From the Philadelphia Inquirer: Philadelphia International Airport and multiple airlines are staging simulated airplane flights to help children with autism and other special needs prepare for real air travel. A pediatrician who treats many patients with disabilities came up with the idea and has worked with the airport to provide autism training to many airport and airline employees.

Does Collaborative Work Offer Students an Opportunity for Bullying?

From the Hechinger Report: Group work in the classroom teaches students to collaborate, but some say it may offer a prime opportunity for bullying, education blogger Sarah Garland writes in this post. In a recent interview, Williams College professor Susan Engel argued in favor of collaborative learning, which she says helps prepare studtens for projects in the workplace. Author Katharine Beals disagreed, arguing that group activities -- especially those that lack constant supervision -- offer a venue for bullies to target vulnerable students.

Transition Programs to Get Boost

From Disability Scoop: The Department of Education is funneling millions into post-secondary programs for students with intellectual disabilities at 27 colleges and universities.

Criminal Pasts No Hurdle for Disability Care Providers

Hundreds of home health care workers in California have histories of rape, assault and abuse, but in many cases their criminal histories are no barrier to keeping their jobs. Read the story here.

Accessibility Comes Standard at First-of-its-Kind Dorm

From Disability Scoop online: a fully accessible college dorm opening this week at the University of Illinois is believed to be the most user-friendly in the country for students with physical disabilities. Go to http://www.disabilityscoop.com/2010/08/19/accessible-dorm/9844/ for more information.

Susan Atkins Goes to Washington DC

Susan Atkins, State Coordinator of Washington State Parent to Parent was invited to attend the celebration for the 20th Anniversary of the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) July 26, 2010! You can read about her experiences and see pictures at the Parent to Parent website http://www.arcwa.org/parent_to_parent.htm/

Education Department Allows States to Cut Special Education Spending

From CEC Smartbrief: Three states have requested - and two states have already been granted - waivers to federal spending requirements for special education in what advocates say may be the first use of a economic-hardship provision of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2010/06/16/35waivers.h29.html?tkn=RWTFyh%2BCQTVUoGGFoJx5UR3i8y0gmWTc8y4F&cmp=clp-sb-cec

Check Out Past Issues of the WA P2P E-Newsletter!

Access past issues of the Parent to Parent of Washington State E-Newsletter at the newsletter archive page! Here's the link: http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs082/1102737289181/archive/1103467143824.html

Can Disability Be Sexy?

From Disability Scoop: A series of photographs spoofing the often racy advertisements from clothing retailer American Apparel is questioning traditional ideas of beauty in a most provocative way.
http://www.disabilityscoop.com/2010/05/14/can-disability-be-sexy/8048

Documentary "Dakota's Pride" Available for Free

The award-winning, positive documentary on Down Syndrome, "Dakota's Pride" which aired on PBS in many locations, is now available for free to organizations! The Gifted Learning Project has secured a grant for a limited number of copies for DS parent organization libraries. Please e-mail theglp@yahoo.com to request your copy. Copies are limited to one copy per organization on a first come, first served basis. Extra copies are available at a discounted price. Also check out TV shows "Parenthood" (Monday nights; highlights raising a son with Aspergers) and "Glee" which features a girl with Down Syndrome.

IQ Requirements Hindering Families

From Disability Scoop: Determining whether or not an adult with a disability qualifies for significant assistance often comes down to one factor: IQ score. Trouble is that IQ and ability don't always match up. Link to article: http://www.disabilityscoop.com/2010/04/23/iq-requirements/7779/

P2P USA: What It Means to You & Me

Forwarded by Susan Atkins, State P2P Coordinator and submitted by Lauri Gerber, Garden City Center:

"When I was asked to go to a national director's meeting in Washington, D.C., I was excited and nervous and not sure I was the right person. That's a long way from home. I made the decision to go. I knew our Parent To Parent program is important but just did not realize how important. I have only been with Families Together for a year and a half and did not get the opportunity to use their services while my son was young. I am sure if I had, I would have survived a lot easier than I did. I had a very supportive family, but they did not always understand what I or my child was going through. I was so busy coping; I did not know what I needed.

