http://www.iidc.indiana.edu/rss/newsXML.phpNews XML Feedhttp://www.iidc.indiana.edu/index.php?pageId=20&newsId=113http://www.iidc.indiana.edu/index.php?pageId=20&newsId=113View the Indiana University Media Release (February 9, 2009)BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- All interested stakeholders are invited to help define the design of future Medicaid Waivers for people with developmental disabilities in Indiana. One way to provide input is to complete the online Medicaid Waiver Survey, currently being conducted by the Indiana Institute on Disability and Community for the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA). This is part of the FSSA's commitment to soliciting broad-based input for the waiver renewal process. Medicaid waivers provide individualized services, paid for through the government's Medicaid program, that enable people to live at home rather than in institutions. How to participate If you are a person with a disability currently receiving waiver supports or are on the waiting list, a family member, or a provider of waiver services, you are invited to submit your ideas to the conversation via the online survey. Visit the Indiana Institute on Disability and Community's Web site at www.iidc.indiana.edu to view a video explaining the waiver input process and take the survey. You'll find the link under the "Institute Spotlight" section. The survey is also available in print form. Copies are available to download on the above Web site. For alternative formats, please email the Indiana Institute at beheard@indiana.edu or call 812-855-6508. http://www.iidc.indiana.edu/index.php?pageId=20&newsId=110http://www.iidc.indiana.edu/index.php?pageId=20&newsId=110View the Indiana University Media Release (Wednesday, February 18, 2009) BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- The Indiana Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) has asked the Indiana Institute on Disability and Community to host a series of community discussions to gather public opinions that will guide the development of Medicaid waivers administered by the FSSA. The discussions will specifically address the Developmental Disabilities waiver, which is up for renewal in April, and also the Autism and Support Services waivers. Medicaid waivers provide individualized services, paid for through the government's Medicaid program, that enable people to live at home rather than in institutions. FSSA wants to hear from stakeholders -- that is, community service providers, case managers, people with disabilities, family members, advocates and others -- anyone who has ideas about how to make Indiana's waivers the best that they can be. There will be multiple ways to provide input during the next several months. The first is a series of community waiver conversations, to be held during February. If you are a current waiver recipient, on the waiting list, a person with a disability or a family member, or a provider of waiver services, you are invited to be part of one of three upcoming Community Waiver Conversations, to be held at the following locations: Indianapolis -- Junior Achievement Center at 74th and Keystone Ave. Feb. 2, 7-9 p.m. for persons with disabilities and family members Feb. 3, 10 a.m.-noon for service providers New Albany -- Holiday Inn Express at 411 W. Spring St. Feb. 16, 7-9 p.m. for persons with disabilities and family members Feb. 17, 10 a.m.-noon for service providers Fort Wayne -- The League for the Blind at 5821 S. Anthony Blvd. Feb. 23, 7-9 p.m. for persons with disabilities and family members Feb. 24, 10 a.m.-noon for service providers If you cannot attend the community waiver conversations, an online survey will also be available to provide input in early February. The Indiana Institute will also be conducting targeted focus groups of consumers and providers toward the end of February. For more information, contact Vicki Pappas or Joel Fosha at the Indiana Institute on Disability and Community at 812-855-6508 or via e-mail at beheard@indiana.edu. The Indiana Institute on Disability and Community is a research, education and service center affiliated with Indiana University Bloomington. Its mission is to work with communities to welcome, value and support the meaningful participation of people of all ages and abilities through research, education and service. http://www.iidc.indiana.edu/index.php?pageId=20&newsId=44http://www.iidc.indiana.edu/index.php?pageId=20&newsId=44IU recognized for employment of people with disabilitiesBLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Stone Belt will recognize 10 local businesses and organizations, five of them Indiana University affiliated, at its annual Business Recognition Ceremony on March 4 (Tuesday). The event will be held from 2 to 3:30 p.m. at the Bloomington Convention Center Olcott Young Room. The awards are presented during National Disabilities Awareness Month to recognize outstanding contributions in promoting employment opportunities for persons with disabilities. Mayor Mark Kruzan will attend the event to read a proclamation declaring March 4 as Disability Awareness Day for the City of Bloomington. Stone Belt CEO Leslie Green will lead the event and Stone Belt staff, clients and award recipients will discuss their employment experiences. The following employers will be recognized: Cook Pharmica Goody's Family Clothing Indiana Institute for Disability and Community Early Childhood Center Indiana Memorial Union Hotel Housekeeping and Laundry IU Center for Survey Research IU Herman B. Wells Library Customer and Access Services IU Police Department O'Malia's Marketplace Pizza Hut East Taco Bell West "Having employers who are willing and eager to partner with Stone Belt's Employment Services is extremely important in helping people with disabilities to achieve independence and inclusion in the community and be contributing members to the work force and economy," states Stone Belt CEO Leslie Green. "Many businesses in our community understand the value of hiring people with disabilities and have welcomed our clients with open arms." Stone Belt is a community-based organization with over 45 years of experience in serving persons with developmental disabilities. With locations in Monroe, Lawrence, Owen and Bartholomew Counties, Stone Belt's mission is to prepare, empower and support persons with developmental disabilities and their families to participate fully in the life of the community. http://www.iidc.indiana.edu/index.php?pageId=20&newsId=43http://www.iidc.indiana.edu/index.php?pageId=20&newsId=43Indiana University, Bloomington community to take part in International Day for Sharing Life Stories BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Residents of the Bloomington area will have multiple opportunities to share and savor stories next week in connection with the International Day for Sharing Life Stories, a worldwide celebration scheduled for May 16. Local