For people with various disabilities which make speech difficult, including cerebral palsy, autism, Parkinson's Disease, ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease) and others, the key to effective communication is "Augmentative and Alternative Communication", or AAC for short. AAC refers to methods that make communication easier for people who find it hard to communicate by speech. These methods include electronic talking aids, computers, books and boards with pictures, letters, words, or phrases, and sign language. AAC can help people to communicate more effectively at any time, in any place, with anyone, and about anything.
Unfortunately, many people who need AAC do not get the training and assistance that they need to use AAC everywhere in their daily lives. Many times families, friends, and teachers are not familiar with AAC or mistakenly assume that the person cannot benefit. As a result, people with limited or no speech may spend many days or years unable to communicate their needs, feelings, hopes and dreams.
Resources that can help:
ABLE Tech offers an assistive technology resale & recycle program as well as help with device financing.
Toll Free: (888) 885-5588
Website: http://okabletech.okstate.edu/
Assistive Technology Training Online Project
Provides internet-based training in both general and specific areas of adapted computer use. Focuses on technology that addresses the needs of students with disabilities in elementary classrooms.
http://atto.buffalo.edu/
The Oklahoma Assistive Technology Center for Oklahoma Public Schools offers a full range of services, including: comprehensive assessment, consultation, custom fabrication and modification of assistive technology devices, assistance with identifying funding sources, training, and augmentative communication and computer access labs.
Toll free: 1-800-700-OATC (6282)
Website: http://www.theoatc.org/ATOSDE_services.asp
Rehab Tool's Free Search Service
Assistive technology specialists will conduct personalized product searches, recommend appropriate solutions, and send you relevant links and references to the products that best meet your needs and requirements.
http://www.rehabtool.com/search.html
Technical Assistance Manual for Using Assistive technology in the public schools
http://sde.state.ok.us/Curriculum/SpecEd/Forms.html
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Celebrate Family Day on Sept 28, 2009
Family Day - A Day to Eat Dinner with Your ChildrenTM is a national movement to inform parents that the parental engagement fostered during frequent family dinners is an effective tool to help keep America’s kids substance free. Family Day reminds parents that Dinner Makes A Difference!
For more info on this national event and tips on how to keep your kids safe from substance abuse visit the CASA Family Day website.
For more info on this national event and tips on how to keep your kids safe from substance abuse visit the CASA Family Day website.
Clear, easy-to-use website for parents & teachers of students with LD
LD.org offers busy parents a "one-stop shop" — answering their questions about learning disabilities (LD) and providing free, helpful resources for their entire family as they move along their "LD journey."
Check out the new sections they've developed:
LD Basics
Provides "The Basics" about various types of learning disabilities and helps to make sense of the latest research surrounding LD and learning.
In the Home
Offers real-life suggestions to help parents manage the day-to-day challenges and expectations of having a child with LD.
At School
Information that teaches parents how to advocate for their child within the school system by empowering them with information about their child's rights.
College and Work
Provides helpful strategies and tools for parents whose children are transitioning from high school to work or college.
On Capitol Hill
Highlights education and civil rights legislation that directly impacts students with LD and their families.
Publications and More
Parents, students and education professionals alike can access all of NCLD's high-quality free resources about learning disabilities -- parent advocacy guides, signs & symptoms lists, printable worksheets, & recorded webchats on current LD issues.
This is a tremendous source of practical info that you won't want to miss. Click here to visit!
Check out the new sections they've developed:
LD Basics
Provides "The Basics" about various types of learning disabilities and helps to make sense of the latest research surrounding LD and learning.
In the Home
Offers real-life suggestions to help parents manage the day-to-day challenges and expectations of having a child with LD.
At School
Information that teaches parents how to advocate for their child within the school system by empowering them with information about their child's rights.
College and Work
Provides helpful strategies and tools for parents whose children are transitioning from high school to work or college.
On Capitol Hill
Highlights education and civil rights legislation that directly impacts students with LD and their families.
Publications and More
Parents, students and education professionals alike can access all of NCLD's high-quality free resources about learning disabilities -- parent advocacy guides, signs & symptoms lists, printable worksheets, & recorded webchats on current LD issues.
This is a tremendous source of practical info that you won't want to miss. Click here to visit!
