Environmentally Friendly Balloon Release

Thank you to Anonymous who made a comment regarding our Balloon Release Ceremony. We are, however, utilizing environmentally friendly balloons for the release. Please see below and thanks for your comment!

When a latex balloon is released, it rises to a height of approximately 28,000 feet, with the helium gas expanding as it rises. With temperatures dropping to minus 40 degrees at this altitude, the balloon freezes. As the helium continues to expand in the frozen balloon, the balloon undergoes "brittle fracturing" and ruptures into small slivers which scatter and fall to earth. A small percentage of balloons which are released will experience leaks from defects and will not rise high enough to freeze and burst. The distance they travel and their distribution will be determined by current prevailing winds.

Research indicates that if 10% of the balloons from a 500 balloon release were to fall into this category, the average distribution would be one balloon per 15 square mile area.

Helium is a lighter-than-air gas used to inflate balloons. It exists in small quantities within the earth's atmosphere and is mined from underground pools where it accumulates as a by-product of the earth's production of natural gas. Helium is non-toxic, non-flammable, and has no harmful effects on the earth's environment.

World Autism Awareness Day

Autism Speaks Applauds the State of Qatar for the Creation of Annual United Nations World Autism Awareness Day
An Unprecedented Global Effort to Increase Awareness about Autism Begins

April 2, 2008

NEW YORK, NY (November 27, 2007) -- Autism Speaks Co-founders Bob and Suzanne Wright today joined H.E. Ambassador Nassir Abdulaziz al-Nasser, Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to the United Nations, at a press conference announcing that April 2 will be designated World Autism Awareness Day following the adoption of the Qatari resolution on World Autism Awareness Day at the plenary of the Third Committee of the General Assembly. The 192 representatives of the U.N.'s Third Committee –that handles social, humanitarian and cultural issues – adopted the WAAD resolution by consensus, paving the way for the establishment of what will be one of an exclusive group of official disease or disorder-specific United Nations Days.

Her Highness Sheikha Mozah Bint Nasser Al-Missned, Consort of His Highness Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani, the Emir of the State of Qatar, supported the campaign for a World Autism Awareness Day through the current 62^nd UN General Assembly Session, garnering consensus support from all United Nations Member States. In addition to having April 2 designated as World Autism Awareness Day in perpetuity, the resolution further encourages all Member States to take measures to raise awareness about autism throughout society.

Autism Speaks has witnessed first hand the efforts of Qatar to promote the rights of persons with disabilities. Last April, Mrs. Wright had the opportunity to attend and speak at the Second Annual International Forum in Doha, Qatar, at the Shafallah Center for Children with Special Needs, under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Mozah Bint Nasser Al-Missned.

“Qatar shared the concerns of a number of countries about the high rate of autism in children in all regions of the world,” said H.E. Ambassador Nassir Abdulaziz al-Nasser. “The Qatari resolution invites all member states to observe the second of April in order to raise public awareness of autism and the importance of early diagnosis, research and intervention.” (click here to read H.E. Ambassador Nassir Abdulaziz al-Nasser's remarks).

“All of us who visited Qatar were inspired by Her Highness and her deep commitment to improving the lives of children with autism and other special needs through her remarkable Shafallah Center," said Mrs. Wright. Click here to read Mrs. Wright's remarks (PDF).“Autism is a health crisis that knows no geographic or political boundaries and demands an immediate global response,” added Mr. Wright. "The nation of Qatar is an ideal partner in this ambitious effort to raise awareness about autism and the need for action on every continent and in every nation.” Click here to read Mr. Wright's remarks (PDF).

During the press conference, Jacqueline Aidenbaum-Brandt, the mother of a son with autism, shed light on her personal experiences, including the misconception society had of the brain disorder and the concerns of parents of autistic children. She said people often mistook an autistic child for an unruly or poorly behaved one, blaming the parent instead of the disorder for the child's behavior. Click here to read Aidenbaum-Brandt's remarks (PDF).

Following the press conference, H.E. Ambassador Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser hosted a reception at the Permanent Mission of the State of Qatar to celebrate the adoption of the resolution in the Third Committee. In attendance were representatives from countries who supported the resolution for a UN World Autism Awareness Day as well as members of the autism community. View photos and video from the reception.

