ARACY’s Post

Today is International Day of People with Disability (IDPWD). The 2024 theme is 'Amplifying the leadership of persons with disabilities for an inclusive and sustainable future', recognising the important role that persons with disabilities play in creating a more inclusive and sustainable world and emphasising the importance of actively involving people with disabilities in decision-making processes that affect their lives. Reframing Autism affirm that people with disability are essential to society, and have every right to be involved, accepted and included in everyday life – and not just highlighted on awareness days. We should genuinely be given a voice and opportunities to make meaningful choices in our lives, have an impact within our communities and to be supported to reach our goals and be celebrated for our achievements. We acknowledge that dedicated annual events can feel tokenistic to some in the community, but can still have a role in building understanding and acceptance when disabled people are genuinely represented and included within them. [ID Against a teal background with the Reframing Autism logo at the top, a white title reads "International Day of People with Disability (IDPWD 2024). Beneath, white text reads "Respect, Accept, Embrace, Empower". The bottom half of the image features a photograph of a smiling young child being assisted to stand by two adults, with a wheelchair in the background. The Reframing Autism knotwork is in the bottom left corner.]

⚠️ Attention people with developmental disabilities, along with their parents, caregivers, and providers to those with developmental disabilities ⚠️ Florida Center for Inclusive Communities invites you to provide input for their Community Conversation in your area. These focus-group-type meetings are held every 5 years across the state to help determine, in part, the needs of the disability community, through interactions with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, their family members, and disability professionals.   The events will be held in late October 2024, from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM. Due to hurricane-related cancellations, only the Broward County will be an in-person event. The dates are below:   Broward County and Surrounding Area (In-person): October 23rd Spanish only (virtual & statewide): October 28th Central Florida (virtual): October 29th Upper Florida(virtual): October 30th   Interested in participating? Fill our their Community Conversation Interest Form https://lnkd.in/eptHbx8T Share this flyer! Image description. Image text: What is a Community Conversation? Community Conversation events bring together a small but diverse set of community members to brainstorm approaches and resources that can be used to address challenges facing the community. The goal of these discussions is to identify priority areas of focus for the FCIC over the next five years in the effort to support individuals with developmental disabilities and their families. the meeting will take no more than two hours. Who should attend? Adults with developmental disabilities, family members of individuals with developmental disabilities, and providers who provide supports and services to individuals with disabilities. Want an invitation to attend? Contact Denise R. Barnes at drbarnes@usf.edu or 813-974-1063* for an invitation to participate. Who is hosting? The Florida Center for Inclusive Communities (FCIC) - a University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities at the University of South Florida. Our purpose and passion is promoting the independence, productivity, and community inclusion of individuals with developmental disabilities. #CommunityFeedback #Florida #FloridaDisability #DisabilityInput

The federal government spent $80.6 billion to support people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in 2021 alone. A new report breaks down where it went. The work is part of the State of the States in Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities project, which has tracked federal funding in this area for more than 40 years. Spending on the estimated 7.57 million Americans with developmental disabilities went toward everything from supported living to family supports, personal assistance and supported employment, accounting for roughly 0.1% of the government’s $6.8 trillion budget for that year. The biggest chunk — 87% — went toward services provided through Medicaid, according to the findings, with $73.6 billion dollars dedicated to community living and just $7 billion for institutions. That split has become increasingly pronounced in the decades since the 1980s, the report shows. The analysis shows that $9.1 billion went to supported living in 2021, while $9 billion was devoted to family support, $4.66 billion to personal assistance and $860 million to supported employment. https://lnkd.in/eKfqWuHi

Governor DeSantis just announced a groundbreaking $2.2 billion funding boost for the Agency for Persons with Disabilities! This historic investment through the iBudget waiver will significantly enhance social, medical, behavioral, and therapeutic services for individuals with autism and developmental disabilities. "This is the highest amount ever appropriated in Florida's history by a country mile," Governor DeSantis remarked, highlighting the state's commitment to supporting individuals with diverse abilities. "This is great news for the State of Florida and individuals receiving Agency for Persons with Disabilities iBudget waiver services," says Katie Vineyard, CEO of Challenge Enterprises. Key highlights from the Focus on Florida’s Future Budget include: • Nearly $200 million to bolster iBudget waiver providers across the board. • $64.8 million was dedicated to enrolling more individuals in crisis onto the iBudget waiver. • An additional $55.7 million to enroll individuals in pre-enrollment categories. • Over $40 million was allocated for community projects benefiting those with autism and developmental disabilities. • This significant investment reflects Florida's dedication to fostering inclusivity, support, and opportunities for all its residents. Together, we're building a brighter future for individuals with diverse abilities! #InclusioninFlorida #SupportingDiverseAbilities #iBudgetWaiver #GovernorDeSantis #FocusonFloridasFuture

