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AUCDigest

July 24, 2007 • Volume 7, Number 7

 

RESOURCES

Network Related Resources

Rural Institute (MT UCEDD) Publication: Colling, K. & Arnold, N. (2007, Summer). A qualitative analysis of the potential for collaboration between vocational rehabilitation agencies and small business developers. Journal of Applied Rehabilitation Counseling, 38(2), 35-41.

Indiana Institute on Disability and Community (UCEDD) New Journal Highlight: A Meta-Analysis of School-Based Social Skills Interventions for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders. An examination of the effectiveness of school-based social skills interventions for children and adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) is the focus of a new journal article published by the Scott Bellini, Assistant Director, Indiana Resource Center for Autism. Coauthors include Jessica Peters, Lauren Benner, and Andrea Hopf, who are doctoral students within the School Psychology program at Indiana University.

Center on Disability and Community Inclusion (VT UCEDD) New Guide Highlight: Quick-Guides to Inclusion - Ideas for Educating Students with Disabilities (Second Edition). Michael Giangreco, Ph.D., of Vermont's UCEDD, and Mary Beth Doyle, Ph.D., co-edited this recent publication from Brookes Publishing. The book has fast, friendly and practical guidance on including students with disabilities in general education classrooms. Teachers are given up-to-date snapshots of a wide array of essential inclusion topics, such as literacy, partnerships with parents, positive behavior support, and curriculum adaptations.

New Hampshire Institute on Disability (UCEDD/LEND) New Book Highlight: Little Ones Have Big Dreams Too: A Guide for Facilitators by Ann Donoghue Dillon. With respect to children, the person-centered planning process usually involves meeting in a comfortable environment of the family’s choosing to explore ideas, illustrate events, and engage in a process of change that is very visually oriented, creative, and uplifting. Each meeting is unique and each outcome is individualized and tailored to the child, family, and group of people engaged in the process. Over several meetings, the group defines its purpose, illustrates the child’s life history, and includes others in planning, establishing a vision, and delineating realistic outcomes and action steps.

Partnership for People with Disabilities (VA LEND Program) Resource: Genetic Awareness Learning Module. The purpose of this module is to increase genetic awareness of health care professionals from a variety of disciplines, provide educational resources and give examples of cases where genetics referrals can make a difference. The module is interactive with three cases in which the learner reaches different outcomes based on their decision path. Support for the project is provided through a grant from AUCD with funding from the Maternal and Child Health Bureau, Health Resources and Services Administration (Grant # AUCDGC04-11).

Center for Excellence in Disabilities (WV UCEDD) Online Guide: 3rd edition of the West Virginia Farmers' Connections Guide. The guide was developed for both farmers and educators, and includes listings of:

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    • Local and national crop-specific resources
    • Comprehensive contact lists for equipment supply distributors
    • Extension offices and various USDA programs throughout the state
    • A section devoted to farm-related assistive technology.

Resources from Institute for Community Inclusion (MA UCEDD)

  • Issue Brief: Self-Determination: A Fundamental Ingredient of Employment Support. This brief examines self-determination in the employment process and suggests strategies for employment professionals to apply these principles in their work.
  • Research Report: Bridging the Digital Divide for Hard-to-Reach-Groups. ICI's Heike Boeltzig and UK researcher Doria Pilling completed the Digital Divide report. The report identifies social and technical barriers presently limiting access to e-government in the US and UK, and examines how individuals currently without access could most benefit from online government services. Boeltzig and Pilling also present six case studies of actions being taken in both countries to increase Internet use among the hard-to-reach-groups, and ten recommendations for increasing access to and use of the Internet. This report was published by the ICM Center for the Business of the Government, and was featured in the Spring 2007 issue of the UK's Ability magazine.

New Products and Resources from the National Center on Physical Activity and Disability, in association with Institute on Disability and Human Development (IL UCEDD)

