UCPGG’s 2011 Holiday Party Photos – 1/31/12
Please click on the image above to view a slideshow of photos from this year’s Ultimate Holiday Party. It was a lot of fun and a fabulous success!
News
Planning for Tiny Tim: A Modern Christmas Carol – 12/2011
This article emphasizes the importance of setting up a special needs trust and planning for the future when there will be harsh cuts to government programs.
New art classes in Berkeley offer hands-on fun for kids with disabilities – 8/7/2011
UCP Foundations is offering a new art program for children with physical and cognitive disabilities. Held at the Live Oak Community Center in Berkeley, classes meet every other Thursday through December 15. A range of art projects (including eggshell picture frames and build-your-own-oceans) encourage kids to experiment with different textures and media.
Beating Brain Cancer with a Baseball Bat – 7/27/11
With a smooth left-handed swing, Alessandra Glickman drops a single down the third-base line and arrives at first base with a smile. Just like countless other kids, she is thrilled to be out playing baseball on a warm Sunday afternoon.
But Alessandra Glickman isn’t like most kids.
Alessandra was born with Down syndrome. After beginning to grow into a life that would always include certain challenges, she started losing weight and energy. A few months before her sixth birthday, doctors finally determined why when they found three tumors in her brain.
Read full article on Menlo Park Patch: Beating Brain Cancer with a Baseball Bat.
Celebrating 21 Years of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) – 7/26/2011
Twenty-one years ago, the United States became the first country to adopt national civil rights legislation, unequivocally banning discrimination against people with disabilities in the public and private sectors. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was remarkable, not only because of its groundbreaking provisions, but also because it was developed with the extensive participation of disability organizations, bi-partisan champions from the House and Senate, the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights, and the business community.
UCPGG Presents Gifts to Special Education Grant Winners – 7/1/2011
In June 2011, UCPGG awarded eight special education teachers in our four county service area (Contra Costa, Marin, San Francisco, and Alameda) with Special Education Grants. These grants consisted of items the teachers had requested for their special education classes. The winners were picked based on the level of creativity and imaginativeness of their requests. Everyone was delighted to receive their awards. The winners are as follows.
Alameda County
Steven Edwards – Vannoy Elementary School – Castro Valley Unified School District
Johnetta Maduakglam – Eldridge Elementary School – Hayward Unified School District
Shannon Johns – James L. Bunker Elementary School – Newark Unified School District
Contra Costa County
Holly DeShazo – Buena Vista Elementary School – West Contra Costa Unified School District
Maria Graham-Tyler – Lucille Glass Mauzy School – Contra Costa Office of Education
Nicole Davis – Transition Program – West Contra Costa Unified School District
Shelly Wallent – John Swett High School – John Swett Unified School District (Crockett)
Marin County
Glenn R. Dal Poggetto – San Jose Middle School – Novato Unified School District
Merchelle Cettall – Bolinas Campus – Bolinas-Stinson Union School District
The Rights of Californians with Disabilities: New Video and Publications by Disability Rights California – 7/1/11
Disability Rights California has produced a new YouTube video, weekly electronic newsletter, and CD to inform people with disabilities about their rights and the services available to them. As the state’s social safety net frays, Disability Rights California (DRC) is making a concerted effort to reach out to the hundreds of thousands of children, youths, and adults who need disability advocacy and legal services to become or remain independent, and to help them access education, health, or other critical services. Designated the state’s protection and advocacy system for Californians with disabilities, DRC offers free legal and advocacy services to those who need them to resolve disability-related issues. In 2010, the most frequently requested services concerned: obtaining Regional Center services for people with developmental disabilities; access to education, healthcare, and information about benefits; how to preserve autonomy and privacy; and how to fight against abuse.
YouTube Video: a short, six minute overview of what they offer and how to contact them.
E News: a weekly electronic newsletter.
CD: 10 of their most popular publications including special education rights and responsibilities, an effective tool for parents of children with disabilities. Call 800-776-5746 to order.
Annual Report: details how they serve more than 26,000 individuals, while impacting an additional 393,000 Californians with disabilities and their families through class action lawsuits. Available in English and Spanish.
UCLA Study: Challenges to Sustaining California’s Developmental Disability Services System – 3/2011
This policy note discusses the background of California’s developmental disability services and identifies the challenges facing this system. It recommends that the state adjust frozen rates for services, adopt equitable and transparent vendor payment systems, and maximize the efficiency of the current system of service provision, among other policy solutions.
Read more: Challenges to Sustaining California’s Developmental Disability Services System.
Union City Teacher Garners State Award – 3/4/2011
A veteran James Logan High School teacher will be honored Saturday for her longtime work with special education students. Aurora Vinci, 53, of Oakland, will receive the Human Rights Award for Physically and Mentally Challenged Students’ Issues from the California Teachers Association during a ceremony at the Fairmont Hotel in San Jose.
Oprah Taps Man with Cerebral Palsy to Host New Show – 2/28/2011
Zach Anner, who has cerebral palsy, will get his own travel show on Oprah Winfrey’s new cable television network after being handpicked by the TV legend herself.