Ability Specialists Blog

Ed McCaffrey Dare to Play Football & Dare to Cheer Camps

// June 21st, 2010 // Support Your Community, What's Happening At Ability Specialists

For Down Syndrome
Presented by the Global Down Syndrome Foundation

Join TJ & Rick:

Game Day is Saturday, June 26th
Open and Free to the Public

10:30 am – Free Tailgate Party
11:30 am – Football Game Begins

Valor Christian High School
3775 Grace Blvd
Highlands Ranch, CO 80126

Click here for more information: http://www.daretoplayfootball.org/

Eat a Rainbow – Public Health Produce Fairs Provide Fresh Fruits and Veggies.

// June 17th, 2010 // News That Affects You

JCPH Nutrition Services has organized three produce and health fairs again this year for low-income residents and seniors who may not otherwise have access to fresh fruits and vegetables. While there are no income or residential requirements to participate, organizers trust that their goal of providing nourishment and education to low-income residents will be respected and supported.

A diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables (DW Editor: Color chart of fruit and vegtables) can improve overall health and reduce obesity in our populations. Currently 55.7% of Colorado’s adults and 25.8% of Colorado’s children are considered overweight/obese. Obesity rates among children have doubled in the past 20 years.  Read more:http://www.disabled-world.com/news/america/colorado/eat-a-rainbow.php

FEMA has no disaster plan for disabled, official testifies

// June 17th, 2010 // Feature Articles

12:00 AM CDT on Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Dana Amihere, Hearst Newspapers  

WASHINGTON – The Federal Emergency Management Agency acknowledged Tuesday that it has failed to implement a natural disaster plan for the disabled and told a congressional panel that the agency lacks the resources to put a plan in place.

Marcie Roth, FEMA’s senior adviser on disability issues and director of the Office of Disability Integration and Coordination, said FEMA has developed a plan to evacuate, shelter and supply disabled people in a disaster. Read more: http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/nation/stories/DN-fema_16nat.ART.State.Edition2.297c953.html

Upcoming Events

// June 17th, 2010 // Support Your Community

Accessing the World Through International Exchange disability seminar Denver Colorado July 13th 1:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
As part of the co-convened Association on Higher Education and Disability and PepNet 2010 Conference, this pre-conference workshop will introduce and explore the ins and outs of going on an international exchange program as a person with a disability or as someone advising people with disabilities.
See details:http://www.disabled-world.com/news/america/colorado/co50000.php

Mile High Down Syndrome Association
July 13, 2010
Family Night for the DS-Autism Connection
Click here for more details. [pdf]

Brent’s Place
Date: 07/25/10
Time: 12:00 pm
Name: Kids Cure for Cancer
Location: Washington Park
5k Run/Walk, 1K Fun Run and Community Fair, Washington Park

Congratulations AS Power Lifting Team!

// June 7th, 2010 // What's Happening At Ability Specialists

Ability Specialists power lifting team took several medals at the Special Olympics State Finals on Saturday June 5th.  Check out these awesome results and pictures!

Squat Event 
Shubin A. 1st Place                 
Tony B. 3rd Place
Andy P. 4th Place

Dead Lift Event
Tony B. 1st Place (Tony boke the state record by lifting 350 lbs.!)
Shubin A. 1st Place
Roger C. 2nd Place
Andy P. 4th Place

Bench Press Event:
Roger C. 5th Place

Combination Bench Press & Deadlift
Roger C. 1st Place

2010-powerlifting-team-048

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Colorado Summer Weather

// June 2nd, 2010 // Feature Articles, News That Affects You

The air is turning warm and the days are getting longer as another Colorado summer arrives. Along with the new season comes the return of summer hazards. Many Coloradoans, especially those who work outside, are at risk this time of year for injuries ranging from severe sunburn to heat exhaustion. It is important for you to understand and protect yourselves from Colorado’s summer hazards. 

Sunscreen

Everyone should wear sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15 on all exposed body parts. The higher the SPF, the better the protection against a sunburn and potential skin cancer. Reapply sunscreen every two hours to maintain its effectiveness. Workers can also benefit from wearing a brimmed hat and sunglasses.

Hydration

While spending the day in the hot sun, remind everyone to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of clear liquids, including water or something with electrolytes, such as sports drinks. Sodas can actually prevent hydration and may contribute to heat stroke. If you or your employees feel dizzy or nauseous, take a break. Find a cool, shady place and rest until you feel better. Heat stoke can impair a person’s ability to make sound judgments and may cause accidents. It is better to rest and avoid injuries, then to continue working.

Weather

Colorado summers also bring the chance of severe weather. Thunderstorms can bring hail, wind, and lightning, all of which pose risks to workers. Remind everyone to take cover during thunderstorms, but not under trees, where lightening risk increases. Lightening kills more workers each year than tornadoes, so if you or your group are working off the ground and see lightening, get down immediately. If it begins to hail, find a covered shelter such as your car. Hail in Colorado ranges from pea size to golf ball size, both of which can cause injuries. 

To be safe this summer, use common sense. Pay attention to the weather and help avoid workplace injuries. Be prepared for anything with sunscreen, water, and a plan of action if severe weather strikes.

Disability Advocates Reserving Judgment On High Court Nominee

// June 2nd, 2010 // Feature Articles

Disability advocacy groups are taking a wait and see approach with Elena Kagan who the president nominated to the Supreme Court on Monday.

Kagan, who currently serves as the country’s solicitor general, will replace Justice John Paul Stevens if she is confirmed by the Senate. A former Harvard Law School dean, Kagan has never been a judge. She would be the court’s youngest member at age 50 and the fourth woman to serve on the court.  Read more: http://www.disabilityscoop.com/2010/05/11/nominee-kagan/7992/

Upcoming Events

// June 2nd, 2010 // Support Your Community

Ability Specialists Powerlifting Team competes in the Special Olympics State on Saturday June 5th.  Good Luck Guys!

Mile High Down Syndrome Association
June 6, 2010
11th Annual Poker Run and Benefit
Click here for more details. [pdf]

The Arc of Arapahoe Douglas County Annual Picnic

Wednesday, July 21, 2010 from 6 – 8 pm at Westlands Park in the Center Pavilion (The park is located on the west side of Quebec between Belleview & Orchard)

Hot dogs, drings and place settings provided. Please bring a side dish or dessert to share.

Please invite a friend to join you. Everyone is welcome!

RSVP to pam@arc-ad.org or call 303-220-9228 before July 19

May Goal Achievement

// May 25th, 2010 // What's Happening At Ability Specialists

Congratulations to those who achieved their goals and received their awards this month!  The ceremony was followed by the Tribute to Michael Jackson dance and everyone had a “thrilling” time!

may-2010-054

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Leaders with Developmental Disabilities in the

// May 25th, 2010 // Workshops and Seminars

This project explores the life stories of thirteen leaders in the self-advocacy movement and their perspectives on key issues and leadership challenges. Part of the broader disability rights movement, the self-advocacy movement is unique in that it has been led and informed by the individual and collective experiences of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Despite its widespread existence nationwide and internationally, few works have explored the rich history, culture, and significance of the self-advocacy movement. To help fill this void, Joe Caldwell, Ph.D., Department of Disability and Human Development, University of Illinois at Chicago, undertook this life history project and donated transcripts to The Bancroft Library for its Disability Rights and Independent Living Movement collection. More about Self-Advocacy Movement oral history project.