Inclusion Daily Express -- July 9, 2003

INCLUSION DAILY EXPRESS

http://www.InclusionDaily.com

Your quick, once-a-day look at disability rights, self-determination
and the movement toward full community inclusion around the world.

Wednesday, July 9, 2003
Year IV, Edition 109

This front page features 8 news and information items, each preceded by a number (#) symbol.
Click on the"Below the Fold" link at the bottom of this page for the rest of today's news.

QUOTES OF THE DAY:
"I said, 'Terry, what can you say?' He said, 'Anything I want.'"
--Angilee Wallis, whose son Terry began talking last month after being in a coma for the past 19 years (Third story)

"These people wanted their own places to live."
--Susan Rinne, executive director of Options For Better Living, on Indiana's trend away from group homes and toward more individualized living arrangements for people with developmental disabilities (First story)

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# COMMUNITY LIVING

Trend Toward Individualized Living Has Group Home Supporters Worried
By Dave Reynolds, Inclusion Daily Express
July 9, 2003

BLOOMINGTON, INDIANA--During the decades-long transition from large institutions to smaller group homes, those who held a stake in the old institution model have repeatedly voiced their concerns that such facilities would be phased out.

Now, as more people are choosing independent or supported living, some of those who hold a stake in group homes are voicing concerns that their programs may be phased out.

It's already happening, according to a story in the Indianapolis Star.

In Indiana, about 150 group homes have closed in recent years as people have chosen more individualized options and the state has de-emphasized the use of "sheltered" programs.

The state currently serves about 3,600 people with developmental disabilities in 530 group homes. At the same time, the number of people being served in individualized supported living situations has grown to about 5,000.

"These people wanted their own places to live," said Susan Rinne, executive director of Options For Better Living.

"Instead of a person coming to the services in a group home, the services can come to you in your own home."

Some parents don't like the trend away from group homes, and resent the waiver that allows federal funding of independent living situations.

Related article:
"Shrinking number of group homes worry families" (Indianapolis Star)
http://www.indystar.com/print/articles/3/055990-3863-127.html

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# CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM

Childs May Have Been Recovering From Seizure When Shot, Expert Says
By Dave Reynolds, Inclusion Daily Express
July 9, 2003

DENVER, COLORADO--A professor of neurology at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center said Monday that 15-year-old Paul Childs III showed all the symptoms of a person recovering from an epileptic seizure when police shot the teen to death last weekend.

Dr. Mark Spitz told the Denver Post that while seizures may only last a few minutes, recovery can take several days.

"After a seizure, you're confused, not responding," Spitz explained. "As part of that you might do things that seem aggressive."

Early last week, Childs was hospitalized for a seizure. Family members said that Childs, who had mental retardation and a seizure disorder, talked when he first left the hospital, but then stopped. On Friday night he tore his bedroom apart, and on Saturday he started carrying a kitchen knife clutched upright to his chest.

Childs' 16-year-old sister called 911 Saturday afternoon to report that her brother was carrying a knife and threatening their mother.

Four Denver police officers responded to the home, two with non-lethal Taser guns and one that had training in crisis intervention.

When Childs failed to follow police orders to drop the knife, patrol officer James Turney opened fire, fatally wounding the teen. Childs died later at a local hospital.

"I told them, 'He's a special-needs child. Just talk to him and get the knife away,"' said Paul's mother, Helen Childs during a press conference on the family lawn.

Some community members are calling for an independent investigation into the shooting and into the Denver Police departement's policies on dealing with people that have mental disabilities. Some are suggesting that the shooting would not have happened if Childs was not African-American.

Related article, with links to transcript and audio from 911 call:
"Slain teen 'loved' cops" (Rocky Mountain News)
http://www.InclusionDaily.com/news/03/red/0709a.htm

"Teen's death shows police not prepared" (Denver Post)
http://www.denverpost.com/Stories/0,1413,36~27772~1499527,00.html

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# FAMILIES / ADVOCACY

Son Talks After 19-Year Coma
By Dave Reynolds, Inclusion Daily Express
July 9, 2003

LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS--During the 19 years since their son, Terry, had an auto accident that left him in a coma, Jerry and Angilee Wallis say there were times they thought it would have been best that he had not survived.

"It has crossed my mind several times, probably," said Angilee.

Jerry agreed. "I thought it might have been best . . . for him, not for me."

But they continued to hold hope for his improvement.

Last month, their patience paid off.

On June 12, Terry looked directly at his parents -- and started talking.

"He just said, 'Mom,'" Angilee said. "I like to fell over."

"I said, 'Terry, what can you say?' He said, 'Anything I want.'"

Terry's family is now trying to help him catch up with what has happened since 1984.

Related article:
"Man speaks after 19-year silence" (CNN)
http://edition.cnn.com/2003/US/South/07/07/mute.no.more/index.html

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# EMPLOYMENT / LAWS

"'Disabilities' Includes Many Categories"
July 9, 2003

PLATTSBURGH, NEW YORK--The following five paragraphs are excerpts from an article in Tuesday's Plattsburgh Press-Republican:

The Americans With Disabilities Act was designed to help people with disabilities live as independently as possible in today’s demanding world.

Title 1 of the act specifically deals with employment and prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in the workplace.

But it is as equally designed to help employers meet regulations and help people with disabilities succeed.

"A lot of business owners assume the ADA does not apply to them," said Jaimie Marzullo, employment specialist for the North Country Center for Independence in Plattsburgh.

"A lot of people assume they don’t have employees with disabilities," she added. "They look at the extremes when it comes to disabilities. They don’t have anyone in a wheelchair, so they feel the law doesn’t apply to them.

Entire article:
"'Disabilities' includes many categories" (Plattsburgh Press-Republican)
http://www.pressrepublican.com/Archive/2003/07_2003/070820031.htm

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# ADVOCACY / EMPLOYMENT

Advocates Are Becoming More Assertive In Demanding Rights
July 9, 2003

HYDERABAD, INDIA--Tuesday's Hindu Business Line ran a brief article about a recent meeting between state government officials and local groups that are trying to improve conditions for people with disabilities.

According to the article, employment and medical care were on the agenda for perhaps the first time, particularly for people living in rural areas.

One advocate said that they used to be "rather reconciled to the situations but now we are assertive in demanding our rights."

Entire article:
"Disabled villagers stand up, and demand to be counted" (The Hindu Business Line)
http://www.hinduonnet.com/bline/stories/2003070902071700.htm

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# TODAY'S FEATURED INCLUSIVE EDUCATION WEBSITE

Whole Schooling Consortium

We need new visions of schooling to promote effective learning and a just society. The Six Principles of Whole Schooling provide a powerful, yet simple, framework to work towards education that links equity and excellence.
1. Empowering citizens in a democracy.
2. Including all.
3. Providing authentic, multi-level instruction.
4. Building community
5. Supporting learning.
6. Partnering with families and the community.

On this website, we provide information about these Six Principles, how they are used in school renewal, and ways you can be involved as an individual or through your school.

http://www.coe.wayne.edu/CommunityBuilding/WSC.html

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# EXPRESS EXTRA!!!

Quote worth noting:
"The more we take the welfare of others to heart and work for their benefit, the more benefit we derive for ourselves. This is a fact we can see. And the more selfish we remain and self-centered, the more selfish our way of life is, the lonelier we feel and the more miserable. This is also a fact we can see."
--The Dalai Lama

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# BELOW THE FOLD
Click here for the rest of today's disability-related news:
http://www.InclusionDaily.com/news/03/btf/070903_40.htm

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