Students with disabilities face education issues
This month, almost 1 million Hoosier children will return to school, having to adjust to new teachers, new classmates and new schedules. For about 16 percent of those students, the process will be more complicated; students with disabilities, along with their parents, face uncertain testing and discipline procedures and the complex task of planning educational goals.
As Congress considers changes to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), many of these students' and parents' questions go unanswered.
Accountability
Indiana has received praise in education circles for its new academic standards and related assessment tests. Those assessments, however, create questions about how students with disabilities' scores should be counted in school performance measures. And advocates differ on whether students with disabilities should be required to pass the state Graduation Qualifying Exam (GQE) to receive a diploma.
"Certainly one of the most common questions we hear deals with the issue of the GQE and how it affects special education students who are trying to get their diploma," said Judith Alderton, project director of IN*SOURCE's Indiana Parent Training Program.
"People want to graduate so badly, and it's a big controversy, especially because each school district has its own waiver policies."
There is a great deal of misunderstanding about the new requirements, said Bob
Marra, director of the Indiana Department of Education's Division of Exceptional Learners.
"The fact is, students don't have to pass the GQE to get a diploma," Marra said. "There's a waiver process in place for kids both with and without disabilities, and they just have to show they have achieved ninth-grade standards."
Advocates who believe students with disabilities should be included in assessments say the process changes the mindset about students in special education and encourages the students to achieve the highest possible standards.
"If students with disabilities leave school and don't have the skills of reading and writing, they won't be able to get a job and become part of the community," said Amy Cook-Lurvey, a special education advocate.
Discipline
Parents, teachers and school districts are also wrestling with how to discipline students whose negative behaviors are related to their disability - and generally out of their control.
"We're seeing a lot more kids with special needs getting expelled and much more involvement of law enforcement and juvenile authorities in these issues," Alderton said.
According to Marra, however, students with disabilities don't constitute a disproportionate number of disciplinary cases.
Legislation
Some questions about accountability and discipline may be answered when Congress reauthorizes IDEA. However, the Senate version (S. 1248) and the House version (H.R. 1350) differ greatly, and the two bills are now in conference committee.
Advocates prefer the Senate version, although they have concerns about both bills.
Visit thomas.loc.gov to follow the progress of this legislation.
The numbers: Indiana education
- 1,891 public schools
- 59,658 public school teachers
- 996,133 public school students
- $7.5 billion in annual education expenditures
- 16.1 percent of students in special education
Source: Education Week, Jan. 8, 2004.
Resources for parents
If you're a parent who is confused by IEPs, GQEs and other special education issues, many resources are available to help you. Contact your regional IN*SOURCE office for information on local training events or to get connected with a "regional parent resource" - another parent who has been through the process and can offer information and support. For more information, visit www.insource.org or contact the organization at (800) 332-4433 (voice) or insource@insource.org (e-mail).
Understanding appropriations
Each year, Congress spends weeks, if not months, of legislative time debating "appropriations bills." Few people understand the appropriations process or its importance, but this legislation can have incredible significance for people with disabilities.
"The appropriations process is complicated and frustrating," said June Lyle, AARP associate state director for public policy, "but it's essential for advocates to be involved."
Simply put, appropriations bills determine the budgets of federal programs for the next fiscal year. Disability advocates watch the appropriations process closely to help stave off budget cuts and encourage legislators to increase the budgets of disability-related programs.
The federal fiscal year begins Oct. 1, so this is the deadline for passage of appropriations bills for the new year. If a new bill is not passed by Oct. 1, Congress generally passes a temporary "continuing resolution" to fund the program at the previous year's levels until a new appropriations bill is approved.
Throughout the process, Congress must consider its annual Budget Resolution, which sets broad spending limits. Funding authorized by appropriations bills cannot exceed these limits.
Visit thomas.loc.gov to follow the progress of appropriations bills and other disability-related legislation.
Disability community mourns loss of leader
The disability community lost a tireless leader June 19, when Costa Miller passed away. Friends and colleagues remember him as a servant leader who was passionate about inclusion for people with disabilities.
"Costa was a true visionary," said Suellen Jackson-Boner, Council executive director.
"His leadership as chairman of the Council's board elevated the agency and raised the bar for performance. All of us who worked with Costa will be forever grateful. His life touched so many people far beyond the borders of Indiana. By rededicating ourselves to his vision of inclusion, we can ensure his memory will live on."
Miller was the only executive director in the 30-year history of the Indiana Association of Rehabilitation Facilities (INARF). In addition, he served for four years as chair of the Council's board of directors, was vice-chair of the President's Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities, and was past chair of both COVOH and the Indianapolis Resource Center for Independent Living. He received the Sagamore of the Wabash from four different Indiana governors.
"Costa's entire career focused on enabling people with disabilities to have a better life in this world," said John Hill, chairman of the Indiana Commission on Rehabilitation Services. "Costa's leadership and tireless efforts have had a profound effect on our society."
Disability advocate Ric Edwards said, "The best way we can honor such a man is to take up his work. We have been presented a significant legacy. We cannot - we must not - let it die. I for one would not want to face Costa should we fail."
Memorial contributions to the Costa N. Miller Scholarship Fund can be made through INARF. Visit www.inarf.org and click on "In Memory of Costa Miller" to read more about Miller's life and share your memories of him.