The support for World Autism Awareness Day was evident last June when Mrs. Wright was invited to address a U.N. Department of Public Information/Non-Governmental Organization (DPI/NGO) Section briefing entitled “Autism: Raising Awareness, Changing Attitudes.” The notion of a global awareness day was proposed and a petition of support was signed by dozens of NGO representatives in attendance.

PA Budget Advocacy

Came across an interesting e-mail today…It is important for the residents of Pennsylvania to keep our Governor informed on issues that effect individuals with disabilities and how the empowerment of their lives results in part to state funding. Pennsylvania Governor Rendell will be making final decisions as to what will be included in his proposed budget for Fiscal Year 08-09. This provides a prime opportunity for PA residents to voice the importance of ensuring that budget priority is given to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. During the month of December, write letters or make phone calls to the Governor’s Office in Harrisburg with your personal stories and/or why this is important to you. To reach the governor’s office, you may dial 1-717-787-2500 or you may send correspondence to

Governor Edward G. Rendell's Office

225 Main Capitol Building

Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17120

For more information on PA Budget Advocacy and for a sample letter to Governor Rendell, please visit the following website:

http://capwiz.com/thearc/issues/alert/?alertid=10566021&type=SW&show_alert=1

A Year In Review

As the holiday season quickly approaches, it offers a unique opportunity to reflect on the past year. For Community Options of Pittsburgh, 2007 has been quite memorable! We have seen the opening of our 12th residential home, assisted four new individuals in their quest to live in a home of their own, and supported eight new individuals in successfully securing employment in the competitive job market. We have also witnessed first hand our consumers experiencing all that life has to offer by traveling to Hawaii, graduating from high school, learning how to play golf, attending college, participating in a bowling league, and much more! Through the hard work and dedication of our staff and supporters, the 46 individuals we support can proudly proclaim “imatter” each day!

Islam and Autism

Islamic View of Disabilities and Autism

Ustadha Zaynab Ansari

Posted Sep 28, 2007

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Islamic View of Disabilities and Autism

Answered by Ustadha Zaynab Ansari, SunniPath Academy Teacher

Question:

Please forgive me for asking you the same question, I am quite desperate for an answer and this is why I am asking you once again. Please will you kindly find time to answer my question - jazak Allah khairun; I would very much like to know the opinion of the shaykhs about what the Quran and the Sunnah say about disabled or special-needs children. My knowledge about Islam is average and I have learnt a great deal from your site, as this is a personal area for me and as my family (particularly my mother) is very upset that both my children are autistic. Although I have explained that they are indeed a test from Allah I need more than this to console her, I have also said that this is probably Allah’s way of telling us that their condition could have been worse but Alhamdolillah it isn’t and we have to abide by Allah’s decisions. Please will you kindly explain to me why Allah has chosen every one to be different (in my mind I know why) but I need the words of someone who is greater in knowledge.

Answer:

In the Name of Allah, the Gracious, the Merciful

Dear Sister,

Assalamu alaikum,

I pray this message finds you and your family in good health and strong iman.

As the mother of an autistic child, I can truly understand what you’re going through. Unfortunately, the Muslim community is largely unaware of the existence of special-needs children. It is imperative that the families of children who are on the autism spectrum educate the community about autism and related developmental disabilities.

First off the bat, it is so important that you see your child, not a disability. Do not get caught up in labels. A child who is autistic may display a wide range of behaviors that fall on a spectrum. Autism is not static. It describes certain challenges that a child may face at a certain point in his or her life. Every child is at a different place on this spectrum. Some children are higher-functioning than others; however, each child has certain abilities and strengths which can be developed, no matter where he or she is on the spectrum (Chantal Sicile-Kira, Autism Spectrum Disorders).

Second, NEVER be ashamed of your children or their diagnosis. They’re still your babies and they’re still God’s gift to you and your family. A friend of my mother calls my son, “My Jannah baby.” What she means is that special-needs children are a way for parents to go to Jannah. Children with disabilities are very close to Allah Ta’ala as many of them never have the capacity to do any wrong. Some children with disabilities will always remain in a very innocent state, and, therefore, will not be held accountable, unlike typically-developing children. If we, as parents, raise our children with love and patience, thanking Allah for this opportunity, not being resentful, and giving our children the best we can give them in terms of treatment and care, then they are a means to Paradise. Who are we to grumble and complain, “Why me?”
“Why not me,” should be the question. Every person on the face of this earth is tested in a certain way. If this is the test Allah has chosen for us as parents in the autistic community, then so be it.

