On this page I will try to gather a list of really useful sites. My passion is helping to construct a new set of accommodation options for us. I myself use a human being to repeat out loud after me what I have said. This is usually called “revoicing.” It is basically the same idea as the “Speech to Speech” Relay system but face to face. Other people use other kinds of Alternative and Augmentative Communication (AAC). Please email me with requests for resources and links or any suggestions for this page. This is our opportunity to build our own community and to archive a record of our own growth.
Devva Kasnitz
Impairment Specific Resources | Speech and Accommodations | Listservs & Online Communities
Resources and Topics from our Other Pages:
Assistive Technology | Education | Employment | Health and Wellness | How To _ | Leadership | Legal | Parenting | Sexuality
OUR SOCIETY FOR DISABILITY STUDIES 2008 PRESENTATION
We are very happy to say we will presenting in NYC between June June 18 to June 21, 2008. We will post the exact time when we know it.
Here is a link to the Society for Disability Studies.
TITLE: Speech Impairment, Physical Impairment, Cognitive Impairment - Community Building and Taking our Strategies on the Road
Explanation of Presentation:
We are unsure of how to label this. We don’t fit into the existing categories. You may feel that this is a standard or better yet a double Panel or a Panel combined with Papers. All of our presentation teams share significant speech impairments as well as either physical or cognitive impairments. These 2 groups rarely share the same platform. This event is meant to both address communication issues analytically and experientially. It will move back and forth between talking about our communication barriers and strategies and demonstrating how we communicate. We need extra time to work through interpreters, facilitators, and electronic devices requiring slow typing. We could probably do it in 90 minutes, definitely not in 75. We know we are a lot of people for one session but our team presenters are not merely co-presenters but are actual co-communicators, broadening concepts of personal assistance.
We provide an overall session abstract and individual abstracts for the 2 lead Papers for Part One and Part Two, academic in nature, both of which are followed by more experiential demonstrations.
Agenda:
1. Welcome: Devva, 5 minutes
2. Part One: Speech Impairment and “Physical Disability”
* Kelly Munger, 15 minutes, The Importance of Impairment Specific, Experientially-Based Research and Social Support Provision: The Case of Cerebral Palsy.
* Martina Robinson and Neil Marcus, 20 minutes, Spotlight on Employment/Spotlight on Medicine.
3. Part Two: Speech Impairment and “Cognitive Disability”
* Pamela Bloch, Hope Bloch, and Barbara Kilcup, 20 minutes, Autism, Communication and Family
* Susan Fitzmaurice and Teddy Fitzmaurice, 15 minutes, Communication Dialogues.
4. Discussion: Devva Kasnitz, Chair, 15 minutes.
Session Abstract:
A group of women with speech impairment and physical disability develop a website (4dwm.org) and start to build community. We immediately start trading strategies for giving presentations, such as at SDS, and for casual and formal communication in other venues: health, employment, sexuality, education. etc. Since people with speech Impairments experience significant stigma and are frequently assumed to have a cognitive impairment (whether they do or not) we immediately bump against our own stereotypes of speech impairment and cognitive disability.
“There was the time I got the cops called on me for wheeling down a public street after dark. The sidewalk ran out and I was wheeling on the shoulder, I did not feel comfortable in the situation and was just trying to get home as fast as I could. Out of nowhere a car pulls up in front of me and two women get out grab my chair and pull me into a parking lot. They say your not fit to be out alone, I have to tell you that I have CP which effects my speech. So they wouldn’t listen, I tried to show them my college ID thinking that would make em realize I am mentally intact-didn’t work. They call the cops-they lied to the cops say I was “found wondering in the middle of the road, I was nonverbal and agitated.”
However, we happen to have personal bridges across this divide. We embrace it. My son and I want to discuss his speech difficulties. People with speech difficulties hate being mistaken as also having a cognitive impairment - but in the case of my son - he does have a cognitive disability - and he hates people thinking he is too stupid to know how to say a word correctly and think it is because he doesn’t know the word. So the same stigma people without cognitive disabilities suffer under - he does too.
