Fw: E-newsletter from The Arc of the United States

[Guest guest]

FYI

Ellen

Ellen Garber Bronfeld

egskb@...

E-newsletter from The Arc of the United States

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Website Home June 16, 2011

FINDS Press Conference

Photo via Associated Press

New Data Reveals People with Intellectual and Developmental

Disabilities Still in the Shadows

This week, The Arc released the results of its Families and

Individual Needs for Disability Support (FINDS) survey showing that

opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD)

to lead productive, quality lives have plateaued and not nearly enough progress

has been made to create more opportunities. As a result, The Arc has outlined a

broad call-to-action for people with I/DD and those who care about them. The Arc

is calling for more grassroots activism, launching an effort to organize 1

million people to make their needs and concerns an issue in the 2012 elections.

In addition to some specific legislative and awareness goals, we’re calling on

everyone to join the movement, share a story, or, if you are an employer of

someone with I/DD, tell us about your experience. Read the full article.

This Just In:

a.. Attend a FREE Webinar with information related to autism

spectrum disorders

b.. New public service announcement from The Arc features

Potter from Glee

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Join us on the web:

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The Arc's CEO V. Berns Oswald D. Heck Developmental Center

Achieve with us contest

The Arc's CEO Appointed to President’s Committee Media Shines

Spotlight on Allegations of Abuse Win a Trip to Washington, D.C. for You or

Someone You Know

President Obama appointed The Arc's CEO, V. Berns, to the

President’s Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities. He joins an

expert group providing advice to the President and the Secretary of Health and

Human Services on a broad range of topics that impact people with I/DD. Read the

full press release announcing his appointment. In recent months, the New York

Times has published two stories on conditions at New York state-operated

programs for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The most

recent article detailed the Oswald D. Heck Developmental Center and the death of

Carey, a 13-year-old autistic boy who died from asphyxiation caused by

a state employee charged with caring for him. Read more. Enter The Arc’s

Achieve with us contest with a story of achievement by someone with intellectual

and developmental disabilities now through July 15. The subject of the winning

story wins a trip for two to Capitol Hill and The Arc’s national office to

tell their story. We invite everyone with I/DD, their families, friends and

caregivers to share stories of achievement on Facebook at

www.facebook.com/thearcus.

The Arc Assumes Medicaid Reference Desk

On June 1, The Arc began operations of the Medicaid Reference Desk

project, funded by the Administration on Developmental Disabilities. The project

provides information to individuals with intellectual and developmental

disabilities and their families with up to date and accessible information about

Medicaid, including resources and links on how to use and connect to

Medicaid-funded services. Ward will continue her role as the project's

Training Coordinator, and the web site, thedesk.info, will be updated within the

next few weeks.

Are You Coming to Denver? Register Now for The Arc’s National

Convention

Join us in Denver, CO September 16-19 at The Arc’s National

Convention. You won’t want to miss your biggest and best opportunity to

connect with others in the intellectual and developmental disability community

at this annual gathering of The Arc’s membership, chapter staff and

volunteers, professionals and experts in the field and individuals with I/DD and

their families. Get the full Convention Schedule and book now at the convention

page of our website.

Send a Special Gift Today

Tribute gifts are a thoughtful way to celebrate a birthday, wedding,

graduation or any special occasion. They also serve as a special expression of

sympathy by honoring the memory of a loved one. Tributes can honor someone you

admire, respect, or want to remember, such as a family member, friend, or

special co-worker. Your gift is acknowledged with a card to the recipient or

their family letting them know that a donation has been made in their honor.

Your generosity allows us to continue our work for people with intellectual and

developmental disabilities, so make a gift today.

What Do Adults with Disabilities Wish Parents Knew?

A book from editors Stan Klein, Ph.D. and Kemp explores this

question with a collection of essays from people who have lived the disability

experience offering their perspective on what all parents of children with

disabilities should know as they guide their children into adulthood.

Reflections from a Different Journey is available online at

www.disabilitybooks.com and a portion of sales benefits The Arc. If you order,

please enter The Arc into the portion of the online order form requesting an

organizational code at checkout.

We encourage you to share this publication with other staff members,

volunteers, family, friends, and others that may be interested in current news

from The Arc of the United States. If someone you know would like to be added to

the distribution list for The Arc E-newsletter, please have them send an e-mail

to communications@....

If you do not want to receive The Arc E-newsletter, please e-mail us

with the words " unsubscribe from The Arc E-News " in the subject line.

The Arc 1660 L Street, NW, Suite 301, Washington, DC 20036

Phone: 800.433.5255 | Contact Us

Privacy Policy | Email Preferences © 2011 The Arc

[Guest guest]

FYI, Rubin is one of the featured speakers at the Arc Convention, next

month.

Ellen

Ellen Garber Bronfeld

egskb@...

E-newsletter from The Arc of the United States

Having trouble viewing this email? View it in your browser.

