Adults with Down Syndrome

In Adults with Down Syndrome, written by Siegfried M. Pueschel, experts compare the frequency of psychiatric disorders in adults with Down syndrome and the general population; they also explain the importance of social relationships and inclusion, as well as the history and different levels of advocacy. Adults with Down syndrome comment on daily living, work, friends, and other topics in personal essays. Mark L. Batshaw, M.D., says this book "will appeal both to young adults with Down syndrome who read the successful stories of peers and to professionals who will gain knowledge and insight from the experts." Visit CeDIR today to check out this insightful book, or go to worldcat.org to find it at a library near you.

SABE Conference 2008

The Self Advocates of Indiana will be hosting SABE's 9th National Self Advocacy Conference from September 4th to the 7th! The Self Advocates of Indiana are the only statewide Indiana organization run by and for people with developmental disabilities.

SABE 2008 (Self Advocates Becoming Empowered) will be held in Indianapolis at the Indianapolis Marriott Downtown. Check out more info at www.sabe2008.org!

"Rev up your engines for Indianapolis -- Self Advocacy's got the fever!"

Disability Rights and Wrongs

Written by Tom Shakespeare, Disability Rights and Wrongs confronts the social issues surrounding disability, prenatal diagnosis, and the search for cures. Caring for people with disabilities, the relationship of people without disabilities to the community of individuals with disabilities, and disability rights are also discussed. Gary L. Albrecht at the University of Illinois at Chicago says of the author's writing, "Tom Shakespeare has produced a work of mature scholarship that advances our thinking about the fundamental issues in Disability Studies. The clarity and balance of his argument challenges others to raise the level of discourse in the field. Disability Rights and Wrongs is a must read." To find out more about this interesting and informative book, check it out at CeDIR today! Or, visit worldcat.org to find it at a library near you.

Accessible Travel

for more information:

Harrington, C. (2008). 101 accessible vactions: Travel ideas for wheelers and slow-walkers. New York: Demos Medical Pub.

Online Resources:

http://del.icio.us/cedir/accessible_travel

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Teaching Math to People with Down Syndrome and Other Hands-on Learners, Book 2: Advanced Survival Skills

Practical math is an important skill that is often used in daily living activities. DeAnna Horstmeier has published a new book on this topic called Teaching Math to People with Down Syndrome and Other Hands-on Learners, Book 2: Advanced Survival Skills. This book explores methods that can be used to help facilitate learning among those who are visually oriented, including adults and children with Down Syndrome and Autism. Teaching Math… includes worksheets, games and other learning activities. Topics covered include fractions, money, decimals, measurements, multiplication and division. This book can be used by anyone interested in teaching, no special training or expertise is necessary.

find this item at a library near you!

The Road to Freedom

The Road to Freedom website at www.roadtofreedom.org documents the history that led to the passing of the Americans with Disabilities Act in 1990. To present this history to all fifty states and raise awareness of the ADA, participants have embarked on a nationwide tour giving press conferences, radio shows, and interviews; the site describes the group's journey. Here, visitors can view disability news articles; they can also sign the site's petition, contact officials elected to Congress, or sign up for the newsletter. In addition, the "Faces of Disability" section allows visitors to tell their own story about living with disabilities. The Road to Freedom also features a blog, store, and press room with current news and events. To learn more about this site and the Americans with Disabilities Act, visit www.roadtofreedom.org today.

Gifts of Aspergers

The Myriad Gifts of Asperger's Syndrome by John M. Ortiz focuses on the talents, abilities, and achievements of individuals with Asperger's Syndrome. Ortiz celebrates the qualities of individuals with Asperger's that he has met through his clinical experience, including their characteristic tenacity, honesty, and attention to detail. He also looks at the wide range of careers they have chosen and flourish in.

Are you an Indiana resident and interested in this book? Contact us!

Not an Indiana resident? No worries find this book at your local library!

Support for Individuals with ASD

In her new book Providing Practical Support for People with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Supported Living in the Community, Denise Edwards discusses the important elements of supporting individuals with autism spectrum disorders (organization, communication, interpretation, social interaction, and health) as well as social networks, employment, and care plans. The author uses case studies throughout the book, along with examples of her own experiences with her son John, who is a 25-year-old with Asperger's syndrome. Further reading and a list of useful organizations are provided after the conclusion. To learn more about this informative book, check it out at CeDIR today! Or, to find it at a library near you, visit worldcat.org.

Did you hear...ADA

Welcome to CeDIR's weekly Podcast "Did you hear...!" Join us each Monday for a new episode. We'll cover a wide variety of subjects about disability as well as a resources guide for further information!

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)



for more information:

O'Brien, R. (2004). Voices from the edge: Narrative about the Americans with Disabilities Act. New York: Oxford University Press.

Mezey, S. G. (2005). Disabling interpretations: the Americans with Disabilities Act in federal court. Pittsburgh, Pa: University of Pittsburgh Press.

