The Benefits of Real Food
Guest post from Chasing the Spring's Dani Johnson on the life changing benefits of a blenderized diet made for her daughter. We were drawn to the great recipes Dani shares as well as her experience of learning from adult g-tube users.
How to talk to a hearing impaired person? Don’t shout
First rule: Look at the hearing-impaired person when you speak.
Need for culturally sensitive treatment for deaf patients with psychiatric disorders
Members of the Deaf community who have mental health problems need culturally sensitive treatment to avoid misdiagnosis and inappropriate treatment, according to a report in the March Journal of Psychiatric Practice. The journal is published by Li
Crowdsourcing Site Compiles New Sign Language for Math and Science
A multimedia feature published earlier in December in the New York Times, "Pushing Science's Limits in Sign Language Lexicon," outlines efforts in the United States and Europe to develop sign language versions of specialized terms used in science, techno
Ollibean: All of a kind
The faces of Ollibean are kids with and without disabilities all trying to make the world a better place.
Aide at Maryland School for the Deaf charged with sex abuse of minors
Posted at 01:55 PM ET, 12/06/2012 Dec 06, 2012 06:55 PM EST TheWashingtonPost By David Marino-Nachison An aide at the Maryland School for the Deaf’s Columbia campus has been charged with inappropriately touching three girls when they were students at the
Scientists identify molecules in the ear that convert sound into brain signals
IMAGE: Ulrich Mueller, PhD, (center) isa professor in the Department of Cell Biology,director of the Dorris Neuroscience Center at The Scripps Research Institute, and lead author of the Cell paper;Wei... LA JOLLA, CA Â December 6, 2012 Â For scientists w
Use Your Words: Non-Verbal, Speech, and AAC
I see a little girl every week at events that my child attends. She's great. She's nine years old, has a fantastic laugh, and a mischievous sense of humor. She loves puddles, chocolate cake, and apples. She has a small crush on my son. She's also non-ver
Nathan Heller: Andrew Solomon’s “Far from the Tree.”
For Megan and Michael, a Los Angeles couple, the crucial turn of parenthood came not in the delivery room but eight months later, when they started to worry that something had gone wrong with their son. The baby, Jacob, didn’t respond to the surrounding
CHOP presents new findings on pediatric cardiovascular disease at AHA 2012
Physician-researchers from the Cardiac Center at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia presented new findings on pediatric cardiovascular disease at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2012 in Los Angeles. They described racial dispari
URMC, Deaf Community, Study How to Improve Research Participation
Documents that explain life-saving medical procedures or how to take part in research can be difficult to understand, but with a $600,000 grant the University of Rochester Medical Center is studying new ways to deliver those messages to deaf patients and
Deaf people “feel touch” with hearing part of brain
(LiveScience) Individuals who are born deaf use the "hearing" part of their brain to feel touch and to see objects, suggests new research that highlights the plasticity of the human brain. The new study, detailed online July 11 in The Journal of Neurosci
Videos games as therapy?
Video games may not be as bad for us as our mothers told us. The latest foray into the virtual realm stems from the Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, citing that targeted rehabilitation of patients with Cerebral Palsy can be achieved through the use of active video games (Nintendo Wii, Xbox 360 Kinect, Playstation Move, etc.).
Facebook blocks NC mom’s pictures of Special Olympics event
Diane Cornwell said her seven year old, Cole, who happens to have Down Syndrome had a great time at his first Special Olympics event last Friday. She uploaded an album of 40 pictures to share and says Facebook blocked it for inappropriate content and locked her account.
Data Accountability Center (DAC)
This website provides public access to data about children and youth with disabilities served under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) - Part B and C; technical assistance (TA) materials to support the collection, analysis and reporting of IDEAdata; and the forms and spreadsheets used for collection. DAC was funded in October 2007 by the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP), U.S. Department of Education to provide information and TA to improve the quality of all state-reported data required by the IDEA. Westat and its subcontractor, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center–Human Development Center, operate DAC as a 5-year cooperative agreement with
Technical Assistance and Dissemination Network
The Technical Assistance and Dissemination Network (or “TA&D Network”) is a network of approximately 45 Centers (this fluctuates as old projects end or new ones begin) funded by the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP). These projects provide information and technical assistance to states, schools, educational professionals and families, on topics such as autism, deafness, disproportional representation, dispute resolution, learning disabilities, parenting children with special needs, positive behavior support and transition. The TACC works with the TA&D Network to coordinate and support the work of these projects. ABOUT THE TACC The Technical Assistance Coordination Center (TACC) was formed in 2008 to facilitate coordination, collaboration,
Aspiring to Conquer Crossover Acting Path
It didn’t take much rehearsing for Russell Harvard, who plays the deaf son of a loquacious and argumentative British family in the Off Broadway play “Tribes,” to get inside his character’s skin. Like his character Billy, the 30-year-old actor is himself
Faces of Ollibean- We want to hear from you!
Every week we put the spotlight on another person out there making a difference. Share your story and inspire and motivate others to Be the Change.
SEN / ICT
The sen / ict directory began life in August 2011 to act as a directory for Special Educational Needs and Information Communication Technology Resources. Companies can showcase their business, the products they produce and services they provide. There are also hundreds of FREE online resources from fun/educational games, activities and printable resources to tools that help disabled adults and children use computers and the internet by adapting and adjusting their technology. The sen / ict directory aims provide a central location for all your favourite resources, as well as introduce you to new ones you might not have found otherwise for your child
Planned and On-The-Spot Curriculum Accommodations in the Inclusive Classroom
The Paraeducator's Toolbox: Practical Strategies to Support Students with Learning and Behavioral Challenges 5.7.2012 9:00 AM - 3:00pm
Interview Kate Winslet Golden Hat Foundation
Kate Winslet discusses her inspiration for the Golden Hat Foundation.