Register Now for “Free Online Resources to Prevent Bullying” Webinar
Partner with PACER to prevent bullying
The fourth annual National Bullying Prevention Awareness Week, Oct. 4 -10, 2009, encourages communities nationwide to work together to increase awareness of the prevalence and impact of bullying on all students. This Webinar will provide an overview of the free activities and materials to help reduce bullying communitywide. Parents and professionals will learn about innovative bullying prevention Web sites for kids and teens, contests, classroom toolkits, and more.
When: Tuesday, Sept. 29, from 1 to 2 p.m. (central)
Where: Online. (Participants will need a computer and a phone line.)
Cost: Free
Presenter: Julie Hertzog, PACER's Bullying Prevention Project director
Registration: Register at GoTo Webinar.
Registrants will receive a confirmation e-mail containing information about how to join the Webinar.
Agenda
• Introduction to PACER's new Teens Against Bullying Web site—a bullying prevention site for middle- and high-school students
• Highlights of PACER's Kids Against Bullying Web site—a bullying prevention site for elementary school students
• Overview of activities for schools and organizations—resources teens, professionals, and parents can use to engage, empower and educate others about bullying prevention.
The fourth annual National Bullying Prevention Awareness Week, Oct. 4 -10, 2009, encourages communities nationwide to work together to increase awareness of the prevalence and impact of bullying on all students. This Webinar will provide an overview of the free activities and materials to help reduce bullying communitywide. Parents and professionals will learn about innovative bullying prevention Web sites for kids and teens, contests, classroom toolkits, and more.
When: Tuesday, Sept. 29, from 1 to 2 p.m. (central)
Where: Online. (Participants will need a computer and a phone line.)
Cost: Free
Presenter: Julie Hertzog, PACER's Bullying Prevention Project director
Registration: Register at GoTo Webinar.
Registrants will receive a confirmation e-mail containing information about how to join the Webinar.
Agenda
• Introduction to PACER's new Teens Against Bullying Web site—a bullying prevention site for middle- and high-school students
• Highlights of PACER's Kids Against Bullying Web site—a bullying prevention site for elementary school students
• Overview of activities for schools and organizations—resources teens, professionals, and parents can use to engage, empower and educate others about bullying prevention.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
First Hand Foundation - Help for Health Related Expenses
The First Hand Foundation helps pay for children's health related expenses that are not covered by insurance.
To be considered for funding, applicants must meet the following criteria:
1.The child must be 18 years of age or younger (a child 18 – 21 can be considered if under the care of a pediatrician and in a child-like state).
2.The child must be under the care of a pediatrician.
3.The case must involve a child with a specific need.
4.The request must be clinically relevant to the health of the child.
5.There must be no existing insurance coverage for the requested expenses.
6.An application for expenses already incurred will not be considered for First Hand Foundation funding.
If the child meets the above criteria, please review the types of expenses First Hand covers.
Expenses Covered:
•Treatment: Expenses associated with clinical procedures, medicine, therapy, prosthesis, etc.
•Equipment: Expenses associated with wheelchairs, assistive technology equipment, care devices, hearing aids, etc.
•Displacement: Expenses associated with families of seriously ill children who must travel away from their home during treatment—lodging, food, gas, parking and transportation
•Vehicle modifications: Expenses associated with lifts, ramps and transfer boards
Expenses NOT Covered:
•Home modification projects
•Any alternative and experimental drugs, treatment or therapy where there is controversy in the medical community with respect to specific treatment
•Wheelchair-accessible van purchases
•Any requests for research funding, mass population grants or other nonprofit organizational grants
•Any request for debt reduction / past medical bills
•Copays and deductibles
For more info visit the First Hand Foundation website or call the foundation at (816) 201-1569.
To be considered for funding, applicants must meet the following criteria:
1.The child must be 18 years of age or younger (a child 18 – 21 can be considered if under the care of a pediatrician and in a child-like state).
2.The child must be under the care of a pediatrician.
3.The case must involve a child with a specific need.
4.The request must be clinically relevant to the health of the child.
5.There must be no existing insurance coverage for the requested expenses.
6.An application for expenses already incurred will not be considered for First Hand Foundation funding.
