Governor's Office of Disability Affairs Newsletter
April 2022
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2022 Governor’s Office of Disability Affairs Conference Call for Speakers is now OPEN! |
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Proposals to speak at the 2022 GODA Annual Conference are due by April 24, 2022. Complete the form in its entirety. If you have more than one idea, please submit a separate proposal for each. Priority selection will be given to proposals that include people with disabilities. The Annual GODA Conference is scheduled the week of July 26 to coincide with the anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Contact Jordan Brisco, Assistant Director of Disability Affairs, at jordan.brisco@la.gov or 225.936.1742 if you have any questions or to confirm your intent to submit a proposal.
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2022 Legislative Session: Disability Related Legislation |
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The 2022 Regular Legislative Session began on Monday, March 14 at the Louisiana State Capitol. The Governor's Advisory Council on Disability Affairs has made recommendations on over 40 legislative instruments, which can be found on the Governor's Office of Disability Affairs' tracking document for disability related legislation. Almost 100 legislative instruments are currently being tracked and updated daily. Click here to visit the Louisiana Legislative webpage.
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Elder News from the Governor’s Office of Elderly Affairs (GOEA) |
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Webinar Series in Honor of Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month |
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The Arc, the Louisiana Developmental Disabilities Council, the Office for Citizens with Developmental Disabilities, and the Governor's Office of Disability Affairs collaborated on a series of webinars in honor of Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. Below are the links to the recordings of each webinar:
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Generational Voices LA Summer Camp in Lafayette |
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The Lafayette Consolidated Government Parks and Recreation Department will be sponsoring the Generational Voices Summer Camp for ages 4-17. The camp will take place May 30th- August 5th 7:00am- 5:00pm.The registration fee is $45 and $80 per week. There will be two locations for the camp: Robicheaux Recreation Center and Comeaux Recreation. The camper will receive a bag, t-shirt, water bottle, and face towel. For more information, please contact: Brittney Houston, Generational Voices Louisiana Executive Director at 337-706-4796 or directorgenerationalvoicesla@gmail.com.
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Action Alert #5
Public Testimony in Appropriations on April 5th
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House Appropriations meets this Tuesday at 9:30 AM to hear public testimony on the proposed Fiscal Year 2023 budget (HB1) which will begin July 1st. Click here for agenda.
How to Take Action
Share your personal story and explain how these issues would affect you, your family or someone you know.
1. Email or call the Chair and members of the House Appropriations Committee before the committee meets Tuesday, April 5th!
2. Attend Yellow Shirt Day!
· WHEN: Tuesday, April 5th at 9:30 AM
· WHERE: Louisiana State Capitol - House Committee Room 5
Several LaCAN members will represent our group by testifying before the committee, but it is important for LaCAN to fill the room with yellow shirts to show the importance of this issue! Don’t forget to arrive early to ensure you get a seat in the committee room. If you plan to attend, need a yellow shirt, or want to find out about carpooling options, contact your LaCAN Leader.
Get Involved Virtually
If you can’t make it to Yellow Shirt Day, that’s okay! There are other ways to get involved!
· Watch committee meetings live from the legislature’s website. When the meeting is in progress, click the camera icon to access the broadcast.
· Host committee watch parties on social media and/or post a video sharing your personal story
· Tag your friends, representatives, senators, and policymakers
· Use hashtags #LaDDC, #lalege, #LaCAN
· Email, tweet, message, etc. members of the committee before and during the committee meeting and share how the issues above will impact you/your loved ones.
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U.S. Department of Transportation Announces Proposed Rule to Improve Accessibility of Lavatories on Single-Aisle Aircraft |
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“Far too often, travelers with disabilities don’t have the opportunity to fly to their destinations because they can’t access the lavatories on most airplanes,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “This rule would make airplane lavatories more accessible for passengers with disabilities, and bring us one step closer to the day when air travel is possible for everyone.”