Kris’ Camp
Kris' Camp is a non-profit organization first established in 1995 as a therapy intensive/respite camp for children with special needs (thus far focusing on children with autism/autistic-like challenges) and their families. It is motivated by three mutually enforcing goals: To provide therapy for special kids, and To provide respite and support for the siblings and parents of special kids. To provide theoretical and hands-on education and training to students, caregivers, and professionals working in the field of autism and other developmental disabilities. The camps are named after Kris Moore (5/30/1988 - 11/9/1993), a wonderful little boy who touched many people
AudioBookCloud
AudioBookCloud:Your Online Audio Library is an online audio book library collection of streaming audio books for public libraries. A subscription to AudioBookCloud gives your patrons UNLIMITED remote access to your audio book collection. Like our TumbleBookLibrary and TumbleReadables collections, AudioBookCloud are launched from a link on your library or school website. Your patrons can access the entire collection from any computer with an Internet connection. Your audio are never all checked out, never on hold. As many people can listen to the same book at the same time as you like!!! Here's how it works. Once you have previewed AudioBookCloud and are
TumbleBookLibrary
TumbleBookLibrary is an online collection of TumbleBooks � animated, talking picture books which teach kids the joy of reading in a format they'll love. TumbleBooks are created by adding animation, sound, music and narration to existing picture books in order to produce an electronic picture book which you can read, or have read to you. The TumbleBookLibrary is a collection of licensed titles from children's book publishers such as Simon & Schuster, Chronicle Books, Candlewick Press, Charlesbridge Press, Harcourt, Little Brown, Walker & Company, Lerner Books, and HarperCollins Publishers, amongst others. The TumbleBookLibrary provides enrichment to students who are reading independently with a variety of
TumbleReadables
TumbleReadables is an online collection of read-along titles for elementary, middle school, and high school students which features adjustable online text and complete audio narration. Sentences are highlighted as they are being read and the pages turn automatically. The collection features chapter books, early readers, graphic novels, YA/teen novels, high interest/low level books for both middle school and high school students, plus classics of American and English literature. Read-Alongs are great for emergent, struggling, and reluctant readers, as well as being an excellent tool for ESL. They are also well received by strong and accomplished readers who are excited to follow
Fit Kids Playground
Our mission is to decrease the burden of childhood obesity and its associated potential chronic diseases in the Tampa Bay area. Through parental education, early childhood intervention through fun education and community awareness about the simple steps that can be implemented to teach healthy habits for life, the Tampa Bay community will be healthier for years to come.
Love and Logic ®
What Is Love and Logic All About? The Love and Logic Institute is dedicated to making parenting and teaching fun and rewarding, instead of stressful and chaotic. We provide practical tools and techniques that help adults achieve respectful, healthy relationships with their children. All of our work is based on a psychologically sound parenting and teaching philosophy called Love and Logic. What Is Love and Logic? Children learn the best lessons when they're given a task and allowed to make their own choices (and fail) when the cost of failure is still small. Children's failures must be coupled with love
3 genes linked to autism spectrum disorders
Mutations in three new genes have been linked to autism, according to new studies including one with investigators at Mount Sinai School of Medicine. All three studies include lead investigators of the Autism Sequencing Consortium (ASC). The findings, in
OlliNEPAL at the SERC School
OlliNEPAL at the SERC School in Kathmandu
OlliNEPAL team at HDCS, Asha Bal Bikash Sewa (“Children’s Hope Development Service”)
OlliNEPAL team at HDCS, Asha Bal Bikash Sewa ("Children's Hope Development Service")
Asha Bal Bikash Sewa (“Children’s Hope Development Service”)
Asha Bal Bikash Sewa (“ABBS”) is a day care ministry for children with physical and learning difficulties under the age of 16. The ministry was founded by a Norwegian Missionary Family who were living and working in Nepal. They had a severely disabled child who was cared for by a Nepali woman, Tulsa Sharma. Tulsa is now the Co-Ordinator of the ABBS programme. The ministry has grown from a single centre in Dhobighat, attended by three children which opened in 1993, to operating three centres serving approximately ninty five children with dedicated staff and volunteers. Two centres are based in
Kanti Children’s Hospital
MISSION To realize the vision, the Board has established its mission as the followings: To support GON plan to cut down children’s death rate by two-third by the year 2015. To be a leader in the field of quality child health education, training and research within the region. To develop professional exchange programs with other like-minded child health institutes within or outside the region. To exchange experience and knowledge with regional, zonal district hospitals and health centers on trainings and research. To provide expertise to government for the development of children’s hospital in the country. To set up a standard
Special Education and Rehabilitation Center for Disabled Children (SERC)
Established in 2009, and located in a peaceful neighborhood of midtown Kathmandu, SERC has a goal of providing most effective education to its students. All our students are either differently able or have individual special education needs. Every pupil in SERC has a specific and complex education needs, and our goal is to provide them with the best possible education methodologies and environment for them to flourish and bring out the best buried deep within. We believe that a perfect match between proper education methodology and rehabilitation therapies is the only way to go ahead. We, at SERC, try to
Shoreham students “experience” autism for a day
Fourth grader Nick Donnelly counted along with the rest of his classmates seated around the small cafeteria table at Miller Avenue School in Shoreham Thursday.When they reached 15, they pulled off the colorful bandanas that covered their eyes. Nick strai
2q37 Deletion Syndrome: Searching for Answers
The day after my son Aiden was born, the doctors noticed that his features were different from what they considered “normal”. As a new mom this frightened me, as I did not know or understand what was happening with my brand new baby. A geneticist was qui
Parents charged in death of Texas boy, 10
TEXAS CITY, Texas, April 5 (UPI) -- The parents of a disabled 10-year-old Texas boy whose body was found in a box are now charged in his death, authorities say. Texas City police said Tina Louise Madrid, 42, of Texas City was arrested Wednesday and was h
Hundreds of genes involved in autism, sequencing studies say
New network: Nearly 40 percent of the mutated genes identified in one exome sequencing study of autism are part of an interconnected network of interacting proteins. The largest set of exome sequencing studies, which analyze the protein coding region of
Therapists Address Esophageal Atresia
The Esophageal Atresia Treatment Program at Children's Hospital Boston in Boston, MA, is one of the only programs in the country specifically designed to care for children with this condition. Setting itself apart from the rest, Children's Hospital Bosto
Releasing IEE Data Without Parent Consent
I am a private psychologist. I completed an IEE, then turned in the report to the district and parents. We held an IEP meeting to review the results. Can the district request that I release my raw test data, test protocols, and test materials to the scho
Bill Introduced regarding special needs trust
H.R. 4329 -This bill or resolution was assigned to a congressional committee on March 29, 2012, which will consider it before possibly sending it on to the House or Senate as a whole. To amend title 10, United States Code, to provide for the payment of monthly annuities under the Survivor Benefit Plan to a supplemental or special needs trust established for the sole benefit of a disabled dependent child of a participant in the Survivor Benefit Plan.
