#42 Tropic Thunder Updates and Various Disability Information throughout Georgia!

[Guest guest]

Dearest Advocates:

Many thanks to those that participated in the protest of Tropic Thunder last week. There was a great turn out at many locations all over Georgia. Below are web links that I have put together from many emails showing the media coverage that was expressed on the issue, as well as, updates from various organizations.

Many people have asked if it was a successful campaign/protest. My thoughts- YES, it was. For the first time in a long time, various disability organizations united as one to express our concerns of using the R-word in that movie. I do think that in many ways, the disability world is very fragmented and only advocates for their particular issue. This was the first time that many organizations came together to advocate for one cause. I just hope that the momentum has started and we will all continue to work together for the greater good of individuals with disabilities.

If you have not already done so, please go to the www.r-word.org and sign the petition to show your support.

In addition in this issue you will find updates on advocacy efforts needed for Unlock the Waiting Lists! Campaign Update, an Autism 101 Seminar and Resource Fair information and Beckett / Deeming Waiver and Champions for Children Informational Sessions being scheduled throughout Georgia. I hope you find this information helpful.

United…We Will Make A Difference!

Sincerely, Heidi

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Media and Other Various Updates on the movie Tropic Thunder:

National Attention from “The Morning Show with Mike and t”: http://www.mandjshow.com/videos/tropic-blunder/

From Savannah, http://www.wtoc.com/global/story.asp?s=8843937

R-word PSA by Will Schermerhorn: http://blueberryshoes.com/psa/arc/

http://r-word.org

http://www.thearc.org/NetCommunity/Page.aspx?pid=1800 & srcid=183

http://www.aapd.com/News/disability/080813aapd.htm )

From Blogger Bauer, http://www.patriciaebauer.com/

From Special Olympics: http://www.specialolympics.org/Special+Olympics+Public

http://jfactivist.typepad.com/jfactivist/selfadvocacy/

UCLA Daily Bruin:http://www.dailybruin.ucla.edu/news/2008/aug/12/Protest/

Unlock the Waiting Lists! Campaign Update:

Right now, the Board of the Department of Human Resources is reviewing the budget.

We need your help to ensure that they do not make cuts to supports for people with disabilities.

To help, go to: http://www.unlockthewaitinglists.com/advocate.html

On Monday, the news wasn’t good for Georgia’s state revenues. Governor Sonny Perdue, struggling to deal with an expected $1.6 billion budget shortfall, has ordered agencies to cut their budgets by 6 percent for this year and has told them to offer budget proposals for midyear adjustments in January and for the year that begins next July 1 that show how they could achieve cuts of 6, 8 and 10 percent if necessary.

We must be unified in saying simply, “No Cuts to Services for People with Disabilities”

By going to http://www.unlockthewaitinglists.com/advocate.html, please let the Governor and the DHR Board know how critical these supports are for people with disabilities. Ask them to do no harm!

Georgia has over 6,160 people with developmental disabilities currently on community waiting lists. The waiting lists grow every year by 1,000 people because individuals and families fall into crisis, or caregivers pass away. Over 700 students age out of the school system every year needing supports. The multi-year funding plan called for 2,500 services last year, and we received only 500. This year the plan also calls for 2,500, and the current budget proposal includes only the 150 MRWP services we need to meet the requirement of the Money Follows Person initiative.

Unlock Mission StatementThe mission of this campaign is to reduce and/or eliminate waiting lists for the over six thousand people with disabilities and their families who need home and community-based services. To learn more, go to www.unlockthewaitinglists.com

Please forward this email on to your friends and family.

Dave BlanchardUnlock the Waiting Lists! Campaignhttp://www.unlockthewaitinglists.com/

