne Lamic, 32 years old, will be the subject of a cotinuous webcam broadcast in Franch. Her parents feel this is a good opportunity to have people with disabiltieis become more public in France and European society. Seh cannot walk, or talk and have the mental abiltiies comparable to a one month old infant...


What do you think?

Psalm 23- revisited

The Lord is my Shepherd = That’s Relationship!

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures = That’s Rest!

He leadeth me beside still waters = That’s Refreshment!

He restoreth my soul = That’s Healing!

He leadth me in the paths of righteousness = That’s Guidance!

For His name sake = That’s Purpose

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death = That’s Testing!

I will fear no evil = That’s Protection!

For Thou art with me = That’s Faithfulness!

Thy rod and staff they comfort me = That’s Discipline!

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies = That’s Hope!

Thou annointest my head with oil = That’s Consecration!

My cup runneth over = That’s Abundance!

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life = That’s Blessings!

And I will dwell in the house of the Lord = That’s Security!

Forever = That’s Eternity!

The Amazing Race

In case people are not followers of reality shows, I wanted to point out that there is a gentleman [on the left] with Asperger's Syndrome who is participating in the fall 2009 season of The Amazing Race 15.

Gender, Calcium and Autism

There was some new research released today, looking at a correlation between calcium excesses and autism in boys. A summary of this research is available on Autism Speaks website. But this 'new' information is not all that new, as this link shows research from 2007. The American research announced today has delved a bit deeper, looking at calcium, gender correlations and heridity.

Teaching Kids With Autism The Art Of Conversation

An interesting interview on social conversation training for children with autism on NPR...

Annual Disability Status Reports

Cornell University has posted the Annual Disability Status Reports, which summarize the most recent demographic and economic statistics on the non-institutionalized population with disabilities.

Disability Status Reports and other statistics are available for each state, at www.DisabilityStatistics.org

Easter Seals' Living with Autism Study

Autism is one of the most pervasive and perplexing developmental disabilities of our time. Some estimates place the number of people diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorders at one in every 150 children. Easter Seals is thrilled to unveil its groundbreaking Living with Autism Study, gathering families living with autism, government leaders, autism organizations and advocates, professional colleagues, volunteers and corporate partners.

By joining us — live — on December 16th, from 9:30-10:30 AM EST, via the technology offered by EP LiveOnLine, you will be among the first to hear the national findings and take away new insights into the ongoing challenges facing individuals and families living with autism, particularly their concerns about the future. Attendance is free of charge thanks to a grant from MassMutual Financial Group.

No other special technology is needed and you will be able to see and hear the information provided in real time just as if you were present at the National Press Club event! EP LiveOnLine will maintain the full content of the presentation on epliveonline.com and will link from the websites of Easter Seals, EP Global Communications, Inc., Vemics-iMedicor for 90 days following the event.

Register to attend this event on EP LiveOnLine now. December 16, 2008
9:30-10:30 AM EST

This event is open to civilian as well as military families. The Easter Seals Living with Autism Study results will be used to raise awareness of, and advocate for the life long services people living with autism and their families desperately need.

National Center for Parents with Disabilities & their Families

BERKELEY, CA -- October 21, 2008. A new National Center for Parents with
Disabilities and their Families has been established in Berkeley, California
under the auspices of Through the Looking Glass, a non-profit organization
founded in 1982. The Center will oversee several national research studies
concerning parents with disabilities and their families, as well as provide
consultations, trainings and publications to parents, family members and
professionals.

The research and resources of the Center will address the nearly 9 million
U.S. parents with disabilities - 15% of all American families. Parents with
disabilities include mothers and fathers in all disability categories - such
as parents with physical disabilities, deaf parents, blind parents, parents
with psychiatric or cognitive disabilities. The Center is funded by a
$500,000 per year federal grant for three years from the Washington,
DC-based National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research
(NIDRR), U.S. Department of Education.

