News Round Up

Happy Friday to all!  Start your day off with a little news round up...

• Southern Maryland Online, somd.com: Disabilities Advocate Want Less Waiting
• KCAU-10, Sioux City, IA: Neb. plan addresses developmentally disabled
• DisabilityScoop, disabilityscoop.com: Feds launch probe of school that uses electric shock

Resource: National Autism Center

There's lots of great resources out there on the InterWeb. Today, we'd like to feature the National Autism Center, which recently releases its National Standards Report.

Check it out on the Web here

The center started the project to better address the clinical needs of children and adults with autism and ASD. The report it recently issued identifies:

• 11 "established" treatments
• 22 emerging treatments
• five unestablished treatments

The center will allow users to download three pages for free or buy the entire report for $14.95.

News Round Up

I'm working with some of the Ontario County self advocate today on a project I hope to debut right here on our blog.  So while I'm doing that, here's a bit of news from around the way:

• Examiner.com, Metro DC edition: 2010 Elections: How budget cuts impact people with disabilities
• Blogger's note : This article pertains to the Virginia budget, not national.
• Eastern Courier, Adelaide, Australia: Special Olympics: Sisters' special theme

And, a little bit of video from WALB-10 in Albany, GA about a medical day care for children with disabilities...

Bill C. to retire after more than three decades of service to agency

I'm sure quite a few of you have heard the rumors. Well, I'd like to address them right here on our blog...

After 32 years of working at Ontario ARC -- 30 of those as the agency's executive director -- Bill Castiglione has announced he will retire by the end of 2010.

Parents and chapter members will be receiving more information in the mail soon, but please go to our News & Information site to read the official news release.

What's that button?

You'll notice that at the end of each Ontario ARC Speaks! post, we've added a little button called "Share." This feature enables readers to share our content with whatever site they use, such as Facebook, MySpace, Delicious, Digg, Twitter -- pretty much any social networking site you could be using. So, if you see something here that you like, we encourage you to share it with your digital neighbor.

Follow us!

Do you have a Google, Yahoo!, Twitter, AIM, Netlog, or OpenID account? Then, why aren't you a follower?

Scroll down a little bit, and on the right-hand side of the page you'll see the "Followers" section -- click on "Follow" and do as the directions say. It's pretty easy, and it will help you stay up-to-date on what's we are saying.

A tribute to Abbey Industries

For the March / April edition of ARC Notes, the agency will be paying tribute to Abbey Industries, which is getting ready to change into the "Options and Opportunities" program.  For three decades, the sheltered workshop has provided vocational counseling and programming for hundreds upon hundreds of Ontario County residents with developmental disabilities.  To prepare, I've spent most of my day looking through old photographs and agency newsletters -- most taken before I was even born.  The oldest one I've come across is from June 1977, which I've turned into an electronic format for your reading pleasure...



What's your favorite memory of Abbey Industries?

News Round Up

Good morning, and welcome to Monday. If you haven't already, please take our social media poll on the right hand side of this page. I'll be using the information to help build a networking platform that meets the needs of all parents.

Here's a bit of news, two items about our ARC neighbors in St. Lawrence County and Madison and Cortland counties.

• Watertown Daily Times, Watertown, NY:  NYSARC art classes on a roll 
• The Oneida Daily Dispatch, Oneida, NY: Valesky shares dinner, listens to ARC members' concerns
• The Daily News Tribune, Needham, NY: Disabled ask, "Where do I go when programs get cut?"

 

Parent and Family Meetings

We are in the process of organizing parent and family meetings for this year. We will host 4 meetings with topics based on feedback from the surveys people submitted at our meeting in January. I will be sending a letter soon to all parents and family members with the details. In addition, our Membership Committee will be meeting in the next couple of weeks. If you are interested in serving on the Committee, please e-mail me at dauria@ontarioarc.org.

New Poll!

Did anybody try our mobile-friendly version of Ontario ARC Speaks! yet? It works great on my BlackBerry.

