vody/> RCM - Revitalizing Community Membership: Empowering Independence: February 2020

Friday, February 28, 2020

Tisha Campbell Shed “Happy Tears” After Son With Autism Gets Into His Dream College Against The Odds – Video



Actress and singer Tisha Campbell is celebrating this week because her son Xen is set to be a college bound young man. It’s an especially sweet victory for the mom of two because Xen lives with autism, and Tisha has been encouraging him to go for his dreams despite the barriers the developmental disorder can create She shared the news, saying she cried tears of joy because the 18 year old, who stayed on the Dean’s list in school and as she shared, works two jobs to be financially independent, already exceeded all her hopes and dreams for him.

To read more on this story, click here: Tisha Campbell Shed “Happy Tears” After Son With Autism Gets Into His Dream College Against The Odds – Video


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Thursday, February 27, 2020

This Black History Month, We Salute Lois Curtis



Ms. Curtis’ bravery and refusal to live behind the dark walls of a state institution led to the landmark U.S. Supreme Court Olmstead v. L.C. decision in 1999. The case established that unjustified segregation of people with disabilities is a form of discrimination under the Americans with Disabilities Act – and that people with disabilities have a right to live in the community rather than institutions.



This Black History Month, we celebrate the life and legacy of our African American heroes. They endured, persisted, and paved the way – for us all.

The Arc salutes Lois Curtis. Ms. Curtis’ bravery and refusal to live behind
the dark walls of a state institution led to the landmark U.S. Supreme Court Olmstead v. L.C. decision in 1999. The case established that unjustified segregation of people with disabilities is a form of discrimination under the Americans with Disabilities Act – and that people with disabilities have a right to live in the community rather than institutions.

More than 20 years after Ms. Curtis returned to the community, she is living life to the fullest.

“I am doing pretty good,” Ms. Curtis tells The Arc.

She lives in her own home near Atlanta, Georgia. Ms. Curtis, 52, has a new and blossoming passion for singing and song writing. She enjoys writing original songs and her own versions of Motown hits. Ms. Curtis records at a local recording studio and takes keyboarding lessons. She is also invited to sing for groups in the Atlanta area.

Ms. Curtis says singing makes her feel good and reminds her of good memories with her mother.

These days, Ms. Curtis travels often with her family and direct support professional. She enjoys vacationing in Florida and her family is currently planning a trip back to Miramar Beach.

She loves church, going to the movies, shopping, getting her nails done, and going out to eat. Her favorite cuisine is Mexican.

Ms. Curtis’ longtime direct support staff Pertula Mark says it is a joy to see her happy. There are some tough days when Ms. Curtis talks about her time living in the institution or runs into people she knew at the facility.

Despite the pain of the past, Ms. Curtis, Olmstead co-plaintiff Elaine Wilson, who died in 2005, and attorney Sue Jamieson inspire us all to keep fighting for inclusion, community living, and equality for people with disabilities.

Thank you, Ms. Curtis!

To learn more about Lois Curtis, click here: Unlocked: The Lois Curtis Story

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Blue Runway For Autism Fashion Show Event



Blue Runway for Autism Fashion Show helps promote positive self-image for kids with special needs.




   Take a look at the video below:






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Wednesday, February 26, 2020

Families Suffer While NC Makes Them Wait Years for Assistance for Their Disabled Kids




Unfortunately, this is a struggle that many families are going through across the country...

Laura Branan used to call twice a year to ask if her son had moved up on the waiting list.

Every year she got the same answer: “No, he hasn’t moved much.” The last thing they told her was he was in the top 5% of people waiting. She didn’t know what that meant.

After repeating this for a decade, she gave up on it. The answers weren’t changing.

Now in 2020, it’s been 16 years since she and her husband, Andrew, first applied for home and community based services like support staff and therapy for their son Joe.

To read more on this story, click here: Families Suffer While NC Makes Them Wait Years for Assistance for Their Disabled Kids



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Ed Department: More Students Being Served Under IDEA



Positive Steps

The number of American schoolchildren receiving special education services is on the rise and they’re increasingly being served in mainstream classrooms at least part of the day.

