I joined Georgetown University's disability awareness club, DiversAbility, now in its second year, upon arriving at campus. During one of our previous meetings, one of the club's officers mentioned that we will be hosting an "Ability Lunch," which had been done last year, in which people sit at different tables and simulate different disabilities -- for example, wearing a blindfold to simulate blindness or having one’s arm tied behind one’s back to simulate inability to use a limb or lack of a limb -- while eating lunch. I immediately raised objection to the idea, and was told that the discussion following the lunch included criticism of the event.
If that is so, if the flaws in holding such an event are recognized, then why is this event held?
International Sports Exchange for Athletes with Disabilities
Recognizing the need for inclusiveness in the world of sports and people-to-people exchanges, the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs announced today that it will bring 14 athletes from Kazakhstan to the United States to participate in an inaugural exchange for athletes with physical disabilities. During the 10-day exchange, these male and female sitting volleyball players will participate in clinics and games with their American counterparts in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, including with the U.S. Men and Women’s Sitting Volleyball teams and USA Volleyball. Sitting volleyball is a Paralympic sport for both men and women.
Sports diplomacy builds on Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton’s vision of “smart power diplomacy.” It embraces the use of a full range of diplomatic tools, including sports, to bring individuals together to strengthen people-to-people relationships and to foster greater understanding.
Lindsey Nebeker, Autism Women's Network Washington DC Liaison will be in attendance at the meeting with disability community leaders and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) to discuss Pre-Employment Personality Testing and the Disability Community.
Haley Moss, Autistic Teen Honored at New York Event
Samsung Hope for Children
The 10th annual Samsung Hope for Children event in New York featured former President Bill Clinton, Jennifer Lopez, Demi Moore and Dan Marino, but a Parkland teenager nonetheless stood out.
Haley Moss, autistic but with artistic talent to burn, was honored with the Teen Hero award by Marino, who she is working with to raise funds for children with special needs. Other stars at the event took home some of her artworks as gifts while seven were auctioned off to raise money for charity.
“The president gave a speech at the beginning of the event,” said Moss, 16. “He was holding my artwork the entire time. He spoke about it, how special it is. I walked the red carpet along with the celebrities and got to speak with pretty much everyone except the president. I also got interviewed a lot. Everything about the event was amazing."
Pre-Employment Personality Tests and the Disability Community
Breaking Down the Barriers
The office of Commissioner Felblum of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has scheduled a meeting with representatives from the disability and business communities to discuss the use of personality tests as pre-employment screening tools. The Autism Women's Network will be in attendance, represented by Lindsey Nebeker, AWN's Washington DC Liaison. Lindsey would like to hear from anyone in the disability community about their personal experiences with these tests, especially in regards to any concerns you may have.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has proposed the addition of a new diagnostic code to the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision for wandering behavior. A variety of disability advocacy and professional organizations including the Autistic Self Advocacy Network, The Arc, TASH, National Association of State Directors of Developmental Disabilities Services, National Disability Rights Network, are worried about the potential unintended consequences that may emerge from a medical diagnostic code for wandering behavior. Ari Ne'eman, President of ASAN will join us on AWN Radio to explain these concerns in detail.
Hi, All: I'm not sure if this is the correct part of the Forum to be posting this -- if it isn't, please feel free to let me know.
Awhile back, I posted a question about religion and autism out on Twitter, and got a surprisingly big response. Several people were very enthusiastic about this topic, so I've chosen to take it on. The thrust of my planned article is: How can communities of faith better accommodate those on the autism spectrum?
I am looking for personal experiences and opinions (from any religious tradition) to include in my blog. Anyone who is interested, please e-mail me at lynnesoraya@gmail.com... or you can contact me via Twitter (lynnesoraya), or respond here at AWN.
Allegations of Discrimination Against Children with Disabilities
Large Network of Private Schools Pays $215,000 to Settle Lawsuit
WASHINGTON – The Justice Department today announced the settlement of a lawsuit filed to enforce the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) against Nobel Learning Communities, Inc. (NLC), a private, for-profit entity that operates a nationwide network of more than 180 preschools, elementary schools and secondary schools. These entities operate in the District of Columbia and in 15 states (Arizona, California, Florida, Illinois, Maryland, Nevada, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia and Washington) under a variety of names, including Chesterbrook Academy, Merryhill School and Evergreen Academy, among others.
WASHINGTON(U.S. Department of Labor For Immediate Release)
— The U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs is seeking input from the public on ways to strengthen its regulations requiring federal contractors to take affirmative action to employ and advance in employment qualified individuals with disabilities. In an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to be published in the Federal Register July 23, the agency invites the public to help revise the regulations implementing Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
Dr. Paula Kluth is a consultant, teacher, author, advocate, and independent scholar who works with teachers and families to provide inclusive opportunities for students with disabilities and to create more responsive and engaging schooling experiences for all learners. Her research and professional interests include differentiating instruction, and supporting students with autism and significant disabilities in inclusive classrooms. Paula is a former special educator who has served as a classroom teacher, consulting teacher, and inclusion facilitator. She works with teachers in K-12 schools, pre-schools, and early intervention programs. She also regularly works with family organizations and disability-rights and advocacy groups.
I joined Georgetown University's disability awareness club, DiversAbility, now in its second year, upon arriving at campus. During one of our previous meetings, one of the club's officers mentioned that we will be hosting an "Ability Lunch," which had been done last year, in which people sit at different tables and simulate different disabilities -- for example, wearing a blindfold to simulate blindness or having one’s arm tied behind one’s back to simulate inability to use a limb or lack of a limb -- while eating lunch. I immediately raised objection to the idea, and was told that the discussion following the lunch included criticism of the event. 
Recognizing the need for inclusiveness in the world of sports and people-to-people exchanges, the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs announced today that it will bring 14 athletes from Kazakhstan to the United States to participate in an inaugural exchange for athletes with physical disabilities. During the 10-day exchange, these male and female sitting volleyball players will participate in clinics and games with their American counterparts in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, including with the U.S. Men and Women’s Sitting Volleyball teams and USA Volleyball. Sitting volleyball is a Paralympic sport for both men and women. 
The 10th annual Samsung Hope for Children event in New York featured former President Bill Clinton, Jennifer Lopez, Demi Moore and Dan Marino, but a Parkland teenager nonetheless stood out. 
The office of Commissioner Felblum of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has scheduled a meeting with representatives from the disability and business communities to discuss the use of personality tests as pre-employment screening tools. 
WASHINGTON – The Justice Department today announced the settlement of a lawsuit filed to enforce the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) against Nobel Learning Communities, Inc. (NLC), a private, for-profit entity that operates a nationwide network of more than 180 preschools, elementary schools and secondary schools. These entities operate in the District of Columbia and in 15 states (Arizona, California, Florida, Illinois, Maryland, Nevada, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia and Washington) under a variety of names, including Chesterbrook Academy, Merryhill School and Evergreen Academy, among others.