If the child meets the above criteria, please review the types of expenses First Hand covers.
Expenses Covered:
•Treatment: Expenses associated with clinical procedures, medicine, therapy, prosthesis, etc.
•Equipment: Expenses associated with wheelchairs, assistive technology equipment, care devices, hearing aids, etc.
•Displacement: Expenses associated with families of seriously ill children who must travel away from their home during treatment—lodging, food, gas, parking and transportation
•Vehicle modifications: Expenses associated with lifts, ramps and transfer boards
Expenses NOT Covered:
•Home modification projects
•Any alternative and experimental drugs, treatment or therapy where there is controversy in the medical community with respect to specific treatment
•Wheelchair-accessible van purchases
•Any requests for research funding, mass population grants or other nonprofit organizational grants
•Any request for debt reduction / past medical bills
•Copays and deductibles
For more info visit the First Hand Foundation website or call the foundation at (816) 201-1569.
Norman Family Support Network
The Norman Family Support Network is ready to help you kick-off the school year by hosting a parent meeting on Thursday, September 10 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church Family Center.
Ms. Wright will be speaking on Advocating for your Child and Educating Them About His/her Disability. Barbara has a private counseling practice in Norman and is familiar with the challenges that children with disabilities face both in school and the community.
This meeting will give parent tools to assist their child(ren) while boosting their self esteem. A new component to meetings this year will be that after the speaker, parents will have an opportunity to ask general questions and obtain help from mentor parents and disability advocates.
You Are Not Alone!
The Norman Family Support Network is a support group and community resource for any parent, guardian, caregiver, provider, or educator that have or interact with children who have ANY disability.
We are not a disability specific group. A child does not need to have a diagnosis or an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) in place for you to join us at a meeting or contact us.
If you suspect a disability, are new to the world of Special Education, or a seasoned "pro", we would love to hear from you!
The primary focus of the Norman Family Support Network is education of the Federal Special Education laws (IDEA: Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, Section 504: Civil Rights Law, and similar). We want to help parents form a productive relationship with their child's school while understanding the correct process and procedures under the law. We want to see children obtain the most appropriate education, regardless of their disabilities or learning differences. Our goal is to provide families with the support that they need!
2009-10 Meeting Dates and Topics
Sept. 10, 2009
Topic: Advocating for your Child and Educating Your Child on his/her Disability
7 - 8:30 p.m.
Location: St. Joseph's Church Family Center, 421 E. Acres Street
Oct. 8, 2009
Topic: Parent's Rights
Speaker: Kayla Bower, JD; Oklahoma Disability Law Center
6:30-8 p.m.
Location: St. Joseph's Catholic Church Family Center, 421 E. Acres Street
Nov. 12, 2009
Topic: The IEP Process - Help me figure this all out!
6:30-8 p.m.
Location: St. Joseph's Catholic Church Family Center, 421 E. Acres Street
Jan. 14, 2009
Topic: Reading Intervention - My child is behind, what can I do?
Speaker: Dr. Carrie Brown, Payne Education Center
6:30-8 p.m.
Location: St. Joseph's Catholic Church Family Center, 421 E. Acres Street
March 4, 2009
Topic: Learning Disabilities Simulation (Sensitivity Training)
Hands on Workshop - Open to NPS staff, physicians, Police Officers, Siblings
6:30-8:30 p.m.
Location: To Be Announced
April 8, 2009
Topic: Positive Behavior Interventions
6:30-8 p.m.
Location: St. Joseph's Catholic Church Family Center, 421 E. Acres Street
See us on the web at: www.normanfamilysupportnetwork.blogspot.com, call us at 306-8558 or 820-6650, or email us at normanfsn@gmail.com. We look forward to seeing you on September 10th at 7:00 p.m.
Ms. Wright will be speaking on Advocating for your Child and Educating Them About His/her Disability. Barbara has a private counseling practice in Norman and is familiar with the challenges that children with disabilities face both in school and the community.
This meeting will give parent tools to assist their child(ren) while boosting their self esteem. A new component to meetings this year will be that after the speaker, parents will have an opportunity to ask general questions and obtain help from mentor parents and disability advocates.
You Are Not Alone!
