In This Issue:

  • Webinar: Talking About Dementia With People Who Have IDD
  • Provide Input to Proposed Capacity Rules under CHRP Waiver
  • Disability Book Week
  • Scholarships Available for Special Education Advocacy Curriculum
  • Employment Mixer
  • Follow Us on Social Media
Webinar:
Talking About Dementia
With People Who Have IDD

Talking to people with IDD about Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD) can be challenging—but having these difficult discussions early on, using language and concepts that are understandable, can be so important to help people with IDD prepare for the future.

During the webinar at noon on Thursday, April 28, you'll learn more about this topic, including:
  • Myths and truths about aging with a disability
  • Why it is critical for people with IDD and their families to discuss ADRDs
  • Barriers in discussing ADRDs with a person with IDD
  • Strategies to consider prior to and during these discussions
 
This webinar, offered in partnership with ONEgeneration and funded through the Archstone Foundation, will be captioned and interpreted in American Sign Language. The recording will be available to view on demand for those who register.
 
Click here to learn more about the webinar and to register.

Questions? Email Liz Mahar at [email protected].
Stakeholder Input Opportunity Meeting:
Proposed Capacity Rules Under CHRP Waiver
 
The Colorado Department of Human Services is seeking to add and modify current existing rules for certified foster homes and specialized group facilities that care for children and youth under the Children's Habilitation Residential Program. These rules will only address the proposed capacities for these out-of-home placement types.
 
You can provide input into these proposed rules on May 4 from 3 - 4:30 p.m.

Join by Google Meet: meet.google.com/iea-yqhb-nxy 

Or, join by phone: 1-‪617-675-4444, PIN: ‪296 288 636 0284#
 
For more information email Kathleen Homan or email Cheryl Estrick. 

This is Disability Book Week

Join in on celebrating Disability Book Week! This nationwide project promotes disability inclusion and diversity. Everyone is encouraged to enjoy books written by authors or featuring main characters with disabilities to better understand, appreciate and empower the community.

“I have two girls with moderate/severe IDD, so that diagnosis has an extra special place in my heart,” shared Mary Mecham, Disability Book Week’s founder. “Recently, I noticed that almost none of the books I owned featured characters that resembled my girls.”

When asked for book recommendations featuring characters or written by authors with IDD, Mary said, “These were the exact type of books I was looking for when I first started Disability Book Week, and I am still looking. Intellectual Disability is shockingly underrepresented in literature.” Among the few titles featuring main characters with IDD is a children’s book about a girl with Cerebral Palsy: “A Voice of Her Own” by Sarah Yong.

The Colorado Talking Book Library has plenty of options for people who can’t read standard print.

In addition, Jefferson County Public Library has offerings for all reading levels including books, audiobooks, books on CD, and Hoopla which is a digital media streaming service. Some children’s books have built-in audio players and the library also loans Playaways which are devices featuring pre-loaded audiobooks.

For more information about Disability Book week, including reading lists, click here. 

Scholarships Available for Special Education Advocacy Curriculum

The Arc of the U.S. is providing scholarships, in partnership with Comcast NBCUniversal, for eligible families of color and low-income households who live in Comcast regions to receive free online access to our Special Education Advocacy Curriculum.

•        Learn basic information needed to navigate the special education system.
•        Get an introduction to IDEA and early intervention services.
•        Learn what Section 504 is and who qualifies.
•        Find out what procedural safeguards are available for parents and more!

A limited number of scholarships are available, so we encourage you to apply early.
Employment Mixer

Job seekers: A non-formal employment mixer is being presented by The Arc - Jefferson, Clear Creek & Gilpin Counties and The Arc Arapahoe & Douglas Counties.

Hope to see you on Wednesday, May 18th from 4 – 6pm at Brewability!
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