March 24, Virtual Sprout Film Festival
Looking for a COVID-19 distraction? Please enjoy this free full-screen playlist of 10 popular short films, featuring people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, from the Sproutflix catalogue.
Jan, 27, Disability-Rights Movement Takes Spotlight at Sundance
NYTimes picked up Associated Press coverage and kept headline DISABILITY-RIGHTS MOVEMENT TAKE SPOTLIGHT AT SUNDANCE. This is a game changer!! Congrats Jim LeBrecht, Sara Bolder Nicole Newnham Malarkey, The Heumann Perspective with Judith Heumann, Denise Sherer Jacobson, Neil Jacobson, Corbett OToole, Ann Cupolo Freeman and the whole team at Higher Ground Productions. Lead On!
Sundance spotlight/tidal wave of advocacy includes authentic Deaf/disability leaders/storytellers - Lawrence Carter-Long, David Radcliff Nic Novicki, Jade Bryan, Danny Woodburn - thanks to The Ruderman Family Foundation for partnering with Sundance to insure accessibility.
As the nation ramps up to ADA30, CRIP CAMP is a cinematic milestone in the history of disability in media - the Disability Narrative Imperative at its very best -- check it out:
September 3,
What is happening to the arts when school are not running as normal? I encourage all parents to have an Artist corner at home, with ton of art supplies and musical instruments even it is dollar store stuff. Please, please do not worry about them staying in the lines or filling up the page. I mean are adults staying in the lines these days.
March 22, Dozens of Museums and Libraries Offer Free Downloadable Coloring Books
I bet I could do this with my own work, just simplify the palette and make a line selection on each layer to create the outlines. Do I really want people to fill in the blanks, or use my art to inspire them in creating their own language of expression.
What Dalzell found was that employers were very interested in her on paper, right up until the moment she rolled into the interview with her wheelchair and revealed her disability: transverse myelitis, a neurological disease that affects the spinal cord. Eventually, Dalzell was forced to find work elsewhere, starting as a camp health director and then finding a school nurse job. She was thankful for the opportunities but felt defeated. Working in acute care had always been her ultimate goal.
After Covid-19 hit, that goal became reality. Hospitals across the country were inundated with patients, and there was an outcry for more nurses. Governors in states like California and New York, where Dalzell resides, publicly pleaded for retired and certified nurses to go back to work.
The Coronavirus pandemic has necessitated numerous alterations in the way that people live, work and function in the community. The implications of the virus are unprecedented in recent history and there was little guidance to turn to in terms of how people should respond and what the implications are. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) one of the major factors that leads to the spread of this highly contagious disease are water droplets generated during coughing, sneezing and everyday communication such as talking and signing. Research has shown that the use of Face Coverings significantly reduces the chance of exposure and thus, slows the spread of the virus.
June 9, Billions in federal COVID-19 aid is being withheld from those with disabilities
COVID-19 has created unique challenges and dangers for the most vulnerable in our population.
That includes the 6.5 million people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in the United States – including roughly 750,000 in Arizona.
The strains and stresses of extended isolation have been highly disruptive or even life-threatening for people with such disabilities, noted Tia Nelis, policy and advocacy director for TASH, an international disability advocacy organization.
Social interaction for people with disabilities is critical because many rely on the assistance of direct support professionals to perform tasks that someone without a disability might consider routine.
April 30, Stimulus Payments May Be Extended To Dependents With Disabilities
Many people with disabilities will miss out on economic stimulus payments because they are counted as someone else’s dependent, but that could change under a proposal in Congress.
The government is currently sending cash payments to millions of Americans as part of a large package of relief efforts approved in March in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Most individuals earning less than $75,000 annually will receive $1,200 and people making up to $99,000 will get a tiered amount. In addition, families who qualify will receive $500 per child under the age of 17.
April 15, Non-Filers: Enter Payment Info Here
Who will receive the Economic Impact Payment automatically without taking additional steps?
Most eligible U.S. taxpayers will automatically receive their Economic Impact Payments including:
Individuals who filed a federal income tax for 2018 or 2019
Individuals who receive Social Security retirement, disability (SSDI), or survivor benefits
Individuals who receive Railroad Retirement benefits
April 9, Disability Advocacy and COVID-19
The American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) is a national cross-disability civil rights organization that works to advance the political and economic power of the more than 60 million individuals with disabilities in this country. The COVID-19 pandemic occurring in the United States should be of utmost concern to every lawmaker in the country. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and additional public health experts have stated that people with disabilities are more vulnerable to COVID-19. Beyond the specific conditions or diagnoses that may raise susceptibility to the virus itself, people with disabilities are particularly vulnerable to the broader social, civil, and economic impacts of the coronavirus pandemic.
April 6, Caregivers May Be Eligible For Paid Leave Under COVID-19 Relief Law
Parents who must stay home from work to care for their adult children with disabilities due to coronavirus-related closures may qualify for paid leave, federal official say.
