AABR News

By Michael Rock:

Journalists don’t always consider interviewing people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Fortunately, ProPublica and the Arizona Daily Star have partnered to get such sources to better understand the limits of the state’s services.

In New Jersey, group homes are beginning to allow regulated visits designed to reduce the spread of the coronavirus. In Middletown, Oasis Therapeutic Life Centers, which offers farms where young adults with autism can work, and their neighbors dropped lawsuits against each other.

In New Windsor, Maryland, ten-month-old Natalie Dorsey, who has cerebral palsy, has shown improvement in her movements after undergoing remote online occupational therapy. In nearby Montgomery County, Allison Wohl, who has a son with Down Syndrome, has discussed how schools can improve remote learning for students like her son.

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:

On July 15th, the United States will recognize Developmental Disability Professionals Day, honoring direct care workers and case managers who provide much needed support to this demographic.

Despite this much-deserved day, there are still new challenges that Americans with disabilities continue to face. Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, services for New Yorkers with disabilities have been sharply cut from the state budget, further overworking social workers in the system and reducing quality of and access to key services.

Meanwhile, a study at Brigham Young University suggested that women with autism are under-diagnosed due to being better able to pass as neurotypical than men with the condition.

In Warren, New Jersey, Watchung Hills Regional High School recently came under fire for omitting a photo of Glenda DeFabio, a 20-year old graduating student with Down Syndrome, from the yearbook. After a viral Facebook post drew attention to DeFabio’s mistreatment, the school relented and announced that she would have such a picture alongside those of her classmates.

The Supreme Court refused to hear the appeal of Memphis, Tennessee death row inmate David Keen, who was convicted of a 1990 rape and murder case. Keen’s attorneys alleged he had an intellectual disability, with 2008 and 2010 I.Q. tests suggesting this, though  another from 1997 suggested he had a higher I.Q.

Despite the progress we have made in the area of disability rights, these stories demonstrate that the work necessary to fully achieve them is far from done.

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:

It’s no secret that people with disabilities and their families often must be innovative and creative to help make life easier. In just the past week alone, several reports have emerged of only a few ways people with disabilities are finding new ways to get through their struggles.

More and more people with autism are becoming scientists, and they are leaving an impression on how their field sees the condition. While much scholarly literature on the condition uses dehumanizing language and rhetoric, these scientists are helping to better understand the struggles of autism as well as the perks.

At the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, students have helped develop a virtual reality game to assist in physical therapy for people with cerebral palsy. Based on hand-arm bimanual intensive therapy, it offers simulations of different activities that require simultaneous use of both hands.

In Maryland, the COVID-19 pandemic has led to a likelihood of devastating budget cuts to services for people with developmental disabilities for fiscal year 2021. In response, The Arc Maryland; Maryland Association of Community Services; and People on the Go of Maryland are organizing a Zoom rally to prevent such cuts the morning of Monday, June 15.

People have always adapted to changing realities, and each of these new approaches demonstrates that those with disabilities are not just no exception, but they also provide great insights into how to adapt to these changes.

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:

Several scientific breakthroughs occurred this past week.

Brisbane, Australia’s Queensland University of Technology and the ARC Centre of Excellence for Mathematical and Statistical Frontiers (ACEMS) published a study using statistical analysis to better monitor the milestones of children with developmental disabilities. The researchers involved hope they can use this information to help individualize interventions for them.

Meanwhile, the University of California, San Francisco released an investigation finding that the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS), the Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R), and the Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS), three common tests to diagnose autism, do an equally good job at measuring severity of impairments in both boys and girls.

Westbrook, Maine’s Spring Harbor Hospital will soon be home to an immense training, treatment, and research facility for state residents with autism and other developmental disabilities.

Each of these developments will have their own unique impact on how we can better understand people with disabilities and their needs.

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:

Amid this week’s chaotic news cycle, there have been several important nuggets of news relevant to the disability community.

In Missouri, the Department of Mental Health hoped to abolish a Medicaid waiver waitlist, making it easier for state residents with severe developmental disabilities to access key services. Unfortunately, budget cuts rendered this reform untenable for this year.

Parma, Ohio’s Solutions at Work (SAW), which provides vocational training, has begun taking steps to reopen to better allow for social distancing.

Meanwhile, Montclair State University’s psychology lab in New Jersey has received several grants to better help people with Down Syndrome improve their spatial abilities.

These developments are only a few that have recently happened in the disability community. There will always be more to come.

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:

During the current pandemic, various attempts to advocate for people with disabilities have developed. Self-advocates and those without such conditions have made various forays into better aiding them during this trying time.

