… the latest updates and announcements for special education and more in Scottsdale, Arizona

Check out our blog site at www.sepacs.org and look at the new tab at the top entitled Camping and Recreation Resources.  Apologies to all as it’s quite late in the season, but the resources with web addresses and links are there.  We’ll keep it up for next year and update it periodically.

Have fun searching for summer and recreation resources!!

This is from Will Humble, the director of the Arizona Department of Health Services.

AZ Legal Options Guide

One of my jobs is to serve on the AZ Developmental Disabilities Planning Council (DDPC).  We have lots of goals- and one of them is to help folks with disabilities, their families and caregivers to learn about options that are available when an adult with a disability needs legal help to manage one or more facets of his or her life. One of the ways we do that is by funding projects to develop and update info on Arizona’s laws in this area… and we just published our newest AZLegal Options Guide- written by the Arizona Center for Disability Law and the Native American Disability Law Center. In it, you’ll be able to answer questions like:

“I like living on my own, but I have some trouble with remembering to set aside money for all my bills. I have my own job and earn my own money, but I could use some help. How can I give someone the ability to help me with my finances without giving away my independence?”

“I think my daughter can live on her own, but I worry that she will spend her Social Security check and won’t have money for her bills. How can I help her manage her money without taking away her independence?”

“My son just turned 18 and his school is telling me that I am no longer invited to his Individualized Education Plan meeting, but my son still wants me to participate in the IEP process. What can I do? ”

“I am trying to find out about vocational rehabilitation benefits but I am having a hard time figuring out what I need to do. Can I have someone help me in this process?”

The new AZLegal Options Guide was written to help folks find ways to help people with adisability get assistance while preserving individual rights.  Add this to your toolkit.

This looks great and fun!

KEEPING KIDS ACTIVE WITH A 2 WEEK MARTIAL ARTS CAMP, GEARED TOWARDS FUN, FITNESS AND SELF-IMPROVEMENT

“Fight Ready,” Arizona’s leading Martial Arts Academy is holding a 2 week summer camp for kids, geared towards building leadership skills, while improving confidence and fitness through the martial arts.  Kids will learn anti-bullying techniques that will reduce their likelihood of attack, in addition to self-defense techniques designed to effectively and safely disengage from physical altercations.  The camp will also include sports conditioning to improve kids’ overall fitness level, while giving them a competitive advantage in any sport they are currently involved in or will be in this approaching school year.  The Martial Arts portion will cover the basics of Wrestling, Grappling, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Boxing, Muay Thai, and Judo throws, giving kids a broad beginner martial arts base.  The anti-bullying portion will focus on teaching kids to recognize, refuse, and report bullying, be assertive and build relationships.  A study found this program to reduce the occurrence of bullying by 31%, and cut down destructive behavior in kids by 70% when compared to the national average.

Details: Pre registration required, each session limited to 20 kids

Session 1: June 4-8 and 11-15

Session 2: June 9-1 and 16-20

Cost: $250

2954 N. Hayden Rd., Scottsdale, AZ 85251

480-941-5466

This is a great program from the Adaption Recreation Services of the City of Scottsdale.

Come join our population-specific summer teen program for youth with disabilities. Program activities include indoor/outdoor games, weekly swimming, creative expression, sports, art therapy, guest speakers, ex-cursions, and the annual talent show!

Come hang out at the Teen Connection for the summer!

Dates:

June 4th –July 20th 2012

Time:

Monday- Friday 8:30am-4pm Age: 12-22 years

Location:

Drinkwater Building @ 8102 E Jackrabbit Rd, Scottsdale 85250

Fees and Course Codes:

Excursion fees are included in course fee.

Session 1:

6/04-6/15– 94196 –173$(Resident) 260$ (Non-resident)

Session 2:

6/18-6/29– 94197– 173$(R) 260$ (NR)

Session 3:

7/02-7/06– 94198 – 69$(R) 103$ (NR)

Session 4:

7/09-7/20– 94199 – 173$(R) 260$ (NR)

THERE ARE TWO CONVENIENT WAYS TO REGISTER:

1) ONLINE AT WWW.SCOTTSDALEAZ.GOV – CLICK ON ‘PARKS, RECREATION & ACTIVITIES’ LINK, THEN CLICK SIGN UP FOR ‘RECREATION CLASSES’.

