We’ve Moved….

The Accidental Advocate is on hiatus as we transition to our new blog found at www.codss.org/blog. All of our current and future blog posts will be published there, so drop in, give us a visit, and stay in touch.

Although Central Ohio Down Syndrome Society has been operating for a little more than a year, we have made astonishing gains on behalf of Down syndrome families, including convening our own scientific advisory panel and retaining our own legislative lobbyist (we were recently credited by the NDSS as being the only known local Ds group in the country to ever do so). And with your help and support, we will continue our mission to advance Ds research and legislation in ways that have not been done in decades.

For more information on what we’re doing to move Ds research and legislation forward, give us a call at 866.568.8949.

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Stepping Forward, Thinking Different

After six months of development, CODSS has proudly launched Phase I of its new online home at www.codss.org.  The site will serve as a focal point for bringing Down syndrome families, researchers, policy makers, and advocates together, and as a hub for cross-sector efforts to keep Down syndrome research and advocacy center stage, now and in the decade to come.

Codss.org is sophisticated, organized, elevated, professional and contemporary, and is the product of thoughtful, intuitive design. To read more about how codss.org was developed and designed, click here. But codss.org is more than just a website; its the anchor of a larger digital strategy that you will see unfold in the coming weeks.

Share the site with your friends, family, co-workers, others who support children and adults with Down syndrome.  Also, send us any thoughts or feedback that you have so we can make it stronger and more useful to you.

Please note that in the weeks to come, The Accidental Advocate Blog will be folded into the blog at our new codss.org website, which you can find here.

Why We’re Excited…

We are acutely aware of how the current economic environment limits opportunities for our children with Down syndrome to access physical, occupational, and speech/language therapeutics and support. Because these skills are central to the development of thinking, reasoning, remembering, as well as social inclusion and integration, CODSS is committed to meeting this emerging need.

That’s why I am so excited to inform you that yesterday the Country Club of Muirfield Village Foundation awarded CODSS a grant totaling $9,000 to help support a brand new initiative that will give Ds families increased access to physical, cognitive and language development services.

The CODSS Childhood Intervention Program is a pilot initiative designed to: 1) increase access to physical, occupational, and speech therapeutics and support that help bridge the gap with county-provided services; and 2) foster continual development and achievement by further educating parents on how to confidently and consistently reinforce therapies for their child while at home.

The CODSS Board of Directors is enthusiastic about this program and eager to launch it as it will provide our children with Down syndrome a solid foundation of critical skills that will allow them to live meaningful and more independent lives.

Complete details will follow in the New Year on how you and your child can participate in this exciting new, first-of-its-kind pilot program for Ds families. Many, many thanks to the entire Country Club of Muirfield Village Foundation Board for believing that our work together will have an enduring impact on every child and adult with Ds that we are able to touch.

Thanks also to many of you for your continued support, and for making our inaugural year a tremendous success!

Happy Holidays to all.

Helping Lead the Way

Several weeks ago, I received a phone call from Madeleine Will, vice president of Public Policy & director of the National Policy Center at National Down Syndrome Society requesting Central Ohio Down Syndrome Society’s help in securing the support of Ohio U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown for the Trisomy 21 Translational Research Parity Act that was just introduced into Congress.

Within days of receiving the request from NDSS, CODSS held direct discussions with Senator Brown’s office, and was able to secure not only Senator Brown’s support but his agreement to co-sponsor this very important bill.  This is a tremendous first step for all individuals and families living with Down syndrome, but there is more work to be done.

That’s why NDSS has asked CODSS (the only Ds organization in Ohio) to sit on a small 5-person executive committee that will help guide strategy on enacting the Trisomy 21 Translational Research Parity Act.  NDSS has also asked CODSS to lead the effort in Ohio to secure the support of the entire congressional delegation.

This is the real work, folks. This is the type of result and achievement that you demand of us as your organization.

We should all take pride in the fact that CODSS was directly responsible for Senator Brown co-sponsoring this bill, and huge kudos need to go to CODSS legislative lobbyist, Dean Fadel, who made this possible.

Very, very exciting times ahead.

A New Partnership

Last night, Central Ohio Down Syndrome Society hosted a small reception for Dr. Michael Harpold, CEO of the Down Syndrome Research & Treatment Foundation.

We’re honored Michael flew in for this whirlwind one-day visit to meet specifically with CODSS board directors and member families, and to meet with our research partners at Nationwide Children’s Hospital and The Ohio State University, including: Drs. Dan Coury, Bill Smoyer, Eric Butter, Chris Timan, and Terry Elton.

