Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Buying Toys for Children with Disabilities

Holiday time is exciting for all children, and children with disabilities are no different. There are nearly six million children with disabilities (including 12.7% of school children) who will receive holiday gifts this season. Yet because gift givers are afraid of selecting the "wrong" toy, many children with disabilities find pajamas and socks wrapped up in those brightly-colored boxes - not the toy of their dreams.

The National Lekotek Center, the country’s preeminent source for information about adaptive toys and play, is dedicated to making play and learning accessible for children with disabilities. Last year, Lekotek developed the AblePlay toy rating system and Web site , which provides comprehensive information about toys for children with special needs so that parents, special educators, therapists and others can make the best choices for the children with disabilities in their lives.

Choosing toys for children with disabilities can be difficult. AblePlay's independent toy reviews and detailed information help you get "beyond the box" to understand each toy's unique features, creative ways each toy can be used with children with special needs and skills that will be enhanced as a result.

Lekotek has affiliates in seven states across the United States— Illinois, Georgia, New York, New Jersey, Virginia, Michigan and Pennsylvania. Please find the Lekotek program in your state by clicking here.

The National Lekotek Center recommends the following Top Ten Things to Consider When Buying Toys for Children with Disabilities:

  1. Multisensory appeal: Does the toy respond with lights, sounds or movement? Are there contrasting colors? Does it have a scent? Is there texture?
  2. Method of activation: Will the toy provide a challenge without frustration? What is the force required to activate? What are the number and complexity of steps required to activate?
  3. Where will the toy be used: Can the toy be used in a variety of positions such as side-lying or on wheelchair tray? Will the toy be easy to store? Is there space in the home?
  4. Opportunities for success: Can play be open-ended with no definite right or wrong way? Is it adaptable to the child's individual style, ability and pace?
  5. Current popularity: Is it a toy almost any child would like? Does it tie in with other activities like TV, movies, books, clothing, etc?
  6. Self-expression: Does the toy allow for creativity, uniqueness and choice-making? Will it give the child experience with a variety of media?
  7. Adjustability: Does it have adjustable height, sound volume, speed, level of difficulty?
  8. Child's individual characteristics: Does the toy provide activities that reflect both developmental and chronological ages? Does it reflect the child's interests and age?
  9. Safety and durability: Consider the child's size and strength in relation to the toy's durability. Are the toy and its parts sized appropriately? Does the toy have moisture resistance? Can it be washed and cleaned?
  10. Potential for interaction: Will the child be an active participant during use? Will the toy encourage social engagement with others?

For additional information on toys, play and technology for children with disabilities, please call the Lekotek Toy Resource Helpline at 1-800-366-PLAY or visit their Web site.

Additional resources for finding adaptive toys:

Join the My Child Without Limits Support Community and discuss this article with other families of children with disabilities!

Read More...

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Information and Referral: Social Marketing and Health Communications

The UCP national office and its affiliates spend a good deal of time and effort conducting outreach and communicating mission, messages and health information to the media and general public. There is an art and science to effective communications and a growing body of literature on effective social marketing for health and human service related programs.

Simply put, health communication is the study and use of communication strategies to inform and influence individual and community decisions that enhance health. (National Cancer Institute)

I recently had the opportunity to attend the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC's) Fourth Annual National Conference on Health Communication, Marketing, and Media. This year's theme was Convergence: Purpose, Programs, & Partners. The fields of health communication, marketing and media are converging with distinct sciences, methodologies, and technologies merging into a unified whole.

We can use the principles of effective health communication to plan and create initiatives at all levels, from one brochure or website to a complete communication campaign. The following resources can help you develop, implement, and evaluate your communication campaigns.

Related UCPeople postss:

Read More...

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

UCP in the News

Affiliate Updates & Events
Advocacy, Disability, Nonprofit, & Social Media News

Read More...

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Announcements- September 22, 2010

UCP in the News

Affiliate Updates & Events
Advocacy, Disability, Nonprofit, & Social Media News

Read More...

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Announcements- September 15, 2010

UCP in the News

Affiliate Updates & Events

Advocacy, Disability, Nonprofit & Social Media News

Read More...

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Announcements - September 8, 2010

UCP in the News
Affiliate Updates & Events
Advocacy,  Disability, Nonprofit, & Social Media News

Read More...

