From LPB, “A great day today at the MA State House advocating for people with Down syndrome. Of importance to us – Bill S2157/H4040 to ensure continuation and increased funding for Inclusive Concurrent Enrollment initiative so students with IDD can continue to have inclusive higher education opportunities at MA colleges and universities.”
For more coverage on the MDSC’s Annual Advocacy Day, visit https://www.facebook.com/massdscongress/
From LPB, “Maureen Blazejewski, M.Ed., one of our educational consultants, who also serves as Director of Education of the MDSC will be hosting a free webinar next Wed, May 25 at 12:00 PM EST – IEP Development: Considerations for Effective Advocacy
Coming together with your child’s team each year can be both exciting and stressful as you reflect upon your child’s progress and plan out for the new areas of focus over the next calendar year. This webinar will offer parents information, insight and tips that will lead to more effective communication and advocacy as you come together with your district team to plan for your child’s educational needs.”
REGISTER HERE: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/regist…/6021879324322698500
P.C.: flickr
Join us on Wednesday, May 18 at the MA State House where we will be advocating for two bills together with the MDSC to ensure that all people with Down syndrome have opportunities to lead meaningful fulfilling lives in the community. This free event includes lunch and everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend – please register at the link below. The two bills concern non-discrimation in access to organ transplants (people with DS are at the bottom of the list) and inclusive higher education for people with IDD to attend state college with their non-disabled peers.
P.C.: flickr
From LPB, “After elementary school, most kids with DS are at the bottom of the Social Food Chain. For those with neurotypical kids wishing to avoid accidentally raising a bully it’s simply not enough to instruct your children to, “Be nice to others!” You’ve got to be more specific than that. Kids think if they aren’t being outright unkind, they are being nice.”
By Leslie Blanchard | huffingtonpost.com
I will never forget the day my daughter told me that Bethany, a girl in her 4th grade class, was annoying her.
“What is she doing to you?” I questioned, instinctively protective.
“She’s following me around on the playground and sitting by me at lunch!” she quipped, as if that would sum things right up and get me squarely on her side of the matter.
“You mean she’s trying to be friends with you?” I asked incredulously.
From LPB, “A documentary series following the lives of young people with Down syndrome is getting a special honor from the people behind the Emmy Awards. A&E Network series “Born This Way” is one of six shows named to the Television Academy Honors. The annual recognition from the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences calls out programs that leverage television to “tackle complex issues and advance social change.””
By Shaun Heasley | disabilityscoop.com
A documentary series following the lives of young people with Down syndrome is getting a special honor from the people behind the Emmy Awards.
The A&E Network series “Born This Way” is one of six shows named to the Television Academy Honors.
The annual recognition from the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences — the Hollywood organization responsible for the Emmy Awards — calls out programs that leverage television to “tackle complex issues and advance social change.”
P.C.: flickr
From LPB, “Love that we are seeing more types of beauty being appreciated! Katie Meade is a Best Buddies spokesperson and the new face of beauty for a hair products company.”
By Jillian Ruffo | people.com
New haircare line, Beauty & Pin-Ups, is breaking down barriers. The brand introduced 32-year-old Katie Meade as the face of their latest launch: Fearless Hair Rescue Treatment. We caught up with Meade to talk about the partnership, and quickly learned she’s the type of inspiration the beauty world has been missing.
http://stylenews.people.com/style/2016/04/01/meet-katie-meade-the-first-woman-with-down-syndrome-to-be-featured-as-the-face-of-a-beauty-product/
Wings for Autism
Saturday, April 9th | Boston Logan Airport, Terminal E
A free event
Registration is required. Click here to register.
Travel is stressful in general but can be particularly difficult for families who have a child with special needs. Wings for Autism events are a “test run” through the airport boarding process–specifically designed for families who have a child with an autism spectrum disorder.
Families are able to practice:
• Entering the airport
• The check-in process and checking bags
• Security screening
• Boarding the plane
• Preparing for take-off
• Exiting the plane
Children and their families gain real life, air travel experience–sometimes finding that more practice is necessary but often discovering that air travel is indeed possible!
Check-in and boarding times begin at 9 am and will be held throughout the morning. Specific times will be assigned closer to the date of the event. Questions? Please contact: [email protected]
Wings for Autism was created by the Charles River Center, a chapter of The Arc located in Needham, MA, in collaboration with the Mass Port Authority and TSA. This is the 11th Wings event at Logan Airport. Since 2011, thousands of families have participated, and Wings events are now taking place in 22 cities across the country.
Submitted by Melanie Perkins McLaughlin
Just want to be sure folks know about the Crocker Fellowship – a PAID part-time fellowship learning about disability policy and leadership with a capstone project. Several LPB alum are former Crocker fellows.
The 2016 Allen C. Crocker Family Fellowship
Applications must be received by Thursday, April 28, 2016, at 5:00 p.m.
