| Date | Time | Event |
| Front Door Information Sessions | Various Dates & Times | OPWDD ~ Front Door Access to Services Information Sessions for Individuals and Families http://www.opwdd.ny.gov/welcome-front-door/home front_door_info.pdf |
| 12/04/2013 | 10am-12pm | Parent to Parent New York, Inc. ~Aspergers Support Group 2013DECEMBERflyer.pdf |
| 12/05/2013 | 6pm-8pm | Eden II:Parents as Partners ~ ABA & Behavioral Strategies Parents_as_Partners_2013-2014_Flyer.pdf |
| 12/06/2013 | 6:30pm-8:00pm | Parent to Parent New York, Inc. ~Sibling Support Group 2013DECEMBERflyer.pdf |
| 12/08/2013 | 9am-2pm | Sensory Santa Free Event ~ Hosted by Person Centered Care ServicesPCCS_Photo_with_Santa.jpg |
| 12/11/2013 | 9:30am-11:30am | FSSAC Meeting @ 930 Willowbrook Road, Building 12G |
| 12/11/2013 | 10am-12pm | Parent to Parent New York, Inc. ~ Mothers Support Group 2013DECEMBERflyer.pdf |
| 12/11/2013 | 7pm-9pm | Parent to Parent, NY Inc. ~ Fathers Support Group 2013DECEMBERflyer.pdf |
| 12/12/2013 | 7pm-9pm | Parent to Parent NY, Inc. ~ Workshop: Does the IEP Meet Your Child’s Needs?2013DECEMBERflyer.pdf |
| 12/12/2013 | 10am-12:30pm | YAI Autism Family Support Series ~ Behavior Management yai_fs_series.pdf |
| 12/13/2013 | 9:30am-11:30am | SIDDC General Council Meeting ~ Celebrating Achievements @ 930 Willowbrook Road, Building 41A SIDDC_Flyer_Dec..pdf |
| 12/16/2013 | 10am- 12pm | Willowbrook Property Planning Meeting @ AVSP, 49 Cedar Grove |
| 12/18/2013 | 9:30am-11:30am | Health & Clinical Committee Meeting @ Elizabeth Pouch Center 657 Castleton Ave. |
| 12/18/2013 | 9:30am-11:30am | Education Committee Meeting ~ 930 Willowbrook Road, Building 41A Conference Room |
| 12/18/2013 | 10am- 12pm | Parent to Parent New York, Inc. ~Aspergers Support Group 2013DECEMBERflyer.pdf |
| 12/20/2013 | 10am-12pm | Parent to Parent New York, Inc. ~Mothers Support Group 2013DECEMBERflyer.pdf |
Category Archives: Advocacy Links and Resources
Spider-Man: Turn Off The Dark Producing Autism-Friendly Show
Spiderman 3 (Photo credit: Oscar J Baeza)
LINK HERE
Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark is that Broadway musical version of Spider-Man
that was plagued by accidents and legal problems.
Now that things are running much smoother for the production, they have
announced they will be performing a first-ever autism-friendly production!
The show is going to seriously cut down on things like strobe lights and
loud, harsh sounds that could really bother an autistic person.
There will also be autism experts staffing quiet areas inside the theater.
They’ll have bean bag chairs and coloring books for anyone who is
overwhelmed by the show and needs a break.
The director of the Theatre Development Fund, a nonprofit that provides
access to live theater, said:
“We’re grateful to the show’s producers, management and creative staff
and crew for accommodating the Autism Theatre Initiative and uniting with us
to make the show an unforgettable experience for all.”
The nonprofit bought every single matinee ticket there was for the April
27th show at Foxwoods Theatre and will offer them at a discount to autistic
kids and adults.
Tickets will range in price from $35-$80, so if you have an autistic family
member, friend or have autism yourself, grab a ticket and go see one heck of
a play!
RESPECT FOR ALL WEEK at the NYC DOE!
![RespectforAlllogo[1]](https://373virtualpta.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/respectforalllogo1.jpg)
Respect For All Week February 11-15
Respect for All Week begins February 11. Schools will have the opportunity to highlight and build upon ongoing diversity programs and instruction in schools and embark upon new projects that engage students in meaningful lessons, such as preventing bias-based harassment, intimidation and bullying. Letters have been sent to school communities along with a flyer for posting. Additional resources are available on the DOE’s website.
Advocates for Children Workshop Series
LINK FOR AFC’s WEBSITE: http://www.advocatesforchildren.org/
Winter & Spring 2013 Free Workshop Series AFC’s Parent Training Information Center is offering the following free workshops:
- February 28, 2013, 6 pm Turning 5: The Transition from Preschool Special Education to Kindergarten
- April 4, 2013, 6 pm Behavioral Issues and School Discipline
- May 2, 2013, 6 pm Section 504 of the Americans with Disabilities Act: An Alternative to Special Education?
All workshops will be held at 151 West 30th Street, 4th Floor, New York, NY 10001.
For information or to register, contact Joanne Buccellato, jbuccellato@afcnyc.org or (212) 822-9505. Space is limited.
