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DonorsChoose.org is an online charity that makes it easy for anyone to help students in need. Here's how it works: public school teachers from every corner of America post classroom project requests on DonorsChoose.org. Requests range from pencils for a poetry writing unit, to violins for a school recital, to microscope slides for a biology class.

This project explores the life stories of thirteen leaders in the self-advocacy movement and their perspectives on key issues and leadership challenges. Part of the broader disability rights movement, the self-advocacy movement is unique in that it has been led and informed by the individual and collective experiences of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Despite its widespread existence nationwide and internationally, few works have explored the rich history, culture, and significance of the self-advocacy movement. To help fill this void, Joe Caldwell, Ph.D., Department of Disability and Human Development, University of Illinois at Chicago, undertook this life history project and donated transcripts to The Bancroft Library for its Disability Rights and Independent Living Movement collection. More about Self-Advocacy Movement oral history project.

Eleanore's Project is returning to Lima and Arequipa, Peru from March 14-28, 2011 with a team of 17 wheelchair seating professionals and volunteers to bring the gift of mobility to 172 children with disabilities. We are seeking sponsorships to cover the cost of refurbishing, shipping and fitting the custom wheelchair these children so badly need. Your $300 sponsorship or donation of any amount will be used only for direct services for children and families. Donate today

Donations continued to come in hours after Sunday’s NAMI Walk. By evening, the tally was up to $118,000 raised to help generate resources and awareness for those with mental illness.“This has been our best walk ever,” said Matt Kuntz, executive director of NAMI Montana, as he admired the crowd gathered at Memorial Park.Before the walk began, $86,000 had already been raised.More than 2,300 people of all ages from across the state laced up their sneakers to participate in the 5K.

She said that the biggest question children are likely to have is whether something similar can happen to them. Parents should reassure them and help them feel safe while also providing age and developmentally appropriate information. Her other tips for talking to your children about the shooting include: Take care of yourself first. Calm your own fears and anxiety before talking to your children. They pick up on your emotions, and your calm demeanor will go a long way to reassure. Turn off TV and other media. Graphic details and images can be upsetting to all of us. Younger children may think that the event is happening over and over. Tuning in for the latest is tempting; pace yourself with the news and listen in only when children are out of earshot. Consider the child’s age when deciding whether bring it up. A preschooler may not know about the event and probably doesn’t need to know about it. Answer questions if they ask. Be proactive with older children. You can start the conversation with “you may have heard about…” and ask what questions they may have. Help the child understand that it is OK to feel sad or angry that this had happened. Reassure and emphasize their safety. Discuss the steps that adults in their life take to keep them safe, such as their schools’ safety plan and safety measures taken at home. Help your child find ways to cope with their fear and grief. Providing outlets like artwork or imaginative play can help them process their feelings. Draw on ways your family typically copes with a crisis such as sending a card, making a donation as a family to help the victims or praying together. If you or your child need additional help dealing with this tragedy, be sure to contact your doctor or mental health provider.

Sure, when tinkerer Caleb Kraft found out that pressure switches marketed at the disabled were massively overpriced, he got mad like anybody else. But then he decided to get even the best way he knew how: by building his own, and posting the plans for all to follow on Hack a Day for free. The project came about via a kid with muscular dystrophy named Thomas, who enjoyed Minecraft but may eventually lose the ability to hold a controller or use a mouse and keyboard. Caleb's idea was to build low-pressure switches using a 3D printer and simply map them to the Minecraft keyboard and mouse commands using a $20 Teensy board. He posted his plans online, but since he feels they could be improved on, also created a site called the Controller Project (see the More Coverage link). From there, those in need of a custom device can make a request, other modders can post their own plans and builders can use them to make controllers for donation. Since more is always merrier for such things, if you have those skills or know someone who needs them, hit the source for more info.

Click here to Register!There are two different sessions  to choose from when registering. Click here for more information! What:Spend a Saturday learning what you need to know to be the best resource to a child with Special Needs. At this first ever BOZEMAN SPECIAL NEEDS EXPO, you choose three of six focused sessions to attend. In addition, the Resources Fair will be staffed by many different organizations that provide services and support. Light breakfast and lunch are included, child care is available through registration, and raffle prizes will make this a day not to miss. This event has been approved for up to 4 OPI renewal units. Click here for information on the classroom award!Cost: $5.00* SEPTA Member, $10.00* Non-Septa member (Deadline April 1) OR $25.00 at the door. Fees are recommended donation.)All monies handled at the door - so simply sign up to attend and for child care.When:Saturday April 14, 20129:15 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.(Check-in at 8:15 a.m.)Where: Bozeman United Methodist Church