There is almost no research from a progressive disability studies perspective on speech impairment, let alone one that juxtaposes speech impairment and physical, and speech impairment and cognitive impairment. This directly relates to the conference theme of the exploration of borders and boundaries, mechanisms of control, and strategies for resistance. Our session will look at the need for impairment-specific research as well as barrier-specific work. Kelly Munger will frame this issue. Then Martina Robinson and Neil Marcus, both people with speech and physical impairment will discuss their own experience in the spheres of employment and health respectively. We will then turn to an analysis of autism and facilitated communication by Pamela and Hope Bloch and Barbara Kilcup, an anthropologist/sister, woman with autism, mother trio. They will be followed by Susan and Teddy Fitzmaurice, a mother and son with cognitive impairment duet as they demonstrate and model communication strategies.
Kelly Munger Paper Abstract:
The Importance of Impairment Specific, Experientially-Based Research and Social Support Provision: The Case of Cerebral Palsy.
Our field of scholarship has traditionally attempted to downplay the significance of impairment and instead to emphasize the commonalities among individuals with disabilities. However, the successful evolution of Disability Studies is largely dependent upon our abilities to accurately understand the experiences of and then to comprehensively address the needs of all members of this group. Because individuals may have differing needs and experiences based upon their impairment status,
it can be highly effective, and sometimes critical, to conduct research focused upon a specific impairment sub-group. For example, individuals with cerebral palsy (CP) often face unique obstacles to successful societal integration and participation. Research on the acceptability hierarchy of impairments has consistently demonstrated that cerebral palsy is among the least acceptable impairments, with ratings only slightly higher than cognitive impairment and mental illness. Scholars have also suggested that high levels of muscle spasticity experienced by many individuals with CP also contributes significantly to the stigma which they encounter, as does frequent difficulties with breathing, swallowing, and containing saliva (i.e., drooling). Indeed, the presence of speech impairments and/or these other common characteristics of CP are often falsely construed as evidence that an individual is both physically and cognitively incapable.
Further, because CP is a developmental disability, individuals with this impairment may be at a particular disadvantage in erms of their societal integration and participation. For example, people with CP often report having spent much of their hildhood attending special segregated schools and/or hospitals, growing up in highly sheltered environments, and being epeatedly subject to others’ misperceiving gaze when they did enter the public domain. As a result, they frequently truggle well into adulthood (and sometimes throughout their entire lives) to successfully integrate into mainstream ulture, to establish a comfort zone and to claim a space within an unwelcoming, and often oppressive, society.
Thus, the lived experiences of individuals with CP warrant specific attention, both in terms of the Disability Studies esearch agenda, and also in terms of working to provide supportive communities for these individuals to come together and hare both their struggles and their triumphs. After articulating the preceding rationale for the establishment of these ommunities, two specific examples will be discussed: “the CP Group,” a small, non-profit organization developed to connect nd support adults with CP, and 4dwm.org newly created website for women with physical and speech impairments (specifically, ut not exclusively, geared towards women with CP). Each of the two forums is groundbreaking in that they not only ecognize the unique social challenges faced by adults with CP and the importance of providing support, but they also epresent bold new attempts to build bridges between them.
Pamela Block (Stony Brook University), Hope Block and Barbara Kilcup
Paper Abstract
Autism, Communication and Family
In sheltered workshops and other segregated group settings for developmentally disabled adults, non-speakers are often hought to be low functioning, treated with distain by disabled peers, and infantilized by family and staff. All people with utism, but especially non-speakers, face significant challenges in communication, social interaction, and acceptance. They we) face stigma on multiple levels as movement and communication differences locate them (us) well outside the social norm. ome face additional challenges when the validity of their (our) mode of communication is questioned or rejected outright.
Autism, when studied in biomedical and educational contexts is too often approached in relation to compliance or oncompliance to complex regimens. In recognition of recent insightful examinations of the social and historical contexts of acilitated communication (FC) research and practice (Erevelles 2001, Kliewer et al. 2006, Rubin et al. 2001), we seek to nderstand the experience of autism by moving beyond rigid biomedical notions of what autism is/is not/should be. Our goal s to transcend positivist binaries which have served to limit the scope of autism research to a near exclusive focus on roving or disproving the “scientific” reliability and validity of various treatment and communication techniques. There is disconnection between how applied professionals classify autism and how it is experienced directly by individuals and amilies. Professionals have theorized that individuals with autism lack a theory of the mind — the ability to interpret,
understand and predict what another person might think or do. This has been strongly contested by individuals with autism and allies.
