Students in CDS’s postsecondary education programs for young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and undergraduates with autism gained firsthand work experience on Disability Mentoring Day Wednesday. This was the tenth year CDS joined other organizations across the country to mark the day by offering career exploration opportunities.
Experts in autism and adult transitions, including Pam Lubbers of CDS’s Spectrum Scholars program, say that high expectations from parents and educators, coupled with social supports on campus, can position young adults on the autism spectrum to succeed in college.
The town of Dewey Beach recently opened its first accessible baywalk after major renovations. Extending over the water in Lighthouse Cove, the new baywalk provides wide, smooth pathways and ramps with gentle inclines to accommodate people who use wheelchairs and other visitors with mobility challenges.
A task force assessing whether to divide the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) into two agencies met for the first time yesterday. Established by a resolution introduced by Sen. Nicole Poore, the task force considered whether a split would impact federal funding levels or violate the Title Code. While some disability community leaders support separation, DHSS Secretary Kara Odom Walker opposes it.
A Delaware joint legislative task force is currently reviewing the Division for the Visually Impaired (DVI), including a program to support blind entrepreneurs. The program offers training in food service and financial management as well as locations in government facilities to set up kiosks. The task force will issue a report on DVI in early January 2020.