Autism 101- Seminar and Resource Fair for Newly Diagnosed Families

Saturday, September 6, 2008Northstar Church3413 Blue Springs RoadKennesaw, Georgia 30144"Autism 101" is a seminar and resource fair sponsored by the Autism Society of America - Greater Georgia Chapter for families of newly diagnosed children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). The seminar provides information that educates, enables and empowers these families as they begin the journey of caring for, planning for, and treating their child. Additionally, there is a resource fair for families to meet and interact with local providers of autism related goods and services.Pre-registration Required$10 per personPlease visit the ASA-GGC website at www.asaga.com or call (770)904-4474 to register or for additional information.Vendor space availableAut

ism 101 Schedule8:00am-8:30am Check in and receive materials 8:30am-9:00am What is autism and how is it diagnosed?Dr. Steve Hobbs, Pediatric Psychology Associates9:00am-9:30am Services, Funding, and AdvocacyStacey , University Center on Excellence in Developmental Disabilities9:30am-10:00am The Basics of Applied Behavioral AnalysisDrs. Coby & Janet Lund, Integrated Behavioral Solutions10:00am-10:30am The Sensory ConnectionMargaret Kuneyl, OTR/L, Peach State Pediatric Therapy10:30am-11:00am Behavior Strategies and Positive Behavior SupportsDr. Montgomery, Reinforcement Unlimited11:00am-11:30am Promoting Language SkillsCharlie , Emory Autism Center11:30am-Noon Enhancing Social and Play SkillsCharlie , Emory Autism Center Noon-1:30pm Lunch and Resource Fair1:30pm-2:00pm Sleeping, Feeding, and Toileting I

ssues Cavin, Marcus Institute2:00pm-2:30pm Using Visual Supports Barineau, Dekalb County Schools2:30pm-3:00pm Biomedical and Diet InterventionsStefanie , Eating Away Autism3:00pm-3:30pm Music & Autism: Therapeutic PossibilitiesBeth Hampshire-Coyle, NMT, MT-BC,Music Therapy Services of Greater Atlanta3:30pm-4:00pm Accessing Educational Services O'Connell & Nan Britt, SPECTRUM4:00pm-5:00pm Autism's impact on the family Newman, Living the Mosaic5pm-6pm Resource FairTopics and/or presenters subject to change without notice.

Beckett / Deeming Waiver and Champions for Children Informational Sessions:

Parent to Parent of Georgia, in conjunction with local community partners, will sponsor community health forums on Beckett/Deeming Waiver and the new Champions for Children health care financing option. Dowd, Director of the Member Services and Policy Unit at Georgia’s Department of Community Health (DCH), will provide a Beckett/Deeming Waiver overview, and Easter Seal’s regional Champions for Children Coordinators will provide details of their new program. Easter Seals Southern, North, East, Middle and West Georgia will be represented at the forums.

Beginning August 19th, and continuing through October, five informational sessions will

allow families and professionals to learn more about the Beckett/Deeming Waiver and Champions for Children Programs. The forums will take place in Albany, Augusta, Columbus, Dublin, and Fulton/Dekalb (Metro Atlanta). The basic eligibility requirements for the Champions for Children Program are as follows:

Children must be 21 and under with a physical, cognitive, developmental or medical disability. The child must currently live at home, and must not be eligible for Medicaid.

Albany, GA (Dougherty County)

Tuesday, August 19, 2008 - 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm

Easter Seals of Southern Georgia

3000 Palmyra Road Albany, GA 31701

Nicki - enwilson@..., Heard - theard@..., Kathy SuttonKathy@... or

Dublin, GA (s County)

Saturday, September 6, 2008

TBD – To Be Determined

Decatur, GA (Metro - Dekalb County)

Thursday, September 25, 2008 - 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm

The Frazer Center

1815 Ponce de Leon Ave N.E., Atlanta, Ga. 30307

Karmen – (404)943-1070/khughes@...

Columbus, GA (Muscogee County)

Tuesday, September 30, 2008

TBD – To Be Determined

Augusta, GA (Richmond County)

Thursday, October 9, 2008 - 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm

Warren Baptist Church

3203 Washington Road, Augusta, GA 30907

Sheila – sthomas@..., Sheryl Irwin – /sirwin@..., Leigh Proctor - /Esevaluator@...

For more general information contact Sherry at sherry@...

--Heidi J. (Proud Mother to - 8 years old with Down syndrome & - 6 years old) For more information about how Heidi can help you maximize your child's potential, please go to www.heidijmoore.com "Help The Children Now, So They Can Help Themselves Later!" The material contained in this e-mail is for general information only. It is not intended in any way to provide or offer legal advice. To obtain legal advice, please consult with your attorney or a qualified legal representative.