OlliNepal Update – March 29
The Ollibean/OlliNepal team finished up their trekking outside of Pohkara, Nepal and are headed back to Kathmandu for 7 days where they will volunteer at a local school, meet with OLE Nepal ,Kanti Children's Hospital, and SEEDs Nepal. The team's internet access & email has been fairly limited, so we are all exicted hear their reports of working with children with a range of diffabilities and delivering communication tools/tablets. Can't wait to see the pictures and videos!
Kyoto prof rolls out omnidirectional wheelchair
A mechanical engineering professor has taken the wraps off his vehicle that is designed to become a next-generation wheelchair. As its formal name suggests, this is the Personal Mobile Vehicle, or Permoveh for short. Rolling it around at
Ollibean Team Arrives in Nepal
The adventure begins! Beautiful start ! Greeted at Nepalese Airport by longtime friend, Topden Lama. Topden brought Tibetan scarves for the group
ADA Kits for Hotel Guests with Hearing Loss
Harris Communications makes it easy to be in compliance with the new ADA requirements for deaf and hard of hearing hotel guests. Effective March 15, 2012, the Federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) changed the accessibility requirements for guest
Whizz-Kidz
Our aim is to ensure that every disabled child has an opportunity to be something special…a kid. There are an estimated 70,000 disabled children and young people in the UK waiting for a wheelchair that fits their young lives. That’s where we come in. Whizz-Kidz provides disabled children with the essential wheelchairs and other mobility equipment they need to lead fun and active childhoods.
NOAH
NOAH is a U.S. based nonprofit, tax-exempt organization that offers information and support to people with albinism, their families and the professionals who work with them. NOAH is operated by its members on a volunteer basis and is funded primarily by dues and contributions of its members. NOAH has also received grants from foundations and organizations for specific projects.
250 children living in nursing homes in Florida should get home care
Five year old Andi lives in a nursing home in Tampa because his family says the state won't pay for 24-hour care that would let him live with his two brothers and parents. A second lawsuit claims several thousand other children could end up in those facilities in Florida because of decisions by the state about their care.
Obama Signs ‘Thank You’ to Deaf Supporter
President Obama didn’t miss a beat last week when he encountered a group of deaf students along a rope line after his speech at Prince George’s Community College in Maryland. “I am proud of you,” signed Stephon, a 26-year-old coll
Autistic Man, Jesse Saperstein Free Falls to End Bullying
Best-selling author, autism advocate and motivational speaker Jesse A. Saperstein is spreading an Anti-Bullying movement across America with his “Free-Falling to End Bullying in 2012” YouTube video hoping to put an end to torment in and out of the classroom.
Differentiated Instruction in Today’s Classrooms
The IRIS Center is a national center that provides high-quality resources about students with disabilities for college and university faculty and professional development trainers. Visit IRIS’ website to find free, online, interactive training enhancemen
iPad Summer Institute
Blog on the topic of assistive technology, eLearning, mind mapping, project management, visual learning, collaborative tools, and educational technology Presenters Brian S. Friedlander, Ph.D. & Christine Besko-Maughan, M.S., ATP July 10, 2012 Enhancing A
Never Lose Hope
Here is a letter to an individual who believed my children wouldn’t be successful. This is living proof that as parents, we are wiser than others who think they know better. I met you last year at a conference. This conference was held by a local organiz
Are These Good Annual Goals?
Is this annual goal written correctly for a high school freshman? Judy will improve reading comprehension skills by using graphic organizers to access the curriculum with 70% accuracy per quarter. 1. Judy will summarize or bullet important information in
University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD) Georgetown University
The mission of the University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD) is to promote self-determination, productivity, independence and inclusion of individuals with developmental and other disabilities across the life span, and in all aspects of community life. The Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000, P.L. 106-402, authorizes the University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities, Education, Research and Service (UCEDD). The University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities, Education, Research and Service (UCEDDs) are funded through the Administration on Developmental Disabilities (ADD) to provide leadership, advise federal, state and community policy makers about, and promote opportunities for people
Nordic Network on Disability Research
NNDR is a multidisciplinary network of disability researchers interested in cultural, societal and environmental dimensions of disability and marginalization. The purpose of NNDR is to advance research and development in the field of disability. NNDR provides a forum for researchers, particularly from the Nordic countries, to meet, present and discuss their research,, as well as encouraging Nordic and international exchange and collaboration. NNDR was established in Fredrikshavn, Denmark in 1997. In just a few years it has grown into a large network of disability researchers, reflecting the growing interest in and importance of disability research in the Nordic countries. The
Kathleen McClaskey
EdTech Evangelist, innovative leader, consultant, presenter and trainer of tools! Truly amazing resources for Founded on the vision that every child should have the opportunity to develop a foundation of 21st Century learning skills, EdTech Associates provides services to empower all students to succeed.