  • Emerging Evidence in Health and Disability: Follow-up Study of Exercise Self Management Intervention for Older Adults with Arthritis. The purpose of this follow-up study was to assess whether short-term changes in exercise choice and frequency could be maintained in 65 housebound older adults living with osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis, 8 months after a self-management intervention. Findings indicate that significant improvements in exercise levels and the long-term maintenance of behaviors can be achieved through a self-management intervention with this target population. Nour. K., Laforest, S., Gauvin, L., & Gignac, M. (2007). Long-term maintenance of increased exercise involvement following a self management intervention for housebound older adults with arthritis. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 4(22), 1-8.
  • Inclusive Play for All Children: The Opportunities are Boundless (Column). Most children do not need encouragement to play; however, active play is sharply declining as technology provides us all with entertainment opportunities that require little or no movement. Playgrounds offer an excellent venue for children (and adults) to participate in active play. But for the estimated 6 million children with disabilities, opportunities for active play are limited by the lack of accessibility in playground environments.
  • Natural-Fit Handrim. The Natural-Fit Handrim replaces an old handrim or can be ordered with a new wheelchair and is designed with a larger ergonomic grip that reduces grip force and eases the stress placed on the hands and arms when pushing and breaking. Less effort is required with no loss in propulsive power, reducing fatigue and making daily tasks easier and physical activity more comfortable. For more information or to order, visit the Natural-Fit Handrim website, contact 480-833-1829 or email [email protected].
  • Various Recreation Resources

Research to Know

Improvement Following ADHD Treatment Sustained in Most Children ­- But Linked Problems Persist Into Adolescence (NIMH Follow-up Study). Most children treated in a variety of ways for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) showed sustained improvement after three years in a major follow-up study funded by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). Yet increased risk for behavioral problems, including delinquency and substance use, remained higher than normal. After three years, 45-71 percent of the youth in the original treatment groups were taking medication. However, continuing medication treatment was no longer associated with better outcomes by the third year. Their report is among four on the outcome of the MTA study published in the August, 2007 Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (JAACAP).

Other Resources

Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) Resources

  • Paving the Way to Work: A Guide to Career-Focused Mentoring. This guide is intended for individuals designing mentoring programs for youth, including youth with disabilities, in the transition phase to adulthood.
  • Disclosure Fact Sheets. ODEP has produced three new fact sheets for youth with disabilities that addresses how, why, and when they might want to disclose their disability:

Research Project Evaluates 20 Years of What Works for Youth with Disabilities. The What Works Transition Research Synthesis Project funded by the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) has published the first report in a series to be released. The project was established to review and synthesize the past two decades of research and advancements in the area of transition for youth with disabilities.

George Washington University Offering Master's Program in Transition Special Education with Emphasis in Acquired Brain Injury. The Department of Teacher Preparation and Special Education (DTPSE) has received a new 4 year personnel training grant from the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) for the master's degree in transition special education: emphasis in acquired brain injury. The grant will provide tuition support (80%) for all accepted students and also includes direct stipends for students to assist them with class related expenses, travel for internships, and travel to professional conferences. For further information, please contact Zavolia Willis (Zee) at (202) 973-1082. We are currently accepting applications for fall 2007 and spring 2008. Visit our Graduate School of Education and Human Development (GSEHD) website for more information.

NICHY Module 1: The Top 10 Basics of Special Education. This module is divided into three sections so that trainers can flexibly address the needs of different audiences. The first two sections are intended for participants who are not very familiar with IDEA but who want or need an overview of the special education process. Ten basic steps in special education are described, and five key acronyms are explained: IDEA, FAPE, IEP, LRE, and TA&D. Section 3 (provided in separate discussion and PowerPoint files) is designed for more advanced audiences and those who seek a more in-depth understanding of how IDEA defines five critical terms: child with a disability, special education, related services, supplementary aids and services, and transition services.

