Search F.Y.I. Articles

December 2007, Vol.7, No.12

AAIDD F.Y.I.
December 2007, Vol.7, No.12

Visit www.aaidd.org/FYI/ to access current and past issues of this monthly newsletter. Subscribe at http://www.responsetrack.net/aamr/sign_up.

Dear AAIDD Friends and Colleagues:

NEW STUDY BY WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION ESTABLISHES BENCHMANRK ON SERVICES AND RESOURCES AVAILABLE FOR PEOPLE WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES IN 147 COUNTRIES
Atlas: Global Resources for Persons with Intellectual Disabilities from the World Health Organization is a benchmark study on the services and resources available for 95% of the world’s population with intellectual disabilities in 147 countries. The study charts information in the following areas: terms and classification used to describe the disability; policy and legislation; financing and benefits; prevention efforts; health and social care services; human resources and training initiatives; research and information systems; and the role of NGOs and international organizations.Atlas is a solid first step towards understanding the world of intellectual disability.

Click here to read the report.

[Back to top]

PENNSYLVANIA ADOPTS THE SUPPORTS INTENSITY SCALE TOOL TO PLAN SERVICES FOR PEOPLE WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES
Pennsylvania is the latest in the growing number of U.S. states to adopt the Supports Intensity Scale (SIS) planning tool to measure support requirements for people living with an intellectual disability. In a few months, the state will implement SIS with 23,000 people receiving services through two Medicaid Waivers. To read an interview with Priscilla Hill, Administrative Officer for the Office of Developmental Programs in Pennsylvania, click here.

The SIS is a supports planning tool developed by members of the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AAIDD). The Scale assesses support needs in 85 medical, behavioral, and life activity areas, and is unique in its focus on assessing needs of an individual—as opposed to measuring skills a person lacks—to plan services. SIS is currently in use in Colorado; Georgia; Louisiana; Oregon; Utah; Virginia; and Washington. Other countries using SIS include Canada; Italy; Japan; the Netherlands; Spain; and Taiwan. To learn more about SIS, visit www.siswebsite.org. For questions, email books@aaidd.org. To subscribe to the SIS Vantage quarterly newsletter, visit www.siswebsite.org/Newsletter.

[Back to top]

STUDY RECORDS A DRAMATIC INCREASE IN INDIVIDUAL CHOICE WHILE CHOOSING SERVICE PROVIDERS FOR PEOPLE WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES TRANSITIONING FROM EDUCATIONAL TO ADULT SERVICES
In the period between 1992-2004, the number of U.S. states offering young adults with developmental disabilities the opportunity to choose their service provider increased from only 8 to 41 states, according to a study published in the December issue of the journal, Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. While patterns of service delivery in states are well documented, most studies focus on the number of people served and service costs incurred, rather than the issue of choice of providers offered to individuals. “Who Chooses Service Providers? The Spread of Consumer Choice, 1992-2004” reveals a different lens through which to explore the changing state of developmental disability services. To read an abstract of the article, click here. Access to full text requires a purchase at the same website.

Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) edited by Dr. Steven J. Taylor is published by the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. To learn how to subscribe to IDD, click here.

[Back to top]

HUMAN RIGHTS GROUP DECRIES ABUSE OF CHILDREN AND ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES IN INSTITUTIONS IN SERBIA
After a 4-year investigation, human rights group,Mental Disability Rights International released a report titled Torment not Treatment: Serbia’s Segregation and Abuse of Children and Adults with Disabilities. The report calls “placement in a Serbian institution life threatening.” Click here to read Torment not Treatment.

[Back to top]

LEARN WHAT THE 2008 U.S. PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES HAD TO SAY ON DISABILITY ISSUES AT A SPECIAL FORUM HELD IN MANCHESTER, NEW HAMPSHIRE
Granite State Independent Living Center and a New Hampshire coalition of disability organizations hosted an open forum on November 2, 2007 in Manchester, New Hampshire, with candidates from the 2008 U.S. presidential elections. Candidates were asked questions in the areas of political leadership, employment, health care, long-term supports, housing, transportation, technology and communications, voting, civil rights, and international human rights. To read a transcript of the forum, click here. To see candidate responses side-by-side, click here.

[Back to top]

AAIDD F.Y.I. is compiled by Anna Prabhala, Editor and is published by the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (Formerly AAMR). Please submit comments, suggestions, tips, and news to annap@aaidd.org. For more information on becoming an AAIDD member, visit /Membership/index.shtml. To purchase AAIDD products, visit http://bookstore.aaidd.org.

Subscribe for free at http://www.responsetrack.net/aamr/sign_up.

Access past issues of AAIDD F.Y.I. at www.aaidd.org/FYI/.

Publication of an advertisement by AAIDD is neither an endorsement of the advertiser nor of the advertised products or services.

AAIDD F.Y.I. may only be redistributed in its unedited form.

[Back to top]