NTAC e.News — March 15, 2007

Asian/Pacific Islander Words of Wisdom

Lawe i ka ma‘alea a ku‘ono‘ono—Acquire skill and make it deep
Hawaiian Proverb: If you want to become really good at anything, you have to study hard and practice long until what you want to do gets deep and becomes a part of you.
Source: http://www.k12.hi.us/~waianaeh/waianhi/olelo.html

Announcements: Local

NEW! Weol Soon Kim-Rupnow to Address Bay Area Task Force

On March 20, 2007, Dr. Weol Soon Kim-Rupnow, Project Director of NTAC-AAPI, will speak to the Bay Area Asian Task Force, a group of rehabilitation providers who specialize in serving Asian Americans with disabilities. The meeting will be in Oakland, California. For various reasons, persons with Asian heritage who have a disability do not access rehabilitation services as frequently as members of other ethnic groups. NTAC-AAPI and members of the Task Force urge rehabilitation providers to learn about this disparity and develop a Task Force in their vicinity to better serve this historically underserved population.

NEW! Pac Rim—Successful Again

The 23rd Annual Pacific Rim Conference on Disabilities was held March 12 and 13, 2007, at the beautiful Sheraton Waikiki in Honolulu. The nearly 1,000 attendees had a great and valuable experience, held in such a scenic location. For more information or to begin planning for the 24th Annual Pacific Rim Conference on Disabilities, please see http://www.pacrim.hawaii.edu/.

Sixth Online Course Planned

The sixth online course, “Introduction to Disability/Rehabilitation with Asian/Pacific Islander Americans,” facilitated by NTAC-AAPI, will begin soon. The teachers are slated to be Paul Leung, Professor and Director of the Department of Rehabilitation, Social Work, and Addictions at the University of North Texas, and Nan Zhang Hampton, Associate Professor of the Department of Administration, Rehabilitation, and Postsecondary Education at San Diego State University.

To be placed on the mailing list for the sixth offering—tentatively starting April 1, 2007—please send an email to James D. Brightman, NTAC-AAPI Vocational Rehabilitation Coordinator, at jamesdb@hawaii.edu. The sixth course, most likely our final offering, will probably involve a nominal tuition payment and will earn ten Continuing Education Units (CEUs) that may be applied to your CRC. This course is a wonderful opportunity to increase your cultural competence and enhance your counseling abilities. For more information, or to preview the required readings before the final course begins, please go to the following Web site: http://www.ntac.hawaii.edu/AAPIcourse/. Thank you, and see you online.

Announcements: National and International

Work Incentive Planning and Assistance (WIPA) Projects

Listing of Community Work Incentive Coordinators who offer information and technical assistance in your state on the work incentives that help Social Security Disability (SSDI) and Supplementary Security Income (SSI) beneficiaries return to work. http://choosework.net/resource/jsp/searchByState.jsp

NEW! Data From the Centers for Disease Control Reveals That Autism is More Common Than Previously Thought in the United States, Affecting One in 150 Children

On February 8, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published the first and largest summary of prevalence data for autism spectrum disorders (ASD), reporting that one in 150 children in multiple U.S. communities had autism. These revised numbers dispel the currently held prevalence estimate of four to five per 10,000 children.

• To read a press release from CDC on the discovery, visit http://www.reuters.com/article/2007/02/08/us-autism-usa-idUSN0842367820070208.
• To read a summary of findings on this new data, visit http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/pdf/ss/ss5601.pdf.
• To read a full report from CDC titled, Prevalence of the Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) in Multiple Areas of the United States, 2000 and 2002, visit http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/documents/AutismCommunityReport.pdf.

Medicaid is not Likely to be a Financial Burden, and the U.S. Government Can Sustain Medicaid Funding Over the Next 40 Years, A New Independent Study Shows

As the U.S. Congress prepares to debate the President’s budget and address the growing federal deficit and the future sustainability of Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security, a new study by the Kaiser Family Foundation’s Commission on Medicaid and the Uninsured (KCMU) projects a less dire situation than suggested by conventional wisdom. Medicaid is the main, and sometimes only significant source of public funding for people with intellectual disabilities.

“Is Medicaid Sustainable? Spending Projections For The Program’s Second Forty Years” by Richard Kronick and David Rousseau published in the journal Health Affairs.

Recent Products

For a complete list of NTAC products, please visit the Products section of our Web site.

Resources

Runaway and Homeless Youth: Basic Center Program

The Family and Youth Services Bureau (FYSB) is accepting applications for the Basic Center Program (BCP), which is authorized by the Runaway, Homeless, and Missing Children Protection Act of 2003 to address runaway and homeless youth (RHY) problems. BCPs provide an alternative to involving RHY in the law enforcement, child welfare, mental health, and juvenile justice systems. Each BCP must provide a safe and appropriate shelter, and individual, family, and group counseling as appropriate.

Faith-based and community organizations are eligible to apply. Applications for 140 awards totaling $18,300,000, are due by May 16, 2007.