Third, you raise a really good point. Allah Ta’ala could have chosen to test our babies with leukemia and other childhood cancers, He could have chosen for them to have cerebral palsy, He could have chosen for them to die in the womb or in infancy. He could have chosen a physical disability rather than a neurological or cognitive disability. There are so many children whose diagnoses are far more severe. So rather than looking at children who are typically developing, we should look at those who have been challenged far more severely than our own children. This makes us grateful and makes us more compassionate.

Fourth, it is not right for your mother to be upset about your children. As parents, we don’t make our children autistic. So the blame game should not even be played. We don’t blame God, we don’t blame Mom, we don’t blame Dad. We accept our children for who they are. Why waste time being angry and resentful when there’s so much work to do?
I completely understand that as parents of children with disabilities we go through a grieving process. This is only natural. All of us have certain expectations for our children. And when we don’t see those expectations being met, we mourn. So when we get the official diagnosis, we should allow some time for grieving. But it should be a healthy grieving that lets us accept our children, embrace them for who they are, adjust some of our expectations if necessary, and then channel all of our energy into finding the best treatments out there.

I met the nicest non-Muslim couple who have a 30-year old son who is autistic. My husband and I were desperately seeking advice. So the first question we asked them was, “Is there a process of grieving?” They said, “Yes, but, ultimately, there’s no time for grief. You take that energy and move. You take action.”

This leads me to my fifth point. As Westerners, we have a lot to be grateful for because there are so many different treatments and therapies available for special-needs children. These options simply don’t exist in other parts of the world. The family I talked to had to search high and low to get their son his diagnosis over 20 years ago, and this was right here in the U.S. But in the last two decades, enormous advances have been made in the diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorders.

Sixth, I return to the issue of education. We must educate the Muslim community about the autism epidemic. Currently, 1 in 150 American children has been diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder. Boys, in particular, are the hardest hit, with 1 in 94 boys being affected by this disability. 67 children are diagnosed every day. (See autismspeaks.org). Autism is a pervasive developmental disorder that impacts speech, communication, and social skills. However, autism is not the same as mental retardation. It is not a punishment from Allah. It is not the fault of the mother. It is a complex spectrum of disorders that involves the neurological, cognitive, and vestibular systems, and is thought to have environmental, biological, and genetic bases. We need to do all we can to raise autism awareness through participating in fund-raising, autism walks, charitable activities, and general autism education.
As a Muslim mother, I feel very lonely sometimes. However, I know that I have the resources of the larger non-Muslim community and I know that I have the responsibility to educate my fellow Muslims about autism. Sometimes, people can be incredibly insensitive towards special-needs children. This goes for both Muslims and non-Muslims. However, this should only increase our resolve to spread awareness.

Seventh, special-needs children are unique. As with typically-developing children, every special-needs child has his or her own personality, temperament, strengths, and abilities. Every child has his or her God-given potential. This is from the mercy of Allah and one of the signs of His strength that He created such diversity among human beings. We should rejoice in the creative power of Allah and accept His qadr, or decree, for us. I believe that Allah created disabilities so those of us who are able-bodied would not become complacent and ungrateful. Taking care of a child with a disability brings out the best and most compassionate in all of us. So many of the things that parents of typically-developing children take for granted, we have to fight and struggle for. I think this helps us draw closer to the All-Merciful, the Forbearant, and the Loving.

And as to your question about what the Shuyukh say, all I can share with you is what I have learned from them. The Shuyukh I met were all compassionate, recognizing that each child is created differently. They all advised me to read lots of Qur’an to my son, and for my son. I was given Qur’an for my son to wear, since in the words of Allah, there is healing. Recite the Surahs of protection frequently over your children. Strive to keep a halal household, with halal food and income. Make sure your children always see you praying. Surround them with Qur’an, dhikr, salawat, and nasheeds.
Shaykh Nuh Keller advised me to be aware of the environmental roots of autism, such as pollutants, chemicals, heavy metals, and immunizations. He talked about giving my son the best tarbiya (rearing and training) possible since this is my child’s right, disability or no disability.