The Norman Family Support Network is a support group and community resource for any parent, guardian, caregiver, provider, or educator that have or interact with children who have ANY disability.
We are not a disability specific group. A child does not need to have a diagnosis or an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) in place for you to join us at a meeting or contact us.
If you suspect a disability, are new to the world of Special Education, or a seasoned "pro", we would love to hear from you!
The primary focus of the Norman Family Support Network is education of the Federal Special Education laws (IDEA: Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, Section 504: Civil Rights Law, and similar). We want to help parents form a productive relationship with their child's school while understanding the correct process and procedures under the law. We want to see children obtain the most appropriate education, regardless of their disabilities or learning differences. Our goal is to provide families with the support that they need!
2009-10 Meeting Dates and Topics
Sept. 10, 2009
Topic: Advocating for your Child and Educating Your Child on his/her Disability
7 - 8:30 p.m.
Location: St. Joseph's Church Family Center, 421 E. Acres Street
Oct. 8, 2009
Topic: Parent's Rights
Speaker: Kayla Bower, JD; Oklahoma Disability Law Center
6:30-8 p.m.
Location: St. Joseph's Catholic Church Family Center, 421 E. Acres Street
Nov. 12, 2009
Topic: The IEP Process - Help me figure this all out!
6:30-8 p.m.
Location: St. Joseph's Catholic Church Family Center, 421 E. Acres Street
Jan. 14, 2009
Topic: Reading Intervention - My child is behind, what can I do?
Speaker: Dr. Carrie Brown, Payne Education Center
6:30-8 p.m.
Location: St. Joseph's Catholic Church Family Center, 421 E. Acres Street
March 4, 2009
Topic: Learning Disabilities Simulation (Sensitivity Training)
Hands on Workshop - Open to NPS staff, physicians, Police Officers, Siblings
6:30-8:30 p.m.
Location: To Be Announced
April 8, 2009
Topic: Positive Behavior Interventions
6:30-8 p.m.
Location: St. Joseph's Catholic Church Family Center, 421 E. Acres Street
See us on the web at: www.normanfamilysupportnetwork.blogspot.com, call us at 306-8558 or 820-6650, or email us at normanfsn@gmail.com. We look forward to seeing you on September 10th at 7:00 p.m.
Bookshare.org - free memberships for students & schools
BookShare, an online collection of digital books, textbooks, and newspapers for people with print disabilities, now offers free memberships for qualifying U.S. students and schools. Bookshare offers more than 50,000 digital books, textbooks, teacher-recommended reading, periodicals and assistive technology tools.
Friday, September 11, 2009
Help with phone bills & installation costs
Pioneer Telephone and Pioneer Cellular would like to advise customers and potential customers of programs available for those needing assistance in paying their local telephone or cellular bill.
Access to local emergency services and community resources is vital to low-income and elderly residents, and Pioneer would like to offer assistance in “staying connected”. During “Lifeline Awareness Week”, (Sept. 14th – 20th), Pioneer is reaching out to those in need of telephone service who cannot afford it. Lifeline and Link-Up Assistance Programs offer discounts to help customers obtain access to telephone service, either landline or cellular, (one per household).
Under the federal Lifeline program, telephone customers who participate in, or are eligible for, certain public assistance programs are entitled to receive a basic telephone service discount of at least $10 per month. The Federal Link-Up America Program provides a 50% reduction in the telephone service installation charge, up to a maximum of $30, for qualifying households who currently do not have telephone service.
For more information or to apply for benefits, please contact your local Pioneer Telephone Business Office at 1.888.782.2667 or by dialing 611 from your home phone. You may also call a Pioneer Cellular Business Office at 1.800.641.2732 or visit our Web site, www.WirelessPioneer.Com
Click here for the federal Lifeline Program Fact sheet -it gives all the guidelines to qualify.
Access to local emergency services and community resources is vital to low-income and elderly residents, and Pioneer would like to offer assistance in “staying connected”. During “Lifeline Awareness Week”, (Sept. 14th – 20th), Pioneer is reaching out to those in need of telephone service who cannot afford it. Lifeline and Link-Up Assistance Programs offer discounts to help customers obtain access to telephone service, either landline or cellular, (one per household).
