Please Register: $1 per Zoom device. We will have captions enabled and chat for accessibility. We welcome AAC users. Send your feedback on your SDP process until today to info@doogri.org and we will discuss as peers.
Say YES to Self Determination, say NO to misappropriation.
Did you know that the State Council is in charge of sharing information with the DDS Committee, but if one doesn’t want to share with the other, your Regional Center counselor will not have any actual concrete information to tell you?
Take a stand and show the state government that consumers and their families have been forced to research trials by fire, and suffer the consequences of misappropriation. We have a right to the $10-billion+ and today is your day to know how to access this. Until this process is not in compliance with the ADA, the Lanterman Act is not protecting us from labor law violations. We are being asked to do their job, but we are not allowed to collect $2,500 for our INDEPENDENCE!!! Join to discuss.
San Diego only enrolled 43 people, despite a lottery slot of 300.
Suzy Requarth is the person tasked with “implementation funds and spending plan.”
If the Regional Center does not fulfill this mandate, they will have to relinquish their budget to approved SD plans. <– no wonder they’re avoiding your calls
If you would like to advocate for San Diego to implement more efficiently, please write to your Representatives and attend committee hearings.
Get involved with the committee who makes decisions for us: Self-Determination Local Advisory Committee Meetings are held the 3rd Tuesday of every month. Schedule is here
Our educational non-profit is seeking staff to generate short lesson plans for students with exceptional giftedness. Lessons are on math, history, science, famous people, and high-school subjects for online students.
You must be a skilled educator who can rearrange lesson content into our template format.
You must be able to connect to the internet platform to submit to the office.
You must submit a sample lesson plan that meets all of our template requirements to be considered for a full time position.
What is a lesson plan?
A lesson plan consists of a numbered list of facts. Number one will have 3 facts about something educational. Then, there will be an indented question about these facts. The question will contain a choice of 2 answers, (red or green?). Then, you return and start fact 2, and so on.
Our education department requires lesson plans written as though they are being taught to 6th graders and up. Plans should be written as though one is teaching or explaining the content or concept to someone who has no exposure nor a grasp of the cultural reference being made, perhaps a foreigner learning English for the first time. Provide lots of example to describe a new word.
Here is a snippet of our volcano lesson so you can imagine our format.
(1) The eruption of Mount St. Helens was not a surprise. Geologists are people who study the earth, and they knew that the volcano had erupted about 100 years ago. Therefore, they calculated that was going to happen again. The instrument used to record and measure these vibrations is called a seismograph.
A large wave on a seismograph means the instrument measured a large breakage of Rock or Light?
(2) Geologists watch volcanoes for signs of an eruption. They listen for rumbling, the deep groans and moans of the earth that is slowly melting underneath the ground. Mount St. Helens had been rumbling off and on for more than a hundred years.
Is Mt. St. Helens considered a volcano that is Dead or Alive?
Geologists know that these rumblings are warnings. Geologists also measure earthquakes. Before a volcano erupts, there are usually earthquakes happening in the same area, called a region.
After an earthquake in your region, should you worry about a future Volcano or a future Snowstorm?
[ end lesson sample ]
Opportunity for Growth: extraordinary creativity is rewarded!
Our base pay is $1 per Fact+question. Lesson plans must be at minimum 10 questions. You may write longer lessons, and you may submit up to 4 lessons plans per day! (=$40/day)
We look forward to reviewing your sample submissions and expanding our team with your creative skills. Please also check our updated Jobs page, as our mission is to generate employment opportunities for people seeking gainful and meaningful work. We honor neurodiversity, so please reply with your interest and availability so we can expect a timeline. What excites you about this format?
Explanation of our template and milestones:
(A) Content topic should be age appropriate, while the context must be provided to an alien thinker to develop content knowledge with guided imagery. Your 6th grader might know that microwaves are used for food, but the alien might know that humans use electromagnetic waves in their kitchen. Teach to both at the same time.
(B) Think of the Ripley fact, “Can you believe it?” Our students love fun, weird or goofy facts they can repeat to show off their smarts. “Hey, did you know that the world’s tallest person needed 14 yards of fabric to make their suit?”
(C) Critical feedback questions that offer two choices for a response. The choices must reside in the same alphabet cluster, but not the same letter for both questions. (A-I, or J-R, or S-Z). Example: Is today’s lesson about Electricity or History (E and H are both in the alphabet cluster A-I).
(D) Topic sentences must generate imagery so the student can imagine themselves in that content, and can try to guess how it looked, worked, or felt. Every idea should be followed with a critical thinking question to assess the student’s abstract imagery skills. The question doesn’t evaluate if they ‘heard’ or ‘understood,’ but how well they can imagine what would happen next, given the most recent facts. Example: * Is YARDS a Measurement or a Pattern? (J-R)
Our Phase I hiring requirements include submitting one Sample Lesson of a topic of your choice; something that you know a lot about. Please use our submission form here
Phase II
Our editors will review your submissions and send you a google doc (please provide a gmail) to act as a working document. We will provide feedback as comments in the doc.
Phase II
The third and last phase of our hiring process is identifying candidacy and remitting an offer and budget.
There are an estimated 1 million autistic adults in California equaling that of the 1-million estimated veterans in the State. 96% of autistic adults are under- or unemployed.
Help bring medically necessary #communicationsupport to your state. Help advocate using this fact-sheet.
Contact the Acces-VR State Rehabilitation Council (SRC) accessrc@nysed.gov and 518-474-2714 for the Commissioner’s office.