Online Resources:

http://del.icio.us/adainfo


Indiana ADA Resources:
ADA-Indiana ( http://www.adaindiana.org ) ADA-Indiana promotes the implementation of the Americans with Disabilities Act in Indiana. The committee consists of representatives from the private sector, state agencies, universities, disability organizations, and disability advocates. It is funded through the Indiana Governor's Council for People with Disabilities and Great Lakes ADA Center (in Chicago).

Some of their activities

• Community ADA Implementation Projects. This is an annual competitive grants program that ADA-Indiana makes available to Indiana organizations. These grants have been used over the course of several years to provide funding for local community activities such as providing ADA training to businesses and local governments, making local transportation systems more usable for people with disabilities, and many others.
• Monthly ADA Audio Conferences. ADA-Indiana's Audio Conference Series is monthly training opportunity that is supported in three communities: Bloomington, Gary, and Indianapolis. The sessions are one hour and a half in length and feature an expert on a topic related to the ADA each month. These audio conferences are free and open to the public.


• Annual ADA Celebration. Each year ADA-Indiana observes the Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act by planning and coordinating a Celebration on, or around, the 26th of July. This year ADA-Indiana will commemorate the 18th Anniversary on Friday, July 25th by hosting a workshop for disability advocates on voting and the ADA in Bloomington, Indianapolis, Muncie, and New Albany.
  

Visit ADA-Indiana's website for more information on these activities or just to keep up-to-date on the ADA.



DBTAC: Great Lakes ADA Center (http://www.adagreatlakes.org) The Great Lakes ADA Center is one of the ten (10) Disability and Business Technical Assistance Centers that are funded by National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research to provide training, technical assistance, and conduct research on the ADA. They serve Indiana and the surrounding states. If you call the toll-free number, 1-800-949-4232, you will talk to a technical assistance specialist (usually Peter Berg, who is the Project Coordinator for Technical Assistance,) who will be able to assist you with your ADA question. While they have been working to build up their distance education offerings - webcasts, audio conferences; Great Lakes is very active in Indiana - doing onsite trainings for local communities and participating as speakers and panelists in conferences.

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Just Give Him the Whale, 10 Ways to Use Fascinations, Areas of Expertise, and Strengths to Support Students with Autism by Paula Kluth and Patrick Schwarz is a resource for educators who work with children with autism. This book provides creative ideas on how to use strengths of autistic children to mold effective teaching strategies. The book provides inspiring examples and simple tips to help improve learning.

Find Just Give Him the Whale... at a library near you or check it out at the CeDIR Library!

Mind's Odyssey

A website designed for children and parents of children with learning disabilities, www.mindsodyssey.com makes available resources, such as blogs, videos, and websites, that will help children with ADHD, dyslexia, and other disabilities learn. Pages of the site address the warning signs (grouping characteristics by grade level) and provide parenting advice and tips on how to make doing homework a successful experience. Interested individuals can join the Mind's Odyssey community, through which they can receive a copy of Mind's Insights and gain access to the site's interactive games. To learn more about Mind's Odyssey, and to read about the latest research and assistive technology, check out www.mindsodyssey.com today!

The Spinal Cord Injury Walk 2008

The Spinal Cord Injury Walk 2008 is scheduled for Sunday, September 21, 2008 from noon to 5pm at the Old Fairgrounds Park/Butterfield Pavilion in Valparaiso, Indiana.

Last year more than 180 people attended the walk and it was a huge success. This year should be even better. It is a great way to raise awareness for spinal cord injuries, exercise, and spend time with family and friends. There will be live music, a silent auction, door prizes, food, and a 5k-fitness walk.

The proceeds will benefit spinal cord injury research, advocacy groups and the Northwest Indiana Spinal Cord Injury Group. Volunteers and sponsors are needed for this event also. Please contact nwiscig@gmail for more information.

Check out the website here!

Free Showings of Spinal Cord Injury Documentaries

At the Portage 16 Theater at 6550 U.S. Highway 6 in Portage, Indiana, the Northwest Indiana Spinal Cord Injury Group will be offering free showings of certain spinal cord injury documentaries, beginning on July 20th at 2 p.m. with Christopher Reeve: Hope in Motion. This film documents the life of Christopher Reeve, an actor and advocate for stem cell research, as he struggles to regain mobility. Other movies coming later this summer are Mapping Stem Cell Research: Terra Incognita, which can be seen on August 3rd at 2 p.m., and Murderball, which will be shown on August 17th at 2 p.m. Mapping Stem Cell Research is about a neurologist who is determined to find a way to repair the damaged spinal cord of his daughter, who is injured in a skiing accident; Murderball takes a look at two years in the lives of the United States Para Olympic Quad Rugby Team and the challenges they face. The group is still looking for sponsors for this event, so if you would like become one, please contact nwiscig@gmail.com.

Did you hear...Animal Assisted Therapy

Animal Assisted Therapy




for more information:

Pavlides, M. (2008) Animal-assisted interventions for individuals with autism. Philadelphia: Jessica Kingsley Publishers.

