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January 2007, Vol.7, No.1

AAIDD F.Y.I.
January 2007, Vol.7, No.1

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

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The American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (Formerly AAMR) wishes the readers of AAIDD F.Y.I. a very happy 2007.

The AAIDD is pleased to offer you free access to year 2005 articles on intellectual disability research, policy, and best practices published in the American Journal on Mental Retardation and Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (Formerly Mental Retardation). Happy reading! See below for information on how to access articles from these two top journals in special education.

Dear AAIDD Friends and Colleagues:

HISTORIC TREATY ADOPTED BY THE UNITED NATIONS HAS MAJOR HUMAN RIGHTS IMPLICATIONS FOR 650 MILLION PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES WORLDWIDE.
The United Nations General Assembly has adopted a landmark Convention to promote, protect, and ensure full human rights and fundamental freedoms of more than 650 million people living with a disability worldwide. Human rights advocates hope that the Convention will finally ensure that countries are no longer allowed to marginalize people with disabilities in society. Heralded as the first major human rights treaty of the 21st century, the Convention is now open to 192 member states for ratification and implementation, and will enter into force when ratified by 20 countries. The Convention contains articles that cover areas such as, civil and political rights, accessibility, participation and inclusion, the right to education, health, work and employment, and social protection.

To read the Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities, visithttp://www.un.org/esa/socdev/enable/rights/convtexte.htm

In other UN news, a new study by the United Nations of 100 leading websites in 20 countries finds that most fail disability accessibility standards. Read more athttp://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2006/pi1756.doc.htm.

IN THE UNITED STATES, CONGRESS PASSES TWO LANDMARK ACTS, BOOSTING FUNDING CONSIDERABLY FOR RESPITE CARE PROGRAMS AND AUTISM RESEARCH.
The U.S. Congress passed two landmark Acts in December 2006— the Lifespan Respite Care Act (S. 1283) and the Combating Autism Act (S. 843). The Lifespan Respite Care Act authorizes $289 million over five years in state grants to develop lifespan respite programs for families providing care for a child or an adult with special needs. Read a press release on the Act from the National Respite Coalition Taskforce athttp://www.epilepsyfoundation.org/upload/lrtf20061221.pdf. The Combating Autism Act, sponsored by Senator Rick Santorum (R-PA), authorizes nearly $1 billion over five years toward autism spectrum disorders and developmental disabilities research, increasing federal spending on autism by 50 percent. Read more athttp://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2006/12/20061219-3.html.

STEVE EIDELMAN, FORMER EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE ARC OF THE UNITED STATES, TALKS TO AAIDD F.Y.I.
Steve Eidelman has led many a change for persons with intellectual disabilities in his various leadership roles with The Arc of the United States, the Kennedy Foundation, the Pennsylvania Department of Public Works and more. However, his major efforts these days as professor at the University of Delaware are focused on training future leaders for the graying intellectual disability field. In this interview with AAIDD F.Y.I., Eidelman comments in his characteristic candor on what’s required in the intellectual disability field, why young professionals should enter this field, how we should prepare for the next administration, and more.

GET FREE ACCESS TO YEAR 2005 ISSUES OF TWO TOP JOURNALS IN SPECIAL EDUCATION AND REHABILITATION!
All issues of the American Journal on Mental Retardation and Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (Formerly Mental Retardation) published in the year 2005 are now available for free online at http://aaidd.allenpress.com/aamronline/?request=index-html. Click on the “Archived Issues” link on the left to access all the issues published in 2005. The AJMR and IDD are top journals in special education and rehabilitation and are published by the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (formerly AAMR).

WOMEN OF CHILDBEARING AGE IN THE UNITED STATES ARE NOT CONSUMING ENOUGH FOLATE, NEW REPORT FROM CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL SAYS
Folate consumption in women of childbearing age in the United States has dropped 16 percent since 1999, a new report by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) says. Folate is an essential vitamin that prevents severe birth defects, such as neural tube defects. The decline may be due to increased consumption of wholegrain breads and cereals, which are not fortified with folate. The U.S. Public Health Service recommends that women consume 400 micrograms of folic acid per day to help prevent developmental disabilities such as neural tube defects. Currently, women are only consuming around 150 micrograms of folic acid per day.

Read the report on decreased folate levels in the January 5, 2007 issue of the CDC publication, Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report athttp://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5551a2.htm.

“NEW CONGRESS, NEW OPPORTUNITIES” DISABILITY POLICY SEMINAR TO BE HELD IN WASHINGTON, DC IN MARCH 2007; SEMINAR TO DEVELOP NEW ADVOCACY TOOLS IN PREPARATION FOR THE 110TH CONGRESS
The annual disability policy seminar held in Washington, DC, by a coalition of disability groups including the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities strives to create an advocacy agenda and the tools required for various public policy issues affecting lives of persons with intellectual disabilities. Taking center stage this year in the seminar, titled “New Congress, New Opportunities” are such issues as Developmental Disabilities Act, Family Support, Social Security, Long-term Services and Supports, Health, Housing, Education, and more. Visits to Capitol Hill to meet with congressional delegations are also planned. To learn more about the program and register, visit /Events/Disability%20Policy/index.html. To download a program brochure, visithttp://www.thearc.org/ga/2007%20Seminar%20Brochure.pdf.

LOOKING BACK AT U.S. FEDERAL DISABILITY POLICY: NATIONAL COUNCIL ON DISABILITY PUBLISHES ITS ANNUAL REPORT FOR 2004-2005
Considered the Disability State of the Union message, the National Council on Disability annual progress report on U.S. federal disability policy was issued in December 2006. The report notes that current policy still contains inconsistent messages and unrealistic requirements for people with disabilities who rely on such federal programs as Social Security disability benefits, Medicaid, Medicare, special education, and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families. Read National Disability Policy: A Progress Report athttp://www.ncd.gov/newsroom/publications/2006/progress_report.htm#executive.

In other government news, the Medicaid Commission’s second and final report with recommendations for the long-term sustainability of the Medicaid program was issued on December 29, 2006 . The next step is for the U.S. Congress to consider making any changes to the program based on the recommendations. Few of the disability community's recommendations were incorporated in the final recommendations, notes the Association of University Centers of Disabilities’ Legislative News in Brief publication (LINK TO http://www.aucd.org/in_brief/Jan107inbrief.htm). Read Final Report and Recommendations: Medicaid Commission at http://aspe.hhs.gov/medicaid/122906rpt.pdf.

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.

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