Books & Reports

  • Universal Design and Visitability: From Accessibility to Zoning (Book). Edited by Jack L Nasar and Jennifer Evans-Cowley. This book is available for download at no cost through the generous support of The National Endowment for the Arts Universal Design Leadership Initiative, The Ohio State University's Knowlton School of Architecture, John Glenn School of Public Affairs, Kirwin Institute for the Study of Race and Ethnicity, Americans with Disabilities Act Coordinator's Office.
  • Sources of Income of People Age 50 to 64 with Work Disabilities (AARP Report). Income sources for people age 50 to 64 unable to work due to disabilities or health conditions are analyzed in this AARP Public Policy Institute Data Digest. The report highlights the distribution of such individuals and of their major income sources by gender and race/ethnic group.
  • Quality of Life for People with Intellectual and Other Developmental Disabilities (AAIDD Book). This book introduces the concept of quality of life for people with intellectual disability within organizations and community systems and proposes a quality assessment and improvement methodology grounded in person-centered needs and outcomes. The book also contains a review of the federal government's new and comprehensive quality improvement/ quality assurance expectations in home and community-based services and contains specific examples of state efforts and results.
  • Priced Out in 2006 (Report). This report documents the continued lack of affordable and accessible housing for people with long-term disabilities, including intellectual disabilities, physical disabilities, chronic illness, and mental illness. The national average for a one-bedroom apartment is at $715 and a studio/efficiency is at $633, and both are higher than the entire monthly income of people with disabilities who rely on the Supplemental Social Security Income (SSI) program. The report is published by the Technical Assistance Collaborative and the Consortium of Citizens with Disabilities.
  • Teaching Your Child with Down syndrome about Bodies, Boundaries, and Sexuality: A Guide for Parents and Professionals (Book). The resource is primarily written for parents to help them teach about sexuality at home. Parents of children with Down syndrome and other intellectual disabilities are accustomed to paying close attention to their child’s physical, cognitive, and emotional development. This proactive approach should also include their child’s sexual development, which for many parents may not seem as obvious or urgent, especially to those with young children. Anticipated release: Fall 2007.
  • 2007 Newborn Screening Report Card Released (March of Dimes). Almost 90 percent of all babies born in the United States live in states that require screening for at least 21 life-threatening disorders, according to the latest Newborn Screening Report Card. This is more than double the percentage in 2005. However, approximately half a million newborns are still not screened for these disorders, which if diagnosed early can be successfully managed or treated to prevent severe consequences.
  • America's Children: Key National Indicators of Well-Being, 2007 (Report). The Federal Interagency Forum on Child and Family Statistics has published this report, which includes detailed information on the welfare of children and families. The report addresses such topics as family and social environment, economic circumstances, health care, physical environment and safety, behavior, education, and health.
  • Closing the Divide: How Medical Homes Promote Equity in Health Care (Commonwealth Fund Survey Report). The Fund's recent survey report found that adults who have medical homes not only have enhanced access to care but also receive better-quality care. The survey found that, among minorities with insurance coverage and a medical home, racial and ethnic differences in terms of access to and quality of care are reduced or even eliminated.

Various Resources

  • Interagency Committee on Disability Research (ICDR) State-of-the-Art Conference Materials. Proceeded July 10-11, 2007; the Interagency Subcommittee on the New Freedom Initiative (ISNFI) explored new applications of the ICF in federal activities related to disability and rehabilitation. This conference also emphasized new developments related to including the ICF in federal Health Information Technology enhancements, toward standardizing patient and client assessment instruments and transmitted data, that contain functioning and disability content.
  • Health Care Language Services Implementation Guide (HHS-Office of Minority Health). An interactive Web-based learning tool designed to help health care professionals plan, implement, and evaluate language access services (LAS) within their organizations.
  • Involvement of Youth with Disabilities in State-Level Decision Making (Policy Analysis). Provided by the National Association of State Directors of Special Education, this analysis is based on interviews with state education agency representatives and youth with disabilities who are involved in state-level decision making in special education. Six states which reported including youth with disabilities on state advisory panels and/or transition councils were chosen to address the following issues: How states include youth; What training and support states provide; and Benefits and challenges of this work are shared from both the states' and the youth's perspectives.
  • National Youth Leadership Network (NYLN) 2007 Summer Newsletter. The newsletter is a created by young people with disabilities for young people with disabilities.
  • ABILITY House Program. ABILITY Awareness created the ABILITY House project. Built in partnership with Habitat for Humanity affiliates, each ABILITY House is an accessible home built for a family where one or more members have health conditions or disabilities. Additionally, the ABILITY House project reaches out to volunteers with health conditions and disabilities to help build the homes, demonstrating to the community their skills, talents and potential as volunteers and employees.

New Websites

HEALTH08.ORG. With health care emerging as the top domestic issue in the 2008 presidential election, the Kaiser Family Foundation launched this new website that will provide analysis of health policy issues, regular public opinion surveys, and news and video coverage from the campaign trail.

Disabilities, Opportunities, Internetworking, and Technology (DO-IT). DO-IT serves to increase the participation of individuals with disabilities in challenging academic programs and careers. This resource promotes the use of computer and networking technologies to increase independence, productivity, and participation in education and employment.

Lessons Learned Information Sharing (LLIS). The resource page provides more than 250 documents, including lessons learned, plans, procedures, policies, and guidance on how to include citizens with disabilities and other special needs populations in all phases of the emergency management cycle.

 

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