About UDDC
The mission of the Utah DD Council is to be the state's leading source of critical innovative, and progressive information, advocacy, leadership and collaboration to enhance the lives of individuals with developmental disabilities.
We hope you enjoy our Website and encourage you to Contact us.
Staff Listing
The Administration for Community Living website is home to a blog for sharing stories. Recently, Sharon Lewis, Commissioner of the Administration on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities submitted a post to the blog. To read the Commissioner's post and others click here.
The Sibling Support Project is Proud to Announce over 400 "Sibshops" Nationwide
The Sibling Support Project is an organization that provides resources to siblings of people with disabilities. They believe that siblings play a very important and unique role as a life-long support for the family member with special needs. A sibling may be the longest relationship a person will have, outlasting any care provider and the majority of parents. Their aim is to provide peer support and information to siblings. Their mission has gone global and are building community supports in England, Ireland, Japan, and New Zealand. They also have service providers in all 50 states. “Sibshops” are workshops for young siblings of people with disabilities where these children can meet other siblings in a recreational setting. These workshops are designed to share the good and the bad experiences that accompany being a sibling to a person with a disability. Being involved in Sibshops is not limited to children. Adult siblings are encouraged to facilitate Sibshops and to members of their communities. The Sibling Support Project is excited to announce that there are over 400 registered Sibshops in the US! Follow the link below to find a Sibshop in your area!
Utah Care Giver Alliance Launches Web Registry!
The Utah Caregiver Alliance was developed to create a network of valuable resources to local Utahans. They have created a web registry to help you locate services and supports in our community. The web registry has a Shared Support feature that connects you to other local families with similar needs to create a larger resource pool for everyone, and It is free! Call 866-404-9080 or visit http://caregiveralliance.com for more information.
Your Rights Under ADA
Offered in the Spring 2013 issue of Apostrophe is "A quick guide to federal laws covering people with disabilities." You can learn more about the information presented by visiting www.ada.gov or by calling the ADA information line at 800-514-0301 (Voice) 800-514-0383 (TTY)
Affiliate Alert: Updated FMLA Language
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division has issued a new Administrator Interpretation that expands the Family and Medical Leave Act’s (FMLA) current language to include adult children who are unable to care for themselves because of a mental or physical disability and whose disabilities occurred before or after the age of 18.
The previous interpretation of the law was unclear as it applied to adult children with disabilities. This Interpretation also clarifies FMLA-protected leave for a parent is not dependent on the age of the adult child and the onset of their disability, and broadens the definition of “disability” to reflect the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA).
Ultimately, this Interpretation means that more parents will be able to take FMLA- protected leave from their jobs to care for their adult children with disabilities.
Learn more about FMLA and this new Administrator Interpretation.
Newsletters
Employment and Housing Resources
Training Videos
and more...
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Current Events
Free Webinar Screenings May-July!
Bring your lunch and meet us in the Utah DD Council's conference room on Wednesdays this summer to participate in the 2013 Revolution Leaders Webinar Series. Follow the link for more information.
ABLE Act of 2013 Big- Change for People with Disabilities
On November 15, 2011, Representatives Ander Crenshaw (R-Fla.) and Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Wash.), and Senator Robert Casey (D-Pa.), introduced the ABLE Act of 2011, S. 1872/H.R. 3423, in the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate. If passed into law, bank accounts known as “ABLE accounts” could be established in the name of a child with a disability in the same manner as 529 plan college savings accounts can be created for children (with or without disabilities) by their parents. As of March 29, 2013, Representative Jim Matheson is the only member of Utah’s Congressional delegation supporting the ABLE Act despite many Republicans and Democrats across the nation endorsing this legislation.
ABLE accounts would help families overcome some of the financial struggles caused by disability. These accounts would enable children with disabilities to accrue tax-free savings that could be used to cover a variety of expenses, such as an apartment, transportation and the pursuit of higher education. The money in the ABLE savings account would not disqualify the account holder from receiving from other governmental benefits.
ABLE accounts have no impact on Medicaid eligibility. The beneficiary will never lose eligibility for Medicaid based on the assets held in his or her ABLE account, nor will anyone with an ABLE account who is currently receiving Medicaid benefits lose their benefits — even if their SSI benefits are suspended.
These provisions will allow those living with disabilities to better plan for their future and reduce their dependence on public benefits, while ensuring that Medicaid benefits (for those who are receiving them) are not jeopardized. Have questions? We have answers!
FINDING YOUR LEGISLATOR
Talk to your legislators about the importance of supporting disability services
Click the orange button to find your local Legislator.
Follow this link to find out about Accessibility at the 2013 Utah Legislative Sessions
New Mobile Apps Making Your Job Search Easier
The U.S. Department of Labor's CareerOneStop website now offers five mobile web applications you can use on your smart phone, tablet computer and other mobile device. These mobile apps can help you locate an American Job Center near you, search job listings and find local education and training programs.
Visit Disability.gov for more career planning and job search tools, as well as information about job accommodations that can help you succeed in the workplace.
