AAMR F.Y.I.
September 2002, Vol. 2, No. 3

Please feel free to forward AAMR F.Y.I. to friends and associates.

Dear AAMR Friends and Colleagues:


IN THIS ISSUE:
    1. Senate committee in California approves criminal justice/ mental retardation bill
    2. "Legal and volunteer advocates at work" by Robert Perske
    3. Call for papers for 2003 AAMR conference in Chicago
    4. National Governors Association (NGA) adopts two policies likely to impact persons with developmental disabilities
    5. Save the Dates! AAMR training seminars on the new definition of mental retardation Coming soon!
    6. TheArcLink.org launches new online calendar on disabilities events and activities
    7. Don’t forget to renew your 2003 AAMR membership!
    8. The National Council on Disability (NCD) releases 2001 annual National Disability Policy report

Senate Committee in California Approves Criminal Justice/ Mental Retardation Bill
The Senate Public Safety Committee approved a bill (AB577) that would allow anyone facing the death penalty to request an examination for mental retardation. Under the bill, if a judge finds a defendant does not have mental retardation, the defendant may still ask the jury to consider the issue. In such a case, the prosecution would have to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant does not have mental retardation. The measure will now go to the Senate Appropriations Committee.

This article appeared in the August 8 edition of the San Francisco Chronicle and was picked up by RADAR, an online database that tracks news trends and issues in the developmental disabilities field.

Visit RADAR at www.radaraamr.com

"Legal and Volunteer Advocates at Work: What’s Next After Atkins V/S Virginia." By Robert Perske
Following the U.S. Supreme Court decision to ban execution of persons with mental retardation, we asked noted disability advocate Robert Perske to share his thoughts on "what’s next" from an advocacy perspective.

Visit the Reading Room to read the article.

AAMR Calls For Papers For 2003 Annual Meeting in Chicago
 AAMR announces call for papers for the 2003 Annual Meeting in Chicago, Illinois from May 20 - May 23, 2003. The theme for the 2003 conference is "Renewing the Revolution for Personally Satisfying Lives." The deadline for submission of all proposals is September 30, 2002.

Visit http://www.aamr.org/Events/call_for_papers_2003/index.shtml to submit your proposal.

National Governors Association Adopts Two Policies Likely To Impact Persons With Developmental Disabilities
 At its Annual Meeting in Boise, Idaho, the NGA adopted a set of policies, two of which would specifically impact persons with developmental disabilities. These include, the State Fiscal Relief and Medicaid Flexibility and the NGA/CCSSO Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, the latter adopted in conjunction with the Chief State School Officers Association.

To read the NGA policy statements, visit http://www.nga.org/nga/legislativeUpdate/1,1169,C_ISSUE_BRIEF^D_4092,00.html

AAMR Training Seminars on the New 10th Edition of Mental Retardation to be Held in New Orleans and Washington, DC
On September 23-24 and October 3-4, AAMR will hold training workshops on the new 10th edition of Mental Retardation: Definition, Classification, and Systems of Supports in New Orleans, LA and Washington, DC respectively. Conducted by experts, including authors of the 10th edition, the seminars will train participants on how to diagnose mental retardation, determine the strengths and needs of persons with MR, and plan supports accordingly.

For a detailed brochure and registration information, visit http://www.aamr.org/Events/index.shtml

TheArclink.Org Launches New Online Calendar for Disability Events
www.TheArcLink.org has launched a unique online calendar that allows state or national organizations from any of the 50 U.S. states to announce upcoming disability-related events for free! "TheArcLink provides the only place where every event in the nation, on every subject that is a part of our lives, including education, assistive technology, self-determination, advocacy and self-advocacy, is at your fingertips", said Terry Boisot, Chair of TheArcLink Board of Directors.

Go to http://www.thearclink.org/calendar/signUp.asp to post events for free.

Don’t Forget To Renew Your 2003 AAMR Membership…
With an AAMR membership, you have access to the latest trends, best practices, and research in developmental disabilities; subscription to our internationally respected journals; and discounts on books, training institutes, the AAMR annual convention, and public policy seminars.

Renewing your membership is easy. Just visit http://www.aamr.org/Membership/index.shtml and submit your application form online!

The National Council on Disability (NCD) Announces New Report
The National Council on Disability (NCD) announced the release of its 2001 annual National Disability Policy: A Progress Report. The report addresses issues related to people with disabilities and reflects the barriers people with disabilities face in employment. Issues addressed by the report include, Interagency Coordination; Baseline Employment Statistics; Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act; Federal Hiring Initiatives; Demonstration Projects; One-Stop Career Centers; Licensing and Funding; and Tax Incentives.

Read the NCD report at http://www.ncd.gov/newsroom/publications/progressreport_07-26-02.html

AAMR F.Y.I. is compiled by Anna Prabhala, Editor. Please submit comments, suggestions, tips, and news to annap@aamr.org

© Copyright 2002 American Association on Mental Retardation
AAMR F.Y.I. may only be redistributed in its unedited form