TRANSLATOR

Showing posts with label Transition. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Transition. Show all posts

Tuesday, May 6, 2014

Watch the Benjamin Brothers on MTV's True Life!

 
 ‘True Life Presents: The Benjamins’

  1. "True Life Presents: The Benjamins" takes a look into the daily life of two brothers...  Read Full Summary »

    Posted












Watch the Benjamin Brothers!






Related article and videos:




True Life | Full Episodes, Photos, Episode Synopsis and Recaps | MTV
“I just hope that people could understand that people with autism need some love and caring,” Kenny, 23, told People Magazine. “Not to treat autism as a curse, but just different and special.”


MTV said the documentary is designed to be “uplifting and eye-opening” and explore “what it means to live life as an autistic person.”


Go to YouTube for more videos.



























"Life on the Autism Spectrum can be ENJOYable."

Thursday, May 1, 2014

2014 CAAI Webinar: Autism Spectrum Disorder and Transition









Combating Autism Act Initiative (CAAI)

- 2014 CAAI Webinar: Autism Spectrum Disorder and Transition -




This webinar will begin with a presentation from Got Transition staff who will speak broadly about transition and an upcoming Federal transition plan, followed by CAAI grantee presentations on research, training, state-specific successes and best practices for advancing transition for individuals on the autism spectrum.

This webinar was originally conducted on Wednesday | April 30th, 2014 | 3:00pm-4:30pm Eastern Time.  To view the archived version, complete the online registration form.  To watch the recorded webinar, please click View Recorded Webinar now. , click on the link below:




"2014 CAAI Webinar: Autism Spectrum Disorder and Transition" (April 30, 2014)


For more information, refer to the Combating Autism Act Initiative (CAAI), as well as, the Combating Autism Act.








"Life on the Autism Spectrum can be ENJOYable."

Monday, March 3, 2014

Being Fired for a Manifestation of My Disability

 "I did not even know that I had a disability at the time. If I had, I would have definitely done something to prevent losing my job."
Read more in the Prism, the autismNOW newsletter from the National Autism Resource and Information Center.

Just in case you missed it...

February Prism

Employment

By Karen Wolf-Branigin
Director, Autism NOW Center


The February 2014 Autism NOW Center Prism newsletter is about employment. For many people, their job is a prominent part of who they are as a person. Those who aren’t part of the workforce often face financial burden, low self-confidence and a feeling of social isolation. Unfortunately, people with disabilities, especially those with ASD, face extremely high unemployment rates.

Early in my career, I directed a supported employment program where I learned these important lessons:

Prism: Employment
More to read in this issue:

Employment: Autism NOW Resources

Employment: What are we learning from others?

The Arc of the United States currently coordinates these innovative, national initiatives:

  • The Arc’s Recycling Initiative

  • Employment: What does the research tell us? Unfortunately, research tells us that adults with ASD have very high unemployment rates. A recent study reported that “only half (53%) of young adults with an ASD had ever worked for pay outside the home in the first 8 years following high school, the lowest rate among disability groups even when controlling for impairment severity, household income, and social demographics.”

    What can we do about increasing employment opportunities? 

    Being Fired for a Manifestation of My Disability

    By Amy Goodman
    Co-Director, Autism NOW Center


    No Longer an Empty Shell

    by Sarah Stup

    Thanks for reading Prism: the newsletter from the National Autism Resource and Information Center.



    "Life on the Autism Spectrum can be ENJOYable."

    Wednesday, December 4, 2013

    Transitioning to College: A Guide for Students with Disabilities - National Professional Resources, Inc.

    Transitioning to College: A Guide for Students with Disabilities - National Professional Resources, Inc.

    available thru National Professional Resources, Inc. NPR Publications "The Educator's Choice for Classroom and Professional Development Resources"  1-800-453-7461




    Mark the Date! Thursday Dec. 5, 9am-5:30pm Pacific time, Facebook's 4th Annual Compassion Research Day: What happens when you apply the science of how people relate to each other to social technology? Sign up for free, live streaming all d...ay! If you don't have all day, try to join from 9:15-10:00 when NPR Inc. authors Marc Brackett and Robin Stern of the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence-- creators of The RULER Approach https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-RULER-Approach/135601309793827?fref=ts-- will present "Bullying: new lessons from teenagers, and new conversations for everyone." http://ow.ly/r7lCr

    Photo: Mark the Date! Thursday Dec. 5, 9am-5:30pm Pacific time, Facebook's 4th Annual Compassion Research Day: What happens when you apply the science of how people relate to each other to social technology?  Sign up for free, live streaming all day! If you don't have all day, try to join from 9:15-10:00 when NPR Inc. authors Marc Brackett and Robin Stern of the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence-- creators of The RULER Approach https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-RULER-Approach/135601309793827?fref=ts-- will present "Bullying: new lessons from teenagers, and new conversations for everyone." http://ow.ly/r7lCr

     


    via



    LD Advisory shared a link.


