^New!3/8/2010: Save The Date - Arkansas Disability Policy Consortium (ADPC) will host the 2010 Disability Policy Summit. October 20, 2010. Comfort Inn & Suites Downtown at the Clinton Library, 707 Interstate 30, Little Rock, AR. 501-687-7700. More information contact "adpc2003@aol.com"

^New!3/12/2010: Emergency Management Overview for Disability Providers, Clarksville [download flyer and registration]

^New!3/5/2010: Emergency Management Overview for Disability Providers, North Little Rock [download flyer and registration]

^New!3/1/2010: Emergency Management Overview for Disability Providers, Forrest City [download flyer and registration]

^New!2/26/2010: DD Network requesting proposals for presentations at annual conference. Read more »

^New!2/25/2010: The Public Is Invited To Attend A Mental Health Public Forum on Friday, March 5, 2010 11:00 am-1:00 pm. We Want To Hear From You! Read more »

^New!2/25/2010: The U.S. Department of Education has released a summary of state laws, regulations, policies and guidelines regarding the use of restraint and seclusion techniques in schools. This state-by-state summary is a result of U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan's letter issued to Chief State School Officers on July 31, 2009, urging a review of current state policies and guidelines regarding the use of restraint and seclusion in schools.Read more »

2/22/2010: Arkansas People First, along with Julie Petty, invite you to join them March 3rd on the steps of the State Capitol building for the national campaign, "Spread the Word to End the Word", a rally to discourage the offensive use of the "R-word" in society. For more information, visit http://www.arkdisabilityrights.org/padd.html#rword

2/22/2010: White House unveils compromise health care bill. Read more »

2/12/2010: The Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics will be held February 12 - 28, and the Paralympic Games will be held from March 12 - 21. The International Paralympic Committee (IPC), founded in 1989, provides unique opportunities for athletes with disabilities at every level of sports achievement. Visit the NBC Olympics website for TV listings, schedules, video, and more.

2/12/2010: Disability Law Lowdown has released podcast number 47, "Especially for Teens". In this 12½ minute MP3 podcast, host Jacquie Brennan discusses allowing teens to take charge of their own Individualized Education Program (IEP) and plan for their transition and future goals. Based on the Pacer Center handout titled "Chart Your Own Future: How Your Individualized Education Program (IEP) Can Help".

2/1/2010: Is there a possible ban on feeding the homeless under the Broadway Bridge in the works? (includes a message from Little Rock Mayor Mark Stodola) Read more »

2/1/2010: The Zackery Lystedt Brain Project, a national initiative dealing with youth sports concussions, will be announced by Florida Governor Charlie Crist on February 3rd from the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. The Zackery Lystedt Law, passed May 2009 in Washington State, requires youth athletes, parents, and coaches to be educated about the risks associated with brain injury and concussions, when to remove an athlete from play if a concussion is suspected, and requires medical clearance by a licensed healthcare provider before an athlete can return to play.

1/27/2010: CALL FOR PARENTS - The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) is seeking persons caring for a child or adult who has a developmental disability or chronic health condition for a program called Project DOCC (Delivery of Chronic Care). Project DOCC is an educational program for pediatric doctors-in-training that is directed, coordinated, and carried out by family members. Project DOCC focuses on the impact of chronic illness, disability, or both on children and their families in every setting — the hospital, home, school, and community. Project DOCC's mission is to put the family at the center of the health care system, regardless of the child's age, diagnosis, or prognosis. The goal of Project DOCC is to enhance the doctor's understanding of the child and family's needs, experiences, and expectations. Project DOCC fosters a deeper doctor-child-­family relationship through its dynamic, interactive program in which parents teach doctors about the daily realities of caring for children with special health care needs. Family members are needed to be parent-educators. They must be willing to allow a medical resident to complete an interview or visit their home. They may also participate in panel presentations. Important qualities include leadership, good communication skills, team player, positive attitude, good relationship with their child's doctors, involvement in their child's chronic illness or disability for more than two years. Parent-educators receive small stipends in recognition of their service. To be a parent-educator for Project DOCC in Central Arkansas, you must attend a one-day workshop on April 16, 2010 to learn the curriculum. If you are interested, please get in touch with Rodney Farley at (501) 753-3163 or Refarley@juno.com

1/27/2010: Texas Tech sociologist's new book uncovers nationwide problem with how homelessness is handled. Read more »

1/25/2010: Bill filings will begin on February 1st in anticipation of the opening of the Fiscal Session of the Arkansas General Assembly on February 8, 2010.