Website Home August 17, 2011

The Arc's 2011 National Convention

National Convention Early Bird Rates Extended

There’s still time to catch early bird rates for The Arc’s

National Convention September 16-19 in Denver, CO, if you act now. Register by

Friday for three days of informative and inspirational sessions touching on many

topics important to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities

(I/DD) such as: Voting, Protecting Social Security, Supporting Families, Special

Needs Planning for Parents, Involving Siblings and Affordable Housing. And

special events such as The Arc and Sprout National Film Festival spotlighting

people with I/DD and a huge opening event at Lucky Strike are sure to entertain.

Find out more and register before August 19 for big savings.

More Reasons to Come to Convention…

a.. Engaging speakers including Dr. Braddock, the

force behind the “State of the States in Developmental Disabilitiesâ€

assessment of state performance on issues important to the I/DD community and

Dr. Temple Grandin, noted scientist and subject of an award-winning film.

b.. The Arc and Sprout National Film Festival Luncheon

spotlighting films created by, starring or about people with I/DD.

c.. The Marketplace filled with programs, services and

products designed especially for you including Entrepreneur’s Alley where

budding businesspeople with I/DD showcase their entrepreneurial spirit.

This Just In:

Watch families of The Arc in action, in Washington, DC to meet

with the White House about Medicaid.

Don't Cut Clare's Lifeline

Don't Cut Graysen's Lifeline

Don't Cut 's Lifeline

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Join us on the web:

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Inspire Others with Your Advocacy Story Federal Spending and Debt

Bill Signed

Autism NOW In Action!

The Arc is excited to partner with the Genetic Alliance, the

world’s leading nonprofit health advocacy organization on a project called

Family Voices. An online questionnaire is designed to collect inspirational

stories of advocacy from parents, other relatives, caregivers and individuals

with disabilities with the goal of helping others with disabilities understand

and influence their own path in advocacy. Find out more at the questionnaire

landing page or on The Arc’s blog. President Obama signed the Budget Control

Act into law on August 2. The law creates a three step process to raise the

nation’s debt ceiling and reduce the deficit over 10 years. At least $840

billion will be cut from discretionary programs alone and Congress is charged

with finding an additional $1.5 trillion in deficit reduction by 2021.

Massive cuts to important disability-related programs, like

Medicaid, Social Security, housing, education, and employment are possible in

different steps of the process.

Learn more about this law on our Capitol Insider blog.

Autism NOW Center staff has traveled around the country to engage

individuals with autism and other intellectual and developmental disabilities,

their families, and professionals in the field. The five exciting regional

summits were a huge success and have changed the lives of many.

During these two day summits, attendees had the chance to speak to

other families, self advocates, and experts about the challenges facing them and

to share and access resources and networks in their region. The summits included

interactive sessions, where people had the opportunity to share their stories,

concerns and questions and feel a sense of community. Read more

Think Before You Drink!

The Arc has a strong history in the prevention of intellectual and

developmental disabilities (I/DD), especially when it comes to Fetal Alcohol

Spectrum Disorder (or FASD), so we were thrilled when we saw a friend of The Arc

featured in PEOPLE Magazine! Dillon Ohlemiller is 18 years old and the adopted

son of Melinda Ohlemiller, a staunch advocate for people with FASD who has

worked for St. Louis Arc for 17 years.

Dillon is a shining example of how early supports and services can

make the defining difference in the life of someone with an FASD. Learn more

about Dillon’s story.

A Story That Had to be Shared

Curveball follows the Phillies, a little league baseball team made

up of children with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and kids with

physical disabilities, as they get ready for opening day. Moved watching his

nephew, who has autism, participate in his first practice, filmmaker Fox

decided to make a documentary about the team.

The film gives you an opportunity to watch the kids overcome the

unique challenges facing them and enjoy the game just like the rest of their

peers. Showcasing a truly inspirational group - from the extraordinary kids,

their unique coach and their ever-supportive families – this is truly a

touching film.

The Arc’s Resource Blog Continues Expansion of Online Community

From the launch of the new brand and our new website to active

participation with our members through social networks, The Arc has expanded its

online presence!

One of the newest additions to our online community is The Arc

Resource Blog. This Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (I/DD) Resource

Blog is an online catalogue of resources for self advocates, parents,

caregivers, and anyone interested in I/DD resources. The blog is a response to

requests for additional information and resources so this blog puts all these

resources at everyone’s fingertips. You can pose questions and post responses

to information, and even submit resources for consideration in the future. Check

it out!

We encourage you to share this publication with other staff members,

volunteers, family, friends, and others that may be interested in current news

from The Arc of the United States. If someone you know would like to be added to

the distribution list for The Arc E-newsletter, please have them send an e-mail

to communications@....

If you do not want to receive The Arc E-newsletter, please e-mail us

with the words " unsubscribe from The Arc E-News " in the subject line.

The Arc 1660 L Street, NW, Suite 301, Washington, DC 20036

Phone: 800.433.5255 | Contact Us

Privacy Policy | Email Preferences © 2011 The Arc