The Center for Courageous Kids
The Center for Courageous Kids, also known as CCK, is a world class medical camp located in Scottsville, KY, serving children and families from across the country who are living with a variety of medical challenges. We are open year round and can host 120 kids at a time. When you add our counselors, volunteers, trained Programs and Medical staff, our mascot, Dr. Cubby the Courageous Lion, and our top notch facility, you start to see just how "We Prescribe Fun!" What makes The Center for Courageous Kids spectacular? *We are a 20 million dollar facility. *Our 168 acre campus encompasses an onsite
Understanding Our Differences
In 1978, a group of parents of children with disabilities in Newton, Massachusetts founded Understanding Our Differences (UOD) as a nonprofit organization to increase information, understanding, and acceptance of people with disabilities and individual differences. The Understanding Our Differences disability awareness curriculum has grown rapidly in recent years and has been disseminated to more than 200 schools and youth organizations nationwide. More than 27,000 elementary school students and some 8,000 adult, high school and college students have participated as trained, volunteer instructors. The nationally recognized, award-winning program uses a hands-on, participatory curriculum to foster respect, tolerance, and compassion in elementary
School principal reprimanded told to work from home as a result of physical altercation with student
In April 2011 before a classroom of students and a security camera, Gray became violent with a special education student, according to a written reprimand in his personnel file. “During this incident you escalated the situation, became physically violent, grabbed the child by the shirt, and yanking the child out of the classroom and down the hallway,” reads York’s reprimand.
Deaf children four times more likely to be mistreated at school and have mental health issues
Researchers found that deaf children who cannot make themselves understood within their family are four times more likely to have mental health disorders and more likely to suffer mistreatment at school than deaf children who can communicate with their family members, according to a report published in March 15th issue of The Lancett.
Best Buddies Friendship Walk, April 21, 2012 : 12:00 pm-4:00 pm
The Best Buddies Friendship Walk is a fun-filled community fundraiser to support your local Best Buddies programs of inclusion. 4/21/2012 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm . Our friendship, integrated employment and leadership programs educate people with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) to be advocates for social inclusion in your community. Walk Registration: No Fees Register for the Friendship Walk and begin fundraising for Best Buddies Florida! Cotanchobee Fort Brooke Park 601 Old Water Street Tampa, FL 33602 For more information Participant Registration Form Join Ollibean's Friendship Walk Team
The Center on Human Policy, Law, and Disability Studies
The Center on Human Policy, Law, and Disability Studies (CHPLDS) is an expansion of the Center on Human Policy, which was founded by Dr. Burton Blatt in 1971. The Center is a network of academic programs, centers, student organizations, and affiliated faculty whose research, teaching, and advocacy seeks to promote the rights of people with disabilities locally, nationally, and globally, and to facilitate a critical examination of disability as an aspect of diversity in society.
National Disability Rights Network
NDRN’s mission is to promote the integrity and capacity of the P&A/CAP national network and to advocate for the enactment and vigorous enforcement of laws protecting civil and human rights of people with disabilities. The Protection and Advocacy (P&A) network was created by Congress after the Willowbrook scandal unearthed the horrible conditions in that institution. Read more about the Network's history here. The newly created P&A agencies began to realize that in order to be able to advocate for their clients, they needed a national voice in Washington, DC for their own protection, survival and growth. This was especially true, as soon
A dark legacy of forced sterilizations
Sterilization victims seek compensation STORY HIGHLIGHTS California forcibly sterilized 20,000 people from 1909 to 1963 The goal was to rid society of people labeled "feeble-minded" or "defectives" California's response to victims stands in stark contras
Don Johnston Announces Snap&Read—A Simple Toolbar That Reads Any Text On-screen
Snap&Read reads text in a Flash website “A lot of districts are striving for Universal Design for Learning, and Snap&Read is a step in the right direction.” - Ruth Ziolkowski, president, Don Johnston Incorporated Don Johnston Incorporated today announced
Institute on Human Development and Disability
The Institute on Human Development and Disabililty (IHDD) has been Georgia’s University Center for Excellence in Disability Research, Education and Service (UCEDD), and ranks as one of The University of Georgia’s oldest continuously-funded federal programs. The IHDD works with people who have disabilities and others, to ensure that all people can achieve their highest capacity and quality of life.