activities include weeklong exhibits and displays on themes related to community, memory and story circles, roundtables and exercises designed to facilitate the sharing of memories and the telling of stories. "We want to gather stories and involve people in the experience of sharing stories," said Philip B. Stafford, director of the Center on Aging and Community, which is convening the Bloomington activities. The center is part of the Indiana Institute on Disability and Community, a research, education and service center affiliated with Indiana University Bloomington. The International Day of Sharing Life Stories is a project of the Museum of the Person, which operates in Brazil, Portugal, the United States and Canada, and the California-based Center for Digital Storytelling. Organizers see the sharing of life stories as a critical part of the democratic process and a way to promote projects that make a difference in neighborhoods, communities and societies. May 16 marks the 96th birthday of the celebrated American storyteller and interviewer Studs Terkel and the retirement party of British oral historian Paul Thompson. Approximately 100 organizations in 20 countries have endorsed the International Day of Sharing Life Stories and are planning activities around the celebration. In Bloomington, exhibits from oral history projects will be displayed at locations across the community. Several activities will be coordinated with the Senior Expo, which will take place 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Bloomington/Monroe County Convention Center, 302 S. College Ave. Students in IU's Masters in Immervise Mediated Environments (MIME) new media program are helping with digital story sharing. Exhibits related to the International Day for Sharing Life Stories include: La Cara Latina de Bloomington: Celebration of Latino culture in Bloomington through photographs and printed word; May 12-16 at La Casa, 715 E. Seventh St. Picturing My World: Photographs of subjects of personal significance to people with disabilities; May 16, Senior Expo. Memory of the Square: Photos, posters and memorabilia to evoke the evolution of the town square in commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the Monroe County Courthouse; May 16, Senior Expo. Memory of Third Street Park: Photos and posters from a 2003 ethnographic study by high-school and middle-school students of Bloomington's Third Street Park; May 16, Senior Expo. Banneker Center History Project: Photos and exhibits from a 2006 oral history by Bloomington High School North students on Bloomington's one-time "colored school;" May 16, Senior Expo. VETS: Voicing Experiences in Service: Photos, posters and other student work from an Indiana Institute on Disability and Community project in which students from Indiana, Maryland and Vermont collect and share stories from veterans; May 16, Senior Expo. Thoughts, Things, and Theories %u2026 What is Culture?" Exhibit on themes of universal needs and life stages, including replicas of a 1967 Bloomington ranch house and a multi-generational family compound from Nigeria; on display throughout the week at Mathers Museum of World Cultures, 416 N. Indiana Ave. Botanica: A Pharmacy for the Soul: Curator Selina Morales re-creates a botanica, a store selling Afro-Caribbean religious items, much like one owned by her grandmother from 1985-91; on display throughout the week at Mathers Museum of World Cultures, 416 N. Indiana Ave. Storytelling activities will include: Story circles and six-word memoirs: Participants will join roundtables for memory games using prompts, photos and artifacts; May 16, Senior Expo. Cold War memories: Video production students from Batchelor Middle School in Bloomington will record memories; May 16, Senior Expo. Memories of Monroe County Childhood: Growing up in the '40s; 1 p.m. on May 17, Monroe County History Center, 202 E. Sixth St. Global telephone call: International students are invited to call home and collect stories to share; May 16. The Crestmont story: Residents will take part in a neighborhood mapmaking and design workshop with Bloomington artist Joe LaMantia; May 17. Meadowood Health Pavilion Story Booth: Videographer MaryEllen May will record stories and memories for production of a DVD to celebrate the lives of storytellers; May 12. For more information about worldwide activities related to International Day for Sharing Life Stories, see http://www.ausculti.org/about.html. For information about local events, contact Philip B. Stafford at 812-855-2163 or staffor@indiana.edu. http://www.iidc.indiana.edu/index.php?pageId=20&newsId=42http://www.iidc.indiana.edu/index.php?pageId=20&newsId=42IU expert available to comment on issues raised by conflict over boy with autism attending churchEDITORS: Indiana University autism expert Cathy Pratt is available to comment on issues raised by a Minnesota case in which a priest filed a restraining order to bar a 13-year-old boy who has autism from church services. The Bertha, Minn., priest said the boy's behavior is disruptive and endangers others at church. Cathy Pratt is director of the Indiana Resource Center on Autism, part of the Indiana Institute on Disability and Community at Indiana University Bloomington, and currently is chair of the board of the National Autism Society of America. She said the Minnesota case points to the need for improved public awareness of autism and the importance of resources and support to enable individuals with autism spectrum disorders and their families to take part in day-to-day activities such as attending church, shopping and eating at restaurants. "The increasing incidence of autism means that these kinds of issues may continue to arise unless families have the resources, communities have the awareness and individuals on the spectrum have the support they need," Pratt said. According to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the nationwide prevalence for 8-year-olds is one in 150; and the incidence among Indiana school-aged children is even higher. That compares with one in 5,000 or even one in 10,000 when she began working with autism 30 years ago, Pratt said. While there is more awareness of autism than there used to be, she said, "I think there is still a lot of misinformation. People in the community may think, 'If only the parents were better disciplinarians,' or 'The individual should know better.' They need to understand that autism is a complex neurological disorder, and how people with this disability are able to process information and negotiate the world is very different, and sometimes very difficult." Families of children with autism spectrum disorders, Pratt said, often face not only a lack of community support but extensive costs for speech, occupational and behavioral therapy, specialized caregivers and medical and dental care. An Indiana survey two years ago found that families paid an average of $950 a month for such services, she said. To