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The Disability is Natural Free Press

IN THIS EDITION:

--- MONEY SAVING OFFER: FREE SHIPPING!

--- MAKING INCLUSIVE EDUCATION A REALITY

--- COMMUNITY INCLUSION: WISDOM FROM 1864

--- GREAT NEWS FROM REAL PEOPLE!

--- HELPFUL PRODUCT (BIG KEYS)

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MONEY SAVING OFFER: FREE SHIPPING!

For a limited time, there are no shipping/handling charges on any "Disability is Natural" product orders (for U.S. customers)!

If you've been interested in a badge, a key ring, the stickers, or the window decal, but just couldn't bear to pay more for shipping/handling than the actual product, NOW is the time to buy!

Whether you want the 640-page "Disability is Natural" book, the companion video, T-Shirts for you and yours, a new mouse pad with a positive message, or anything else from the "Disability is Natural" web site, now is the time to take advantage of this limited-time "free shipping/handling" offer! Reduced shipping/handling charges are also being offered on some products for international orders. Visit www.disabilityisnatural.com and click on the "Store" page to order, and enjoy this money saving opportunity to learn and share new ways of thinking!

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MAKING INCLUSIVE EDUCATION A REALITY

While there are still many weeks of school left on the calendar, this school year is winding down. Parents: has this been a relatively peaceful and positive experience for you and your child, or has it been the "year from hell?" Educators: was this the year inclusion finally worked in your classroom or does your school still have a long way to go before embracing the spirit and intent of IDEA? Even though this year is not yet over, NOW is the perfect time to be thinking about the next school year! Success involves strategic thinking, timing, planning, building relationships, and more! The obstacles to inclusive schools are varied, running the gamut from attitudinal barriers of parents, educators, and administrators to fears, financial issues, architectural barriers, and everything in between! But there are solutions to the problems we face, and a wide variety of answers can be found in "Disability is Natural: Revolutionary Common Sense for Raising Successful Children with Disabilities" (available from www.disabilityisnatural.com or by calling toll-free 1-866-948-2222).

In many cases, inclusive ed won't become a reality until we (parents and educators) understand why traditional special ed services --- segregated resource rooms, pull-out, and other methods --- have failed. (This failure is easily recognized in the 70-75% unemployment rate of people with disabilities. Unfortunately, this rate has remained relatively steady for more than twenty years. There are other contributing factors to this situation, besides education, of course.) Many of the "problems" with traditional special ed are detailed in the "Disability is Natural" book. A review of these problems can enable parents and educators to examine their own schools and make changes.

Later in the book, step-by-step instructions lead parents through the process of writing an "IEP Blueprint," in preparation for the actual IEP meeting. The IEP Blueprint is truly a tool for success! And while it's written from a parent to a parent, it's a tool which educators and advocates can use successfully, too. The process of preparing an IEP Blueprint include:

-- visiting potential regular ed classrooms -- repairing relationships with educators -- using informal assessments instead of traditional evaluation methods -- writing activity-based goals and objectives which support inclusion -- designing curriculum modifications

-- identifying accommodations to support students and teachers -- positive, creative, and productive IEP meetings -- understanding IDEA special ed law (including the intent of Congress) -- and much, much more!

And for parents who are willing to live on the edge, the book includes suggestions on ways to "go without" special ed services altogether (while still ensuring your child is included and his needs are met).

We can and should continue trying to achieve inclusive education "one child at a time," but we can also effect systems change by creating inclusive school buildings and inclusive school districts. Leadership at these levels is also detailed in "Disability is Natural."

Don't wait until another new school year rolls around to address inclusive education! We can't afford to remain REactive --- it's time to be PROactive and get ahead of the game! Consider giving the "Disability is Natural" book to educators as a "thank you" or to help spur positive changes! "Disability is Natural: Revolutionary Common Sense for Raising Successful Children with Disabilities," 640 pages, is $26.95. It's available from www.disabilityisnatural.com (click on the "store" page) or by calling toll-free 1-866-948-2222.

As described in the previous section of this Email announcement, there are no shipping and handling charges for the book (or any other product) at this time! And as with everything else available from BraveHeart Press, your satisfaction is assured, with a no-questions-asked, 100% money-back guarantee!

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COMMUNITY INCLUSION: WISDOM FROM 1864

Maggie Carr (former staff person at the Connecticut Council on Developmental Disabilities) and her husband, John, recently found the following Civil War-era quote in a New York Times article (Berube, M., "When the High Court Redefines "Disability," It May Make Better Citizens of Us All." New York Times Sunday Magazine, 2/3/2002).

From: "System for the Economical Relief of Disabled Soldiers" by the United States Sanitary Commission, 1864: "Every measure, tending to fuse individuals into a class with particular privileges or immunities, should be discountenanced. Nor should any such accumulations of them be encouraged in any locality, as would render them independent of public opinion, or segregate them from friends or kindred . . .

