Editor's Choice
OCTOBER 10, 2018
PasadenaNow.com
The Frostig Center is proud to host a screening of the new documentary Intelligent Lives, which is shattering stereotypes about what it means to be “intelligent” and opening doors to more inclusive education and employment. Intelligent Lives stars three young adults with intellectual disabilities who challenge perceptions of intelligence as they navigate high school, college, and the workforce. Academy Award-winning actor and narrator Chris Cooper contextualizes the lives of these central characters through the emotional story of his son Jesse, as the film unpacks the shameful and ongoing track record of intelligence testing in the U.S.
OCTOBER 3, 2018
Disability Scoop
When a large service provider for people with developmental disabilities decided to move away from using restraint and seclusion, a new study finds safety improved and costs went down. Over a 12-year period, restraints decreased 99 percent and seclusion was eliminated at the Virginia-based Grafton Integrated Health Network, which serves more than 3,200 people with intellectual, developmental and psychiatric disabilities in residential and community-based settings. At the same time, the provider saw a 64 percent decline in client-induced staff injury and an estimated savings of $16 million in associated costs from overtime, turnover and workers’ compensation. Clients, meanwhile, were far more likely to achieve mastery in their goals.
SEPTEMBER 28, 2018
NewsHub.com.nz
Kiwi Robert Martin MNZM became the first person with an intellectual disability to chair a United Nations session on Wednesday. Mr Martin, currently serving a three-year term as an independent expert on the UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, says the occasion in Geneva was empowering - but he was initially uncertain.
JULY 20, 2018
ABC7 Chicago
In 1967, Burke came up with the idea to hold a one-day, Olympic-style track meet for people with intellectual disabilities throughout Chicago. In March 1968, the Kennedy Foundation and Chicago Park District announced the first Special Olympics would be held at Soldier Field. The first Special Olympics International Summer Games on July 20 involved about 1,000 athletes from the United States and Canada participating in more than 200 events, from the high jump to water polo. While the games were a competition, they were also an opportunity to uplift the community and have a whole lot of fun.
JULY 16, 2018
Times Record
Independence Association was founded in Brunswick more than 50 years ago to assist people with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) in enjoying full lives as members of their chosen communities. Since 1966, the agency has grown to serve some 400 people in nine Maine counties. Those clients include residents of 14 staffed homes and two supported apartment buildings in Brunswick, Durham, Topsham, Bath and Freeport. Nearly a third of the residents are aged 60 and older. And their "aging in place" is becoming mission-critical for Independence Association.
JUNE 29, 2018
The Journal, Ireland
The media have a key role to play in perception where currently the person with an intellectual disability is treated as either 'heroic' or 'tragic.' According to Piggott: "The reality is that most people live ordinary lives. As children, they just want to play, go to school, swim or go dancing just as others do. The child with the disability internalises the message 'If I don't feel welcome or respected, then that makes me feel less confident.' This needs to change. We need to welcome babies with disabilities into the world, and support their families too."