    The Transition Coalition offers "a self-assessment instrument designed to help schools and districts determine the most critical needs within a transition program. This instrument is best utilized if multiple transition stakeholders complet...e it (e.g., teachers, administrators, parents, others). The data can be then compiled into a single summary for the district." The tools is free - someone from the district has to create a user profile (the link is on the left-hand side of the homepage under "Quick Links."). I think all districts should go through this exercise.

    http://transitioncoalition.org/transition/index.php

     

    "Life on the Autism Spectrum can be ENJOYable."

    Thursday, August 2, 2012

    Transition - Least Restrictive Environment beyond the Classroom



    OSEP issues favorable transition LRE letter

    Q & A with Office of Special Education Programs Director Melody Musgrove
    Re:  Least Restrictive Environment applying to Transition and the Workplace

    Question: Is the individualized education program (IEP) Team required to include work placement in a transition-age student's IEP?


    Question:  Is the IEP Team required to provide parents with "notice of placement" when determining a student;s work placement?

    Question:  Can segregated work be considered an appropriate outcome, particularly with appropriate assessment in a LRE before such a placement occurs?

    Question:  Is the LEA required to provide suppplemental aids and services to allow the student to participate in the least restrictive work placement possible?

    How must LRE for work placements be monitored?

    Are State required to consider a student's work placement when they report the number of students participating in regular education?

    This Q & A was prompted in response to a letter 'Disability Rights Wisconsin' sent to OSEP Director Musgrove on December 22, 2011.  They had a conversation about it on December 2, 2011, in which 'Disability Rights Wisconsin' requested an opinion from OSEP on the applicability of the least restrictive environment (LRE) requirements under Part B of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) to transition work placement.  Director Musgrove addressed her response letter to Jeffrey Spitzer-Resnick, Beth Swedeen, and Lisa Pugh.  The letterhead states:  United States Department of Education Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, along with the official seal of the United States of America Department of Education.

    OSEP Policy Letter dated June 22, 2012 (MS Word)

    Disability Rights Wisconsin. 131 W. Wilson St. Suite 700 ... This is in response to your letter to me, dated December ... /s/ Melody Musgrove. Melody Musgrove, Ed.D. Director
    www2.ed.gov/policy/speced/guid/idea/memosdcltrs/062212...
    OSEP Policy Letter dated June 22, 2012 (MS Word)
    Jeffrey Spitzer-Resnick, Beth Swedeen, Lisa Pugh. Disability Rights Wisconsin. 131 W. Wilson St. Suite 700. Madison, Wisconsin 53703. Dear Mr. Spitzer-Resnick, Ms ...
    www2.ed.gov/policy/speced/guid/idea/memosdcltrs/062212...

    Disability Rights Wisconsin

    DRW and the Board for People with Developmental Disabilities (BPDD) wrote a letter to the federal Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) seeking better guidance about the least restrictive environment (LRE) impact on community based transition services. OSEP responded with a favorable letter on June 22, 2012. Click here for the letter. [ http://www.disabilityrightswi.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/OSEP-transition-letter.0622121.pdf ]

    DRW and BPDD believe:
    The letter provides more guidance to states on how to apply Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) requirements under Part B of IDEA to transition work placements. There has been confusion among states, school districts, IEP teams (including parents and youth) about how transition services can facilitate integrated employment. USDOE clearly states that transitions services are a coordinated set of activities for a child with a disability that are designed as part of a results-oriented process. This process is meant to help the child move to post-school activities, which include integrated employment (including supported employment).
    Transition services (including work placements) should be based on a child’s strengths and interests.
    USDOE clearly state that a work placement, if it is included as part of a youth’s transition services, must be included in the child’s IEP and then is subject to the provisions of a Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) and Least Restrictive Environment (LRE).
    USDOE clearly states that when work placements are part of transition services, they must meet the LRE test, which includes the IEPs team’s determination that the youth is only receiving services in a segregated setting (segregated work placement) if the use of supplementary aids and services could not support the youth in a less restrictive setting. We believe those supplementary aids and services should include things like job coaches and assistive technology.
    USDOE clearly states that, just as the LRE test applies in the classroom, supplementary aids and services based on peer reviewed research – must be provided to the youth to help him or her make progress in the work placement setting. An IEP team must consider those aids and services the can help the student participate with non-disabled peers.
    USDOE clearly states that SEAs (DPI) has the responsibility to monitor whether LRE is being met for youth in work placements. Therefore a district would be expected to show a variety of work placements based on the strengths and interests of the youth in their district.
    Posted in DRW Announcements, Public Policy on Thursday, June 28th, 2012

