AABR News

By Michael Rock:

The latest news cycle highlighted a number of developments in including people with disabilities: negative and positive alike.

On March 25th, Clifford Poetz of Minnesota died at the age of 71. Born with cerebral palsy, he became the first person with a developmental disability to testify before a congressional subcommittee in 1973. In addition to organizing various advocacy projects in Minnesota, he urged federal lawmakers to abandon the use of “the r-word” decades before larger society came to see it as offensive. 

Poetz’s advocacy has surely helped lead to other programs and opportunities to better accommodate the needs of people with developmental and intellectual disabilities, such as East Orlando, Florida’s Quest Village. Since opening in 2017, Quest Village has offered 48 adults with disabilities who can live independently, but may need help with certain tasks such as budgeting or housekeeping, an affordable place to live.

In Paterson, New Jersey, the long abandoned and run-down Lou Costello Park will finally undergo renovations to accommodate children with autism. Funded by the local and national governments, the new park will feature special lighting, colors, and equipment.

North of the border in Edmonton, Alberta, researcher Grant Bruno had begun studying the role of autism in Native American and First Nations cultures to better help himself raise his two sons who have the condition. Focusing on the Cree nation, Bruno has found that understanding autism as a disorder is unheard of among indigenous peoples, who widely accept it as a way of perceiving the world differently.

Meanwhile, Apple TV recently released “Sam & Mattie Make a Zombie Movie” a documentary about Sam Suchmann and Mattie Zufelt of Rhode Island: two friends with Down Syndrome who successfully produced and starred in 2016’s 45-minute gore fest “Spring Break Zombie Massacre.

Michael Rock is a New York City-based reporter and self-advocate with autism. A graduate of Brandeis University, his work has appeared in Kings County Politics, Chelsea Now, Our Town, Queens County Politics, and WhoWhatWhy.

By Michael Rock:

The disability community has achieved several noteworthy developments regarding their inclusion recently.

The small Eastern Spanish town of Onil, known for its doll manufacturers, has recently led the charge in producing dolls depicting children with Down Syndrome. Advocates hope that that children who play with such dolls will learn to have less discriminatory attitudes towards their peers with the condition.

Meanwhile, parents of people with autism as well as autistic self-advocates have recently drawn attention to the problematic depiction of the neurological condition in the new film Music. Criticisms include casting a neurotypical actor in the role of the title character, her offensively caricatured body language, a lack of character development, and its depictions of physical restraints.

Inspired by a 2012 letter that went viral by then-sixteen year old-Matthew Walzer, who has cerebral palsy, Nike has released its Go FlyEase line of shoes, which are designed to be put on and removed hands-free.

Michael Rock is a New York City-based reporter and self-advocate with autism. A graduate of Brandeis University, his work has appeared in Kings County Politics, Chelsea Now, Our Town, Queens County Politics, and WhoWhatWhy.

By Michael Rock:

As the rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine commences, questions regarding when and how to immunize those with intellectual and developmental disabilities have emerged.

The CDC plans to prioritize who gets the vaccine by risk. While seniors, essential workers, and those with immunocompromising conditions are at the top of the list, it is unclear which tier those with intellectual and developmental disabilities will be in. Due to the community’s higher fatality rate, the National Council on Disability has called for the CDC to ensure they are vaccinated sooner than later.

New Jersey has emerged as one of many states that has not been able to clearly decide when this vulnerable group will get the vaccine. Lack of clarity and supply and demand issues have thus far rendered state leadership unable to announce when they will get it with certainty.

In contrast, Oregon has declared that group home and assisted living facility residents and the direct support professionals who care for them will be in the second group to be vaccinated.

Regardless, advocates are eager for people with disabilities to be me vaccinated against the coronavirus as soon as possible, evidenced by a recent statement led by the Autism Society of America and co-signed by twenty other groups.

Despite these realities, continued pressure must be applied to ensure people with developmental and intellectual disabilities get the vaccines quickly, safely, and efficiently.

Michael Rock is a New York City-based reporter and self-advocate with autism. A graduate of Brandeis University, his work has appeared in Kings County Politics, Chelsea Now, Our Town, Queens County Politics, and WhoWhatWhy.

By Michael Rock:

The latest news cycle has demonstrated how people with disabilities are more capable than many give them credit for.

Though people with autism have a reputation for struggling with theory of mind, or understanding what other people are thinking, a newly-released study found that their ability to do so does not deteriorate with age, as it does in neurotypical people.

Meanwhile, 29-year old advocate and Pittsburgh native Jessica Benham, who has autism, was elected to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.

In another milestone for the disability community, 21-year old Chris Nikic has become the first person with Down Syndrome to complete the Ironman Triathlon, considered one of the most exhausting athletic events ever. The triathlon begins with a 2.4-mile ocean swim, followed by a bike ride of 112 miles. It concludes with a full 26.2-mile marathon.

Such developments are crucial to achieving full acceptance, as they highlight not what they can’t do, but what they can do.

Michael Rock is a New York City-based reporter and self-advocate with autism. A graduate of Brandeis University, his work has appeared in Kings County Politics, Chelsea Now, Our Town, Queens County Politics, and WhoWhatWhy.