Under the federal Lifeline program, telephone customers who participate in, or are eligible for, certain public assistance programs are entitled to receive a basic telephone service discount of at least $10 per month. The Federal Link-Up America Program provides a 50% reduction in the telephone service installation charge, up to a maximum of $30, for qualifying households who currently do not have telephone service.
For more information or to apply for benefits, please contact your local Pioneer Telephone Business Office at 1.888.782.2667 or by dialing 611 from your home phone. You may also call a Pioneer Cellular Business Office at 1.800.641.2732 or visit our Web site, www.WirelessPioneer.Com
Click here for the federal Lifeline Program Fact sheet -it gives all the guidelines to qualify.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Including Samuel Airing on PBS
Including Samuel, a nationally acclaimed documentary by Dan Habib of the Institute on Disability/UCEDD at the University of New Hampshire, will be broadcast nationwide on public television stations.
Before his son Samuel was diagnosed with cerebral palsy, photojournalist Dan Habib rarely thought about the inclusion of people with disabilities. Now he thinks about inclusion every day. Shot and produced over four years, Habib's award-winning documentary film, Including Samuel, honestly chronicles the Habib family's efforts to include Samuel in every facet of their lives. The film also features four other families with varied inclusion experiences, plus interviews with dozens of teachers, young people, parents and disability rights experts.
Including Samuel is a highly personal, passionately photographed film that captures the cultural and systemic barriers to inclusion.
Including Samuel has been featured on NPR’s All Things Considered, Good Morning American NOW and in the Washington Post and the Boston Globe. Exceptional Parent magazine said “Including Samuel is a must see film.” The film won the Positive Images in Media award from TASH, an international group committed to the full inclusion of people with disabilities. The film was also screened at the Sprout Film Festival at the Metropolitan Museum of Art (NYC) and named “Best Documentary” at the Somewhat North of Boston Film Festival. The global aid group Mercy Corps is using the film to support the Iraqi disability rights movement.
The film will air on PBS affiliates in September and October (Disability Awareness Month), 2009, with support from the National Inclusion Project and CVS Caremark All Kids Can. OETA will air Including Samuel on October 20, 2009.
To learn more, click here
Before his son Samuel was diagnosed with cerebral palsy, photojournalist Dan Habib rarely thought about the inclusion of people with disabilities. Now he thinks about inclusion every day. Shot and produced over four years, Habib's award-winning documentary film, Including Samuel, honestly chronicles the Habib family's efforts to include Samuel in every facet of their lives. The film also features four other families with varied inclusion experiences, plus interviews with dozens of teachers, young people, parents and disability rights experts.
Including Samuel is a highly personal, passionately photographed film that captures the cultural and systemic barriers to inclusion.
Including Samuel has been featured on NPR’s All Things Considered, Good Morning American NOW and in the Washington Post and the Boston Globe. Exceptional Parent magazine said “Including Samuel is a must see film.” The film won the Positive Images in Media award from TASH, an international group committed to the full inclusion of people with disabilities. The film was also screened at the Sprout Film Festival at the Metropolitan Museum of Art (NYC) and named “Best Documentary” at the Somewhat North of Boston Film Festival. The global aid group Mercy Corps is using the film to support the Iraqi disability rights movement.
The film will air on PBS affiliates in September and October (Disability Awareness Month), 2009, with support from the National Inclusion Project and CVS Caremark All Kids Can. OETA will air Including Samuel on October 20, 2009.
To learn more, click here
Let's get some books for Oklahoma!
It’s easy to do. Oklahoma’s libraries could use your votes in a contest to win 50,000 new books for our state.
Oklahoma was leading in the voting, but Kentucky has just recently taken the lead.
Voting is simple . . . click on http://booksforkids.firstbook.org/whatbook/
Select Oklahoma from the drop-down list in the field called "Where would you like to send 50,000 new books?" and click on Submit.
None of the other fields are required, so you can fill them out or skip them if you want. You can vote as many times as you like - once every 24 hours, and you can keep voting through September 30.
Please pass this along!
Oklahoma was leading in the voting, but Kentucky has just recently taken the lead.
Voting is simple . . . click on http://booksforkids.firstbook.org/whatbook/
Select Oklahoma from the drop-down list in the field called "Where would you like to send 50,000 new books?" and click on Submit.
