The 2009 Case for Inclusion Report Now Available at UCP.org
2009 Annual Case For Inclusion The 4th Annual Analysis of Medicaid for Americans with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
The Case for Inclusion 2009 ranks all 50 States and the District of Columbia on how well they are providing community-based supports to Americans with intellectual and developmental disabilities being served by Medicaid. The report uses existing methodology first implemented in 2007.
Unfortunately, the findings compared to previous years (2007 - 2008) are mixed:
Mother Knows Best: Helpful Tips for Success in School for Special Needs Students
By Tricia Van Susteren
On September 5, 1988, my son Joey was born 8 weeks early. My first glimpse of him lasted less than 30 seconds. He was blue and silent and was whisked off to be resuscitated. We were naïve at the time he was attempting to make his arrival. The excitement of the impending birth of our first born overshadowed the implications of a way too early arrival. Little by little we began to learn new terminology — apnea, bradicardia, intraventricular hemorrhaging, mild spastic diplegia, and lastly, cerebral palsy. Thus began our new journey of hills and valleys, tears and heartache, laughter and celebrations, and questions with no clear answers.
Because education is a major part of a child's life one of my major concerns was how would Joey do in the schools he was to attend? Would we put him in a school for children with special needs or try mainstreaming him in a public school? How would he be perceived by other students? Would the teachers be sympathetic, and, most of all, would he be given the opportunity and tools to be able to be successful in school and consequently, in life?
For preschool, we placed Joey in a school for kids with special needs where he was extremely successful and happy. After preschool, we made the difficult decision to mainstream him in the public school system.
UCP Affiliate, Cerebral Palsy Association in Alberta Vacation Villa Offers Stress-Free Vacation
for Individuals with Disabilities
For many of us, packing up the car and heading for a weekend getaway can take minimal preparations. Head out to the cottage or book a hotel room, pack a cooler, bathing suit and some supplies and head out on the open road. But what if it wasn't that easy? What if you were in a wheelchair?
Individuals facing mobility challenges aren't as fortunate to be able to leave town for the weekend. There are so many things to think about such as..."Will the place be accessible? Can I get into the bathroom? Can the restaurants accommodate my needs?" Not only are there limited vacation places with wheelchair access, but most importantly, as many individuals with disabilities live on assisted income, the cost of taking a vacation is just not feasible.
How can someone with a disability enjoy a stress-free vacation when there are so many things to think about? A vacation without limits is now possible at the Cerebral Palsy Association in Alberta (CPAA)Vacation without Limits Villa in Gull Lake, Alberta. Located in the gated community of Raymond Shores Resort, the Vacation Villa has just celebrated its grand opening and ready for bookings.
Steppin’ It Up For People With Disabilities
Martin Sheedy has Arthrogryposis and heads the Project Scissor Gait Foundation that educates, promotes, and provides research opportunities about Scissor Gait, Prune Belly Syndrome & Arthrogryposis to help everyone live more meaningful and productive lives. The mission of the Scissor Gait Foundation is similar to the mission of United Cerebral Palsy, to advance the independence, productivity and full citizenship of people with disabilities. Marty is 21 years-old and from Dearborn, Michigan. He is an exceptional character and has an uplifting spirit that affects everyone around him.
Having two dislocated hips as part of Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenita, Marty had difficulty walking normally growing up. His doctors insisted that he walk the "right way." However, by crossing his legs over each other and shifting his weight in this position he was able to keep his balance with less difficulty and therefore he was able to walk farther and longer. Today he continues to walk as he has when he was a child and doesn't let this fact stop him from living a life without limits.
The Chef Jeff Project Awards Aspiring Chef with Cerebral Palsy
Last fall, The Chef Jeff Project Scholarship Contest invited students from all over the country to submit an essay responding to the question, "How would a culinary degree from The International Culinary Schools at The Art Institutes help you build a better future?" The winner received a $20,000 tuition scholarship towards a culinary arts degree at one of The International Culinary Schools at The Art Institutes. The essay contest was offered in conjunction with the Food Network show, The Chef Jeff Project, hosted by Chef Jeff Henderson. Essays were judged on three key points – the ability to clearly communicate a specific culinary career goal and vision, the originality of the story, and the degree of passion and conviction for pursuing a culinary arts education. More than 13,000 essays were submitted.
The winner, chosen by Chef Jeff Henderson himself, was Mical Tachel Terry of Jonesboro, Georgia. Mical has a passion for culinary arts that began when she was a small child watching her mother cook for her family. But she had some serious challenges along the road to culinary school. Diagnosed with cerebral palsy at 14 months, Mical had five surgeries and years of exercises and physical therapy to be able to walk unaided. She says, "Getting a degree in culinary arts will give me a sense of pride and completion, knowing all the struggles my family went through were not in vain, knowing dreams can come true despite my cerebral palsy. The goal I have after completing my culinary arts degree is to go on to open an upscale bakery and restaurant with my mother, my biggest supporter." Starting classes towards the bachelor of science degree in culinary arts management at The International Culinary School at The Art Institute of Atlanta in January was the beginning of realizing that dream.
