Congrats to Melissa Crist, IdahoSTARS Director, on being selected to serve as an Act Early Ambassador for the 2019-2021 cohort!
As Act Early Ambassador, Melissa will expand the reach of CDC’s
Learn the Signs. Act Early.
program in Idaho and work towards improving early identification of delays and developmental disabilities, including autism. She will serve as Idaho’s point of contact and promote the adoption and integration of
Learn the Signs. Act Early.
The Act Early Ambassador Program is a collaborative effort of
CDC
’
s National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities,
Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)
’s
Maternal and Child Health Bureau, and AUCD. The 2019-2021 Act Early Ambassador cohort will begin their term at the annual Act Early Ambassador Training at CDC Headquarters in Atlanta on April 30th and May 1st, 2019.
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Congratulations to Mia Giglio and Eric Desmarais for being represented on the AUCD Emerging Leaders map. This map highlights the contributions of diverse trainees across AUCD's network. The theme of this year's map is "Centering People with Disabilities/Disabled People."
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By Jessilyn Matthias
When my cousin was a boy, he was obsessed with eighteen-wheeler transport trucks and wanted a job driving one when he was older. Although his vision is deteriorating now, and driving himself is impossible, he may one day have a car that can drive itself.
Autonomous cars appear to be the new holy grail of the automotive industry. The technology is in its infancy but is promising for people who experience vision loss or other impairments that prevent independent driving.
Several companies such as Google, Uber, and Tesla have developed computer software to make cars responsive to real-time driving situations. Devices on the vehicle such as sensors, sonar systems, and cameras detect surrounding conditions and build a map that informs acceleration, braking, and maneuvering. Some software can even link cars to traffic lights and other vehicles for further automation and smart design.
Despite promising advances, there are some concerns about cyber-security and overall safety. Efforts must be made to protect self-driving software from hacking or manipulation from outside influences. Additionally, vehicle software is equipped with an override function so a human driver can take over if a problem occurs.
Assistive Technology such as self-driving cars may eventually provide a way for people who have disabilities to live and travel independently. As technological advances increase disability will become less of an issue that prevents individuals from having the same quality of life as everyone else. More to the point, driverless technology is one more example of universal design—creating something that everyone can use and benefit from, and promoting equality across all abilities.
Until next time!
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Think College Idaho is part of a nationwide movement promoting meaningful access to colleges and universities for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Think College Idaho collaborates with key stakeholders on program development, improvement, public policy initiatives, and research to create high quality inclusive opportunities to attend college for all Idahoans.
Think College Idaho has launched its website and Facebook.
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Idaho Developmental Disabilities (DD) Network Event
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SALN members present to the audience in Moscow.
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Larkin and Jen Seiler speak to the audience after the film in Boise.
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Blessings of Liberty
By Laura Hannon
The Developmental Disabilities Network held a premier screening of
Blessings of Liberty
on February 7, 2019 at the Idaho State Capitol. There were over 250 people in attendance including 13 legislators and the Lieutenant Governor.
The Idaho Self Advocate Leadership Network (SALN) held another screening of the film on March 29th, in Moscow, ID. The film was produced by the Idaho Council on Developmental Disabilities about the segregation and isolation of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities through placement in institutions. It discussed the nationwide deinstitutionalization movement in the 1970’s and transition to community-based living. The film was created in response to Congressional attempts to Block Grant Medicaid and to educate and emphasize the importance of Home and Community Based services in Idaho, which so many Idahoans rely on to gain greater independence and access to community.
Residents throughout Idaho were featured in the film. They explained the impact this legislation would have on their families and lifestyles, specifically, on home and community supports. After the film, SALN hosted a panel of their members, who explained to the audience what they use Medicaid for and how their lives would be impacted without it. The film and panel gave the Moscow community members deeper insight into the ways Medicaid supports people with disabilities.