This presentation will apply theories and methodologies from disability studies, cultural anthropology, and participatory ction research to consider how non-speaking adults with autism perceive themselves (ourselves) and how they (we) are viewed y family, friends and staff. Our emphasis will be on the social context of communication: the inter-relationships and nteractions between the people involved. Using our own family experiences we seek to: (1) investigate the role of ommunication in reinforcing or subverting social stereotypes; (2) establish how communication strategies influence social relationships, community presence and the capacity of adults with autism to lead fulfilling and rewarding lives, and; (3) dentify social factors that encourage or discourage communication. We will provide examples of interactions we have had with professionals and experiences of “supported” living (which has at times included secret behavior programs, restrictions antamount to house arrest and physical restraints) and explore how behavioral intervention strategies and classification ystems have shaped our lives.
Our presentation relates to the conference theme’s exploration of borders and boundaries, mechanisms of control and trategies for resistance. In our ongoing dialogues about the limits and horizons of autism we are constantly challenged, as ndividuals and as a family, to define ourselves, our rights, our positions in each others lives and what we seek from each ther, from friends, from professionals, and from our local and national communities. We will consider the following uestions:
- How do presumptions of ability and disability shape quality of life and significant relationships for nonspeaking adults ith autism?
- What opportunities are created or precluded by the belief (or disbelief) that communication is possible?
- What types of social interactions encourage or inhibit communication? What social contexts and supports build capacity to ove from FC to independent typing?
- What strategies can be used to guard against excessive influence, manipulation or abuse of FC?
In Rubin et al. (2001), the first author describes supporting and motivating factors for her move from FC to independent yping, including a desire to show her intelligence and anger at skeptics. The article suggests that strong social support rom family, community, professionals and staff is essential to success in achieving independent typing. We will further xplore these and other factors that may provide support and motivation for facilitated and independent communication.
Erevelles, Nirmala (2002). “Voices of Silence: Foucault, Disability, and the Question of Self-determination.” Studies in Philosophy and Education, 21(1):17-35.
Kliewer, C., Biklen, D. & Kasa-Hendrickson, C. (2006). Who may be literate? Disability and resistance to the cultural denial f competence. American Educational Research Journal, 43(2):163-92.
Rubin. S., Biklen, D. Kasa-Hendrickson C., Kluth, P., Cardinal, D.N. & Broderick A. Independence, Participation, and the eaning of Intellectual Ability. Disability and Society, 16(3): 415-29.
One group of useful sites is those connected to specific impairment categories or diagnoses such as CP, ALS, or Dystonia. Many of these sites are run by parents of people with the condition, but they all have useful information.
DYSTONIA
Dystonia is a catch all descriptor of a twisting type of neurological involuntary movement “disorder.” It can affect any part of the body and often involves speech.
- The Dystonia Medical Research Foundation is the oldest and largest non profit. Their primary aim is funding medical research but they also have an assortment of other support activities.
- Care4Dystonia is a nationwide community-based health organization dedicated to Setting the PACE: Patient Care, Awareness, Collaboration and Education for the dystonia community and the general public. It is run by a woman with Dystonia.
- Beka has made a brief video.
- We Move is a great site covering all movement disorders. This is the link to their Dystonia page.
- Here are contacts for some local Dystonia support groups if you happen to live in these areas.
- Southeast Pennsylvania Support Group Art and Bernice Hindle Glen Mills, PA 610-459-1349 magnus@icdc.com Mr. Raman Patel West Chester, PA 610-431-2199 shivapatel@comcast.net
- Central Pennsylvania Support Group Violet Klinger Middleberg, PA 570-837-0457 vikling@evenlink.com
- Pittsburgh Area Support Group Michele Santillo-Steri Monaca, PA 724-775-8814 mischsanti@comcast.net
CEREBRAL PALSY
Cerebral Palsy is probably the most common reason that draws people to our site.
- The American Academy for Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine is a multidisciplinary scientific society devoted to the study of cerebral palsy and other childhood onset disabilities, to promoting professional education for the treatment and management of these conditions, and to improving the quality of life for people with these disabilities.
- United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) is the leading source of information on cerebral palsy and is a pivotal advocate for the rights of persons with any disability. As one of the largest health charities in America, the UCP mission is to advance the independence, productivity and full citizenship of people with disabilities through an affiliate network.
- This group is for women who has Cerebral Palsy (or similar disabilities) and speech impairment. The purpose of this group is to make friends, share advice/concerns, resources; and to just have a place for people to communicate with each other. We are an community with unlimitations!!!