Centers to offer 'one-stop shopping' for long-term care
The Indiana Division of Disability, Aging and Rehabilitative Services received a nearly $800,000 grant to support the creation of "one-stop" centers where consumers can learn about and access long-term care services.
"We hope to set up a statewide network of resource centers where seniors and people with disabilities can get all the information they need on long-term care options in one place," said Scott MacGregor, communications manager for the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration.
The grant was one of 12 awarded by the Department of Health and Human Services as part of the Aging and Disability Resource Center Grant Program. Twenty-four states have received such funding.
The three-year grant is just the beginning, MacGregor said. While it will help fund one-stop centers in South Bend, Vincennes, Muncie and Columbus, it will also support the development of a plan for statewide implementation. The first two centers, in Vincennes and South Bend, will serve as models.
"We believe so strongly in giving people options for home and community-based services," MacGregor said. "We're really hoping this will cast the net wider and help connect more people with more services to help them stay active and independent."
UCP honors 'Attitude' essay contest winners
Each March, the Council and the United Cerebral Palsy Association of Greater Indiana sponsor an "Attitude" essay contest for children in Indiana elementary and middle schools. This year's winners, shown below, were honored at the UCP annual meeting March 26 at the Colts Pavilion in Indianapolis.
Amy Hagadorn, who helped to develop the contest almost 10 years ago, and Council Associate Director Christine Dahlberg assisted in distributing the awards.
Samantha King (Highland Heights Elementary School, Richmond) was the first-place winner in grades three and four for her essay, "Our Attitudes Toward Other People."
For his untitled essay, Eric Fein (Kennedy Primary Academy, South Bend) received second place among third- and fourth-graders.
Melissa Andrews and Mary Jeanette Andrews, both of Parkside Elementary School in Columbus, won second and first place, respectively, among fifth- and sixth-graders. Mary Jeanette's essay was titled "True Freedom," while Melissa called her essay "Attitude, Attitude, Attitude!"
Kati Depasse (Otter Creek Middle School, Terre Haute) was the first-place winner among seventh- and eighth-graders for her essay, "Attitude Essay."
Kyle Gough's essay, "A Positive Attitude," earned him second place among seventh- and eighth-graders. Gough attends Westview Junior/Senior High School in Topeka.
Athletes prepare for Paralympics
Across the nation, athletes with disabilities are preparing for the 2004 Paralympic Games, to be held Sept. 17-18 in Athens, Greece, in conjunction with the Olympics. Among them is Indiana's own Trischa Zorn, of Fishers, who will compete in four swimming events.
In 20 years of competition, Zorn has earned 54 medals, 41 of which are gold. She won seven gold medals at her first Paralympics alone, in Holland in 1980. This year, Zorn is focusing on the 100-meter backstroke, although she will also compete in the 200-meter individual relay and the 50- and 100-meter freestyle competitions.
"The greatest benefit of being involved in the Paralympics is making people aware ... of our capabilities rather than our disabilities," Zorn said. "Athletes with disabilities can overcome obstacles with minimal adaptations."
The Paralympic Games are the second largest sporting event in the world, second only to the Olympics. Paralympic athletes - more than 4,000 people from 120 countries - compete in 21 sports, including swimming, cycling, archery and goalball, a game in which athletes with visual impairments score goals using a ball with bells inside of it.
Of Note
Award honors emerging leaders
Applications are due Sept. 10 for the 2004 Paul G. Hearne/American Association of People with Disabilities Leadership Award, which honors emerging leaders with disabilities. Winners receive $10,000 and an invitation to the AAPD Leadership Gala in Washington, D.C. Visit www.aapd.com or call (800) 840-8844 (voice/TT) for more information or an application.
'Heartsongs' author dies
Thirteen-year-old Mattie Stepanek, disability advocate and best-selling author of the "Heartsongs" poetry collections, died June 22 from complications related to muscular dystrophy. His five volumes of poetry - Heartsongs, Journey through Heartsongs, Hope through Heartsongs, Celebrate through Heartsongs and Loving through Heartsongs - have sold millions of copies worldwide.
Media award entries sought
Because the media help shape attitudes and opinions about people with disabilities, the Council offers an annual media award to encourage excellence in reporting on disability issues. Nominations for the 2004 award are due Aug. 18. To submit an entry, send the article/program title, date of publication/air date, name of reporter/news organization, reason for the nomination, and your name and contact information. Articles/programs nominated for this year's media award must have run/aired between April 1, 2003, and March 31, 2004. Entries can be sent to Ashley Petry, Borshoff Johnson Matthews, 47 S. Pennsylvania St., Suite 500, Indianapolis, IN 46204, or (317) 631-6499 (fax). For more information, call Ashley at (317) 631-6400 (voice).
Correction
The anniversary date of the Americans with Disabilities Act was listed incorrectly in the July issue of On Target. The correct date is July 26. We apologize for the error.
Save the date!
The 2004 Conference for People with Disabilities will be held Nov. 8-9.
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Indiana Governor’s Planning
Council for People with Disabilities
150 West Market Street, Suite 628
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204
(317) 232-7770 voice
(317) 232-7771 TT
E-mail: GPCPD@gpcpd.org
Web site: www.state.in.us/gpcpd
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