The new Center will focus its research and resource activities on four
critical areas that impact parents with disabilities: custody, family roles
and personal assistance; paratransit; and, intervention with parents with
cognitive disabilities and their children. One of the notable activities
planned over the next three years is a scholarship program for high school
seniors and college students whose parents have disabilities. The Center
will be staffed by nationally recognized experts regarding parents with
disabilities, most of whom have personal or family experience with
disability or deafness.

More information about the Center and Through the Looking Glass is available
at the organization's website (www.lookingglass.org), through two toll-free
numbers, 800-644-2666 (voice), 800-804-1616 (TDD/TTY), or by email at
tlg@lookingglass.org

ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION. This new National Center will build upon Through
the Looking Glass's nationally and internationally recognized expertise and
leadership in working with parents with disabilities, their families, and
their providers -- 26 years of groundbreaking research, services, training
and resource development. Through the Looking Glass (TLG) has trained more
than 70,000 professionals regarding parents with disabilities and deaf
parents, from all U.S. states and 44 countries. Since 1993 it has provided
technical assistance to over 25,000 parents with disabilities, family
members and professionals. TLG's expertise has contributed to the passage
of legislation in three states to decrease discrimination against parents
with disabilities. TLG is one of seven disability organizations that have
partnered to build the Ed Roberts Campus at the Ashby BART Station in
Berkeley - a national and international model dedicated to disability rights
and universal access(see www.edrobertscampus.org for more details). Opening
in 2010, the campus will house the offices of the collaborating
organizations as well as Through the Looking Glass' new early child
development center.

Contact: Dr. Paul Preston
510-848-1112, x104
Email: ppreston@lookingglass.org

Through the Looking Glass
2198 Sixth Street, Suite 100
Berkeley, CA 94710
(800) 644-2666 (voice)
(800) 804-1616 (TDD/TTY)
FAX: (510) 848-4445
tlg@lookingglass.org
www.lookingglass.org

Tomorrow marks a historical day, and potentially the pinnacle of George W. Bush's legacy-- the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act amendment. These changes will bring more disabilities into the protected class, and strengthen the laws that are currently on the books. Another ADA (American Diabetes Assocation) has worked hard on advocacy for this legislation, as well as other organizations.

This is a moment of victory and celebration. While all is not equal and the playing field is still not level, by any stretch of the imagination, minority groups always find their incresed membership in the franchaise of democracy is always accessed (and ensured) through legislation.

Autism & Fragile X

An interesting story on NPR about Fragile X and some tangential research.

The CCA Words

ADAPT has created a new song to try to rally awareness and (hopefully) buy-in from the McCain camp for the Community Choices Act. (This proposed legislation would provide community based home health care for people with disabilities as the first go-to option. The first option in most communities is nursing home placement-- once you go in, you rarely get well or come out...)

WHY CCA

WE'RE GONNA TELL YOU WHY

YCCA

IT'S NOT EVERYTHING FOR EVERYONE TO ENJOY

BUT IT STILL WILL FREE A LOT OF GIRLS AND BOYS

YCCA

LISTEN UP McCAIN

YCCA

FISCAL CONSERVATIVES WILL SAVE SOME DOUGH

THEN OUR PEOPLE MAY LET YOU GO


THAT'S WHY YOU NEED TO PASS THE C-C-A

IT'S WHAT'S YOU GOTTA DO


C-C-A

ONE MORE CHANCE, TO DO WHAT'S RIGHT

THEN GO HOME AND SLEEP GOOD TONITE


CCA

LISTEN UP McCAIN



PASS THE COMMUNITY CHOICE ACT NOW!







(LYRICS BY LINDA ANTHONY)

Randy Pausch Last Lecture

Embedded Video

Autism in Switzerland

This morning I heard an autism version of "A Tale of Two Cities" on NPR. Eventhough I was half asleep, this story grabbed my attention, bringing me fully awake. Two mothers, in two different countries, talk about their children with autism, their sturggles with services through goernments and plans for the future.

Check it out.

The Artichokes are Coming! The Artichokes are Coming!

