Disability Studies & Early Childhood Education
Analyzing how to meet the needs of all students, regardless of ability, is critical in the field of education. Research shows that inclusion of students with disabilities in general education has lasting effects on their educational outcomes (Causton-Theoharis, J., Theoharis, G., Cosier, M. and Orsati, F., 2013, Danforth, 2014). Florian (2012) defined inclusion as the moment teachers begin to
Comparing mental illness and intellectual and developmental disabilities
When I first started working for Thompson Policy Institute, I lacked an understanding of the nuances between different types of disabilities. Without even realizing it, I had lumped together very different conditions into similar categories and after doing some reading, I see why I was confused! The classification between intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and
Voting rights for people with disabilities
Earlier this week, we celebrated the 26th anniversary of the American’s with Disabilities Act being signed into law by President George H.W. Bush. This was a monumental moment for the equal treatment of US Citizens with disabilities, but nonprofit organizations and other advocacy groups push forward with new advocacy to remind us more work is
Political developments about disability and autism
With the recent buzz around the 2016 Presidential Election candidates, it’s easy to get swept up in all the media coverage. This post serves as a recap of recent political developments that benefit people with disabilities living in the United States. In our own state of California, there is a Senate Select Committee on Autism and
A call for inclusive programs in California community colleges
Last Monday, Eloy Ortiz Oakley was appointed the new chancellor of California’s community college system. The 113-school system has the lowest cost of tuition at about $40 a unit, but that didn’t stop Oakley from seeing the need for improvement. The new chancellor opened up about his plans recently and laid out goals to support
Scholarship opportunities for students with disabilities
Figuring out your financial situation for school can be a scary time for everyone, but there are scholarship opportunities and resources out there to help remove some of the financial barriers that come with pursuing post-secondary education. There are also an assortment of scholarships, programs, and online resources dedicated entirely to assisting students with disabilities
National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month - July 2016
In May of 2008, the US House of Representatives named July the National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month. The resolution that passed intended to not only increase access to services and spread awareness about mental health, but to also hone in on the spreading awareness about minorities with mental illnesses. As mental illnesses revolve around the brain, it
Texas institutions lack support for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities
An article posted recently by CBS News details the accounts of several instances of sub-standard care and neglect for people with intellectual disabilities. Throughout the article, many care providers fail to meet the basic rights outlined in the American’s With Disabilities Act, which offer protection and much needed support for those with intellectual disabilities.
Policy and Neurodevelopmental Disorders
Thompson Policy Institute is proud to introduce its second expert interview. Our interviews strive to share insight about the disability community in hopes to ultimately impact policy change. Thompson Policy Institute explores and researches topics such as education, housing and integrated communities for people and families with disability and autism. This interview features pediatric neurologist who
My Experience with Person First Language
Person First Language identifies who I am as a person who is made up of various identities. Identify first language places my identity first. I prefer person first language, as my identity is a beautiful rainbow making up who I am, being on the Autism Spectrum is one aspect of my identity. The use of