By Michael Rock:

The current news cycle has highlighted several cases of altruism towards people with disabilities.

Residents of North Attleboro, Massachusetts joined together to help town resident Ashlyn MacDonald, who has autism, get mass supplies of her favorite food that has become more scarce recently: Spaghetti-Os.

At Lake Geneva, Wisconsin’s Badger High School, classmates raised money to get an electric bicycle for Brooks Guif, a senior with cerebral palsy, to help him move around more easily.

In Arizona, various disability advocacy groups are working hard to address the barriers many people with disabilities face when trying to vote to ensure their voices are heard on Election Day.

Naturally, these are just a few examples of the many ways people can show altruism and kindness to people with disabilities.

Michael Rock is a New York City-based reporter and self-advocate with autism. A graduate of Brandeis University, his work has appeared in Kings County Politics, Chelsea Now, Our Town, Queens County Politics, and WhoWhatWhy.

By Michael Rock:

As the United States economy starts to reopening from the COVID-19 lockdown, providers of services for people with developmental and intellectual disabilities have often joined in, creating innovative new ways to prevent the spread of the coronavirus on their premises.

One such provider, Gompers of Phoenix, Arizona, will begin a phased reopening of its non-in-home services on September 14, months after the pandemic forced them to be suspended in March. Social distancing precautions will be in place.

Libertyville, Illinois’, Lambs Farm, which provides residential and vocational opportunities for people with disabilities in a farm setting, has begun to re-allow visitors to come see their numerous animals with reservations to prevent overcrowding. Though the residents of the farm often help work it, pandemic regulations do not allow it at this time.

In California, school reopenings will allow in-person learning with cohorts of up to fourteen students per class. Students with disabilities will be prioritized due to the fact that many cannot receive adequate instruction virtually.

Meanwhile, the Just-a-Buck dollar stores of Parma and South Euclid, Ohio, reopened. These stores, run by the local nonprofit Solutions at Work (SAW), provide vocational training for people with developmental disabilities.

In Florida, Governor Ron DeSantis recently announced that residents of group homes, assisted living facilities, and nursing homes will once again allow visitors.

While in New Jersey, top state officials announced that 26 Sheltered Workshop programs, which provide vocational training to people with developmental disabilities, will receive full funding to reopen.

As the United States begins to get through the first wave of the coronavirus and these key services start to reopen, surely more will follow suit. However, they must be prepared for the additional economic risks of a second wave.

Michael Rock is a New York City-based reporter and self-advocate with autism. A graduate of Brandeis University, his work has appeared in Kings County Politics, Chelsea Now, Our Town, Queens County Politics, and WhoWhatWhy.

By Michael Rock:

The following are just a few of the latest stories related to developmental and intellectual disabilities.

In Colorado, many service providers are adapting their operational models to reflect the COVID-19 pandemic. One such provider began to create holistic plans for each of its consumers to better reflect their individual needs during this trying time and Zoom as a means of socialization.

At Minnesota’s Bethel University, two students have developed RecruitABLE, a specialized job board similar to LinkedIn. Instead of emphasizing resumes, it allows users to post more interactive content, such as videos and photos, to help employers see their strengths and personalities outside of the more traditional interview, which is difficult for many.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced that all staff members of disability services providers will be tested every two weeks for COVID as part of an effort to curb the spread of the virus in care facilities.

Meanwhile, 17 year-old Adrian Allred of Fairfax County, Virginia, a Boy Scout with autism, developed a kit that helps first responders comfort those with anxiety and/or autism under their care as part of a project to become an Eagle Scout.

Michael Rock is a New York City-based reporter and self-advocate with autism. A graduate of Brandeis University, his work has appeared in Kings County Politics, Chelsea Now, Our Town, Queens County Politics, and WhoWhatWhy.

By Michael Rock:

The past week has offered a number of new developments in disability affairs.

In California, Apple of Macintosh computers and iPhone fame plans to create several hundred affordable housing units to help combat the state’s housing crisis. Some of these units will be reserved for people with developmental disabilities.

Meanwhile, more evidence suggests that current efforts to include people with developmental disabilities in the workforce are often too narrow. Some companies hire this demographic as part of their business model, which can segregate them. Other companies tend to limit them to professions based on stereotypes of disabilities, such as information technology or analytics for people with autism. Instead, jobseekers with disabilities should be seen as the individuals they are when considering their employment.

As the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) reached its thirtieth anniversary, much more can be done to ensure the full equity of those it is meant to protect. Greater physical accessibility for businesses and residences, making sure any information provided to consumers can be seen and/or heard by consumers with visual or hearing impairments, making sure that customers with disabilities get flexible treatment and do not experience condescension from staff, accessible hiring processes, and providing fair payment and full inclusion in company culture are just a few things that can improve.

Schools have also begun to prepare for the unique challenges of reopening in the time of coronavirus for students with autism. These include sensory issues related to facemasks, reduced staff, and disruptions in routine. While efforts to mitigate this dilemma are underway, they are very costly.

Michael Rock is a New York City-based reporter and self-advocate with autism. A graduate of Brandeis University, his work has appeared in Kings County Politics, Chelsea Now, Our Town, Queens County Politics, and WhoWhatWhy.