None of the other fields are required, so you can fill them out or skip them if you want. You can vote as many times as you like - once every 24 hours, and you can keep voting through September 30.
Please pass this along!
1st Statewide Conference on Autism - Norman, OK
REGISTRATION IS OPEN!
Oklahoma’s first annual conference on Autism Spectrum Disorders
For Families, Health Professionals, Educators, and Advocates
November 6‐7, 2009
Embassy Suites Norman – Hotel & Conference Center Norman, Oklahoma
KEYNOTE SPEAKERS:
Liane Holliday Willey, Ed.D.
An inspirational and motivational speaker who helps her audience truly understand the importance of accepting people with differences. Liane is a successful writer, editor, consultant, motivational speaker, freelance author, mother and wife.
(http://www.aspie.com)
James C. McPartland, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Yale Child Study Center (www.autism.fm) Associate Director, Developmental Electrophysiology Laboratory (childstudycenter.yale.edu/del)
Over 40 sessions by national and regional speakers to discuss a broad range of topics including medical and health, education and social skills, and families and advocacy.
TO REGISTER:
Visit: http://www.OKAUTISM.org for on-line and paper registrations and for information about sponsorship / vendor opportunities:
Web: okautism.org
Email: okautism@ouhsc.edu
Tele: 405.271.7476 or 1.877.288.8476
Oklahoma’s first annual conference on Autism Spectrum Disorders
For Families, Health Professionals, Educators, and Advocates
November 6‐7, 2009
Embassy Suites Norman – Hotel & Conference Center Norman, Oklahoma
KEYNOTE SPEAKERS:
Liane Holliday Willey, Ed.D.
An inspirational and motivational speaker who helps her audience truly understand the importance of accepting people with differences. Liane is a successful writer, editor, consultant, motivational speaker, freelance author, mother and wife.
(http://www.aspie.com)
James C. McPartland, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Yale Child Study Center (www.autism.fm) Associate Director, Developmental Electrophysiology Laboratory (childstudycenter.yale.edu/del)
Over 40 sessions by national and regional speakers to discuss a broad range of topics including medical and health, education and social skills, and families and advocacy.
TO REGISTER:
Visit: http://www.OKAUTISM.org for on-line and paper registrations and for information about sponsorship / vendor opportunities:
Web: okautism.org
Email: okautism@ouhsc.edu
Tele: 405.271.7476 or 1.877.288.8476
OICA Fall Forum
University Of Central Oklahoma
Nigh University Center
100 University Drive, Edmond OK
On October 13-14, 2009, Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy (OICA) will gather child advocates from across the state for the Annual Fall Legislative Forum to examine the current course of Oklahoma’s young people, share ideas and develop a legislative agenda to create positive change.
Riding The Winds of Change, the theme of this year’s forum, will focus on how we can work within the current economic, legislative and social environments on behalf of Oklahoma’s children, and continue to build a future where our state, communities and families can prosper. The forum will focus on the health, education, safety and economic issues that impact Oklahoma's children. This two-day event will culminate in the creation of the 2010 Oklahoma Legislative Agenda for Children and Youth.
Preview the agenda and plan now to attend! NOTE: The Opening Session, Tuesday, October 13, from 9:30 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. is free to the public.
REGISTRATION
$130 Early Bird
$160 After October 2, 2009
Educators: Please contact Keli Wright or Ann Paterson Salazar about student registration:
NOTE: No registrations accepted after October 6, 2009
To register, go to http://oica.org/Fall%20Forum/Fall%20Forum%2009/index.html
Nigh University Center
100 University Drive, Edmond OK
On October 13-14, 2009, Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy (OICA) will gather child advocates from across the state for the Annual Fall Legislative Forum to examine the current course of Oklahoma’s young people, share ideas and develop a legislative agenda to create positive change.
Riding The Winds of Change, the theme of this year’s forum, will focus on how we can work within the current economic, legislative and social environments on behalf of Oklahoma’s children, and continue to build a future where our state, communities and families can prosper. The forum will focus on the health, education, safety and economic issues that impact Oklahoma's children. This two-day event will culminate in the creation of the 2010 Oklahoma Legislative Agenda for Children and Youth.