And, above all, there is love. Love your children. Don’t let them see you or anyone else get angry or resentful because this will hurt them and they will blame themselves. Even if they can’t articulate it, they know when people are upset. And it affects them. Deeply. Laugh with them, smile, kiss them, hug them and let them know how loved they are. And they will respond. Don’t buy into that myth that autistic children cannot show affection. That is a lie. They love you more than you’ll ever know.

If you’ll permit, please allow me to suggest some resources all parents should explore:

Websites:

1. Autism Society of America, http://www.autism-society.org
2. Autism Speaks, http://www.autismspeaks.org
3. Autism Research Institute, http://www.autism.com
4. Defeat Autism Now!, http://autismwebsite.com/ARI/dan/dan.htm
5. The Floortime Foundation: Reaching Beyond Autism, http://www.floortime.org
6. The Handle Institute, http://www.handle.org

Books:

1. Stanley I. Greenspan, M.D. and Serena Wieder, PH.D., Engaging Autism: Using the Floortime Approach to Help Children Relate, Communicate, and Think (Da Capo Press, 2006).

2. Stanley I. Greenspan, M.D. and Serena Wieder, PH.D., The Child with Special Needs: Encouraging Intellectual and Emotional Growth (Da Capo Press, 1998).

3. Judith Bluestone, The Fabric of Autism: Weaving the Threads into a Cogent Theory (Sapphire Enterprises, 2005).

4. Chantal Sicile-Kira, Autism Spectrum Disorders: The Complete Guide to Understanding Autism, Asperger’s Syndrome, Pervasive Developmental Disorder, and Other ASDs (Perigee Trade, 2004).

5. Patricia Stacey, The Boy Who Loved Windows: Opening the Heart and Mind of a Child Threatened with Autism (Da Capo Press, 2004).

6. Temple Grandin, PH.D., Thinking in Pictures, Expanded Edition: My Life with Autism (Vintage, 2006).

DVDs:

The above author, Stanley Greenspan, is totally brilliant and you should look into getting his DVDs through the Floortime website.

I pray this information is helpful as your embark on this journey with your children.

May Allah Ta’ala bless all of our children with what is most pleasing to Him and most conducive to our children’s spiritual, intellectual, neurological, and cognitive growth,

Zaynab, also known as Umm Salahuddin. Visit the Sunni Path site at http://www.sunnipath.com/

International Fact Sheet on Individuals with Disabilities

Overview

• Around 10 per cent of the world's population, or 650 million people, live with a disability. They are the world's largest minority.
• This figure is increasing through population growth, medical advances and the aging process, says the World Health Organization (WHO).
• In countries with life expectancies over 70 years, individuals spend on average about 8 years, or 11.5 per cent of their life span, living with disabilities.
• Eighty per cent of persons with disabilities live in developing countries, according to the UN Development Programme (UNDP).
• Disability rates are significantly higher among groups with lower educational attainment in the countries of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), says the OECD Secretariat. On average, 19 per cent of less educated people have disabilities, compared to 11 per cent among the better educated.
• In most OECD countries, women report higher incidents of disability than men.
• The World Bank estimates that 20 per cent of the world's poorest people have some kind of disability, and tend to be regarded in their own communities as the most disadvantaged.
• Women with disabilities are recognized to be multiply disadvantaged, experiencing exclusion on account of their gender and their disability.
• Women and girls with disabilities are particularly vulnerable to abuse. A small 2004 survey in Orissa, India, found that virtually all of the women and girls with disabilities were beaten at home, 25 per cent of women with intellectual disabilities had been raped and 6 per cent of women with disabilities had been forcibly sterilized.
• According to UNICEF, 30 per cent of street youths have some kind of disability.
• Mortality for children with disabilities may be as high as 80 per cent in countries where under-five mortality as a whole has decreased below 20 per cent, says the United Kingdom's Department for International Development, adding that in some cases it seems as if children are being "weeded out".
• Comparative studies on disability legislation shows that only 45 countries have anti-discrimination and other disability-specific laws.
• In the United Kingdom, 75 per cent of the companies of the FTSE 100 Index on the London Stock Exchange do not meet basic levels of web accessibility, thus missing out on more than $147 million in revenue.

