With Self-Direction, People With Disabilities Gain Control

A model known as self-directed Medicaid benefits shifts the balance of power away from insurers and government bureaucrats, empowering individuals with disabilities to make their own choices. Read More ;

Report highlights importance of self-advocacy

Research shows that students with special needs who learn self-advocacy skills have improved educational and life outcomes, writes Ace Parsi, personalized learning partnership manager at the National Center for Learning Disabilities. In this blog post, Parsi shares insights from a NCLD report that offers guidance for schools on teaching self-advocacy skills.   Edutopia online

Advocating for Your Child with Special Needs in a Way That Promotes Self-Advocacy

As the mom of a now-adult special-needs kid, I’ve been thinking a lot about what we did that helped, what I wish we hadn’t wasted time and money on (there will always be a lot in that category, so don’t beat yourself up!), and what I think was most important. That last category, in particular, has changed since I was actually “in the trenches.” From this vantage point, I now realize that one of the most important things, a quality without which nothing moves forward, is emotional resilience. By that, I mean the ability to take in struggles & failures, Read in browser »

Self-Advocacy Gets National Push

Efforts to promote self-advocacy among people with intellectual and developmental disabilities are getting a major boost with the creation of a first-ever national resource center. Read More ;

Self-determination & Youth Development

Youthhood- This is a website provided the National Center on Secondary Education and Transition and the University of Michigan. They provide a safe and fun way for youth with disabilities to plan their future through self-determination and youth development. This website was built to help our youth plan for the future.  http://www.youthhood.org/index.asp

It's My Future App

The new app for iPad, is designed to support students and adults with  developmental disabilities to become more self-determined & participate in their  annual planning meetings. The app provides self-paced videos to enable people with developmental disabilities to learn more about planning & leading their meetings. Eight sections cover topics such as choice making, decision making, goal setting, community living, employment, & fun people to understand more about,  self-determination & how to become engaged in their planning meetings. The app can be downloaded in the Apple App Store.

Under New Law, Self-Advocates To Train Police

Self-advocates will take a role in training police on interacting with people who have developmental disabilities under a first-of-its-kind law.  http://www.disabilityscoop.com/2015/05/13/under-new-law-train-police/20295/

Students with Disabilities Advocate Best for Themselves

Teaching student responsibility creates self-awareness and advocacy skills. These skills are empowering and help students understand their strengths and limitations. They help them believe in themselves as capable and effective. Read about LEAD, a program designed to teach responsibility to students.  http://www.ldonline.org/article/6359

 

Guide to effective social and emotional learning programs released

Based on more than a year of extensive research and analysis, the new CASEL Guide identifies 23 school-based programs that successfully promote students’ self-control, relationship building, and problem solving, among other social and emotional skills. It is the first review of its kind in nearly a decade. Download a 2-page summary from www.casel.org.
http://casel.org/wp-content/uploads/CASEL_Summary-12-20.pdf

 

What are the keys to college success for students with disabilities?

A new study reveals some factors that may help students with disabilities succeed in college, including strong self-advocacy and relationship-building skills. "To level the playing field for people with disabilities by encouraging college education and completion, it is essential to learn the factors supporting degree completion," study leader Paula Barber of Rutgers University said. Disability Scoop (10/22)   http://www.disabilityscoop.com/2012/10/22/self-college-disabilities/16698/