Cosponsored by the Mass. Developmental Disabilities Network:
• Institute for Community Inclusion at the University of Massachusetts Boston and Boston Children’s Hospital (University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities)
• E.K. Shriver Center, UMass Medical Center (University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities)
• Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Council
• Disability Law Center
Overview of the Allen C. Crocker Family Fellowship
To celebrate the work of Dr. Allen C. Crocker and his devotion to families of children with disabilities, the Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Network (DD Network) created the Allen C. Crocker Family Fellowship. It allows a family member of an individual with a developmental disability to work on a project of their choosing while developing leadership skills under the guidance of Institute for Community Inclusion staff. Through this experience, the Crocker Fellow will gain valuable knowledge about disability policy, services, and supports.
The Crocker Fellow will design and implement a project of their choice that embraces the values and work of Dr. Crocker. Activities will be based on the Crocker Fellow’s interest, and may include grassroots advocacy, public policy analysis, research, and other initiatives to improve the quality of life for people with developmental disabilities and their families.
Concurrent with designing and working on an original project, the Crocker Fellow will learn about public policy and disabilities, the legislative process, and the role of disability agencies in Massachusetts. The Crocker Fellow will attend local and national public policy forums to broaden their knowledge on current disability topics.
The fellowship offers an educational environment designed for an individual who is developing personal advocacy skills and experience. As the Crocker Fellow chooses a project design, develops a work plan, and researches and creates a final product, they are guided by Institute for Community Inclusion faculty and other members of the Massachusetts DD Network to develop the skills they need, understand how the disability system works, and learn how they can create change.
The Crocker Fellow works 20 hours per week. The one-year award includes a stipend of $20,000.
Background
The Allen C. Crocker Family Fellowship was established to honor the lifelong work of Dr. Allen C. Crocker. He was a physician who listened to families, advocated on their behalf, and supported their dreams for their children. Dr. Crocker was a developmental pediatrician who worked at Boston Children’s Hospital for over 60 years. He was the founder and first director of the Developmental Evaluation Clinic at Children’s Hospital that grew into the Institute for Community Inclusion.
Dr. Crocker was not only a world-renowned physician but also an advocate for children with special health care needs and their families. His leadership was influential in Boston, throughout Massachusetts, and across the country as he helped to pioneer the field of developmental-behavioral pediatrics. His dedication to exceptional children and their families was legendary.
Eligibility
The Allen C. Crocker Fellowship is open to Massachusetts residents who have a family member with a developmental disability. The fellowship is designed for individuals who seek to increase their knowledge and skills in the field of developmental disabilities.
Basic Requirements
• Work a minimum of 20 hours per week for a period of 12 months. Most of this time will be spent designing and implementing an original project.
• Spend at least two days per week working at the Institute for Community Inclusion (ICI) in Dorchester.
• Attend Friday morning LEND Fellowship classes in Boston (no summer session).
• Participate in training and other leadership activities at the ICI and the other Massachusetts DD Network programs.
• Attend conferences, trainings, and other events on disability advocacy and public policy.
• Create a project work plan and write quarterly status reports.
• Present the accomplishments of the fellowship at Massachusetts DD Network meetings.
• If appropriate, give a presentation at a regional or national meeting in conjunction with other individuals or colleagues (paper, poster, or verbal presentation).
Timeline: The Crocker Fellowship will begin on July 6, 2016 and will run for a 12-month time period.
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
The application consists of:
(1) A brief written proposal (2–5 pages) that includes:
a) The applicant’s background and disability experience
b) The proposed project or study activity, including the reason for addressing the chosen topic, project goal, activities, and expected outcomes and impact
c) The applicant’s vision for a post-fellowship role in the disability field
(2) The applicant’s resume
(3) Three letters of reference
Applicants will be judged on their proposed project’s originality, the need for the project, and their potential to complete the project within the year. The potential of the applicant to benefit from the fellowship experience will also be considered.
Send Applications to:
David T. Helm, PhD
Institute for Community Inclusion
University of Massachusetts Boston
100 Morrissey Blvd
Boston, MA 02125
Or by email:
[email protected]
Applications submitted by email should specify “Crocker Fellowship – (applicant’s last name)” in the subject line.
Call David Helm at 857.218.4327 if you have questions.
By U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) | www.eac.gov
This tip sheet from the U.S. Election Assistance Commission examines the options available to help voters with disabilities vote privately and independently.
http://www.eac.gov/assets/1/Documents/508[1]_14Disabilities.pdf
By Massachusetts Down Syndrome Congress (MDSC) | www.mdsc.org
Congratulations to all our incredible 2016 MDSC Award Winners:
Heather Hegedus (Fox 25)- Media Award
Julie Messina (3-21 Foundation) – Educator Award
Susanna Peyton & John Campbell – Leadership Award
Melanie Perkins McLaughlin – Allen Crocker Award of Excellence
Market Basket’s Arthur T. Demoulas (represented by Dan Riley and Gary Sessa) – Employer of the Year Award
Gillian & Fran Callaghan – Leadership Award (Not present)Your work and your speeches yesterday epitomize our mission, our community and our 2016 theme #iBelieve.
https://www.facebook.com/massdscongress/posts/10154043852803200