The stimulus bill signed by President Donald Trump in March includes a temporary expansion of paid leave for workers in some circumstances. The provision was intended to address the needs of employees across the country who are unable to come to work or telecommute because they must care for children while schools and other child care providers are closed.
The law was largely mum on the needs of families of adults with disabilities whose typical daytime activities have been canceled. Now, however, the U.S. Department of Labor appears to be including parents of adults with disabilities in the groups that qualify for the expanded leave offering.
March 31, Maryland school closures extended a month due to coronavirus threat
Maryland schools will be closed for another 4 weeks due to coronavirus! We should not only be concerned about how many people will that will go without a paycheck, but also how many students will be thrown off track from being out off routine. This can be even more traumatic for those with disabilities, it can affect their behavior patterns and the whole family unit.
March 30, What is VESper™?
VESper™ is a unique ventilator expansion device that allows a single ventilator to support up to four patients during times of acute equipment shortages such as the current COVID-19 pandemic.
Produced using 3D printing technology, the device is developed with material already in use for medical devices and produced at minimal cost.
March 29, Disabled advocates warn coronavirus stimulus does not address pandemic's impact on community
Although the $2 trillion coronavirus stimulus package negotiated by the Senate and the White House is likely to pass the House after passing the Senate late Wednesday night, disabled activists and advocates are warning its provisions do not do enough for the community after resources for them have been strained by the pandemic.
“There is nothing that the disability community asked for in these bills,” Rebecca Cokley, director of the liberal Center for American Progress’s Disability Justice Initiative, told The Hill in an email.
March 26, SEEK, An Equal Education is a Civil Right
For all of the latest news on how school closures impact your child receiving special education services.
An Equal Education is a Civil Right.
March 22, Ed Department Offers More Special Education Guidance Amid COVID-19
As schools across the nation shutter in response to coronavirus, federal officials are giving educators additional insight on how to handle the needs of students with disabilities.
The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights issued a webinar and fact sheet this week for education leaders aimed at ensuring that students’ civil rights are upheld while schools are closed due to COVID-19.
The webinar reminds school officials that distance learning must be accessible unless “equally effective alternate access is provided.”
March 22, Social Security Closes Offices Nationwide
Social Security offices are closing their doors due to coronavirus, but help with benefits is still available, the agency says.
The Social Security Administration said this week that its local offices across the nation are now closed to the public for in-person service.
Officials said the move will protect both the agency’s employees and its beneficiaries, many of whom are considered to be at high risk for severe illness from COVID-19.
March 22, MARYLAND CAN BILL MEDICAID BY AUDIO-ONLY
Today I issued an emergency order that will enable Medicaid providers to be paid for providing services remotely via telehealth. Remote health care services will play a crucial role as we work to prevent a surge on our hospitals.
March 22, How Coronavirus is Impacting People With Disabilities in N.C.
RALEIGH, N.C. -- COVID-19 is impacting people around the world, from the elderly and those with immune deficiencies to small businesses and healthcare facilities. And experts say another critical group already being hit are people with disabilities and their caretakers.
March 21,
Today the Governor announced new restrictions on mass transit. If you are a person who uses para-transit services and needs rides to essential employment, please be sure to contact the customer service number of your transit provider to ensure rides are scheduled.
MTA: 410-764-8181 option 8
CMRT (RTA): 1-800-957-3600
Metro Access: 1-301-562-5360
March 18,
Giant Food is adjusting our store hours in order to better serve those in our communities who need it most.
Beginning Friday, all Giant Food stores will offer dedicated shopping hours for senior citizens, and individuals with compromised immune systems. Please visit our site for more details.
March, 18,
The Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) developed guidance to assist the delivery of community-based services in response to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak. The DDA is working with the Maryland Department of Health (MDH) and Maryland Department of Disabilities (MDOD) to support our Community Providers during this challenging time. We are committed to providing the information, tools, and resources you need to succeed as the first line of defense for individuals with developmental disabilities in Maryland. Resources on how Community Providers can prepare for and manage the COVID-19 outbreak can be found in this TOOLKIT.
March, 15, Feds Weigh In On Special Ed, Medicaid Concerns Over Coronavirus
“If (a school district) continues to provide educational opportunities to the general student population during a school closure, the school must ensure that students with disabilities also have equal access to the same opportunities.”
March, 14, How The Disability Community Can Respond to COVID-19
Many people with disabilities are at increased risk of serious or fatal complications from COVID-19 (coronavirus). In an active community outbreak, the safest option may be to self-isolate at home, perhaps for weeks or longer. In order to prepare for this possibility, the CDC is currently recommending that people at high risk stock up on necessities, including maintenance prescription medication.
March, 12,
Down to writing the last three statements in for this group of artworks for an upcoming exhibit. It is hard to think of new things to say when some of the pieces are from the same series of work. I don’t want to sound repetitive with my ideas and words.