Today was the webcast of the Presidential Disability Forum, which featured Tom Harkin the author of the ADA, and Barak Obama stand-in and Republican Presidential Candidate John McCain. A lot of excitement greeted this event-- and rumors of a 'big Announcement" from McClain.

The 'big announcement' was a great disappointment. The disability community was hoping for his vote and support of the Community Choice Act-- which didn't happen.

However, one woman told a story about Ed Roberts an icon of the Independent Living movement. When told he would end up a vegetable, he told the person that if he was going to be a vegetable, he would like to be an artichoke-- hard and prickly on the outside, with a big heart on the inside. She then encouraged others to be activists, and to be artichokes-- to be persistent, difficult and sometimes prickly-- to get things done.

So, to end a disappointing day on a good note, hats off to the 'artichokes' who are working tirelessly on getting support-- vote-by-vote-- for the Community Choice Act.
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The latest co-sponsors include:

Rep Musgrave, Marilyn N. [CO-4] - 6/23/2008 Rep King, Peter T. [NY-3] - 6/23/2008 Rep Biggert, Judy [IL-13] - 7/10/2008 Rep Lipinski, Daniel [IL-3] - 7/14/2008 Rep Moran, James P. [VA-8] - 7/22/2008 Rep Israel, Steve [NY-2] - 7/22/2008 Rep Kirk, Mark Steven [IL-10] - 7/23/2008

**********

And ALL Listed by State:

S.799 / H.R.1621 Community Choice Act
Co-sponsors by state as of 6-20-08


Alabama

Rep Bonner, Jo [AL-1] - 6/14/2007



Alaska

Rep Young, Don [AK] - 7/23/2007


American Samoa

Rep Faleomavaega, Eni F.H. [AS] - 12/12/2007



Arizona

Rep Pastor, Ed [AZ-4] - 12/4/2007
Rep Grijalva, Raul M. [AZ-7] - 12/12/2007


California

Sen Boxer, Barbara [CA] - 7/30/2007

Rep Sanchez, Loretta [CA-47] - 9/5/2007
Rep Farr, Sam [CA-17] - 1/15/2008
Rep Solis, Hilda L. [CA-32] - 1/16/2008
Rep Waxman, Henry A. [CA-30] - 1/16/2008 Rep Davis, Susan A. [CA-53] - 1/28/2008 Rep Waters, Maxine [CA-35] - 2/12/2008 Rep Capps, Lois [CA-23] - 4/10/2008 Rep Filner, Bob [CA-51] - 4/23/2008 Rep Lee, Barbara [CA-9] - 5/13/2008


Colorado

Sen Salazar, Ken [CO] - 3/7/2007

Rep DeGette, Diana [CO-1] 3/29/07
Rep Udall, Mark [CO-2] - 6/14/2007
Rep Perlmutter, Ed [CO-7] - 2/12/2008
Rep Salazar, John T. [CO-3] - 5/21/2008
Rep Musgrave, Marilyn N. [CO-4] - 6/23/2008

Connecticut

Sen Lieberman, Joseph I. [CT] - 3/7/2007 Sen Dodd, Christopher J. [CT] - 3/7/2007

Rep DeLauro, Rosa L. [CT-3] - 6/14/2007
Rep Courtney, Joe [CT-2] - 5/14/2007
Rep Murphy, Christopher S. [CT-5] - 5/14/2007 Rep Larson, John B. [CT-1] - 5/14/07


Delaware

Sen Biden, Joseph R., Jr. [DE] - 3/7/2007


District of Columbia

Rep Norton, Eleanor Holmes [DC] - 12/17/2007


Florida

Rep Hastings, Alcee L. [FL-23] - 10/9/2007


Georgia

Rep Deal, Nathan [GA-9] - 10/9/2007
Rep Marshall, Jim [GA-8] - 8/2/2007
Rep Lewis, John [GA-5] - 1/15/2008

