News Archive

June 11, 2011
11:00 AM–12:50 PM
220 HEDCO Education Building, 1655 Alder Street.

Early Childhood Positive Behavior Support with Natalya McComas and Gerry Morgan.This workshop is designed for anyone who is interested in learning about an evidenced-based model designed to support young children’s social emotional development. The model was developed to support infants, toddlers, and preschoolers in their homes, child care, or preschool settings and community activities.

Thursday, June 23, 2011
1:30 pm– 2:30pm
145 CSB

Join Dr. Prasong Saihong and his colleagues Dr. Saihong,, working in a classroom from Thailand to hear how his studies and working in Early Intervention, Early Identification of children with Autism and other developmental disabilities have shaped one international student’s life and work after returning home. Learn how Dr. Saihong shares his knowledge and skills to benefit children in Thailand and work with others in Thailand supporting and teaching young children.

Come celebrate summer and Independence Day! We will be dancing, swimming and having an ice cream social. This all family event is a great way to begin your summer. Come join your friends and family and party at Amazon Pool. Open to people with disabilities, their family and friends, all ages.

$8/person – scholarships available – no one turned away

Call 541-682-5311 to register

Includes swim admission and Ice Cream Social

Friday, May 6, 2011
1:00-2pm
145 CSB
Discussion of several empirical studies that address child risk factors impacting home and school outcomes in early childhood, as well as family-based interventions to support healthy adaptation for children with developmental disabilities and their parents. The lecture will include some preliminary findings describing families’ access to care during the early diagnostic process for their children identified with autism spectrum disorder. Current studies and future research and clinical directions will be discussed.

About the Presenter -
Laura Lee McIntyre, Ph.D., is interested in early identification and treatment of childhood developmental and behavioral problems, with an emphasis on the multiple systems of care that support children (e.g., families, schools, healthcare). Within this broad framework, three specific lines of research emerge: (1) Parent training, education, and support; (2) transition to kindergarten; and (3) child risk factors and family well-being. She is especially interested in early intervention and prevention work with families who have young children with developmental problems who are at risk for negative social, emotional, and behavioral outcomes at home and at school. She is an associate professor and director of the School Psychology Program at the University of Oregon and a licensed psychologist, certified school psychologist, and board certified behavior analyst. Download flier

Please participate in the IDEA National Survey Project, a collaboration between national disability organizations to study whether the rights of parents and children with disabilities in special education are protected. The survey examines whether the playing field is level for children with disabilities and their parents, and whether parents are treated as equal partners in their children’s education. The survey project is sponsored by the National Center for Learning Disabilities, National Down Syndrome Society, Autism Society of America, Autism National Committee, and The Advocacy Institute.

All disabilities are welcome; the study is about these issues for children with all disabilities—not just those the organizations focus on. We are seeking responses from parents of children with disabilities; self-advocates (people with disabilities); and attorneys, advocates, and other professionals. Responses will be used to compile a report about the experiences of parents and children with disabilities and whether the playing field is level for them. Go to http://www.ideasurvey.org to take the survey or for more information. You can also visit us on Facebook, and Twitter.

Download Direction Service’s 2011 Summer Directory! Direction Service is just one of our many UCEDD sponsored program in the community, to learn more visit our Programs page.

Join the UCEDD and EARLY in celebrating Autism Awareness Month! Visit the new resources in our Autism pages, download free EARLY publications, watch videos, and more!

A documentary film made by adults living on the Autism Spectrum looking at Autism around the world. This film will be playing at AMC Theaters throughout April.

A video series by Mike Peden, a young freelance journalist who lives on the Autism Spectrum. Segments include “Sixty Seconds on the Spectrum”, clips from Peden’s award winning documentary “The Wall that Knows No Limits”, and more!

Temple Grandin Interview with CTD

http://usofautism.com/
On a cross-country odyssey around America, one man discovers the best of a nation through the families and individuals affected by autism. Visit the United States of Autism You Tube Channel.