Courtney Workman at FYSB@dixongroup.com.

Institutes / Conferences

For a complete list of conferences, please visit the Conferences section of our Web site.

Earned Income Ventures: A New Way to More Money to Fulfill Your Mission

The U.S. Department of Labor Center for Faith-Based and Community Initiatives (CFBCI) is proud to present a conference call series on how non-profits can create earned income ventures to fund their non-profit community and faith-based organizations. According to the most recent IRS data, nonprofits generated $4.2 billion in one year from outside business dealings. A new study funded by the Pew Charitable Trusts further finds that faith-based organizations engaged in earned-income venturing are better funded; 45% report annual budgets over $2 million, while 62% of the “non-venturing but interested” report annual budgets of $350,000 or less. Many non-profits have discovered that they can use earned incomes ventures for two purposes: they can obtain money for the non-profit and also use the company to provide on-the-job training to their clientele. March 19th will be the third conference call in the series. You can also listen and view previous presentation on the Web.

Call In—Information:

• To join the conference by telephone: (1) Dial 1-888-272-7337, (2) The Conference ID is 9374281, (3) Follow prompts until in.
• To join by internet (to view the PowerPoint and listen online): (1) Go to www.raindance.com, (2) Click on “Join A Call/Meeting” (on the top right side of the screen), (3) Scroll to “Reservationless Conferencing” and follow the prompts for “Join A Call” by entering your name, email address and the Conference ID. The Conference ID is: 9374281, (4) Click "Join Call."

The phone line can only accommodate 125 participants. However the Web participation is unlimited and you will be able to listen to the conference call through your computer.

CSUN Conference

Annual International Technology & Persons with Disabilities Conference will be held this March 19-24, 2007. The conference, now in its 22nd year, is the largest conference focusing on assistive technology in the world, and is hosted by the Center on Disabilities at California State Univ., Northridge. With 12 in-depth Pre-Conference Workshops, over 350 General Sessions and more than 175 exhibitors, the conference serves as a major training venue for professionals around the world dealing with technology and disabilities. This year we are pleased to announce that John D. Kemp will be the Keynote Speaker and a new track featuring Aging-Acquired and Aging-Related Disabilities has been added, along with sessions devoted to Young Researchers. For more information on the conference, please visit: http://www.csun.edu/cod/conf.

Multiple Perspectives on Access, Inclusion, and Disability: Rights, Responsibilities, and Social Change

April 3 & 4, 2007: The Ohio State University, Columbus Campus
Continuing the tradition of the past six years, the Seventh Annual Multiple Perspectives conference will bring together a diverse audience to explore disability as both an individual experience and social reality that cuts across typical divisions of education and employment, scholarship and service, business and government, and race, gender, and ethnicity.

Pre-Conference Institute: E-Text: Production, Distribution & Management for Accessibility, Monday, April 2, 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM & Tuesday, April 3, 9:00 AM to 12:30 PM.

Registration is now available at: http://mpconference.osu.edu/sessions

National Association for Asian and Pacific American Education (NAAPAE)

The National Association for Asian and Pacific American Education (NAAPAE) is holding its 29th Annual Conference in Hawaii on April 20-21, 2007. With a conference theme entitled, “Pacific Pathways: Engage, Educate, Enlighten”, presenters may focus on social, cultural, and educational issues; leadership development; and outreach.

Please consider submitting a proposal to this noteworthy conference. Proposals submitted electronically or via CD by January 10, 2007 will receive priority for selection. Submit proposals to nakaoka@hawaii.edu.

(PSY 0621m) Advocacy Skills and Documenting Disability: A Workshop for Parents and Professionals

April 21, 2006: San Francisco, CA
This workshop is designed to teach parents and professionals involved in the lives of children and adults with disabilities to advocate in multiple ways to break through the systems that impact the individual with an emphasis on students receiving special education services. As a result of participating in the training, participants will have an increased understanding of educational and civil rights laws and learn covert and overt advocacy skills. Participants will learn how to apply these skills to their professional and personal roles as advocates with the primary goal of increasing self-advocacy for children and adults with disabilities. Special attention will be paid to providing documentation that drives accommodations by meeting the needs of disability laws like the Americans with Disabilities Act, Individuals with Disabilities and Education Improvement Act and the Rehabilitation Act, Section 504. Learn more about about the Advocacy Skills and Documenting Disability workshop.

Charting the Future In Developmental and Learning Disabilities

YAI/National Institute for People with Disabilities Network will hold its 28th Annual International Conference: “Charting the Future In Developmental and Learning Disabilities” on April 30 - May 4, 2007 at the Crowne Plaza Manhattan Hotel, 1605 Broadway, in New York City. For more information, contact Tina Sobel, Senior Manager of YAI/NIPD’s Professional Information Department, at tsobel@yai.org, 212-273-6457 or visit http://www.yai.org/.

Imagine...Everybody Works!