Important Information for Families of Pre-K Students with Disabilities (Students “Turning Five”)
Important Information for Families of Pre-K Students with Disabilities (Students “Turning Five”)
Later this month, the DOE will host kindergarten orientation meetings for families of preschool students born in 2008 who currently receive special education services. Translations of the material below and additional information is available on the Transitioning to Kindergarten page of the DOE’s website. A schedule of meeting dates and resources can be found in the links below:
2013 GED Campaign to Finish!
Finish your GED in 2013
In 2014, a new high school equivalency test will take its place in New York State. To avoid losing your GED course work, you’re encouraged to participate in the 2013 GED® Campaign to Finish to prepare to complete or retake your GED test before January 1, 2014. For more information, you can direct people to call 718-557-2525 or text GED to 30644.
Reelabilites Film Festival 2013 at the JCC
JCC of Staten Island
Joan and Allan Bernikow Building 1466 Manor Rd Staten Island, NY, 10314
Admission: $10
718.475.5286
www.sijcc.org
Saturday, March 9th
6:30 PM Wine and Cheese
7:15 PM Feature Film: Wampler’s Ascent (77 min)
Steve Wampler, a man with severe form of cerebral palsy ascends the biggest rock face in the world, El Captain in Yosemite National Park. 20,000 pull-ups, 5 nights 6 days on the sheer face of the mountain and, with only the use of one limb, this is a story of terror and triumph. Steve Wampler’s story is a American feel-good tale which will leave the viewer inspired and happy.
Sunday, March 10th
2:00 PM Short Film: Willowbrook (16 min)
In 1964, a young pediatrician begins his residency at Willowbrook State School in Staten Island, only to discover that the institution is conducting Army-funded experiments on developmentally disabled children. Based on true events, Willowbrook addresses the awful conditions in which people with developmental disabilities were warehoused and the controversial research experiments that took place in the 1960s.
2:30 PM Feature Film: The Importance of Tying Your Own Shoes (110 min)
Alex’s high opinion of himself isn’t backed up by reality as he is unemployed and having trouble with his girlfriend. When he finally gets a job with the local council/municipality of Hudiksvall his life is about to change. Suddenly Alex finds himself the leader of a local theatre group of people with learning difficulties. Through their work together, Alex comes to appreciate that we all have our own talents which can grow if given the opportunity and support. “How many cranberries are in the world?” is based on the work of the Glada Hudik Theatre whose performances have met with success in Sweden and internationally since it was formed in 1996.
Letter from Advocates for Children about NYC SCHOOL BUSING ISSUES
Student MetroCard (Grades: 7-12) (face) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Dear friends,
As you all know, New York City’s school bus drivers are striking. We wrote you a few weeks ago urging you to follow the story and get updates from the DOE on alternative options for families that rely on yellow bus service to travel to and from school. AFC is continuing to push the Department of Education for a solution that works for all of our youth, but we wanted to write now to make sure that you are aware of some more specific resources available to help get your children to school during the strike.
- If you don’t know yet, and need to determine if your child’s bus route has been disrupted by the strike, see here.
- For general information about the use of MetroCards and reimbursement for driving or taking a taxi or other car service see here. A few things to note about these options:
- MetroCards are available for all students who use yellow bus services through school offices.
- MetroCards are available for some parents of students who use yellow bus services to allow them to accompany their children to and from school.
- Parents of all preschool and all school-age children with IEPs are eligible.
- Parents of general education students in grades K-6 are eligible.
- Parents of students in grades K-6 who receive yellow bus services will be reimbursed for driving costs at a rate of 55 cents per mile upon completion of reimbursement forms.
- Parents of students in grades K-6 who receive yellow bus services may also be reimbursed for cab fares upon completion of reimbursement forms.
- Families of students who are eligible for yellow bus services who cannot utilize public transportation and cannot afford to pay carfare costs up front and then seek reimbursement should reach out to their school administrator or CSE for further assistance. If the family qualifies for free or reduced price lunch and the child receives specialized transportation, protocols have been set up to arrange to have families’ fees for car services assigned to and paid by the DOE. A list of car service providers is available on the DOE website or by calling the Office of Pupil Transportation’s Customer Service number at (718) 392-8855. Families who can demonstrate financial hardship regardless of Title 1 status should reach out to their schools as well. If that is not successful, contact your Committee on Special Education.
- Students who have IEPs that require paraprofessional or nursing support for transportation should continue to get those services. Speak with your school directly about this.
- Students who don’t generally have paraprofessional support on their yellow buses, who are traveling during the strike to school by subway or through a car service, and whose families are, for whatever reason, unable to accompany them, but who still may need an adult other than a parent to travel with them by train or by car, should also speak directly with their schools to determine what arrangements can be made under the circumstances.
- For information specific to finding an accessible ride, go here.
- For a copy of the travel reimbursement forms in multiple languages, see here.
As always, we urge you to continue checking back on the DOE’s website or contacting 311 for updates and to advocate with your schools and central DOE offices if you need assistance (see here for AFC’s tips on advocacy). If you are confused or encounter unexpected obstacles obtaining MetroCards, reimbursement, securing accessible transportation services, or arranging for other forms of assistance, contact the AFC Helpline at 1-866-427-6033 for information and assistance or send specific information about your case to us at josep@advocatesforchildren.org.
Sincerely,
Advocates for Children of New York
The Citywide Council on Special Education November Public Meeting
The Citywide Council on Special Education
November Public Meeting
Talk to Officials from the Division of Students with Disabilities
Thursday, November 15, 2012
6:00 p.m.
The Institute for Basic Research (IBR)
1050 Forest Hill Road
Staten Island, NY 10314
Please keep comments to less than three minutes.
Translation services will be provided.
~ Refreshments will be available ~
PS 373R Robert Randall School 
