VOR 2010 ANNUAL CONFERENCE & INITIATIVE

MARK YOUR CALENDAR
June 4 - 9

The Liaison Capitol Hill
Washington, D.C.

REGISTRATION

EARLY BIRDS SAVE

FOR DISCOUNT, REGISTER BEFORE APRIL 1

VOR Members who register before April 1, 2010

receive a discounted registration fee of just $40.

Available at http://vor.net/events/ :
Complete details, online registration or flyer with details, & registration form

Sponsorship and Recognition Opportunities!
Complete conference details: http://www.vor.net/events/

Source: VOR Weekly E-Mail Update
March 19, 2010

ABOUT VOR
Founded more than 25 years ago in 1983, VOR is a national 501(c)(3) organization governed by a volunteer board of directors and funded solely by dues and donations. We receive no government support. Membership is available at vor.net

Throughout its history, VOR has been the only national organization to advocate for a full range of quality residential options and services, including own home, family home, community-based service options, and licensed facilities. We support the expansion of quality community-based service options; we oppose the elimination of the ICFs/MR (institutional) option.
VOR represents primarily individuals with mental retardation and their families/guardians. VOR advocates that the final determination of what is appropriate depends on the unique abilities and needs of the individual and desires of the family and guardians.

MISSION
"Our Mission is to unite people in advocacy, to educate and assist families, organizations, public official, and individuals concerned with the quality of life and choice for persons with mental retardation within residential options. This includes home, community based options, and facility-based care."

SOURCE: VOR website. Abridged, reprinted with permission.

YAI Network's 31st Annual International Conf. 2010

On March 22, 2010 @ 5:22pm, Lynn U. Berman wrote:

Hi Saskia,

I thought your followers on Developmental Disabilities Exchange might be interested in the following information about our upcoming conference in New York City.

The YAI Network's 31st Annual International Conference: “Decade of Decisions: Moving Forward in Developmental and Learning Disabilities” will be held on April 26-29, 2010.

Designed for professionals at all levels, family members and individuals with developmental and learning disabilities.

Features hands-on trainings & extended sessions for in-depth training.
More than 120 seminars and workshop topics include: Advocacy, Aging, Autism Spectrum Disorders, Challenging Behaviors, Clinical Issues, Day Services, Early Intervention, Family Supports, Health Care, Inclusion, Positive Behavioral Support, Residential, Self-determination, Sensory Integration, Sexuality/Socialization, Workforce Issues, Employment, and Staff Training

The Premier HealthCare Training Institute will host its 9th Annual One-Day Conference on the Medical Home on Wednesday, April 28, 2010, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Rooms available at special YAI conference price.

For more information, visit yai.org/conference. Brochure available. Online registration is open. Or contact Abbe Wittenberg at awittenberg@yai.org, or 212-273-6472.

For more information about the YAI/NIPD Network or to obtain services, call
1-866-2-YAI-LINK or visit www.yai.org.

Lynn U. Berman
Edited for publication by Saskia Davis

"Developmental Possibilities Awareness Month"

Here is some very tastey food-for-thought, from a lengthy report of a workshop presented by the New Mexico Center for Self-Advocacy in Albuquerque. The writer, Jaime Vergara, is the father of 2 children with autism spectrum disorder.

"Based on current wisdom that chaos is at the bottom of our physics, and individual diversity is the universal norm, the view that “disability” is just one's different ability, is ascending. Societal sensibilities looks on individual possibilities rather than on disabilities. "

"The insistence on an Individual Education Plan for every child in Special Education is on target; let us carry it to its logical implication-that every child in the education system requires an IEP of their possibilities!"

"The seed never explains the flower; nor the chrysalis, the butterfly! So it is with people perceived to have been born missing something from the so-called “norm.”

"a disability to be overcome is trumped any day by the affirmation of one's possibility fully embraced."

Quotes & info from SAIPAN TRIBUNE: "Opinion" Saturday, March 20, 2010, by Jaime R. Vergara http://www.saipantribune.com/newsstory.aspx?cat=3&newsID=9808

Seminar Notice: People with DD & Alzheimers

Press release submitted by Tami S Seitz 3/15/10 (Excerpted)
(http://qconline.com/archives/qco/display.php?id=483980)

MOLINE, IL:
"Alzheimer's disease is increasing among persons with developmental disabilities, particularly those with Down Syndrome. It must be considered a terminal condition that presents numerous challenges to provider organizations, families and friends of those who are affected" explains WIU Special Education Professor Don Healy.

An educational seminar sponsored by the Alzheimer's Association–Greater Iowa and Illinois Chapters and the Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Aging with Developmental Disabilities will be held at the Western Illinois University-Quad Cities campus Wednesday, March 24. Cost to attend the morning session is $30, while there is no charge for the afternoon session. CEUs (3.5) in continuing nurse education are available for an additional $10. The event, co-hosted by the University of Illinois, Chicago, is part of The Professional Training Institute 2010 Programs.To register, call (847) 933-2413.