AABR News

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 exacerbate existing challenges and problematic behaviors for those with such disabilities.

The decrease in available services also has led to increased stress for both people with such conditions, due in no small part to the need for routine change in this time, as well as for their families, who no longer have the respite they usually get from in-person programs.

Other fears have included the sacrifice of people with disabilities who catch severe cases of coronavirus by denying them key treatment, such as ventilators, in favor of those without disabilities.

Moreover, for those who have particularly low levels of independence and who live in group homes, the isolation crucial to preventing the coronavirus’ spread is not always an option due to their need for intimate care from direct care professionals in their residences.

The challenges the pandemic has posed for these direct care professionals has demonstrated just how important they are, with a trade association in Rhode Island calling to raise their hourly rates to better help them cover the increased costs of the emergency.

These issues demonstrate just how challenging COVID-19 can be for people with disabilities, their families, and the direct care professionals who provide for their needs. More supports are necessary to help all of them during this time.

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 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 April 2 as part of an address to commemorate World Autism Awareness Day.

On April 3, Washington Governor Jay Inslee signed two bills to address the needs of people with disabilities in the state. Their provisions include establishing rights for people reliant on state services, amending several existing laws to reflect people-first language.

That same day, an Amazon spokesperson confirmed that they were in talks with the American Network of Community Options and Resources (ANCOR), which represents 1,600 disability service providers throughout the United States, to deliver food to group homes as an alternative to direct care workers going to the supermarket amid the pandemic.

With all of the negative news about the unique challenges COVID-19 has inflicted on people with disabilities and their families, these developments should show that not all is bleak.

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 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, the epicenter of the virus, shortages of key protective supplies, such as masks, gowns, and gloves, rendered direct service providers at the AABR unable to safely pick up and bring back twelve residents who were tested for the virus to their group homes, leading to them staying in the hospitals longer than necessary.

Reach, Inc. of Bozeman, Montana, which offers similar residential services, has experienced similar shortages

The coronavirus can also make day-to-day life more difficult to those with developmental and intellectual disabilities such as autism who thrive under structure and routine, with the disruptions the pandemic has caused causing them a much greater deal of stress than others.

Moreover, the “social distancing” that has been encouraged amid the outbreak can be more difficult for those the most impaired. They may need direct care workers to help them in such intimate endeavors as handwashing and may struggle to understand the precautionary measures necessary to prevent the spreading the virus. 

While the coronavirus pandemic has impacted all of us negatively, its effects are often much more pronounced and unique for 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 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 disabilities may also have greater difficulty preparing for an outbreak, especially those who struggle with mobility, executive dysfunction, or who are unable to live independently, especially when it comes to service interruptions in the latter example.

The use of quarantines to combat the coronavirus has allowed people to increasingly recognize the benefits of remote communication to conduct events such as conferences, work meetings, and religious services: something that many disability advocates have long called for to promote the employment of people with disabilities.

Meanwhile, the Department of Education, along with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, began research determining how they can best serve students with disabilities during the outbreak.

Other challenges the pandemic has posed to people with disabilities include the canceling of Disability Awareness Day events, underestimating or overestimating the need for supplies, can be a risk for those with processing or executive functioning difficulties, as well as delivery of supplies to homebound individuals.

Though many people with disabilities are vulnerable to the coronavirus, it should be made clear that they should not be treated as expected illnesses in expendable members of society. Rather, we should make sure that people with disabilities who may catch the coronavirus get the care they need during this period.

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:

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 March accordingly this year at a day-long proclamation signing that included opportunities for advocates to discuss disability-related issues to Hawai’i state legislators.

In Picayune, Mississippi, the ARC of Pearl River County will host a daylong event on the county’s fairgrounds to recognize the month. Attractions will include police dog and rodeo demonstrations, cornhole, face painting, manicures, and numerous other fun activities.

Athens County, Ohio, also recognized the month with a march to promote awareness of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

All of these different observances of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month are just a few of the many ways that the month can be honored. Moreso, they are a key stepping stone to promoting equality and acceptance.

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:

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 realistic and sensitive lights. All venues are accessible to those with mobility impairments, and various accommodations are available at all movies.

Meanwhile, the British Film Institute (BFI) recently announced plans to better include filmmakers with disabilities in the productions they support, such as accessible sets, equal pay for those with disabilities involved in the production, as well as prioritizing actors with disabilities to play characters with disabilities.