Online resources:

Service Animals
http://del.icio.us/cedir/service_animals

Animal Assisted Therapy
http://del.icio.us/cedir/animal_therapy


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Asperger and Employment

People with Asperger Syndrome often face difficulties when making the jump from formal education to the work force. They might face challenges such as being unable to communicate effectively with co-workers, problems with adjusting to a disruptive work environment or being unable see the "big picture" of a project. However, people with Asperger Syndrome also have many strengths that make them valuable employees when in the right occupation.

Temple Grandin’s Choosing the Right Job for People with Autism or Asperger's Syndrome lists various occupations that would be in tune the strengths of a person with Aspergers Syndrome.

CeDIR also has several books on this topic, including:

How to find work that works for people with Asperger syndrome : the ultimate guide for getting people with Asperger syndrome into the workplace (and keeping them there!) by Gail Hawkins

Asperger syndrome employment workbook : an employment workbook for adults with Asperger syndrome by Roger Meyer

Check them out today!

Early Intervention & Autism

When does autism usually appear? Is it a biological or a psychological disorder? What does autism look like in real life? These questions and more are asked and answered by James Ball, a board certified behavior analyst, in his new book Early Intervention & Autism: Real-Life Questions, Real-Life Answers. The author discusses strategies for a successful early intervention program, behavior challenges and meltdowns, and useful resources for parents of children with autism spectrum disorders. Included in the back of the book are appendices with a "Day in the Life" example of the author's strategies in practice and a sample Individual Family Services Plan.

If you would like to learn more about this informative book, stop by CeDIR today, or visit worldcat.org to find it at a library near you.

Animal-Assisted Interventions

Animal-Assisted Interventions for Individuals with Autism by Merope Pavlides discusses success stories of different animal-assisted interventions, notes the challenges of working with particular animal species, and emphasizes the importance of tailoring interventions to the specific needs of the individual and of monitoring progress. The author also lists recommendations for resources and further reading.

Interested in the book? Indiana resident? Contact us here at CeDIR!

Not an Indiana resident? Find this book at your local library!

The Mentor Network

The Mentor Network Charitable Foundation was launched in 2007. The Mentor Network is a national network of local human service providers offering an array of quality, innovative services to adults and children with developmental disabilities and acquired brain injury; to children and adolescents with emotional, behavioral and medically complex challenges; and to elders in need of home care. They also have applications for various grants and funds. For more information and or application to any of their programs check out their website at www.thementornetwork.com/foundation.

Did you hear...CeDIR has a podcast!

Welcome to the inaugural edition of CeDIR's weekly Podcast "Did you hear...!" Join us each Monday for a new episode. We'll cover a wide variety of subjects about disability as well as a resources guide for further information! Today's topic is:

Visitability

for more information:

Hauss, S.E. (2003). Welcome to our house: One family's story on accessibility Bloomington,IN: Indiana Institute on Disability and Community.

Steven Winter Associates. (1997). Accessible housing by design: Universal design principles in practice New York : McGraw-Hill

For online resources visit:

http://del.icio.us/cedir/visitability

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Mind/Body Techniques for Asperger's Syndrome: the Way of the Pathfinder by Ron Rubio


People with Asperger's Syndrome (AS) typically experience difficulty with balance, coordination and sensory awareness. The mind/body exercises in this book help young people with AS improve these skills, leading to greater self-confidence, and independence.

Easy to use, with photographs to show how exercises are done correctly, these techniques can have an immediate effect on how an individual stands, sits, moves, thinks of him- or herself, and relates to others. The author's approach integrates ideas and practices from disciplines including martial arts, Eastern principles of mindfulness, techniques of visualization, breathing, posture, and movement, and the practice of mentoring.

Check out Mind/Body Techniques for Asperger's Syndrome at the Center for Disability Information and Referral today! Not an Indiana Resident? Find Mind/Body Techniques for Asperger's Syndrome in a library near you with worldcat.org!

The Great Outdoors

Also in honor of National Therapeutic Recreation Week, The Great Outdoors: Restoring Children's Right to Play Outside by Mary S. Rivkin is another possible recommendation. The author calls for schools and communities to restore children's outdoor play opportunities and gives inspiring examples of play spaces across the United States and the world such as the Washington Environmental Yard in Berkeley, CA. This public school's asphalt court was transformed into ponds, woods, and meadows for their children. Rivkin also suggest some practical ideas for bringing the great outdoors to your school.

Are you an Indiana resident interested in this title, well then contact us!

No worries if you're not an Indiana resident, find this book at your local library!

Wings to Fly

In honor of National Therapeutic Recreation Week, Sally Dorothy Bailey's Wings to Fly: Bringing Theatre Arts to Students with Special Needs is now on display at CeDIR. The first few chapters of this book introduce descriptions of various physical and cognitive disabilities, then adaptations needed for teaching school-age children with special needs. Readers will find that theatre arts help students improve their communication skills and confidence, work in teams, and express themselves. Issues such as mainstreaming, working with teachers, and incorporating other subjects into drama are also covered. Visit CeDIR today to check out this interesting book, or visit worldcat.org to find it at a library near you.