AAMR F.Y.I.
September 2004, Vol.4, No.9

Visit http://www.aamr.org/FYI/ to access current and past issues of this monthly newsletter.

Dear AAMR Friends and Colleagues:

IN THIS ISSUE:


STUDY REPORTS CONTINUED MOVEMENT OF PERSONS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES FROM LARGE FACILITIES TO COMMUNITY-BASED RESIDENTIAL SETTINGS WHILE REPORTING DISPROPORTIONATE SPENDING
A recent study published by the Research and Training Center on Community Living in Minnesota on residential services for persons with developmental disabilities shows a continued movement from large facilities to community-based residential settings. Approximately 82 percent of individuals with developmental disabilities were reported living in community settings as of June 2003. However, Medicaid spending continued to be disproportionately greater for persons in ICFs/MR than Home and Community-Based Service recipients ($104,633 vs. $36,363 per recipient).

Read Residential Services for Persons with Developmental Disabilities: Status and Trends through 2003 at http://rtc.umn.edu/risp/

PARTICIPATE IN ONLINE SURVEY ON TECHNOLOGY USE FOR PERSONS WITH COGNITIVE DISABILITIES
The Beach Center on Disability in Kansas has developed an online survey at https://www.psychdata.com/surveys.asp?SID=6813 to find out how people with developmental disabilities use technology, including computers, cell phones, and other information technology. The survey also asks direct support professionals about the training they currently receive or may need to support technology use. The survey is funded by the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research and the American Association on Mental Retardation is a partner on this initiative. For more information, contact Susan Palmer at (785) 864-0270 or spalmer@ku.edu

SPECIAL ISSUE OF THE AMERICAN JOURNAL ON MENTAL RETARDATION EXAMINES IMPACT OF AGING ON FAMILY CAREGIVERS
Throughout the world, families are the major providers of care for adults with developmental disabilities and statistics show that with growing life expectancy, many of these adults are either living with elderly family members or are outliving their parents. The latest issue of the American Journal on Mental Retardation (AJMR) examines major issues in how the aging process affects families and the health and social service system in Australia, the United States, Israel, and Ireland.
To read a list of articles appearing in the special issue, visit http://aamr.allenpress.com/aamronline/?request=get-toc&issn=0895-8017&volume=109&issue=5

To read an introduction by Dr. Tamar Heller, editor of the special issue of AJMR, visit http://www.aamr.org/Reading_Room/pdf/HellerintroAug04AJMR.pdf

In other family news, November has been designated as the National Family Caregivers month. Read how you can get involved at http://www.nfcacares.org/

ARTICLE CELEBRATES THE IMPORTANCE OF DIRECT SUPPORT WORKERS
Peter Leidy of Options in Community Living in Madison, Wisconsin offers a personal and an in-depth narrative on why it is important to support direct staff in their daily work in an article that appears in the latest issue of Mental Retardation.
Read "Shoulder to Shoulder: Celebrating the Important Work of Direct Support Workers" at http://www.aamr.org/Reading_Room/pdf/LeidyAug04MR.pdf

128TH AAMR ANNUAL MEETING PAPERS ON HEALTH PROMOTION FOR PERSONS WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES NOW ONLINE
Visit www.aamr.org/Events/annual_meeting.shtml to read papers presented by more than 40 experts in developmental disabilities at the annual meeting of the American Association on Mental Retardation in Philadelphia in June 2004. Sample papers include "Where are we in providing evidence-based health promotion?" "Alzheimer’s Disease in Adults with Down Syndrome," and "Pollution, Toxic Chemicals, Disability, and Our Health."

CONFERENCE ON ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY AND MENTAL RETARDATION TO BE HELD IN COLORADO IN OCTOBER
" Enhancing the Quality of Life for People with Cognitive Disabilities through Technology," the 5th Annual Meeting of the Coleman Institute for Cognitive Disabilities will be held from October 4-5 in Denver, Colorado. To learn more, visit http://www.cu.edu/ColemanInstitute/2004conference.htm

SPECIAL OFFER OF THE JOURNAL ON RELIGION, DISABILITY & HEALTH TO AAMR MEMBERS
The Journal on Religion, Disability & Health is now available to AAMR members at a 30% discount. Find out more at https://timssnet.allenpress.com//ECOMAAMR//timssnet/common/tnt_frontpage.cfm

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

Access past issues of AAMR F.Y.I. at www.aamr.org/FYI/. To subscribe, visit http://www.responsetrack.net/aamr/sign_up

© Copyright 2004 American Association on Mental Retardation

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