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Zac Browser is a totally free software package. It is the first Internet browser developed specifically for children living with variants of autism spectrum disorders (ASD), Asperger syndrome, Rett syndrome, childhood disintegrative disorder, PDD not otherwise specified and PDD-NOS, also called atypical autism. Zac Browser was designed to offer a pleasant, rewarding and secure experience. Children sing, play and discover the best that the Internet has to offer with only a few clicks of the mouse.

Agenda: Developmental Disabilities Services Who is eligible for Developmental Disabilities Services? What about youth with higher IQ’s but with substantial support needs? How and when do you access this system? What services are available? What happens to youth who receive Children’s Developmental Disabilities services when they leave High School? What is the waiting list? What do we do while we are waiting? What have other families done? Private Pay Options Using Social Security Work Incentives to support employment

We are looking for examples of young people, age 18-30, in Montana who have a developmental disability according to the Montana definition and have creatively organized their supports to: Live in the community (on their own or with family or  friends) and/or Work in the community (including owning their own business) and/or Access inclusive education (high school, college, trade school, community classes) and/or Participate in recreation and leisure activities that are inclusive (that is, alongside people without disabilities) We want examples of supports that have been creatively organized around the person, individualized to their interests and needs.  These supports can be organized and managed by a funded adult agency or family and friends.  We are also looking for examples of creative funding such as blended services and natural supports, use of Social Security Administration work incentives, privately funded services or traded or bartered supports. Selected leaders will have their stories featured on the Montana Transition Listserv and in the annual Emerging Leader Showcase. They will also receive a monetary stipend for their time. To nominate yourself or someone you know as an Emerging Leader, visit the Rural Institute Transition Projects Website for a brief nomination form and a consent form.

Click here to register for this event What: Linda James Myers, Ph.D. will present "The Challenges of Cultural Congruence: What Every Advocate Should Know" on Thursday, June 16, from 2:00 - 3:30 p.m. Dr. Myers is a professor at The Ohio State University, past president of the Association of Black Psychologists, and chair of the Board of Trustees for the National Association for the Education of African American Children with Learning Disabilities (AACLD). This webinar will focus on the importance of cultural congruence, one of the most challenging and often least discussed issues central to the success of Black families as they seek to provide a quality education for their children. As a member of a cultural group whose ethnic and racial heritage is congruent with and supported by that dominant in this society, Euro-western white, one may assume that this prevailing cultural worldview and the subsequent educational and other social institutions created by it are universally suitable and acceptable. The assumption is often made that the prevailing cultural worldview is universally adopted and held by all Americans, particularly those who have been in this country for generations and for whom English is believed to be their first language. This webinar will explore how these assumptions have hurt non-immigrant African Americans and their progeny, particularly in terms of education, their potential for educational achievement, and the current disproportionality we see in special education. Emphasis will be placed on how advocating for a culturally congruent educational experience on behalf of Black students and their families has the potential to transform the negative educational outcomes that have plagued this population for decades. This is the first in an Equity and Ethnicity in Special Education four-part series of webinars hosted by COPAA, a non-profit organization that works to protect special education rights and secure excellence in education on behalf of the 7.1 million children with disabilities in America. When: Thursday, June 16, 2011 - 12:00 pm Mountain If you would like to register for this event or any of the four-part series, please click here. COPAA non-member registration is $65.00 for one session or $195.00 for all four sessions. The full four-part series includes: Thursday, June 16, 2011 - 2:00 pm Eastern The Challenges of Cultural Congruence: What Every Advocate for Black Students Should Know Presenter: Linda James Myers, Ph.D. Tuesday, June 21, 2011 - 2:00 pm Eastern Addressing Legal Issues of Disability and Race Discrimination Presenters: Matthew Engel, Esq., Ron Lospennato Esq. Wednesday, June 29, 2011 - 2:00 pm Eastern Representing Parents Whose Dominant Language is Other Than English Presenter: Gabriela Ruiz, Esq., Southern Legal Counsel, Inc. Thursday, July 14, 2011 - 2:00 pm Eastern Disproportionality: What are we doing about it? Presenters: Sonja Kerr, Esq. Public Interest Law Center of Philadelphia (PILCOP)