🔍 Invisible disabilities are often overlooked because they're not immediately visible. 🔦 This Disability Pride Month, I want to shine a light on 𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀—conditions like PTSD, chronic pain, and mental health disorders that may not be immediately apparent but are very real. From our #veterans who bear unseen scars of service to individuals managing chronic illnesses, we must pledge to create workplaces and communities that embrace diversity and provide equitable opportunities. 🌈 This month, join me in my pledge to listen, learn, and advocate for a world where everyone feels seen and valued. I am raising the Disability Pride Flag with pride for Disability Pride Month to represent the shared journey of people with disabilities toward acceptance and visibility. Wondering what is the meaning behind the disability pride flag colors? Ann Magill, the creator of the flag, shared what the colors on the disability flag represent. The faded black background represents "the anger and mourning over the eugenics and the neglect that disabled people have to fight against." Red represents physical disabilities. Gold is for neurodiversity. White represents invisible disabilities and disabilities that haven't yet been diagnosed. Blue stands for emotional and psychiatric disabilities, including mental illness, anxiety, and depression. Green is for sensory disabilities, including deafness, blindness, lack of smell, lack of taste, audio processing disorder, and all other sensory disabilities. #InvisibleDisabilities #DisabilityPride #DiversityandInclusion #InclusionMatters #MarinaMentors

North Coast receives nearly $450K for neurodiverse intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) programs, aiming to enhance support and inclusion. Learn more about this impactful initiative here: https://lnkd.in/eBpzTYJu #Neurodiversity #IDD #Inclusion #HealthEquity #intellectualdisabilities #developmentaldisabilities

It has now become clear that if you have a child with any type of hidden disability. It is becoming a lottery when it comes to getting help with funding for short breaks so your child can enjoy a activity and give you as a parent a short but much needed break for a few hours. Most short breaks are funded by local councils and their budgets are squeezed year by year to less and less. Those with high rate DLA are those that benefit the most from this funding as it is just a tick of the pen and mostly full funds are given to the parents to give their child those activities. That they wouldn’t be able to do. Now the issue starts with children on Middle rate DLA as these families have to provide extra information and do not get the same amount in funding to those on the high rate of DLA. It gets worse as in some areas like South Cambridgeshire it’s even harder to get help. Families in this area get much less help especially those on Middle rate DLA and children with hidden disabilities like Autism. This area of the country is a Black Hole when it comes to trying to find someone to help you take a well deserved break now and then. And when you have paid all the costs out of the little funding you might get there is very little left for taking your child out for a few hours a month. Unfortunately tge current government and PM in the UK has not got a clue when it comes to the stress and anxiety that parents go through when looking after children with disabilities. If they were put into the shoes of families for 24hrs they would be exhausted and glad to go back to their own homes. But parents don’t have the option of taking time out. It is constant 24/7 365 days a year. We need to stop being treated like second class citizens we come below the illegal invasion of people crossing the channel. They get more money from the government in a year than those that need it the most. Things need to change those with disabilities like Autism and other hidden disabilities must and should come first and funding should become more fair to all those that need help. But who cares about this issue enough to help us families that need this support the most. This is not a post for pity but to raise awareness of the plight that families with children with disabilities face on a daily basis. All I can hope for is that some will read this and understand that this issue will not go away but will get worse as time goes on. Thank you for reading