Please make sure you take our poll on the right hand side of the page about content for our social networking site.  I want to make sure this experience is tailored to meet the needs of parents with children who have a developmental disability.  Is there something specific you want to see?  Please e-mail me and let me know or leave a comment here.  

Ontario ARC Speaks! goes mobile

Are you a busy mom on-the-go with an iPhone?  Or a business-traveling Dad with a BlackBerry?  Well, here's something to make your life a little bit easier -- Ontario ARC Speaks! now comes in a mobile-friendly format!

Click on the picture and follow the directions to this format -- by either using the QR or Barcode or pointing your browser at http://mippin.com/ontarioarcspeaks.  This will bring up Ontario ARC Speaks! in a quick and easy to read format for your smartphone.  

Are there any other suggestions out there to help reach parents like yourself?  How would you like us to communicate to you?  Don't hesitate to let me know!

Communications Update

I'd like share some of the things I'm working on here at the agency that might better explain why I haven't been posting as often.  To help parents connect with each other, I'm currently building a social media network for parents and family members -- think of it as a Facebook for Ontario ARC.  This will help parents meet-up with other parents who are going through similiar situations.  In addition, it will feature a calendar with classes and seminars, forums and discussions boards, and groups.

I'm in the preliminary stages of putting this site together, but would truly appreciate any information or features you would like to see on it.  Feel free to contact me via e-mail or leave a comment right here on the blog. 

Check back later for more.

News Round Up

Ever have one of those days were you finally look up at the clock and its 3 p.m.?  That was my day yesterday -- sorry I didn't post!

Anyways, just wanted to start your day off with a little news...

•  Charleston Daily Mail, in Charleston, W. Va -- Legislation would exchange term with "intellectually disabled"
• Current of Egg Harbor City, in Egg Harbor, NJ -- The Arc helps clients live the life they choose
• Vancouver Sun, in Vancouver, Canada -- Always-smiling brother with cerebral palsy is inspiration for gold medalist 
• BusinessWeek, published in New York, NY -- 'Bonding' hormone might help some with autism

Spread the Word to End the Word

On Tuesday, I posted a PSA featuring John C. McGinley about Spread the Word to End the Word. But in my excitement over the PSA, I forgot to give you more information about this great cause...

click above to go www.r-word.org

Spearheaded by the Special Olympics in conjunction with Best Buddies International, the campaign is looking to get a 100,000 people from across the country to pledge their support to end their use of the word "retard" or "retarded".  March 3 is the second annual "day of awareness" -- and, March is also Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. 

I made my pledge and encourage everyone -- whether you a Chapter member, parent, family member, or friend -- to do the same.  

 

Spread the Word to End the Word

 absolutely love the show Scrubs, so you can't imagine how thrilled I was to find this PSA of John C. McGinley (or Dr. Cox):



John is the spokesman for the National Down Syndrome Society and is actively involved in the organization's Buddy Walk. You can find more videos like this at the YouTube channel for EndtheRword.

News Round Up

Lots of interesting articles in the news this morning....

• The Post-Standard / Syracuse.com: Syracuse school district plans to move students to former Syracuse Developmental Center if sale goes through 
• Associated Press: Changes proposed in how psychiatrists diagnose 
• National Public Radio:  Asperger's officially placed inside autism spectrum

News Round Up

Has anyone out there been following the "R-Word" issue, which has now expanded to include Rush Limbaugh?  We'll keep following this story and post a variety of articles -- hard news and opinion-editorials -- as we find them.  We encourage to readers to post their thoughts on this issue in a respectful way.

Here's a little Tuesday morning news round up to read with your coffee:

• The Columbus Dispatch in Colombus, OH: Lancaster studio and shop to reopen for disabled artists
• Record Herald covering the Dayton, OH-area: Public, commissioners clash over DD levy
• NJ.com opinion article from Next Step's Ethan Ellis: The "R" Word
• LegislativeGazette.com in Albany, NY: Second try for disabled rights bill

Anybody new out there?  Become a follower today!

CNN's "R-Word Politics"

Here's a great video piece from CNN on "R-Word Politics"...



What do you think?

ARC Notes now available!

