The California disability community is calling for accountability after an off-duty police officer shot 10 bullets in five seconds at an adult man with a developmental disability – and the man’s parents – when the man became agitated and pushed the officer to the ground. More than 50 people protested the district attorney’s decision not to prosecute and other advocates pushed for increased disability awareness training in police training academies.
The executive director of New Castle County Head Start writes that Delaware should not implement universal pre-k because it is not a wise investment. Universal pre-k improves educational outcomes for students with learning disabilities, students from low-income families and others considered “at-risk.” Targeting funding to programs supporting at-risk students would be far more effective, he says.
Autism Speaks, Special Olympics and Best Buddies are collaborating on an initiative called Delivering Jobs to encourage employers nationwide to hire people with developmental disabilities; to impart job-seeking skills to people with disabilities; and to educate the public about low rates of employment and the need for inclusion.
During a town hall with Gov. Carney held at UD, Disability Studies minor Max Grozovsky pressed the governor to share his stance on the practice of paying subminimum wage to certain people with disabilities, which is permitted by federal law but several states have banned. Grozovsky said the governor seemed interested in learning more and deemed the talk a good first step.
Easterseals Delaware & Maryland’s Eastern Shore’s newest program, the Child and Adolescent Caregiver Respite, will offer grants to families who are caring for a child under 18 with mental or behavioral health issues. The program is funded through the Division of Prevention and Behavioral Health Services.
