Disability Futures

In new guidance, the Obama administration is reminding states and local agencies that students do not relinquish their rights under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act if they are incarcerated.

“The fact that a student has been charged with or convicted of a crime does not diminish his or her substantive rights or the procedural safeguards and remedies provided under the IDEA to students with disabilities and their parents,” wrote the U.S. Department of Education’s Melody Musgrove and Michael Yudin in a letter being sent this week to state and local officials responsible for educating youth in correctional facilities.

“With great sadness we acknowledge the passing of Stella Young, our much loved and irreplaceable daughter and sister. Stella passed away on Saturday evening, unexpectedly, but in no pain,” the statement said.

She will have a private funeral, followed by a public event in Melbourne.

Her family has requested privacy and asked that people consider making donations in support of Domestic Violence Victoria, a cause which Young was passionate about.

This webinar provides an overview of major lessons observed as The City of Los Angeles works to strengthen its inclusion of people with disabilities and others with access and functional needs in Executive Directives, Emergency Operations Plan, departmental standard operating procedures and training. Focus will include planning processes, roles and responsibilities, resource management, agreements, community stakeholder integration, other tools for success. Examples will be provided regarding communication, mass care and sheltering, evacuation, and maintaining health.

Study author Simon Rosenbaum, of The George Institute for Global Health and The University of Sydney in Australia, said: "This study provides the first evidence from a clinical trial using hospitalised patients that exercise is associated with reduced PTSD and depressive symptoms, reduced waist circumference and improved sleep quality."

FEMA has approved $131 million in grants, while the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has approved $84.9 million in low-interest loans. Applications must be received by the December date to be considered for assistance from FEMA and the SBA; however, disaster funds will continue to flow beyond that date.

Storm-affected homeowners and renters in Macomb, Oakland and Wayne counties may be eligible for federal grants to help cover various disaster-related expenses including essential home repairs, personal property losses and other disaster-related needs not covered by insurance.

Homeowners are eligible to apply for SBA low-interest loans up to $200,000 to repair or replace disaster damaged primary homes.

• Homeowners and renters are eligible to apply for loans up to $40,000 for replacement of personal property including automobiles.
• Businesses and private nonprofits are eligible to apply for up to $2 million to repair or replace storm-damaged property.
• Small businesses and private nonprofits are eligible to apply for working capital loans.

The SBA loan application deadline is Dec. 15, 2014

Today, nearly one out of four children has some type of developmental challenge, ranging from ADHD and autism spectrum disorders to learning disabilities and developmental delays1. Because playtime can often be challenging to children with these diagnoses, toys go to the bottom of the toy box, and the joy that comes from connecting between peers, siblings and other generations gets lost. With this in mind, a passionate group of Hasbro employees believed they could do more to spread the joy of play to all children. Thus, the grassroots and employee-led project, ToyBox Tools, was born.