The BillBoard: June 2006 Archives

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June 28, 2006

UNIVERSITY OF NH TO OFFER SUMMER WORKSHOP ON AUTISM

The Institute on Disability at the University of New Hampshire will be presenting the eight annual Autism Summer Institute on August 14, 15 & 16. This unique three-day workshop is designed for individuals interested in learning more about Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) from experts on the subject including persons living with ASD. Topics will include strategies to help support the full participation of children in general education classrooms as well as understanding the emotional experience of ASD.

Expert keynote presentations will be offered by Stephen Shore, M.A., a Boston University doctoral student living with autism, Ros Blackburn, a lecturer from Essex England also living with autism and Chris Kliewer, Ph.D., an Associate Professor in Special Education from the University of Northern Iowa. In addition, an art exhibit displaying the works of internationally known artist with ASD, Larry Bissonnette, will be featured at the Autism Summer Institute. Larry’s life and work was recently profiled in the award winning documentary film “My Classic Life as an Artist”.

The fee to attend the three-day Autism Summer Institute on August 14, 15 & 16 is $390 per person. Discounts for full-time students, family members of individuals with ASD, and individuals interested in attending keynote presentations only, are also available. For more information or to register online, visit www.iod.unh.edu. To register by phone, call (603) 228-2084. The Institute on Disability at the University of New Hampshire was established in 1987 to provide a coherent university-based focus for the improvement of knowledge, policies, and practices related to the lives of persons with disabilities and their families. Its mission is to advance policies and systems changes, promising practices, education, and research that strengthen communities to ensure full access, equal opportunities, and participation for all persons.

Posted by Matthew Gianino

Posted by mjohnson at 04:40 PM

June 27, 2006

LOCAL HOUSING AUTHORITIES DISCRIMINATE AGAINST PARENTS WHO HAVE DISABILITIES

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 27, 2006 CONTACT: Carrie Ann Lucas 303.839.0015
Amy F. Robertson 303.595.9700

LOCAL HOUSING AUTHORITIES DISCRIMINATE AGAINST PARENTS WHO HAVE DISABILITIES
Englewood and Littleton Housing Authorities prohibit children in disabled housing

DENVER -- Today the Center for Rights of Parents with Disabilities at the Colorado Cross-Disability Coalition (“CRPD”) sued the Littleton Housing Authority and the Englewood Housing Authority for refusing to allow parents who have disabilities to reside in disabled housing.

The Littleton and Englewood Housing Authorities refuse to allow single parents with disabilities who have one child rent apartments in buildings that are reserved for people with disabilities and elderly individuals.

“Denying people housing because their family includes children is discrimination and against the law” stated Carrie Ann Lucas, the CPRD’s director and attorney. “It’s hard enough for single parents with disabilities to find affordable and accessible housing. Englewood and Littleton’s discrimination makes that housing search more difficult.”

Last fall the CRPD discovered the discrimination while creating a resource guide for parents with disabilities. The CRPD wrote to both housing authorities who replied back and promised they didn’t discriminate. Earlier this month the CRPD discovered the discrimination continues.

For nearly 28 years the Fair Housing Act has prohibited housing providers from refusing to allow families who have children under 18 to reside in their buildings. Even buildings reserved for people with disabilities and the elderly have to allow children within the limits of non-discriminatory occupancy restrictions.

The Center for Rights of Parents with Disabilities combats discrimination that impacts parenting for parents with disabilities, through direct services, education, research and training. The Colorado Cross-Disability Coalition is Colorado’s largest statewide cross-disability organization run by and for individuals with disabilities. The Colorado Cross-Disability Coalition has over 3000 members statewide.

The CRPD is also represented by Fox & Robertson, P.C., who were lead counsel in the recent landmark nationwide class-action settlement against Kmart.

The lawsuit seeks Court-ordered changes to the Englewood and Littleton Housing Authority’s policies, unspecified damages for the plaintiffs and attorneys’ fees.

A copy of the filed complaint is attached in .pdf format. If you need an accessible version, please contact info@ccdconline.org

***

Posted by Carrie Ann Lucas

Posted by mjohnson at 03:22 PM

June 21, 2006

Registration Deadline for 3rd Annual Disability Pride Parade: July 5

On Saturday, July 22, 2006, join an expected crowd of at least 5,000 people with disabilities and our allies as we celebrate in the third annual Disability Pride Parade: DISABLED AND PROUD‚ÄîCelebrating Disability Arts And Culture.

