1. Unit 5 Seminar

2.  Unit 4 projects were this past Tuesday by midnight. I will grade ASAP.  Unit 5 reading is off again. Focus less on the textbook reading for this week. Instead…  Review the links on DB  Review the videos and websites presented in this seminar presentation  Please make a comment on your end of course evaluations about the issue with the book readings not really matching with the discussions and/or content of the class. Your input will help me get approval to revise the class  Questions? Comments? Concerns?

3.  Rehabilitation counseling “is a systematic process which assists persons with physical, mental, developmental, cognitive, and emotional disabilities to achieve their personal, career, and independent living goals in the most integrated setting possible through the application of the counseling process” (Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification [CRCC], 2007, p. 1).

4.  Disabilities is defined as “an inability or limitation in performing socially defined tasks, activities, and roles to levels expected within physical and social environments as a result of internal or external factors and their interplay” (Maki & Riggar, 1997a, p. 8).

5.  The underlying values of rehabilitation counseling include:  Value of independence, integration and inclusion of all people with disabilities in employment and in their communities  A belief in the dignity and worth of all people  Commitment to equal justice and advocacy work in the support of individuals with disabilities  Emphasis on holistic practice  Recognition of the assets of the person  Commitment to a comprehensive service plan that includes both the consumer and the rehabilitation counselor

6.  For individuals to receive services they must have an identifiable and diagnosed disability.  The eligibility for rehabilitation counseling services related to a disability varies depending on the funding source, residence of the client, and other factors  For individuals to be eligible for state-federal rehabilitation services, the individual must have a physical or mental impairment which is stable or slowly progressive, the impairment cannot be acute or of an emergency nature and the impairment must be documented on file The impairment must hinder the individual from employment and the employability of the individual must benefit from rehabilitation services

7.  Elementary school counselors work with students from kindergarten through 5 th grade, ordinarily with a primary emphasis on developmental issues and prevention strategies.  Counselors assist children in making the adjustment to the school setting by helping them understand basic social and academic skills  They also help identify any special needs including exceptionalities that fall below the average range of functioning.

8.  Common developmental disabilities are autism, Pervasive Developmental Disorder, Mental Retardation, and Learning Disabilities.  These disorders affect millions of children.  The children and their families often struggle to find services to assist them while they try to integrate into their home, school, and community.  The role of an advocate is to assist in acquiring theses services.

9.  How to spot the signs of Autism?  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I1NEsWYKV20&feat ure=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I1NEsWYKV20&feat ure=related  NEACDA: Educating Parents about Options for their Children  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y9YU2hWmttg&fea ture=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y9YU2hWmttg&fea ture=related  Top Five Advocacy Tips  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i6wpciiqdEs http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i6wpciiqdEs Discussion  What are some of the dangers of including children with developmental disabilities in with the general student population?  How can we as advocates help parents and educators ensure these children are still getting the services and attention they need?

10. Advocating for Children with Disabilities  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uPEu6Kimkrs http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uPEu6Kimkrs We are The Arc! (6 minutes)  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_keKsYE71PY http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_keKsYE71PY Thinking about the issues and ideas presented in both of these videos – what are some ways you could advocate for youths with disabilities in the home and/or community? What ideas stood out as most interesting or having the most potential in your opinion?

11.  The Arc is the world’s largest community based organization of and for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. It provides an array of services and support for families and individuals and includes over 140,000 members affiliated through more than 730 state and local chapters across the nation. The Arc is devoted to promoting and improving supports and services for all people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. http://www.thearc.org/page.aspx?pid=1386 http://www.thearc.org/page.aspx?pid=1386  Find the Arc center in your state:  http://www.thearc.org/page.aspx?pid=207 http://www.thearc.org/page.aspx?pid=207

12.  Learn about improving the overall quality of life for children with or without disabilities by promoting inclusion and respect for differences. The following resources help parents and caregivers create more inclusive communities.  http://www.pbs.org/parents/inclusivecommunit ies/ http://www.pbs.org/parents/inclusivecommunit ies/