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In This Issue...
dayWorld Braille Day!
 
Every January 4th the world celebrates the invention of braille by  Louis Braille, who was born in France on January 4th, 1809.  Despite not being able to see at all due to a childhood accident, Louis excelled in his education, and by the age of 19, he published his first book about the system he had created, called "Method of Writing Words, Music, and Plain Songs by Means of Dots, for Use by the Blind and Arranged for Them". Braille has given blind students the opportunity to be educated alongside their peers, as well as read for pleasure, just as easily as any seeing person can.

There are so many resources today to help support those with visual impairments. Even more students qualify with print disabilities such as those who have physical limitations (including TBI), and those with organic disabilities (including dyslexia and learning disabilities) are all eligible.

Accessible materials include braille books, but they also include audio books, large print books and other kinds of assistive technology.  In deciding wherther or not these accessible materials will be beneficial to your student on an IEP or section 504 accommodation, consult with your student's team.  Many districts have free access and memberships to instructional materials that can be easily accessed by your student with a disability if needed.

Click links below for accessible resources and materials:

ACTACT Accommodation Request Deadline

The ACT testing deadlines are approaching and if you qualify to receive accommodations and supports the application deadline is January 12th.
A head of young brunette lady who is thinking about university education. Drawn educational icons and a graduation hat on the black chalkboard background .
  • List of allowable supports on the ACT
  • FREE practice tests through Shmoop
  • Utah ACT testing online FAQ
  • Additional ACT information support through the Utah State Board of Education through Rebecca Peterson 801-538-7694 or rebecca.peterson@schools.utah.gov
AA
Feedback Needed for Newly Drafted
Alternate Achievement (AA)
Science Standards

This draft of new Extended Core SEEd Standards for grades 6-8 is now available for a 45-day review and feedback with close date of January 30, 2018. These AA standards for students with significant cognitive disabilities were written by numerous local experts in curriculum and special education, including special educators; general educators; and university educators; with support from education specialists in the Special Education, Teaching and Learning, and Assessment departments at the Utah State Board of Education. There is a separate survey for each grade level. 

Estimated time to complete a grade level survey is 20-30 minutes.

■ 6th Grade Extended Core SEEd Standards Stakeholder Feedback Survey 
■ 7th Grade Extended Core SEEd Standards Stakeholder Feedback Survey 
■ 8th Grade Extended Core SEEd Standards Stakeholder Feedback Survey 

USBE will also be holding in-person stakeholder feedback meetings as follows: 
 
■   January 9, 2018: Carbon School District training room 3, 10:00 am - 1:00 pm 
■   January 11, 2018: Cache County School District Board room, 10:00 am - 1:00 pm
■   January 11, 2018: Iron School District Board room, 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm 
■   January 19, 2018: USBE North and South Board rooms, 10:00 am - 1:00 pm
chadd Annual CHADD and DSD Conference on Navigating Through the Education System

Clearfield High School January 25, 2018 6:00 - 8:30pm 
 
Registration is recommended but not required.
To register please email your name, school name, district and at least 1 presentation you
will attend to Kathy Romney at
kathyromney@comcast.net

For a list of presentations click here.

FREE event but donations gladly accepted at the door.
lawLaw Enforcement and Autism

Riders on UTA's transit may notice the small blue puzzle piece worn on the lapels by Transit Police Department Officers.  The symbol is significant in that it signifies that this officer has been specially trained to identify and assist riders with autism and other types of "invisible disabilities" - disabilities that can influence a person's behavior and aren't always apparent by looking at them. The training teaches officers how to distinguish between riders with disabilities who do not respond typically and how behaviors may be misinterpreted.  
 
Read the full article here.

At some point law enforcement will be called to a situation that involves a person with autism.  This informative 13 minute video by Sarhara Cares introduces scenarios of autism awareness and its involvement of law enforcement to our local community.  We also hear from 3 officers toward the end of the video who give personal perspectives about being a parent of a child with autism.
Now Hiring - Bilingual Administrative Assistantposition

The Utah Parent Center is currently accepting applications for a qualified Bilingual Administrative Assistant (English/Spanish).  The Center is a successful nonprofit organization that needs skilled, highly dedicated, highly motivated people who care about our mission and the people we have served for 33 years!

The Position Announcement also outlines information about the positions including general job duties, qualifications, pay rate, job status, and application requirements. Applications will be accepted through Friday, January 12, 2018.

Learn more by carefully reviewing the Position Announcement
events

Upcoming Events

 

Healthy Transitions

Tuesday, January 9, 2018 from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM MST

This will be an interactive session about transition into adult health care and related services, the supports and resources available and the opportunity to meet others that are going through a similar experience.

Canyons Technical Education Center

 

Basics of Guardianship 1/10/18

Wednesday, January 10, 2018 from 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM MST

What is guardianship and why is it important? Join us for an evening with an expert.

Granite Education Center

 

Parent Book Study February 21st, 28th & March 7th

Wednesday, January 10, 2018 from 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM MST

The Utah State Board of Education Special Education Section and the Utah Parent Center will facilitate a parent book study on Mindset by Carol Dweck. Study Notes, discussion questions, online link, and free book will be mailed prior to the online discussion meetings. The discussions will be online from 7-8 pm on Feb. 21st , 28th & Mar. 7th.

 

Parent Book Study January 10th, 17th, and 24th

Wednesday, January 10, 2018 from 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM MST

The Utah State Board of Education Special Education Section and the Utah Parent Center will facilitate a parent book study on Mindset by Carol Dweck. Study Notes, discussion questions, online link, and free book will be mailed prior to the online discussion meetings. The discussions will be held online from 7-8 pm on Jan. 10, 17, and 24, 2018.

 

Transition to Adulthood in Morgan UT

Thursday, January 11, 2018 from 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM MST

Families of youth and young adults with disabilities have learned many things, but most admit that they have much more to learn, The transition to adult life can leave parents feeling like they are totally lost! This workshop is designed to help parents learn about transition planning and related issues.

Morgan High School Library

 

 

 

 
Utah Parent Center| 801-272-1051 | www.utahparentcenter.org
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