Invalids should be restored to their original homes, and the communities to which they belong should absorb them, by assigning them, by conventional agreement, the lighter occupations, and no provision separating them from their families or diminishing their domestic responsibilities should be encouraged. For, whenever invalids have homes, public opinion should be directed to these as the best places for them, the object always being to keep them from ultimately drifting into town or county pauper asylums."

The language is different from today's, but the intent of community inclusion is clear. Our forefathers were wise, indeed. It's somewhat of a mystery why --- 138 years later --- we're still struggling with real community employment and living opportunities for individuals with disabilities. But one thing seems clear: intent and good words are not enough. Intent must be followed by actions. And this is a wonderful lesson for all of us today. Our great intentions and good words must lead to real change --- change that we create through our actions, both personal and public.

The Civil War-era quote was included in Ed Burke's CDDC (Consortium of Developmental Disability Councils) Public Policy Email Update. Thanks to Ed for allowing me to share this with you, and to Maggie for her eagle-eye in finding this fascinating bit of history!

If you come across information to share, please pass it along! Send it to: kathie@disabilityisnatural.com

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GREAT NEWS FROM REAL PEOPLE!

In response to an article about language and labels, Paula Patterson of Ohio had this to contribute: "Almost 150 years ago, President Lincoln found it necessary to hire a private investigator, Mr. Alan Pinkerton. This action ultimately led to the beginning of the Secret Service. Since that time, federal agencies have grown in number, and we know them by their 'labels' (three-letter acronyms): FBI, CIA, INS, IRS, DEA, ATF, and more.

"Now comes a proposal for another agency: the Federal Air Transportation Airport Security Service. Can't you see it now --- employees going about their business with the organization's acronym emblazoned across the back of their jackets: FATASS? We need to be careful with labels, don't we?"

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Also regarding labels and awareness of/sensitivity to people with disabilities, Janice Friedman of Connecticut writes: "Sensitivity is a two-way street. If people with disabilities want others to be sensitive to their issues, they have to be willing to return the favor."

He had never been educated about language which may be offensive to many, and he was in shock that his announcement of an accessible rec center could be met with such hostility. Luckily, one member of the sports group took the time to teach Doug, and all was well.

As Janice points out, attitudes DO matter --- on both sides of the street. It's important that we take the time and make the effort to educate! We need all the allies we can get, and turning a potential ally into a true adversary is a mistake we can't afford to make!

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In response to last month's article about using humor when faced with curious questions, stares, and other uncomfortable situations, James Rennison of Missouri provided an additional humorous response we can use: "When someone asks, 'Was he born that way?', hold your hands about twenty inches apart and say, 'No, he was only this big then!' " Thanks, James!

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After Vicki Goodrich of Oregon learned about People First Language during my presentation to Oregon Partners in Policymaking, she didn't waste any time putting the information to good use! Vicki addressed her school board about the importance of language and attitudes. In response, the board and administrators immediately agreed to adopt People First Language, and they're looking at other policy changes regarding the education of students with disabilities!

Vicki reported how easy it was to speak to the board without reading notes --- her positive passion and determination carried her easily through a potentially nerve-wracking episode! There's no doubt Vicki --- the parent of a child with a disability and an extraordinary advocate --- will be called on to provide leadership to the educational leaders in her community! Way to go, Vicki!

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Gayle Teufel of California, responding to one of my "Revolutionary Common Sense" newsletter articles, wrote: "So glad to know there is another person out there who thinks like me. My son has PDD-NOS, high functioning autism, Asperger Syndrome --- which label would you like? But he is none of these. He is a delightful 9-year-old boy who deserves to grow up like any other 'typical' kid --- and HE IS! I do not wish to spend my son's childhood fighting the system to receive sub-standard services. I want to exert all my energy toward learning how to communicate with him and teach him about the world: by playing with him, going places, and doing things! The real world is his training ground --- with his family by his side --- just like any other kid! Thank you for your courage to lead this gentle revolution --- it's about time!"

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Thanks to everyone for sharing their news and stories with me, and thanks for allowing me to share them with others! If YOU have anything you'd like to share, write to me: kathie@disabilityisnatural.com Also, check out the "Revolutionary Common Sense" newsletter articles on the web site www.disabilityisnatural.com --- two new articles have just been posted. There are many new ways of thinking, and there is much we can do to educate ourselves and others!

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HELPFUL PRODUCT: BIG KEYS

BigKeys keyboards are standard size computer keyboards with very large keys: one inch square --- four times larger than the keys on a standard computer keyboard. Dennis Moulton of EnableMart shared the following comments from folks who have discovered the benefits of BigKeys:

--- "Obviously designed to be fun, less intimidating, and immensely thumpable!" --- "Now that's how a kid's keyboard ought to work!" --- "My mom uses the white-keys version of BigKeys to 'surf the web.' It's really expanding her horizons!" Check out BigKeys at www.enablemart.com And thanks, Dennis, for sharing this info!

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Please feel free to share this Email with others, and invite your friends, family, and coworkers to visit www.disabilityisnatural.com and check out what's new! While you're there, take a moment to share your comments, suggestions, questions, and ideas.

Happy St. Patrick's Day, and always remember to lead with a brave heart!
Kathie Snow

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