In California, filmmakers with disabilities have an advocate in John Travolta’s brother, Joey. A former special education teacher, his nonprofit, Inclusion Films, teaches them filmmaking skills. One of their productions, “Carol of the Bells” won the title of “Audience Favorite Feature” at the San Diego International Film Festival.

The work of such individuals and groups of people plays a crucial role in the representation of people with disabilities in the cast and crew of television and film productions. By promoting them, we offer opportunities to let them shine and break down stigmas.

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 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 ability. The researchers are considering whether the substance may help supplement behavior therapies for adults with autism if it can have similar effects on them as in the mice.  

In addition, the state of Connecticut has begun distributing blue envelopes to drivers with autism. These envelopes indicate the driver’s condition, and can be given to a police officer during a stop with their license, registration, and insurance placed inside. They also have clear instructions for the driver to prepare for and get through such a police stop socially and emotionally.

For children with autism, a study from the University of Central Florida found benefits to practicing judo. In particular, the martial art’s emphasis on socialization, mindfulness, coordination, balance, varying degrees of intensity in workouts, and the use of repetition to master a technique seemed well-suited to many of the challenges common to children with autism. The study concluded that it not only helps boost social skills, but also confidence, and physical activity.

Perhaps most interesting, however, is a growing body of evidence suggesting that people with neurotypical people struggle with understanding people with autism as much as the reverse has been discussed. In fact, some research has found that people with autism have an easier time socializing among each other than neurotypicals do among one another.

As we learn more and more about the ways that people with autism learn socially, not only should new ways to improve this key aspect of their communicative ability be an asset in a neurotypical world, but we also now know that neurotypicals can better learn how to understand and interact with them as well.

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 key developments in disability news have been reported in the past few days.

The Massachusetts House of Representatives passed a bill that would create a registry of care providers who have ever hurt someone with an intellectual or developmental disability. This registry would prevent them from finding future work at programs funded or run by Massachusetts’ Department of Developmental Services.

In Rhode Island, Governor Gina Raimondo intends to privatize the state’s group home system in the budget for fiscal year 2021, which begins in July, as part of a plan to slash budget deficits. If successful, 204 full-time positions will be taken off of the state payroll.

Meanwhile, the state of New Mexico has begun taking steps to make services for people with developmental disabilities a top priority. Goals of the funding increases include expediting wait times regarding access to services, support for those who are on waiting lists, and greater reimbursement for service providers.

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 much has been written about how to teach and educate people with disabilities, we often overlook how much we can learn from them.

Too frequently, students with disabilities who struggle in the classroom are treated as if they are lazy or “broken.” This truly is not the case. Instead, their educators can and should learn to understand that they can learn just as well as their able-bodied and/or able-minded peers provided they are given the proper supports, accommodations, and strategies necessary to do so.

In Clark County, Washington, vacancies for volunteer advisors to the county council to better address issues related to developmental disabilities have recently opened. Focuses of these roles include family affairs and special education.

Other more general life lessons can include that disability does not need to interfere with one’s happiness, the importance of patience, how to prioritize what problems to stress over, the perks of being different from most people, not feeling the need to fit in, rejecting superficial attitudes about physical appearance, and living each day as if it’s your last.

The ableism deeply ingrained in our society can make it harder for us to listen to people with disabilities, but once we do so, there is plenty we can learn.

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 providing for the needs of people with disabilities is important, allowing those who can become fully independent to do so should be just as high a priority.

Easterseals East Georgia in the city of Augusta, offers just one of many such workforce development programs nationwide that can be instrumental in helping people with disabilities enter the workforce.

Meanwhile, a Wisconsin state program called IRIS (Include, Respect, I Self-Direct) allows Wisconsinites with disabilities to self-direct their own Medicaid benefits, rather than bureaucrats and insurers doing so.

In the private sector, Google is working with the Canadian Down Sydrome Society to study the unique speech patterns of people with the condition, ensuring that the algorithm for their Google Home smart speaker can better understand and more accurately respond to requests and comments from users with Down Syndrome.

Even China has begun efforts to better allow people with disabilities to care for themselves. On January 1, the country’s first ever nationwide standard in nursing home care for people with disabilities, will take effect.

As new programs, services, and laws become more common for people with disabilities, care should be taken to ensure that they allow all who are able to be self-reliant.

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.