Stepping into November and in this month's newsletter you'll find news of our inroads and success with some of our campaigns and education to build knowledge and support for people with developmental and intellectual disability, and their familes as well as allies. There's also content on tips and campigns to stay well and healthy in mind and body, as well as invites to participate in research...and more, including: ➡️ Making Our Mark with Easy Reads ➡️ NSW Government Easy Read Hub ➡️ De-Stress and Stay Healthy: Tips from ‘On the Couch’ ➡️ Complex Communication Needs Graduate Certificate: Enquire and Apply Now for 2025, study online ➡️ It's Doctor Time! Conversation Cards ➡️ Yearly Health Checks for People with Intellectual Disability ➡️ RTRFM (92.1) Champions Disability Inclusion ➡️ GET INVOLVED: Events coming up...International Day of People with Disability ➡️ INVITATION: Call for feedback and other examples of Public Transport experiences ➡️ GET INVOLVED: Consultation on Foundational Supports ➡️ EVENT: "The Disability Royal Commission: One Year On" ➡️ GET INVOLVED (research): Are you a family member or carer of person/s with neurodevelopmental disabilities? DDWA members - it's in your inbox now - if it hasn't arrived, let us know and we'll check to make sure our system is properly set to email you regularly. Eemail ddwa@ddwa.org.au or call 9420-7203 for us to fix this. (But first, check your spam or junk folder [[oops😖 💦 ]] ) If you're not yet a member... why not? It's free for individuals and families: go to our www.DDWA.org.au home page and click the top right "MEMBERSHIP": https://lnkd.in/g698dAhe If you'd like our help to get you signed up for free membership and/or to have the latest newsletter issue emailed to you, feel free to call us on (08) 9420-7203 or email ddwa@ddwa.org.au.

The Time for Change Is Now: Addressing the Crisis in Services for People with Developmental Disabilities In Ontario, countless individuals with developmental disabilities and their families are trapped in an agonizing wait—a wait for the services and supports they desperately need to lead lives of dignity, opportunity, and fulfillment. The backlog is massive, the impact is profound, and the time for action is now. The challenges faced by these individuals are not just about logistics or funding; they are about human lives, potential unrealized, and futures stalled. We must ask ourselves: How can we ignore the parents losing sleep every night, wondering if their child will ever receive the support they need? How can we turn away from individuals longing for independence, yet tethered by systemic delays and underfunded programs? Our government has a moral obligation to step up. The backlog of services is not just a bureaucratic issue; it is a human rights issue. Addressing it requires bold action, long-term planning, and unwavering commitment. But government alone cannot carry this burden. We, as citizens, have a role to play. What Can We Do? Demand Accountability: Call on our elected officials—across all party lines—to prioritize this issue. This is not about politics; it is about people. Stay Vigilant: Monitor progress and ensure promises are turned into actions. Change doesn’t happen in silence. Speak Out: Share stories, experiences, and ideas to keep the spotlight on this crisis. Voices raised together are too powerful to ignore. This is a moment for unity, not division. The individuals and families affected by developmental disabilities deserve a coordinated, compassionate response from our leaders. We must demand that our government works in a non-partisan way to implement lasting solutions—not years from now, but in the very near future. Let us be the generation that refused to let bureaucracy stand in the way of humanity. Let us act with empathy, urgency, and the unshakable belief that every person deserves the chance to thrive. The time for waiting is over. The time for change is here. Together, we can make it happen.

Was delighted to share a panel discussion with the amazing Rosalyn Tamming of the National Disability Authority and Brendan Doody of the Department of Education — Ireland to speak about the launch of the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) Research Paper on "Trends in disability prevalence among young people: Insights from the Growing Up in Ireland study". Some insights from the Report include: - "a significant growth" in 13-year-olds with a long-lasting condition (24% to 36%) and in those who received at least one diagnosis of a condition (16% to 31%); - More girls are being diagnosed or identified as disabled at an earlier age than before; -Disabled young people had smaller peer networks, greater barriers to building relationships with peers, and had more negative experiences of school and the education system; This speaks to many experiences that Autistic and Disabled people face today, which include: - What is needed to make our education system more inclusive; - The impact of social exclusion, isolation and distress on young people's psychosocial wellbeing; - Challenging stigma, stereotypes and gaps between expectations and aspirations that many autistic and disabled young people face; - The relationship between poverty and disability; - Supporting autistic people and disabled people to shape their own stories about themselves putting their voices, and feel seen represented at the heart of policies about their lives; - Putting the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities into policy and practice; You can find out more about Helen Russell and Emer Smyth's insightful and enriching Report here: https://lnkd.in/dxFHzFtW