4 Things You May Not Know About Your Cell Phone
There are a few tricks you can use if you are in an emergency situation. This should be printed and kept in your car, purse, and wallet. Your mobile phone can actually be a life saver or an emergency tool for survival. Check out the things that you can do with it:
FIRST (Emergency)
The Emergency Number worldwide for Mobile is 112. If you find yourself out of the coverage area of your mobile network and there is an Emergency, dial 112 and the mobile will search any existing network to establish the emergency number for you, and interestingly, this number 112 can be dialed even if the keypad is locked. Try it out.
SECOND (Hidden Battery Power)
Imagine your cell battery is very low. To activate, press the keys *3370#. Your cell phone will restart with this reserve and the instrument will show a 50% increase in battery. This reserve will get charged when you charge your cell phone next time.
THIRD (How to disable a STOLEN mobile phone? )
To check your Mobile phone's serial number, key in the following Digits on your phone
*#06#
A 15-digit code will appear on the screen. This number is unique to your handset. Write it down and keep it somewhere safe.
If your phone is stolen, you can phone your service provider and give them this code. They will then be able to block your handset so even if the thief changes the SIM card, your phone will be totally useless. You probably won't get your phone back, but at least you know that whoever stole it can't use/sell it either. If everybody does this, there would be no point in people stealing mobile phones.
And Finally....
FOURTH (Free Directory Service for Cells)
Cell phone companies are charging us $1.00 to $1.75 or more for 411 information calls when they don't have to. Most of us do not carry a telephone directory in our vehicle, which makes this situation even more of a problem. When you need to use the 411 information option, simply dial:
(800) FREE411or (800) 373-3411
without incurring any charge at all Program this into your cell phone now.
This is sponsored by McDonalds.
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UDDC News You Can Use
Disability Programs: Taxes Matter
Don't miss this opportunity to weigh in. Many people with intellectual and developmental disabilities rely on Federal social insurance and safety net programs (like Medicaid and SSI) and on discretionary programs (like housing, education,and transportation) for their safety, and well being. These essential programs are entirely funded by tax dollars. Right now, tax policy, which determines the amount of money available to fund these programs, is a critically important issue for the disability community. Plans being developed to overhaul our tax system will determine how much funding is available for at least the next decade.
Senator Max Baucus (D-MT), the Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, and Representative Dave Camp (R-MI), Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, have launched a website so YOU can tell THEM what YOU want THEM to do about tax reform. This website provides a unique opportunity for you to speak directly with two of the most influential people in America who are leading tax reform efforts. These members of Congress want to hear from you! Let us take this opportunity to tell Sen. Baucus and Rep. Camp exactly what we believe; that we need a tax system that raises sufficient revenues to fund essential supports, services, and benefits for people with disabilities.
Among the most poor Americans, people with disabilities are being called on to sacrifice their lifeline programs to reduce the National deficits. Programs for people with disabilities are already being cut and it is time to level the playing field and raise our voice! It is time to ask those who can afford to help, wealthy individuals and corporations, to pay their fair share. Take Action by clicking here to post a comment on the website! Sen. Baucus and Rep. want to hear what you have to say!
Suggested comments:
* People with Intellectual and developmental disabilities want to live and work in the community and have access to services and support to allow that to happen. Tax and revenue policy should support adequate funding for these vital services and supports.
* Further cuts to non-defense discretionary programs and any cuts to Social Security, Medicaid, and Medicare should be avoided by ensuring that the government raises sufficient revenue to support critical programs.
* People
with intellectual and developmental disabilities have disproportionately low income. Tax and revenue policy should support economic advancement for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities; reject policies that help only the most wealthy and raise revenues in a progressive way without increasing poverty or income inequality.
If you are a person with a disability or the parent of a person with a disability, please share information about your individual financial situation in your comment and tell how a reformed tax system would benefit you.
To view a letter that the UDDC submitted to the Congressmen regarding tax reform click here.
Thinking of Attending College?
Think College! sponsors webinars on a variety of topics related to postsecondary education for students with intellectual disabilities. The series features helpful advice on how to begin the process and shares some experiences you may encounter along the way. Follow this link to visit their website and learn more about how YOU can take the next steps in your education. To register for upcoming live events, view the Upcoming Live tab and to view recordings of past webinars, view the Archived tab
What can you do?
The US Department of Labor has recently launched a new campaign encouraging youth with disabilities to pursue their career goals! "Because" follows real people with disabilities that have successfully reached a goal through hard work and the aid of mentors in their lives. The web site has several tools to help reach your goals and to spread awareness. Follow the link below and discover what you can do!
www.whatcanyoudocampaign.org
From Administration on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AIDD) Commissioner, Sharon Lewis
Click here for full report
The Supporting Families Wingspread report, "Building a National Agenda for Supporting Families with a Member with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities," is now available.
The report outlines recommendations developed in March 2011 by a group of diverse national and state disability leaders at the Johnson Foundation's Wingspread Conference Center.
To ensure that individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities are fully integrated and included in our society and that the role of families is reflected in disability policy, stakeholders at this conference made recommendations involving the types of supports that families need and the advancement of a national agenda on supporting families.
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