Activists Seek To Curtail Restraining Students
WASHINGTON (AP) — Tens of thousands of students, most of them disabled, are strapped down or physically restrained in school, and disability advocates hope that a new Education Department report detailing the practice of "seclusion and restraint" will sp
Cellphone Video Provides Proof of Bullying Teacher
A special education student resorted to using his cellphone to record video that proved his teacher was bullying him. Such incidents are, unfortunately, far from uncommon. “Statistically about 1 to 2 percent of teachers are actually involved in bullying
Deafness penetrates more rapidly and deeply into the brain than previously thought
Portions of a songbird's brain that control how it sings have been shown to decay within 24 hours of the animal losing its hearing. The findings, by researchers at Duke University Medical Center, show that deafness penetrates much more rapidly and deeply
Burton Blatt Institute chairman to testify before National Council on Disability on future of disability law and policy
NCD is an independent federal agency that makes recommendations to the president and U.S. Congress to enhance the quality of life for all Americans with disabilities and their families. The public may join the meeting in a listening-only capacity (with t
Special Olympics Coach Accused Of Having Sex With High School Participant
MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C. (AP) — A teaching assistant from Cayce has been charged with having sex with one of his students while in Mount Pleasant for the Special Olympics. Twenty-nine-year-old Cornelius Davis is a special education teaching assistant at Broo
A D A Audio Conference Series
The ADA Audio Conference Series provides in-depth information on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This program is designed to enhance an individual's existing knowledge base or facilitate continued learning regarding regulations and trends under the ADA.
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia apologizes to Rivera family over kidney transplant flap
(CBS) The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia has apologized to the family of Amelia Rivera, the girl whose family alleged she was denied a life-saving kidney transplant because she was disabled. "As an organization, we regret that we communicated in a m
A Deaf Son Struggles to Be Heard in ‘Tribes’
A family dinner in the beginning of Nina Raine's "Tribes" tells the audience all it needs to know about the crisis of understanding that plagues the characters in this bright and boldly provocative drama. Two parents and three twenty-something children s
U.S. Department of Education Announces Overhaul of IDEA Compliance System; More Emphasis on Student Outcomes
On Friday, the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) announced that it will revamp IDEA’s compliance system to better emphasize student outcomes, such as academic performance and graduation rates for students with disa
Large eye-tracking study highlights diversity of autism
Gaze mapping: Researchers measured the amount of time children spent looking at eyes (red), mouths (green), bodies (blue) and objects (yellow) when watching scenes from Welcome to the Dollhouse. Children with autism who have different verbal and intellec
1Voice – Communicating Together
"A world where the voice of every child and adult, however they communicate, is listened to and heard" 1Voice takes a family and social perspective on communication and recognises the great need for adult role models to inspire children and families alike. 1Voice promotes families supporting each other to overcome the isolation that being unable to speak can bring.
Accessible Leeds
Nathan Popple is a 14 year old, self-advocate and editor of Accessible Leeds, this is the description of his incredible site. I have cerebral palsy so I use a wheelchair and I also use a communication aid to help me speak. I am a Whizz Kidz Ambassador and I support the charity 1voice. I believe strongly in fairness and do not think that the world should be able to disable people by not providing access to places.
Lloyd Coleman, deaf teen composer’s Olympic theme
Lloyd Coleman, 18, who is also visually impaired, recently won a place at London's Royal Academy of Music. "It's called Breaking the Wall because, after Giles and I started talking about marathons and how runners hit the wall and have to overcome humungous challenges, we realised there were parallels with the kind of challenges disabled people face," he said.
KIT – Kids Included Together : Recognizing the Ability in Every Child
Kids Included Together (KIT) is a registered 501(c)(3) non–profit organization founded in San Diego, California in 1997. The mission of Kids Included Together (KIT) is to provide learning opportunities that support recreation, child development and youth enrichment programs to include children with and without disabilities. KIT’s goals are to enrich the lives of all who participate and to increase understanding and acceptance of disabilities as a natural part of life. We invite you to explore our site and learn more about our work with out–of–school time programs across the United States and internationally.
Williams Syndrome Association
The WSA is the most comprehensive resource for people and families living with Williams syndrome as well as doctors, researchers and educators. The WSA provides resources, support and the latest medical information to help your child today and throughout his/her life. By joining, you’ll become part of the largest organization dedicated to improving the lives of people living with WS. No matter the age or stage of your family member with WS, you are not alone. The WSA offers support and will help you navigate the challenges from diagnosis through adulthood.
State Obligations | UNESCO
Like all human rights, the right to education imposes three levels of obligation on States: The obligation to respect, protect and fulfil each of the “essential features” (availability, accessibility, acceptability, adaptability) of the right to education. The obligation to respect requires States to avoid measures that hinder or prevent the enjoyment of the right to education. The obligation to protect requires States to take measures that prevent third parties from interfering with the enjoyment of the right to education. In turn, the obligation to fulfil incorporates an obligation to facilitate and to provide. Facilitation requires States to take positive measures
Extreme Kids & Crew
Extreme Kids & Crew is a parent-run non profit dedicated to causing a great scene for Brooklyn’s kids with disabilities, their families and friends. They are all about creating a warm and encouraging atmosphere where children and adults of every ability and disability can relax, have fun, and enjoy the experience of being deeply accepted and celebrated for the people that they are. We offer workshops in the arts and movement with insightful and practiced teachers, parent education nights, free family concerts, and much more.
2012 Accessible Technology Webinar Series
All sessions are free and scheduled for 2-3:30pm Eastern/1-2:30pm Central/12-1:30pm Mountain/11-12:30pm Pacific utilizing the ElluminateLive! webinar platform. The Great Lakes and Pacific ADA Centers on behalf of the ADA National Network are pleased to announce the 2012 Accessible Technology Webinar Series. Electronic information and communications technology have become essential tools in all areas of our lives and working environments today, and are particularly important to people with disabilities by providing equal access to the workplace and social media. The 2012 webinar series will explore some of the latest technological trends and their accessibility to people with disabilities. Registration is available
P2PUSA::Parent to Parent USA
Emotional & Informational support for families of children who have special needs.For over 36 years Parent to Parent programs across the country have been providing emotional and informational support to families of children who have special needs most notably by matching parents seeking support with an experienced, trained 'Support Parent'.