Friday, September 3, 2010

On Thursday evening, The Madison hotel will support United Cerebral Palsy (UCP), while watching the latest episode of Bravo TV’s newest hit, The Real Housewives of DC, featuring The Madison.

The Palette Restaurant and Lounge at The Madison will have extended happy hour pricing and fun martinis from 7:00 – 11:00 p.m., and 10% of the proceeds will be donated to UCP. (Full detail below)

It’ll be a wonderful way to enjoy the evening while supporting UCP! Please share with friends, family, supporters and anyone you think might like to join us next week.

Please Join The Madison Hotel In Support of United Cerebral Palsy
The Evening of Thursday, September 9th
During Latest Episode of The Real Housewives of DC

Who: Friends and supporters of United Cerebral Palsy (UCP), and fans of Bravo TV’s newest hit, The Real Housewives of DC

What: Join the Palette Restaurant and Lounge at The Madison, A Loews Hotel to Support UCP while watching the latest episode of Bravo TV’s newest hit, The Real Housewives of DC, featuring The Madison

Enjoy extended happy hour pricing & fun martinis:
  • The State Dinner: house infused basil vodka, triple sec, carrot juice, mixed spices
    Who's Who in DC: pomegranate, champagne, flower liquor
    Let's Gossip: Baileys, Godiva dark chocolate, milk foam, grenadine, cherry 
  • Martinis $8
  • Select Wines $6
  • Domestic Beer $5

When: Thursday evening, September 9
7:00 – 11:00 p.m.

Where: Palette Restaurant and Lounge at The Madison, A Loews Hotel
1177 15th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20005

Phone: (202) 862-1600

Cost: 10% of Palette’s proceeds from 7:00– 11:00 p.m. will be donated to UCP

Invite/RSVP: Open to the general public; no RSVP necessary

About United Cerebral Palsy
Founded more than 60 years ago by parents of children with cerebral palsy, today United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) is a leading service provider and advocate for children and adults with disabilities. The UCP mission is to advance the independence, productivity and full citizenship of people with disabilities through an affiliate network. This includes approximately 100 local service providers reaching more than 176,000 individuals daily in the U.S., Canada, Scotland and Australia. The national office in Washington DC supports the affiliate network; advocates on behalf of individuals with disabilities; advances federal disability public policy (Disability Policy Collaboration); provides information and referral; and develops forward-thinking initiatives and programs like Life Without Limits and My Child Without Limits. For more information, please visit www.ucp.org.

Read More...

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Announcements - September 1, 2010

UCP in the News

Affiliate Updates & Events
Volunteer Opportunity
Advocacy, Disability, Nonprofit & Web 2.0 News

Read More...

Monday, August 30, 2010

Capitol Insider - August 30, 2010

Volume 15, Issue 34
August 30, 2010


Action Center Logo Bils Logo Register Logo

Action Alerts


CELEBRATE SOCIAL SECURITY’S 75TH BIRTHDAY!
PROTECT IT FROM EFFORTS TO REDUCE FEDERAL DEFICIT


Major Events Last Week

Medicaid

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) provided states with sample forms to request the temporary federal medical assistance percentage (FMAP) increase approved by Congress earlier in August. In order to receive the additional federal funds for the January 1, 2011 through June 30, 2011 period, states must submit a request by September 24, 2010. See the CMS letter at:http://ccf.georgetown.edu/index/cms-filesystem-action?file=policy/financing/fmap%20extension%20guidance.pdf.

USA Today is reporting that more than 50 million Americans are on Medicaid, according to a survey of state data. This is a 17% increase since December 2007. This is continuing to put a stress on state budgets and Medicaid providers as they try to serve eligible individuals. See the article at:http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2010-08-30-1Asafetynet30_ST_N.htm.

The Federal Register published the adjusted FMAP rate for the third quarter of Fiscal Year 2010 (April 1 through June 30, 2010). The chart provided in the notice tells what percentage each state will receive given the temporary increase and the unemployment adjustment. See the document at:http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/pdf/2010-21235.pdf.

Health Care Reform Implementation

The DPC joined the Consortium For Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) Health Task Force in submitting comments on the regulations to implement several health insurance markets reforms that become effective September 23, 21010. CCD strongly urged HHS to strengthen certain provisions about the exclusion of pre-existing conditions clauses and the lifetime and annual limits that may undermine these important changes for people with disabilities. See our comments at: http://www.thearc.org/document.doc?id=2664
.