Is there a way to know what information and resources are out there to help you? The P2P USA Board is an amazing group of dedicated women that care about people they do not even know. They have been there. The one thing that was discussed is that it does not matter how educated or how much parenting experience you have, when a child with a disability is born or a child has an accident or illness that leaves them with a disability, there are lots of things that a parent needs to know to be able to provide the best possible outcome for that child. That is what keeps them motivated. They shared the example of Betsy Santelli. Betsy did the research for the Parent To Parent program funded by the Beach Center in Kansas. It was a randomized control research study of the highest quality, and is one of only 15 done to test different ways to help parents. Betsy built the Parent To Parent program. She is no longer with us but her legacy lives on, especially in the women who knew her and the many lives she touched.

Seeing the dedication of the Board of Directors of Parent To Parent USA is both amaxing and humbling. They believe so earnestly in this program. They are all volunteers from across the United States. There is no dedicated funding. They have one working meeting a year when they get together and do everything else by phone or internet. This meeting was made possible through donations from other organizations. The Board has done a lot of work and are willing to do whatever it takes to get our families what they need. Look at their website at http://www.p2pusa.org

During this meeting the Board wanted to know what local programs were seeing as needs and how the Board could use their knowledge and contacts to lead the Parent to Parent programs into the future. They are partnering with many people at the federal level who believe in this program. It is their goal to lead the way and make things happen that will improve services to families. We need funding but more importantely people are realizing we need partnerships and cooperation instead of competition. The old saying, 'It takes a community to raise a child' is especially true when the child has a disability. Watch what our governing bodies are doing and let them know what is important in your family's situation. There are people with knowlwdge, contacts and research working for us. I think it is important you know that. It is important to do our part also. Help them be the force for us. They have the will. Do you?"

New Ways to Connect with the WA Department of Early Learning

Washington State Department of Early Learning (DEL) has announced the launch of their blog and Facebook page:
DEL Connect (http://delconnect.blogspot.com)
DEL Facebook Page: (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Olympia-WA/Washington-State-Department-of-Early-Learning/366437744745)
Also, learn more about the Kindergarten Readiness Pilot (WaKIDS) at http://www.del.wa.gov/development/Kindergarten/pilot.aspx
Go to the DEL website at http://www.del.wa.gov for more information.

Genetic Testing Reduces Number of Babies With Inherited Diseases

From CEC Smartbrief: The widespread adoption of prenatal genetic testing has resulted in the decline of infants born with cystic fibrosis and other genetic disorders, according to this Associated Press analysis. Although genetic screening raises moral issues including abortion and embryo destruction, some couples and ethnic groups are using it to prevent diseases from being passed on. Go to http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/02/17/AR2010021700003.html for the entire article.

CDC: Down Syndrome Cases At Birth Increased

According to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, the total number of cases of Down Syndrome at birth in the US increased by 24.2% from 1979-1983 to 1999-2003 in 10 regions. Go to http://www.cdc.gov/features/dsdownsyndrome/ for the full article.

Parents Rank Schools on Emotional Support for Students

From CEC SmartBrief: A recent report by University of Michigan C.S. Mott Children's Hospital included results of a survey given to parents asking how well schools responded to the emotional and behavioral needs of students. Results showed only one-third gave primary schools an A, and less than 25% gave secondary schools an A. The report concluded that if funds are restricted to instructional services at the expense of emotional and behavioral supports, student learning may suffer. Los Angeles Times/Booster Shots blog (1/20)

BBB Alerts Consumers About U.S. Census Workers

With the U.S. Census process beginning, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) advises people to be cooperative, but cautious, so as not to become a victim of fraud or identity theft. Learn more at http://www.bbb.org/