What: Autism Coffee Talk When: Friday, May 20th at 11am Where: The Montana Club atrium. 2620 Brooks St Missoula, MT Who: Montana CAAN is a parent driven organization that is committed to supporting individuals on the autism spectrum and their families. Our mission is to provide support, build community, create compassion and awareness, and to advocate at a state and local level to secure needed services.

In Net Cetera: Chatting With Kids About Being Online, OnGuard Online gives adults practical tips to help kids navigate the online world.  Kids and parents have many ways of socializing and communicating online, but they come with certain risks.  This guide encourages parents to reduce the risks by talking to kids about how they communicate – online and off – and helping kids engage in conduct they can be proud of.  Net Cetera covers what parents need to know, where to go for more information, and issues to raise with kids about living their lives online.

The Southwest ADA Center is pleased to announce the availability of the Disability Law Handbook now in Spanish, as well as English. The Disability Law Handbook is written in "Frequently Asked Questions" format and answers questions about the ADA, the ADA Amendments Act, the Rehabilitation Act, Social Security, the Air Carrier Access Act, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, the Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act, and the Fair Housing Act Amendments. Free copies may be downloaded or viewed at http://www.swdbtac.org/html/publications/Spanish/gld/index.html for the Spanish version and http://www.swdbtac.org/html/publications/dlh/index.html for the English.

On April 8, 2011, the U.S. Department of Education (ED) released a notice of proposed rulemaking to clarify and update the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). FERPA protects the privacy of education records, while allowing for the effective use of data in statewide longitudinal data systems (SLDS). The public comment period for the proposed regulations will close on May 23, 2011. To learn more, go to http://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2011/04/08/2011-8205/family-educational-rights-and-privacy On a related note, the Data Quality Campaign will host a webinar featuring FERPA legal expert, Steve Winnick, to offer an initial analysis of the proposed regulations, including the extent to which they provide clarity to states to both use data for continuous improvement and protect the privacy, security, and confidentiality of student-level data. To learn more, go to http://www.dataqualitycampaign.org/events/details/288

Click here to register for this event What:  On April 7, 2011, the U.S. Department of Education (ED) released a notice of proposed rulemaking to clarify and update the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). DQC is pleased to host this webinar featuring prominent FERPA legal expert Steve Winnick of EducationCounsel LLC to offer an initial analysis of the proposed regulations, including the extent to which they provide much-needed clarity to states to both use data for continuous improvement and protect the privacy, security, and confidentiality of student-level data. According to the notice, the public comment period for these proposed regulations will close on May 23, 2011. Only comments submitted formally, through the Department's articulated process, will be considered. The DQC will work with its partners to develop formal comments following these initial analysis. Participants are encouraged to submit their own comments as well. When: April 14, 2011 10:30-11:30am Mountain

Click here to download the flyer for this event (PDF) What: This month we have the OPPORTUNITY to expand our understanding of the complicated world of Social Security with guest speaker Lori Idland! Also featured will be a brief message from Ashley Bickerstaff From the Young Athletes Program With Special Olympics. When: Tuesday, April 12th, 2011 6:00 PM Where Willson School Room 217B Bozeman, MT For more information: Call Joanna Dumas, SEPTA President, at 406-522-0851

The MCH Library houses a collection of historical documents and reports related to maternal and child health in the United States and health services for children and families. A particular focus is programs of the federal government, including activities of the Children's Bureau and Maternal and Child Health (MCH) services under Title V of the Social Security Act.

How to create, implement, and maintain an IEP or 504 Plan that secures school accommodations for your child with ADHD or LD. Click on each step below for detailed expert advice.