speak to Pratt, contact Joel Fosha with the Indiana Institute on Disability and Community at 812-855-6508 or foshaj@indiana.edu.http://www.iidc.indiana.edu/index.php?pageId=20&newsId=41http://www.iidc.indiana.edu/index.php?pageId=20&newsId=41IU Health & Wellness: Back-to-school issueResearch and Insights from Indiana University This back-to-school themed issue discusses the following topics: Printing letters and brain development in preschoolers Parents' guide to high-tech cell phones Hairstyles deterring exercise? Talking to children about sex Weight gain during the college years Resources for families of children with disabilities Printing and brain development. Recent neuroimaging research from Indiana University has revealed that brain activation in preschool children changes depending on how they learn. "We are interested in how children's neural activity changes as they learn to recognize letters and as they learn to read," said Karin Harman James, an assistant professor in the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences at IU Bloomington. "We have recently shown that when children look at letters, the activity in parts of their brains becomes more like activity seen in literate adult brains, but only after they have had practice printing letters." One group of preschool children practiced identifying letters using visual practice while another group practiced printing letters. Only the group that practiced printing letters showed changes in brain activity while viewing letters as a result of their experience. "Coupled with other work from our lab, we interpret this as the motor system augmenting visual processing," James said. "In the case of learning letters, printing helps children recognize letters." These studies are part of a larger initiative in the Cognition & Action Neuroimaging Laboratory to study how the brains of preschool children change as they learn to read. Neuroimaging at IU uses functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging to measure brain activation while people are performing tasks. This method uses the same technology as MRI, which gives pictures of internal tissue, but instead of taking a measure at one time, fMRI measures tissue changes over time. It is harmless and involves no risks, so is safely used on children. James can be reached at 812-856-0659 and khjames@indiana.edu. For more information about the lab, visit http://www.indiana.edu/~canlab. Top Dialing-up trouble? As parents get their kids geared up for the coming school year, many will include a first or new cell phone on their child's school supply list. Many parents like the convenience and perceived security of their child having a cell phone (so they can easily reach the child and so the child can get help in the event of an emergency). But according to Greg Travis, assistant director of the Pervasive Technology Labs' Advanced Network Management Lab at Indiana University, with today's technology-rich phones, there are several things parents should consider before making that trip to the local cellular store. "A very large number of phones are now capable of providing the same kinds of services as desktop and laptop computers," said Travis. "This means parents should be concerned about all the same issues they worry about on their other computers -- exposure to inappropriate Internet content, the potential for kids to share personal, incriminating, or embarrassing personal information and photos, and the potential for trouble should the phone be lost or stolen." Travis also warns that parents can get a bad case of sticker shock when opening that first cell phone bill. "These services aren't free. Charges can add up quickly, especially if kids make heavy use of the text messaging and Internet features." Travis offers these tips to parents buying cell phones for their children: World at their fingertips. Parents who are uncomfortable with allowing their children and teens full access to online content should choose either a phone plan that does not include Internet access or a phone model that does not include an Internet browser. Teach good sharing. Make sure your kids understand how to exercise good judgment when deciding what to share with their cell phone -- particularly pictures taken from its camera. The Internet doesn't forget; pictures or content kids once thought to be harmless or funny can quickly become incriminating or embarrassing. Kids shouldn't take or share any pictures that they wouldn't want to be seen by you, their teachers or the world. Privacy at risk. Today's high-tech cell phones store a lot of very personal data, including e-mail and text messages that your kids may not want others to read. Unsecured e-mail and text accounts can also be used by others posing as the phone's owner. Kids should not lend their phones to friends. And make sure the phone you choose includes a self-locking feature that requires a Personal Identification Number (PIN). Know how to contact your cell provider promptly if the phone is lost. Your company may be able to erase and disable the phone, no matter where it is. Know the plan. Don't get caught off guard by budget-busting cell phone bills. Make sure you and your child understand what's included in the cellular plan -- such as number of text messages, phone minutes and amount of included Internet access. Watch your monthly bills closely. If you are getting lots of charges outside the plan, you may want to upgrade your plan -- or downgrade the phone. To speak with Travis, contact Daphne Siefert-Herron at 812-856-1242 and dsiefert@indiana.edu. Top Forsaking health for style. African American women often cite time and such socioeconomic issues as lack of support or disposable income as obstacles to adopting an active lifestyle or exercising regularly. Indiana University fitness expert Antonio Williams said, however, that one of the top reasons given by black women of all income levels involves style and hair care. He said black women, particularly college-age women and women with corporate jobs, often sacrifice their health for stylish and often expensive hairdos. Fears of "sweating out" the hairstyle make lunchtime workouts unlikely and keep the women from the gym or other physical activities. Williams, a fitness consultant and lecturer in IU's School of Health, Physical Education and Recreation, specializes in fitness marketing and perception. "For years I've heard, 'I can't schedule a personal training session now, I just got my hair done,'" he said. "These women are risking their health for style." Williams, who gives presentations about this topic, said it is possible to be active without perspiring heavily. He offers the following tips to help women maintain their health and style: Walk, don't run. Williams said the amount of time depends on the goals. To be healthy, walking for 30 minutes, three times a week, is sufficient. To lose weight, walk 60-90 minutes, five times a week. Break it