March Is National Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Month—One Provider’s Example of Shedding Light on Provider Role and Challenges

Linda Timmons, CEO and President of Mosaic, successfully brought attention to March in with a published column in the Omaha World-Herald as well as providers’ role in reshaping supports and services in the community and enhancing the lives of individuals with disabilities. Timmons also wove this month’s designation to the intersection of debates surrounding health reform and budget challenges. What are you doing to bring positive awareness to the supports and services you provide? Of the challenges you face as an economic and social force in your communities? Of the positive affects you have on individuals with disabilities? Read more!

Bipartisan Lawmakers to Introduce Legislation to Protect All Children in Schools from Abuse

Representative George Miller (D-CA) and Representative Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) will hold a press conference on Wednesday, December 9 to introduce new legislation protecting all children in schools from misuse of restraint and seclusion.

This legislation is the first national effort to prevent and reduce harmful restraint and seclusion in schools. A recent U.S. Government Accountability Office investigation found hundreds of allegations that schoolchildren have been abused, and some even died, as a result of the inappropriate use of restraint and seclusion in classrooms; a disproportionate number of them were children with disabilities. Read more!

International Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

On July 24, 2009, President Obama announced during a speech celebrating the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act that the United States will sign the International Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. United States Ambassador to the United Nations Susan Rice will sign the treaty on Thursday, July 30th. Until the Senate ratifies the treaty with a 2/3 majority the United States is not legally bound to the treaty. There is no official word yet as to when President Obama will submit the treaty to the Senate. Read more!