New Disability.gov News Feed- Keep up with local, state and National news now on the UCEDD website. The Disability.gov news feed is on the right-hand sidebar.

Brown Bag Lecture Series – Have you missed one of the UCEDD’s Brown bag lectures this year? Do you need a new copy of the handouts? Visit our new page to find the information you want.

New Resources in Abuse & Disability – Find out About the Walk a Mile In Their Shoes Bullying Prevention and Education Campaign watch and a video featuring Lauren Potter, actress from Glee with Down Syndrome. Miss Potter spoke to People Magazine last month about how being famous doesn’t prevent people from bullying her. Read Article

New Resources in Early Intervention – find new links such as National Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center (NETAC), Child Find, and the Early Childhood Research Institute on Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services (CLAS)

Words do hurt. Join the UCEDD in the campaign to end the R-Word and other hurtful terms based on using disability as a way to make people feel less than others. Think before you speak, choose your words carefully and encourage others to do the same.

The Americans with Disabilities Act is one of the best known pieces of legislation protecting the civil rights of people with disabilities. The changes taking effect today update Title II which applies to public entities and Title II which applies to which applies to public accommodations (private businesses that fall within one of twelve categories established by the statute) and commercial facilities.

• Highlights of the Final Rule to Amend the Department of Justice’s Regulation Implementing Title II of the ADA
• Highlights of the Final Rule to Amend the Department of Justice’s Regulation Implementing Title III of the ADA

Read about all the changes to the ADA

- Missed the series of lectures on disability studies in music? Read this short review of the lecture Theorizing Disability in Music by UCEDD staff Melissa Mitchell. The handouts from this lecture may also be downloaded.

Partners Page. The UCEDD partners with several large organizations serving Oregonians of all ages living with disabilities and their families.This page will introduce you to them and their work.

Do you a budding artist with a disability? Are you interested in art, music or theater as a social outlet or therapy for yourself or someone you know? Visit our new Disability and the Arts page to find resources like the Eugene based DanceAbility and Portland based PHAME (Pacific Handicapped Artists, Musicians, and Entertainers) Arts Academy to name a few.

The Brown Bag Lecture Series sponsored by the UCEDD brings experts on subjects Important to the disability community. This series will begin on January 14, 2011 with
Education and the Americans with Disabilities Act: What Teachers, Speech Pathologists and Professors Should Know presented by Dr. Heidi Von Ravensburg. Find out more

What does it mean to be accessible? What tools and services are available to assist people with disabilities in increasing accessibility in public, private, and online environments? Discover resources answering these questions and more in our updated Accessibility Resources.

Submissions are being accepted A SOMEWHAT SECRET PLACE: DISABILITY AND ART beginning October 15, 2010 through January 14, 2011. Applications from the following categories will be considered for inclusion in an art exhibition and fine art book: dance, drawing, essay, fictional narrative, small-scale installation art, painting, performance art, photography, poetry, printmaking, sculpture, theater and video/film. $100 stipends will be awarded to 12 fine artists, 4 performing artist, and 12 writers selected for inclusion in the exhibition and book.

Applicants must be 18 years or older and live in Oregon. No formal art or literary education is necessary. Applications may be organized by a second party. Collaborative applications will be accepted. Only complete applications received by the January 14, 2011 due date will be considered. Applicants must agree to the Terms of Application go to:

Apply to A Somewhat Secret Place: Disability and Art

To request a paper copy of the application, mail a self-addressed, stamped envelope to 1040 NW 10^th Avenue Portland, OR 97209. Postage must be $0.88. Please tell us if you need enlarged print.

QUESTIONS?

If you have questions or comments, please contact Catherine J.H. Miller at asomewhatsecretinfo@gmail.com

We are teaming up with the AccessAbility Student Union here at the University of Oregon in celebration of International Day of the Persons with Disabilities, December 3, 2010 (this Friday), in asking all members/supporters of the disability community to wear purple and show your pride! Promote Purple Pride in your community by downloading our flyer. The annual observance of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities on 3 December was established by the International Year for Disabled Persons (1981). The Day aims to promote a better understanding of disability issues with a focus on the rights of persons with disabilities and gains to be derived from the integration of persons with disabilities in every aspect of the political, social, economic and cultural life of their communities. The goal of full and effective participation of persons with disabilities in society and development was established by the World Programme of Action concerning Disabled Persons, adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1982. Read More about International Day of People with Disabilities.