up. He suggests several daily bouts of 10-minute walks or light jogging because it conveys the same health benefits with less sweating. Consult your beautician. Williams encourages women to tell their beauticians that they would like a hairstyle that suits corporate America as well as a healthful lifestyle. Beauticians have told Williams that hair extensions and wearing Afrocentric headwraps during workouts can help preserve styles. Williams notes that studies from IU and elsewhere often find that African American women tend to have more favorable body image compared to other women, despite fitness levels. "We can't continue to sacrifice health for hair," he said. Williams can be reached at 812-855-3061 and aw22@indiana.edu. Top Talking about sex with your kids. "Parents are afraid about what they might find out," said Dennis Fortenberry, M.D., professor of adolescent medicine at the IU School of Medicine. "They think they might hear more than they want to." It's possible they will. Studies show, Fortenberry said, that parents often underestimate the amount of sexual activity their teen is having. They also underestimate how important parental values are to their teenagers. "Kids grow up and absorb the values and expectations of their parents, even if it is not apparent," he said. This makes conversations about sex all the more important -- if teens do not know what is expected of them, how can they make safe and informed decisions? "Part of the benefit of talking to your kids about sex is that, when they leave your sight and are no longer under your control, the choices they make about sex will be something they've arrived at purposely. It's a safer choice," he said. Fortenberry offers the following sex-talk tips for parents: Be direct. According to Fortenberry, many parents perceive they have spoken to their teens about sex when, in fact, teens do not think they have. "It's hard for parents to use the words needed," Fortenberry says. "They have to be direct." Be explicit about values and expectations. Let your children and teens know what you expect of them. "Despite lots of myths to the contrary, parental values and expectations remain important to most young people," said Fortenberry. Forget "the talk." Instead, he suggests making sex an extension of a larger and longer conversation -- not a one-shot deal. "If it's down to the talk, then it's probably too late. Parents often begin this conversation early anyway, when they ask their kids if they have a girlfriend or boyfriend." Fortenberry also suggests taking advantage of life events such as school dances as opportunities to continue the conversation. Be comprehensive. Sexuality is complex for adults and teens alike. Simplistic approaches such as "just say no" often fail to equip teens with the knowledge and skills needed to make safe and informed decisions. Fortenberry suggests including information about biology and anatomy as well as information about the development of relationships, feelings and how those feelings can be part of being interested in sex with a person. These tips all address ways that parents can talk to their kids about sex, but what if the conversation is reversed? If teens approach parents with questions or concerns about sex, Fortenberry suggests listening as a top priority. "I think the best response is to say 'tell me more, tell me what you've been thinking about sex, tell me how it's related to the person you are having sex with, tell me what you are afraid of and what intrigues you.' Then, ask how you can help," says Fortenberry. Fortenberry can be reached at 317-274-8812 and jfortenb@iupui.edu Top Weight gain during college. During the college years, it's common for students' activity levels to decrease as their waistlines increase. What's the harm of a few pounds? Habits students develop now -- and the pounds they put on -- could last a lifetime. "It's always a lot easier to prevent something than it is to address it after the problem has occurred and you see the negative health effects resulting from your behaviors," said Jeanne Johnston, assistant professor at Indiana University's School of Health, Physical Education and Recreation. Johnston studies physical activity, health and quality of life issues facing various age groups. One study involving college freshmen found that almost half of the students already had at least two risk factors for heart disease, such as high cholesterol. Alice Lindeman, associate professor in the School of HPER, said it can be exciting for students to try new foods and eat whenever they want. "What you eat today stays on your body and adds to what you eat tomorrow," Lindeman said. "You have to eat for today and plan for tomorrow." Johnston said little research has been done on how to help this age group become healthier. "It's particularly pertinent because this is the time when they're establishing their lifelong behaviors," Johnston said. "It's the right time -- they're out there on their own. It's a good time to talk with them about why this is important." Johnston said these strategies could help students get their school years off to a healthy start: Be physically active throughout the day. Students could walk or ride a bike to class as opposed to taking a bus or car, walk or ride bikes to local places like stores, making an effort to accumulate 10,000 steps a day. Plan exercise. Johnston encourages students to make exercise part of their daily schedules. She says time has been cited as a major barrier to exercise. How much exercise is enough? She said 30 minutes of moderate exercise five days a week or 20 minutes of vigorous exercise three days a week will suffice. Students also could consider joining intramural or club sports. Manage stress. Stress can have a negative impact on health and well-being. It decreases immune function and contributes to weight gain, particularly around the mid-section. Physical activity has been shown to improve mood and have a positive impact on stress. Avoid late night snacks. When eating too late at night, you tend to select foods that are convenient (pizza, popcorn, chips) or bring comfort (cookies, pop) but are not mini meals that have variety and balance, Lindeman said. After too many late night meals or snacks, you start missing breakfast and become even hungrier later in the day. Remember lessons learned at home. Students can make many more choices about when and what they eat. Lindeman encourages them to stick to the healthy routines established at home. Get enough sleep. A lack of sleep has been shown to have a negative impact on health, contributing to weight gain, increased late-night snacking and a negative impact on focus and performance. Johnston can be reached at 812-855-5073 and jdjohnst@indiana.edu. Lindeman can be reached at 812-855-6437 and lindema@indiana.edu. Top Family-to-Family Connections. The Indiana Institute's Early Childhood Center is partnering with About Special Kids (ASK) to provide a