    DRW Managing Attorney Jeff Spitzer-Resnick is quoted in an Education Week blog post on this topic: On Special Education Click here to read the blog post. [Spitzer-Resnick said these conversations must happen more often, because often for students with disabilities, especially severe disabilities, the job they get after high school is the job they have for the rest of their lives.
    Otherwise, while a lot has been done to improve the education of students with disabilities, serve them more inclusively at school, and demand more of them academically, that effort may be going to waste.
    "It is clearly the IDEA's goal that children get an education so they can lead a productive adult life," he said. "If we are doing a good job in the earlier years... and we end like this, what a waste of resources."

    'Least-Restrictive Environment' Must Be Considered at Workplace, Too

    http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/speced/2012/07/least-restrictive_environment_.html?cmp=ENL-EU-NEWS2 ]

     Disability Scoop, 'The Premier Source on Developmental Disabilities News', reported:

    Feds: Least Restrictive Environment Applies To Transition Too

    By  
    By law, students with disabilities are supposed to be included in general education to the greatest extent possible. Now, federal officials say the same tenet of inclusion should apply to transition as well.
    Informal guidance issued recently from the U.S. Department of Education indicates that the requirement in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, or IDEA, that students be placed in the “least restrictive environment” extends beyond the confines of the classroom.
    Specifically, the concept should apply to work placements if such experiences are part of a student’s individualized education program, or IEP, officials at the Education Department said.
    “Placement decisions, including those related to transition services (including work placements), must be based on these (least restrictive environment) principles and made by the IEP team,” wrote Melody Musgrove, director of the Office of Special Education Programs at the Department of Education. “The IDEA does not prohibit segregated employment, but the (least restrictive environment) provisions would apply equally to the employment portion of the student’s program and placement.”

    News of Musgrove’s letter was first reported by Education Week.
    Read the entire article:
    Feds: Least Restrictive Environment Applies To Transition Too - Disability Scoop

    via
    'Enjoyable School Year'
    and

    "disAbilityVOICE - Disability Rights Advocate"


    "Life on the Autism Spectrum can be Enjoyable."
    Happy Pinning with 'EnjoyHi5Autism' on Pinterest!
    Boards to pin on include:  I am the 'I' in IEP.; 'Parents do understand...'; 'Apps for kids with Special Needs'; 'Therapies and Treatments'; 'Educating & Learning & Teaching';  'picky-eaters'; 'Sensory relief'; 'AUTISTImotions'; and 'AUTsumers!'.

    AUTISM IS A DISABILITY... and not just because it gets you a 'Disabilty' Parking Spot! http://t.co/rGDg8Eic






    Related information:


    Disability Rights Wisconsin Externship | University of ...

    Disability Rights Wisconsin (DRW) is the state's protection and advocacy agency for people with all types of serious disabilities. It provides a wide variety of ...
    law.wisc.edu/academics/clinics/drw_externship.html

    Disability Rights Wisconsin

    Disability Rights Wisconsin has learned that the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) received a July 20 letter from the Center for Medicaid and Medicaid ...

    Disability Rights Wisconsin: Disability.gov

    A statewide resource for individuals, families, service professionals and others concerned with disability issues. Works to ensure the rights of all state citizens ...

    The Affordable Care Act and People with Disabilities

    Read this informational paper from the Survival Coalition of Wisconsin Disability Organizations to understand what the Affordable Care Act means for people with disabilities, how it can promote employment of people with disabilities and next steps for implementation in the state. Click here to read the informational paper.

    Saturday, May 19, 2012

    CIP's Teen Summer Camp - College Experience for Asperger's, High-Functioning Autism, ADHD, Nonverbal Learning Disabilites

    "Preparing young Adults with Asperger's and LD for success since 1984", CIP for Teens 16-19 is a unique 2-week  summer Transition located on several colleges campuses in America.
    CIP is referred by Autism Society of America (ASA) Society of America via ASA -Net (Registration) for latest updates on autism news, advocacy, research, education, conference and resources
    Students in the CIP Summer Program in Berkeley, CA came from California, Alabama, Oregon, Washington, DC, Puerto Rico, Indiana and Alaska! - Read the article.

