The Arc, Oneida-Lewis Chapter’s Post

In healthcare we often use medical jargon and college level vocabulary. However, the general population is riddled with hidden disabilities such as dyslexia, dyscalculia, low IQ, ADHD (types 1-3), traumatic brain injury, vision impairments and hearing impairments. When you treat the world with simplified, plain language, you won’t leave your patients guessing. Embrace hidden disabilities without drawing attention, by utilizing a language everyone can understand. It will always be successful.

With the changes to NDIS funding, having a professional by your side makes sense…

I 100% agree. As a special education professional, special education is one of the most important indicators that help schools get funding, improve state report card grades, and many other things. While there is a large amount of pressure on schools to close the gap, make strides in improving students with disabilities test scores and get them prepared for life after high school. In my experience special education is the department that receives the LEAST amount of professional development within a school. The amount of time I have sat through PDs that have had no direct correlation between the PD and what I do is mind blowing. There is a huge underserved Market in special education.

As we reflect back on Black History Month, let’s take time to acknowledge the history of Black History Month, the importance of recognizing the Black experience in our work, and dive deeper into disproportionality in the child welfare system. To read the full blog, please visit the link below.

Did you know that as of 2020, over 4 million veterans in the United States have a service-connected disability? This serves as a reminder of the importance of ensuring that veterans have proper access to disability rights and support. Let United's dedicated staff help you get access to those rights and support. Go to https://lnkd.in/ghF-i_7G for more information. #veteransrights #disabilityclaims #ourvetsdeservebetter

The ADA applies to nearly all public and private schools, except for some religious schools. Schools can’t discriminate. They must ensure accessibility to the curriculum and they must offer reasonable accommodations. But the ADA isn’t the only law that gives rights and protections to students with disabilities. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) covers all grade school students. Literacy skills open many possibilities which is why it’s important to make curriculum accessible to all students. Direct instruction appears the most effective approach for improving word recognition skills in students with learning disabilities. Direct instruction refers to teaching skills in an explicit, direct fashion. It involves drill/repetition/practice and can be delivered to one child or to a small group of students at the same time. This post also reminds me that it's important to include diversity in the books we share with our students. Books can be mirrors, doors, windows.

It is estimated that only around 16% of mothers with disabled children are in some form of paid employment (compared to 61% of mothers without a disabled child). I strongly suspect the figure for mothers of disabled children who are able to work full time is even smaller. I am part of that tiny minority of mothers who (for now at least!) is able to juggle full time caring alongside full time employment. It's never been easy, and unfortunately I can't see it improving any time soon. As we head into the summer break this week, I'm reminded once again that unless you have a network of family support, understanding employers, and access to short breaks/respite provisions for disabled children in your local area then you're basically screwed for the next 6-7 weeks. The lack of play opportunities, the lack of replacement care, the lack of accessible outdoor spaces, and the lack of changing places toilets for disabled children makes it so much more difficult for children like my son to have the same opportunities in the summer as every other child. Under Article 31 of the UNCRC, every child has the right to engage in play and recreational activities and to participate freely in cultural life and the arts - but seemingly these rights don't apply if you are a disabled child. Next month we will see the introduction of the UNCRC in Scotland. Along with others, I am excited to see what difference this new legislation could potentially make to the lives of disabled children and their families. Will policy makers use the powers in the UNCRC to finally implement equal rights for all disabled children in Scotland, or will this be yet another missed opportunity, because we just don't value the lives of disabled children in this country enough to invest in their futures...?😳

National Disability Independence Day is celebrated every year on July 26. It commemorates the signing of the Americans with Disability Act (A.D.A.) in 1990. This civil rights law criminalizes discrimination against individuals with disabilities and assures them full participation in the community, independent living, and economic self-sufficiency. ____________ ABLE accounts are a relatively new financial tool that can help people with disabilities and their families save money for disability-related expenses. These accounts are designed to provide tax-free savings for individuals with disabilities and their families, and they can be used to pay for a wide range of expenses, including medical care, housing, education, and more. If you or a loved one is a Veteran with a disability, an ABLE account could be a valuable resource. Here's what you need to know. >> https://lnkd.in/ePxvvY9h #NationalDisabilityIndependenceDay #Veteran #Veterans #ABLEAccount #ABLEAccounts #VeteranResources

At #NoBarriers, we provide a framework that participants can lean on beyond their experience with us. The elements taught in every No Barriers experience empower people to go back into their everyday lives and not only face their barriers, but elevate their communities to do the same. In our 2023 program season, No Barriers provided experiences for: ➡ VETERANS: Because one out of every five Veterans lives with a disability ➡FAMILY CAREGIVERS: Because there are 53 million Family Caregivers in the United States ➡YOUTH: Because every adolescent is deserving of the tools to help reach their fullest potential ➡ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES: Because due to their disability, about two-thirds of adults with disabilities are kept from fully participating in everyday activities ➡EDUCATORS: Because with a student to educator ratio of 17:1, teachers deserve time for community, fun, and recharge Every November, #GivingTuesday inspires millions worldwide to give back in ways that impact their communities. #NoBarriers uses funds from this wave of generosity to provide transformative experiences that shift mindsets within sidelined communities. Visit the link below to join us in this mission: https://lnkd.in/gp7tCJmX

Of our nation's 8+ million Veterans ages 18-64, 22.8% report having a service-connected disability, 8.8% report having a general disability, and 11.4% report experiencing both. With nearly half (48%) of working-age Veterans experiencing a disability, access to communication and information across all platforms is a MUST. Clear2Connect Coalition Member Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA) collaborated with the Center for Research on Disability to illustrate the experiences of Veterans with and without disabilities ages 18-64. All people deserve effective communication and equitable information access—not only is it a fundamental right, it is necessary to success in education, employment, and society. This infographic is part of the Annual Disability Statistics Collection. Learn more at ResearchOnDisability.org Kessler Foundation UNH Institute on Disability