Currently, there is no federal requirement that lavatories on single-aisle aircraft be accessible to individuals with disabilities. The inability to use the lavatory on long flights can present significant challenges to passengers who use wheelchairs. Some passengers, knowing that they will not be able to use the toilet during a flight, dehydrate themselves so that they do not need to urinate. These actions can cause many adverse health effects. Other passengers use adult diapers or catheters, which they may find degrading and uncomfortable. Still other wheelchair users avoid flying altogether.
The proposed rule would require airlines to make at least one lavatory on new single-aisle aircraft with 125 or more passenger seats large enough to permit a passenger with a disability (with the help of an assistant, if necessary) to approach, enter, and maneuver within the aircraft lavatory, to use all facilities in that lavatory, and to leave using the aircraft’s onboard wheelchair.
The proposed rule would apply to new aircraft ordered 18 years after the effective date of the final rule or delivered 20 years after the effective date of the final rule. It is the result of a 2016 negotiated rulemaking that was produced through a consensus among a cross-section of stakeholders, including disability organizations such as Paralyzed Veterans of America and the National Disability Rights Network; the Association of Flight Attendants; Airbus; and airlines. However, given this long timeframe and in recognition of the affirmative responsibility of the federal government to advance equity, civil rights and equal opportunity for all individuals, DOT is seeking comment on whether these accessibility improvements could be implemented more quickly than proposed. Based on the comments it receives, DOT may adjust the implementation timeline as part of the final rule.
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UL Lafayette LIFE Program Duo Selected as National Think College Policy Advocates |
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Dr. Caroline Jurisich, UL LIFE Director, and Nicholas Hadaway, UL LIFE sophomore, were selected as 2022 Think College Policy Advocates. This is a program brought together by the partnership of the Association of University Centers on Disabilities and Think College to advocate for more opportunities for individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities.
Dr. Jurisich and Nicholas, along with nine other student/staff teams were chosen from around the nation to participate in bimonthly meetings with these programs. In June, they will visit Washington D.C. for three days of learning and attending meetings with legislators.
It is an honor to have these two represent UL Lafayette and all of the staff, students, and mentors of the UL LIFE program. Congratulations!
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Child Abuse Prevention Conference |
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Greetings Friends of the Louisiana Children’s Trust Fund:
We are excited to announce that registration is NOW OPEN for our first annual Child Abuse Prevention Conference on April 21, 2022 entitled “Resilient Families. Protected Children. Safe Environments”! In this time of widespread change, we are acutely aware of the need for building resiliency within our families and our communities. This also includes the community of individuals who are working to transform child welfare and building prevention strategies to strengthen the family, protect our children and promote safe and stable environments. We hope that you will join us, and encourage others to connect, as we work to build a better and brighter future for our most important asset….. our children.
This event will be completely VIRTUAL and FREE for all participants. CLE and CEU credits will be offered. Space is limited! Register TODAY by scanning the QR code on the flier below or by clicking the following link:
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April 2022 Louisiana Children's Trust Fund Child Abuse Virtual Speaker Series |
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April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month. Join us as we share tips and strategies to help keep children safe and promote family well-being. Please Save the Date of April 20, 2022 at noon for the LCTF Speaker Series “Coffee & Conversations”! Dr. Philippi will discuss “Prevention Strategies: Understanding Youth at Risk”. Our discussion will focus on Prevention strategies that best support at-risk youth and how to identify and deliver supports that are effective to rehabilitate those youths.
This seminar is approved for ONE-HOUR of CLE and/or CEU credit You are required to register and attend.
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Louisiana Crisis Response System Notice of Service Implementation - LDH Region 7 |
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The Louisiana Department of Health/Office of Behavioral Health (LDH/OBH) is pleased to announce the implementation of the first two services affiliated with the Louisiana Crisis Response System, effective March 1, 2022:
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Mobile Crisis Response (MCR): A mobile service that is available as an initial intervention for individuals in a self-identified crisis, in which teams go to the individual where they are located in the community.
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Community Brief Crisis Support (CBCS): A face-to-face ongoing crisis intervention response, designed to provide stabilization and support in the community after the initial intervention by MCR.