Institute on Disabilities at Temple University, University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities
A society where all people are valued and respected, and where all people have the knowledge, opportunity and power to improve their lives and the lives of others. MISSION The Institute on Disabilities leads by example, creating connections and promoting networks within and among communities so that people with disabilities are recognized as integral to the fabric of community life.
UNESCO | United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
UNESCO works to create the conditions for dialogue among civilizations, cultures and peoples, based upon respect for commonly shared values. It is through this dialogue that the world can achieve global visions of sustainable development encompassing observance of human rights, mutual respect and the alleviation of poverty, all of which are at the heart of UNESCO’S mission and activities. The broad goals and concrete objectives of the international community – as set out in the internationally agreed development goals, including the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) – underpin all UNESCO’s strategies and activities. Thus UNESCO’s unique competencies in education, the sciences,
Landau-Kleffner Syndrome
Landau-Kleffner syndrome, or acquired epileptic aphasia, is a rare childhood disorder of the central nervous system that affects boys two to three times more than girls. The syndrome is characterized by seizures and the gradual or sudden inability to und
SPREAD THE WORD TO END THE WORD 03.07.12
Respectful and inclusive language is essential to the movement for the dignity and humanity of people with all disabilities. However, much of society does not recognize the hurtful, dehumanizing and exclusive effects of the word “retard(ed).” It is time to address the minority slur “retard(ed)” and raise the consciousness of society to its hurtful effects.
Challenger Division
The Challenger Division was established in 1989 as a separate division of Little League to enable boys and girls with physical and mental challenges, ages 4-18, or up to age 22 if still enrolled in high school, to enjoy the game of baseball along with the millions of other children who participate in this sport worldwide. Today, more than 30,000 children participate in more than 900 Challenger Divisions worldwide.
The Miracle League
The Miracle League is proud to serve over 200,000 children and young adults with disabilities.Presently there are 250 Miracle League Organizations across the country including Puerto Rico, Canada and our newest member in Australia. Our goal is to offer this program to every city in the country so children, young adults and adults alike with special needs around the globe will have this same opportunity to play baseball. The Miracle League believes; “Every Child Deserves A Chance to Play Baseball.” To find a league or start a league
Genomics, Intellectual Disability, and Autism
During the past decade, advances in genetic research have enabled genomewide discovery of chromosomal copy-number changes and single-nucleotide changes in patients with intellectual disability and autism as well as in those with other disorders. These technological advances — which include array comparative genomic hybridization (CGH), single-nucleotide-polymorphism (SNP) genotyping arrays, and massively parallel sequencing — have transformed the approach to the identification of etiologic genes and genomic rearrangements in the research laboratory and are now being applied in the clinical diagnostic arena.
World Institute on Disability
The mission of the World Institute on Disability (WID) in communities and nations worldwide is to eliminate barriers to full social integration and increase employment, economic security and health care for persons with disabilities.
Don’t Play Me Pay Me
The Don't Play Me Pay Me campaign seeks to: Actively encourage disabled people to follow their chosen creative career path. Remove the barriers of prejudice that disabled actors face in finding work. Provide a forum for all disabled actors to encourage debate and empower them to have their voice heard and listened to. Encourage programme makers to feature disabled actors in all storylines to reflect real life. Encourage programme makers not to use non-disabled actors (even if a “name” means funding) to portray disabled characters. Encourage advertisers to feature disabled people in all advertising. http://www.dontplaymepayme.com
Partners in Policymaking
Nearly twenty five years ago, the Minnesota Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities created a ground-breaking, innovative training program called Partners in Policymaking® to teach parents and self-advocates the power of advocacy to change the way people with disabilities are supported, viewed, taught, live and work. During the past two decades, important issues have been confronted and dramatic changes have been made.
GCAC Presents: VSA Ohio at the intersection of art and disability
Since its founding in 1986, VSA Ohio has evolved to become a community that helps inspired artists connect with their passions. Bridging arts and disability, their programs and services focus on providing equal opportunity, full participation, independen
Sign up and Ollibean gives to a child in Nepal. It’s that easy.
Want to help kids in Nepal? We’re making it super easy. For every person that joins our community we will donate $2 to support children in Nepal.You can also enter for a chance to win an iPad**. Now share this with everyone you know and show the world how easy it is to make a difference.
Hospital apologizes to Amelia Rivera who was denied kidney transplant
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia has issued an apology to the parents of Amelia Rivera, a disabled three-year-old girl who, according to her parents, was initially denied a chance at a kidney transplant because she is “mentally retarded.” In a stateme
Genetics Home Reference: Fanconi anemia
Fanconi anemia is a condition that affects many parts of the body. People with this condition may have bone marrow failure, physical abnormalities, organ defects, and an increased risk of certain cancers. The major function of bone marrow is to produce n
An Update on Amelia
By Tim Shriver Several weeks ago, I wrote about a young girl named Amelia Rivera who was denied consideration for a kidney transplant at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia because she was, according to her doctors, “mentally retarded.” Amelia is now in the process of being considered again for a transplant. Our lesson is that we cannot let Amelia’s story be an isolated call to arms. We must continue to seek change and advocate for the dignity of every human life.
The RARE List™ – You Must See it to Believe it!
The R.A.R.E. Project (http://RAREproject.org), a leading patient advocacy organization representing the rare disease community, today issued the RARE List™, a stunning 65 page alphabetical listing of roughly 7,000 known rare diseases and disorders. The rare diseases and disorders that comprise the RARE List™ impact 30 million Americans (or 10% of the U.S. population) and an estimated 350 million people worldwide. The RARE List™ was released by the R.A.R.E. Project as part of month long public awareness campaign leading up to World Rare Disease Day on February 29, 2012.
