[Kids Together email newsletter] August 2006
- From: "Kids Together" <staff@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <ktnewsletter@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Sun, 20 Aug 2006 12:48:45 -0400
Kids Together Email Newsletter
"promoting inclusive communities where all people belong"
AUGUST 2006 Newsletter
Please notify us to receive this newsletter in text only.
This list consists of over 3000 people (and growing!)
Suggestions for newsletter items are welcome!
"In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity"
~ Albert Einstein ~
IDEA 2004 Regulations
U.S. Department of Education
Released August 3, 2006
http://www.ed.gov/policy/speced/guid/idea/idea2004.html
Find html and .pdf versions of the Law, Regulations and
Technical Assistance Tools. TA Tools include "Model forms", "Technical
Assistance and Dissemination Network", "Tool Kit on Teaching and Assessing
Students with Disabilities", "Questions and Answers On Serving Children With
Disabilities Placed by Their Parents at Private Schools", and "Topic Briefs"
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Regulations also available in .pdf
www.nichcy.org/reauth/IDEA2004regulations.pdf
Summary of changes
http://www.wrightslaw.com/idea/law/idea.regs.sumry.chngs.pdf
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TASH Conference
Baltimore, Maryland - November 8-11, 2006
http://www.tash.org/2006tash/index.htm
The TASH Conference mobilizes vast numbers of folks from
around the world together in a common experience of belief in the presumed
competence of every person, and in the powerful role that every person can play
in empowering people with disabilities and their families to build the life of
their choosing. Each presenter and attendee comes to the scene with a personal
perspective to share ~ and each leaves with a renewed sense of energy and
commitment towards the great space of possibility for people labeled with the
most significant disabilities. The TASH conference is the largest and most
progressive conference in the United States that focuses on strategies for
achieving full inclusion for people with disabilities. This year's TASH
conference will feature over 2000 attendees, 450 breakout sessions, exhibits,
roundtable discussions, poster sessions and much more. Sessions at the TASH
Conference focus on the following themes: Inclusive Education Across the
Lifespan; Innovations in Research and Practice; Transition; Community Living &
Employment; and Value, Advocacy and Ethics.
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Federal Government Information
National Assistive Technology Technical Assistance
Partnership (NATTAP)
http://www.resna.org/taproject/library/laws.html
Know your rights for obtaining assistive technology and
related services. This site list links and resources for Laws & Related
Regulations; Congressional Hearings; Judicial and Executive Orders.
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Talking Prescription Bottles
MedivoxRx ® Technologies
http://www.rxtalks.com/
Disposable talking bottle that provides audible label
information and makes information about medications more accessible to people
who are elderly, have visual or cognitive needs, illiterate, or speak a
different language.
The bottles include a computer chip enabling a pharmacist
to verbally record the name, dosage, frequency, warnings and refill
instructions of the medication inside the bottle. Patients press a button on
the side of the bottle to listen.
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In Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania's Education For All Coalition, Inc - PEAC
New Chapters Forming
http://www.paedforall.org
PEAC's Mission: We work together to promote education that
includes all children by providing individual technical assistance, advocacy
and supports to families, assisting institutions of higher education better
prepare teachers to effectively teach all children and influencing and
supporting schools, policymakers, and the community to effectively implement
inclusive practices and policies.
Lehigh Valley Chapter Kickoff Event! Saturday September
16th 8:30a.m. to 1p.m. Intro to Inclusive Education at Lehigh University.
Free!. Seating is limited. See details and information for registering at
http://www.paedforall.org
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In Pennsylvania
In the News
LEBANON, Pa. A former personal-care home operator was
sentenced August 17, 2006 to at least 22 years in state prison on abuse and
neglect charges. Prosecutors alleged that residents who lived in personal care
homes, operated by Clifford Fake and his wife, were fed rotten food, some of it
obtained from trash bins, and were put to work stuffing inserts into newspapers
while sitting in an unheated garage. Three residents - Kathryn Fritz, Clarence
D. Shucker and Stanley Bruzda - died while under the Fakes' care since 2000.
Personal care homes are licensed by the state Department of
Public Welfare, residents receive help with such things as bathing and
dressing, taking medications, and finances. The Fakes have also pleaded guilty
to separate federal health care fraud charges and await sentencing. They were
accused of gaining about $237,000 by falsifying paperwork, including time
sheets and care plans filed with the state Department of Aging.
Sources:
http://www.timesleader.com/mld/timesleader/15297385.htm
http://www.ldnews.com/news/ci_4190105
http://www.phillyburbs.com/pb-dyn/news/103-08162006-698375.html
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In Pennsylvania
Governors Budget
Premiums May be Coming for Children with Disabilities
"Loophole" Coverage for Medical Assistance
Schools to lose funding source
http://www.budget.state.pa.us/budget/lib/budget/2006-2007/presentation/2006_07_budget_slides_color.pdf
Pennsylvania may be gearing up to charge premiums for
insurance coverage through Medical Assistance for children with disabilities.
According to the Governor's budget there is a proposed line item savings for
"Other Initiatives" specifically listing "Loophole premiums". (page 40)
Previously children with disabilities not on SSI were still
eligible for MA, regardless of their parents' income and assets if their own
personal income was less than the poverty level. The Department of Welfare
called this category the "loophole" category. Schools have relied heavily on
using MA to bill for therapies, such as speech, physical, occupational and
behavioral supports. MA has also been used for obtaining appropriate assistive
technology such as communication devices and related services. If families have
private health insurance and choose not to pay premiums to maintain Medical
Assistance coverage, the school districts will remain responsible for providing
a Free and Appropriate Education to students with disabilities under federal
law IDEA, but they will be losing this multi-million dollar funding source.
See also-
Budget Briefing 6/1/06
http://www.pahouse.com/evans/pdf/BBMA_2_06012006.pdf
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The Parent Side (tm)
T-shirts, cards, magnets mugs, stickers & more!
It's a campaign for inclusion and against exclusion!
http://www.theparentside.com
Get your stuff in time for BACK TO SCHOOL! Gifts for
everyone, children, adults, advocates, self-advocates, professionals and
families. Give a unique gift to the advocate who supported you or reward
yourself and make a statement! Tote bags, mugs, t-shirts, hats, sweatshirts,
mousepads, buttons, magnets, posters and more! Designs that speak! New bumpers
stickers! New designs!
New Designs! "Inclusion Power" and "Zero Tolerance", lots
of choices and products, something for everyone!
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Resources are listed for general information purposes only
Kids Together does not endorse products, services, or
provide any legal advice
Kids Together, Inc. is an all-volunteer non-profit 501(c)3
organization
We support the belief that children with disabilities, like
all children,
have the need to be welcomed, cherished and embraced in our
communities.
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