News and Updates

This page contains interesting events in the disability community and will be updated periodically.

April 3, 2024
 
Arizona Disability Council Urges Policymakers to Make Dual Enrollment Work for AZ Students with Disabilities

(Phoenix, AZ)—Graduation season is almost here, and Arizona students with disabilities deserve just as many post-school options as their peers. Today, the Arizona Developmental Disabilities Planning Council releases two policy briefs – one covering Dual Enrollment and the other focused on College-Based Transition Services – identifying the steps the state can take to ensure all students with disabilities have access to these opportunities.

 
The transition to higher education is rarely easy for students with disabilities. Arizona’s legislature and Governor Katie Hobbs took big steps last year, signing into law SB1729, affirming the rights of students with disabilities to use the services and accommodations within their individualized education programs (IEPs) in dual enrollment courses. 
 
“Dual enrollment offers a proven pathway from high school to college or career for all students–regardless of whether or not they have an IEP,” said Jon Meyers, the Council's Executive Director. “With the recommendations in these reports, Arizona can ensure students with disabilities have equal access to this life-changing bridge to college or career.” 
 
The dual enrollment brief points out the program provides students an academic head start and the chance to walk through the process of obtaining the accommodations they will need for college work.  Currently, less than 2 percent of Arizona’s high school students with disabilities participate in dual enrollment courses, compared to 24.5 percent of all students, according to a 2023 report from the Helios Education Foundation.
 
The ADDPC’s second policy brief describes innovative programs for students with disabilities called college-based transition services (CBTS).
 
“College-based transition programs immerse students with intellectual disabilities in college campuses where they can explore career planning opportunities, work experience, courses ranging from educational to recreational, as well as engage in inclusive social activities alongside their same-age peers,” said Melissa Van Hook, ADDPC Chair.
 
“These programs can help reach even more Arizona students with the life-changing benefits of dual enrollment.”

CBTS programs are similar to traditional dual or concurrent enrollment programs but are uniquely crafted to serve high school students with disabilities aged 18-21. Many students with intellectual or developmental disabilities remain in high school until the age of 21. The CBTS policy brief is also available on the ADDPC website.

 
These two programs promise entirely new avenues for post-high school success for students with many different disabilities. The Council supports efforts by education and legislative leaders to ensure more students take advantage of these opportunities.
 
For more information on how these programs can benefit students across the state, visit https://addpc.az.gov/ or contact the Council at 480-578-9668.

 
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Announcement:

It's time for another grant opportunity! We're excited to provide grant opportunities to increase the knowledge among individuals with I/DD, caregivers, support professionals, and provider agencies on how to recognize unsafe and/or harmful internet practices. 

This training will be:

  • For individuals with I/DD and their families, as well as other interested people
  • To enhance the ability to recognize, report, and respond to internet safety threats
  • Learn key skills to avoid potential harm when using the internet and internet-based applications and advocate for their own safety while online

Pre-Application Review: Wednesday, March 27, 2024, 1:30 PM; online only

Letter of Intent to Apply: Due April 18, 2024; not required

Due: Thursday, April 25, 2024, 3:00 PM Phoenix Local Time

Number of Awards:  Multiple awards may be made.

Funds may be used for: Staff costs; supplies/operating expenses; travel; consultant fees

Download the Grant Application form for more information on how to apply

Applications are due Thursday, April 25, 2024, at 3:00 PM Phoenix Local Time, with no exceptions! 

Questions? Marcella Crane at [email protected] for any questions about this grant.

 

March 1, 2024 - March is a great time to honor our work and our people as part of Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month!

So TODAY, we're excited to announce an official proclamation from Gov. Katie Hobbs recognizing developmental disabilities - and this year we're choosing to align with Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month and National Criminal Justice Month, too.

Be on the lookout for first-hand perspectives from all over #Arizona, as well as new reports championing #inclusion and better lives for our community.

Proclamation

 

January 23, 2024 - The African American Conference on Disabilities will be held in person on June 28th, 2024 at the Hyatt Regency in downtown Phoenix.

Leading up to the in-person conference, there will also be four virtual sessions on February 14th and 15th, 2024.

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REGISTER NOW

January 5, 2024 -  Round 2 of the AHCCCS ARP Program Awards closes in just two weeks on January 15. 

To help everyone who wants to apply, AHCCCS will hold open office hours on January 8 from noon to 1:00 p.m. These optional office hours are a chance to get any final questions answered before you apply. 

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More Information

December 15, 2023 - Help us improve crisis services for the developmental disability community in Arizona! If you are an individual with a developmental disability, a family member, or a caregiver of someone with a developmental disability, please take our survey today on behavioral healthcare and crisis services.

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Take the Survey

 

December 8, 2023 -Virtual Supported Decision-Making Workshop

Ready to amplify voices and foster inclusion? Discover the power of Supported Decision-Making by joining us during our next virtual training on December 20th from 1 pm-3 pm! 

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More Information

December 1, 2023 - Tucson has got talent! You will be blown away by the performers at the Disability Pride Day on Sunday, December 3rd. Head to the TCC for food, fun, and to support our incredible community.

 

Man with a saxophone.

 

More Information

 

 

November 17, 2023 - Check out this cool video from Arizona Achieve

 

 

More information

 

November 1, 2023 -  Get 4 Free COVID-19 Tests

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Every U.S. household can order 4 more free COVID-19 self-tests. 

Self-tests (also called at-home tests and over-the-counter tests) are one of several tools that protect you and others by reducing the chances of spreading COVID-19.
 

Self-tests can be taken at home or anywhere, are easy to use, and produce rapid results.

You can place an order 

Online at COVIDTests.gov

By calling 1-800-232-0233 (TTY 1-888-720-7489)

By calling or emailing the Disability Information and Access Line (DIAL) at 1-888-677-1199 or [email protected] (for people with disabilities)

 

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