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The Light - an e-newsletter
Spring 2011
In this Issue:
- Katey's Law
- What is an IEP - Independent Education Program?
- Book Review by Courtney Cowan - The Book Thief, by Marcus Zusak
- Someone You Should Know - FACT - Family and Community Together
- Testimonials
Welcome the Spring 2011 issue of The Light! We're excited to share the story of Katey's Bill (soon to be Katey's Law). Also, for families just learning the 'ropes' of special needs education, Roberta Dunn of FACT is delivering the basic information you need to know. And we're also giving Roberta an opportunity to share information about how FACT can help your family in our Someone You Should Know piece. You'll also hear from a couple of our clients about their experience with our team. We hope you'll enjoy all we're offering in this issue!
All the best!
Lana
Katey's Law
Oregon Senate President Peter Courtney: No child should be referred to as 'mentally retarded'
By Janie Har, The Oregonian, Thursday, March 31, 2011, 2:41 PM
SALEM — The Oregon Senate unanimously approved a bill today that replaces the words "mental retardation" with the more palatable "intellectual disability" in state statutes.
'No child in our state should ever be referred to as mentally retarded. We are better than that. Oregon is better than that," said Senate President Peter Courtney, D-Salem.
Joining him in speaking in favor of Senate Bill 3 were Sen. Chris Edwards, D-Eugene, and Sen. Jason Atkinson, R-Central Point.
"Words matter and the word retarded is not only offensive, but a close-minded label that fails to recognize the differences in those who are disabled," Edwards said.
SB 3 modifies education statutes to reflect the new term. Children could no longer be labeled as having "mental retardation" in individualized education programs.
Should the Oregon House concur, the bill probably would become known as Katey's law in honor of Katey Crawford, 16, of Tualatin.
Katey is now a freshman at Tualatin High School. When she was in the first grade, school officials wanted to label her with "mental retardation" in order to allow her special learning services. Katey's parents balked at the term.They would have felt differently had she been labeled as having "intellectual disabilities," said mom Libby Crawford.
Crawford said today that her daughter is "super-excited" and "very proud" and hopes to see Gov. John Kitzhaber sign the bill into law.
"The term 'celebutard' or 'that was so retarded' is used much too frequently by others in society. This referral insinuates being stupid, unintelligent and dumb — none of which describes my daughter or any other child with her disability," she said in written testimony before the education committee.
Wise Words…
Our greatest glory is not in never failing, but in rising up every time we fail. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson
Between the Lines - Book Review
"The Book Thief" by Marcus Zusak
Review by Courtney Cowan
The Book Thief, by Marcus Zusak, set in Nazi-Germany, is narrated by Death. The novel revolves around a young orphaned Jewish girl named Liesel. Throughout World War II, Liesel and her foster parents, Hans and Rosa discover ways to rebel against the Nazis. Liesel learns how to read and begins stealing books. Hans hides a Jewish fighter in their basement. The members of Liesel's small Jewish community learn to become a family as their living conditions worsen over the years. The Book Thief is one of my favorite novels of all time. The narration is cunning and the characters are vibrant, regardless of their situation. Beautifully written and tear inducing, I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a great read.
Someone You Should Know
FACT - Family and Community Together
619 SW 11th Avenue, Suite 102
Portland, OR 97205
1-888-988-FACT (3228)
info@factoregon.org
factoregon.org
Testimonials
Hope for a better future begins today… contact Lana L. Traynor, LLC, Attorney at Law, at 503.968.6792 to schedule a free initial consultation.
Lana L. Traynor, LLC / 6950 SW Hampton Street / Suite 336 / Tigard, Oregon 97223
p. 503.968.6792 / f. 503.968.6793 / (SEE DISCLAIMER)
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Lana L. Traynor, LLC, Attorney at Law, is an education attorney based in Portland and licensed in Oregon, Washington and California. Ms. Traynor works with special education and special needs students and their families across all levels of education including representation at IEP meetings, representation of students with special needs including regular education students with disciplinary issues, college students on scholarship, graduate students facing disciplinary action or expulsion, and disabled students.