The Open Society Mental Health Initiative

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Intellectual Disabilities Blogs


Autism

Down Syndrome

General Resources

Special Education

 

Autism

About Autism blog is written by Lisa Jo Rudy, a professional writer, researcher, and consultant with experience in the field of science education and writing. More information is available at: http://autism.about.com/.

Adventures in Autism blog is written by Ginger Taylor, a family therapist currently focused on her autistic son Chandler. More information is available at: http://adventuresinautism.blogspot.com/.

ASD Blog is a clearinghouse and resource for practical information about autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). More information is available at: http://onthespectrum.blogspot.com/.

Asperger's Conversations blog is written by Dr. Larry Welkowitz, who offers weekly audio posts on the topic. More information is available at: http://welkowitz.typepad.com/.

Autism Diva blog shares news about autism and has useful links to other sites on autism. More information is available at: http://autismdiva.blogspot.com/.

Autism Street blog is written by a father of an autistic child. More information is available at: http://www.autismstreet.org/weblog/.

Ballastexistenz blog is maintained by a non-speaking woman with a physical disability and  autism. The blog covers a broad range of topics from human rights, autistic liberation, and disability rights. More information is available at: http://ballastexistenz.autistics.org/.

Discussing Autism, written by blogger Marcie, covers all topics related to autism. This site is useful for parents of young children on the autism spectrum. More information is available at: http://www.discussingautism.com/.

Donna Williams Blog is maintained by a best-selling author, artist, and singer/song-writer with autism. More information is available at: http://blog.donnawilliams.net/2007/09/29/autism-it-aint-all-physical/.

Dr. Chris' Autism Journal blog is written by a licensed psychologist and board certified behavior analyst specializing in autism and related disorders. More information is available at: http://drchris.teachtown.com/.

The Joy of Autism blog is written by Estee Klar-Wolfond, the founder of The Autism Acceptance Project. Her son, Adam, is the inspiration for the blog. More information is available at: http://joyofautism.blogspot.com/.

Joy's Autism Blog is written by Joy, mother of several children, including one with autism. She relays the trials and tribulations of rearing an autistic child. More information is available at: http://www.joysautismblog.com/.

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Down Syndrome

About Down Syndrome blog provides information about causes, symptoms, and answers other questions about the syndrome. More information is available at: http://downsyndrome.about.com/.

Carol´s Personal Blog is written by a mother of a child with Down Syndrome. More information is available at: http://carolspersonalblog.blogspot.com/.

Blogging Down Syndrome is a group blog intended for the Down Syndrome community. More information is available at: http://bloggingdown.com/.

Blog for Down Syndrome is written for the Down Syndrome community and includes topics on education, adoption, and supports, among others. More information is available at: http://blogfordownsyndrome.com/.

Disposable Brain blog is written by a parent of a child with Down Syndrome. It has photos and film reviews. More information is available at: http://disposablebrain.com/.

Down Syndrome Facts and Fiction blog is written by the parents of a child with Down Syndrome. More information is available at: http://www.down-syndrome-facts-and-fiction.com/.

Down Syndrome Life blog is written by a father of four, one of whom has Down Syndrome. It shares everyday thoughts and experiences. More information is available at: http://downsyndromelife.blogspot.com/.

Einstein Syndrome blog´s motto is Down Syndrome with a positive attitude. The blog is written by Miriam Kauk, the mother of a child with Down Syndrome. More information is available at: http://einstein-syndrome.com/.

Extra Chromosome Eyes's blog is written by Kathy, a mother of three, including Connor who has Down Syndrome. She shares her personal experiences of love and learning about living a life through "extra-chromosome eyes," a phrase coined by Connor. More information is available at: http://extrachromosomeeyes.wordpress.com/.

Hanna´s Shenanigans blog is written by the mother of a daughter with Down Syndrome and chronicles the extraordinary experiences of family. More information is available at: http://hannigans.blogspot.com/

Keep Up With Down Syndrome blog is maintained by the NGO Down Syndrome NSW (Australia). It provides family support and information to the Down Syndrome community. More information is available at: http://keepingupwithds.blogspot.com/.

Open Smile blog is a photographic charity project regarding children with the Down Syndrome by Imagia Baby in Romania. More information is available at: http://open-smile.blogspot.com.

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General Resources

All Things Transition blog is designed to provide important information primarily to parents regarding transition to adult life topics for youth with disabilities. It has links to resources on various topics, news stories, and other tools. More information is available at: http://allthingstransition.wordpress.com/.

All Together We Can blog covers topics including augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), assistive technology (AT), specialized instruction, and inclusion, among others. More information is available at: http://www.alltogetherwecan.com/.

Child Psychology Research Blog discusses the latest research findings on parenting, child disorders, and child development.  More information is available at: http://www.child-psych.org/

Deinstitutionalization Watch blog is written by Harry Wolbert. It is dedicated to the deinstitutionalization of persons with a disability. More information is available at: http://allaboutdementia.blogspot.com/.

 

Disabled News blog features news and posts on a variety of topics, including intellectual disabilities. More information is available at: http://disablednews.wordpress.com/.

LD Blog provides news and commentary on learning disabilities and associated difficulties. More information is available at: http://www.blogged.com/blogs/ldblog.html.

Parenting A Complex Special Needs Child blog is written for parents of children with special needs. It provides information on medical, educational, occupational, and social issues. More information is available at: http://www.parentingacomplexchild.blogspot.com/.

