NTAC e.News — November 1, 2008

Asian/Pacific Islander Words of Wisdom

“A single arrow is easily broken, but not ten in a bundle. ”

-Japanese Proverb

Source: http://www.wow4u.com/japaneseproverbs/index.html

Announcements: National and International

More Generous Application Of The Definition Of Disability Within The United States

President Bush signed into law, S. 3406, the ADA Amendments Act of 2008, which clarifies and broadens the definition of disability and expands the population eligible for protections under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990. The ADA Amendments Act constitutes a landmark victory for the disability community. To read more, click here. To read the text of the ADA Amendments Act, click here.

Nominate Someone You Know For a National Disability Award From AAID

The American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AAIDD) is accepting nominations for awards given to people who have made outstanding contributions in the field of intellectual and developmental disability. Deadline for nominations is October 31, 2008. The awards will be given out at the 2009 AAIDD Annual Meeting to be held in New Orleans, Louisiana. To nominate someone for an AAIDD award, click here. To learn more about award guidelines, click here. For questions, email books@aaidd.org.

Call for Entries 2009 VSA arts International Young Soloists Award

VSA arts of Hawaii-Pacific is pleased to announce the call for entries for the 2009 VSA arts International Young Soloists Award, which recognizes outstanding young musicians with disabilities. Four Hawaii winners will receive $250 (cash prize, mentoring, performance opportunities). Any individual musician or musical group, either instrumental or vocal, who has a disability and is 25 or under is eligible to apply. Applications must be received by Nov. 15, 2008. For more information, contact Grace Wood /VSA arts of Hawaii-Pacific 808-697-1204 or email at mail@vsaartshawaiipacific.org. To download an application, visit www.vsarts.org.

Recent Products

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

Resources

Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act (DD Act)

The Developmental Disabilities Act has made a crucial difference in the lives and futures of individuals with developmental disabilities and their families. Through this legislation, federal funds support the development and operation of Councils on Developmental Disabilities, Protection and Advocacy Systems, University Centers of Excellence (formerly known as University Affiliated Programs), and Projects of National Significance. A comprehensive collection of legislation, hearings, manuals, reports and reviews - is now available at http://www.mncdd.org/dd_act/dd-act.html.

Directory of Foundation Workforce and Economic Development Grants

This directory provides a detailed list of private and corporate foundations that provide grant opportunities to FBCOs in order to give community organizations a clear and concise tool to pursue grants. These lists provide a detailed explanation of each grant and contact information to more easily determine eligibility.

Young Parents Demonstration Grant Competition -- Open to Faith Based and Community Organizations

The program targets high risk young mothers and fathers as well as expectant mothers ages 16-24. Projects funded will serve young parents in specific categories, including those who are court-involved, in the child welfare or foster care system, homeless, or victims of child abuse. The Department of Labor will award $5 million to community organizations under this program. This solicitation is open to various entities--including non-profit providers of workforce system services. See the solicitation for further details on eligibility. Applications are due by November 17th, 2008 at 4:30pm. Information on a Webinar for prospective applicants will be posted on http://www.workforce3one.org. The solicitation can be viewed at: http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-23319.pdf.

Institutes / Conferences

Everything you need to know about the Enforcement of the ADA but was afraid to ask

This session will review the enforcement options available to individuals and explain the various methods for pursuing a complaint under the various titles of the ADA. This audio conference will be held November 18th from 1-2:30 pm. For more information visit http://ada-audio.org/Schedule/.

Ninth Annual Multiple Perspectives on Access, Inclusion & Disability: Change, Challenge, & Collaboration

The Ninth Annual Multiple Perspectives conference continues brings together a diverse audience to explore disability as an individual experience and a social reality that permeates experience. This year's theme "Change, Challenge & Collaboration" reflects the critical place in history we occupy. The conference will occur on April 28th and 29th 2009 at the Ohio Stat University's Columbus Campus. More information about the conference can be found at http://ada.osu.edu/conferences.htm.

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development - One-Day Art & Science Grant Writing

This one-day workshop will assist faith-based and community organizations in preparing a competitive grant application for Federal funding. The workshops are intended for organizations that have their organizational board established, administrative package prepared, service program or development project identified, and feel ready to compete for Federal grant funding. For more information visit: http://www.hud.gov/offices/fbci/.

Webinar: Disability Status Report Statistics

Cornell University's Employment and Disability Institute (EDI) will host a free online webinar on November 12, 2008 from 12:00-1:00 p.m. EST to present the findings of the 2007 Disability Status Report. The free webinar will explore recently released 2007 American Community Survey data related to disability and employment, education, poverty, household income and labor earnings. To register for this free webinar, please go to: www.DisabilityStatistics.org.

Research / Publications

Refugees With Mental Disabilities Fair Far Worse Than Those With Other Disabilities, Report Reveals

"Disabilities among Refugees and Conflict-Affected Populations" by the Women's Commission for Refugee Women and Children is the first major report to address the critical needs of a virtually invisible population: refugees and people displaced within their own countries who suffer from physical, sensory, or mental disabilities. The report estimates that between 2.5 and 3.5 million of the world's 35 million displaced people live with physical, sensory, or mental disabilities. Further, refugees with mental disabilities tended to be even more "invisible" and "hidden" from public view than those with physical disabilities. Refugees with mental disabilities are less likely to be identified in registration and data collection exercises; they tend to be more excluded from both mainstream and targeted assistance programs, and they are less likely to be included in decision-making processes or in leadership and program management structures. To read the report, click here. To read a fact sheet on refugees with disabilities, click here.

START-UP/USA Self-Employment Fact Sheet Self-Employment Q and A: Frequently Asked Questions from Families Factsheet

Transition age youth with disabilities are increasingly exploring self-employment as a vocational option. Owning a business presents a myriad of opportunities to attain personal wealth, a respected role in the community, and a sense of accomplishment. However, families often have questions that require serious reflection and investigation prior to deciding that self-employment is the desired employment outcome. This Q and A factsheet will present some of the commonly asked questions from parents and students with disabilities who are considering business ownership.