KINewsYour family's source for
disability resourcesDecember, 2009 - Vol 1, Issue 8
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| IN THIS ISSUE |
| Family Supports |
| Community Supports |
| Disabilities |
| Health & Mental Health |
| Assistive Technology |
| Legal & Legislation |
| Life Skills |
| Housing |
| Education |
| Employment |
| Recreation & Leisure |
| Transportation |
| Quality Assurance |
What do YOU want to share?
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Got an article, website, or announcement you'd like to see included in the next KINews?
Tell us about it at familysupport@aed.org.
Be sure to include a link to the article or website. |
FOR YOUR ENJOYMENT.....
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"Untitled (2)"
Acrylic & Pencil on Canvas
Deatra Colbert
The artwork images in this newsletter have been generously contributed by the National Institute of Art & Disabilities (NIAD) Art Center which is an innovative visual arts center assisting adults with developmental and other physical disabilities in Richmond, California.
Click directly on the images to learn about the artist and purchase their work.
Learn More about the NIAD Art Center.
Visit the NIAD Art Gallery online.
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Greetings,
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Tis the season! In this KINews we're taking a look at faith in action, featuring religious organizations, resources and supports. Beyond ramps, reserved parking spaces, and special educational programs, places of worship are displaying their core spiritual values of love and acceptance as they welcome people with disabilities into their congregations. Read about what different congregations are doing and what resources are available.
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FAMILY SUPPORTS
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People with Disabilities Resource Directory
Would this directory be a good model for developing a directory of resources in your area? The UJA New York developed this resource directory of supports and services for individuals with disabilities and their families in the New York City area.
Browse the directory here.
Unitarian Universalist Accessibility Checklist for Meeting and Conference Planning
Is your congregation as accessible as you would like it to be? This checklist from the Unitarian Universalist Association will help you work with your congregation to make facilities more accessible.
See the checklist on their website.
Friendship Ministries
Did you know that there is a program which works with churches and congregations to help them welcome and nurture individuals with intellectual disabilities? It's called Friendship Ministries.
Take a look at the Friendship Ministries website.
Open the Gates of the Temple, So That All May Worship
Could your synagogue or temple be more inclusive? This document from the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism's Commission on Inclusion of People with Disabilities has lots of good information on how a congregation can be more inclusive.
Read the pdf here.
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COMMUNITY SUPPORTS
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Social Involvement at Churches
Parents on KIN's Family Forum discuss how to get their kids more involved and included at church and in Sunday school.
Join the discussion at http://kinforums.org/family/.
Making God More Accessible
This article by Mark Pinsky in the Wall Street Journal shares stories and ideas for making congregations more accessible and welcoming.
Read the article from the Wall Street Journal online.
Care for the Family Caregiver: A Place to Start
Have you heard about this great little booklet? It has valuable information on care giving and loads of resources, as well as stories of caregivers.
Learn more at Caregiving.org.
United Jewish Communities
The United Jewish Communities of North America has a list of ten ideas to help people with disabilities feel welcome and become more involved with their congregation.
Read about it here.
The Interfaith Initiative
What is the Interfaith Initiative? It is from the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD), and it provides publications, assistance to religious leaders, and problem-solving with congregations and seminaries as they work to provide fellowship, and spiritual and physical accessibility in their churches.
Learn more about the Interfaith Initiative from AAPD.
Survey Tracks Accessibility of Texas Religious Congregations
This interesting survey shows a list of 42 accommodations, and shows how well Texas congregations provide these. The most common accommodation was reserved parking spots (93% had them), and the least common was real-time captioning (just 0.72% provided this).
Find out about the other categories on the survey.
Dimensions of Faith and Congregational Ministries with Persons with Developmental Disabilities and Their Families
Have you been looking for resources to help congregations better include members with developmental disabilities? Have a look at this long bibliography and resource list of different products for clergy and laypersons, families and service providers for inclusive ministries.
Take a look.
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DISABILITIES
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Disability and the Muslim Perspective
Muslims are not understood in our society as well as some other religions and cultures. The Center for International Rehabilitation Research Information Exchange (CIRRIE) prepared this overview for rehab service providers. It gives background information about Islamic culture and discusses the perception of disabilities within that culture.
Read the pdf from CIRRIE.
Lutheran Services in America: Disability Services
Would you like to know about the support services they have for individuals with disabilities and their families? Click on Disability Services and it will show you resources in different areas of the USA.
