AAIDD F.Y.I.
April 2008, Vol.8, No.4
Visit www.aaidd.org/FYI/ to access current and past issues of this monthly newsletter. Subscribe at http://www.responsetrack.net/aaidd/sign_up.
Dear AAIDD Friends and Colleagues:
APPROXIMATELY 2.8
MILLION OF THE 4.7 MILLION PERSONS WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY IN THE
U.S. RECEIVE RESIDENTIAL SUPPORT FROM FAMILY CAREGIVERS; AN ESTIMATED
715,000 OF THESE PERSONS RESIDE WITH CAREGIVERS OVER 60 YEARS OF AGE,
NEW 2008 STATE
OF THE STATES STUDY REPORTS
With almost 60% of people with intellectual disability in the U.S. receiving
residential support from family caregivers and the number of persons over age
65 more than doubling within the next 30 years, the demand for services for people
with developmental disabilities who reside with aging family caregivers will
significantly increase within the United States, reports the new 2008 State
of the States in Developmental Disabilities study by noted research
Dr. David L. Braddock. Increased longevity of persons with intellectual disability
is also stimulating demand for services and supports. The study is a detailed
and only one of its kind investigation of public spending, revenues, and programmatic
trends of intellectual and developmental programs and services within the United
States since 1977. It is particularly known for a 4-page “report card” on
each state’s intellectual and developmental disability spending. The latest
edition of the State of the States (2008), published by the American
Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AAIDD), covers data
until year 2006. To read an introduction and scope of the study, click
here.
The study is also available for purchase at http://bookstore.aaidd.org or
by calling 1-301-604-1340. Questions? Email books@aaidd.org.
In other disability funding news, 22 U.S. states face total budget shortfall of at least $39 billion in 2009 and six others expect budget problems, the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities reports. Read more at http://www.cbpp.org/1-15-08sfp.htm.
EMPLOYEES WITH DISABILITIES ARE JUST
AS PRODUCTIVE AS THOSE WITHOUT DISABILITIES, WITH ACCOMMODATION COSTS OFTEN
BEING MINIMAL, NEW STUDY SHOWS
A recent study of 314 employees with and without disabilities conducted by researchers
at DePaul University found that employees with disabilities from the healthcare,
retail, and hospitality sectors were just as dependable and productive as employees
without disabilities. In addition, participating employees with disabilities
had nearly identical job performance ratings; the amount of supervision
required was similar for both groups; participants with disabilities from the
retail and hospitality sectors stayed on the job longer than their counterparts;
and very few special accommodations were provided to participating employees
with disabilities and averaging only $313.
To read Exploring the Bottom Line: A Study of the Costs and Benefits of Workers with Disabilities, visit http://www.disabilityworks.org/downloads/disabilityworksDePaulStudyComprehensiveResults.pdf. Brigida Hernandez, assistant professor of psychology at DePaul University, was principal researcher for the study.
Read a press release on the report at http://www.disabilityworks.org/downloads/disabilityworksDePaulStudyPressRelease.pdf.
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE SUPPORTS INTENSITY
SCALE ASSESSMENT AND SERVICE PLANNING TOOL AT THESE UPCOMING NATIONAL EVENTS
The Supports Intensity Scale (SIS) is an assessment tool that measures support
needs of people with intellectual disability in life activities and behavioral
and medical needs areas, and has been adopted by several states within
the U.S. as well as provinces in Canada. The Scale has also been translated into
more than 10 languages. Here’s an opportunity to learn more about
SIS at these national events.
On April 3, 2008 from 5pm-6:15 pm, Jim Anderson, SISOnline Technical Manager,
and Ruth Pellman, AAIDD Senior SIS Trainer, will present on, “What
is the AAIDD Support Intensity Scale all about?” at the “Pursuing
the Possibilities: Life in Your Community” conference in Midlands,
Michigan. To learn more about the conference, click
here.
On Wednesday, May 7, 2008 from 1:30 pm-3:30 pm, hear Angela Rapp
Kennedy, SIS Product Manager speak at the Virginia Association of Community
Services Boards’ Professional Development Conference. The conference
will be held at the Wyndham Virginia Beach Oceanfront. To learn more about
the Catching the Wave of Change: Surf "the Pipeline" to Success conference,
visit http://www.vacsb.org/calendar.asp and
pick May 8, 2008 from the calendar.
To learn more about SIS, visit www.siswebsite.org. Questions? Email books@aaidd.org. To purchase the Supports Intensity Scale in English and French, visit http://bookstore.aaidd.org. Sign up for the free SIS Vantage quarterly newsletter at www.siswebsite.org/Newsletter/.
A TOTAL OF 10.2
MILLION CHILDREN IN AMERICA, OR 13.9 PERCENT OF THE
NATION’S CHILDREN, HAVE SPECIAL HEALTH CARE NEEDS, A NATIONAL SURVEY
BY THE U.S. MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH
BUREAU REPORTS
A new report released on the prevalence of special health care needs in the U.S.
and each state, shows that 38 percent of the 10.2 million children with special
needs are never affected in their daily activities by their conditions, as reported
by their parents. This finding may reflect access to the services that children
with special health care needs and their families require. Eighty four percent
of those children are reported to receive all of the services they need, and
the parents of 95 percent report receiving all the family support services they
require. The report contains national as well as state-by-state information on
the prevalence of special needs, indicators, and core outcomes.
To read the National Survey of Children With Special Health Care Needs: Chartbook 2005-2006, click here.
FREE AAIDD TELECONFERENCE
ON LEAD EXPOSURE AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES ON APRIL 8,
2008
Although the effects of lead on the developing brain have been studied for decades,
there are still many gaps in our understanding of how lead influences brain development
and brain function. Join Dr. Jay Shcneider on Tuesday, April 8, at 2 pm
US Eastern Standard Time for a teleconference presentation followed by discussion
on the effects of lead on brain development and function. The presentation will
include a discussion on the conceptual framework for understanding how the biology
of lead neurotoxicity leads to brain damage and cognitive dysfunction in a child.
There is no charge to dial in. For details on the teleconference, including the
dial in numbers, click
here.
To learn more about the AAIDD Environmental Health Initiative (EHI), sponsor
of this event, visit http://www.ehinitiative.org.
Questions? Email Laura Abulafia, EHI Director, at laura@aaidd.org.
AAIDD F.Y.I. is compiled by Anna Prabhala, Editor and is published by the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (Formerly AAMR). Please submit comments, suggestions, tips, and news to annap@aaidd.org. For more information on becoming an AAIDD member, visit http://www.aaidd.org/Membership/index.shtml. To purchase AAIDD products, visit http://bookstore.aaidd.org.
Subscribe for free at http://www.responsetrack.net/aamr/sign_up.
Access past issues of AAIDD F.Y.I. at www.aaidd.org/FYI/.
© Copyright 2007 American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AAIDD)
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