series of Family-to-Family programs and Web-based services designed to connect families of children with disabilities to community information and resources. This Family-to-Family project is funded by the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration, a Division of Disability and Rehabilitative Services, First Steps Early Intervention System. Indiana's Family-to-Family Parent Listserv is for all families of children with disabilities. Parents and family members may use this Listserv to exchange information and resources to build the knowledge-base and leadership skills of other Indiana families. Common topics include transition, IEPs, types of therapies, diets, coping and general family-to-family support and encouragement. Participants may subscribe by visiting INF2Fparents-subscribe@yahoogroups.com. The Family Involvement Fund (FIF) provides financial support for family members of children with disabilities to help increase knowledge and understanding of their child's disability and/or the systems that provide services. Support may include attending conferences and workshops, task force meetings, online trainings, teleconferences, and more. FIF also provides financial support for the purchase of disability-related print and electronic media. Separate funding within FIF is available for parents who participate as members on Local Planning and Coordinating Councils-LPCC, its committees and sponsored activities, Transition Local Learning Opportunities, or other requested committee participation. Parent Liaisons are parents of children with special needs that reside within the First Step Clusters they serve. Parent Liaisons have access to extensive amounts of resource materials to share in the areas of health insurance, special education law, community resources, trainings, and support organizations. Additionally, Parent Liaisons will connect individuals with Parent Mentors who are volunteers providing peer support. Peer support matches parent(s) with other parent(s) who have encountered the same obstacles and experienced similar milestones. The Family-to-Family Web site offers more information on the above programs, forms and fact sheets, and links to other disability sites. Visit http://www.INF2F.org for more information or contact Cathy Beard, Family Support Specialist, Early Childhood Center at 812-855-6508 or beardc@indiana.edu. Top For additional assistance with these tips, contact Tracy James, 812-855-0084 or traljame@indiana.edu; Amanda Daugherty, 812-856-3136 or amadaugh@indiana.edu; or Steve Hinnefeld, 812-856-3488 or slhinnef@indiana.edu.http://www.iidc.indiana.edu/index.php?pageId=20&newsId=39http://www.iidc.indiana.edu/index.php?pageId=20&newsId=39View the Indiana University Media Relations Press Release (October 29, 2008) BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- A far-reaching survey of Indiana residents age 60 and older reaffirms the high level of civic activity engaged in by this population. Conducted by researchers at Indiana University, the telephone survey of 5,000 older Hoosiers revealed that 85 percent had voted in the previous local election. Moreover, nearly four out of 10 seniors had contacted a local representative to express a concern or state an opinion. In Indiana, there are nearly 975,000 residents in the 60-plus age group. As participants were selected randomly, the findings can be seen as representative of the entire population in this age group. While the majority of older Hoosiers took the time and energy to participate in civic life, a fairly high percentage, 25 percent, felt that local policy makers don't take into consideration the interests of older people, or even of all residents. "Older Hoosiers contribute an incredible amount to the life of their communities," noted Indiana University researcher Phil Stafford, the director of the survey project. "Eighty-nine percent of this group made a donation of money or goods to charity and 380,000 older Hoosiers volunteer on a weekly basis in their communities." When asked about their primary goals, 94 percent indicated they would like to remain in their current residence for as long as possible, yet 39 percent were not very confident that they would be able to afford to do so. "Despite the Madison Avenue images of sun-seeking seniors flocking south, the vast majority of elders want to stay put. Given the many, many contributions to their communities, it behooves us all to figure out ways to make that happen," said Stafford. The survey, sponsored by the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration's Division of Aging, was conducted in the spring of 2008. The survey has been conducted nationally, in 30 U.S. communities, providing baseline comparisons around 33 different indicators of an "elder-friendly community." The Indiana AdvantAge Initiative is the first statewide application of the planning model and has received additional funding from the U.S. Administration on Aging, Indiana Area Agencies on Aging, the Daniels Fund of Denver, Lilly Endowment Inc., and the Indiana Institute on Disability and Community's Center on Aging and Community. For more information about the survey and the AdvantAge Initiative project in Indiana, visit www.agingindiana.org.  http://www.iidc.indiana.edu/index.php?pageId=20&newsId=7http://www.iidc.indiana.edu/index.php?pageId=20&newsId=7Keynote Speech by David Mank presented at the Ohio Supported Employment Conference Download the Full Presentation: Poverty or Not Presentationhttp://www.iidc.indiana.edu/index.php?pageId=20&newsId=199http://www.iidc.indiana.edu/index.php?pageId=20&newsId=199News ReleasesJoel FoshaIndiana Institute on Disability and Communityfoshaj@indiana.edu812-855-6508View the Indiana University Media Release (November 19, 2009)BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Philip B. Stafford, director of the Center on Aging and Community at Indiana University Bloomington, will be a featured panelist on "When Did I Get Old? Reflections on Aging Today," a one-hour television documentary that premieres tonight (Nov. 19). The program, presented by WFYI public television in Indianapolis, alternates studio discussions with experts on aging and profiles of active seniors in Indiana. It will air on WFYI at 9 p.m. today. WTIU, the Indiana University public television station in Bloomington, plans to broadcast it Dec. 18, at 10:30 p.m., and Dec. 20, at 5 p.m. Viewers of other stations should consult their local listings. The documentary explores how Americans today are not only living longer, but are seeking richer, more meaningful experiences in their golden years as Baby Boomers redefine the concept of retirements. In researching this documentary, producer Gary Harrison, in cooperation with the University of Indianapolis Center for Aging and Community and the Center on Aging and Community at Indiana University, traveled across Indiana to examine the lives of older adults in a wide variety of settings and