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UPCOMING

ADA Question and Answer Session

On March 7th, the ADA National Network and the U.S. Access Board will offer a free Q & A webinar on the 2010 ADA Standards featuring representatives from the U.S. Access Board. The Access Board will answer questions submitted by participants. 

Q & A with the U.S. Access Board

Free Webinar
Thursday, March 7th
2:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. EASTERN
 
It's free, but REGISTRATION is required to participate in the webinar.

Do you have a question for the U.S. Access Board? This is your chance to get answers to your "burning" questions about either the 2010 ADA Standards, or the Architectural Barriers Act Accessibility Standard. Session participants are requested to submit questions in advance. Accessibility specialists will answer questions submitted in advance during the first half of the session, leaving time in the second half to answer questions in the live session. Click to Review submitted questions and ask you own. Resources include U.S. Access Board  and 2010 ADA Standards.

SURVEY OPPORTUNITY

Survey on Gynecological Care and Women with Developmental Disabilities

Amid the growing awareness of health care disparities experienced by people with developmental disabilities, there is a desire to extend educational support to women that increases their knowledge of health issues and enables better access to care. Dr. Ritika Bhawal of the Indiana Institute on Disability and Community at Indiana University, Bloomington, is testing an on-line educational intervention related to gynecological care. She seeks respondents to her research study from among women with developmental disabilities in the Great Lakes region (Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Minnesota). If readers of the Indiana Institute FYI can refer individuals to the attached link, they will be doing a great service in helping address a significant health disparity. Participants will have an opportunity to participate in a prize drawing at the end of the survey.

Click here to start the survey. Please let me know if you have any questions or need more information about my study. Thank you for your time and kind consideration. Contact Ritika via e-mail at rbhawal@indiana.edu or phone
(414) 559-0142.

ACROSS THE COURTYARD

Increasing Incidence of Autism Spectrum Disorders Continues in Indiana

In 2009, the Centers for Disease Control issued a report based on a sample of 8-year-olds, and concluded that the prevalence of autism had risen to 1 in 110 in American children. By 2012, using a similar sample, it was announced that the incidence had climbed to 1 in 88. Based on these latest numbers, 1 in 54 boys and 1 in 252 girls are being diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder.

If the projected incidence rates are accurate, what does this mean for Indiana? Based on the estimated census data from 2012, Indiana is home to 6,537,334 citizens. At an estimated rate of 1 in 88, there are potentially 71,911 individuals with a diagnosis on the autism spectrum. Remember these numbers are projected and only estimate the real occurrence of autism spectrum disorders in Indiana. No database exists in Indiana of the actual numbers of people on the autism spectrum either statewide or by county.

Another example of the increase of those diagnosed with ASD is the child count data collected by the Indiana Department of Education, Department of Special Education. These data are collected from public school districts across Indiana. According to the December 1 child count data, the number of students identified in 2009 was 10,643.  During that year, the incidence rate was 1 in 101.  By December 2010, that number had increased to 11,514 and as of December 2011 that count was 12,226. According to the child count data from December 2012, the number of children served under that diagnostic category is now 13,020. This shows an increase of 794 students from the previous year. The number of students enrolled in Indiana’s public schools during the 2011-2012 school year was approximately 1,041,557. Using that data and the incidence data from December 2012, approximately 13 in 1000 students in Indiana have a diagnosis of an autism spectrum disorder. This year’s identification rate is 1 in 77. The child count data does not include children who are not on special education service plans, and are home schooled or educated in non-public schools. All who have either an IEP or special education service plan are counted.

While there is a general belief and awareness that autism spectrum disorders are on the rise, it is unclear why. Some believe that more children are being identified because the medical community and other professionals have a better understanding of autism spectrum disorders, and because the definition of autism has been expanded to encompass more individuals. Others believe that the increase is real and are advocating for research to investigate the potential causes of autism. Whether we believe the growth is because of increases in ASD or the result of changes in diagnosis, or both, the reality is that more Indiana citizens are being served under the eligibility category of Autism Spectrum Disorders. The other reality is that many of these children come with complex issues and support needs. The potential impact on our schools and other service delivery systems continues to be tremendous. The strain on families is very real and significant. For more information, contact Cathy Pratt, Director, Indiana Resource Center for Autism at (812) 855-6509 or e-mail prattc@indiana.edu.

IN BLOOMINGTON

Bloomington Community Celebrates Disability Awareness Month

The City of Bloomington designates March as Disability Awareness Month. The Council for Community Accessibility, along with other community organizations, sponsors programs all month long to raise community awareness of accessibility needs. Click to access the Bloomington Disability Awareness Month calendar of events.

IN INDIANA

March is Disability Awareness Month in Indiana

Each March, Disability Awareness Month is celebrated throughout Indiana. And given that adults and children with disabilities represent slightly more than 19 percent of Indiana’s population, disability awareness is important for all of us. Led by the Indiana Governor’s Council for People with Disabilities, the goal of Disability Awareness Month is to increase awareness and promote independence, integration and inclusion of all people with disabilities. The Council develops a unique theme for this annual event and produces campaign materials that are available free of charge to Hoosiers who want to help make a difference.

LIBRARY CORNER

New Items

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

Bender, W. N. (2012). Differentiating instruction for students with learning disabilities: New best practices for general and special educators. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin.

Daiken, C. (2012). The voices of young adults with learning disabilities: Their perceptions of elementary and secondary schooling. Saarbru¨cken: Lap Lambert Academic Pub.

Godwin, J. (2012). Studying with dyslexia. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.