1/20/2010: Findings from the 2009 U.S. Conference of Mayors Report on Hunger and Homelessness. Read more »

1/20/2010: Family Called Us, Inc. is opening two new houses for homeless in Central Arkansas and needs furniture and kitchen items. Read more »

1/19/2010: Northwest Arkansas Morning News joins the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette and more than 300 nationally available newspapers and magazines on NFB-NEWSLINE, the free news-on-demand service from the National Federation of the Blind. For more information and to subscribe to the service visit their website at http://www.nfbnewsline.org/

1/16/2009: Community Connections is proud to be a part of "All About IEPs", a one-day conference with renowned special education expert Peter Wright. The conference will take place on April 1st (to kick off Autism Awareness Month) at the Clinton Presidential Center, Great Room, 1200 President Clinton Avenue, Little Rock, AR. Each participant will receive two Wrightslaw books and two CD-ROMs. Registration is $35 by March 10, $50 until March 29th, and $70 thereafter. CEU/CLE credit is available. Visit http://peterwrightlr.eventbrite.com for complete details and to place your order! Thanks to Marjorie Greenberg of Eye Contact Arkansas for organizing this incredible event. For more information please visit http://www.eyecontactarkansas.org/peter-wright-on-all-about-ieps/

1/11/2010: The Title V Children's Services Program/DDS, Arkansas Governor's Developmental Disabilities Council, Disability Rights Center, and Partners for Inclusive Communities announce a series of public forums on "Needs of Children with Special Health Care Needs and Individuals with Disabilities and their Families" Read more »

12/30/2009: For qualified participants, the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) offers once-per-year assistance for energy bills. Read more »

12/22/2009: SOAR Network looks back on an eventful 2009. Read more »

12/22/2009: Compassion Communities changes their mission and their name. Read more »

12/16/2009: The Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. Foundation is seeking applications for the Public Policy Fellowship Program 2010-2011. The Foundation is seeking exemplary professionals and/or family members of persons with intellectual or developmental disabilities who are currently working or volunteering in the field of inclusive services and supports for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Applicants are placed in Washington, D. C. for one year, to prepare both early career and veteran leaders to assume leadership in the public policy arena in their home state and/or nationally. Read more »

12/9/2009: Bipartisan lawmakers introduced legislation that will protect all children in schools from abuse. For a brief introduction and the link to view the webcast, go to http://edlabor.house.gov/newsroom/2009/12/lawmakers-introduce-bipartisan.shtml

12/1/2009: The Central Arkansas Library System is offering a free "Books by Mail" service to those who live in Pulaski and Perry Counties, but are unable to leave home because of a temporary or permanent disability. Interested individuals should complete the Books by Mail Service application. Once the application has been processed, patrons may begin requesting materials. They may either select their own titles or complete an interest survey to  have books selected for them. The limit for the first shipment is one item, however, once the first item is returned, up to four items may be requested at a time. Each shipment will be mailed in a reusable nylon bag and will contain a pre-paid postage label for the patron to return the materials. Items that may be checked out through the "Books by Mail" program include books, books on CD, and books on audio-cassette in the CALS collection. For more information about the "Books by Mail" program and download the application, visit http://www.cals.lib.ar.us/news/books-by-mail.html or call 918-3032.

12/1/2009: Campaign to pressure mortgage lenders to reduce payments for troubled homeowners to be announced today. Local non-profits assisting residents in buying homes.

11/23/2009: The 2nd Annual Partners in Brain injury Conference, 2009 November 17, 2009 was a great success with over 100 attendees. See a conference report and press release on the Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Traumatic Brain Injury Web page.

11/17/2009: Mayor Stodola Announces The Job Corp Building Is No Longer Under Consideration For A Homeless Day Resource Center. Read more »

11/13/2009: VA announces new plan to end homelessness among veterans. Read more »

11/13/2009: Fannie Mae to allow some homeowners to rent back their homes with new program. Read more »

11/13/2009: On October 28, 2008, President Obama signed a hate crimes bill that extended protection of that bill to individuals with disabilities. This means that it is a federal offense to commit a crime against a person based on their disability.  This would result in harsher criminal sanctions than are currently provided for by state criminal laws. Under the new law, hate crimes protections will be widened to include crimes committed based on a person's gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability. Before passage of this bill, crimes committed based on race, color, religion or national origin were considered hate crimes. People with disabilities are 50 percent more likely to experience nonfatal violent crime than those without disabilities, according to a Justice Department study released in early October. Additionally, the study found that about one in five crime victims with disabilities believe their disability was the reason they were targeted.

11/3/2009: For the first time in history a United States coin will feature readable Braille commemorating the 200th birthday, life and legacy of Louis Braille, inventor of the Braille system of reading and writing used today. Surcharges from the sale of this coin are authorized to be paid to the National Federation of the Blind to further its programs to promote Braille literacy. The law authorizing this 2009 silver dollar requires that any coins not sold by midnight on December 31, 2009, be melted down. To read more go to http://www.nfb.org/nfb/Braille_Initiative.asp or you can purchase your 2009 Louis Braille Bicentennial Silver Dollar directly from the U. S. Mint.

10/30/2009: Congress Passes The "Helping Families Save Their Homes Act Of 2009". Read more »

10/15/2009: Governor Beebe issues a proclaimation that October 15, 2009 is Disability Awareness Day. Download the proclaimation »

10/7/2009: The Arkansas Governor's Developmental Disabilities Council is preparing for their Family Leadership Training Program. The first session will be in January 2010. The Family Leadership Project is designed to provide education and information to parents of children with disabilities. Because it is free for parents, the number of participants is very limited, so please submit your applications as soon as possible. The brochure and applications may be downloaded by visiting www.ddcouncil.org, requested by email from brenda.mercer[at]arkansas.gov, or by calling 501-280-4608, or 800-462-0599, ext. 280-4608.

