“All of us want to have a say in where, with whom, and how we live. Why should a person with a disability or multiple disabilities be any different?” asks Jeff Strully who told the story about how his California agency closed group homes serving nearly 100 people during a recent conference sponsored by self-advocate agency PAL. "Times They are a Changin" was the conference theme. More

Anyone who has friends or family doesn't need a guardian says disabilities rights expert Dohn Hoyle who was a keynote speaker at a recent conference on alternatives to gaurdianship for people with disabilities sponsored by the Rhode Island Developmental Disabilities Network. More

Terry Allard, vocational program coordinator at East Providence High School, says that one of the most important things that work experience provides her students with disabilities is the opportunity to build relationships. Allard was among those who spoke about high school transition issues for teens with disabilities during the recent guardianship conference sponsored by the Rhode Island Developmental Disabilities Network. More

The Department of Health and the Emergency Management Agency launched the RI Special Needs Emergency Registry through which local emergency response personnel can find out who in their comunities need special assistance during emergencies. The registry data also allows the state and municipalities to better plan for emergency response for people with special needs. The Registry form, completed by the person with special needs (or a family member or caregiver), includes information about mobility and medical impairments, particularly those that require life support equipment. Registration is voluntary.