OTHER IMPAIRMENTS
Many other impairment contribute to speech impairment and other physical impairments. We list just a few and encourage you to suggest others to cover.
- Here is a link to the largest professional speech website in the USA, that of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). They list details of the full range of speech impairing conditions.
- This link leads you to the USA National Research Institute that covers speech impairment. This is the largest single source for research money, both basic science and clinical research. Their full name is the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders.
ATAXIA The word ataxia is often used to describe a symptom of incoordination which can be associated with infections, injuries, other diseases, or degenerative changes in the central nervous system. Ataxia is also used to denote a group of specific degenerative diseases of the nervous system called the hereditary and sporadic ataxias which are the National Ataxia Foundation’s primary emphases.
Internaf- International Network of Ataxia Friends, the website and mailing lists are maintained by volunteers who have some form of ataxia.
This list is just a beginning. I encourage you all to let me know what works for you and what doesn’t. We will build this resource together. We will discuss both hi-tech and low-tech solutions. We will not be complacent and make the same mistake most of the “helping” professions make — that technology will supply all the answers. You will also often find discussions of speech accommodations combined with those for hearing impairment. People with hearing problems from early childhood may have speech issues but we also know that speech issues often combine with problems with manual dexterity making typing difficult.
Speech Amplification - telephone - Hearing impaired persons have several methods (e.g tone, pitch, volume, etc.) of amplifying speech being heard over a telephone. · Speech Amplification - meeting or conversation - A portable speech amplification device may be easily placed on a table for use in group meetings, training, or lecture settings. · Telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) - A TDD permits a hearing impaired or speech impaired person to communicate over a standard telephone with another TDD or through a relay operator to reach a non-TDD user. TDD’s come in ASCII or baudot formats. · Baudot/ASCII modem with speech output - A PC modem that will accept either a call from a TDD or a PC using standard ASCII communications. This modem allows the user to type a message on the PC that is converted into speech and spoken to an individual on the other end of a telephone line. Using this feature, non-vocal hearing impaired callers could leave a spoken message or question. The hearing caller on the other end could respond by using the touch-tone phone keypad. · Speech systems - Hardware and software packages that captures and analyzes speech or other signals on a PC. Voice input and output packages enhance speech communication skills and word understanding. An augmentative communication speech system includes a battery operated computer, speech synthesizer, and software. · TDD telephones - A TDD that is portable pay/public telephones with a pull-out TDD in the lower area of the pay/public telephone. · Intelligent modems - Software that allows the PC to operate selectively as a TDD for access to another TDD, and networks. The software permits multiple operations on the PC at one time; other applications may run while the TDD software is active. · Caption systems - These systems allows user to close caption or open caption any pre-recorded video tape.
SPEECH TO SPEECH TELEPHONE RELAY SERVICES
Speech to Speech (STS telephone relay systems are now mandated in every state. They operate like a TTY/TTD relay call. This is the brain child of Dr. Bob Segalman of California. A person called a “Communication Assistant” (CA) is trained to repeat, revoice, what the speech impaired person says. The theory is that the CA will be better prepared to listen to us. Whether it’s a matter of skill or expectations, it certainly ups the uniqueness of the call and makes everyone be a bit more carefully and patient. Bob says outreach to speech impaired people and practice using the system is key. Bob says it takes 20 calls to make a user.
- This link will take you to the FCC site where you can link to the STS phone numbers for any state in the USA. Here is how they describe their service: “Call these toll free phone numbers to access the service called Speech-To-Speech (STS) in your state. STS is a form of Relay Services that provides Communications Assistants (CAs) for people with speech disabilities who have difficulty being understood on the phone. STS CAs are trained individuals familiar with many different speech patterns and language recognition skills. The CA makes the call and repeats the words exactly. Individuals using STS include those with cerebral palsy, Parkinsons disease, a laryngectomy, ALS, stuttering, muscular dystrophy, stroke, and other conditions affecting clarity of speech. Call the number in your state and ask the CA to dial the number you wish to call. STS will be available nationwide in March 2001. For inquiries or concerns about STS contact the FCC via Email at: fccinfo@fcc.gov.”
- This link takes you to the whole FCC Disability Rights Office.
- Here is a fact sheet on STS!
- Sitris is a commercial web service which enables people with speech difficulties make assisted telephone calls. There is no software to download, through the web interface Sitris converts your text into high quality natural speech instantly. You type and they dial the call and a synthesized voice speaks for you. You can try it out for free.