Michael and I have talked extensively over these many months, and it is clear he shares our ideals, and hopes for the future. He also believes, just as we do, that the status-quo has been a disservice to our children with Ds, and that there must be more substantive progress and commitment in forwarding Ds research.

To this end, CODSS & DSRTF have agreed to work in partnership to increase awareness and support for break-through, evidence-based, cognitive research initiatives that will allow our children with Ds to lead meaningful and more independent lives.

This is truly an exciting time in Ds research, and you will hear much more in the coming months.

I invite you to learn more about the Down Syndrome Research & Treatment Foundation at http://www.dsrtf.org.

Best,

Lito Ramirez

Last evening, Central Ohio Down Syndrome Society hosted a small reception for Dr. Michael Harpold, CEO of the Down Syndrome Research & Treatment Foundation.

We’re honored Michael flew in for this whirlwind one-day visit to meet specifically with CODSS board directors and member families, and to meet with our research partners at Nationwide Children’s Hospital and The Ohio State University, including: Drs. Dan Coury, Bill Smoyer, Eric Butter, Chris Timan, and Terry Elton.

Michael and I have talked extensively over these many months, and it is clear he shares our ideals, and hopes for the future. He also believes, just as we do, that the status-quo has been a disservice to our children with Ds, and that there must be more substantive progress and commitment in forwarding Ds research.

To this end, CODSS & DSRTF have agreed to work in partnership to increase awareness and support for break-through, evidence-based, cognitive research initiatives that will allow our children with Ds to lead meaningful and more independent lives.

This is truly an exciting time in Ds research, and you will hear much more in the coming months.

I invite you to learn more about the Down Syndrome Research & Treatment Foundation at www.dsrtf.org.

Judge Orders Partial Settlement of Doe v. State of Ohio

BREAKING NEWS

Ohio’s long standing lawsuit regarding the free, appropriate, public education (FAPE) of children with disabilities ages three through twenty-one has received a partial settlement agreement today, October 20, 2009.

more…

This suit is in the Federal District Court, Judge Holschuh presiding. It is known as John Doe v. State of Ohio. The lawsuit has two parts. The first part is a challenge to the way Ohio funds special education and related services.

The second part is a challenge to the Ohio Department of Education’s (ODE) procedures for implementing the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

This lawsuit was brought by parents of students with disabilities in Ohio who want their children to receive FAPE. The second part of the suit is the subject of the partial settlement, the challenges to Ohio’s procedures for implementing IDEA.

The challenges raise four matters:

1. The way ODE monitors local school districts and other agencies compliance with the IDEA.

2. The way ODE handles school districts’ requests for waivers of state standards controlling the delivery of special education services.

3. The way ODE operates its system for handling complaints about special education matters.

4. The way ODE corrects school districts’ failure to comply with the IDEA.

For over a year, the parties have been negotiating an agreement for a partial settlement which resolves the claims about the way ODE implements the federal law, IDEA. The parties have written the agreement in a document called a “Consent Order”. The judge, in a hearing held on October 20, 2009, declared the “Consent Order” final, with regard to the issues above.

The Consent Order requires ODE to identify and correct violations of federal and state special education law. Since this case was a class action, it applies to all children in Ohio who are receiving or who should be receiving special education and related services. The final order requires:

1. ODE to provide public involvement and access to information regarding its IDEA monitoring systems. Local school districts must post for public review local districts’ performance and hold open meetings to hear concerns.

2. ODE must provide protections and additional oversight when a waiver to the state requirements for class size are requested by schools. Parents in the district whose children would be affected by allowing the rules on class size, case load and other factors, must now be given notice of requests for such waivers before ODE can decide to give the waiver. Waivers cannot deny FAPE to affected students.

3. ODE must provide additional notice to parents/guardians of the complaint process and advocacy resources when a parent files a state level complaint. ODE is required to conduct a more thorough investigation of complaints which challenge the delivery of FAPE, or a school’s failure to implement due process hearings or state level review decisions, and the inappropriate use of restraints or seclusion. ODE must correct violations of the law in a timely manner.

4. ODE must enforce complaint timelines and mediation cannot delay these timelines.

5. ODE must enforce state and federal standards and require a district to correct failures within one year. Penalties may be applied for failure to correct.

This decision is final and the Consent Order is in effect and lasts for 2 years.