situations. "When Did I Get Old?" will take viewers to the Midtown section of Gary, where people of all ages are working to clean-up the community in order to improve public safety for its predominately older residents. In Linton, a city-wide effort is under way to improve mobility (i.e., transportation, personal wellness and home modifications) for senior citizens, while in Vincennes, a man learns to overcome his disabilities by providing an invaluable service to the community with his information and referral phone service. And in Bloomington, viewers will meet a dedicated group of seniors who meet regularly for camaraderie and to discuss issues related to aging. Veteran broadcast journalist Diane Willis serves as moderator for the studio discussion portion of the program. The panelists will address several key topics, including how society views the aging population; valuable preparations for retirement; discovering new interests and opportunities for volunteerism during one's golden years; and the need to establish a sense of community that addresses both seniors' physical and emotional needs. In addition to Stafford, panelists will include Judy O'Bannon, former first lady of Indiana; Father Boniface Hardin, founder and president of emeritus of Martin University; and Ellen Miller, executive director of the University of Indianapolis Center for Aging and Community, a research institute based at Indiana University Bloomington. The Indiana University Center on Aging and Community conducts research and provides training, assistance and information to individuals, families and professionals, seeking to enable older persons to lead self-determined lives within their communities. It is part of the Indiana Institute for Disability and Community at IU Bloomington. For more information, see http://www.iidc.indiana.edu/cac/index.htm. http://www.iidc.indiana.edu/index.php?pageId=20&newsId=192http://www.iidc.indiana.edu/index.php?pageId=20&newsId=192News Releases Joel FoshaIndiana Institute on Disability and Communityfoshaj@indiana.edu812-855-6508 Indiana University Media Relations Press Release (October 6, 2009)Autism Society officials: Report points to need for greater investmenthttp://www.iidc.indiana.edu/index.php?pageId=20&newsId=185http://www.iidc.indiana.edu/index.php?pageId=20&newsId=185News ReleasesJoel FoshaIndiana Institute on Disability and Communityfoshaj@indiana.edu812-855-6508View the Indiana University Media Release (November 19, 2009)BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Philip B. Stafford, director of the Center on Aging and Community at Indiana University Bloomington, will be a featured panelist on "When Did I Get Old? Reflections on Aging Today," a one-hour television documentary that premieres tonight (Nov. 19). The program, presented by WFYI public television in Indianapolis, alternates studio discussions with experts on aging and profiles of active seniors in Indiana. It will air on WFYI at 9 p.m. today. WTIU, the Indiana University public television station in Bloomington, plans to broadcast it Dec. 18, at 10:30 p.m., and Dec. 20, at 5 p.m. Viewers of other stations should consult their local listings. The documentary explores how Americans today are not only living longer, but are seeking richer, more meaningful experiences in their golden years as Baby Boomers redefine the concept of retirements. In researching this documentary, producer Gary Harrison, in cooperation with the University of Indianapolis Center for Aging and Community and the Center on Aging and Community at Indiana University, traveled across Indiana to examine the lives of older adults in a wide variety of settings and situations. "When Did I Get Old?" will take viewers to the Midtown section of Gary, where people of all ages are working to clean-up the community in order to improve public safety for its predominately older residents. In Linton, a city-wide effort is under way to improve mobility (i.e., transportation, personal wellness and home modifications) for senior citizens, while in Vincennes, a man learns to overcome his disabilities by providing an invaluable service to the community with his information and referral phone service. And in Bloomington, viewers will meet a dedicated group of seniors who meet regularly for camaraderie and to discuss issues related to aging. Veteran broadcast journalist Diane Willis serves as moderator for the studio discussion portion of the program. The panelists will address several key topics, including how society views the aging population; valuable preparations for retirement; discovering new interests and opportunities for volunteerism during one's golden years; and the need to establish a sense of community that addresses both seniors' physical and emotional needs. In addition to Stafford, panelists will include Judy O'Bannon, former first lady of Indiana; Father Boniface Hardin, founder and president of emeritus of Martin University; and Ellen Miller, executive director of the University of Indianapolis Center for Aging and Community, a research institute based at Indiana University Bloomington. The Indiana University Center on Aging and Community conducts research and provides training, assistance and information to individuals, families and professionals, seeking to enable older persons to lead self-determined lives within their communities. It is part of the Indiana Institute for Disability and Community at IU Bloomington. For more information, see http://www.iidc.indiana.edu/cac/index.htm. http://www.iidc.indiana.edu/index.php?pageId=20&newsId=181http://www.iidc.indiana.edu/index.php?pageId=20&newsId=181News ReleasesJoel FoshaIndiana Institute on Disability and Communityfoshaj@indiana.edu812-855-6508View the Indiana University Media Release (August 25, 2009)BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- The Council for Exceptional Children (CEC), in conjunction with the Autism Society of America (ASA), has announced the publication of professional competencies for teaching students with autism spectrum disorders. These competencies, the result of a three-year grant funded by the Autism Society of America, will be incorporated into the CEC's resource on highly qualified teachers titled What Every Special Educator Needs to Know and endorsed by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE). "As the incidence of autism has increased, universities and colleges created their own version of competencies to guide program development," said Cathy Pratt, director of the Indiana Resource Center for Autism at Indiana University and chair of the Autism Society Board, who worked on the competencies. "With the release of these competencies and through the leadership of the Autism Society and the CEC, there is now a national standard that can be used for both course and program creation and for professional development in schools," Pratt said. "This will increase the probability that new teachers will enter the