Blog Archives

National Disability Employment Awareness Month

10/9/2014

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month, a national campaign that raises awareness about the employment of individuals with disabilities and celebrates their many and varied contributions to America's workplace. The theme for 2014 is Expect. Employ. Empower.

Restraint and Seclusion Survey

10/8/2014

A notice from Disability Rights New York:

One of the serious issues facing students with disabilities in New York schools is the use of restraints and seclusion. While the use of such measures is permitted in emergency situations, state regulations prohibit restraints and seclusion as ongoing or standard interventions to address behavior. Unfortunately, it is very difficult to determine the actual frequency and scope of the use of restraints and “time out” rooms due to unclear definitions and reporting requirements. We suspect that there is substantial under-reporting and overuse of restraints and seclusion in schools. As the Protection and Advocacy system for New York State, Disability Rights New York is committed to assessing and addressing these issues.

To that end, we need information. Below is a link to a short survey for parents, students, advocates and professionals who work with students with disabilities. The survey should take no more than 2 to 4 minutes. If you have previously taken an earlier version of this survey in recent months, please consider re-taking the survey as additional questions have been added.

The survey is available in English and Español.

If you are aware of anyone who would like to complete this survey but does not have computer access or requires accommodations, please contact DRNY directly at (518) 432-7861 for direct assistance.

Developmental Disabilities Advocacy Survey

10/8/2014

A notice from the Statewide Coalition of Developmental Disabilities Family Advocacy Organizations:

Families and self-advocates can help set the advocacy agenda for the coming year by completing this brief Developmental Disabilities Advocacy Survey! Results of the survey will be used to identify the top advocacy priorities across New York State. Families’ and self-advocates’ top priorities will be shared with providers and provider associations and will be front and center of our statewide advocacy campaign to OPWDD and our elected officials to fight for what is needed!

Learning Basic Rights about Special Education: A National Webinar for Spanish Speaking Parents / Conociendo los derechos básicos de Educación Especial: Webinar Nacional para Familias de Habla Hispana

10/1/2014

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Co-Sponsored by / Patrocinado por: National Center on Deaf-Blindness (NCDB), National Family Association for Deaf-Blind (NFADB), New York Deaf-Blind Collaborative (NYDBC), & California Deaf-Blind Services (CDBS)

Saturday, November 8, 2014, 3pm ET / Sábado, 8 de Noviembre de 2014 3pm ET

It is extremely important for parents of children with special needs to be aware of their child’s right to a free and appropriate education. Outreach efforts to minority families are particularly important, as they typically are not as familiar with state and federal laws. For this reason, NCDB, NFADB, NYDBC and CDBS are partnering to conduct a series of webinars to support learning opportunities for Spanish speaking parents who have a child who is deaf-blind. Participants of the webinars will learn the educational rights they are guaranteed under the law and, hopefully, will lessen any doubts or fears they might have regarding their child’s education. This first of three webinars will focus specifically on learning the IEP process, regulations and timelines. To be followed with topics on early intervention and transition to adult life. No registration is required. This webinar will be closed captioned and recorded.

On the day of the meeting, connect your browser to: http://hknc.adobeconnect.com/nfadb-1. Type your name, enter as a guest. Phone connection information will be posted in the room. For VRS users, call-in numbers are: 866-642-1665 Participant Code: 701416.

Es de extrema importancia para padres de niños con necesidades especiales que estén enterados de los derechos que tienen sus hijos para recibir una educación libre y apropiada. Es particularmente importante informar a familias minoritarias porque generalmente éstas no están familiarizadas con leyes estatales y federales. Por esta razón, NCDB, NFADB, NYDBC y CDBS se han unido para conducir una serie de webinars para poder ofrecerles mayores oportunidades de aprendizaje a las familias de habla hispana que tienen un niño que es sordo-ciego. Los participantes de estos webinars van a aprender acerca de los derechos educacionales que están garantizados bajo la ley, y esperamos poder reducir sus dudas o temores acerca de la educación de sus hijos. Este primer webinar de una serie de tres se va a concentrar especí ficamente en aprender acerca del proceso del IEP, sus leyes y tiempos. Los siguientes van a ser en intervención temprana y transición a la vida adulta. No necesitan registrarse. Este webinar será subtitulado y grabado.

El dí a de la reunión, conectar su navegador: http://hknc.adobeconnect.com/nfadb-1. Escriba su nombre y entre como invitado (guest). La información para conectarse por teléfono será exhibida en la pantalla. Para usuarios de VRS, llamen al siguiente numero: 866-642-1665 Código de Participante: 701416.

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