9/30/2009: The Granite Mountain Senior Housing facility will receive a $2.2 million grant to increase energy efficiency. Read more »

9/30/2009: By a combined margin of more than 5 to 1, Congress voted to cut off housing grants to ACORN. Read more »

9/30/2009: ARHousing.org is a new and free website to both search for and to list available housing in the state of Arkansas. The website is sponsored by the Department of Human Services, Division of Aging and Adult Services. The website enables you to search for housing by location, by special needs (such as wheelchair accessibility) and by other criteria. There are also "housing tools" that will help you refine your search by considering your budget, roommate preferences, and housing needs. The website also allows landlords to list available properties. To view website, go to: www.arhousing.org

9/16/2009: Fort Washington Medical Center to Ensure Effective Communication for Deaf or Hard of Hearing Patients. Read more »

9/14/2009: DRC Protection and Advocacy for TBI Advisory Council member Shaun Best has written and posted a blog entitled "Words Do Make a Difference in How We Treat People" on the Lash & Associates website, a helpful site for survivors of traumatic brain injury and their familes and the professionals who work with them. Please take a look. Congratulations, Shaun.

9/11/2009: The Division of Developmental Disabilities Services (DDS) has dedicated funds that are available this year for one time only to assist individuals diagnosed with Autism through Special Needs Autism funds. Read more »

9/8/2009: Environmental Study Of Potential Homeless Day Resource Center Site Reveals Lead Paint, Asbestos. Read more »

8/26/2009: The Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) and the Department of Education (ED) have announced new guidance for institutions of higher education to plan for and respond to the upcoming flu season. A Preparing for the Flu toolkit is available for these institutions, in addition to a recently released toolkit for businesses and employers to help them prepare for the 2009-2010 flu season.

8/18/2009: DRC sends letter to Ernie Passailaigue, Executive Director of the Arkansas Lottery Commission to encourage the Arkansas Lottery Commission to review its obligations under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities to ensure that it operates the lottery so that it is accessible, when viewed in its entirely, to people with disabilities in Arkansas. To read the letter click here [pdf]. To read the reply from the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery attorney click here [pdf].

8/13/2009: The Kaiser Family Foundation has published updated health data for Arkansas and the entire country on it's website, statehealthfacts.org/. The Kaiser Family Foundation is a non-profit, private operating foundation focusing on the major health care issues facing the U.S., as well as the U.S. role in global health policy. Their website is at kff.org

8/12/2009: The National Council on Disability (NCD) has released a report calling on federal, state and local authorities to make sweeping changes in emergency management practices for people with disabilities. To read the report click here »

8/11/2009: The Arkansas Division of Developmental Disabilities Services (DDS) has received approval for use of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds, also known as stimulus money, for home and van modifications for people who must use wheelchairs for mobility. Read more »

8/3/2009: On July 30, 2009 the United States became one of 142 other countries that have signed the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

7/31/2009: On this date, U.S. Department of Education Secretary Arne Duncan sent a letter to Chief State School Officers encouraging each State to review its current policies and guidelines regarding the use of restraints and seclusion in schools to ensure every student is safe and protected, and if appropriate, develop or revise its policies and guidelines. To read Secretary Duncan’s letter visit the U. S. Department of Education website or watch YouTube video of Secretary Duncan's comments at a hearing regarding the Obama Administrations Education Agenda on May 20, 2009.

7/30/2009: The National Council on Disability (NCD) is gathering public input for a study of emerging issues and trends affecting the lives of people with disabilities. If you would like to participate, the entire document and information on how to respond is available here » (Word format)

7/28/2009: The Medicaid Adult Dental Care Program is a new benefit to be effective August 1, 2009. It is available to beneficiaries 21 and over eligible for full-range benefits, except for certain aid categories. It does not provide all the same services as the Children's Dental Program, and a benefit limit of $500 per state fiscal year (not including extractions or dentures) and no extensions of benefits available Other limitations apply. For assistance, you may contact ConnectCare at 1-800-322-5580 or the DHS Dental Unit 501-683-2166.

7/28/2009: The Annie E. Casey Foundation has released its Kids Count Data Book for 2009, profiling the well-being of America's children on a state-by-state basis. Arkansas is in the bottom five in the country for infant and teen mortality and poverty. See the Stats (pdf) », and find more in-depth data for Arkansas on the Kids Count website ».

7/22/2009: Arkansas Rehabilitation Services (ARS), a division of the Arkansas Department of Career Education, is informing the public that the ARS FY 2010 State Plan for the Vocational Rehabilitation and Supported Employment Services Programs is available for review and input. Interested parties are encouraged to submit comments in writing concerning the Plan. Read more »