More than 6.1 million students across the country ages 6 to 21 — or 9.2 percent of all kids — were served under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act in 2017, the most recent year for which data is available. That’s up from 8.6 percent of children in 2008.

To read more on this story, click here: Ed Department: More Students Being Served Under IDEA


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DDS Town Hall Presentation



Susan and Montrel present on the DSP Academy at the DDS Town Hall! #rcmdspacademy #dspsrock









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Wednesday, February 19, 2020

Dentistry Student Shares Touching Story of Being Raised by Father With Down Syndrome



A young Syrian man shared his experience of being raised by a biological father with Down syndrome. Now a dentistry student, the young man says that in spite of the condition, his dad shaped him into the man he is today. Their touching story is indeed worthy of admiration.

Sader Issa appeared in a touching video by the Syrian Society for Social Development, where he describes his dad, Jad, as a “father a husband and family leader.” He explains that while the situation may be hard to comprehend by others, being raised by someone with Down syndrome gave him “all the love and tenderness that anyone can offer.” The video, posted in March 2019, has since gone viral with nearly 200,000 views.

To read more on this story, click here: Dentistry Student Shares Touching Story of Being Raised by Father With Down Syndrome


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Friday, February 14, 2020

Please Sign Up to Attend One of The Mayors Budget Forums!



Please sign up to attend one of the Mayors Budget Forums! For those who are simply unable to attend, you and your staff can write in your recommendations: FY2021 Budget – Mayor Bowser’s Commitment to Give Every Washingtonian a Fair Shot

Use DC residents and addresses. Indicate: Funding the DSP Wage Act would be part of the Health and Human Services cluster and arguably the Jobs and Economic opportunity cluster. Use “Other” as the survey category and Reference FundtheDSPWageAct as the 1st line of whatever you write in.

The dates for the Mayor’s Budget and registration link are listed below. We need to be at these Forums and voice the need for the Mayor to fund the DSP Wage Act in the coming FY21 budget. Everyone should be asking the Mayor to #FundtheDSPWageAct

Tuesday, February 18
Budget Engagement Forum #1
Time: 6:30 pm
Location: Edgewood Recreation Center
301 Franklin Street, NE

Thursday, February 20
Budget Engagement Forum #2
Time: 6:30 pm
Location: UDC Student Center
4200 Connecticut Avenue, NW

Saturday, February 22
Budget Engagement Forum #3
Time: 11:00 am
Location: Kenilworth Recreation Center
4321 Ord Street, NE

For more information click here: Join Us at an Upcoming Budget Event



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Wednesday, February 12, 2020

DSP Academy Graduation – We Had A Blast!



Last night we celebrated the most recent graduates of the DSP Academy and had a blast! Here are just a few of the pictures from the evening. Congrats to this hard working group whose journeys have only just begun! #rcmdspacademy #DCRSA #DCDDS #DSPSRock #fundthedsprateact #fairshot



















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Tuesday, February 11, 2020

In First, Actor With Down Syndrome Presents At Oscars



Nice to see, visibility matters!

On Hollywood’s biggest night of the year, an actor with Down syndrome joined the ranks of A-listers to present an Academy Award.

Zack Gottsagen, who has the chromosomal disorder, took the stage Sunday night to announce the Oscar for best live action short.

To read more on this story, click here: In First, Actor With Down Syndrome Presents At Oscars




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Friday, February 7, 2020

On February 6th, RCM Attended the National Launch of the Case for Inclusion 2020 at The National Press Club



The #CaseForInclusion 2020 unveils their report. People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities should be seen and heard. The workforce crisis was a hot topic. #FundTheDSPRateAct Thank you to ANCOR American Network of Community Options and Resources and UCP








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Saturday, February 1, 2020

Mother Opens Bakery To Help Son And Others With Special Needs Find Employment



A common concern for parents of children with disabilities is what will happen when their children become adults. It’s difficult for adults with disabilities to find employment — not because they aren’t capable, but because they are often exploited or overlooked because employers think they aren’t capable. Increasingly, people with disabilities, or their families, are taking control of their own futures. One Illinois mom is the latest, opening a bakery for her son, and hopefully others with disabilities in the future.

To read more on this story, click here: Mother Opens Bakery To Help Son And Others With Special Needs Find Employment


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