GRASSROOTS LEADERS:

• Ian Engle was interviewed on Comcast! Check it out at http://www.cpwd-ilc.org/

• Relief Headquarters for Persons with Disabilities of Tohoku-Kanto Great Earthquake - http://dpi.cocolog-nifty.com/en/

• Access to emergency services - The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has launched an online national survey (also in Spanish) of individuals with disabilities to determine the most effective and efficient technologies and ways to access emergency services. The survey asks questions to help figure out the best ways for Americans with disabilities to call and get help from 9-1-1 services. Comment deadline is April 24, 2011.

• The Disability Law Handbook is Now Available in Spanish! Free copies. Spanish version at http://www.swdbtac.org/html/publications/Spanish/gld/index.html, and http://www.swdbtac.org/html/publications/dlh/index.htmlfor the English version. Hard copies can be purchased for $5 (includes shipping/handling)by visiting website at http://www.swdbtac.org/html/whatsnew/whats_new.html#dlh Or call the ADA Center that serves you at 1.800.949.4232 v/tty to request a copy.

• Division of Statewide Behavioral Health Crisis Response Services stakeholder survey. As community-level experts, they need your valuable input. Link to survey http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/BM7X6YY In the upcoming months, the Division will be conducting a series of stakeholder meetings/town-hall meetings to gather additional community and statewide perspectives.

• Offense Taken – A terrific video put out by people with intellectual disabilities in Minnesota who don’t want us to use the word “retard.” http://www.selfadvocacy.com/offensetaken/

• Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Revisions will take effect March 15, 2011. To learn more, visit ADA.gov. The U.S. Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division has released a new illustrated guide to help small business owners understand the newrequirements. ADA Update: A Primer for Small Businesses, includes information about who is covered by the ADA, communicating with customers with vision, hearing, and speech disabilities, as well as information about the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design. For more information visit https://www.disability.gov/community_life/accessibility_guidelines_%26_standards/businesses_%26_service_providers

• CCDC's weekly House Bill and Senate Bill summaries are now up to date.

You can find CCDC's 2011 House Bills Summaries at: http://www.ccdconline.org/2011-house-bills

You can find CCDC's 2011 Senate Bill Summaries at: http://www.ccdconline.org/2011-senate-bills

You can find CCDC's 2011 Legislative and Policy page at: http://www.ccdconline.org/2011-legislative-session

You can find CCDC's primary Legislative and Policy page at: http://www.ccdconline.org/legislative-and-policy

You can find CCDC’s links to disability budget issues at: http://www.ccdconline.org/2011-budget-issues

Ability Jobs- Professional positions open to candidates with disabilities nationwide. Includes information on the ADA. http://www.abilityjobs.com/

Entry Point - Outstanding internship opportunities for students with apparent and non-apparent disabilities in science, mathematics, computer science, and some fields of business. http://ehrweb.aaas.org/entrypoint/

Getting Hired - Wide range of positions open to candidates with disabilities nationwide. http://www.gettinghired.com/

Indeed - Anyone can get on this site to find employment by zip code. www.indeed.com

Business Networking International. Once you access this site there are many networking possibilities available at low cost or no cost which is a plus. http://www.bni.com/

Virtual Book Club. Features a distinguished lineup of speakers, many of whom have authored bestselling nonfiction titles. The Virtual Book Club provides a forum for readers to meet — online and via webinars — to share their views on some of these popular books. Readers continue the discussions onsite — and with the authors. The Virtual Book Club is informal, engaging, and really easy to join. Three simple steps are all it takes: Read the selected books, join the live weekly webinars, and share your views and questions. Registration and more information at https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/978144307

Aimee Mullins and her 12 pairs of legs - http://www.ted.com/talks/aimee_mullins_prosthetic_aesthetics.html A record-breaker at the Paralympic Games in 1996, Aimee Mullins has built a career as a model, actor and activist for women, sports and the next generation of prosthetics.

• Colorado Cross Disability Coalition info@ccdconline.org has an email list serve that will tell you what’s happening in the state legislature with bills that will affect people with disabilities

• "Health Reform and Advocacy: Critical Issues for Persons with Disabilities" - http://www.apha.org/membergroups/sections/aphasections/disability/about/healthreformandadvocacy.htm

• HB 1216- bill that will create a program to help people with disability determination for social security and Medicaid programs passed UNANIMOUSLY out of house appropriations. It is scheduled to go to the floor today, so NOW is the time to call your legislator and ask him or her to VOTE YES and if they are not already signed on as a co-sponsor to sign on now when they vote.

• Thursday afternoon the Senate HHS hears SB 183 which will make it MANDATORY that someone from the disability community is appointed to the state boards of Housing, Human Services and the Medical Services Board. It is currently something that is "encouraged". WE NEED PEOPLE TO CALL MEMBERS OF SENATE HHS EXPLAINING WHY OUR REPRESENTATION IS IMPORTANT. We are reliant on these programs often for life, and often overshadowed by interests who are profiting in some way. We also can help in a unique way with pointing out waste and fraud.

• Baby Joseph Case raises Life & Death Issues - http://www.lifesitenews.com/news/the-baby-joseph-case-affects-us-all - Child with severe disabilities, uses a ventilator, being denied potentially life-saving tracheotomy by hospital in defiance of parent's wishes - court case over who decides best interests of medically fragile children

Senator Ellen Roberts 303-866-4884 ellen.roberts.senate@state.co.us

Representative J Paul Brown 303-866-2941 jpaul.brown.house@state.co.us

Governor John Hickenlooper 303-866-2471 http://www.colorado.gov/apps/oit/governor/citizen/assistanceUtility/welcome.jsf

Senator Michael F. Bennet 970-259-1710 http://bennet.senate.gov/contact/

Senator Mark Udall 970-247-1047 http://markudall.senate.gov/?p=contact_us

Congressman Scott Tipton 202-225-4761 https://tipton.house.gov/contact-me/email-me

News & Resources:

• Medicine Horse Center www.medicinehorsecenter.org 970-749-3934 - The facility in Mancos is finally up and running, so we will once again be offering therapeutic riding there. Our classes will start in late April, and the facility is wheelchair accessible. We are also offering experiential learning programs at our Durango location, also starting in April- we are not completely accessible there, but we do offer individual and small group sessions for people with emotional and physical disabilities if they don’t use a wheelchair.

• Cultural and Linguistic Competence Assessment for Disability Organizations http://www.gucchdgeorgetown.net/NCCC/CLCADO/

• Adria and Lucy – video about young woman with Aspergers and a learning disability, and how her service dog helps her - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=78puCE0OO0g&feature=youtu.be