I'm pleased to announce that the new version of our newsletter -- ARC Notes -- is available!  Members have already received their copies in the mail, but it is also available on our Web site.

Please enjoy!

Recreation Program seeks volunteers

There's lots of different ways to get involved with Ontario ARC -- one of them is through the agency's Recreation Program.  Its great place to share your talent with the individuals we serve.  The program sponsors Kids Day -- a program held for children ages 5 - 14 to participate in entertainment and athletic opportunities -- which is currently looking for volunteers.

Kids Day is currently looking for individuals to share their experience in a wide variety of activities, such as knitting, sewing, woodworking, music, dance, science, drama or nature.  Volunteers are asked to commit roughly two hours of their time one Saturday a month.  Its a great way to enhance your membership experience.

If you are interested in volunteer, or would like more information, contact Cyndee Jepsen via e-mail or by calling 585-396-3060.

Fun Fridays with Creative Expressions' Art Program

As promised, here's a snapshot from Fun Fridays over at the Eberhardt Center.  Today's attendees learned about the art of mosaic making.  They practiced by drawing designs and filling them with paper squares to simulate tiles. 

Next week's class will revolve around paper making, giving each participant the opportunity to create hand-made Valentines.  For more information about Fun Fridays, call the Eberhardt Center at 585-396-3060 and ask for a Creative Expressions specialist.

I also had the chance to get pictures of some recent work done by Creative Expressions Art Program participants.  Below is a slideshow of Balsa Wood Prints...enjoy!!



Have a great weekend!

News Round Up

Happy Friday to all!  Here's a bit of news to start your morning...

• Edmonton Journal in Edmonton, Canada: Cutting funds for disabled makes life harder 
• San Francisco Chronicle in San Francisco, Calif.: Registry to aid in locating lost autism patients

Is anybody on Twitter out there?  I use it primarily as a news source -- there's some great people (or tweeple...depending on how much you love Twitter) to follow in the field...

• YAI Network: http://twitter.com/yainipdnetwork
• DisabilityScoop: http://twitter.com/Disabilityscoop
• The Arc of the US: http://twitter.com/TheArcUS

Heading over to Fun Fridays at the Eberhardt Center today -- the agency's art specialist Pilar Nadal will be teaching classes about mosaics.  Pictures to come later today!

A Day in the Life

Today, I took a little trip down the road to the Salvation Army where the agency's Food, Fun, and Fitness program was in full session...

 

Our in-house nutritionist -- Marsha Fuller -- talked about a variety of over-the-counter diet medications and their potentially dangerous side effects at the request of the group.  Marsha is a Registered Dietitian and assists participants throughout the agency with their nutritional and dietary needs.  She identified several diet "fads" -- like hoodia, green tea pills, ephedra -- and broke down the scientific information into understandable terms.  The group also did a light workout to music by the Beatles and enjoyed a healthy cucumber salad afterwards.   

Contact your service coordinator for more information about the agency's nutritional services or Food, Fun, Fitness.

Opinion Article: Time to Regroup on Autism

This morning I read a very interesting opinion article posted on CNN regarding the vaccine-to-autism link from Alison Singer -- president and co-founder of Autism Science Foundation.  Singer also has a daughter and brother with autism.

Time to Regroup on Autism

Thoughts, anyone?

News Round Up

Good morning!  And, congratulations -- it's Wednesday!  Here's a bit of news from around the country to begin the day...

• Gazette.net (covering Maryland's community news): "Glenmont church empowering neighborhood's disabled" 
• ABC News' Jack Tappers blog: "After calling liberal activists "retarded," Rahm to meet with disabled rights activists Wednesday"
• WALB19 in Albany, Ga.: "ARC thrift store offers jobs"
• Business Week: "Bill would force Va. health plans to cover autism"
• New York Times: "Experiment takes aim at genetic learning disorder"

The Lancet retracts study linking autism and vaccines

The big story in the headlines today?  The Lancet -- one of the world's leading medical journals -- has retracted a controversial 1998 study linking autism to the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine.  According to CNN, the British journal said the study "wasn't done in a randomized way."