Rep Johnson, Henry C. "Hank," Jr. [GA-4] - 6/3/2008


Hawaii

Sen Inouye, Daniel K. [HI] - 3/7/2007

Rep Abercrombie, Neil [HI-1] - 6/5/2008



Illinois

Sen Durbin, Richard [IL] - 4/12/2007
Sen Obama, Barack [IL] - 7/23/2007

Rep Davis, Danny K. [IL-7]
Rep Weller, Jerry [IL-11] - 5/14/2007
Rep Schakowsky, Janice D. [IL-9] - 5/14/2007 Rep Shimkus, John [IL-19] 3/21/07 Rep Gutierrez, Luis V. [IL-4] - 6/14/07 Rep Emanuel, Rahm [IL-5] - 1/22/2008 Rep Jackson, Jesse L., Jr. [IL-2] - 1/29/2008 Rep Biggert, Judy [IL-13] - 7/10/2008 Rep Lipinski, Daniel [IL-3] - 7/14/2008 Rep Kirk, Mark Steven [IL-10] - 7/23/2008

Indiana

Rep Visclosky, Peter J. [IN-1] - 3/29/2007 Rep Carson, Andre [IN-7] - 5/1/2008 Rep Ellsworth, Brad [IN-8] - 6/19/2008


Iowa

Sen Harkin, Tom [IA]

Rep Loebsack, David [IA-2] - 11/5/2007


Kansas
Sen Roberts, Pat [KS] - 5/13/2008

Rep Boyda, Nancy E. [KS-2] 7/10/07
Rep Moran, Jerry [KS-1] - 9/5/2007
Rep Moore, Dennis [KS-3] - 3/5/2008
Rep Tiahrt, Todd [KS-4] - 5/1/2008


Louisanna

Rep Jefferson, William J. [LA-2] - 3/14/2008

Maine

Rep Allen, Thomas H. [ME-1] - 4/30/2008

Maryland

Rep Wynn, Albert Russell [MD-4] - 7/23/2007 Rep Van Hollen, Chris [MD-8] - 9/5/2007 Rep Cummings, Elijah E. [MD-7] - 1/15/2008


Massachusetts

Sen Kerry, John F. [MA] - 10/2/2007
Sen Kennedy, Edward M. [MA] - 3/7/2007

Rep McGovern, James P. [MA-3] - 12/4/2007 Rep Markey, Edward J. [MA-7] - 2/25/2008 Rep Olver, John W. [MA-1] - 5/1/2008

Michigan

Rep McCotter, Thaddeus G. [MI-11] - 5/6/2008

Minnesota

Rep Peterson, Collin C. [MN-7] - 1/22/2008 Rep McCollum, Betty [MN-4] - 4/30/2008

Montana

Sen Tester, Jon [MT] - 10/2/2007

Nevada

Rep Porter, Jon C. [NV-3] - 5/1/2008

New Jersey

Sen Lautenberg, Frank R. [NJ] - 5/17/2007

Rep Payne, Donald M. [NJ-10] 5/14/07
Rep Smith, Christopher H. [NJ-4] - 5/14/2007 Rep Ferguson, Mike [NJ-7] - 1/17/2008


New York

Sen Clinton, Hillary Rodham [NY] - 3/7/2007 Sen Schumer, Charles E. [NY] - 3/7/2007

Rep Walsh, James T. [NY-25] 5/14/07
Rep McCarthy, Carolyn [NY-4] - 10/9/2007 Rep Nadler, Jerrold [NY-8] - 10/15/2007 Rep Hinchey, Maurice D. [NY-22] - 9/6/2007 Rep Rangel, Charles B. [NY-15] - 10/25/2007 Rep Lowey, Nita M. [NY-18] - 11/15/2007 Rep Towns, Edolphus [NY-10] - 1/15/2008 Rep Maloney, Carolyn B. [NY-14] - 2/25/2008 Rep Kuhl, John R. "Randy", Jr. [NY-29] - 3/3/2008 Rep Bishop, Timothy H. [NY-1] - 3/14/2008 Rep Slaughter, Louise McIntosh [NY-28] - 4/1/2008 Rep Meeks, Gregory W. [NY-6] - 4/30/2008 Rep Clarke, Yvette D. [NY-11] - 5/1/2008 Rep Velazquez, Nydia M. [NY-12] - 5/1/2008 Rep Fossella, Vito [NY-13] - 5/6/2008 Rep Engel, Eliot L. [NY-17] - 5/6/2008 Rep Serrano, Jose E. [NY-16] - 5/21/2008 Rep McHugh, John M. [NY-23] - 5/21/2008 Rep King, Peter T. [NY-3] - 6/23/2008 Rep Israel, Steve [NY-2] - 7/22/2008

