The Conflicts of Sexuality and Disabilities

Since NPR's Investigation Finds Hidden Epidemic Of Sexual Assault, I am all for sex education for People With Disabilities. It needs to fit on the intellectual leval of that person. This might be a double edge sword, because sex can be bliss and frustrating at the same time.

I recently had a conversation with a young friend, he had many questions. For example, do regret waiting until you old was older to become active?

No, once you have an apple, you want the orchard.

Why didn't you and a friend....?

Anybody can have sex, but can anybody be friends?

On flip side sex education creates awareness, against sexual assault. When you know how something should be, it brings awareness when it is wrong. It seems that sexuality is still taboo in the Disability community and the only time it becomes a topic of conversation is for the wrong reasons.

Conceptual Artwork is a photograph by Stephen Wood

#sexuality #disabilities #sexualassault

Not Just A Story Any More

It seems when movies are made about people with disabilities, it is becoming as confusing as the words as ableism and inspirational porn. Even as recently when Jamie Foxx played Ray Charles, I do not remember this conversation being raised of an abled body actor playing a person with a disability. Maybe at that time it was still important that the story was being told, rather than how it was being told?
This conundrum goes back farther then the time of William Shakespeare, when men played the rolls of women. When I go see a movie, I think to myself this is an actor trying to play a person with a disability and the whole time I am think what the real person is like.
Someone could say, so why did you refuse to use an ACC device? Would it have been enough to tell my story, or did I want people to see the person. Now everyone gets to tell their “story” with tweets and posts, but does that really let people get to know the person be hide the keyboard?
When I watch the show Speechless, I do ponder if any of the writers have a disability themselves, or if they have a group of gimp consultants that has been in the situations that are on the show? I often think, if King Gimp came out now would it have the same acceptance that it did?

Article:
Let's Call Joaquin Phoenix's New Role Exactly What It Is: Offensive

Maryland DDA Wants to Use A National FMS for Self-Directed Services

Well this sucks, because this could mess up Budgets. I picked my FMS based on what they charged since that had to worked into my budget. If my new FMS charges more will Maryland DDA increase my budget, or make me redo my budget to cover the new FMS cost?

The Arc Central Chesapeake Region takes great pride in playing a role in Maryland's self-directed services program, which offers unparalleled choice, authority and flexibility for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. We've had the distinction of serving as one of two Fiscal Management Service (FMS) providers for the program for over 10 years.

At this time, the Request for Proposal (RFP) is forthcoming from Maryland Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA). A Request for Proposal is the process DDA will use to award a contract for a FMS provider for the self-directed services program. While the RFP has not been made public as of this writing, during recent state-wide waiver information sessions, DDA has made it clear that they will contract with a sole source national vendor for FMS services going forward. As a long-time vendor for the program, this was challenging information for us to process, but it was helpful to our understanding of the intentions of DDA and their trajectory for Maryland's self-directed services program.

After thoughtful consideration, we will honor DDA's plan for advancing self-direction and will respectfully transition with grace and excellence. We've made the tough decision not to respond to the RFP when it is posted. We will, instead, focus our efforts and resources on providing quality services to our program participants and other stakeholders to help ensure a successful transition to a new FMS vendor. We look forward to partnering with DDA in transition planning when the time comes, which will likely be for FY'19.

The Arc Central Chesapeake FMS team thanks you for your support and continued patronage. If you have any questions or concerns, you are welcome to reach out to us.

Your FMS Team

The Arc Central Chesapeake Region

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