classroom with the skills and knowledge needed to educate students across the autism spectrum." Family members and individuals on the spectrum played a key role in the competencies development process. Research and technical assistance was provided by the Ohio Center for Autism and Low Incidence (OCALI) and partners from the Network of Autism Training and Technical Programs (NATTAP), which includes the Indiana Institute on Disability and Community's Indiana Resource Center for Autism. NATTAP will be integral in the implementation and training of the use of the competencies in school districts. Additionally, the competencies will be incorporated into textbooks used by universities and integrated into a platform of 80 Autism Internet Modules currently under development. For more information, contact Pratt at prattc@indiana.edu or 812-855-6508. For more information about the Indiana Institute, visit www.iidc.indiana.edu. About NCATE: The National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) currently accredits 632 colleges of education with nearly 100 more seeking NCATE accreditation. NCATE is a coalition of 33 member organizations of teachers, teacher educators, content specialists, and local and state policy makers. All are committed to quality teaching, and together, the coalition represents more than 3 million individuals. The U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation recognized NCATE as a professional accrediting body for teacher preparation. About CEC: The Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) is the largest international professional organization dedicated to improving the educational success of individuals with disabilities and/or gifts and talents. CEC advocates for appropriate governmental policies, sets professional standards, provides professional development, advocates for individuals with exceptionalities, and helps professionals obtain conditions and resources necessary for effective professional practice. To learn more about CEC, visit www.cec.sped.org or call 888-232-7733. About the Autism Society: Founded in 1965, the Autism Society is the nation's leading grassroots autism organization, which exists to improve the lives of all affected by autism. Through a nationwide network of local chapters ASA works to increase public awareness about issues important to people on the autism spectrum -- advocating so individuals have access to appropriate services throughout their lifetime, and providing accurate information regarding treatment, education, research and public policy. For more information or to get involved, visit www.autism-society.org. About Autism: Autism is a complex neurodevelopmental disability that typically appears during the first two years of life and affects a person's ability to communicate and interact with others. Autism is defined by a certain set of behaviors and is a "spectrum disorder" that affects individuals differently and to varying degrees. There is no known single cause for autism, but increased awareness and funding can help families today. http://www.iidc.indiana.edu/index.php?pageId=40&newsId=198http://www.iidc.indiana.edu/index.php?pageId=40&newsId=198Quick Scan:Alliance for Full Participation (AFP) Announces 2011 SummitEarly Childhood Center Pre-K Series Policy BriefsCall for Artists, The Great Lakes ADA CenterGrant Opportunities for Artists with DisabilitiesAUCD Annual Meeting and ConferenceStafford to Present at 7th Annual Governmental Activities SymposiumVicker Presents at Crossroads Conference on Communicative DisordersLibrary CornerTHIS JUST INALLIANCE FOR FULL PARTICIPATION (AFP) ANNOUNCES 2011 SUMMIT: The Alliance for Full Participation announces it has scheduled the 2011 AFP Summit focusing on making fully integrated employment a reality for all people with disabilities. Mark your calendars for November 17-19, 2011. The Summit will be held at the Gaylord Hotel at the National Harbor, Maryland (across the river from Washington, D.C.). AFP will work to simulcast the events over the web to enable people from all over the country to participate in what we know will be a historic event. Also, please accept AFP’s invitation to join our AFP State Teams List serve.  Click on the following link to sign up http://groups.google.com/group/AFP_State_Teams/sub?s=OpS9iQwAAADbsiClVmk2jYibw6D10-Uy&hl=en.POLICY BRIEFSEARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER PRE-K SERIES POLICY BRIEFS: Of Indiana’s 293 public school corporations, only about 120 provide prekindergarten education,  not including programs for the provision of state and federal early childhood special education. Indiana is one of the few states holding out on funding a system of early education. Prekindergarten programs are locally planned and funded, and the absence of a state-funded system inhibits efforts to inform and coordinate program development.The Indiana Institute’s Early Childhood Center has addressed this problem in recent studies. The brief Is Indiana Ready for State-Sponsored Prekindergarten Programs? (Conn-Powers, Cross, & Zapf, 2006) offered recommendations related to the need for research and information around purposes, goals, outcomes, service delivery options, and funding. In 2008, the Institute conducted a survey of Indiana school administrators, who expressed their need for clarity around these issues. In this first publication of a new series of briefing papers titled What is the Purpose of Your Prekindergarten Program? Strategies for Administrators  (Cross, A. F., & Conn-Powers, M. (2009)  (Cross and Conn-Powers, 2009, September), the Center offers practical strategies to support a decision to develop and implement a prekindergarten program. School administrators who consider this course of action face complex decisions involving intended outcomes, an array of service delivery models, and the need to balance services with finite resources. This paper provides guidelines to support successful decision-making through a series of manageable steps, beginning with establishing a clear sense of the program’s purpose. Combining Funding Streams to Support Prekindergarten Programs: Strategies for Administrators (Cross, A.F. (2009) logically follows the first paper because identifying an unambiguous program purpose is essential to securing funding. A clearly stated purpose helps programs determine which funds to seek, how to frame a funding request, how to align program activities with funders’ requirements, and how to demonstrate program success. For additional information, contact Alice Frazeur Cross at (812) 855-6508 or e-mail afcross@indiana.edu.CALL FOR ARTISTSCALL FOR ARTISTS, THE GREAT LAKES ADA CENTER: The DBTAC Great Lakes ADA Center is holding a poster contest in order to raise awareness about the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) 20th anniversary. The Great Lakes Center is part of a national network of regional ADA centers that were established to help foster voluntary