Given the chance to speak on stage, Sarah Shaw summed up the reason for holding the beauty pageant. "I might have a disability," she said, dressed in glittering black and silver. "But it's not going to keep me from doing what I'm doing." Read more here.

How to Assemble a Teacher Information Packet  

On this site, you'll find "Preparing the School" information for a wide range of special needs. Here's how to put it all together into a packet that will help your child's teacher help your child.

Difficulty: Average

Time Required: As much as you want to put into it

If you've determined that your child's behaviors, thoughts, or emotions might call for attention, your next move is to consult a professional. But where should you go? A potentially bewildering range of mental health providers are out there, and not all of them are the best people to go to for an evidence-based assessment and sound diagnosis. Where to start depends on the makeup of your child's current healthcare team and the services available in your area.. Click here for additional links

CMS intends to promote access to the most integrated settings that provide alternatives to services provided in institutions, using an "outcome-oriented definition" of HCBS settings instead of one based on location, geography, or physical characteristics.

Under the rule, home and community-based settings must: be integrated in and support full access to the greater community; be selected by the individual from among setting options; ensure individual rights of privacy, dignity and respect, and freedom from coercion and restraint; optimize autonomy and independence in making life choices; and facilitate choice regarding services and who provides them. To read the the rest of the story click here