North Carolina

Rep Miller, Brad [NC-13] - 1/23/2008

Ohio

Sen Brown, Sherrod [OH] - 5/17/2007

Rep Kaptur, Marcy [OH-9] - 1/15/2008


Pennsylvania

Sen Specter, Arlen [PA] - 3/7/2007
Sen Casey, Robert P., Jr. [PA] - 4/12/2007

Rep Fattah, Chaka [PA-2] - 8/2/2007
Rep Schwartz, Allyson Y. [PA-13] - 9/5/2007 Rep Brady, Robert A. [PA-1] - 10/23/2007 Rep Murtha, John P. [PA-12] - 12/4/2007 Rep English, Phil [PA-3] - 12/5/2007 Rep Doyle, Michael F. [PA-14] - 1/15/2008 Rep Kanjorski, Paul E. [PA-11] - 2/12/2008 Rep Murphy, Patrick J. [PA-8] - 1/28/2008 Rep Platts, Todd Russell [PA-19] - 2/25/2008 Rep Murphy, Tim [PA-18] - 3/4/2008 Rep Dent, Charles W. [PA-15] - 3/10/2008 Rep Gerlach, Jim [PA-6] - 3/31/2008 Rep Altmire, Jason [PA-4] - 4/22/2008 Rep Carney, Christopher P. [PA-10] - 5/1/2008 Rep Sestak, Joe [PA-7] - 5/1/2008

Rhode Island

Rep Langevin, James R. [RI-2] - 10/29/2007 Rep Kennedy, Patrick J. [RI-1] - 1/15/2008


South Dakota

Sen Johnson, Tim [SD] - 2/28/2008

Rep Herseth Sandlin, Stephanie [SD] - 9/5/2007


Tennessee

Rep Cohen, Steve [TN-9] - 5/14/07
Rep Gordon, Bart [TN-6] - 1/23/2008

Texas

Rep Doggett, Lloyd [TX-25] 6/14/07
Rep Sessions, Pete [TX-32] - 7/23/2007
Rep Green, Gene [TX-29] - 8/2/2007
Rep Hinojosa, Ruben [TX-15] - 9/19/2007
Rep Johnson, Eddie Bernice [TX-30] - 11/15/2007 Rep Lampson, Nick [TX-22] - 1/15/2008 Rep Gonzalez, Charles A. [TX-20] - 4/24/2008 Rep Reyes, Silvestre [TX-16] - 6/17/2008


Utah

Rep Bishop, Rob [UT-1] - 6/14/07


Vermont

Sen Sanders, Bernard [VT] - 6/13/2007


Virginia

Rep Scott, Robert C. "Bobby" [VA-3] - 1/28/2008

Rep Moran, James P. [VA-8] - 7/22/2008


Washington

Sen Murray, Patty [WA] - 9/20/2007


West Virginia

Rep Rahall, Nick J., II [WV-3] - 4/17/2008


Wisconsin

Rep Moore, Gwen [WI-4] - 7/12/2007
Baldwin, Rep Tammy [WI-2] - 10/30/2007

PEF Action Alert

PEF Asks for Action for Blind & Deaf Children:

Help Ensure that Parents of Blind and Deaf Children Are Aware of Valuable State Services. PEF members employed by the State School for the Blind in Batavia and the State School for the Deaf in Rome provide unique services to one of the state?s most vulnerable populations. The schools provide residential and day programs to blind and deaf children with multiple disabilities.