Visit the page on LutheranServices.org.
 "Oranges over purple"
Martha
Is your church accessible? This audit checklist can help churches become accessible and welcoming. It talks about the usual ramps, restrooms and parking spaces, but goes on to show that communication and attitudes sometimes need attention, too.
Read the checklist here.
Interfaith Directory of Religious Leaders with Disabilities
Get inspired! Check out this directory from the National Organization on Disability. It has contact information for religious leaders around the country who have disabilities. Maybe their stories can inspire others.
Read the Directory of Religious Leaders with Disabilities.
New Pfizer Unit to Take On Autism
A special research unit just for advancing the options for treatment of autism spectrum disorders?! While they may initially focus on finding uses for existing drugs based on several markers and genes that have been identified with autism, the long-term goal is to understand the neurobiology behind autism, and thus be able to treat it better.
Find out more about this exciting program here.
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HEALTH & MENTAL HEALTH
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Dallas Church Offers Lessons Learned for Ministry to People with Mental Illness
There is a church in Dallas which actively reaches out to those individuals with mental illness. They have had success, and this article in the Associated Baptist Press, written by George Henson, shares their story of how they address spiritual needs, provide a social community, and help their members find clean and secure housing.
Read the article from the Associated Baptist Press.
Interfaith Coalition Supports Long Term Services and Supports in Health Reform
Have you heard of the Interfaith Disability Advocacy Coalition (IDAC)? They are a new group composed of members of many different faiths, including Christian, Jewish and Muslim groups who advocate for public policy regarding individuals with disabilities.
Read more about the IDAC.
They recently sent a letter to Congress in support of the Community First Choice and CLASS Act in health care reform.
Read the letter in the Justice For All Blog.
 "X Man on Stool"
Mixed Media on Paper
Beverly Trieber
Practical Oral Care for Persons with Intellectual Disabilities
This resource would be great to share with your family dentist. It lists challenges and strategies for dealing with oral health care for individuals with a variety of disabling conditions.
Read the list on nidcr.nih.gov.
People With Disabilities Can Lead Long, Healthy Lives
Would you like to learn more about healthy living with a disability? This article from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) may be just what you are looking for.
Read it at CDC.gov.
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| ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY |
Portlight Strategies Assistive Technology/Durable Equipment Re-Use ProjectA South Carolina organization is working with churches to help collect and distribute free previously-used assistive technology and durable medical equipment for short-term, long-term, and permanent use by others. Would this work in your area?Read this to learn more.Success Stories!Assistive Technology can literally change people's lives. Read about some people this has happened to on the success stories page ATnet.org. |
| LEGAL & LEGISLATION |
Demystifying the Rehabilitation Act: What Faith-Based and Community Organizations Need to Know About Using Federal Financial Assistance to Serve People with Disabilities
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act applies to organizations that receive Federal financial assistance, including faith-based and community-based organizations. Is your church in compliance? This booklet will answer the most frequently asked questions about Section 504. It also has a good list of related organizations and resources that can be useful as you work with youth and adults with disabilities.
Share this with your church leaders.
Supporting People With Disabilities: A Faith-Based Approach to Medicaid Reform
Lutheran Services produced this booklet that explains their views on changes needed to make sure Medicaid recipients get the supports and services they need in the community.
Read the pdf from Kencrest.org.
The White House and Disabilities
Would you like to know more about what the Obama administration is doing to help individuals with disabilities?
Check out this page from the White House website to find out more.
 "A Flower"
Watercolor on Paper
Felecia Griffin |
LIFE SKILLS
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Inclusion in a Faith Community
For many people, finding a faith community where they feel loved and accepted is an important part of life. This brochure has resources for faith communities on how to become more inclusive and create congregational care committees. It has links to books, articles and videos. Use it to develop your skills in identifying a faith community that is right for you.
Read the Tips and Resources for Congregational Committees.
Including those with Developmental Disabilities in Traditional Volunteer Programs
Volunteering is a great way to become part of a community. This article has lots of information about including individuals with disabilities in volunteer opportunities. It includes arguments for why it is important to do this and how to do it, as well as information on disabling conditions and accommodations.
Read the article from ServiceLeader.org.
"I can, in my own way, see"
When you're a blind water-skier it seems like nothing should ever stop you, but even so Georgie used to have trouble just getting down a hall from class to class. He tells us how his faith helped him reach for answers.