When: June 30, 2010 Where: 599 Popham Lane Corvallis, Montana 59828 What: You're invited to bring your child as well as his/her siblings (free). The kid's will get to groom and ride their horses. Instruction is provided by certified instructors and trained volunteers. The field trip will be 2 to 4 hours long depending on the ages of the majority of the children attending. We will be meeting at the Walmart on Brooks/93 at 9:30 for the drive to Corvallis. We'll combine vehicles for those of us that have larger cars and carpool to the ranch.  If you want to join the fun, please send us the names and ages of the kiddos (or teens) planning to attend as well as your contact information by noon on Friday June 25. This trip is sponsored by MT CAAN and a generous donation from Missoula Pediatric Dentistry. For more information:E-mail mtcaan@gmail.com or call Denise Dahlberg at 239-9156

When: June 30, 2010 Where: 599 Popham Lane Corvallis, Montana 59828 Call (406) 961-2999 or (406) 880-6599 or e-mail btr@bitterrootriding.org for more information on this event. Visit Bitterroot Therapeutic Riding's homepage at http://www.bitterrootriding.org/

The $250-dollar scholarship will be given out for the Fall semester to a Montana resident majoring in education with at least a 3.0 grade point average. Anyone wanting to support the cause can send tax-deductible donations to the "Merry Jane Trewhella Memorial Scholarship Endowment" to the MSU Billings Foundation, 1500 University Drive, Billings, MT 59101.

Click here to download the flyer (PDF) What: The Yellowstone AIDS Project will be hosting a Shred-a-thon on Saturday, June 18th from 9am to 2pm in the West Park Plaza parking lot facing Grand Ave! Join us and take advantage of this great service! The Montana Mobile Document Shredding company is providing theirs services to you! Donations are accepted and appreciated! Get rid of all those old documents and personal information in one quick motion! When: Saturday, June 18, 2011 9:00am - 2:00pm Where: West Park Plaza on Grand Ave Billings, MT

What: D.R.E.A.M. (Down syndrome research, education, advocacy in Montana) was started as a local support group for families of children with Down syndrome. The goal of D.R.E.A.M. is to provide financial grants to families in need of medical, educational and therapeutic assistance. It also helps to provide and distribute "New Parent Packets" to families with infants diagnosed with Down syndrome. The Bozeman Buddy Walk is the primary fundraiser for D.R.E.A.M. and a portion of the money raised will also go to the National Down Syndrome Society. The Buddy Walk® was established in 1995 by the National Down Syndrome Society to celebrate Down syndrome Awareness Month in October and to promote acceptance and inclusion of people with Down syndrome. When: September 24, 2011 Registration begins at 10 AM.. The walk begins at 11 AM and will be followed by a complimentary lunch donated by many local businesses.  Contact: For more information, contact Ryan Robinson at dreambuddywalk@gmail.com

Click here to download the Sponsorship Letter (PDF) Click here to download the Registration Form (PDF) The 4th annual MYTransitions Conference will be held at the Heritage Inn in Great Falls, MT on November 9-11, 2011. The conference organizers, MYTransitions, is a non-profit committee of various agencies and individuals in Montana who are dedicated to working with youth with disabilities to establish meaningful and diverse transitions into adulthood. This year's conference will be focused on the needs and interests of individuals with disabilities and their families, and will include a Real Life Fair and various workshops related to community services and independent living options. We are committed to helping Montana's youth reach their full potential and want to make this opportunity available to as many individuals and families as possible. Your donation toward scholarships or conference expenses will help make that goal possible. To help defray the travel costs for youth with disabilities and their families and/or the costs of the conference, please complete the attached application and return it to MYTransitions, 1617 Euclid Ave., Helena, MT 59601 or as an attachment to mylfjuneh@bresnan.net. For questions or for more information, please feel free to contact June Hermanson at Ph. 406-442-2576. For conference registration information, go to www.montanayouthtransitions.org. Thank you for your partnership and investment in Montana's future.

Visit the NAMIWALK website for more information and to register for this event What: Each fall, a group of dedicated volunteers and staff hold the NAMIWalk to generate the resources and awareness that allow NAMI Montana to complete its critical mission of supporting, educating, and advocating for Montanans with severe mental illnesses and their families.  NAMI Montana will be holding its eighth annual NAMIWalk in Helena at Memorial Park on September 25th.  It's set to be our best walk ever.  We've got goals of having over 2,500 Walkers and raising $125,000. When: Sunday, September 25, 2011 Where: Memorial Park Helena, MT More Information: Please go to the Walk website to sign up to be a Team Captain, to be a Walker, or to donate.  Find out about how to start a team and the duties of a Team Captain here.   If you don't feel comfortable signing up online, please send us an email at info@namimt.org or give us a call at (406) 443-7871 and we'll send you a packet of information.