E-News

Tickets Still Available! Lyle Lovett to Headline PACER’s Benefit May 8!

Come hear four-time Grammy Award winner Lyle Lovett and His Large Band as they bring their irresistible music to PACER’s 28th Annual Benefit at the Minneapolis Convention Center on Saturday, May 8. With an inventive blend of folk, swing, blues, gospel, and jazz, Lovett has produced 13 albums and has been called “one of the all-time great American singer/songwriters” for his distinct musical style. Reserve your tickets now! More

Learn How the Health Care Reform Act May Affect People with Disabilities

Although details have yet to be worked out, the recently passed Health Care Reform Act will affect people with disabilities and their families. One provision, for example, includes prohibiting insurance companies from denying coverage to children based on pre-existing conditions; another allows parents to keep adult children on their insurance plans until age 26. PACER’s Family-to-Family Health Information Center and Technical Assistance on Transition and the Rehabilitation Act (TATRA) Project have a list of Health Care Reform Act provisions that may be of interest to families of children and youth with disabilities. More

“Family Information Guide to Assistive Technology and Transition Planning” Helps Parents, Youth

A new 55-page guide from the Family Center on Technology and Disability (FCTD) helps families learn how assistive technology can help them with transition planning for their youth with disabilities. It includes contributions from PACER Center. A free copy is available at fctd.info/resources/newsletters/upload/FCTD-AT-&-Transition-Guide.pdf. An accessible online version also will be available. Individuals may order one free print copy of the guide. Additional copies are available for $10. A discount is available for bulk orders. To request one or more print copies, send an e-mail to fctd@aed.org.

Volunteer Training for Bullying Prevention Puppet Show is April 30

Volunteer puppeteers are needed to help make educational presentations to elementary-aged children. PACER’s new Kids Against Bullying puppet program features endearing, child-size puppets that address bullying prevention in a thoughtful, entertaining way. Volunteers attend a one-time training to learn puppet and presentation skills; work with a fun team; present programs at Twin Cities elementary schools about twice a month; and help children learn how to prevent bullying. Volunteers need to have a car, time during the school day, and a desire to help children. The next training is Friday, April 30, from 9 a.m. to noon at PACER. To learn more or register, call 952-838-9000 or e-mail puppets@PACER.org. More

Nationally Noted Speakers Present Two ADHD Workshops at PACER April 29

Parents and professionals are invited to learn effective ways to help children and young adults better manage life with ADHD. Matt Cohen, nationally known special education attorney with a passion for helping children with disabilities, and Norma Echavarria, child psychiatrist and ADHD specialist, will co-present “Transition Issues for Young Adults with ADHD” (9 to 11 a.m.) and “Diagnosis of ADHD: Promoting Acceptance by Self and Others” (7 to 9:30 p.m.). Participants may attend one or both of these free sessions at PACER. Advance registration is requested. More

Changes to PCA Program Affect Minnesota Families

Recent changes to Minnesota’s Personal Care Assistance (PCA) Program affect eligibility requirements and services. Learn more about these changes on the Minnesota Disability Law Center’s “frequently asked questions” Web page. More

Survey: Awareness, Attitudes, and Impact of the Americans with Disabilities Act Among Minnesota Businesses

The Minnesota Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities has posted the results of a recent survey of 500 Minnesota businesses to determine their awareness about the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the impact of the ADA on design and building projects, enforcement of accessibility provisions, and accommodations to meet accessibility requirements and improve access for people with disabilities. Survey results are available in several formats. More

“Response to Intervention” Approach Explored in May 12 Workshop

Response to Intervention (RTI) is an approach some school districts are using to provide additional instruction to elementary-school students who have academic or behavior issues. Students who do not benefit from the interventions may be referred for a special education evaluation. Victoria Weinberg, from the Minnesota Department of Education, will explain what RTI is, how it works, how it affects students with and without disabilities, and what role the Minnesota Department of Education plays. It’s Wednesday, May 12, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at PACER. More

Free Report: “Caregivers as a Protected Class?”