Parenting Special Needs Children blog is a group blog on a variety of issues concerning children with special needs, from diagnosis, to education, and more. More information is available at: http://specialchildren.about.com/.

Preventive Parenting blog is written by Tamara Stevens, a child psychologist, freelance writer, and married mother of three.  She writes on topics including ADHD, autism, learning disabilities, child development, parent training, and childhood mental illness. More information is available at: http://preventiveparenting.wordpress.com/.

Special Families Blog is written by mother of two special-needs children. It discusses education, health, disability, and daily life issues. More information is available at: http://www.specialfamilies.org/blog.html.

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Special Education

Alex Voluntary blog is written by a teacher who shares experiences working with children who have been diagnosed with some form of neurological disorder. More information is available at: http://www.blogged.com/blogs/alexs-voluntary.html.

EBD blog is about emotional and behavioral disorders of children and youths. It is written by John Wills Lloyd, a professor at the University of Virginia's Curry School of Education. His primary research focus is in the area of special education. More information is available at: http://ebdblog.com/.

The Life That Chose Me blog is written by Daniel Dage, a high-school special education teacher, who seeks to develop a knowledge base for SID/PID teachers to draw from and contribute to. More information is available at: http://specialed.wordpress.com/.

Mentor Matters blog is written by an experienced teacher of children with special needs. More information is available at: http://mentormatters.blogspot.com/.

Special Education Blog is a useful resource for parents of children with special needs, as well as for teachers. More information is available at: http://specialed.about.com/b/.

Special Education Law Blog is written by Charles Fox. It is a special education legal resource discussing case-law, news, practical advocacy, and developments in the USA´s state and federal laws, statutes, and regulations. More information is available at: http://specialedlaw.blogs.com/

Special Education Law Blog is written by Jim Gerl, who intends to provide a fresh look at special education. More information is available at: http://specialeducationlawblog.blogspot.com/.

SpeEdChange blog is written by teachers, and is intended to promote education for all students. More information is available at: http://speedchange.blogspot.com/.

Teach Effectively! is a blog offering evidence-based teaching methods for helping students who are at risk for school failure or who have disabilities. More information is available at: http://teacheffectively.com/.

Teaching Learners with Multiple Special Needs blog offers resources and ideas for teachers of learners with severe, profound, intensive, significant, complex, or multiple special needs. More information is available at: http://teachinglearnerswithmultipleneeds.blogspot.com/. 

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Highlights

1) Dumping Grounds For Forgotten People

An investigation by Bulgarian journalist Yana Buhrer Tavanier on the mental care institutions in Bulgaria, Romania and Serbia.   

Please visit the website dedicated to the investigation and view the new promotional video.


Judith Klein, director of the OSMHI (Open Society Mental Health Initiative) has written a foreword to the article, which appears in the newsletter of the European Coalition for Community Living, Issue No. 10, October 2009 and also on the investigation website.


2) Report of the Ad Hoc Expert Group on the Transition from Institutional to Community-based Care

A report on the Transition from Institutional to Community-based Care was handed over to Commissioner Vladimír ?pidla on September 23, 2009. The report was drafted by a group of independent experts convened by Commissioner Spidla in February 2009 to address the issues of institutional care reform in their complexity.  The report is also available in Bulgarian, Croatian, Hungarian, Romanian.

Films

Karin Dom - a training and resource centre for children with special needs and their families

This short film was made following a BBC production about a children's institution in Mogilino, Bulgaria. The film features MHI partner organization Karin Dom and highlights what community-based alternatives for children can be like in Bulgaria.

UN Disability Convention

The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities received its 20th ratification on April 3, 2008, triggering the entry into force of the Convention and its Optional Protocol on May 3, 2008. This marks a major milestone in the effort to promote, protect and ensure the full and equal enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms of persons with disabilities, and to promote respect for their inherent dignity.

Information on the convention process:
Convention in Easy to Read
View the list of signatories
Countries that have ratified the Convention
ICRPD Ratification Toolkit
Convention and Inclusive Education
View more information

 

News reports on the Convention:
Agreement on New UN Convention
Urging Implementation
Archive Webcast: Convention Signing 
Record Number of Countries Sign
Secretary-General Ban Hails Entry Into Force Of Treaty On Disability Rights
More news reports

Publications:
UN Handbook for Parliamentarians on the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and its Optional Protocol
First Implementation Manual For The United Nations Convention On The Rights Of Persons With Disabilities (Addressed Specifically To Users And Survivors Of Psychiatry)


Ratify Now (The campaign to support global grassroots efforts to ratify the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities).

Films about Inclusion

Foster Care for Children with Disabilities: English ** Russian

I Want to Work and I Can Work!

Living Proof: The right to live in the community

Reality - film on personal assistance

Being an Unperson. A short film about the experience of dehumanization within the care system.

In My Language. A short film about autism and nonverbal communication.

A Way of Describing Autism. A short film by Dave Spicer and Amanda Baggs.

Equalise It!

A Manifesto for Disability Equality in Development Cooperation

The international committee of UK Disabled People's Council (formerly BCODP) has written this manifesto in the light of the signing of the UN Convention on the Human Rights of Persons with Disabilities. 

To read the campaign launch letter, please click here.

Organisations who wish to sign up to the Manifesto are asked to contact Bill Albert or Mark Harrison so that their name and logo can be added to the list of signatories.