The Arc Tennessee’s Post

Guardianship does not prevent your adult child from buying a boat on eBay, opening 16 credit cards while on a trip to the mall, or hitching a ride two hours from their home to visit a friend. But sometimes parents feel pressure to put guardianship in place simply because their child is turning 18. It is important to understand that there are a wide range of options for decision-making in adulthood and one of the best ways to really protect your child is to help them build the skills to be as self-determined as possible. We want our kids to know which choices they can make themselves, which choices they can make with support, and which choices they might want someone else to make for them. This looks like a great webinar series hosted by CYVYC of Institute for Community Inclusion. #guardianship #guardianshipalternatives #decisionmaking #IDD #developmentaldisabilities #specialeducation #IEP #transitionplanning #transitiontoadulthood 

As part of Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, we're spotlighting the on-demand course “Better Encounters: Police and People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (I/DD)”.   Developed by our Learning Partners the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration NHTSA and the National Center for Policing Innovation (NCPI), in collaboration with local public safety practitioners, self-advocates, and members of the I/DD community, this course enhances law enforcement professionals’ ability to recognize and support individuals with I/DD during traffic stops and other exchanges in the community.   Here's what people are saying about this course:   “The traffic stop videos were really impactful. The video, from the perspective of the autistic teen, really resonated with me.”   “Very good course that offers key insights into the nature of I/DD and offers practical tips that can be applied in law enforcement situations.”   “As a parent of autistic children, this was an excellent training package to introduce law enforcement to I/DD topics.”   Together, let's raise awareness and foster understanding. Enroll now, share with your colleagues, and be part of creating safer, more inclusive communities: https://lnkd.in/gJfjuShW

The importance of inclusion of young children with disabilities in early childhood programs is supported by evidence-based research, legal requirements, and policy guidance from ISBE and U.S. Departments of Education (ED) and Health and Human Services (HHS). Implementing high quality inclusion aligns with the high-quality practices that we use to build our PFA and PFA/E programs. We can build strong inclusive programs using these practices and partnering with support from early childhood special education. Hear from the field how colleagues implement these practices. Join this webinar to learn more about supporting your program in increasing access for young children with disabilities and supporting your team to build efficacy around inclusive practices. To register, visit bit.ly/adminforum9oct Early Childhood Professional Learning (ECPL)

Listen here: https://lnkd.in/eATpKsWF as we delve into the crucial findings of our latest report on developmental disabilities in West Virginia, a topic discussed by our director, Samuel Workman, on West Virginia Public Broadcasting. This comprehensive analysis highlights a worrying trend: a significant rise in Independent Educational Plans (IEPs) since the onset of COVID-19, pinpointing demographic shifts and the challenges in staffing for students in need. Our research, made possible by the dedicated efforts of the WV Department of Education in preserving IDEA data, provides a window into the current landscape of educational support for students with developmental disabilities. We thank Think Kids in West Virginia and the West Virginia Developmental Disabilities Council (WVDDC) for their invaluable partnership in this study. We invite you to explore the full report https://t.ly/mkob5 to understand better the implications and insights drawn from our findings. Your support and engagement in this dialogue are vital as we work towards improved educational strategies and student outcomes. #DevelopmentalDisabilities #WestVirginia #EducationPolicy #PublicSchools #Governance #DataInsights #IEP #IDEA #ThinkKidsWV #WVDDC

Today April 17, 2024 the U.S. Congress and the disability community will celebrate National Assistive Technology (AT) Awareness Day. The day honors people with disabilities who require AT to access their education, workplace, community, and recreational activities. The day also recognizes the innovation of researchers, educators, and the dedication of AT specialists and program providers who operate AT programs so that millions of individuals can acquire and use low-cost and often no-cost AT. Learn more about AT Awareness Day at: https://buff.ly/3UfvGDQ #ATAwarenessDay #disability #disabilityinclusion

School has ended for some and for others its still going so lets talk about terms to learn over the summer: Special Education Edition! ✨IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) - Ensures students with a disability are provided with Free Appropriate Public Education that is tailored to their individual needs. ✨IEP (Individualized Education Program) - A written plan developed by the CSE to specify the appropriate level of special education programs and services to meet the unique educational needs of a student with a disability. ✨FAPE (Free Appropriate Public Education) - An educational entitlement of all students in the U.S., guaranteed by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). ✨LRE (Least Restrictive Environment) - Is the requirement in federal law that students with disabilities receive their education, to the maximum extent appropriate. ✨PWN (Prior Written Notice) - This is a legal right guaranteed to parents that requires the school to send written explanations of any proposed changes or denied requests in your child’s educational plan. What term would you add?  #SpecialEducation #EFMP #MilitaryChildren #MilitaryFamilies #IDEA #FAPE #PWN #LRE #IEP

My Friday rant… Can we agree to stop using just “Part C” when referring to early intervention for infants and toddlers with and at risk for developmental delays and disabilities and their families. “Part C” tells us nothing about the program and is not understood by parents and the general public! We should not be referring to the program by the section of the statute (the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act - IDEA) that it lives within! We don’t refer to Head Start, Child Care, Home Visiting by their statute section!! Let’s commit to always using “early intervention (Part C)” Early intervention (Part C) is a program and professional field and using only “Part C” minimizes the importance of the program as part of the the wider early care and education (birth to 5) system. Furthermore, as we consider branding and professional recognition, let’s advocate for the internationally recognized term “Early Childhood Intervention (ECI)”, used by organizations like UNICEF. This helps distinguish it from early intervention in health care, mental health, juvenile justice, etc. Let me know your thoughts…! 😀 #earlyintervention #earlychildhoodintervention

@MissDeptEd and @Region7CC are teaming up to support the use of High-Leverage Practices (HLPs) for students with disabilities. Educators are working to implement these evidence-based practices to support improved outcomes for students. Learn more here: https://rpb.li/4ZCiMn

Research in disability studies can help art educators reframe ways of engaging with disability issues. Join us tonight and learn about the use of disability arts to engage learners in critical visual literacy and imagery production focused on topics of disability. Discover critical approaches to language and decentering normalcy to create inclusive learning spaces for all. https://ow.ly/C8sp50TuoFi

A report from the U.S. Department of Education showed that nearly 13% of students with disabilities aged 5-21 had Autism as their primary diagnosis. Navigating the public education system with any disabled child can be complex and challenging. Fortunately, at National Care Advisors, we have a dedicated team of Master’s trained Education Consultants who specialize in navigating the special needs education system. Check out our latest blog to read about the increase in Autism diagnoses amongst disabled students, how a delay in diagnosis can hinder a disabled child’s eligibility for crucial educational accommodations and ultimately, what National Care Advisors can do to help clients navigate the special needs education system. https://lnkd.in/gckS95yh