[blindkid] FW: [blind-family] [Disabilities Network of NYC] NEW NATIONAL CENTER FOR PARENTS WITH DISABILITIES

[Eric Calhoun]

Original Message: 
From: Rachel <rachel720 at mindspring.com>
To: "blind-family-yahoogroups.com" <blind-family at yahoogroups.com>
Subject: [blind-family] [Disabilities Network of NYC] NEW NATIONAL CENTER
FOR PARENTS WITH DISABILITIES
Date: 
Fri, 24 Oct 2008 00:12:59 -0400

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


NEW NATIONAL CENTER FOR PARENTS WITH DISABILITIES

Research and resources concerning the 9 million U.S. parents with
disabilities

BERKELEY, CA -- October 21, 2008.  A new National Center for Parents 
with Disabilities and their Families has been established in 
Berkeley, California under the auspices of Through the Looking Glass, 
a non-profit organization founded in 1982.  The Center will oversee 
several national research studies concerning parents with 
disabilities and their families, as well as provide consultations, 
trainings and publications to parents, family members and professionals.

The research and resources of the Center will address the nearly 9 
million U.S. parents with disabilities - 15% of all American 
families.  Parents with disabilities include mothers and fathers in 
all disability categories - such as parents with physical 
disabilities, deaf parents, blind parents, parents with psychiatric 
or cognitive disabilities.  The Center is funded by a $500,000 per 
year federal grant for three years from the Washington, DC-based 
National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR), 
U.S. Department of Education.

The new Center will focus its research and resource activities on 
four critical areas that impact parents with disabilities: custody, 
family roles and personal assistance; paratransit; and, intervention 
with parents with cognitive disabilities and their children.  One of 
the notable activities planned over the next three years is a 
scholarship program for high school seniors and college students 
whose parents have disabilities.  The Center will be staffed by 
nationally recognized experts regarding parents with disabilities, 
most of whom have personal or family experience with disability or
deafness.

More information about the Center and Through the Looking Glass is 
available at the organization's website (www.lookingglass.org), 
through two toll-free numbers, 800-644-2666 (voice), 800-804-1616 
(TDD/TTY), or by email at tlg at lookingglass.org

ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION.  This new National Center will build upon 
Through the Looking Glass's nationally and internationally recognized 
expertise and leadership in working with parents with disabilities, 
their families, and their providers -- 26 years of groundbreaking 
research, services, training and resource development.  Through the 
Looking Glass (TLG) has trained more than 70,000 professionals 
regarding parents with disabilities and deaf parents, from all U.S. 
states and 44 countries.  Since 1993 it has provided technical 
assistance to over 25,000 parents with disabilities, family members 
and professionals.  TLG's expertise has contributed to the passage of 
legislation in three states to decrease discrimination against 
parents with disabilities.  TLG is one of seven disability 
organizations that have partnered to build the Ed Roberts Campus at 
the Ashby BART Station in Berkeley - a national and international 
model dedicated to disability rights and universal access(see 
www.edrobertscampus.org for more details).  Opening in 2010, the 
campus will house the offices of the collaborating organizations as 
well as Through the Looking Glass' new early child development center.

Contact: Dr. Paul Preston
510-848-1112, x104
Email: ppreston at lookingglass.org

Through the Looking Glass
2198 Sixth Street, Suite 100
Berkeley, CA 94710
(800) 644-2666 (voice)
(800) 804-1616 (TDD/TTY)
FAX: (510) 848-4445
tlg at lookingglass.org
www.lookingglass.org