# 40 More Movie Protest Information and Other Disability Information

[Guest guest]

Dearest Advocates:

In addition to the advocacy information I sent out yesterday regarding the protests scheduled tomorrow, Wednesday, August 13, 2008 at various movie theaters all over Georgia for the opening of Tropic Thunder. Here is an additional opportunity for those that live in McDonough to protest:

Great Escape McDonough- Movie Time 7:25

115 s Drive

McDonough, GA

Contact: Martha Henley , flippentv@...

The Associate Press wrote this today regarding the National protest last night in LA at the premier of Tropic Thunder:

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5i586iSEdbKoVJV6tXZYDyPgPz7IwD92GKK300

Below is information about how your organization can help support the cause by adding your name to the Coalition’s Statement of Support and Solidarity (see below) from Special Olympics They need as many signatures as possible. If your group is interested in signing on to, please send your name, group name, and contact information to Barbara Kornblau at Special Olympics, ASAP at bkornblau@....

Please help unite our voices and make a difference for individuals with disabilities and protest the movie!

Also in this newsletter, I’ve included information regarding the next Region 3 (metro Atlanta area) Planning Board meeting for Dept of Human Resources- Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Addictive Disease. This is your opportunity as a parent that is on the wait list for MRWP/COMP disability waivers to voice concerns and help advocate for your child. Many times families do not show up for these opportunities. In addition, it is a perfect opportunity to voice your concerns as a Medicaid provider for those servicing under the MRWP/COMP.

I’ve also provided information regarding Champions for Children and Beckett Waiver Forum opportunity around Georgia.

In addition, in the AJC newspaper today - reported on Governor Perdue’s request to cut the State budget by 6% in each department due to a slow economy and low tax collections again in July. We will be monitoring to see how this will possibly impact individuals with disabilities in Georgia- I’m sure we will need to continue to advocate very soon for services. Keep you posted. http://www.ajc.com/search/content/2008/08/12/budget.html

United…We Will Make A Difference!

Sincerely, Heidi

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Coalition’s Statement of Support and Solidarity from Special Olympics:

Statement of Support and Solidarity

We, as organizations and self-advocates representing members of the disability community, recognize the dignity of individuals with intellectual disabilities, the challenges they and their families face, and the meaningful and powerful contributions they make to their families, their communities, and their country,

Acknowledge that individuals with intellectual disabilities have been subject to discrimination, abuse, and exclusion from society throughout history;

Recognize that the more than 200 million individuals with intellectual disabilities worldwide, and more than 6 million individuals with intellectual disabilities in the US, have suffered severe consequences including: institutionalization, physical, sexual, and emotional abuse, denial of education, employment, and healthcare, segregation, and targeted hate crimes;

Acknowledge that “attitudes and expectations of the public, in part, determine the degree to which children, adolescents and adults with intellectual disabilities are able to learn, work and live alongside their peers without disabilities.” (President’s Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities, 2004);

Understand that for over four decades, the media has consistently mischaracterized people with intellectual disabilities; (Pardun, 2005)

Realize that over 80% of U.S. adults surveyed feel that media portrayals are an obstacle to the acceptance and inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities. (Pardun, 2005)

Recognize that many people, including those with intellectual disabilities, their families and friends, consider the “R-word” just as offensive as the “N-word;” and

Declare that under the guise of “parody,” whether intentional or not, Tropic Thunder demeans, insults, and harms individuals with intellectual disabilities by using the “R- word.” Furthermore, it perpetuates derogatory images and stereotypes of individuals with intellectual disabilities including mocking their physical appearance and speech, supports the continuation of inappropriate myths and misperceptions, and legitimizes painful discrimination, exclusion, and bullying;

Together, we declare our intention to make the public aware of the need to create and foster inclusion of individuals with intellectual disabilities as a matter of social justice by:

• Boycotting the film and explaining to our nation’s children why the film is harmful;

• Educating the public, especially young people, about intellectual disabilities through far-reaching awareness campaigns to ban the use of the “R-word,” and other initiatives to permanently change attitudes and promote inclusion;

• Calling on Hollywood studios, writers and executives to pledge to make this the final chapter in a sullied history of demeaning portrayals of individuals with intellectual disabilities and assist in public education campaigns;

• Requesting that Congress investigate and conduct oversight of how Hollywood portrays individuals with intellectual disabilities and the effect these portrayals have on our nation and around the world.

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The Region 3 Planning Board Meeting (Metro Atlanta Area) for DHR MHDDAD

The Region 3 Planning Board (Metro Atlanta Area) for DHR Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Addictive Disease will meet in Conyers, GA, on Thursday August 21 from 11AM-1PM. Location: Park - Rockdale County Parks and RecreationLarge Meeting Room1781 Ebenezer Rd.Conyers, GA. 30012 Comments from the public are welcome

, but should be limited to no more than 3 minutes. This is a great opportunity for families of individuals receiving or needing services to speak.

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Champions for Children and Beckett Waiver Forum Opportunity:

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.

Please look for further detailed announcements to be forthcoming. You may also view updated information at http://www.parenttoparentofga.org. To learn more about Champions for Children visit http://www.championsforchildrenga.org, and for more details about Beckett/Deeming Waiver link to http://dch.georgia.gov (general link), or http://dch.georgia.gov/00/channel_title/0,2094,31446711_31946814,00.html (direct link).

For questions, please contact Sherry , Director – Family to Family Health Information Center, Parent to Parent of Georgia, at , or via email 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.