ADA/Employment

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) filed two employment discrimination lawsuits under title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in the US District Court for the Southern District of Texas in Houston. In the first lawsuit against ENGlobal Engineering, Inc., an energy engineering and professional services company, EEOC alleged the company fired an individual because it regarded him as having a disability. The employer insisted that the employee take a medical leave of absence when he began experiencing symptoms of multiple sclerosis even though he could still work. When the person returned to work with a doctor's clearance, ENGlobal falsely told him his position was no longer available. Three weeks later, the company hired someone else.

In the second employment discrimination lawsuit, EEOC alleged that DynMcDermott Petroleum Operations Company refused to hire someone who had previously worked for the company because his wife had cancer which the company felt would interfere with his ability to do his job. The company later hired someone with no experience for the position. Discrimination based on association with a person who has a disability is prohibited under title I of the ADA. See EEOC's press release at: http://www.eeoc.gov/eeoc/newsroom/release/8-26-10.cfm.

ADA/Public Accommodations

The US Department of Justice (DOJ) entered into a settlement agreement with Oconee County, South Carolina which agreed to make its courthouse accessible to people with disabilities. DOJ conducted a compliance review of the courthouse under title II of the ADA and found numerous problems, including inaccessible restrooms, inaccessible witness stands in courtrooms, absence of wheelchair spaces in jury boxes, inaccessible metal detector at the only designated accessible entrance, and inadequate accessible parking in lots and garages. The courthouse had been built in 2003.

Major Events Ahead

Health Care Reform Implementation

The Department of Health and Human Services continues to publish interim final regulations implementing key provisions of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Recently the following regulations were published with the opportunity to provide comments. DPC staff will be analyzing the regulations and working with coalition partners to provide comments.
* Regulation on Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan. This regulation provides guidance on the administration of the pre-existing condition insurance plans to be offered by the states and the federal government until January of 2014 when the health insurance exchanges begin. To be eligible for the plan a person must have a pre-existing condition and be without insurance for 6 months.
* Request for Comment on Health Insurance Exchanges. This is an opportunity to provide input on how the state health insurance exchanges should be set up.
* Regulation on Consumers' Right to Appeal Health Plan Decisions. This is an opportunity to provide comment on the ways the ACA improved consumer appeal procedures.


Announcements

Education

With the theme "Courage in the Classroom: Honoring America's Teachers," Secretary of Education Arne Duncan has kicked off a Back-to-School Tour, where he will visit schools that are facing challenges and demonstrating success. He will talk with teachers about how they are helping their students achieve and how the federal government can best support educators. The bus route is over 800 miles long, and will span eight states. The hope is to engage in conversations with teachers and other educators about the critical work they're doing to educate America's young people, as well as with parents and students about their goals for the new school year and beyond. The DPC encourages disability advocates to participate in the tour and address issues of particular concern to our community - inclusion, special education teacher training, and restraint and seclusion. Follow the Bus Tour blog at: www.ED.gov/BusTour
.

Emergency Management

The National Commission on Children and Disasters, appointed by the President in 2007, approved a report to the President and Congress that highlights on-going gaps in disaster preparedness for children since Hurricane Katrina five years ago. Although the report focuses on children, many of the identified gaps and over 100 recommendations pertain to individuals with disabilities as well. For example, the Commission found poor coordination among federal, state, and local programs and lack of preparedness in the private health care system. The report calls for establishing regional Children's Disaster Coordinators (Regional Disability Coordinator job announcements were recently posted by the Federal Emergency Management Agency); giving priority to the needs of families with children who have disabilities in housing assistance; specifically addressing the evacuation and transportation needs of children with disabilities in congregate care settings, and creating a national data system for keeping track of evacuated children so that they can be reunited with their families. The final report will be available in early October. For the executive summary of the report, see:
www.childrenanddisasters.acf.hhs.gov.


----------------

Previous issues of the Capitol Insider may be viewed at www.ucp.org under "Public Policy." If you have any questions, feel free to contact Annie Acosta at acosta@thedpc.org.

Read More...

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Announcements - August 25, 2010

UCP in the News

Affiliate Updates & Events
Volunteer Opportunity
Advocacy, Disability, Nonprofit & Web 2.0 News

Read More...