- HAWK Relay is another similar service but is free. Has anyone used it?
STS — SPEECH TO SPEECH WEBSITE
- This ir run by Dr. Bob Segalman, the person who started the STS idea. It is completely consumer run. They have a great outline for “Communication Assistant” training that I’m going to use to train my new personal CA.
AAC — AUGMENTATIVE and ALTERNATIVE COMMUNICATION
AAC usually refers to non human voice strategies from the most sophisticated electronic synthesized voices to a simple alphabet board.
- Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) strategies assist people with severe communication disabilities to participate more fully in their social roles including interpersonal interaction, learning, education, community activities, employment, volunteerism, care management, and so on. This AAC website is designed to provide access to a wide range of information and resources related to the AAC effort. It is maintained by the Barkley AAC Center and the Munroe-Meyer Institute for Genetics and Rehabilitation at the University of Nebraska.
- This link is to the AAC Institute.They try to broadly cater to all constituents.
- They have an emailed “Updates” newsletter to which you can subscribe.
- There are several professional journals on AAC. This one is called Augmentative and Alternative Communication. You can sign up to receive their table of contents in emails.
- This website has some wonderful articles on what AAC is and how to communicate with people who use it. In particular they talk about integrating sexuality content into communication displays.
INTERPRETING, TTY/TDD, and SIGN LANGUAGE SERVICES
Some people with speech impairments can use a signed language. Many who also have movement difficulties can not. However, sign language interpreters are good trained listeners and can act as “revoicing” interpreters.
GENERAL ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY SERVICES
There are a great many assistive technology sites. I have leaned toward those with speech accommodations, often electronic. I recommend that you consult a local pro before you make any expensive decision. I also recommend that you do your research before and during the consultation. Websites, local groups with hands-on labs, and exhibitions and conferences are the major venues for information.
- This one looks at the issue from the point of view of the industry. Remember, their goal is profit. The mission of ATIA is to serve as the collective voice of the Assistive Technology industry so that the best products and services are delivered to people with disabilities.
- The Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Association of North America (RESNA) is also industry dominated but perhaps a bit less so because it’s emphasis is on service providers rather than products.
- ABLEDATA is an online catalog. It tries to provide objective information about assistive technology products and rehabilitation equipment available from domestic and international sources. Although ABLEDATA does not sell any products, they can help you locate the companies that do.
- The Society for Technical Communication has a Special Interest Group (SIG) on Accessibility that has many references to speech accessibility. This society is primarily interested in speech recognition. They write “This page contains information about speech accessibility and communication aids for people who are unable to talk, or to talk clearly. These users may have acquired brain damage, autism, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, intellectual impairment, or strokes. Many speech recognition systems are unable to recognize the speech of these users because they are based on average speakers. Because of the inconsistency of most impaired speech, speaker dependent systems do not have a high rate of accuracy. Speech recognition should not be the only form of input. In addition, some users with impaired speech may have additional motor skills accessibility problems because of impaired dexterity.”
LISTSERVES AND ONLINE COMMUNITIES
DYSTONIA@YAHOOGROUPS
- This is a support group for people with Dystonia. There is no specific focus on speech but members are open to sharing all their experiences. This large international group is primarily adult women but not specifically so. There are 435 members but only about 20 post regularly.
DYSTONIA INTERNATIONAL LISTSERV
- This is also a support group for people with Dystonia just like the one above. There is no specific focus on speech but members are open to sharing all their experiences. This large international group is primarily adult women but not specifically so. There are 117 members and I’m new to it. There is some overlap in membership. Their promo has a bit more tragedy discourse
DYSTONIA WEEKLY CHAT
- This is a weekly chat about Dystonia. CHAT TIME is Wednesdays at 8:00 pm - 9:00 pm EST. Event Location: http://www.dystoniaassociation.org.
STS — SPEECH TO SPEECH LISTSERV
- This list is occasionally active and run by Dr. Bob Segalman, the person who started the STS idea. To join email a blank message with the word “subscribe” in the subject line to <requests@ataccess.org>.
STS — SPEECH TO SPEECH ON MYSPACE
- Also run by Dr. Bob Segalman, the person who started the STS idea.
STS — SPEECH TO SPEECH WEBSITE
- Also run by Dr. Bob Segalman, the person who started the STS idea.
INDIVIDUALS’ WEBSITES
Occasionally I find websites that are by, for, or about individuals that are so compelling that I want to share them.
