AAMR F.Y.I. Vol. 3, No. 1

QUALITY OF LIFE AND MENTAL RETARDATION

A review of international literature on quality of life (QOL) research in intellectual disabilities from 1985-2000 reveals that:

These findings are adapted from the Handbook on Quality of Life for Human Service Practitioners by Dr. Robert L. Schalock and Dr. Miguel Angel Verdugo. The Handbook talks about quality of life in six areas of human service, including education, physical health, mental and behavioral health, mental retardation and intellectual disabilities, aging, and families.

TWO PROGRAMS GEARED TOWARD FINDING JOBS FOR PERSONS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES RECEIVE PRESIDENTIAL AWARD
The Vocational Advancement and Social Skills Training (V.A.S.T.) and Office Skills Training Program of the Houston, Texas community college system were among the recipients of the first New Freedom Initiative (NFI) Awards from the U.S. Department of Labor in December 2002. Serving approximately 400 students a year, the two programs provide employment-focused post-secondary education to persons with developmental disabilities. The NFI award recognizes exemplary and innovative public-private partnership efforts in furthering the employment objectives of the New Freedom Initiative, a federal plan to eliminate community barriers for people with disabilities.
http://ccollege.hccs.edu/contract/office/office.htm (V.A.S.T.)
http://ccollege.hccs.edu/contract/office/office.htm# (Office Skills Training Program)
http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/OPA2002659.htm (New Freedom Initiative Award recipients)

GOVERNMENTAL SEMINAR ON DISABILITY POLICY IN WASHINGTON, DC
The September 11 tragedy, the subsequent focus on spending on defense and homeland security, and a return of federal deficits may result in cuts in many disability programs such as Medicaid and Social Security. The Congress is also expected to consider reauthorization of IDEA, TANF, the Rehabilitation Act, and the Assistive Technology Act. Further, the Americans with Disability Act (ADA) continues to be weakened by courts.

The Arc, AAMR, the Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD), and UCP (United Cerebral Palsy) join hands to present The New Congress: Facing Challenges-Creating Opportunities, a seminar that explores how to face challenges triggered by the changing political and economic environment, and how to create opportunities for forward-looking disability programs and laws. The seminar will be held from March 9-11 2003 at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington, DC.

For program details and registration information, visit http://www.aamr.org/Events/gov_affairs.shtml

VERY FEW BUSINESSES TAKE ADVANTAGE OF TAX INCENTIVES TO EMPLOY PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES, SAYS NEW REPORT
A recent study released by the General Accounting Office (GAO) reports that very few (1 out of 680 corporations and 1 out of 1,570 individuals with a business affiliation) reported using the two tax credits that are available to encourage hiring persons with disabilities. The report provides data on (1) the extent to which the tax credits have been used and what those credits include; (2) how the tax incentives can encourage businesses to hire, retain, and accommodate workers with disabilities; and (3) suggestions to enhance the awareness of these tax incentives.

Visit http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d0339.pdf to read Business Tax Incentives: Incentives to Employ Workers with Disabilities Receive Limited Use and Have an Uncertain Impact

TWO POPULAR TITLES ON DELIVERING AND RECEIVING QUALITY SERVICES AVAILABLE FOR FREE
How can people with developmental disabilities and their families advocate for and evaluate quality services? How can service providers make sure they deliver quality services to consumers? Find out in two popular AAMR titles Shaping Our Destiny, available for FREE at http://www.aamr.org/ShapingOurDestiny/index.shtml

NEW ITALIAN EDITION OF THE AMERICAN JOURNAL ON MENTAL RETARDATION (AJMR) LAUNCHED
A new Italian edition of the AAMR journal—the American Journal on Mental Retardation (AJMR)—was launched in December 2002 in cooperation with Vannini Editrice, an Italian publishing house. The Italian edition will contain translations of the articles featured in its American counterpart, and will also include contributions by Italian and European disability experts.

To read more, visit http://www.ajmr.it/eng/ita.htm

WATCH FOR A SPECIAL ISSUE OF AAMR F.Y.I. ON SIGNIFICANT DEVELOPMENTS IN THE MR/DD FIELD IN THE YEAR 2002!

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AAMR F.Y.I.
January 2003, Vol. 3, No. 1
Visit www.aamr.org/FYI/ to access current and past issues of AAMR F.Y.I.
Dear AAMR Friends and Colleagues:

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