Please visit http://www.olrs.ohioOhio Coalition for the Education of Children with Disabilities

FROM THE OHIO COALITION FOR THE EDUCATION OF CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES:

Ohio’s long standing lawsuit regarding the free, appropriate, public education (FAPE) of children with disabilities ages 3-21, received a partial settlement agreement on October 20, 2009.

The lawsuit, known as John Doe v. State of Ohio (which I wrote about in an earlier post here),  has two parts: Part 1 challenged the way Ohio funds special education and related services. Part 2 challenged the Ohio Department of Education’s (ODE) procedures for implementing the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

The lawsuit was brought by a plaintiff class of over 250,000 students with disabilities and their parents who want their children to receive FAPE. The partial settlement addresses the second part of the lawsuit which challenges the state’s procedures for implementing IDEA.

At hand are four matters:

1. The way ODE monitors local school districts and other agencies compliance with the IDEA.

2. The way ODE handles school districts’ requests for waivers of state standards controlling the delivery of special education services.

3. The way ODE operates its system for handling complaints about special education matters.

4. The way ODE corrects school districts’ failure to comply with the IDEA.

For over a year, the parties have been negotiating an agreement for a partial settlement which resolves the claims about the way ODE implements the federal law, IDEA. In a written agreement called a “Consent Order,” both parties have agreed to measures to the following measures that will apply to all children in Ohio who are receiving or who should be receiving special education and related services:

1. ODE to provide public involvement and access to information regarding its IDEA monitoring systems. Local school districts must post for public review local districts’ performance and hold open meetings to hear concerns.

2. ODE must provide protections and additional oversight when a waiver to the state requirements for class size are requested by schools. Parents in the district whose children would be affected by allowing the rules on class size, case load and other factors, must now be given notice of requests for such waivers before ODE can decide to give the waiver. Waivers cannot deny FAPE to affected students.

3. ODE must provide additional notice to parents/guardians of the complaint process and advocacy resources when a parent files a state level complaint. ODE is required to conduct a more thorough investigation of complaints which challenge the delivery of FAPE, or a school’s failure to implement due process hearings or state level review decisions, and the inappropriate use of restraints or seclusion. ODE must correct violations of the law in a timely manner.

4. ODE must enforce complaint timelines and mediation cannot delay these timelines.

5. ODE must enforce state and federal standards and require a district to correct failures within one year. Penalties may be applied for failure to correct.

This decision is final and the Consent Order is in effect and lasts for 2 years.  To read the entire Consent Order, go to: http://www.olrs.gov.

CODSS Launches Free Group Physical Therapy Sessions for DS Families

At Central Ohio Down Syndrome Society, we have a responsibility to ensure children with Down syndrome have regular access to critical services that will help them lead independent and healthy lives. That’s why we’ve partnered with Nationwide Children’s Hospital to provide Ds families free group physical therapy sessions so children with Ds can grow stronger, more mobile and more confident. This is the first program of its kind for Ds families in central Ohio.

Here’s what parents are saying about CODSS’ free Group PT Program for Ds families:

Hi Lito,

I wanted to say thank you again for all of your endeavors and for setting up this awesome PT program. Jen is super and I think the PT time we had was very beneficial for Elijah.

-Michelle Ruben (& 2yr old son, Elijah)

Lito –

Loved the opportunity to participate in the group PT session last week. Davis and I really enjoyed the therapist.  She was gentle, but energetic; just what I need with my little machine….

Not only did we enjoy the program, but also meeting more families.  I loved watching Davis play with Peter Lombardi – currently, Davis doesn’t have any DS peers.

Thanks so much for bringing this opportunity to us.  Looking forward to next month.

Chris White (& 3yr old son, Davis)

“Lito –

Loved the opportunity to participate in the group PT session last week. Davis and I really enjoyed the therapist.  She was gentle, but energetic; just what I need with my little machine…. Not only did we enjoy the program, but also meeting more families.  I loved watching Davis play with Peter Lombardi – currently, Davis doesn’t have any DS peers. Thanks so much for bringing this opportunity to us.  Looking forward to next month.”

– Chris White (& 3yr old, Davis)

“Hi Lito,

I wanted to say thank you again for all of your endeavors and for setting up this awesome PT program. Jen is super and I think the PT time we had was very beneficial for Elijah.”