Listen to and/or read Georgie's story on KIN's website.
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| HOUSING |
Catholic Charities USA Housing Brief: Home is the Foundation
This paper outlines the problems with housing for people with disabilities and those who are homeless or low-income, and offers some suggestions.
Read the paper at CatholicCharitiesUSA.org.
 Untitled (Blue & Yellow)
Mixed Media on Paper
Willie Harris
Looking for faith-based groups that help with affordable housing for individuals with disabilities? Find out what different congregations are doing, and what resources are available in your region of the country.
Visit the page at ReligionLink.org for more information.
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| EDUCATION |
National Association of Christians in Special Education (NACSE)
Did you know that there is an association that advocates for access to Christian schools for students with disabilities? They also try to use their expertise to help their congregations be more welcoming of individuals with disabilities.
Learn more about NACSE from its website.
Jewish Special Education International Consortium
Learn more about how Jewish educational programs are including individuals with disabilities.
Visit the Consortium website.
Response to Intervention: Select State Programs
Want to know more about Response to Intervention (RTI)? This brief policy analysis gives a concise background to RTI, a definition, and describes the US. Department of Education's role in RTI. The data is from Colorado, Florida, Iowa, Kansas, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island. The areas described include the state RTI frameworks; RTI administration including rules, guidance, and funding mechanisms; implementation; data and outcomes; and challenges.
Read the policy analysis fro ProjectForum.org.
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| EMPLOYMENT |
Deseret Industries Rehabilitation Services
Here is an example of how one church helps individuals with disabilities by providing training, and then helping them find and keep a job.
Read the article from LightPlanet.com.
Oklahoma City Residents, Church Receive Commendation from Governor
During the Disability Employment Awards, the Governor of OK recognized several individuals and a church. The individuals were presented an award for overcoming personal challenges to find and maintain employment, and the Church for hiring individuals with disabilities and adapting job requirements to fit each employee's skill and ability levels.
Read the press release.
What Can YOU Do? Contest Winners
Remember when we told you about the video contest that showed people it is what you CAN do that is important, not what you can't?
Take a look at the winning videos here.
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RECREATION & LEISURE
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Toys"R"Us Toy Guide for Differently-Abled Kids
Whether you're looking for holiday gifts or gifts for other occasions, the Toys"R"Us Toy Guide for Differently-Abled Kids may have just what your looking for. It's an easy-to-use resource featuring toys that are fun and easy to play with for children with physical, cognitive and/or developmental disabilities.
Browse the guide here.
The Disability We Don't See
Find out how Khansa Padri began a volunteer opportunity with the belief that this is what God wanted, and finished with knowing that this is what he himself wanted and needed. This article is from the Islamic Society of America for Justice For All. (It is the 2nd story down)
Read it on the Justice for All Blog.
 Untitled (Black & Brown)
Acrylic on Paper Marlon Mullen
Cheerleaders Welcome Special Needs to the Squad
After being Special Olympics volunteers, two Iowa cheerleaders decided they wanted to include girls with disabilities in their squad. Everyone loves it!
Find out more here from the ABC News story by Susan Aasen and Sadie Bass.
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| TRANSPORTATION |
Faith-Based Organizations: Potential Partners in Rural Transportation
Living in a rural area can mean lack of any community transportation for individuals with disabilities. The Research and Training Center on Disabilities in Rural Communities did a study to find out how many faith-based groups provided transportation, and if they did not, their reasons for not doing it. This data might be helpful for those who would like to approach faith-based groups in their community to help with transportation issues.
Read the date from the Rural Institute.
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| QUALITY ASSURANCE |
Access Survey of Parish and Diocesan Facilities
Having a checklist to help determine if your place of worship is fully accessible would be great, wouldn't it?
Check out this one from the National Catholic Partnership on Disabilities.
Quality Indicators for Competitive Employment Outcomes & Indicator Form Fact Sheet
How can a service provider or a person with a disability ensure that the employment process and placement in attaining customized employment are of the best quality?
Read this article by Valerie Brooke and Grant Revell to find out.
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HOW DID WE DO?
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Too much information? Not enough? Have something you'd like us to announce here? Your input will help us improve. Please feel free to contact us at familysupport@aed.org or call 877-535-7575.
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Sincerely, The KIN Team   | |
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