- This is a site about a 6 year old girl done by her grandmother. It has a definite fund raising purpose for the girl’s care. How do you all feel about these kinds of sites? Her grandmother writes:
- Breanna has dystonia, and is one of the youngest persons ever diagnosed with it…and she certainly has one of the severest cases on record. She was either born with it…or one theory is that her dystonia is as a result of the inoculation she received within hours of her birth - due to thermisol (the binding agent in children’s shots, and the same thing that is causing the dramatic rise in autism). Breanna is now six-years-old. She’s never been able to roll over, sit up, walk, and holding a toy is nearly impossible. Even her speech is affected. Yet she is a bright and cheerful little girl who loves life, even though she is in pain much of the time.
- Breanna has dystonia, and is one of the youngest persons ever diagnosed with it…and she certainly has one of the severest cases on record. She was either born with it…or one theory is that her dystonia is as a result of the inoculation she received within hours of her birth - due to thermisol (the binding agent in children’s shots, and the same thing that is causing the dramatic rise in autism). Breanna is now six-years-old. She’s never been able to roll over, sit up, walk, and holding a toy is nearly impossible. Even her speech is affected. Yet she is a bright and cheerful little girl who loves life, even though she is in pain much of the time.
RESOURCES & TOPICS FROM OUR OTHER PAGES
All of the pages on this site have valuable resources and links. Here are some additional resources and links on these topics.
Education is key. We have all persevered with inadequate accommodations. It usually takes us longer to do our work and our class participation is problematic but we persevere. It will get better.
We struggle with employment. Discrimination against people with speech impairment is real. The accommodation we received in school because they were the cheapest, like extra time are often the last accommodation an employer will grant. We need a new strategy.
Visit our Employment page now.
- The Job Accommodation Network (JAN) is a free consulting service designed to increase the employability of people with disabilities by: 1) providing individualized worksite accommodations solutions, 2) providing technical assistance regarding the ADA and other disability related legislation, and 3) educating callers about self-employment options
- The federal Office of Disability Employment Policy provides national leadership by developing and influencing disability-related employment policy and practice affecting the employment of people with disabilities.
ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY RESOURCES
Assistive technology covers the whole gambit of low to high tech accommodation solutions. We need to understand them all to make the best choices whether we pay for these aids ourselves or receive them through any kind of program.
Visit our Assistive Technology page now
We do not receive the best health care we could. Rushed doctors do not take the time they should to listen to us or to ask us all the questions they should. It is up to us to insist. We must develop communication techniques such as writing out or questions and concerns before a medical appointment or finding a doctor who will have a dialog with us by email.
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Even within the disability rights movement discrimination against people with speech impairments is legendary. We must turn this around. We can use our lack of fluid casual speech to command attention when we do get the floor.
Visit our Leadership page now.
We have legal right we need to understand, protect, and extend. Access to a Speech to Speech telephone relay system is one such right.
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We have a right to sexual expression free from fear of victimization. We likewise have the right to form families. Our sexuality page has good links about dating and sexual health.
This link takes you to the “Speak Up” project. Although it ended Dec. 2004, the site is maintained by the Augmentative Communication Community Partnerships-Canada (ACCPC. Speak Up is about ending the silences that prevents people who use alternative ways to communicate from protecting themselves from all too common sexual abuse. It is about giving people with complex communication needs the information, education and means to communicate about healthy sexuality and sexual abuse. This site is also full of many many other useful links. Worth a visit!
- The Implementing Best Practices (IBP) in Sexual and Reproductive Health Initiative will be facilitating a one-week online discussion forum from November 19 to 23, 2007. Participants will discuss the draft UNFPA-WHO Guidance Note on Sexual and Reproductive Health of Persons with Disabilities. The draft guidance note is available at this link. This guidance note is based on the UNFPA-WHO E-Discussion through WHO Implementing Best Practices (IBP) Knowledge Gateway in October 2007 and UNFPA-WHO Global Consultative Meeting on Sexual and Reproductive Health of Persons with Disabilities, held in Brazil in December 2007. The guidance note from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the World Health Organization (WHO) is meant as a guide for a broad range of individuals and professionals involved in the sexual and reproductive health (SRH) field, including those working in family planning; maternal health; HIV and AIDS; gender-based violence; child and adolescent health; the disability community; and the broader development community including UNFPA, WHO, other UN agencies, bi-lateral organizations, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs).