Preview the agenda and plan now to attend! NOTE: The Opening Session, Tuesday, October 13, from 9:30 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. is free to the public.
REGISTRATION
$130 Early Bird
$160 After October 2, 2009
Educators: Please contact Keli Wright or Ann Paterson Salazar about student registration:
NOTE: No registrations accepted after October 6, 2009
To register, go to http://oica.org/Fall%20Forum/Fall%20Forum%2009/index.html
Friday, September 4, 2009
Cerebral Palsy State Resource Guides Now Available
"Cerebral Palsy Survival Guides" for all 50 states are now available for free download through the non-profit group CP Family Network website. The guides provide a listing of resources for people with CP and their caregivers. Also available are Care Notebooks for organizing medical and other data, and birth injury prevention information for expectant parents by CP legal expert Howard Janet.
The free guides, called 'Survival Guides,' are organized by topic:: education, medical, respite care, therapy, recreation, and transportation. "When resources change, the CP Family Network will also alert caregivers who register with the site, ensuring they are always up to date with what's available to help adults and children with cerebral palsy,".
Click here to download the Survival Guide for your state.
The free guides, called 'Survival Guides,' are organized by topic:: education, medical, respite care, therapy, recreation, and transportation. "When resources change, the CP Family Network will also alert caregivers who register with the site, ensuring they are always up to date with what's available to help adults and children with cerebral palsy,".
Click here to download the Survival Guide for your state.
Adaptable and accessible housing
Easy Access Housing for Easier Living Program: Adaptable and Accessible Housing. How can you tell if a home or apartment can be easily adapted for accessibility? This checklist from Easter Seals and Century 21 can help you evaluate.
Read the checklist on EasterSeals.com.
Read the checklist on EasterSeals.com.
Health Insurance Reform Reality Check
We've all heard the rumors about what health care reform legislation will or will not do. The White House has a new web page that addresses these concerns and issues. Read about it for yourself and get informed. Who knows, you may even want to get involved....
Click here to Visit the White House Health Insurance Reform Reality Check.
Click here to Visit the White House Health Insurance Reform Reality Check.
Back to School Resources for Parents
Recognizing reading (and other) problems early: Programs for parents.
Empowering Parents, a PBS special hosted by Al Roker, visits schools to help families identify early signs of reading problems and find ideas for getting their kids the help and support they need to succeed at reading.
http://www.readingrockets.org/shows/launching/empowering
Concerned about your child's food allergies at school?
Managing food allergies at schools can be challenging. Education, communication, and cooperation are the keys to preventing allergic reactions.
http://www.foodallergy.org/school.html
Have you met Alex?
First, meet Alex's mom. She wanted the IEP team at the new school to see her son as a person, not a label, so she made a wonderful 3-minute video to introduce him at the beginning of the IEP meeting. It worked even better than she expected. Check it out.
http://www.wrightslaw.com/info/iep.video.moody.htm
Parents get involved.
Project Appleseed is the #1 ranked resource in Google and Yahoo! for "parental involvement in public schools" (or so they claim). But a look at this organization's bristling-with-purpose website is bound to make parents feel...well, like getting involved. Find out how at the link below. Pssst: National Parental Involvement Day is coming up soon (November 19th) but we thought we'd tell you early, so you can plan ahead.
http://www.projectappleseed.org
Communicating with your child's school.
This resource from CADRE offers specific communication skills that may be helpful to parents as they develop and maintain partnerships with their child's school.
http://www.directionservice.org/cadre/success.cfm
Building a good relationship with your child's teacher.
From the National Center for Learning Disabilities.
http://www.ncld.org/at-school/general-topics/parentschool-partnership/building-a-good-relationship-with-your-childs-teacher
Effective IEP meetings: Tested tips.
Here's another from CADRE, offering suggestions for convening successful IEP meetings. It includes preparation tips for parents and educators.
http://www.directionservice.org/cadre/testedtips.cfm
Interested in autism?
CDC (the Centers for Disease Control) has a new autism website. Very snazzy.
http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/index.html
A parent's guide to developmental delays: A podcast.
LD Podcasts are a weekly event at LDonline about all aspects of learning disabilities and kids who struggle in school, and this one focuses on DD. Listen at:
http://ldpodcast.com/2006/11/20/show-31-a-parents-guide-to-developmental-delays/
Is challenging behavior a problem at home?