2) TOUCH TONE PHONE (480) 312-2025

Q & A with

Mary Lou Muccino

SUSD Special Education Director

With Judy Merrill and Robin Keim

Special Education Coordinators

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

9am-10:30am

Tonalea Elementary School

Translation Services
available

And

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

6:30pm-8pm

Mohave District Annex

Mohave District Annex, 5520 N. 86^th Street, Scottsdale, AZ 85250-6768

Tonalea Elementary School, 6801 E. Oak Street, Scottsdale, AZ 85257

WHEN:     April 22nd, 9am to 3pm

WHERE:  Meet us at the South Mountain Environmental Education Center located just inside the entrance to South Mountain Park.  South Mountain Park, 10919 S. Central Ave.

WHO:   cyclists, skaters, joggers, walkers, strollers, and individuals who use wheelchairs.

WHY:  Adaptive cycling is one of seven outdoor recreation programs offered through the City of Phoenix and River of Dreams for people with and without disabilities.  For more information on these programs go to http://river-of-dreams.com/<http://lists.phoenix.gov/t/468178/754222/4276/3/

BIKES:   Bikes will be available on a first come first serve basis from 9 am until 3 pm and are appropriately sized for ages 8 and up.  A waiver must be completed for each person borrowing a bike (under 18 require a parent or legal guardian) and a state-issued driver’s license or ID card must be provided in order to check out bikes.

MORE INFO:  http://river-of-dreams.com/<http://lists.phoenix.gov/t/468178/754222/4276/3/

Paddle Fest at Lake Pleasant… Save the Date

Paddle Fest
Date: April 28, 2012

You will receive more information when it is available.

The City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department supports the Americans
with Disabilities Act (ADA and full inclusion of participants with
disabilities. Daring Adventures is an outdoor adventure based recreation
program for individuals with and without disabilities. This program is
integrated throughout the Camp Colley program for truly inclusive outdoor
recreation opportunities for all people. There are many benefits of
participating in Daring Adventures/Camp Colley programs including the use of
specialized adaptive equipment and experienced staff to teach you the
fundamentals while getting active and meeting new people. If you are an
individual with a disability or a parent of an individual with a disability
and request an accommodation or transportation, please contact us prior to
the program start date.

For more information about Daring Adventures or River Rampage or River of
Dreams you can go to the web page
http://river-of-dreams.com/<http://lists.phoenix.gov/t/468178/754222/4276/6/
> or contact Mark Stodola at
m_stodola@hotmail.com<mailto:m_stodola@hotmail.com> or 602-402-0523.

STARS (Scottsdale Training and Rehabilitation Services) and SUSD are partnering to present Life Skills Transition Night on April 12th from 5:30-7:30pm at the STARS Osborn campus at 7507 East Osborn Rd., Scottsdale, AZ 85251.  Agencies will be able to answer questions about life after high school!

Some of the agencies attending are Vocational Rehab, Special Olympics, Arion’s Care Solutions, Cortney’s Place, Division of Developmental Disabilities, AZ Bridge to Independent Living, Scottsdale Parks and Recreation, Raising Special Kids, Driving to Independence, Adult Developmental Homes, Scottsdale Health Care, Seeds for Autism, STARS, Valley Metro, Miracle League, Life Development Institute.

For questions contact

Email:
mgreenberg@susd.org – phone: (480) 484 505

 jpettitt@susd.org           – phone: (480) 484 5069

GGriffiths@starsaz.org - phone: (480) 371 2340

This is from the Civitan Foundation

The Civitan Foundation is hosting a grand opening celebration of the Thunderbirds Teen Center on Saturday March 24th from 10am to 3pm.  The event will kick off with a ribbon cutting ceremony and lunch will begin at 11:30am.  The day’s festivities will be set up as an Open House, so you are free to come and go as you choose throughout the day.  Civitan invites you to join us for a time of food, fun and family entertainment.  Come learn about the exciting new programs, new building updates and new opportunities that are now offered at the Teen Center.  Registration for the Teen Center, as well as other programs, will be available at this time.

Reservations are appreciated but not required and can be made by calling 602-953-2944  The Civitan Foundation is opening its doors to the community, and promises a day filled with fabulous festivities.

1106 E. Grovers Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85022

Check out the Scottsdale Martial Arts Center at www.smacus.com.    The phone number is 480-951-2716.

Under the direction of Sensei Ray Hughes and Sensei Marion Moore, this center provides personalized services for children with special needs including and not limited to children and teens with AD/HD, Asperger’s Syndrome, Autism, Physical Disabilities, and Speech/Learning/Developmental Conditions.