Education

• Ninety per cent of children with disabilities in developing countries do not attend school, says UNESCO.
• The global literacy rate for adults with disabilities is as low as 3 per cent, and 1 per cent for women with disabilities, according to a 1998 UNDP study.
• In the OECD countries, students with disabilities in higher education remain under-represented, although their numbers are on the increase, says the OECD.

Employment

• An estimated 386 million of the world's working-age people have some kind of disability, says the International Labour Organization (ILO). Unemployment among the persons with disabilities is as high as 80 per cent in some countries. Often employers assume that persons with disabilities are unable to work.
• Even though persons with disabilities constitute a significant 5 to 6 per cent of India's population, their employment needs remain unmet, says a study by India's National Centre for Promotion of Employment for Disabled People, in spite of the "People with Disabilities" Act, which reserves for them 3 per cent of government jobs. Of the some 70 million persons with disabilities in India, only about 100,000 have succeeded in obtaining employment in industry.
• A 2004 United States survey found that only 35 per cent of working-age persons with disabilities are in fact working, compared to 78 per cent of those without disabilities. Two-thirds of the unemployed respondents with disabilities said they would like to work but could not find jobs.
• A 2003 study by Rutgers University found that people with physical and mental disabilities continue to be vastly underrepresented in the U.S. workplace. One-third of the employers surveyed said that persons with disabilities cannot effectively perform the required job tasks. The second most common reason given for not hiring persons with disabilities was the fear of costly special facilities.
• A U.S. survey of employers conducted in 2003 found that the cost of accommodations was only $500 or less; 73 per cent of employers reported that their employees did not require special facilities at all.
• Companies report that employees with disabilities have better retention rates, reducing the high cost of turnover, says a 2002 U.S. study. Other American surveys reveal that after one year of employment, the retention rate of persons with disabilities is 85 per cent.
• Thousands of persons with disabilities have been successful as small business owners, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. The 1990 national census revealed that persons with disabilities have a higher rate of self-employment and small business experience (12.2 per cent) than persons without disabilities (7.8 per cent).

Violence

• For every child killed in warfare, three are injured and acquire a permanent form of disability.
• In some countries, up to a quarter of disabilities result from injuries and violence, says WHO.
• Persons with disabilities are more likely to be victims of violence or rape, according to a 2004 British study, and less likely to obtain police intervention, legal protection or preventive care.
• Research indicates that violence against children with disabilities occurs at annual rates at least 1.7 times greater than for their peers without disabilities.

Welcome to Community Options, Inc. Blogspot!

The Community Options Blogspot was started to begin a forum and dialogue between professionals, administrators, individuals with developmental disabilities, families, advocates, political leaders and the like in honor and observance of December 3 -International Day of Disabled Persons. This day aims to promote an understanding of disability issues and mobilize support for the dignity, rights and well-being of persons with disabilities. It also seeks to increase awareness of gains to be derived from the integration of persons with disabilities in every aspect of political, social, economic and cultural life. The theme of the Day is based on the goal of full and equal enjoyment of human rights and participation in society by persons with disabilities, established by the World Programme of Action concerning Disabled Persons, adopted by General Assembly in 1982. The theme for the day this year is "Decent Work for Persons with Disabilities."

The National Development Council of Community Options chose to do a blog like this so we can all share together our joys, successes and concerns about the unemployment or underemployment of people with disabilities across the world. The hope is that we can come together to build an even stronger foundation. There are many ways in which this day can be observed. Community Options through its National Development Council has chosen this blogspot in addition to a Balloon Release Ceremony that will take place on December 3 at 1:00pm EST. The Balloon Ceremony will represent the release of grey and green ballons. The grey balloons will signify the number of institutions that are still open and the green balloons signify the hope, the number of individuals we have successfully departed from institutions and serve brilliantly in community settings.

We hope that you join us to share your thoughts, feelings, struggles and hopes as we honor this most important day. It is the hope of the National Development Council through Community Options that we can keep this blog alive and well so we can all remain a support to each other.