Founded in 1948 to help people with cerebral palsy, today United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) is a pivotal advocate for the rights of all people with disabilities. As one of the largest health charities in America, UCP is dedicated to advancing the independence, productivity and full citizenship of people with disabilities.
Asperger's Syndrome, on Screen and in Life New York Times New York,NY,USA 8/3/09 People with Asperger's may have superior intelligence and verbal skills, and they often have an obsessive interest in a particular topic (astronomy, in the case of the title character in "Adam," played by Hugh Dancy).
Amputee helps others get a leg up in world Augusta Chronicle Augusta,GA,USA 8/3/09 At least two days a week, Mr. Ficklin volunteers as a peer supporter at Walton Rehabilitation Health System. It's not always an easy task to bring people out of the shock of losing a limb, but Mr. Ficklin serves as an example that life can go on.
Ed Roberts Campus, a one-stop center for disabled people, just months away from completion Oakland Tribune Oakland,CA,USA 8/1/09 When the Ed Roberts Campus opens in the Spring,? disabled people will be able to access the first-of-its-kind center via mass transit from almost anywhere in the world. The 86,000-square-foot center, which will house up to a dozen nonprofit organizations and community groups, is under construction at the Ashby BART station.
Yellow lab guides blind comic Brian Fischler to the stage Daily News New York,NY,USA 8/1/09 Brian Fischler calls New York City a "blind man's paradise" - a city of convenience where people with limited vision can get around without a car. But before a special guide dog recently pawed his way into Fischler's world, the stand-up comic's normally active life had come to a crawl.
U.S. Signs International Disability Rights Treaty Disability Scoop USA 7/31/09 The United States became the 142nd country to sign the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities on Thursday.
Cerebal palsy no obstacle for happy hiker, biker, Ph.D.-to-be Deseret News Salt Lake City,UT,USA 7/31/09 People see him daily around the Utah State University campus with his head listing painfully to the port side, a slight limp to his gait, his speech a little slurred, and after a time they see him as a source of strength. He is often stopped by fellow students — perfect strangers — as he makes his way to class, and all they want is to meet him and thank him for his obvious determination, attitude and inspiration.
Quadriplegic Amputee Heads to Juilliard to Dance NBC/WRCB (Video) Portland,OR,USA 7/27/09 A Portland, Oregon teen will not let her physical limitations keep her down. Kiera Brinkley is a quadruple amputee, who has never considered herself handicapped. "I am in a wheelchair, but that doesn't stop me," states Kiera plainly.
Art of boy with cerebral palsy in traveling show Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Pittsburgh,PA,USA 7/23/09 The first employs a Handi/Writer. The bright yellow elastic band slips over Alex's wrist, resembling a bracelet. Attached to the loop is a much-smaller loop.
Speak Up: Your Guide To Self-Advocacy Disability Scoop USA 7/21/09 There are lots of experts to help people with developmental disabilities succeed. But the best expert and the most consistent one is often found within. After all, no one knows you better than yourself.
More Than Two-Fifths Of Homeless Have Disabilities Disability Scoop USA 7/16/09 More than 40 percent of America's homeless population are people with disabilities and the number appears to be rising, according to an annual report on homelessness from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
Team Benjamin Cox of Avon to run triathlon for cerebral palsy Cleveland Sun Sentinel Cleveland,OH,USA 7/15/09 Benjamin Cox, the five-year-old son of Matt and Diane Cox, was born with cerebral palsy. Matt, a Cleveland attorney, decided to get a group of guys together to also run with him on behalf of Benjamin so that the fundraising intake could then multiply to a greater figure for the UCP of Greater Cleveland center.
Don't use the 'R' word Cincinnati Enquirer Cincinnati,OH,USA 7/8/09
The word, he says, has become an insult. It's not something that should be used to describe him or anyone else with a developmental disability.
Wheelchairs Of The Future To Be Controlled By Thought Disability Scoop USA 6/30/09 If you think it, it will move. That's the idea behind new wheelchair technology from Toyota which responds to commands from a user's brain waves.
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On September 5, 1988, my son Joey was born 8 weeks early. My first glimpse of him lasted less than 30 seconds. He was blue and silent and was whisked off to be resuscitated. We were naïve at the time he was attempting to make his arrival. The excitement of the impending birth of our first born overshadowed the implications of a way too early arrival. Little by little we began to learn new terminology — 
For many of us, packing up the car and heading for a weekend getaway can take minimal preparations. Head out to the cottage or book a hotel room, pack a cooler, bathing suit and some supplies and head out on the open road. But what if it wasn't that easy? What if you were in a wheelchair?
How can someone with a disability enjoy a stress-free vacation when there are so many things to think about? A vacation without limits is now possible at the 
