From an email distributed by Christine Ebeltoft-Bancalari


If you are wondering where the presidential candidates stand on various issues related to ADA, IDEA, etc. this is a good place to get some of that information. (Note: when they refer to disablity issues it typically includes everything from special education to the elderly and war veterans - so it is a wide array of topics. With that said, some of the topics may impact you or your family and I think the way the various candidates address these issues / terms / population should be taken into consideration.)

If you are anything like me, you don't associate the word 'disability' with your child - I know that I don't! However, when it comes to the funding of programs, resources, the creation of laws in our country and even the mindset that is created via the media, it is important that we are aware of what is happening. Even if we don't consider our children 'disabled' the way the laws are written and programs created it is very possible that our children will be classified under that label and as a result either receive or not receive the opportunities they deserve. You are their #1 advocate and voice until they are able to speak for themselves - so, stay informed! :-)

Qutoed from their site:The National Forum on Disability Issues, featuring the 2008 Presidential Candidates (invited) is a historic, nonpartisan forum on national disability policy to be held on July 26, 2008 in Columbus, Ohio. The venue allows us to welcome well over a thousand Americans with disabilities and their friends and family (registration required) to attend the event, and to commemorate the 18th anniversary of our civil rights law, the Americans with Disabilities Act. The forum will feature time slots for the presidential candidates to individually present their visions for the future of disability policy in America followed by questions by Judy Woodruff, news anchor and journalist ("The News Hour with Jim Lehrer"), who will act as the Moderator.

This presidential candidates forum builds on the success of our November primary-focused forum in New Hampshire, where the disability community made history with its first-ever disability presidential candidates forum with participation from seven presidential candidates, five of them in person. In addition to a large live attendance, tens of thousands from across the country will tune in via simultaneous webcast. The forum will also be broadcast live start to finish over all Ohio radio reading services, giving access to the event to people with disabilities in Ohio who don't have a computer and aren't able to attend to attend the event in person. To learn more go to their website: http://www.aapd.com/News/election/080423aapd.htm

Your voice and vote will make a difference. Christie

You MUST Register!!

The Florida Developmental Disabilities Council is proud to sponsor the one-day Wrightslaw Special Education Law and Advocacy Training presented by Peter Wright, Esq.

The workshop is designed to inform parents, families or guardians of their children's educational rights under the law and how to advocate on behalf of their children. Subjects covered will include:

· Special education law, rights and responsibilities

· Tests and measurements to measure progress & regression

· SMART IEPs

· Introduction to tactics & strategies for effective advocacy

Participants will receive a copy of Wrightslaw: Special Education Law and From Emotions to Advocacy: The Special Education Survival Guide.

When: Thursday, August 7, 2008, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Where:Rachael D. Murrah Civic Center of Winter Park

Five ways to register:
ΠOnline: www.fddc.org
 Mail: IDEA Registration, P.O. Box 6838, Tallahassee, FL
32314
Ž Fax: (850) 877-7022
 Phone: Sharon Gray, (850) 224-6222

 Email: aplantomeet@earthlink.net

There is NO CHARGE to workshop participants for attendance or materials. Parents, families and guardians of Florida students will be given priority registration.

Wrightslaw

Keynote Speaker~

Peter Wright , Esq. is an experienced and well-respected attorney whose law practice is devoted to assisting children with disabilities and their parents, families or guardians. He argued and won a landmark special education case before the
U. S. Supreme Court.

Pete and Pam Wright are the authors of Special Education Law , From Emotions to Advocacy: The Special Education Survival Guide, and co-authors of Wrightslaw: No Child Left Behind.

Sponsored by
United States Department of Health and Human Services
Administration on Developmental Disabilities, and the
Florida Developmental Disabilities Council, Inc.

We are currently working with Universal Studios Orlando to change our monthly free outings for families instead to a LARGE, one-day event. Stay tuned this fall for more details!

By Rosemarie Dowell
DownTown Editor

Kudos to Alaska Governor

Sarah Palin, Alaska's first term Republican governor delivered a baby with Down syndrome April 18 and three days later brought him to work. Little Trig was shown to the press and thus, the world.

Thank goodness times have changed. It really wasn't that long ago when parents were pressured into placing their child with DS in an institution or to hide them from public view.

Now we have a high profile politician (and by all accounts so far a good one) proclaiming her fifth child is, "perfect," and that she never considered terminating her pregnancy.

"We've both been very vocal about being pro-life," said Palin of she and husband Todd. "We understand that every innocent life has wonderful potential."

That's welcome news since nearly 90% of women today terminate their pregnancy once they learn they're carrying a child with DS.

"I'm looking at him right now and I see perfection," said Palin. "Yeah, he has an extra chromosome. I keep thinking, in our world, who is perfect or even normal?"

Palin told the press she plans to continue working as both an outspoken governor and Trig's steadfast advocate. She'll have plenty of help since Trig has four older siblings, numerous aunts and uncles and grandparents.

Still, let's hope the governor utilizes her government connections and political sway to include advocating for all children and adults with special needs. We can never have enough advocates for our children can we?

Since Palin is known as a spitfire maverick who's not afraid to ask tough questions and demand solutions and answers, I'm betting she will.

Planning to attend the one-day Education Conference May 17 in Boca Raton? Registration is $50 for non-Goldcoast Down Syndrome Association attendees, but DSACF can provide a scholarship upon request for the first 50 applicants. Click here for conference registration form.

Labels: conference scholarship

Let's Raise the Roof! Basketball Fundraiser ended Friday night with an exciting, overtime, 3-point basket successfully shot by DSACF DAD John "Hambone" Mahoney!

The DSACF DADS captured their first win against XL 106.7 Cheapshots raised some money and had everyone on the edge of their seat from tip-off to the final horn. Coach Johnny Magic and host of the Johnny & Jayde Morning Show is looking forward to next year's challenge. DSACF DADS ROCK!

The winning team coached by Scott Wendel included Domingo Diaz, John Mahoney, Mark Weinberg, Mike Moore, and John Samaan. John had to sit out the game with the flu but he made sure his position was covered by volunteers Andrew De Clerq, Darryl Harden, Dan Cross, and Craig Brown with Athlete Connection.

The night wouldn't have been complete though without the energy brought by the Altamonte Sparklers lead by Nin El-Khoury, a competitive cheerleading team for persons with special needs.

Half-time treats were served up by Shannon Wendel and included goodies provided by Stacy Taylor.

Coach Wendel calls this the "First Annual" so look for more from the DSACF DADS!

Labels: down syndrome basketball fundraiser