Michelle Ballan, a Professor and Associate Research Dean at Stony Brook University’s School of Social Welfare and Professor of Family, Population and Preventive Medicine developed a form that COVID-positive people with intellectual and developmental disabilities or their caregivers can fill out to help healthcare professionals better understand their communication style, and other relevant information.

Meanwhile Disability Rights Florida is conducting an investigation about how the state is protecting those with IDD in their care from the coronavirus and its spread.

In Australia, 22-year old Chloe Hayden, who has autism, has gained a great deal of attention  as a social media influencer, particularly TikTok, where she discusses her experiences and encourages acceptance.

Each of these individuals and groups offer unique forms of advocacy, all of which can greatly benefit people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in their own unique ways.

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:

While the challenges and dangers people with disabilities currently face amid the coronavirus pandemic have been widely covered, the more positive and hopeful stories are often overlooked.

In Tennessee, officials announced that they would begin to prioritize COVID-19 testing for 12,500 state residents with intellectual and developmental disabilities who rely on public services.

Meanwhile, North Palm Beach, Florida’s Love Serving Autism, a nonprofit which provides specialized tennis instruction for people with autism, has modified its programming during the pandemic to accommodate remote lessons. Instead of tennis rackets, participants use wooden spoons and dustpans, with smaller balls, bean bags, and balloons replacing tennis balls.

In not too distant Tampa, Tristan’s Amazing Bites, whose owner, 23-year old Tristan Snapp, a trained chef with Down Syndrome, reopened following the coronavirus’ peak.

Chesapeake, Virginia is home to Beau Cowan, a motivational speaker with cerebral palsy. Throughout the crisis, he has taken to social media, using humor to support his followers while encouraging them to be thankful for the little things.

While the coronavirus pandemic has not been easy for folks with disabilities, it is clear from these stories and others that there is light at the end of the tunnel.

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:

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 their bills.

Meanwhile, Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo recently announced a weekly emergency stipend would be given to direct support professionals in the state to better support them during the pandemic.

Colorado has proved itself one of the strongest state responders. Since the coronavirus hit, Governor Jared Polis fought to make sure that disability service providers would get the funding they needed and that hospitals would not discriminate against them in emergency scenarios. Meanwhile, Senators Cory Gardner and Michael Bennet have advocated for greater funding of such services in a letter to their colleagues in D.C.

Kansas is also the home of former senator and 1996 Republican presidential nominee Bob Dole, who was recently recognized in the National Honors Recognizing Significant Contributions in the Field of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities in the US in its National Historic Recognition Project 2000-2020 commemorative booklet. A number of major disability advocacy organizations were part of the recognition committee that honored him for his involvement in numerous disability rights laws, including but not limited to the 1973 Rehabilitation Act, the 1975 Education for All Handicapped Children Act, now known as IDEA, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.

As we look at state responses to the coronavirus pandemic regarding their disability services providers, history will judge those policymakers who fought for their most vulnerable citizens, like Senator Dole, or who failed to support this important, but too often overlooked, segment of society.

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:

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 visitors do not risk spreading the coronavirus.

Meanwhile, the American Academy of Pediatrics released a policy statement in April condemning denials of organ transplants to children with intellectual and developmental disabilities, highlighting the discriminatory nature of this common phenomenon.

As Congress works on additional coronavirus stimulus bills, the Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities, which represents dozens of disability advocacy organizations, has urged the nation’s top legislature to increase funding of state Medicaid and community services.

On April 11, the disability community lost a prominent self-advocate: Mel Baggs. Baggs first achieved renown in the advocacy community with her “Getting the Truth Out” website, a critique of the Autism Society of America’s “Getting the Word Out” awareness campaign. Baggs would gain further recognition with the 2007 Internet short film “In My Language,” which helped promote understanding of how people with nonverbal autism may “speak.” They were 39 years old.

These are only a few examples of the many new developments in the field of intellectual and developmental disabilities that occur every day.

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 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 cerebral palsy, helped lead the charge in passing a state bill that granted alternate graduation opportunities for students with disabilities.

Tarlach MacNiallais, an L.G.B.T. and disability rights activist, succumbed to it April 1 at the age of 57. He helped found Woodside, Queens’ St. Pat’s For All Parade, which has prided itself on its greater inclusivity compared to Manhattan’s Fifth Avenue St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

Despite these tragic blows to morale, the pandemic has also allowed for greater awareness and appreciation of the work of direct service professionals. These essential employees continue to work and care for their consumers and the nature of their job renders them vulnerable to coronavirus exposure. More and more disability advocates are eager to reward them for the work they do in this trying time.

It is clear the pandemic poses many serious concerns to people with disabilities, but there are steps being taken to ensure their needs are being met.

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.