These services are available for individuals enrolled in Medicaid who are:
· 21 years of age and older, AND
· Associated with one of the five managed care organizations (MCOs) in Louisiana (Aetna Better Health, AmeriHealth Caritas of Louisiana, Healthy Blue, Louisiana Healthcare Connections and United Healthcare), AND
· Experiencing emotional distress and would benefit from crisis response from trained practitioners to get the supports needed to resolve the crisis and stay in the community, AND
· Not already on a legal commitment and, as such, are able to voluntarily participate in services
Effective March 1, 2022, MCR and CBCS services are available through Merakey Louisiana from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday within LDH Region 7, which includes the parishes of Bienville, Bossier, Caddo, Claiborne, De Soto, Red River, Sabine, Webster and Natchitoches.
Services can be accessed by contacting the member’s MCO via their 24-Hour Behavioral Health Crisis Lines:
MCO Name and Crisis Phone Number
Aetna Better Health 1-833-491-1094
AmeriHealth Caritas of Louisiana 1-844-211-0971
Healthy Blue 1-844-812-2280
Louisiana Healthcare Connections 1-844-677-7553
United Healthcare 1-866-232-1626
Additional information about the Louisiana Crisis Response System is available at https://ldh.la.gov/crisis. This notice will be updated and redistributed as services are implemented in other LDH regions of the state.
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2022 SUMMER FUN DIGITAL MAGAZINE
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Summer is on its way and Families Helping Families of Greater New Orleans has just what you need to make it a success in the pages of our Summer Fun Digital Magazine.
Check out the "5 Tips to Prevent Summer Slide" and all the fun and entertaining activities for you and your children to do at home both indoors and outdoors. You'll find a statewide list of special needs and inclusive summer camps, special needs swimming lessons, and adaptive sports for kids and adults.
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This webinar series is an effort by our Working Together Campaign to bring focus on recruiting, hiring, and retaining employees with disabilities. The series consists of 10 webinars that will bring together experts from agencies and companies; employees with disabilities; and other stakeholders who will share best practices for building a diverse workforce.
· Developing the Inclusive Workplace – Company Culture | Hiring Practices Training Employees From Top Down - Organizations with a diverse staff and an inclusive workplace culture are more successful and better equipped for hiring people with disabilities. DEI expert Germaine Townsend will discuss how to move beyond just checking boxes, and help us begin to create a work culture where everyone wins.
· Building a Good Recruitment Plan – Building Partnerships | SWOT Recruiting | Messaging, etc. - Don’t miss this opportunity to have a recruiter share ways to partner with the community to build a bridge between the people who are ready to work, and those who are looking to hire. Dajon Jones, through his story, will share the importance of messaging, and how his work has impacted his community.
· How Can We Say Yes – Accommodations for Successful Employment - Assistive Technology | LRS | On the Job Training, etc. - The tools needed to insure a successful transition to work for people with disabilities are many. You will leave with a toolkit of resources to help you in your journey to successful employment.
· Making It Stick – Benefits & Retention Plan - LRS | Tax Incentives | Benefits Planning, ABLE accounts | Financial benefits, etc. How do you retain employees once you hire them? This session will be led by subject matter experts sharing the resources available to help guide you through the process, and how to avoid the barriers along the way.
· Where Do We Go From Here? Reflection | Action Steps | Resources I Networking Event We’ll be also reflecting on what we learned during the series, participating in some networking opportunities, and creating action steps to move us forward on the journey of building a diverse workforce.
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Exceptional Lives Webinars |
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Exceptional Lives will be hosting webinars that will run through April 2022. The topics are geared to families, particularly those of color, and caregivers of both children and young adults with disabilities. Hear from providers and educators on topics like building life skills, addressing mental health, becoming a great parent advocate, and the crossed paths of Black history and disability history. Take a look at the entire list of webinars on the Webinar Page. All webinars are FREE. Pre-registration is required.
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Have you been enjoying Families Helping Families of Greater New Orleans' Exceptional Times magazine? We hope the quarterly format is effective in bringing you valuable information, educational opportunities, and resources that will help you grow or continue to grow to be your or your child's best advocate.
