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Last updated: January 26, 2010
For all the latest news affecting the disability community!
http://www.ican.com
Posted: January 26, 2010
Boyscouts of America has added a belt loop and a pin to reward boys for becoming more informed about people with disabilities
http://usscouts.org/usscouts/advance/cubscout/academics/disabilities.asp
Posted March 08, 2009
FROM: Kirsten Suto Seckler, Special Olympics
DATE: March 6, 2009
SUBJECT: Spread the Word to End the Word Campaign
This past February, we held our 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games in
Boise/Sun Valley, Idaho uniting nearly 2,000 athletes from nearly 100
countries. As part of that event, we gathered 130 young people with and
without intellectual disabilities for a week-long activation summit. The
motivation of young people to make change in the world for people with
intellectual disabilities is inspiring.
On February 9, during the week of activities, Dick Morris used the word
“retarded” in a demeaning way on the O’Reilly Factor. The students of the
Youth Activation Summit acted swiftly and reached out to FOX and Bill
O’Reilly to educate and engage them on this blunder. On February 12, Bill
O’Reilly gave an on-air apology.
Young people have found their power and are leading an effort for Special
Olympics called Spread the Word to End the Word. Students across the
country are planning local events for 3.31.09 to end the use of the R-word
and to garner more pledges of support.
Actor and National Down Syndrome Society Ambassador John C. McGinley
attended the 2009 World Games and was so impressed with the actions of
these young people that he has signed-on to help them further their goal.
We invite you to join us as we Spread the Word to End the Word this month.
Help the youth spread the word by mobilizing your constituents to support
their efforts. Graphics, tools and resources can be found at
www.r-word.org. Your organization and constituents are welcome to use the
materials to participate in this nationwide awareness effort to help us
accomplish what we set out to do in August 2008 – change the conversation
and raise the consciousness of society about the hurtful effects of the
R-word.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Kirsten Seckler at
kseckler@specialolympics.org or 1-202-715-1147 or Barbara Kornblau
@bkornblau@specialolympics.orgForwardSourceID:NT00361FDA
***
Posted: March 08 2009
Posted: March 08 2009
11th Annual Disability Day At The Capitol Draws 2,000 Georgians
Advocates Rally For Increased Services for People With Disabilities
Poll Results: Georgia Taxpayers Willing to Pay More For Expanded Services
ATLANTA, GA (March 5, 2009) – “Hear our voice, Respect our choice!” and “My body, my choice where I want to live” were among signs articulating the sentiment of the 2,000 Georgians gathered at the State Capitol last Wednesday to heighten public awareness and to communicate support to legislators for increased services for people with disabilities. The 11th annual Disability Day was so well-attended that organizers from the Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities (GCDD) had to add seating to accommodate the luncheon crowd following the rally.
“Today is pivotal for our state’s progress on behalf of people with disabilities,” GCDD’s Chair Tom Seegmueller said. “Advocates as well as taxpayers have spoken today and our legislators heard our message that we must do more to improve community life for people with disabilities.”
Seegmueller referenced recent poll results which indicate 58% of Georgia taxpayers are willing to accept a tax increase if it would mean greater support for disability issues. Respondents registered even stronger support for the Georgia Legislature to require that homebuilders construct more accessible homes (excluding custom-built homes) for people with disabilities. Results of the poll were announced at a press conference immediately preceding Disability Day at the Capitol. Complete results may be found at: www.gcdd.org.
Supporters at the rally cheered wildly as Keynote Speaker Brad Cohen shared how he overcame the ridicule and misunderstanding he experienced as a result of his disability, Tourette Syndrome. Cohen, now a Cobb County teacher, is sought after nationally as a motivational speaker and his book, “Front of the Class: How Tourette Syndrome Made Me the Teacher I Never Had,” aired as a CBS Hallmark Hall of Fame movie in Dec. 2008.
“I didn’t learn math very well, because my teacher made me sit facing the back wall,” Cohen told the crowd. “But today I’m a role model. I’m living proof to my students and to all of you that you can dream and become anything you want to be no matter what your disability.”
Lois Curtis, the surviving plaintiff in the landmark US Supreme Court Olmstead Decision which paved the way for people with disabilities to leave institutions and live in the community, carried a sign reading “Ten years is long enough.” The 2009 Disability Day at the Capitol rally celebrated 10 years since Olmstead, Lois Curtis’ judicial system victory that opened doors for several Georgia advocates to be present. Vicky Thompson (Duluth), Harold Reese (Duluth) and Marie Bas (Atlanta) were recognized at the rally as among the advocates who have successfully moved from institutions to live in their communities thanks to the Olmstead Decision. Ms. Curtis, who has launched a career as an Atlanta folk artist, help lead advocates in the Olmstead cheer “Get us out, keep us out, don’t put us in.”
Hundreds of youth and adults from disability organizations from across Georgia participated, including about 60 people from Maynard Jackson High School in southeast Atlanta, about 30 people from Fayette Community Options in Fayetteville, about 75 from The Jessamine Place in Fitzgerald, about 25 from the Gwinnett Enrichment Center in Gwinnett County, and about 25 from Wesley Glen Ministries in Macon.
"I'm grateful for such an eye-opening experience at this year's Disability Day at the Capitol. They can count on my support every year,“ said Disability Day Emcee and V-103 radio personality Frank Ski.
Bernard Baker of Atlanta and Virginia Harris of Bainbridge both received awards for their achievement in the field of advocacy and community service, awards bestowed in the names of esteemed “Fallen Soldiers” (those who have passed away).
Rabbi Harvey Winokur, spiritual leader at Atlanta’s Temple Kehillat Chaim, honored this year’s Fallen Soldiers by reading their names: Harriet McBryde-Johnson (Charleston, SC), Samuel Mitchell (Atlanta, GA), Betsy Wynne (Athens, GA) and Christian Stalworth.
Legislators in attendance at the rally included Jill Chambers (R-Dekalb) Jack Hill (R-Reidsville), Mike Jacobs (R-Dekalb), Sean Jerguson (R-Chamblee), Fran Millar (R-Dekalb), James Mills (R-Hall), Dan Moody (R-Alpharetta), Senator Nan Orrock (D-Fulton) and Allen Peake (R-Macon).
Sponsoring organizations for the 2009 Disability Day at the Capitol are: The ARC of Georgia, The Arc of Walker County, Bobby Dodd Institute, Brain and Spinal Injury Trust Fund, Briggs and Associates, Capitol Policy, CEPTA, Delmarva Foundation, DeKalb Developmental Disability Council, Down Syndrome Association of Atlanta, Futon County Disability Office, Georgia Advocacy Office, Georgia Association of Supported Employment, Georgia Building Authority, Georgia Department of Labor – Vocational Rehabilitation Services, Georgia State University Institute on Leadership and Disability, Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities, Jewish Family & Career Services, National Multiple Sclerosis Society - Georgia Chapter, Parent to Parent of Georgia, Chick-Fil-A, ResCare, State ADA Coordinator’s Office – GSFIC, Southern Company, United Cerebral Palsy.
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