“Encouraging” developments at ACCESS-VR, a counter-intuitive take on the subminimum wage, a new PBS series for kids to be led by an autistic character, and more news for the week ending Nov. 9, 2023.
New York
Greenburgh nonprofit to close special education pre-K program A Greenburgh Town official did not know why the Stepping Stones program, part of the Lois Bronz Children’s Center, was closing, but said enrollment has been down. (news12.com)
Adult changing facilities focus of new bill Introduced by State Sens. Rob Rolison and Pete Harckham, it would mandate, among other things, that rest stops, amusement parks, libraries and other public buildings built after Jan. 1, 2024, have at least one adult changing table. (NYN Media)
Jobs Program for People with Disabilities Enacts Improvements The Examiner News looks at “several encouraging developments” at ACCESS-VR. (The Examiner News)
Fiscal watchdog pushes Hochul to sign home care transparency bill Citizens Budget Commission officials say the info would help the state’s overwhelmed home care industry and Medicaid spending. (Spectrumlocalnews.com)
Outside of New York
Philly voters approve ballot question making Office for the People with Disabilities permanent (Philadelphia Inquirer)
Governor Josh Shapiro announces support, expanded benefits for Pennsylvanians with autism (6abc.com)
Unmet Needs: The State of Special Education in Portland (pdxparent.com, via Medical Motherhood)
Uncovering Racial Disparities in Georgia’s HCBS Waiver Waitlist (New Disabled South)
Politics
Disabled people are underrepresented in politics. A new organization aims to change that Disability Victory will start training the first cohort of disabled people who want to run for office in early 2024. (19thnews.org)
Health
More Medical Schools Expected To Train Doctors On IDD Elevance Health is putting up $1.42 million in funding to more than double the number of medical schools preparing future doctors to care for this population. (Disability Scoop)
Opinion
I’m tired of disability activists pretending my son doesn’t exist This interesting take on the push to end the subminimum wage notes Competitive Integrated Employment for all “sounds lovely and inclusive, but it ignores the lived experience of profoundly autistic people and their families.” (Washington Post)
Flipping the Script on Teaching Neurodivergent Students — and the Implications for All Learners A look at New York University’s move from a “deficit” model to an “asset-based” model that’s neurodiversity-affirming. (the74million.org)
Play Time
Designers Work To Make Playgrounds More Inclusive One of the “most ambitious” undertakings for Landscape Structures is the new Motion Junction playground in upstate New York. (Disability Scoop)
Shopping
Walmart expanding sensory-friendly shopping hours nationwide All Walmart stores nationwide and in Puerto Rico will have sensory-friendly hours between 8 a.m.-10 a.m. local time, seven days a week. (ABC News)
Entertainment
‘Carl the Collector,’ PBS Kids’ First Series Led by an Autistic Character, to Premiere in Fall 2024 It will feature a cast of diverse characters alongside a production team of neurodiverse and neurotypical writers, advisers and voice talent. (Hollywood Reporter)
Actors With Visible Disabilities “Essentially Excluded” From TV During 2021-22 Season (Deadline)
