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FYI Newsletter

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FYI Newsletter July 26, 2010

Quick Scan:

• The Grades are In!
• The Gavel is Passed
• The Indianapolis Resource Center for Independent Living (IRCIL) is proud to announce our new name - accessABILITY, Inc.
• Library Corner

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ADA IN YOUR COMMUNITY POLL



THE GRADES ARE IN! More than 835 people with disabilities, family members and advocates responded to the 2010 ADA in Your Community Poll – this was record participation for any of Indiana’s annual Disability Polls! The results of the 2010 Poll were announced last week at a Press Conference and at the ADA Summit, both held in Indianapolis. When respondents were asked to rate their cities and towns on progress in implementing the Americans with Disabilities Act, they gave an average “C” grade. Just passing, 20 years after the signing of the ADA…

The Report Card also indicated what Indiana’s top four “most important” priorities for action ought to be: (1) more employment opportunities for people with disabilities, (2) accessible transportation, (3) educating businesses and government officials about their rights and responsibilities under the ADA, and providing accommodations for employment. Other important areas that respondents felt needed more attention included educating people with disabilities about their rights and responsibilities, removal of physical barriers in buildings, and providing communication supports and materials in alternative formats.

The Report Card shows that while respondents see progress over the past 20 years, they also indicate that there is still a long way to go. Barriers to community participation and employment continue to persist, and while Indiana is celebrating some clear accomplishments since 1990, we are also reminded of what else still needs to happen. The Report Card can provide a “blueprint” for community leaders, advocates, government officials, and others as they plan future education, information dissemination, and policy activities. The goal is for Indiana and people with disabilities to realize the full promise of the ADA.

The ADA Poll and the Report Card are a joint activity of ADA-Indiana, the Governor’s Council for People with Disabilities, Indiana Protection and Advocacy Services, and the Indiana Institute on Disability and Community. Dr. Vicki Pappas and her staff at the Institute’s Center for Planning and Policy Studies conducted the survey, analyzed the results, and prepared the ADA Report Card.

In conjunction with the Great Lakes ADA Center in Chicago, the Center for Planning and Policy Studies staff also conducted the ADA in Your Community Poll in the five other states of the Great Lakes region: Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin. Similar Report Cards were also created for them, with results very similar to Indiana – all except Minnesota received “C” grades. Minnesota’s grade was a “C+.” Priorities for action for the other states were also very similar to Indiana’s.

Indiana’s Report Card may be viewed and/or downloaded on ADA-Indiana’s website at www.adaindiana.org. A print copy or other alternative formats may be requested by calling the Institute at 812-855-6508 or emailing adainfo@indiana.edu. Report Cards of the other states are available on the Great Lakes ADA Center’s website at www.adareportcard.org/ReportCard

ACROSS THE COURTYARD



THE GAVEL IS PASSED: Cathy Pratt, Director of the Institute’s Indiana Resource Center for Autism has stepped down as Chair, Board of Director’s of the Autism Society of America (ASA) after six years in that position according to James Ball, Ed.D., BCBA-D, President and CEO of JB Autism Consulting and newly appointed Chair of the ASA Board. Pratt will continue her work on the ASA Board as the Immediate Past Chair.

At the recently concluded ASA National Conference, it was announced that ASA’s Professional of the Year Award was to be renamed the Autism Society of America Cathy Pratt Professional of the Year Award to honor Cathy’s work. The award honors selected recipients for their tireless efforts and professionalism in the field of autism spectrum disorders. 

When asked “… name three accomplishments that come to mind regarding Cathy’s tenure as ASA Board Chair,” Ball responded, “Cathy has brought to ASA rules of governance that set the vision for the Society’s future, has made the ASA National Conference one of the best in the country focusing on the needs of families and professionals, and has built relationships across the country bringing in those outside of the autism community as partners.” Congratulations Cathy!

For more information on ASA, visit www.autism-society.org/site/PageServer.

ACROSS THE STATE

THE INDIANAPOLIS RESOURCE CENTER FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING (IRCIL) IS PROUD TO ANNOUNCE OUR NEW NAME - ACCESSABILITY, INC.:  “We are proud to announce our new name accessABILITY, particularly on the 20th anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disability Act. (ADA),” Melissa Madill, Executive Director of accessABILITY says.

“Our organization strives to create an environment where all people with disabilities enjoy access to all aspects of community life. Certainly the ADA is a cornerstone piece of legislation that supports this goal. Our new name really represents who we are and what we do for the community. We believe that the community as a whole benefits when all people are afforded equal access within the community. We also know, first hand, about the abilities that we as people with disabilities have and how we can benefit the greater community as a whole. Our work is to increase independence and empower individuals to ultimately transform their lives and communities. We are delighted that our new name reflects our core values, beliefs, services and service area.”
 
Our phone number (317) 926-1660 and our toll free number (866) 794-1245 will remain the same. Please visit our website at our new address after July 26, 2010 at www.abilityindiana.org. accessABILITY serves all people with disabilities in Marion and the surrounding counties. The services provided include: information and referral; peer support; independent living skills training, advocacy, employment services and benefits counseling. The organization also has specialized programs for the blind and visually-impaired and young people with disabilities. Last year, accessABILITY assisted 388 people with disabilities throughout Central Indiana gain greater independence.

LIBRARY CORNER

NEW ITEMS

The following new materials may be borrowed by Indiana residents from the Center for Disability Information and Referral at the Institute. To check out materials, contact the library at 1-800-437-7924, send e-mail to cedir@indiana.edu, or visit us at 2853 East Tenth Street in Bloomington.

Downing, J. (2010). Academic instruction for students with moderate and severe intellectual disabilities in inclusive classrooms. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press.

Hobbs, R. (2010). Copyright clarity: How fair use supports digital learning. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press.

Kaufman, R. B., & Wandberg, R. (2010). Powerful practices for high-performing special educators. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press.

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