Then you may be interested in what the Center for Evidence-Based Practice: Young Children with Challenging Behavior (CEBP) has to say. This document gives parents eight practical tips they can use when their young children exhibit challenging behavior. Each tip includes a brief explanation and an example to show parents how they might use the specific approach with their own family in everyday life.
http://www.tats.ucf.edu/wg_inclusion/PositiveSolutionsforFamilies_CEBP.pdf
Planning your transition from high school: A tool kit.
A very good tool kit from PACER for youth with disabilities and their parents.
http://www.pacer.org/tatra/2009Award.pdf
Resource list excerpted from the NICHCY newsletter, News You Can Use - Sept 09
Empowering Parents, a PBS special hosted by Al Roker, visits schools to help families identify early signs of reading problems and find ideas for getting their kids the help and support they need to succeed at reading.
http://www.readingrockets.org/shows/launching/empowering
Concerned about your child's food allergies at school?
Managing food allergies at schools can be challenging. Education, communication, and cooperation are the keys to preventing allergic reactions.
http://www.foodallergy.org/school.html
Have you met Alex?
First, meet Alex's mom. She wanted the IEP team at the new school to see her son as a person, not a label, so she made a wonderful 3-minute video to introduce him at the beginning of the IEP meeting. It worked even better than she expected. Check it out.
http://www.wrightslaw.com/info/iep.video.moody.htm
Parents get involved.
Project Appleseed is the #1 ranked resource in Google and Yahoo! for "parental involvement in public schools" (or so they claim). But a look at this organization's bristling-with-purpose website is bound to make parents feel...well, like getting involved. Find out how at the link below. Pssst: National Parental Involvement Day is coming up soon (November 19th) but we thought we'd tell you early, so you can plan ahead.
http://www.projectappleseed.org
Communicating with your child's school.
This resource from CADRE offers specific communication skills that may be helpful to parents as they develop and maintain partnerships with their child's school.
http://www.directionservice.org/cadre/success.cfm
Building a good relationship with your child's teacher.
From the National Center for Learning Disabilities.
http://www.ncld.org/at-school/general-topics/parentschool-partnership/building-a-good-relationship-with-your-childs-teacher
Effective IEP meetings: Tested tips.
Here's another from CADRE, offering suggestions for convening successful IEP meetings. It includes preparation tips for parents and educators.
http://www.directionservice.org/cadre/testedtips.cfm
Interested in autism?
CDC (the Centers for Disease Control) has a new autism website. Very snazzy.
http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/index.html
A parent's guide to developmental delays: A podcast.
LD Podcasts are a weekly event at LDonline about all aspects of learning disabilities and kids who struggle in school, and this one focuses on DD. Listen at:
http://ldpodcast.com/2006/11/20/show-31-a-parents-guide-to-developmental-delays/
Is challenging behavior a problem at home?
Then you may be interested in what the Center for Evidence-Based Practice: Young Children with Challenging Behavior (CEBP) has to say. This document gives parents eight practical tips they can use when their young children exhibit challenging behavior. Each tip includes a brief explanation and an example to show parents how they might use the specific approach with their own family in everyday life.
http://www.tats.ucf.edu/wg_inclusion/PositiveSolutionsforFamilies_CEBP.pdf
Planning your transition from high school: A tool kit.
A very good tool kit from PACER for youth with disabilities and their parents.
http://www.pacer.org/tatra/2009Award.pdf
Resource list excerpted from the NICHCY newsletter, News You Can Use - Sept 09
No-cost plane ride for kids with disabilities
Challenge Air for Kids and Friends, a not-for-profit organization, offers motivational, inspirational and life-changing experiences to physically challenged children and youth through aviation.
Where: Oklahoma City, OK (PWA) at Wiley Post Airport
When: 26-September-2009
Spots are still available.
To find out more click on Challenge Air Information and Registration below:
Challenge Air Information and Registration
Where: Oklahoma City, OK (PWA) at Wiley Post Airport
When: 26-September-2009
Spots are still available.
To find out more click on Challenge Air Information and Registration below:
Challenge Air Information and Registration
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