ep Magazine or Exceptional Parent

Kids with autism are more likely to be bullied as they get older but the odds of victimization are influenced by a variety of factors, new research suggests.

In what officials are calling the work of a hate group, fliers have appeared in several Portland, Ore. neighborhoods threatening to out people with disabilities who receive government aid.

The National Disability Institute is accepting entries for its 3rd annual “My American Dream - Voices of Americans with Disabilities” video contest. Contestants with disabilities create a three-minute video telling their story and steps to achieving their American dream. Upload your video onto YouTube and email the URL, your name and phone number. One winner will receive $1,000, a digital tablet and sessions with a mentor. Submit entries by September 10, 2013.

On July 25, 2013, AUCD's Executive Director George Jesien, PhD, was one of several disability organizations invited to participate in a meeting with President Obama to discuss issues important to the disability community. A thank you letter was sent after the meeting reviewing the topics discussed and recommendations made during the meeting. Download and read that letter here.

The Professional Fellows EMPOWER Program, administered by Mobility International USA (MIUSA) and sponsored by the US State Department, is a two-way international exchange program aiming to expand the capacity of organizations in the U.S. and abroad to promote inclusive communities and advance the rights of persons with disabilities around the world. From August 29 to September 5, 2013, the DDI's Angela Martin will be a representative to Tajikistan to participate in a preliminary exchange visit to build the foundation for a collaborative project and effective international relationship.

Daniel Armstrong, Ph.D., professor and Executive Vice Chair of Pediatrics, has been elected Chair of the Florida Biomedical Research Advisory Council (BRAC). Armstrong represents the American Cancer Society on the BRAC.

In June, staff from the North Dakota Center for Persons with Disabilities (NDCPD) presented at the Nordic - US International Conference on Intellectual Disabilities and attended a series of meetings in Oslo, Trondheim and Lysoya, Norway. The conference consisted of two days of presentations and discussion on topics of human rights and community living conditions for people with intellectual disabilities.

The Health Insurance Marketplace will give you all the options available for health insurance in your area. You can compare plans based on price, benefits, quality and other features. It will also tell you if you qualify for Medicaidor theChildren's Health Insurance Program. While all insurance plans are offered by private companies, the Marketplace is run by either your state or the federal government. Open enrollment starts October 1, 2013.Coverage starts January 1, 2014.

A new report, "A Better Bottom Line: Employing People with Disabilities",outlines the National Governors Association's initiatives to increase employment among individuals with intellectual and other significant disabilities. It describes the role that state government and business can play in assisting and advancing opportunities for these individuals to be gainfully employed. The initiative will provide governors and state policymakers with strategies designed to support this population.

NEW YORK, Aug. 8, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- EmblemHealth, the largest New York-based health insurer, and Advance Care Alliance (ACA), a newly formed entity owned in partnership by Advance of Greater New York, LLC; Alliance Care Network, LLC and Long Island Alliance, LLC comprised of more...

HARRISBURG, Aug. 8, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Corbett administration today awarded a $250,000 Keystone Communities Accessible Housing grant that will help Allegheny County residents living with permanent physical disabilities to make modifications to their homes....

NAPERVILLE, Ill., Aug. 8, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- OfficeMax® (NYSE: OMX), a leading provider of office and facility supplies, technology and services, this week joined Kessler Foundation, Aspire of Illinois, the Association of People Supporting EmploymentFirst (APSE), the Rehabilitation...

As Amazon.com enters the world of fine art this week, the Internet retail giant is putting a spotlight on artists with developmental disabilities.

ROYALSTON, Massachusetts, August 7, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- WizIQ announced the upgraded version of its Virtual Classroom to make it compliant with the Section 508 of the U.S. Rehabilitation Act. This optimization has been done to ensure accessibility of the WizIQ Virtual Classroom for...

Providing "optimism training" to parents of children with developmental disabilities who struggle with challenging behavior appears to go a long way, researchers say.

The U.S. Department of Justice has reached a settlement agreement with the city of Henderson, NV under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Individuals who are deaf complained that the city's police did not provide sign language interpreters and other aids and services for effective communication. One of the individuals had been arrested and the other was an alleged crime victim. The city has agreed to train its staff on the ADA.

BALTIMORE, August 7, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The National Federation of the Blind of Maryland (NFBMD) is currently holding a two-week Braille training program for blind children through August 9, 2013. The Braille Enrichment through Literacy and Learning (BELL) program is...

MILWAUKEE, Aug. 7, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- ManpowerGroup, the world leader in innovative workforce solutions and proud supporter of military veterans, will sponsor the first Wounded Warrior vs. Green Bay Packer/NFL Alumni Flag Football Challenge, to be held Saturday, August 10 at 6 p.m....

HOUSTON, July, 25, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Thousands of people with disabilities, their families, caregivers, seniors, wounded veterans and healthcare professionals are expected to attend Abilities Expo on August 2-4, 2013 at Reliant Center (Hall E). Admission is free and show hours...

One month after launching a hotline to report neglect and abuse of people with disabilities, one state has logged more than 7,200 tips.