RERC-ACT

Calendar

Rosa's Law, a bill that will eliminate the terms "mental retardation" and "mentally retarded" from the federal law books, has been introduced in the Senate. These now slang terms have insulting meanings and yet are still commonly used in legislation including the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act. Under the proposed legislation, those terms would be replaced with "intellectual disability" and "individual with an intellectual disability" in federal education, health and labor laws. The bill does not expand or diminish services, rights or educational opportunities.

The Achieving a Better Life Experience Act (ABLE) of 2009, supported by over 40 US disability organizations, has been introduced in both the Senate and House. The ABLE Act will allow individuals with disabilities to create a disability savings accounts or 'ABLE Accounts' that would accrue interest tax-free. The account could fund a variety of essential expenses for the individual, including medical and dental care, education, community based supports, employment training, assistive technology, housing, and transportation. The legislation prohibits amounts held by, or paid or distributed from any ABLE accounts from being treated as income or assets when determining eligibility for benefits provide by any Federal benefits program.
http://jfactivist.typepad.com/jfactivist/2009/11/action-alert-support-able-act-which-allows-families-to-save-for-children-with-disabilities-.html
Representative Doug Lamborn from Colorado Springs is one of the co-sponsors.

The LIFE (Learning Is For Everyone) program at the College of Charleston, SC, is a new four-year inclusive program for students with mild to moderate intellectual disabilities beginning Fall, 2010. The purpose of the program is "to provide the opportunity for all students to realize their intellectual and personal potential, and to become responsible, productive members of society." LIFE students will participate in the academic, residential, social, and cultural experiences offered by the College, with appropriate support for success. According to the college, the project fills a void by meeting the growing educational demands of this group of individuals, and at the same time increases diversity on a campus that embraces diversity for a better society. The school says it will also help the students find jobs upon completion of the program.
http://blogs.cofc.edu/life/

With presenters such as Tom Nerney, Ollie Cantos, Kevin Mahoney, Erin McGaffigan, James Conroy, Judith Cook, Gene Costlow, Sam Shore, Mike Mayer, Derrick Dufresne, Doreen Rosimos and more, the information will be powerful, insightful, relevant and the tools you will take away will be invaluable!

The RERC-ACT conducted a national student design contest focused on technologies to improve the independence and quality of life of people with cognitive disabilities. Student teams from around the country responded and we are excited to present the top three winners. The contest and the awards was sponsored by Bill and Claudia Coleman.

NCTI seeks proposals for collaborative research of innovative and emerging assistive technologies that provide greater access for students with disabilities.