compliance of the law. The center works with architectural firms, businesses, employers, disability organizations, and individuals with disabilities in order to provide technical assistance and information on the ADA. The theme for the poster is:  How the ADA has Changed the Face of Your Community. Posters may range in size from 81/2" x 11" to 18" x 24" and can be horizontal or vertical. Any medium (including crayons, markers, etc.) can be used on the poster. All ages are welcome to participate. Please write the following information on the back of the poster: name, address, phone number, e-mail, hometown, and name of local newspaper. Mail all entries to: DBTAC: Great Lakes ADA Center, 1640 West Roosevelt Rd. Room 405, Chicago, IL, 60608. Contact Allison at 1-800-949-4232 or by email at aestoner@uic.edu with questions. Deadline is January 15, 2010. GRANT OPPORTUNITIES FOR ARTISTS WITH DISABILITIESINDIANA ARTS COMMISSION ANNOUNCES NEW FEDERALLY FUNDED GRANT PROGRAM FOR ARTISTS WITH DISABILITIES: The Indiana Arts Commission (IAC) recently announced it will begin accepting grant applications for a new, federally funded component of the Individual Artist Program (IAP). The new grant category, supported with funding from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies (NASAA), will permit artists with disabilities to receive grants of up to $2,000 for projects that will have a positive impact on their career development. “This one-time, federally-funded project will enable us to specifically reach an important segment of Hoosier artists," said IAC Executive Director Lewis C. Ricci. "With the funds available, we anticipate being able to award approximately 12 to 13 grants." Artists in the following disciplines may apply to the program: crafts; design; media arts; folk arts; photography; visual arts; dance; literature; music or theatre. All grant applications must be made through the IAC's online grants system. Complete program guidelines and application information may be found on the IAC website at http://www.in.gov/arts/2474.htm. Deadline for application is February 1, 2010. The IAC will host two additional grant application workshops with a special focus toward first-time grant writers and emerging artists interested in the Artist Access category. Specifics of the Artist Access program and grant writing tips will be offered at both workshop sessions.  For dates, times and locations, please visit http://www.in.gov/arts/2476.htm.  For more information about the Artist Access Program, to RSVP for a workshop or to arrange for special accommodations for workshops, please contact Kristina Davis-Smith at (317) 232-1279 or e-mail kdavis-smith@iac.in.gov. Upon request, a free call-in number will be provided to artists with disabilities who are not able to attend these dates in person. Special accommodations must be requested at least five business days prior to the workshop date. COMINGS AND GOINGSAUCD ANNUAL MEETING AND CONFERENCE: The Indiana Institute was well represented at the Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD) Annual Meeting and Conference, held November 8-11, 2009 in Washington D.C. The Conference gathered AUCD network members and the disability community to address the opportunities and challenges presented by current changes in the economic, political, social, and environmental climate. With a growing membership of UCEDDs, LENDs, and IDDRCs along with international affiliates, AUCD has become a key disability organization. This annual meeting offered attendees the opportunity to interact with policymakers, researchers, administrators, families, students, and advocates across these types of organizations and across disciplines. The Indiana Institute has been an active member of AUCD since 1970. AUCD supports and promotes a national network of 67 university-based, interdisciplinary programs that work with people with disabilities, their families, state and local government agencies, and the community to provide training, technical assistance, service, research, and information sharing, with a focus on capacity building of communities to sustain all their citizens. STAFFORD TO PRESENT AT 7TH ANNUAL GOVERNMENTAL ACTIVITIES SYMPOSIUM: Phil Stafford, Director of the Indiana Institute’s Center on Aging and Community will be one of four featured speakers at the 7th Annual Governmental Activities Symposium on Aging with Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities: Current Trends and Practices, December 2 and 3, 2009 in Louisville, KY.Sponsored by The Council on Mental Retardation, the Symposium will provide attendees with a full day of sessions addressing the restructuring of services, supporting families and the unique needs and challenges faced by older people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and community approaches to aging. Registration fee is $100.00 per person. For more information, call (502) 584-1239 or e-mail brichardson@councilonmr.org.VICKER PRESENTS AT CROSSROADS CONFERENCE ON COMMUNICATIVE DISORDERS: Beverly Vicker, Speech- Language Consultant with the Indiana Resource for Autism, was an invited presenter at the October 26-27th Crossroads Conference on Communicative Disorders. Her presentation was entitled Avoiding Potholes and Craters When Programming for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders and took place at Purdue University in West Lafayette. The Crossroads conference was sponsored by the Purdue University Chapter of the National Student Speech-Language –Hearing Association (NSSLHA) and the Purdue Audiology Students Organization (PASO).LIBRARY CORNERNEW 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.Cefai, C., & Cooper, P. (2009). Promoting emotional education: Engaging children and young people with social, emotional and behavioral difficulties. London; Philadelphia: J. Kingsley Publishers.Kutscher, M. L., & Moran, M. (2009). Organizing the disorganized child: Simple strategies to succeed in school. New York: Harperstudio.Pohlman, C. (2009). How can my kid succeed in school?: What parents and teachers can do to conquer learning problems. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.http://www.iidc.indiana.edu/index.php?pageId=50&newsId=195http://www.iidc.indiana.edu/index.php?pageId=50&newsId=195Select the play icon, to learn more about the Indiana Alliance for Full Participation State Team http://www.iidc.indiana.edu/index.php?pageId=7&newsId=176http://www.iidc.indiana.edu/index.php?pageId=7&newsId=176Greetings from the Indiana Institute on Disability and Community at Indiana University, Bloomington.We are pleased to provide you with our Annual Report for 2009. This year's Report focuses on the authentic spirit of partnership and collaboration with self-advocates and many others, in the interest of full community participation for people with developmental disabilities in every part of Indiana.Please feel free to contact us.Sincerely,David Mank, Ph.D.Director