My Voice, My Life : A Poem by Amy Sequenzia
This powerful poem from the book "MY VOICE, Autism, Life and Dreams" by self-advocate Amy Sequenzia says so much. We were fortunate enough to get to know Amy at ICI's Summer Institute at MIT and are very grateful to her for allowing us to publish "My Voice, My Life" here. If you are interested in purchasing a copy of Amy's book, you can find her on Facebook. My Voice, My Life Look at me. Go ahead, take a good look. What do you see? Weird? Silly? Pitiful? Can’t do anything? You might feel sorry for me You might pity me
Brick Walls
“Oh, that’s ok! We plan on donating. If we aren’t a match, we come from a large family and someone will donate. We don’t want to be on the list. We will find our own donor.” “Noooo. She—is—not—eligible –because—of—her—quality– of –life—Because—of—her—mental—delays” He says each word very slowly as if I am hard of hearing. “STOP IT NOW!” The anger is taking over. Thank God. Why did it take so long to get here? The social worker is writing some things down.
The Global Genes Project
Rare Disease affects over 350 million people worldwide, and the largest percentage are children. There are over 7,000 rare diseases that have been identified all with very unique needs, but many with little to no support. Although each individual disease may only impact a few, together the impact is in the millions. Rare disease is not so rare. The Global Genes Project is broadly promoting the needs of the rare disease community, engaging the general public, garnering corporate support, under the "unifying symbol of hope" – the blue denim ribbon. The Global Genes Project is a program of R.A.R.E. Project, a
Addi & Cassi Fund
Our names are Addison and Cassidy Hempel and we are 7 year old identical twin girls who live in Reno, Nevada. In October 2007, after a two year medical odyssey, we were diagnosed with a ultra rare and fatal cholesterol disease that affects only 500 people worldwide. The disease is called Niemann Pick Type C (NPC) and the condition is frequently referred to as “Childhood Alzheimer’s.” NPC is ultimately fatal in childhood and we are in a battle for our lives.
Saving Grace
Addison Lennon met all her early milestones: she sat up on time, crawled on time and walked on time. At about 4 months, however, she had a seizure, and her parents started to worry. By 9 months, her head appeared small for her age. Her neurologist reassured the family that Addison could still be within the lowest 5 percent of the normal range. "We were thinking she was typical," says Kari Lennon, "she would be in that 5 percent." At 15 months, however, Addison had another seizure that was a lot more severe. She had been tested for
A rare disease gets a new champion
A hedge fund manager and his battalion of scientists are hunting down a cure for Spinal Muscular Atrophy A new $490 million business deal pits pharmaceutical companies against each other in a race to develop drugs for a rare genetic disease: Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA). One in 8,000 babies is born with SMA compared to one in 4,000 born with Cystic Fibrosis, a similar degenerative disease that has garnered much more public attention and fundraising.
Office of Rare Diseases
The ORDR Web site aims to answer questions about rare diseases and the activities of the ORDR for patients, their families, healthcare providers, researchers, educators, students, and anyone with concern for and interest in rare diseases. The site provides information about ORDR-sponsored biomedical research, scientific conferences, and rare and genetic diseases. It also serves as a portal to information on major topics of interest to the rare diseases community.
Hydrocephalus Association
The Hydrocephalus Association provides support, education and advocacy for people whose lives have been touched by hydrocephalus and the professionals who work with them. We strive to ensure that families are empowered with educational materials, informed about the latest research, and have access to quality health care. We advocate for increased research and funding to advance understanding, improve diagnosis and treatment, and find a cure.
Epilepsy Foundation
The Epilepsy Foundation of America® is the national voluntary agency dedicated solely to the welfare of the almost 3 million people with epilepsy in the U.S. and their families. The organization works to ensure that people with seizures are able to participate in all life experiences; to improve how people with epilepsy are perceived, accepted and valued in society; and to promote research for a cure.
The Inclusive Class
We are crazy about the Inclusive Class! Nicole Eredics is pretty incredible, and her blog and podcasts are informative, interesting, and always just what we need. The inclusive classroom best demonstrates that message as it begins with the belief that all children belong. Each child can demonstrate and achieve success, in various ways, according to their abilities, strengths and areas for growth. Inclusive Class' Livebinder has an abundance of resources.
RESNA
Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America (RESNA) RESNA's goal is "To maximize the health and well being of people with disabilities through technology." The purpose of RESNA is to contribute to the public welfare through scientific, literary, professional and educational activities by supporting the development,dissemination, and utilization of knowledge and practice of rehabilitation and assistive technology in order to achieve the highest quality of life for all citizens.
President’s Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities
The mission of PCPID is to provide advice and assistance to the President of the United States and the Secretary of Health and Human Services on a broad range of topics that impact people with intellectual disabilities and the field of Intellectual Disabilities. Undergirding the Committee’s mission is the goal to improve the quality of life that is experienced by people with intellectual disabilities, by upholding their full citizenship rights, independence, self-determination, and life-long participation in their respective communities.
Office for Civil Rights
The mission of the Office for Civil Rights is to ensure equal access to education and to promote educational excellence throughout the nation through vigorous enforcement of civil rights. An important responsibility is resolving complaints of discrimination. OCR also provides technical assistance to help institutions achieve voluntary compliance with the civil rights laws that OCR enforces. An important part of OCR's assistance is partnerships designed to develop creative approaches to preventing and addressing discrimination.
NORD – National Organization for Rare Disorders
The National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD), a 501(c)(3) organization, is a unique federation of voluntary health organizations dedicated to helping people with rare "orphan" diseases and assisting the organizations that serve them. NORD is committed to the identification, treatment, and cure of rare disorders through programs of education, advocacy, research, and service.