– Michelle Ruben (& 2yr old, Elijah)

“Lito…

The facility was great, well equipped, and Jen was really good with the kiddos.  I liked the small group and all the space to let them roam.  The obstacle course was a perfect idea for the group… Overall, a great experience.  Thank you.

– Sally Patton (& 4yr old, Ryan)

“Hi Lito,

I loved the PT session.  Thank you again for organizing this.  I thought the group size was perfect–there probably could have been an additional child but I appreciated the small size.  The therapist was great–very upbeat with many helpful suggestions.  I liked how she had organized the session and used the various rooms and equipment…. As a working mother, I struggle with guilt about doing enough for Avery… So having the session on the weekend was quite relaxing and very enjoyable for me… For now, I want you to know how much I appreciate everything that you are doing and I hope to find additional ways to get involved and support this organization.

– Dana Haynie-Knoester (& 2yr old, Avery)

A Darker Side of Twittering

Social media sites like Twitter have a fantastic capacity to serve a greater cause and influence thinking (read my previous post here).  Twitter has proved to be a great equalizer, giving celebrity and commoner alike the opportunity to share in 140-characters or less their personal thoughts and insights to a global audience.

While Twitter is, for the most part, a vehicle for positive self expression, there are times it exposes with ruthless aplomb and probity the biases that fester in our social conscience.

We’ve come far, even over the last decade, in fostering greater compassion and acceptance for those with disabilities. Yet, it is clear  we have so much further to go. The following are actual Twitter updates I have noted over the last several months.

• “think about it. The impotency of the sperm and egg, means a world full of kids with down syndrome, 3 hands, and 7 eyes. Half-robots…”

• “im kooler than that stupid down syndrome lookin kid “

• “he has down syndrome though…that’s what makes it so funny”

• “Just saw a lady with a vest with down syndrome on it, bad enough she has the disease but does she really need to advertise it?”

• “he’s not ashamed that he loved Twilight. It was hilarious and so much fun. Its like watching a kid with down syndrome run into a wall”

• “I am far from fugly u down syndrome extra chromosome lookin ass”

• “Im sitting at the mall cracking up like a retard. LOL”

think about it. The impotency of the sperm and egg, means a world full of kids with down syndrome, 3 hands, and 7 eyes. Half-robots…

im kooler than that stupid down syndrome lookin kid

Better than my ID picture! Mine makes me look like a giraffe with down syndrome

No, That Looks Nothing Like Me. You Guys Both Have Down Syndrome.

My teenage cousin just has a baby. How nasty. Her family was so christain. surprising. The baby has down syndrome 😦 wait till your married

he has down syndrome though…that’s what makes it so funny

In my opinion, babies with down syndrome are cuter than puppies 😀 I juss don’t understand why they all look the same? Oh well 😀

I look like I have down syndrome when I smile. Interesting. How long does this last??

I look like I have down syndrome when I smile. Interesting. How long does this last??

Her last baby probably just fell out. Down Syndrome my ass, more like retardation from impact!

@bucky4eyes I don’t really do “sexy” either. When I try to “act sexy” I look like a down syndrome lady having a seizure.

Just saw a lady with a vest with down syndrome on it, bad enough she has the disease but does she really need to advertise it?

s not ashamed that he loved Twilight. It was hilarious and so much fun. Its like watching a kid with down syndrome run into a wall,

Prenatal Testing Impacting Down Syndrome Births in UK

Blogger ‘Welcome to Illinois‘ just posted this sobering statistic: Since screening tests were introduced in the United Kingdom, 13,076 prenatal diagnoses of Down syndrome in England and Wales resulted in termination.

Culled from data collected by the UK’s National Down Syndrome Cytogenic Register, the data also indicates that “in the same period an estimated 12,641 children were born with Down’s syndrome. But even if you assume a miscarriage rate of 2.8% (the average over the same period) that means that since it began, the UK’s prenatal screening programme has directly led to more terminations of children with Down’s syndrome than have been born with Down’s syndrome.”

No use rehashing his excellent post here, just click to read more.

Technology Comes to the CODSS Board Room (sort of)

Mindful of work and family schedules, lost time traveling to and from meetings, and the difficulty in coordinating individual calendars, the CODSS Board of Directors recently held a regularly scheduled meeting entirely online via video chat. Using free online service provider, Tokbox.com, the quality of the audio and video was fantastic and near real-time. So much so that the Board unanimously approved holding all future CODSS board and executive committee meetings by online video conference.

Just another example of how CODSS is acting progressively and efficiently as an organization on behalf of its member families.