Let Your Voice Be heard: Vote by November 2, 2010

Learn more about voting as a person living with disabilities by visiting our new Voting links

Opportunities for People with Disabilities to share their experiences and talents.

This year, OSERS is celebrating the 35th anniversary of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). OSERS would like to hear from the great number of people who have been positively impacted by this legislation: individuals with disabilities, students, teachers, principals, researchers, parents, teacher trainers and other IDEA stakeholders. Please share your art work, photography, poetry and written stories showcasing how IDEA has positively impacted you for possible use during an event celebrating the 35th anniversary of IDEA. You may submit your documents and personal stories below before November 8th. You may submit up to two files here. Please provide a description of each file, and include a sentence or two about the difference IDEA has made to you. https://www.osep-meeting.org/idea35th/

Celebrate National Disabilitity Employment Awareness Month with the UCEDD!

The purpose of this survey is to capture the perceptions of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities of all ages, and their families, on issues concerning disability support needs across the life spectrum. Responses will be used to help inform disability organizations, services, policy, and public perceptions on issues related to disability supports that you or your family member has now, needs or is anticipated to need in the future.

The UCEDD has been awarded two Research Topics of Interest (RTOIs) grants: Accessing Child Educational Services (ACES) and Benchmarks for Early Screening and Testing (BEST).The Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD) funds RTOIs through a cooperative agreement with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities (NCBDDD).

Accessing Child Educational Services (ACES)
Jane Squires, PhD, University of Oregon

Accessing Child Educational Services (ACES) proposes to investigate barriers, motivators, and other factors that influence parents or caregivers to act early on concerns that child developmental milestones are not being met. Successful strategies, motivators, and facilitating factors for parents/caregivers will be identified that encourage timely and early parent action. Four primary research questions will be investigated: 1) What is the effect of the child’s age at time of initial positive developmental screen on parental actions; 2) What are the characteristics of families associated with action or inaction related to acting early? 3) What are the environmental characteristics associated with action or inaction? 4) What are effective ways to support and encourage parents in information gathering and decision-making related to seeking consultation and evaluation of developmental delays? Qualitative and quantitative data will be gathered from caregivers and agency personnel working with families with young children, as well as individuals with disabilities. Recruitment of caregivers from diverse urban/rural, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds will occur through child find settings currently used in Oregon for screening children as well as through agency-based screening and intervention/education settings (e.g., Early Intervention/Early Childhood Special Education, Head Start, primary health care, Oregon Council on Developmental Disabilities). Data collection will include surveys of caregivers and agency staff, interviews and focus groups with caregivers, agency personnel, and individuals with disabilities. The Early Intervention Program, University of Oregon Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD), will be the lead agency, led by Dr. Jane Squires, UCEDD Director and Early Intervention Professor and Dr. Debra Eisert, UCEDD Associate Director and Pediatric Psychologist.

Benchmarks for Early Screening and Testing (BEST)
Jane Squires, PhD, University of Oregon

Early intervention services for infants and toddlers improve developmental, mental health, and health outcomes for young children and their families. Currently, few states track the timeliness of services that young children and their families receive nor report on the responsiveness of their systems to individual and family needs. Project BEST proposes to investigate current early intervention reporting systems and develop reasonable benchmarks that will serve as key, standard components of state early intervention systems for screening, assessment and diagnosis. Research will be conducted in three phases. First, an environmental scan of selected state data systems measuring the number of children and the timing of screening, assessment, and diagnostic phases for early intervention services will be conducted. Second, benchmark measures for reporting numbers of children and implementation time frames will be developed. Finally, benchmarks will be pilot tested in two counties in Oregon that significantly vary in their current abilities to meet standards for identifying and serving young children.