Little Girl with Down Syndrome Sings with Volunteer at Her Church

LOVE SPEAKS LOUDER THAN WORDS: 8-year-old Navaeh, who has Down syndrome, is usually non-verbal. But she loved singing with this man who she met while volunteering at her church.



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RCM Donates Toiletry Items to Government Workers Affected by Furlough

RCM employees have been collecting a variety of toiletry items and were able to donate them today to government workers affected by the recent furlough. We hope that our small gesture brings a smile to someone’s face during these uncertain times.

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On January 28th, RCM Attended a Legislative Breakfast with Many Members of Our City Council

Through the DC Coalition, RCM was able to take part in a legislative breakfast with many member of our City Council. Main topic discussed; the introduced bill that aims to increase DSP wages here in the District. Thank you to Councilmembers Elissa Silverman, Brianne Nadeau, David Grosso, Robert White and Trayon White for making time in your busy schedules. Additional thank you's to Councilmembers Anita Bonds, Vincent Gray and Mary Cheh who were unable to attend, but made sure to send a member of their team. What an impressive turn out for the Coalition!

A special thank you to RCM's Jason for representing your fellow DSP's!

#elissasilverman #briannenadeau #davidgrosso #robertwhite #trayonwhite #vincentgray #anitabonds #marycheh #dccitycouncil

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Parents Whose Child Has Down Syndrome Adopt boy With Same Condition

Contrary to popular belief, a child with Down syndrome can bring loads of joy and happiness to a family. The Sweatman family is the finest example.

Allison and Andrew Sweatman, of Cabot, Arkansas, welcomed their bundle of joy—Roselyn Elizabeth Sweatman (Rosie)—on Aug. 13, 2015.

Sadly, Rosie did not have the best start in life. She was diagnosed with Down syndrome and a heart defect.

Allison and Andrew were at first daunted to learn of Rosie’s diagnosis during a 20-week scan.

“If I could send my former self a message in that moment, it would say: ‘Take a deep breath. Your daughter is so much more than her diagnoses,’” said dad Andrew, SWNS reported.

To read more on this story, click here: Parents Whose Child Has Down Syndrome Adopt boy With Same Condition

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The Job Most Americans Don't Know About, But Is Crucial To The Success Of People With Disabilities

The Case for Inclusion, a report recently published by two nonprofit institutions, ANCOR Foundation and United Cerebral Palsy (UCP), gives a meticulously researched overview of what life is like for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). The report assesses states on how well they include, support and empower individuals with I/DD. The conclusion? Despite progress, overall support for this community has stalled, according to the report—and honestly, even the word stalled sounds a little too kind.

To read more on this story, click here: The Job Most Americans Don't Know About, But Is Crucial To The Success Of People With Disabilities


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Support Team RCM in raising money for the Special Olympics!

Support Team RCM in raising money for the Special Olympics! We will be taking the plunge this Saturday. In the meantime you can check out some pics from past plunges. Freezin for a reason!

For more information on this event, click here: The RCM of Washington Advocates

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CES 2019: Toyota Finalists For $4 Million Challenge To Reinvent The Wheelchair

Which innovative designs would you like to see in action?

A hybrid exoskeleton-on-wheels and an urban wheelchair share-scheme are among the five finalists of the latest Toyota global competition. Announced at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas today, the three-year, $4 million “Mobility Unlimited Challenge” is asking engineers, innovators and designers from around the world to rethink the conventional wheelchair.

Toyota Mobility Foundation, in partnership with the global innovation foundation Nesta, is asking participants to be truly inventive, creating pioneering technology that will help improve the mobility, independence and ultimately the lives of people with lower-limb paralysis. The device must also be practical, comfortable and easy to operate; it needs to incorporate the end-user in the development stage for the design to integrate seamlessly into their lives.

To read more on this story, click here: CES 2019: Toyota Finalists For $4 Million Challenge To Reinvent The Wheelchair


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Case for Inclusion 2019

The Case for Inclusion is presented in partnership between United Cerebral Palsy and the ANCOR Foundation's Included. Supported. Empowered. campaign. It is designed to equip advocates with the data and resources they need to advocate on behalf of deeper investments in the long-term supports and services that enable people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to be included, supported and empowered in the community.

To read more on this story, click here: Case for Inclusion 2019

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Report: Waiting Lists For Medicaid Waivers Up, Competitive Employment Down

We need to ensure we continue to fund critical services!

Wide geographical disparities exist when it comes to opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to live and work in their communities, according to a new report that ranks states.


The Case for Inclusion 2019 report released this week by United Cerebral Palsy and the ANCOR Foundation examines how well state programs — particularly Medicaid — are meeting the needs of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

The report evaluated how states are promoting independence, including by avoiding placement in institutions. In the top ranked state, Arizona, 99 percent of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities live at home or in a small group setting. In the lowest ranked state, Mississippi, that figure is 51 percent.

To read more on this story, click here: Report: Waiting Lists For Medicaid Waivers Up, Competitive Employment Down





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The Firm Whose Staff Are All Autistic

“On first inspection it seems like any other Los Angeles-based company…Auticon is one of only a handful of companies that cater exclusively for employees who are on the autistic spectrum.” #autism #autismawareness #DCASA 

On first inspection it seems like any other Los Angeles-based company, with tasteful art on the white walls and calm-inducing diffusers dotted about.

Peter describes the working atmosphere as "quiet, but fun", and especially likes the fact that there is no pressure to socialise, while Evan says of his employers that they are "very accommodating and understanding". Brian describes his office as "unique".

Auticon is one of only a handful of companies that cater exclusively for employees who are on the autistic spectrum.

Formerly known as MindSpark before being acquired by German-based Auticon, the firm was founded by Gray Benoist who, as the father of two autistic sons, saw few options in the workplace that could cater for their needs.

"Both are incredibly capable and smart and deserve an opportunity to be able to express that," he told the BBC on a recent visit to the company.

To read more on this story, click here: The Firm Whose Staff Are All Autistic
arby, Intellectual Disabilities, RCM of Washington, Susan Brooks, 

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Investigation Into Prisoner’s Suicide Focuses On Treatment of Disabled Inmates

An important READ

LAUREL, Md. — An investigation into the death of an isolated inmate at Maryland Correctional Institution for Women has found the prison ran afoul of the U.S. Constitution as well as the state’s constitution and the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Disability Rights Maryland, the advocacy organization that works to protect the rights of the disabled and investigates claims abuse of and neglect in prisons, conducted an investigation into the November 2017 death of Emily Butler. Their report, which was released Friday, was also prepared by Munib Lohrasbi, a Community Fellow with the Open Society Institute (OSI) of Baltimore.

The report found that Butler, who had been admitted to MCIW in 2015, had been placed in the prison’s segregation unit on Friday, Nov. 10, 2017.

To read more on this story, click here: Investigation Into Prisoner’s Suicide Focuses On Treatment of Disabled Inmates


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Swing Made For Wheelchairs

      Every park in the world should have one of these



                                        




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Happy New Year!

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