AdvocacyCenter

LA School for the Deaf

AdvocacyCenter — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 16:25:00 GMT

On Wednesday, the Louisiana School for the Deaf (LSD) was closed as the administration works to address issues of safety and education for the students. Students were very upset about the closure and staged a protest on Wednesday afternoon. They also wrote a letter regarding the closure, which is linked below. In their letter, they write of the problems they will face at their home schools including, "No Deaf peers, no understanding or knowledge of Deaf culture," "Low self esteem, no motivation or confidence because we won't be happier in public schools or other schools," etc. They also write, "Now, imagine yourself in our place, if you go to a school where no one speaks your language and you are being told to succeed. How can you expect us to do well in an alien environment when at LSD, it is not a foreign country with foreign customs?"

For the last few decades, the many parents of children with disabilities have been pushing school systems to provide educational opportunities for their children within mainstream schools. Yet, the students who wrote this letter obviously prefer to be educated at a separate school and make compelling arguments to return to LSD.

Closing letter from WBRZ and The Advocate in Baton Rouge. http://media.2theadvocate.com/documents/School_closing_letter.pdf

What do you think? Can these points of view co-exist? Who should make the decisions for these students - the students themselves, their parents, the school administration, state officials, or others?

Attention: Parents of children who are students of Louisiana School for the Deaf (LSD)

AdvocacyCenter — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 19:42:00 GMT

Superintendent Paul Pastorek announced yesterday that Louisiana School for the Deaf will be temporarily closed due to safety issues that need to be resolved. During the period of time, your child is still entitled to receive a free and appropriate public education. If you have not been provided alternative educational services for your child, or if you are not satisfied with the alternative services your child is receiving, please contact Advocacy Center for assistance. Be sure to tell intake that your child was a student at LSD who has been adversely affected by the school's closure. Advocacy Center can be reached at 1-800-960-7705 (Voice), 1-866-935-7348 (TTY) or email advocacycenter@advocacyla.org.

The “Blindness” Controversy

AdvocacyCenter — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 18:14:00 GMT

The Miramax film “Blindness” is due out Friday, Oct. 3. However, not everyone is excited about the release of this movie, which is based on the Nobel Prize Award-winning book “Blindness” by José Saramago. In fact, some are angry enough to pull out picket signs.

In “Blindness”, a mysterious contagious illness has spread among people in an unnamed city. The city quarantines people to a desolate mental institution. Food becomes hard to come by and people, in their newly blind state, become unable to care for themselves. The facility becomes filthy and people form gangs to extort supplies from others who have also been affected by the “white sickness”. Guns are pulled and sense of order is lost.

“[In the movie] they are unable to do even the simplest things like dressing, bathing and finding the bathroom,” said Dr. Marc Maurer, President of the National Federation of the Blind.

The movie’s portrayal of people who are blind is founded on fears of becoming blind.

“The movie ‘Blindness’ is a demeaning depiction of people's reactions to losing their eyesight," said Mitch Pomerantz, president of the American Council of the Blind.

People who are blind are able to achieve the same goals and lifestyles as their colleagues and peers.

“…we are teachers, lawyers, mechanics, plumbers, computer programmers and social workers,” said Maurer. “We go to church, volunteer our time for worthy causes, raise children, operate businesses and engage in recreational activities, just like everyone else.”

The National Federation of the Blind press release: http://www.nfb.org/nfb/NewsBot.asp?MODE=VIEW&ID=368

The American Council of the Blind press release: http://www.acb.org/press-releases/press-release_Blindness_the-movie.html

How do you feel about the movie? Are you protesting? How and where?

Maurer touches on employment in the NFB press release: “Portraying the blind on movie screens across America as a little better than animals will reinforce the unfounded fears, misconceptions and stereotypes in the general public about blindness. It will exacerbate the unemployment rate among the blind, which is already higher than 70 percent because of public misconceptions about the capabilities of blind people.” Do you think this movie will impact employment like he says? How?

Have you read Saramago’s book? Tell us what you think.

IMPORTANT VOTING INFORMATION

AdvocacyCenter — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 19:50:00 GMT

October 6 is the deadline to register to vote in Louisiana in order to be eligible to vote in the November 4th election. If you are not registered, you still have time.

To register in person, go to your local Registrar of Voters office. Click here for a list of Registrars offices throughout the state. Call for hours of operation.

To register by mail, click here to access a Voter Registration form in PDF format. Complete the form and mail in to your parish Registrar of Voters. Mailing addresses are on the voter registration form. Applications must be postmarked by October 6th in order for you to be eligible to vote on November 4th.

Call the Advocacy Center if you have any questions or encounter problems - 1-800-960-7705.

Also - don't forget that the Advocacy Center will be staffing our voting hotline from 6 am to 8 pm on Saturday, October 4th.

"OLRS compiles presidential candidates' positions on disability-related issues"

AdvocacyCenter — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 17:21:00 GMT

"The Ohio Legal Rights Service has prepared a side-by-side comparison chart of the presidential candidates' positions on disability-related issues. The chart is based on information from the candidates' Web sites, their Senatorial Web sites and supplemented by other sources.

Read the "2008 Presidential Candidate Positions on Disability-related Issues" chart on the OLRS Web site at http://www.olrs.ohio.gov/prescompare.htm .

This information is provided for educational purposes only. OLRS does not support or endorse any political candidate or party."

Ohio Legal Rights Service
Ohio's Protection and Advocacy System for Ohioans with Disabilities
614-466-7264 or 1-800-282-9181 (Ohio only)
www.olrs.ohio.gov

Countdown to the Presidential Election

AdvocacyCenter — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 19:21:00 GMT

In 32 days, Americans will head to the polls to choose the next presidential candidate. Many factors influence the decision on who to choose.