    CIP SUMMER 2012 HAS 6 LOCATIONS!

    Parent Testimonials

    "My daughter attended the CIP summer program in Berkeley last summer and had a blast. We were excited to see that there will be other locations available for next summer"
    - Kim F., parent
    "We were thrilled with our son's experience. I think he's missing the newly-found independence he developed while at CIP, but definitely has a new boost of confidence. We're really appreciated the quick response to any questions/inquiries we had. The staff was outstanding.."
    - Kim L., parent
    "I thought that this was a fabulous program. Our son learned a lot- ...". I think that it was a great way for him to go out and be without parents in a safe environment and experience life of the college student. With this knowledge he now knows that he CAN do it.."
    "Life on the Autism Spectrum can be ENJOYable."
    Enjoyable School Year - 'All children can Learn.' http://www.facebook.com/EnjoyableSchoolYear
    EnjoyHi5Autism sites and posts
    'Enjoying The Hi-5s of Autism - A Family Experience"  http://familyenjoyinghi5autism.blogspot.com/
    #EnjoyHi5Autism - http://twitter.com/#!/EnjoyHi5Autism
    Enjoying the Hi-5s of Autism - (audio and holidays blog) http://enjoyhi5autism.wordpress.com/
    Enjoyable School Year :-) http://www.facebook.com/EnjoyableSchoolYear

    "disAbilityVOICE - Disability Rights Advocate"  http://www.facebook.com/DisabilityVOICE

    Monday, March 12, 2012

    autismNOW Webinar | The National Autism Resource and Information Center | Autism NOW.org Webinar: Involving Siblings in the Transition Process for Young Adults with Disabilities

    autismNOW.org | The National Autism Resource and Information Center | Autism NOW Webinar: Involving Siblings in the Transition Process for Young Adults with Disabilities

    via
























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    $450,000 in Grants Awarded for Two Programs to Encourage Independent Living, Increased Community Participation

    Congratulations to a school, university and a global research organization for receiving Autism Speaks Family Services Grant Awards!  Peter F. Gerhardt, Ed.D., Upper School Director at the McCarton School in New York City and Paul Wehman, Ph.D., Professor of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Virginia Commonwealth University were awarded grants for 'Functional Community-Based Assessement Tool'.  Additionally, the Autistic Global Initiative , a program of the Autism Research Institute, was awarded a grant for 'Comprehensive Daily living/Residential Training and Curriculum' Program.  "We are excited that our Family Services Grants Program has expanded into the arena of funding more targeted grants," said Lisa Goring,  Autism Speaks Vice President of  Family Services.

    The first grant, for developing 'Functional Community-Based Assessment Tool' to identify the skills and needs of teens transitioning into adulthood.  The assessment toll will lead to comprehensive transition planning for teams supporting Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

    The second grant will be used to create a Comprehensive Daily Living/Residential Training and Curriculum project for direct support providers.  This grant is unique in that it is self-directed and staffed by adults with Autism Spectrum conditions. The project will provide ASD-specific standards of care, safety and support in the adult services sector. The curriculum will include topics such as regulation, communication, interpersonal skills, safety, sexuality, harassment, health, transportation, wellness and nutrition.

    Click the link below to learn about these grants, recipients, projects and why these Autism projects are relevantly necessary.





    Autism Speaks is hosting an all-day workshop on 'Implementation and Enforcement of Autism Insurance Reform' as a lead up to the Association of Professional Behavior Analyst (APBA) . 
    April 12, 13-14, 2012 in Tampa, Florida
































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    Tuesday, January 31, 2012

    I am the 'I' in IEP

    "I am the 'I' in IEP."

    The IEP season is rapidly approaching. We always review related terms, map out our requests, research education and disability periodicals, review expert opinions, inquire with families with age-school kids, and reREAD all of the IEPs our son has received--- since he was 3. He is now 6 years old. Yippie!
    NEWSFLASH!!!
    @educationweek (via @OnSpecEd ; blogs.edweek.org) posted a new study on Parents and the IEP process. The 'Journal of Disability Policy Studies' published this education study entitled, 'A National Picture of Parent and Youth Participation in IEP and Transition Planning Meetings'. This study reveals that Parents and Students with disabilities aren't as involved in the IEP process as they should be. According to this study, the degree of IEP participation depends on the Parents and Student with a disability. Noted factors were: type of disability, family income, racial background and ethnicity.