This year, the Parade will have a highly visible, prominent route through Chicago's loop ending in Daley Plaza with a post-parade celebration. We step off at 11 a.m. in downtown Chicago on Saturday, July 22, 2006.

Our Parade Grand Marshal will be actor and activist Robert David Hall‚Äîknown to many as coroner Dr. Al Robbins on the award-winning television show CSI: Crime Scene Investigation.

Since its inception in 2004, the internationally recognized Disability Pride Parade has actively engaged in its mission of a) changing the way people think about and define disability; b) breaking down and ending the internalized shame among people with disabilities; and c) promoting the belief in society that disability is a natural and beautiful part of human diversity in which people living with disabilities take pride. The Disability Pride Parade celebrates and strengthens the pride, power, and unity of people with disabilities.

Help build that pride, power and unity! Register your Parade contingent to march with us on July 22.

If you are marching with a group, only one member of your group should register. If you are marching as an individual, please indicate that on your registration form. We'll have a separate contingent so individuals can march together.

We are still raising money to meet our expenses. Please consider sponsoring the Parade or making a financial donation. More info on our website: www.disabilityprideparade.com,

See you in downtown Chicago on July 22. STAY PROUD!

Posted by Janice Stashwick

Posted by mjohnson at 12:55 PM

June 15, 2006

An online community which offers personal blogs, discussion forums, private chat, a dating service and more.

An online community which offers personal blogs, discussion forums, private chat, a dating service and more. This growing community has become a gathering place for the international special needs population, home to members from over 15 countries world-wide. It is a place for people of all nationalities, backgrounds and life-challenges to share, connect and just be heard. This site is aimed at facilitating social, personal and romantic development in a supportive and understanding environment. It’s a fun way to meet new people, make new friends, and hopefully find a partner for life. Membership is free, easy and non-committal. disabled dating- www.dating4disabled.com.

Posted by Erin Shamberg

Posted by mjohnson at 02:03 PM

June 01, 2006

World Premiere Staged Reading to benefit 2006 Disability Pride Parade

The 2006 Disability Pride Parade Planning Committee presents a World Premiere staged reading of “The Adventures of Mac Martinez or the Case of the Missing Zombie Stripper,” Sunday, June 18, at Victory Gardens Theater, 2257 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago.

The play, written by Sally Cooper as part of the Access Project, assisted by Blind Services Association, will be the centerpiece of a fundraising benefit for the 2006 Disability Pride Parade. A reception and silent auction will begin at 6 p.m., followed by the staged reading at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $25 and are tax deductible. Both the play and the readers illustrate the diversity of the disability community.

General Seating Tickets are available by calling 312-253-7000, ext. 195. Wheelchair tickets are available by calling 708-209-1500, ext. 32.

A farce, in the tradition of Mickey Spillane and influenced, with tongue in cheek, by film noir, “The Case of the Missing Zombie Stripper” takes place in 1940’s New Orleans. It presents a cast of high living, high rolling characters, both human and not so human, all of whom have some disability. This doesn’t prevent any of them from fully exploiting the richness and bizarre texture of the case that evolves around them. Mac, the blind detective; his right hand man Lefty; Madame DuVoe, former Queen of the Congo Square—all collaborate to locate and retrieve the Missing Zombie Stripper.

The Access Project is a model outreach effort, designed to involve people with disabilities in all aspects of theater, both on and off the stage. Programs include: artist development workshops, which teach the art of playwriting and performance to individuals with and without disabilities; and play development opportunities for original works dealing with disability issues or written by playwrights who have disabilities.

The 3rd Annual Disability Pride Parade, DISABLED AND PROUD 2006: Celebrating Disability Arts and Culture, will take place on Saturday, July 22, in downtown Chicago. Disability Activist and Actor Robert David Hall, perhaps best known for his role as Coroner Dr. Al Robbins on TV’s CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, is the Parade Grand Marshal. For more information about the parade, check out their website at www.disabilityprideparade.com.