We are delighted to have the Cummer Family, Annie and Trey, and their three sons William, Charles, and Robert, as this quarter's cover story. Annie and Trey dreamed about taking a trip to Disney World with their three boys, all on the autism spectrum. Annie tells how timing, careful planning, and good friends made their trip a success and their dreams come true.
Oftentimes we overlook the contributions that dads make when it comes to their children with special healthcare needs or a disability. We want to give credit where credit is due in this edition honoring DADS. You guys ROCK!
Exceptional Times is published by Families Helping Families of Greater New Orleans (FHFofGNO) and Louisiana Parent Training & Information Center (LaPTIC), a project of FHFofGNO.ofgno.
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Hang out with Steven Nguyen and all the Youth 16-26 in Louisiana. Make friends from all over the state, share experiences, and learn from each other. If you've registered previously, no need to register again, Steven will email you the date and time before each event. If you did not register and are new to the group, register at http://bit.ly/YouthHangouts
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The National Down Syndrome Congress Annual Convention comes to New Orleans! |
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The National Down Syndrome Congress (NDSC) Convention is a 4-day event designed to provide a meaningful and educational experience for individuals with Down syndrome, their families, caregivers, and medical and educational professionals who support the Down syndrome community.
Convention Support!
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Do you have any questions about classroom or students needs? Ask LASARD here: Submit a Question
We are able to discuss and provide initial recommendations and resources in the following areas: Communication Strategies, Social Skills, Daily Transitions, Sensory Needs, Functional Skills, Executive Functioning Strategies, and Off-task/Disruptive Behaviors
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2022 'DeafBlind Day' Gathering Event |
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Join the 7th Annual DeafBlind Day
(Known as White Cane Day & Helen Keller DeafBlind Awareness Celebration)
When: Thursday, June 23, 2022
Listed Plans:
- 9:00 AM: Gather/Socialize at the front side of Lafayette Recreation and Parks, 500 Girard Park Drive, Lafayette, LA and then walk the one-lap path-track around the park in support of DeafBlind Day such as Helen Keller DeafBlind Awareness Celebration. FREE bottled waters will be given to all participants.
- 11:00 AM: Dine/Gather/Socialize at the ABL centered outdoor lawn & Daigle Hall, 420 Cherry Street (off 409 W. St. Mary Blvd.), Lafayette, LA for Lagneaux’s Famous BBQ Jumbo Chicken burger or Jumbo Steak burger platter with chips and drinks.
NOTE: To get FREE Borden’s ice cream, it is required to be at Daigle Hall at 11:00 AM to receive a ticket.
- Noon: Announcement of City-Parish of Lafayette Mayor-President’s Proclamation of ‘2022 DeafBlind Day’
- 12:30 PM: Play indoor and outdoor water games
- 2:00 PM: Final drawing of National 50/50 Rally given by NADBA and then Gather/Socialize at Borden’s Ice Cream, 1103 Jefferson Street, Lafayette, LA
$5.00 each person for the following promotions:
- FREE BBQ Jumbo Burger Platter/Drink
- FREE participation of indoor and outdoor games
- FREE Borden’s Ice Cream
Deadline to pay is REQUIRED by June 1st for final headcounts of ordering specialized patties. No Walk-ins on that day of events!
Mail payment directly to Dan Arabie, 106 Dempsey Drive, Lafayette, LA 70503 with a memo line: ‘2022 DB Day’. Or hand money to one of co-chairs: Dan Arabie or Michelle Eaton in person.
Everyone is invited to join us fun-filled all-day event
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Media of the Month:
"Say Hello" by Carly Findlay
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‘In fairy tales, the characters who look different are often cast as villains or monsters. It’s only when they shed their unconventional skin that they are seen as “good” or less frightening. There are very few stories where the character that looks different is the hero of the story ... I’ve been the hero of my story – telling it on my own terms and proud about my facial difference and disability.’
This forthright, honest and rousingly triumphant memoir by award-winning writer and appearance activist Carly Findlay will challenge all your assumptions and beliefs about what it is like to have a visibly different appearance. This is both a moving memoir and a proud manifesto on disability and appearance diversity issues.
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