In 2004, 10 of the 12 authors asked for their names to be removed from the study.  The U.K. General Medical Council's Fitness to Practice Panel found that Dr. Andrew Wakefield -- the study's primary author -- falsified information and acted with "callous disregard."  Wakefield is currently under investigation by the council for serious professional misconduct and could possibly loose his medical license.

Wakefield issued a statement through Thoughtful House Center for Children, where he is the executive director and leads its research program...

“The allegations against me and against my colleagues are both unfounded and unjust, and I invite anyone to examine the contents of these proceedings and come to their own conclusion,”
Dr. Andrew Wakefield

Of course, various doctors and medical panels have come out in recent years against this study prior to The Lancet's retraction.  It's created a serious debate between parents, who believe "regressive autism" is caused by vaccines -- such as Jenny McCarthy -- and the medical community. 


Additional reading:

• Los Angeles Times, "Report linking autism to vaccines is retracted by medical journal"
• WebMD Health, "Study linking autism to vaccine retracted"
• WebMD Health, "Autism-Vaccine link: Evidence doesn't dispel doubt"
• BBC News, "Lancet accepts MMR study 'false'"
• Business Week, "Lancet retracts study tying childhood vaccine to autism (update 2)"

Reelabilities hits NYC

Anyone making a trip to New York City any time soon? If so, you might want to check out Reelabilities -- a festival in the NYC and surrounding metro area celebrating the lives of individuals with different disabilities through artistic expression and film.

Here's a trailer, which shows clips from all ten films...

Update: Protesters travel to Albany to meet with Gov. Paterson

On Jan. 27, we posted an article from the Democrat and Chronicle titled "Gov. Paterson meets upstate news organizations" (see my 1/27 blog posting).  Well today, there was an update via YNN's Twitter -- "CDR Meets with Governor to Protest Disability Cuts."

The meeting was scheduled for this afternoon.  We'll post more information, as it becomes available.

"Understanding the Connection Between New York State OMRDD, Finger Lakes DDSO, and Ontario ARC"

I know its a cheesy cliche, but I truly do believe that knowledge is power.  While I was digging around in our archive of old ARC Connections this morning, I found an interesting FAQ-type piece entitled "Understanding the Connection Between New York State OMRDD, Finger Lakes DDSO, and Ontario ARC."  For members, it was in the February 2009 edition on page 10.  Its a great piece that breaks down how all three organizations are connected and what they do.

Understanding the Connection Between New York State OMRDD, Finger Lakes DDSO, and Ontario ARC
1. What is OMRDD?
The New York state office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities provides funding, legislation, and services through 13 regional Developmental Disabilities Service Offices in New York State for people with developmental disabilities and their families.  The New York State OMRDD also conducts research into the causes and prevention of developmental disabilities.

2. What is the Finger Lakes DDSO?
OMRDD divides the state into regional sections that are overseen by the Developmental Disabilities Services Offices called DDSOs.  The Finger Lakes DDSO is located within the Finger Lakes Developmental Disabilities Service Office catchment area.  The FLDDSO covers 10 counties, including Monroe, Wayne, Yates, Seneca, and Ontario.  It connects people with developmental disabilities to services and programs locally.

3.  What is the relationship between DDSO and Ontario ARC?
The FLDDSO is Ontario ARC's regional contact for funding, eligibility determinations, and oversights.  While Ontario ARC can make requests for eligibility and walk clients through the eligibility process, the FLDDSO has the final say in whether or not someone is eligible for Ontario ARC services.

Information provided by "Guide to Understanding Supports and Services" compiled by Parent to Parent of NYS -- www.parenttoparentnys.org.

It's a great resource for families and friends, who are new to the agency as well as its programs, services, eligibility requirements, and connection to DDSO and OMRDD.

Monday Morning News Round-Up

Good morning!  Here's a little bit of news to start your day...

• The Parent Paper in New Jersey: Health-care solutions for special needs children
• Daily World in Louisiana: Arc helps disabled find independence
• Central Michigan Life (Central Michigan University's news source): Best Buddies program offers lifelong relationships, lessons for student

What do you think?  Leave a comment below.