    NO SPOILER ALERT!
    The Journal of Disability Policy Studies published this vital study online before print January 18, 2012, doi:10.1177/1044207311425384 . SAGE Publications provides the Abstract and a full text (pdf) version. Click this link to compare your IEP Process views and experiences with this study:
    @educationweek - http://bit.ly/AdE6JJ .

    In light of this Education Week article, let's get an early start on reviewing, mapping, researching, inquiring and reReading the Individualized Education Program(IEP) purpose, policies, principles, guide,process and participants.


    Parents, Family Representatives, Caregivers, Custodians, Education Advocates, Teachers, Principals, IEP Facilitators, Therapists, and anyone else who is involved in the Individualized Education Program SHOULD WORK AS A TEAM TO PROVIDE THE BEST OUTCOME FOR EACH STUDENT WITH A DISABILITY.
    In America, all children are to receive an education because this is the law.  No Child is to be Left Behind because of any type of disability: learning, mental, physical, developmental, visual, auditory, etc...
    Know your RIGHTS and your child's rights.

    We view the IEP as a foundation for our son's education.
    Education impacts every aspects of a person's life-- from childhood through adulthood.
    An educated child often matures into a productive adult.

    Parents, we must be involved, informed and trained in order to best represent our child during the IEP Process.  Make the time to learn the laws governing schools that educate children with disabilities and special needs.  Get help.  Invite an education advocate or family or friend to help you through the process.  Our children are depending on us---every school day, including during the IEP Meetings. 

    Be encouraged.  Stay hopeful.  Be informed.  Advocate.

    Thank you to the SRI International researchers: Dr. Mary Wagner, Dr. Lynn Newman, Dr. Renee Cameto, Dr. Harold Javitz, Dathryn Valdes, as well as, The Journal of Disability Policy Studies(A Journal of the Hammill Institute); and Sage Journals online publications and Education Week for sharing this relevant research.

    Please share with other Parents, Students with disabilities, Educators, Legislators, Elementary and Secondary Education Administrators, Policymakers, Education Governance, Academic Activists and other key stakeholders.

    Listed below are 'Related Articles' and 'References & Resources' with helpful information about IEPs, Special Education and disability rights.  Many of the articles, blogs and features are written by or about Parents just like you and me.

    "Life on the Autism Spectrum can be ENJOYable."

    References & Resources
    @OnSpecEd
    @EducationWeek
    @EdWeekTeacher
    @k12educ8r
    Sage Journals - http://dps.sagepub.com/ ; http://online.sage.pub.com/
    Disability Law - http://disabilitylaw.blogspot.com/
    Special Education Law Blog - http://specialeducationlawblog.blogspot.com/
    American Association of People with Disabilities
    Ed.gov - http://www.ed.gov/
    NICHCY
    LaDisability Talk - Yahoo Group
    Families Helping Families
    National Parent Training and Information Centers
    Administration on Developmental Disabilities
    IDEA.gov






    AHEAD


    Advocacy Center



     'EnjoyHi5!Autism'
    @EnjoyHi5Autism
    @babymiracle2005

    'Enjoyable School Year' -
    "All Children can Learn."

    "disAbilityVOICE - Disability Rights Advocate"
    'People with disabilities are Value-ABLE.'
    http://www.facebook.com/DisabilityVOICE


    'Enjoying The Hi-5s of Autism - A Family Experience'
    'uniquely different'
    http://familyenjoyinghi5autism.blogspot.com/
    https://www.facebook.com/EnjoyHi5Autism
    http://enjoyhi5autism.blogspot.com/

    'EnjoyHi5Autism'
    "Life on the Autism Spectrum can be Enjoyable."
    http://enjoyhi5autism.blogspot.com/
    Google+ (Brenda Lee Cosse')
    YouTube
    MySpace
    SoundCloud
    NetworkedBlogs (Kbj Cosse')
    Twellow
    iCloud
    Vimeo
    Scribd
    digg
    reddit
    Viddler
    TravBuddy
    Hi5
    HowCast
    MyIdol Community - American Idol
    Last.fm
    TravelPod
    Topsy
    Favstar
    Autism Speaks PuzzleBuilder (Kbj Cosse' Family - http://bit.ly/nT649U


    SAGE Journals - http://dps.sagepub.com/
    http://disabilitylaw.blogspot.com/
    @OnSpecEd
    @EdWeekTeacher
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