Tom Cosker, LEND graduate has been selected as a AUCD Emerging Leaders.  Each leader requires actively listening to and respecting people with disabilities/disabled people and their needs and wants within our communities. Tom was selected for inclusion based on his contributions to the AUCD network, how he has demonstrated leadership, and values and commitment to diversity, inclusion, and respect for others. 

To read more about the selection please visit https://www.aucd.org/emergingleaders/Connect/2019_Emerging_Leader_Profiles#tomcosker

A very BIG thank you to the entire Connecticut Congressional delegation for their support as co-sponsors of the Autism CARES Act.  Senator Chris Murphy. Senator Richard Blumenthal,  Representative Joe Courtney, Representative DeLauro, Representative Hayes, Representative Himes and Representative Larson. Connecticut is 1 of 4 states that the entire delegation co-sponsored the Autism CARES act. 

To learn more about Autism CARES Act:https://www.aucd.org/…/policy/2018_1001_cares_act_brief2.pdf

The UConn UCEDD staff and LEND students were invited to a bill signing of HB 7000 (PA 19-147) with Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont.  Governor Lamont praised the students and UCEDD for all the work they had done on the bill.  Governor Lamont told the students how proud they should be for making a real difference in the world for the disability community.  Representative Linehan, who met with the LEND students at the Capitol, worked with them on enhancing the UConn UCEDD’s Emergency Preparation Flipbook to include a communication aid that would enhance communication between first responders and children and adults with disabilities.

The bill (found below) directs the UCONN UCEDD to expand and revise the communication toolkit previously developed by the UCONN UCEDD for use by emergency medical services personnel to address persons with disabilities during an emergency. This would enable firefighters, police officers, active members of ambulance services, emergency mobile psychiatric services personnel, and mental health crisis intervention services personnel to better meet the needs of a child, youth, or adult with disabilities when needing help. Included would be techniques for serving and interacting with those with autism spectrum disorder, cognitive impairment, and nonverbal learning disorders during emergencies when verbal communication may be hindered.  The bill requires emergency personnel to carry the emergency prep flipbook and communication aid in their vehicles beginning in January 2020.

 

LEND Students featured:  Alexandra Cascio, Leona Adamczyk, and Taylor Tarka.  Michael Figueiredo, Jr. (not featured) also worked on the communication aid.

 

The Connecticut General Assembly unanimously passed H.B. No. 7000 An Act Concerning Training for certain Public Safety

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 6, 2019

Farmington – UConn Center on Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UConn UCEDD) and Connecticut Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (CT LEND) are pleased to announce the Connecticut General Assembly unanimously passed H.B. No. 7000 An Act Concerning Training for certain Public Safety and Emergency Services Personnel to enhance communication between emergency responders and children and adults with disabilities in times of crisis.

The bill would direct the UCONN UCEDD to expand and revise the communication toolkit previously developed by the UCONN UCEDD for use by emergency medical services personnel to address persons with disabilities during an emergency. This would enable firefighters, police officers, active members of ambulance services, emergency mobile psychiatric services personnel, and mental health crisis intervention services personnel to better meet the needs of a child, youth, or adult with disabilities when needing help. Included would be techniques for serving and interacting with those with autism spectrum disorder, cognitive impairment, and nonverbal learning disorders during emergencies when verbal communication may be hindered.

We are excited to collaborate with the Connecticut Legislature on this important work. We thank State Representative Liz Linehan, co-chair of the Children’s Committee, for her continued leadership on this legislation as well as our CT LEND students who met with legislative leaders to promote the importance of this toolkit.

 

Learn more: https://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/cgabillstatus/cgabillstatus.asp?selBillType=Bill&bill_num=HB07000&which_year=2019

 

LifeCourse Planning: How Families Can Support Seamless Transitions from School to Adulthood

Please come join us for an intensive learning opportunity for families of individuals with disabilities age 14 and older.

This training will help you plan appropriate steps toward your child’s future. This is an intensive three session learning opportunity from the Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities, plus one additional session for follow-up.

Dates:

Session 1 – Wednesday, May 29, 2019 — from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Session 2 – Saturday, June 1, 2019 — from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Session 3 – Wednesday, June 5, 2019 – from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Session 4 – Saturday, June 29, 2019 – from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Location:

University of Connecticut
Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities
270 Farmington Avenue – First Floor Suite 181

Presenters:

Craig Schramm, MD, Pulmonary Medicine, CCMC
Linda Rammler, PhD, Transition Specialist, UCEDD

Advance registration required by Wednesday, May 22, 2019.

This training is free, however you will be expected to commit to attending all four sessions.

Please register for this training at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/chartingthelifecourseJune.

For questions, please contact: Linda Rammler at lrammler@uchc.edu or call 860-679-1585.

Download and share the event flyer.

LifeCourse Planning: How Families Can Support Seamless Transitions from School to Adulthood

Please come join us for an intensive learning opportunity for families of individuals with disabilities age 14 and older.

This training will help you plan appropriate steps toward your child’s future. This is an intensive three session learning opportunity from the Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities, plus one additional session for follow-up.

Dates:

Session 1 – Wednesday, May 29, 2019 — from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Session 2 – Saturday, June 1, 2019 — from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Session 3 – Wednesday, June 5, 2019 – from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Session 4 – Saturday, June 29, 2019 – from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Location:

University of Connecticut
Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities
270 Farmington Avenue – First Floor Suite 181

Presenters:

Craig Schramm, MD, Pulmonary Medicine, CCMC
Linda Rammler, PhD, Transition Specialist, UCEDD

Advance registration required by Wednesday, May 22, 2019.

This training is free, however you will be expected to commit to attending all four sessions.

Please register for this training at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/chartingthelifecourseJune.

For questions, please contact: Linda Rammler at lrammler@uchc.edu or call 860-679-1585.

Download and share the event flyer.

THE UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT CENTER FOR EXCELLENCE IN DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES

HEALTH CARE & MEDICAL MANAGEMENT

Older adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities have unique health care needs and are at greater risk for developing certain health issues related to aging. This presentation will describe common health issues and barriers to health care experienced by aging adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities including Down syndrome.

Topic: Health Care and Medical Management for Aging Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
Presenter: Dr. Gerard Kerins*
Date: Wednesday, May 29, 2019
Time: 12:30pm – 3:30pm
Location: University of Connecticut Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities, 270 Farmington Avenue – Building Four, Suite 181, Farmington, CT 06030

*Dr. Gerard Kerins, M.D., F.A.C.P from the UConn Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD) will be offering this medical management presentation. Dr. Kerins is the Associate Chief of Geriatrics for Education at the Yale-New Haven Hospital and Yale Medical School. In addition, he is the Program Director for the Geriatric Medicine Fellowship and an Associate Clinical Professor of Medicine at the Yale School of Medicine as well as the University of Connecticut School of Medicine.

Please register for this training by Wednesday, May 22nd at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/MedicalManagment5-29 

For more information, please contact Gabriela Freyre-Calish at: freyre@uchc.edu, or call 860-679-1563.

Download and share the event flyer.

 

 

Congratulations to the cast, crew and directors of the Avon, CT spring high school musical Pippin. A truly inclusive experience for those in the cast and crew as well as the audience. Props to all high school theater directors across the country who, like Ms Jill Paterson in Avon, understand and practice: All means All. 

 

On March 15, 2019, CT LEND students spent the day at the Connecticut State Capitol meeting with legislators and attending hearings. They prepared presentations on a variety of disability topics and received great feedback from participating legislators.