Ability Specialists Blog

Upcoming Events

// March 26th, 2010 // Support Your Community

*  The Arc of Arapahoe & Douglas Golf Tournament – Friday, August 20, 2010 at Broken Tee Golf Course in Englewood.  $110/player, Shotgun start.  Registration and range warm up begins at 6:30 am with a shotgun start at 8:00 am.  Cost $110.00 per player and includes cart, range balls, barbecue lunch and lots of prizes.  Please visit the website, http://www.tournevents.com/arcad2 for all the details.

Final Health Care Votes Bring Boost For People With Disabilities

// March 26th, 2010 // Feature Articles, Workshops and Seminars

Congress approved a series of final changes Thursday to the health care overhaul plan, taking steps to increase Medicaid reimbursement rates and clarify a series of other provisions, while largely drawing the health care reform debate to a close.

Most elements of health care reform became law Tuesday when President Barack Obama signed overhaul legislation. But a few last minutes changes and clarifications spelled out in a so-called reconciliation bill remained. Votes Thursday in the Senate and House of Representatives put the final issues to rest.

Specifically the measures approved late this week will grant doctors higher reimbursement rates for care of Medicaid patients in 2013 and 2014, while increasing federal funding to states to meet this cost. The reconciliation bill also includes a funding boost for community health centers and federal money to help states meet the cost of a Medicaid expansion spelled out in the initial health care reform legislation.  See full story: http://www.disabilityscoop.com/2010/03/26/health-care-reconciliation-bill/7450/

Day and Evening Program Closed 3/24/10

// March 24th, 2010 // News That Affects You

Ability Specialists day and evening program has been closed today due to poor weather conditions. 

Check back for further updates.

We will post any future cancellations as we have them.

See FOX31 KDVR http://www.kdvr.com/weather/snowclosings/

9 NEWS.com http://www.9news.com/weather/severe_weather/cancellations_closings/default.aspx

WBTV2 KWGN http://www.2thedeuce.com/weather/closings/

for more cancellations.  Thanks and stay safe!

Upcoming Events

// March 19th, 2010 // Support Your Community

FAMILY NIGHTS:  The DS-Autism Connection will be meeting at the Beau Jo’s Pizza in Arvada every other month in 2010. Beau Jo’s is located at 7805 Wadsworth Blvd., Arvada, CO 80003, PH: 303-420-8376.   Join us on from 6:00-7:30 p.m. on the following dates for a Pizza Party in a semi-private area of the restaurant for a DS-Autism-Family-Friendly dining experience:

**Tuesday, January 26, 2010

**Tuesday, March 23, 2010 (NEXT WEEK!  PLEASE COME!!)

**Tuesday, May 25, 2010

**Tuesday, July 13, 2010

**Tuesday, September 14, 2010

**Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Beau Jo’s offers a Gluten Free menu, dairy-free cheese and a Healthy Menu Guide for people on specific diets. Beau Jo’s will do their best to meet your specific dietary needs. Families will be responsible for the cost of their own meals.

Let’s support each other and build our friendships at the same time! Bring your whole family, your friends, providers and anyone else who is interested in supporting families like ours. I can’t wait to see you there.

2010 US Census

// March 19th, 2010 // Feature Articles

Every year the Census helps determine how $400 billion in federal funds is awarded to states and communities. This includes support for programs and services for people with disabilities such as:

IMPORTANT

February 2010 Disability Employment Statistics Released

// March 11th, 2010 // Feature Articles

In February 2010, the percentage of people with disabilities in the labor force was 21.9. This translates into a total of 21,012,000 who are included in the civilian noninstitutional population (16 years and older) but not in the labor force. By comparison, the percentage of persons with no disability in the labor force is 70.1.

The unemployment rate for those with disabilities was 13.8 percent, compared with 10.3 percent for persons with no disability, not seasonally adjusted.

Read about the February Disability Employment Statistics

Read Commonly Used Terms in BLS Employment Statistics

Alzheimer’s Association Gives Commissioner Astrue

// March 9th, 2010 // Feature Articles

The Alzheimer’s Association today presented Michael J. Astrue, Commissioner of Social Security, with their 2010 Humanitarian Award. This honor is given each year to a public official who has made a significant contribution to help those who are struggling with Alzheimer’s disease. In recognizing Commissioner Astrue, the Alzheimer’s Association noted, “his exceptional leadership in creating the Compassionate Allowances Initiative and the decision to include early-onset Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias in that initiative.” Read full release: humanitarian-award-pr-alt

HCBS-SLS Waiver Facts

// March 4th, 2010 // News That Affects You

Frequently Asked Questions regarding HCBS-SLS Waiver Service plan authorization Limits.  Click Here: SLS FAQs

Sensory Processing Disorder- A touchy situation

// March 4th, 2010 // Feature Articles

Clothes feel scratchy, hugs are shrugged off – coping with sensations can be a problem, but is it a disease?

Ana can sit on the couch for only about five minutes before it’s time to move. First she rides her bright blue unicycle a few times around the dining room table. Then she gets on a swing hung from the doorway and pumps until her feet can touch the ceiling. A few minutes later she’s doing laps around the table on her RipStik – a skateboard-like balance board. Then she runs outside and climbs the back fence (more fun than going through the gate), to jump on a trampoline. After mastering a flip, she manages to climb back into the house through an open window.

Life with Ana, who turns 11 this month, is action-packed.

Social Security Hearings Backlog Falls to Lowest Level Since 2005

// March 4th, 2010 // News That Affects You