Special Needs Archives - Page 46 of 98

Northeast Arc, Flutie Foundation and Accion Team Up to Launch New Opportunity Lending Program

Autism, What's Happening 07/16/2018 admin

Lending program will provide microloans to advance business goals and employment opportunities for individuals with intellectual disabilities and autism Boston, Mass. (July 16, 2018) – Northeast Arc, the Doug Flutie, Jr. Foundation for Autism and Accion announced today the launch of a new program, Opportunity Lending, which will provide microloans to enhance employment and business opportunities for individuals with intellectual disabilities and autism. Loans ranging from $1,000 to $250,000 will be available to individuals who wish […]

This woman is an exceptionally effective Capitol Hill lobbyist. She also has Down syndrome.

Down Syndrome, In The News 07/14/2018 admin

by Allison Klein There are thousands of lobbyists in Washington, legions of well-connected pros who are hired by special interest groups to vigorously advocate for issues. Perhaps nobody in those ranks is more committed to their cause than Kayla McKeon, the first registered Capitol Hill lobbyist with Down syndrome. “I make personal connections, tell personal stories,” said McKeon, 30, who works for the District-based National Down Syndrome Society. “It’s hard for them to say no.” […]

Epilepsy raises risk of unnatural death, study finds

Epilepsy, Featured Topics 07/04/2018 admin

By Honor Whiteman Fact checked by Jasmin Collier People who have epilepsy might be at greater risk of death from unnatural causes — such as accidents and suicide — than those without the condition. This is the finding of a new study recently reported in JAMA Neurology. Epilepsy, a neurological disorder, is marked by recurrent and spontaneous seizures, which are bouts of abnormal brain activity. A person is diagnosed with epilepsy if they have at […]

States Aim To Halt Sexual Abuse Of People With Intellectual Disabilities

eParent Connect, Featured Topics, Intellectual Disability 06/27/2018 admin

Heard on All Things Considered Earlier this year, NPR reported that people with intellectual disabilities are victims of some of the highest rates of sexual assault. NPR found previously undisclosed government numbers showing that they’re assaulted at seven times the rate of people without disabilities. Now states, communities and advocates, citing NPR’s reporting, are making reforms aimed at improving those statistics. In Pennsylvania, legislation passed the state House of Representatives earlier this month that would […]

Employable Me has struck a chord but will it change employers’ attitudes to disability?

Intellectual Disability, What's Happening 06/26/2018 admin

BY: Katie Sutherland Doctor of Creative Arts Candidate, Western Sydney University “I’m glad you can make use of my weapons grade autism”, laughs Jonathon in the ABC TV series Employable Me. He has landed a competitive paid internship, channelling his passion for accountancy. As well as a love of numbers, he has a wicked sense of humour and a way with words. And his sentiment is in line with the theme of the series, which […]