The Autism Society of America and APSE: The Network on Employment Conference & Training Event, May 10 and 11, 2007, Columbus, OH, Hyatt on Capital Square. APSE and the Autism Society of America invite sponsors and exhibitors to participate. For more information, contact: Teresa Grossi (tgrossi@indiana.edu) or Cathy Pratt (prattc@indiana.edu) or call 812.855.6508.

World Health Organization's North American Collaborating Center for the ICF (the International Classification of Functioning Disability and Health)

The Center for International Rehabilitation Research Information and Exchange (CIRRIE) will be hosting the conference of the World Health Organization's North American Collaborating Center for the ICF (the International Classification of Functioning Disability and Health) in Niagara Falls, June 5-7, 2007.

The conference theme, Sharing Knowledge Through the ICF, points to the role of the ICF in making it possible for us to communicate about disability across countries, cultures, languages, and professions. The conference will be useful to persons who are new to the ICF as well as those who have long been involved in its development and application.

Complete information and the Call for Papers are at http://cirrie.buffalo.edu/icf/conference/index.html

RESNA 2007

Instructional Courses: June 15-16, 2007; Conference Workshop: June 17-19, 2007
RESNA’s Annual Conference will be held in Phoenix, June 15-19, 2007. RESNA 2007 will feature assistive technology’s leading researchers, renowned clinicians and policy experts creating a conference program with unmatched levels of knowledge and expertise. RESNA presenters and attendees will experience a surprisingly intimate conference environment. RESNA 2007 will offer an exciting Exhibit Hall featuring product demonstrations and training sessions, two days of Pre-Conference Instructional Courses, and 3 full-days of Workshops, Interactive Poster Sessions, Themed Paper Sessions and distinguished speakers.
For the latest information and details visit their Web site: http://www.resna.org/.

National Institute of Child Health and Human Development/National Institutes of Health: Summer Institute in Applied Research in Child and Adolescent Development

June 24-29, 2007: Bolger Center, Potomac, Maryland
A goal of the Institute is to support investigators who are beginning careers as applied researchers by providing training that will build upon their existing content knowledge and research skills. To be eligible for this Institute, individuals must have completed a Ph.D., M.D. or equivalent terminal degree within their field. Individuals must also:

• Have at least 1 year of post-doctoral experience in academe, private industry, non-profit, or government
• Have not more than 5 years of subsequent research experience at the time of the Institute

Application packet and Institute information are available at: http://www.nichd.nih.gov/about/org/der/branches/cdbb/pages/summer-institute.aspx. Direct all inquiries to: summerinst@mail.nih.gov. Application Due Date: February 15, 2007. Notification of Acceptance: April 1, 2007

18th Annual National APSE Conference

The 18th Annual National APSE Conference will take place from July 16-18, 2007 in Kansas City, Missouri. This year’s conference challenges you to join in shaping the future of supported employment! Register Online for the APSE Conference

National Federation of the Blind Youth Slam 2007 A STEM Leadership Academy

July 30 - August 4, 2007: Baltimore, MD
Who:Two hundred blind high school students will be selected to participate in this program. Students who would like to be considered must complete the attached application and return it to the Jernigan Institute by April 1, 2007. Students will be selected based on their ability to participate actively in the activities.

What: This four-day academy will engage and inspire the next generation of blind youth to consider careers falsely believed to be impossible for the blind. While staying at Johns Hopkins University, students will be mentored by blind role models during fun and challenging activities meant to build confidence and increase science literacy.

Cost: There is no cost to apply for the program. Students who apply and are accepted to the Youth Slam will be expected to pay a $200 registration fee by May 31, 2007.

To send questions or comments via email, please write to youthslam@nfb.org

Research / Publications

Learn How the Definition System of Intellectual Disability by the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Relates to IDEA and Other Innovative Practices In Special Education, In the New User’s Guide

The new User’s Guide, a publication of the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, explains how the supports-based AAIDD definition system of intellectual disability is related to the Individuals With Disabilities Act (IDEA), and other contemporary practices. These include, educating students in least restrictive settings; using supplementary aides and services to support classroom learning; providing access to the general curriculum; and creating Individualized Education Plans for students. The AAIDD definition and diagnostic system moves away from a historic reliance on deficits of an individual, to viewing an intellectual disability as a condition that can be enhanced by providing proper supports. http://bookstore.aaidd.org/BookDetail.aspx?bid=61

Children With Borderline Intellectual Functioning May be at Risk for Poor Parenting; Mothers of Such Children Displayed Less Positive and Sensitive Behavior During Study of 217 Families

A study of 217 mothers and 5-year olds with borderline intellectual functioning revealed that this group of children is uniquely vulnerable to poor parenting. Parenting displayed by mothers of children with borderline intelligence and the general interaction in these families is marked by low maternal involvement rather than by hostility or overt mother–child conflict, according to the study. The study is published in the March 2007 issue of the American Journal on Mental Retardation (AJMR) and can be accessed at http://www.aaidd.org/Reading_Room/pdf/AJMR_parenting_March2007.pdf.