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.