What issues are most important to you? As people with disabilities, do the candidates' positions on "disability issues" influence your decision? Are "disability issues" the most important criteria?

"An Autistic Student's Journey To College"

AdvocacyCenter — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 17:05:00 GMT

From NPR.org.*

Also "Q&A: Prepping Kids With Disabilities For College" from NPR.org

*includes "Morning Edition" radio show about this story (audio).

People First Language

AdvocacyCenter — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 16:10:00 GMT

People First Language refers to the language that places a person before his or her disability – they are people first and their disability second. Examples of people first language would include: “a person who is blind” and “a person who uses a wheelchair”. Disability is only one characteristic that an individual has; it does not define who the person is. He/she may be a mom or dad, sister or brother, daughter or son, teacher, soccer player or countless other characteristics.

For a more in-depth explanation, check out this Web site: http://www.disabilityisnatural.com/peoplefirstlanguage.htm

Job Opening - Client Advocate

AdvocacyCenter — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 15:47:00 GMT

Client Advocate

Essential Functions

Provide information and assistance to agency clients
Maintain active caseload of individual cases, as assigned.
Participate in agency legal issue groups as needed.
Regularly attend assigned Issue Group meetings, and submit required reports to managing attorneys.
Provide input in the planning and evaluation of the legal work of the agency.
Serve on systems advocacy teams as requested.
Perform community outreach including conducting training, speeches and presentations.
Conduct in-service training as requested.
Serve on outside committees and boards as needed.
Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in social service or law related discipline or three to five years in case management, client advocacy experience.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Detail oriented and well organized.
Ability to handle multiple priorities.
Must have the ability to negotiate on behalf of clients and collaborate, communicate and mediate in various situations as needed.
Valid drivers’ license/insurance and availability of dependable automobile.

Location
Lafayette. Significant travel will be required.

Salary
$28,500+ depending on experience

How To Apply
Submit resume and cover letter by 10/14/08 via email to hr@advocacyla.org or via facsimile to 504-522-5507. Please send to the attention of Human Resources.

Deadline to Apply
October 14, 2008

The Advocacy Center is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, religion, race or disability. Individuals with disabilities and minority candidates are encouraged to apply.

The Advocacy Center offers a great benefits package including: Medical and Dental Insurance, Dental Discount Plan, Flexible Spending Accounts (e.g. medical and dependent care), Basic Life Insurance and Accidental Death and Dismemberment, Supplemental Life for self, spouse and child(ren), Long Term Disability, Paid Holidays, Vacation and Medical Leave (sick days), 403B Retirement Plan participation, a 3% contribution to a Simplified Employee Pension after completing 3 years of service, and subsidized Parking at selected offices.

Seeking PAIMI Council Members

AdvocacyCenter — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 16:24:00 GMT

The PAIMI Advisory Council serves to help set priorities for the Advocacy Center’s programs, conducts outreach and trainings, and works with staff to improve the lives of individuals with mental illness. At this time, we are searching for two new members, especially the parent of a child with mental illness. The other slot is open.

To apply for the Council, please complete the online application using the link at http://www.advocacyla.org/paimiopen.php . If you do not have Internet access, please call Stephanie Patrick, PAIMI Council Coordinator, for an application.

If you meet one of criteria for our current openings, we will consider your application at the next membership meeting. Otherwise, we will keep your application for consideration when there is an opening.

Please be advised that the membership approval process is extensive and it may take some time to be accepted. For membership status information, please call Stephanie Patrick.

Members of the PAIMI Council are expected to attend 4 in person meetings scheduled throughout the year, interim meetings via telephone and assist with projects as determined by the group. Meetings will be held in various locations throughout the state. Don’t worry if transportation is difficult. The Advocacy Center can assist with transportation and travel expenses for any “in-person” meetings.

If you would like to share your opinion on mental health issues in Louisiana or want further information, the PAIMI Council welcomes your thoughts. You may also contact me by phone (1-800-960-7705, ext. 143) or email (spatrick@advocacyla.org).

National Rehabilitation Week (Sept. 21-27)

AdvocacyCenter — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 16:01:00 GMT

The National Rehabilitation Awareness Foundation is commemorating National Rehabilitation Week, which takes place during the last week of September each year. This year’s theme is “Rehab: The Power to Change Lives”. Rehabilitation can be provided by a variety of professions, from physical therapists to vocational rehabilitation counselors. Rehabilitation is also made possible by the individual with a disability who sets his or her rehabilitation goal and works towards it.

Visit nraf-rehabnet.org for more information about the National Rehabilitation Awareness Foundation.

Deaf Awareness Week (Sept 21 – 27)

AdvocacyCenter — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 15:36:00 GMT

The first World Congress of the Deaf convened during this week in 1951. Now various schools, religions and organizations host Deaf Awareness Week during the last week in September. Events from hearing screenings to gesturing/signing-only gatherings can be found across the country. Use a search engine to find events going on in your local community.

"Judge Certifies Class of Three Million Visually Impaired Beneficiaries in Social Security Administration Lawsuit"

AdvocacyCenter — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 15:02:00 GMT

From NewsReleaseWire.com.

"Gov. agrees to delay Terrebonne, Cameron elections"

AdvocacyCenter — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 14:58:00 GMT

From 2TheAdvocacte.com.

"YouTube gets closed captioning support"

AdvocacyCenter — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 15:33:00 GMT

From CNET.

Thanks to JFActivist.org for posting this article.