Technology Can Help People with Developmental Disabilities

Frank J. Lucero, Ph.D.
Executive Director

Recently, I find myself thinking of the uses of technologies in our work of helping people with disabilities reach their maximum potential. Consider a personal digital assistant which is individually programmed and equipped with a digital camera and global positioning system! All of a sudden a person with disabilities can come and go more freely in their community using public transportation, working, shopping, and socializing.

I wonder about using computers to foster collaboration and social interactions, which has proven to increase self-confidence, interpersonal and communication skills. Using computers in this way allows individuals to take part in problem solving. Computers have also been used to motivate on one-to-one tasks and guide the person working alone to interact and communicate with others.

I read about a program designed for people with visual, mobility, hearing, and/or cognitive disabilities. It is used to provide greater living independence. Functions and problems of daily life are addressed by sensors which control, regulate, measures, and switches on and off items in the house such as lights, electrical outlets, door locks, blinds/curtains. It includes a speech synthesizer and visual and tactile signaling devices. What a great way to increase a person’s independence while improving their safety and security.

I look forward to learning what the future of computers will have on people with developmental disabilities and other special needs and how we can use this technology to increase their independence and improve their lives.

October is National Disability Month

Frank J. Lucero, Ph.D.
Executive Director

On October 1, 2010 President Obama issued a proclamation marking October 2010 as National Disability Employment Awareness Month. The 2010 theme is Talent Has No Boundaries: Workforce Diversity Includes Workers with Disabilities.

Working age adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities experience an unemployment rate of about 80%. These are able-bodied people who want and deserve to work; yet, they are persistently UN- or under-employed. We all must re-double our efforts in support of people with developmental disabilities and other special needs.

Laradon is providing comprehensive employment services to people with disabilities through our Community and Employment Services program.  We recently became a Provider Network for the Social Security Administration's Ticket to Work program and we are working to help more people with special needs obtain competitive employment in the future.  We are hopeful that this proclamation will increase workplace diversity in Colorado; we are certainly looking forward to working with the community.  If you have a connection to a Colorado business that could benefit from Laradon’s Community and Employment Services program, we welcome your thoughts and comments.

Also, on October 6, 2010, President Obama signed “Rosa’s Law” which changes references of mental retardation to intellectual disability. This a good thing for everyone involved with the developmentally disabled community. It’s been a long time coming!

A Message from the Executive Director - September 24, 2010

The Legislative Council and Governor’s Office of State Planning and Budgeting (OSPB) presented their September 20 economic forecasts. Both forecasts were lowered for FY 2010-11 (current year) and FY 2011-12. The Legislative Council’s forecast for FY 2010-11 is the higher of the two; still, the Legislative Council forecasts a General Fund (GF) budget deficit of $50 million for this year. The OSPB forecast estimates a shortfall of $257 million for this year.

According to the Legislative Council economists, Colorado’s economy will continue to “muddle along” and gradually improve over this fiscal year. After two years of job losses, “the state’s private sector started adding jobs in June and July,” though there is a lag between increases in employment and state revenue collections.

The table below shows the anticipated collections in Colorado’s primary GF revenue sources.

Legislative Council September General Fund Revenue Estimate by Source - dollars in millions

The General Fund revenues are very dependent on individual income tax and sales tax collections. Corporate income tax collections are a smaller – but more volatile – revenue source. Please note – the anticipated increases in individual income and sales taxes in FY 2010-11 are off of reduced bases from FY 2009-10.

Impact of Amendment 60/Proposition 101 on State Budget

The Legislative Council economists indicated that the passage of either Amendment 60 or Proposition 101 would impact the current year shortfall. From the Legislative Council “Bluebook”, if property taxes are cut and the state is required to backfill as per Amendment 60, “the state will have to decrease spending and services in other areas, increase fees for services, or some combination of both.” Also, the Bluebook anticipates a state revenue loss of $744 million in 2011 if Proposition 101 passes.

A Message from the Executive Director - September 13, 2010

This week, I want to take some time to remind you of three ballot measures that Colorado voters will decide on this November. If adopted, these measures will substantially impair the delivery of essential public services and construction projects. 70,000 jobs will be lost; Colorado's recovering economy will be undermined. Fallout includes, nonprofits will bear greater responsibility for meeting Coloradans' basic needs without additional resources and some may lose their public contracts (including Laradon). As impacted nonprofits seek to fill budget gaps, competition will increase for limited donors, foundation, and corporate dollars. These measures are:

• Amendment 60 which will reduce education quality for Colorado's future workforce by cutting local school funding in half, likely increasing class sizes and forcing thousands of teacher layoffs. Any cut in school funding cuts will have an impact on Laradon and our ability to service our participants.