Unfortunately, some parents of eligible children may not even be aware that these exceptional schools exist. A9511, which has passed the Assembly and the Senate, would require reasonable measures be taken so that parents of blind and deaf children are informed about the Schools for the Blind and the Deaf. This will help ensure that parents of disabled children have knowledge of all options available to them when the decision of how best to provide services to their children is made.

Tell Governor Paterson to sign A9511A.

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA ACCESSIBLE TAXI CAB

Accessible Taxicabs Will Roll


Federal Funds Back Purchase of 21 Vans for D.C. Fleets

By Michael Birnbaum
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, June 19, 2008; B04

Wheelchair users in the District will have a new way to get around starting in January, thanks to a decision yesterday to fund 21 wheelchair-accessible cabs. Until now, wheelchair users have had to call one of two suburban cab companies, and the taxis are not always available.

"In the District, for emergency evacuations, quick trips, somebody's wheelchair breaks down, what are you going to do?" asked Bobby Coward, 44, a quadriplegic who uses an electric wheelchair. "You don't have an option. So a cab is that solution."

Coward has agitated for accessible cabs and has worked on an accessibility task force under D.C. Council member Jim Graham (D-Ward 1), whose Committee on Public Works and the Environment oversees the D.C. Taxicab Commission.

The decision, made by the National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board, will use $1 million in federal funds to purchase 21 accessible vans and create a centralized dispatch center. Three cab companies will get seven vans each and will pay about 30 percent of the cost of the cabs.

The decision puts the District in line with comparable-size and larger cities, said Wendy Klancher, senior transportation planner with the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments.

"The hope is that once these companies get up and running, the business will be self-sustaining and they won't need any more funding," Klancher said. Roy Spooner, general manager for Yellow Cab Co. of D.C., said he doesn't expect the accessible taxis to be profitable. "We feel it's something that we need to do as part of our social service offering," he said.

Liberty Cab and the Mohebbi Group also will have the accessible vans.

Not everybody on the transportation board was convinced of the need for the
vans. "If these [taxi] companies were being hit by requests, they'd have come up
with something already," said Charles A. Jenkins, a commissioner in Frederick County , who was one of two members of the 42-member board to oppose the proposal.

Leon J. Swain, chairman of the Taxicab Commission, called the decision "a real victory for D.C." The commission will contribute about $200,000 to the effort.

Though all buses and Metro stations in the District are wheelchair accessible, station elevators are often broken, and bus drivers won't always stop for people in wheelchairs when the bus is crowded, Coward said. There are also MetroAccess paratransit vans, but they must be booked at least 24 hours in advance, and not all wheelchair users are eligible to use them.

Rep. Jim Langevin (D-R.I.), who is quadriplegic and uses an electric wheelchair, usually makes his way around the District in a van and welcomed yesterday's decision.

"There was a day, for example, when my van for whatever reason didn't work, and I had to use the Metro," he said. "It would have been really nice to have that option to call a cab -- using one of the regular cabs around here would never have been an option for me."

Coward, the disability activist, found himself stranded one day last summer when his electric wheelchair broke down near Alabama Avenue and Seventh Street SE.

"I had to call my uncle," Coward said. "He brought his car -- it took him an hour and 20 minutes."

Coward's wheelchair couldn't fit in the car, and it was too heavy to push by hand. So Coward had his uncle push him down the street with the car.

"We would get so many stares," Coward said. And then they passed the 7th Police District station.

"They went ballistic," Coward said. "Like, you can't be pushing a wheelchair with a car. . . . As fate would have it, a MetroAccess vehicle happened to drive by" and offered him a ride.

He would rather have called a taxi.

"Imagine if I was in inclement weather," Coward said. "Good thing it was a great day."
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Disability Blog Carnival #40

Thi sis the link to the new Disability Blog Carnival.
Enjoy!