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FYI Newsletter

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FYI Newsletter April 2, 2012

Quick Scan:

• Webinar on Accessibility Standards
• April is National Autism Awareness Month
• Summer 2012 Camps and Programs
• Updates on Medicaid Waivers
• The Arc Hosting Meeting for Families on April 12
• Transition and Community Resource Fair
• Library Corner

Upcoming



Webinar on Accessibility Standards: The ADA National Network and the U.S. Access Board are offering a free webinar on Accessibility Standards focusing on Chapter 3: Building Blocks from the Standards.


Whether you follow the 2010 ADA Standards or the Architectural Barriers Act Standard, the application of the “building block” provisions contained in Chapter 3 are critical in designing accessible elements and spaces. These provisions provide criteria for ground and floor surfaces, turning spaces, clear floor and ground spaces, knee and toe clearances, protruding objects, reach ranges, and operable parts. This session will review how to apply these criteria and provide guidance on some common errors in design.

Did you know the ADA Symposium will be in Indianapolis this year? The Great Lakes ADA Center and the Great Plains ADA Center are hosting an ADA Symposium in Indianapolis, May 30th – June 1st. This 3-day event will feature expert presenters on the 2010 ADA Standards such as the Access Board and Kim Paarlberg from the International Code Council.

Across the Courtyard



April is National Autism Awareness Month: In order to highlight the growing need for concern and awareness about autism, the Autism Society of America has been celebrating National Autism Awareness Month since the 1970s. The United States recognizes April as a special opportunity for everyone to educate the public about autism and issues within the autism community.

The Institute’s Indiana Resource Center for Autism has developed a Fact and Tip Sheet for Working with Students on the Autism Spectrum as part of Autism Awareness Month recognition activities.



Summer 2012 Camps and Programs: The Institute’s Indiana Resource Center for Autism has compiled a listing of summer camps and programs in Indiana serving children and adults with disabilities. This directory is compiled and posted as a service to Indiana communities with no endorsement of any activity or organization on the list.

In Indiana

Updates on Medicaid Waivers: The Division of Disability and Rehabilitative Services took a step toward their goal of having accurate Medicaid Waiver waiting lists by mailing letters to all individuals on waiting lists for the Developmental Disabilities (DD), Autism, and Support Services Medicaid Waivers. The letter requests that an enclosed Waiting List Status Form be completed and returned by April 10, 2012.

If you received the letter and form, you should indicate on the form that you want to remain on the waiting list(s), update any changes in your contact information, and return the form by the April 10 deadline. If you do not want to remain on the waiting list you should indicate that and also return the form. If you do not return the form, your name will be taken off the Waiver Wait list.

If you did not receive the letter and form, contact your local BDDS office (office listing PDF) to check if your contact information is up-to-date. If it is not, ask that it be updated and ask that a form be sent to your current address. If your contact information is up-to-date and you did not receive the form, let the Bureau of Developmental Disabilities Services (BDDS) know and ask that a form be sent to you.


The Arc Hosting Meeting for Families on April 12: Major changes in state programs for children and adults with developmental disabilities, and their families, are coming quickly and The Arc of Indiana believes it is very important that families and people with I/DD are informed. The Arc will host a meeting for families and leaders of disability organizations on Thursday, April 12, 2012, 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. at the Marriott East, 7202 E. 21st Street, Indianapolis. The meeting is free to attend and includes lunch. Issues that will be covered include:

• Medicaid Waiver Changes / 144 Report
• Waiting List Status Form
• Case Management
• Assessments for People Receiving Federal/State Services
• Families as Paid Caregivers
• Medicaid Waiver Health Care Coordination
• Conversion of Group Homes to DD Medicaid Waiver
• Moving Individuals Out of Nursing Homes
• Proposed Conversion of Children's Facility to Large ICF/DD for Adults
• Host Home/Shared Living

Registration is nearly full. We are looking into other options to share information from the meeting in other ways – so stay tuned. For information, contact Jennifer Schwab, jschwab@arcind.org or call (317) 977-2375.

In Bloomington



Transition and Community Resource Fair: Monroe/Owen Community Transition Council will host a Transition and Community Resources Fair on Wednesday, April 4, 2012 in the Student Commons at Ivy Tech Community College, Bloomington. The Fair will run from 4:30-7:00 p.m. All students K-12 with a disability along with their families are invited to explore resources and services available to students while in school and their transition to the community. Visit over 30 vendors and enjoy light refreshments and door prizes. A post-high presentation will commence at 5:00 p.m. A MetLife presentation on trusts will be offered at 6:00 p.m. Take a minute to visit the Indiana Institute exhibit while you are there! For additional information, contact Kathy Bruner at (812) 349-4756.

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, visit us at 2853 East Tenth Street in Bloomington.

Kelly, A. (2011). Talkabout for children: Developing self-awareness and self-esteem. Milton Keynes: Speechmark. (Call Number: 46 .K4)

Kelly, A., & Sains, B. (2009). Talkabout for teenagers: Developing social & emotional communication skills. Milton Keynes: Speechmark. (Call Number: 46 .K41)

Sussman, F. (2006). TalkAbility: People skills for verbal children on the autism spectrum: A guide for parents. Toronto: The Hanen Program. (Call Number: 46 .S87)

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