• Amendment 61 which will discourage new construction and adequate maintenance of schools, roads, hospitals, sanitation systems, and other public projects. The state could not borrow money to undertake these projects and localities would face many restrictions making such financing cost-prohibitive. If the state doesn’t have money to maintain schools, roads, etc. will money that otherwise might be used to send youth or adults to Laradon be used for other public projects?

• Proposition 101 will cut a billion dollars out of the state budget over ten years by reducing the income tax rate. This shortfall would likely impact higher education, mental health, the arts, and other services contracted out to nonprofits. The proposal also eliminates most motor vehicle and telecommunications fees, significantly impacting funding for roads, bridges, and telecommunications infrastructure. Laradon will be strongly and negatively impacted by this measure.

I encourage you to learn about these amendments and how they will impact Colorado and Laradon. While you certainly have to make your own decisions regarding these measures, I do believe it necessary to share with you the impact these measures would have on Laradon and our participants.

A Message from the Executive Director - September 7, 2010

GREAT STAFF, GREAT SCHOOL!

The Colorado Department of Education completed their audit of Laradon’s Alternative School program last Friday. They commented on what a stable and positive environment is being provided to students. Our focused staff are providing great learning opportunities and involvement. I am very pleased with our staff for being so creative with the development of special activities that are meeting the unique needs and challenges of our students. I applaud our school, staff and students, for their dedication and hard work.

HOST HOME PARTY

The Adult Residential Services program hosted their annual Host Home Party at Lakeside this year. Everyone had a great time riding the rides and spending time with other Host Home Providers and friends. This is a great program that provides residential services to adults with developmental disabilities and other special needs. We are always looking for caring new Host Home Providers. If you are interested in becoming a Host Home Provider and sharing your home with a person in need, click here to view our webpage for more information and the application process.

If you or someone you know is enrolled in our Alternative School or Adult Residential Services program and have a great story to share, we would love to hear it. Please post your comments.

Later this week, we will host Laradon’s annual reception for the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks’ National President. The Colorado Elks Association’s State President, officers and other dignitaries will attend the luncheon. It is certainly our honor to showcase Laradon to a very important organization that devotes their time and efforts to charity.

Coming Soon! Laradon’s 2nd Annual Bake Sale.

Last year’s Bake Sale was a huge success and this year we are planning to have a craft fair as well. Stay tuned to our website’s Media & Events pages for more details on the Bake Sale & Craft Fair and other upcoming events.

Have a fundraising idea? Send us your suggestions!

PS: Don't forget to visit our updated website at http://www.laradon.org/

A Message from the Executive Director - August 26, 2010

Welcome to the Laradon blog! As the Executive Director of Laradon I am looking forward to communicating with you about what is going on at Laradon and the developmentally disabled community on a regular basis, but I also want to get to know you! I encourage you to comment. Let’s have a dialogue about how we can improve the lives, training, education and workforce for people with special needs and the communities they live in! __________________________________________________

In July, Laradon’s Board of Directors voted to approve our Annual Operating Plan, 5-Year Strategic Plan and budget. We expect to have a great 2010-11 fiscal year. We have been a fortunate non-profit during this bad economic time – a testament to Laradon’s longevity and stability. We were able to create jobs based on the needs of the participants and the organization as a whole. We are proud to say that we had some growth and were able to give back to the community this way.

Laradon works with school districts across the state, although mainly in the Denver-metro area, to provide special education services to children who cannot be served in the public school environment because of their disability and challenging behaviors. Last week contracts with 14 School Districts were signed and I anticipate a few more coming aboard. These students are really benefitting from Laradon’s Alternative School program. Many have graduated and returned to public school while others have moved on to join Laradon’s Adult Services Division in either Day Habilitation or Community and Employment Services. Others have gained much independence and only require minimal assistance living in the community now. We are looking forward to providing quality education services to many more children this year.

Our Adult Services division also had a great year with oversight agencies giving us accolades for the services we provide to Day Habilitation participants.

Over this past summer, Laradon became a Provider Network for the Ticket to Work program. We are currently serving a few individuals in this program and we are working with the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation to provide even more people with special needs the opportunity for employment.

I always look forward to meeting new people in the community. I have met many folks who are very interested in helping Laradon in a variety of capacities including financial support, volunteer opportunities, event sponsorships, etc. If you are a member of a community group, club or organization and would like for a representative to make a visit and speak to your group about Laradon, please let us know.  

PS:  Don't forget to visit our updated website at http://www.laradon.org./