Rock Steady Blog

By Michael Rock: Disability services and providers have all been hit hard since the coronavirus emergency began. However, some states are handling the situation better than others. In Pennsylvania, the disability services sector has been on the verge of financial ruin as budget cuts due to reductions in services have hampered their ability to pay […]

By Michael Rock: There have been a number of recent developments in the area of developmental and intellectual disability. The State of New Jersey just announced that it would permit hospital inpatients with developmental or intellectual disabilities to have a visitor to support them during their stay. Regulations will be implemented to make sure such […]

By Michael Rock: The COVID-19 pandemic continues to generate headlines, including on matters related to the disability community. Already, at least two prominent advocates have lost their lives to complications related to the virus. April Dunn, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, died March 28 at the age of 33. Dunn, who had fetal alcohol syndrome and […]

By Michael Rock: The COVID-19 pandemic continues to provide people with developmental disabilities unique challenges. The closing of in-person disability services can be difficult for those with autism and related developmental disabilities who may struggle with the eye contact necessary to use Zoom or FaceTime as an alternative. The lack of structure may serve to […]

By Michael Rock: The COVID-19 pandemic has brought a seemingly-endless array of unsetling news stories, especially regarding people with developmental disabilities. Fortunately there has been some light within the darkness. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for progress made in the rights of people with autism to not be undermined amid the coronavirus crisis on […]

By Michael Rock: As the COVID-19 coronavirus has spread globally, new developments in our general ability to understand its impact develop each day. For its relationship to those with disabilities, this rule has been no exception. Ohio Governor Mike DeWine called for all adult day services in the state to close. In New York City, […]

By Michael Rock: As the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic captures global headlines, the virus and the social climate it has created pose various challenges to people with disabilities. In fact, those most at risk from the virus itself have some form of disability under the broadest definition: including autoimmune disorders or other chronic illnesses. Those with […]

By Michael Rock: March marks Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. Nationwide, private, and public efforts to recognize it are occurring. Bethesda Lutheran Communities, a Watertown, Wisconsin-headquartered nonprofit, has promoted a call to action for better including people with disabilities in all areas of life. Meanwhile, Hawai’i Governor David Ige formally recognized the month of […]

By Michael Rock: One creative pursuit that some people with disabilities may use to express themselves is filmmaking. From March 31 to April 6, the Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan will host the 12th Annual ReelAbilities Film Festival will showcase numerous films from around the world made by people with disabilities and/or that depict them in […]

By Michael Rock: It is no secret that many people with autism struggle with social communication. Still, it is becoming quite clear that there are ways to reduce or eliminate their challenges. A recent study on mice at Johns Hopkins University found that MDMA, the pure form of ecstasy or molly, improved their social learning […]