The National Association for the Dually Diagnosed
NADD is a not-for-profit membership association established for professionals, care providers and families to promote understanding of and services for individuals who have developmental disabilities and mental health needs. The mission of NADD is to advance mental wellness for persons with developmental disabilities through the promotion of excellence in mental health care. NADD's Mission "To advance mental wellness for persons with developmental disabilities through the promotion of excellence in mental health care."
Special Olympics International
The Special Olympics mission remains as vital today as it did when the movement was founded in 1968. Through the power of sport, Special Olympics strives to create a better world by fostering the acceptance and inclusion of all people. Mission Statement The mission of Special Olympics is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the
Releasing the Music In Your Head
Dan Ellsey and Tod Macchover on TED Talks, Macchover (the man behind Guitar Hero) of MIT's Media Lab , talks about Hyper Score. Ellsey,a composer with cerebral palsy uses some new tools to write and perform his own beautiful music. Very cool.
People First
People First is an organization run by and for people with learning difficulties to raise awareness of and campaign for the rights of people with learning difficulties and to support self advocacy groups across the country. People First promotes the social model of disability. This is a way of thinking about disability that says it is society that needs to change to include disabled people. We should not have to change to fit in with society. We are against the medical model of disability, which is the view that being disabled means there is ‘something wrong’ with you. Doctors and
National Arts and Disability Center
The National Arts and Disability Center (NADC) is a project of the University of California: their mission is to promote the full inclusion of audiences and artists with disabilities into all facets of the arts community. The NADC is a leading consultant in the arts and disability community, and the only center of its kind. Recipients of our technical assistance include museums, performing arts organizations, art centers, film and television companies and unions, universities and colleges, national publications, disability specific groups, artists with disabilities, arts educators, students, arts administrators and government policy makers.
Disability.gov
Disability.gov is a federal government website that provides an interactive, community-driven information network of disability-related programs, services, laws and benefits. Through the site, Americans with disabilities, their families, veterans, educators, employers and many others are connected to thousands of resources from federal, state and local government agencies, educational institutions and non-profit organizations.
Best Buddies International
Best Buddies is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to establishing a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment and leadership development for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Founded in 1989 by Anthony Kennedy Shriver, Best Buddies is a vibrant, international organization that has grown from one original chapter to almost 1,500 middle school, high school, and college chapters worldwide. Best Buddies programs engage participants in each of the 50 United States, and in 50 countries around the world. Best Buddies’ seven formal programs – Best Buddies Middle Schools, High Schools, Colleges, Citizens, e-Buddies, Jobs
Benefits.gov
Benefits.gov (formerly GovBenefits.gov) was launched in an effort to provide citizens with easy, online access to government benefit and assistance programs. The program's mission is to reduce the expense and difficulty of interacting with the government while increasing citizen access to government benefit information. The site's core function is the eligibility prescreening questionnaire. Answers to the questionnaire are used to evaluate and compare with the eligibility criteria for more than 1,000 Federally-funded benefit and assistance programs. Each program description provides citizens with the next steps to apply for any benefit program of interest.
Association of Assistive Technology Act Programs
The Association of Assistive Technology Act Programs (ATAP) is a national, member-based organization, comprised of state Assistive Technology Act Programs funded under the Assistive Technology Act (AT Act). ATAP was established in 1997 to provide support to state AT Program members to enhance the effectiveness of AT Programs on the state and local level, and promote the national network of AT Programs. ATAP facilitates the coordination of state AT Programs nationally and provides technical assistance and support to its members. ATAP represents the needs and interests of the state AT Programs and is the national voice of the AT Programs.
ADA Portal
The ADA Document Portal Allows users to search a collection of ADA-related documents that have been produced by federal agencies and organizations receiving federal funds.
Celiac Disease
Gluten Intolerance and Celiac Disease Gluten Intolerance and Celiac Disease can have similar symptoms. However, gluten intolerance does not classify as an auto-immune disease. A study by the University of Maryland identifies the pathogenic differences of the two disorders. The study also demonstrates that gluten sensitivity and celiac disease are part of a spectrum of gluten-related disorders. Gluten refers to certain proteins found in wheat, rye, and barley. People with Gluten Intolerance and Celiac Disease cannot tolerate the proteins found in foods containing these grains, and eating them can cause serious health problems, including malnourishment, chronic fatigue and damage to the small intestine.
Toronto Police Defend Handcuffing a 9 Year Old Child with Autism
CTV reports that a 9 year-old boy with Asperger's Syndrome was handcuffed by police officers responding to 911 calls from Toronto's Fairbank Memorial Day Care Center about an "uncontrollable autistic boy" . Toronto police officers are defending their decision to handcuff the 9 year old child. On July 28th the police received two calls from the day care center where the child was reportedly was throwing chairs, tables, and yes, even paint. Reports say the child was upset after being bullied by other children during lunch about his disability. The school placed him in an empty classroom after
Thank You, Steve Jobs
Thank you Steve Jobs for thinking differently so that so many others may express their thoughts. Apple's products have changed the lives of so many people with disabilities - CP, autism, dyspraxia, motor planning issues, developmental delays, neuromuscular disorders, expressive language disorders, vision impairments. My son uses his iPad and iPod as a communication device, a way to surf the internet, watch youtube, and connect with friends. Until Apple came out with the ipod, the choices in AAC devices were very expensive ( the ones we looked at were between $5,000 and $8,000 and heavy- too heavy for someone that
A Few of Our Favorite Things
There are so many products, doctors, therapies, and places out there that can help. Here's a list of some of our favorites. We'd love to know what your Favorites are and why. Shoot us an email at olli@ollibean.org and spread the love.
