Freda Lee, Consultant for the Mental/Intellectual Disabilities Program for the NC Department of Public Instruction (DPI), recently presented information to the Council on Educational Services for Exceptional Children; her topic was the Occupational Course of Study (OCS), one of only two diploma-tracks for high school students in NC. Because NC’s OCS did not meet federal…
Discontinuing microwaves in classrooms
Did you know that some schools are prohibiting the use of microwaves by students? According to the Dept. of Agriculture, which governs the Child Nutrition Programs (providers of school meals), food preparation and reheating should ONLY occur in inspected food prep areas. That means no microwaves in classrooms, cafeterias, or anywhere that students can use…
Good news in the special education legal arena
A federal appeals court recently ruled that a lawsuit alleging that Hawaii schools “deliberately neglected the needs of two girls with autism during their formative years” could go forward. The parents are seeking damages under the federal Rehabilitation Act due to “lost opportunity”—that the Hawaii Department of Education failed to provide appropriate special education when…
Another possible tool for diagnosing autism even younger
Georgia Tech researchers are leading a team of universities to try to develop computerized tools to help people without specialized training to diagnose autism. With the help of a $10 million grant from the National Science Foundation, the tools include a smart video camera, as well as heart rate and skin monitors to measure responses…
North Carolina Council on Developmental Disabilities Survey
We want to hear from North Carolina! The Council is developing its next Five Year State Plan. If you live in North Carolina and are a person with a disability, family member of a person with a disability, a professional service provider or a citizen concerned about disability issues, we want your input! By listening…
National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability
Do you have a middle school or high school child? You might want to check out this website: the National Collaborative on Workforce dan Disability. This website partners with many other organizations to provide resources and information as youth transition out of school. Many of their publications are also available in Spanish. NCWD/Youth Partners Center…
CAP-MR/DD Stakeholder Survey
During the month of September, you are invited to participate in a survey about the CAP-MR/DD Medicaid waivers (Comprehensive Waiver and Supports Waiver). Your feedback is very important to us as we continue to improve the waivers. We want to hear from individuals receiving CAP-MR/DD services, parents and guardians of individuals receiving services, service providers,…
Back to school—I love it, I love it not
Back to school—hurray! I say that now with a sigh of relief, but not for long. I hate getting up and rushing out the door, I DETEST homework and projects with a passion, and I don’t enjoy the constant monitoring of my children’s progress. What I do enjoy about my children being in school—besides watching…