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Interdisciplinary Book Club
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By Ernesto Marquez Montes
Since joining the Interdisciplinary Book Club at CDHD my understanding of disabilities and how they impact people’s lives has continued to evolve. Currently, we are reading Al Capone Does My Shirts by Gennifer Choldenko. This historical fiction takes place on Alcatraz Island during the mid-1930s. Moose, who is a growing boy, has to deal with making new friends on the island where they moved for his father’s work as a prison guard and electrician at a prison famous for housing the most dangerous criminals. On top of that, he is always looking after his sister, Natalie, who has a disability and back then would have been institutionalized. It is a tender story of a brother standing up for his sister while tackling the usual difficulties of growing up and understanding that things aren’t always how we would like them to be.
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By Morgan Nash
During our group training on March 20th Dr. Janice Carson presented on Universal Design and the culture surrounding it. Dr. Carson is the Director of the Idaho Assistive Technology Project at the CDHD.
We began our group training by introducing ourselves and choosing one item either on us or in our bags that explained some part of our culture. For example, one student chose her cell phone and explained that it was a large part of her culture. Next, Dr. Carson went on to explain Universal Design and how it could be applied to any of our fields of study. Universal Design is the design of buildings, products, or environments to make them accessible to all. Dr. Carson often compared this idea to the peanut butter on the inside of a Reese’s as universal design should be the core to any idea. We then went on to discuss important upcoming dates and wrapped our meeting up with a group photo.
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Tools for Life Conference
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By Andrew Martinez
The Tools for Life Transition Fair is a great resource for high school students interested in pursuing higher education and gaining the right skills to have an equal opportunity in college. My role as a college mentor provided an enriching opportunity for me to extend my knowledge and provide insight to the students in attendance. Being given the opportunity to attend the workshops allowed me to experience first-hand what sort of resources are out there for the population of students with disabilities. It really amazed me to see the amount of support given by the numerous organizations that were present.
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artAbility Poetry Workshop
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By Amy Chia
Working at the artAbility workshops is always an amazing experience. The environment is very welcoming and with the people that attend I know it is going to be a fun time. Being able to see what everyone creates in these workshops always leaves me smiling. It is evident that the artists enjoy their time in their sessions and give the pieces they create their all.
In these last two sessions I worked with Toby who, although very quiet, had some very funny poems. It was great to see how he let his thoughts flow to create poems that represented what he likes and who he is.
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Intelligent Lives Film Screening
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By Lynsey Fenter
On March 22nd the CDHD in collaboration with the Center for Disability Access and Resources (CDAR) held a screening of the documentary
Intelligent Lives
.
Intelligent Lives
stars three pioneering young American adults with intellectual disabilities - Micah, Naieer, and Naomie - who challenge perceptions of intelligence as they navigate high school, college, and the workforce. I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to coordinate the event. I feel that there is a disconnect between UI students and the resources that are available on campus and within the community. That is why I thought it was important to help bridge this gap. We had a resource fair that included CDHD, CDAR, the Raven’s Scholars program, Office of Multicultural Affairs, LGBTQIA Center, SALN, and Disability Action Center.
Following the screening of the film we held a panel discussion comprised of Amy Taylor of CDAR, Andy Scheef of Think College, and Cathy Dixon a student. They answered questions that were brought up in the film about the use of IQ testing and the resources that UI and the community provides. Overall it was a great event!
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By Kat Moffis
On the weekends of March 23rd and 30th, the University of Idaho held their annual UIBound festivities for incoming college freshmen. One of the activities was the Student Activities and Information Fair where the Center on Disabilities and Human Development had an informational booth. From the hours of 10 am to 2 pm, on both weekends, hundreds of high school seniors walked through the 80 plus tables of organizations, clubs, and information about internships available at UI. At the CDHD table, future students were able to learn more about the Interdisciplinary Training Program. As a trainee, I had an opportunity to reach out to other student organizations about artAbility. I enjoyed sharing more information about CDHD with a variety of people.
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April
5-7
-
UI Mom's Weekend
8 -
Disability Awareness Symposium @WSU 10AM-4PM
9
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Advanced Partners @Gritman Medical Center- Moscow 9AM-5PM
19
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artAbility Showcase - Latah County Fair and Events Center
27 -
Courageous Kids - UI Climbing Center
May
11 -
UI Spring Commencement
27
- Memorial Day (CDHD Closed)
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