A recent report details results of a 2009 survey that examined municipal laws prohibiting employment discrimination against people who are also caregivers at home. By including parental or family status or family responsibilities with other protected classes (such as sex, race, religion, and disability), these local laws create a new protected class. The report analyzes these findings and the implications they have for workers, employers, attorneys, advocates, and policymakers nationwide. Titled “Caregivers as a Protected Class?: The Growth of State and Local Laws Prohibiting Family Responsibilities Discrimination,” the report is produced by the Center for WorkLife Law, Hastings College of the Law, University of California. More

IDEA Partnership Collection on Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

“The Partnership Collection on ASD” is a tool individuals can use to translate autism research and policy into practice. It includes guiding principles, dialogue guides, fact sheets, and more. Produced by the IDEA Partnership, an affiliation of 55 national organizations, this tool was developed through the work of 12 national organizations, nine national and state technical assistance providers, and a number of state and local organizations and agencies. The IDEA Partnership is funded through the Research to Practice Division of the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP), U.S. Department of Education, and is part of OSEP’s National Technical Assistance and Dissemination Network. More

Use New Media to Connect to Students’ Families

As a way of improving the family-school connection, more schools are using social media tools to involve families in two-way communication about their children's education. View this article to see how schools are using Web 2.0 tools such as Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and LinkedIn to reach parents. Learn more at the Center for Implementing Technology in Education (CITEd).

Tips for Using Assistive Technology with Young Children

Assistive technology (AT) is anything that helps people do what they couldn’t otherwise do. For young children, it can make daily activities, family outings, and playtime more fun and educational. AT can be as simple as a foam grip on a crayon. Find many helpful tips in the March issue of the Tot’n’Tech newsletter from Thomas Jefferson University and Arizona State University. More

Publications

Now available in Spanish! “A Guide for Minnesota Parents to the Individualized Education Program” (IEP)

This booklet helps parents work with schools to address each child's special needs through understanding the required components of the IEP. It includes examples from the Minnesota state recommended form. 2010. One copy is free to Minnesota parents of children with disabilities. For others, it’s $3 per copy; $2 each for 10 or more copies. Order item PHP-a12s.

New Brochure! “Minnesota Due Process Options”

This new brochure offers parents information on options for resolving differences through the special education process in Minnesota. 2010. It’s free. Order item PHP-a25.

Updated! “Parent Centers Helping Families: Outcome Data 2008-2009”

This booklet includes data collected and compiled by the ALLIANCE National Parent Technical Assistance Center about the numbers of people served by the nation’s Parent Training and Information Centers (PTIs) and Community Parent Resource Centers (CPRCs). 2010. It’s $8.50. Order item ALL-30.

Updated! “Why Parent Centers? Why Technical Assistance?”

This booklet explains how Parent Centers serve families and how the National and Regional Parent Technical Assistance Centers serve the nation’s 100 Parent Centers. Data on Parent Center effectiveness and contact information is included. 2010. It’s $3.50 per copy; $2 each for 10 or more copies. Order item ALL-1.

Programs and Resources

PACER Center is a Minnesota nonprofit organization that provides services to families of children and young adults with any disability. More

New Alternative Dispute Resolution Web Resource Available

PACER’s new Web page for alternative dispute resolution is now online. The information can help parents learn how to manage special education disputes with schools in a positive, productive way. Find publications, links, and more that can help parents better advocate for their child with disabilities. More

PACER On-demand Trainings

PACER Center’s on-demand trainings make relevant content available in a convenient, affordable way. Anywhere you have access to a computer and the Internet you have access to more than a dozen archived Webinars on a variety of topics. Interested in learning more about how digital books can help struggling readers? Then check out “All About Digital Books,” a two-hour Webinar presented by Simon Technology Center staff. Interested in early childhood and cultural diversity? Then check out “Engaging and Supporting Culturally Diverse Families with Young Children,” presented by PACER multicultural staff. Never attended a Webinar before? Check out “Webinar 101,” which explains how to do it. More