Ask Diane Woodworthaccessrc@nysed.gov to place our report on their March calendar with SRC public hearing. Requesting 90 minutes on the agenda with handout.
Ask Deputy Commissioner Kevin Smith (518) 474-2714 accesadm@mail.nysed.gov to meet with us to discuss our report with Acces-VR
California
Contact your Assemblymember and ask them to co-sponsor the #communicationsupport program for this 2021-2022 budget year.
Help bring medically necessary #communicationsupport to your state. Help advocate using this Main fact-sheet clickable on top.
Doogri Institute 501(c)(3) non-profit
Autistic-Led Innovation on Autism Communication Support Programs
5-year Report for 2014-2019
Quality Assurance and Monitoring (QAM) 2021-2022
Prepared for Assemblywoman Wendy Carrillo
Henny Kupferstein, Ph.D., Principal Investigator
ATTN Unai Montes-Irueste, Unai.Montes@asm.ca.gov Office of Assemblymember Wendy Carrillo (AD-51)
It is with great honor that we can fulfill our civic duty by submitting this report. Thank you for your interest, and for your willingness to take action on this matter of great importance.
Click image for accessible Flow Chart of Report Data as single-page PDFOutcome Table: This table illustrates that Consumers who achieved their employment goals without employment support programs (Navy Bar 1) increased from 70% in 2015 to 90% 2020. Consumers who achieved their employment goals with employment support programs (Teal Bar 2) reliability decreased from 27% in 2015 to 9% in 2020. Increase in Communication Support negatively correlates with a decrease of Employment Support programs outcomes that are inappropriate for this population. The data show an inverse relationship between the amount of employment support and communication supports. Based on these findings, ACCES-VR consumers can be expected to continue to meet the same outcomes as their peers, who are increasingly meeting employment goals without employment support. By deduction, this indicates a direct benefit of the Communication Support sister programs launched in the state.The New York State Department of Health NYSDOH ASD Guideline conducted an in-depth review of autism studies and their focus category. Breakdown of current research domains by focus category: Among the 177 articles reviewed, the 3 most cited domains are Communication (30%), Social (26%), and only 14% on Behavior Reduction, or less than half of Communication priorities in autism research today. Anxiety and Cognitive research studies were at 0% in this report, which indicates that with Communication Supports only, behavior and mental health concerns may be reduced.The ILC Consumer Service Record (CSR) indicates an 50% increase in demand, doubling over 5 years.
Table of Contents
Communication Support
Review of the Literature
Medical Necessity of Communication Support
Nationwide Problem
Chronology of the Communication Support Programs
Underserved Populations
ACCES-VR Employment Outcomes: 5-year Review Table
Demand and Outcomes
Flow Chart of Report Data
Sister Programs Expansion
ADA Discrimination by State Programs
Case Study of First Recipient
Consumer Research Survey
The A.5141 Bill History
Testimony that propelled this legislation
Dissolution of Inequitable Programming
APPENDIX: Our Organization Mission
February 8, 2021
This Quality Assurance and Monitoring (QAM) report focuses on 5-year outcomes of the Communication Support program(s) implemented in the State of New York from 2014 through 2019. Our core variables are gainful and meaningful employment outcomes in autistic adults and youth, financial self-sufficiency opportunities, and well-being markers. Forming linkages between each piece of legislation (A.5141) and state action adds significant value to the legislative intent of the Autism Action NY package.
The New York legislative fact sheet contains program outcomes. The intention is to underwrite the proposed “Communication Support” facilitated by on-call speech therapists in the State of California. In the past 3 years, we have continued to contact state legislators and newly elected officials to make Communication Support a nationwide effort.
Most unexpected was the immediate budget provisions for a new transition for youth services that was implemented (Pre-ETS) with Communication Supports.
Multiple sister programs (n=8) prioritized Communication Supports as defined in the legislation, making benefits and supports accessible through the Independent Living Centers (ILC) funded by ACCES-VR.
The NY State Autism Spectrum Disorder Advisory Board (A.8635) who reports to the Governor, is utilizing our legislated model to prioritize interagency awareness and dissemination of Communication Support.
Most notably, disabled consumers in New York remained employed during the Covid-19 pandemic. The unemployment rate in New York peaked in July 2020 at 15.9%. Understandably, the pandemic affected millions of individuals with and without disabilities, yet autistic adults who were not in congregate care facilities prevailed. This report highlights a 123% increase in autistic employment rates. We originally projected a drastic change from 96% unemployment to 85% employed, contingent on Communication Support implementation.
In 2014, only 2.8% of autistic adults met their ACCES-VR employment outcomes, essentially 32 individuals statewide, which prompted our legislative actions.
Based on ACCES-VR 2019-2020 employment outcomes, an estimated 134 autistic adults were reliably employed and fared better during economic hardships than their non-autistic counterparts.
During COVID19, ACCES-VR employment outcomes peaked at 90. 46% without Employment Support; an antiquated and inappropriate servicethat was replaced by Communication Support.
The outcomes exceeded our employment projections, demonstrating that autistic people who receive Communication Support, achieved greater employment outcomes than their disabled peers who continued using Employment Support & Job Coaching services. We encourage state agencies who receive tax incentives for diversity in the workplace to hire autistic talent.
Autistics are thriving amidst widespread economic hardships including the current pandemic, because they have a lifetime history of adapting to a changing world, hostile and confusing social settings, and sensory violations. Given the success of the New York pilot program, Communication Support should be strongly considered nationally, and replicated in California by 2021-2022.
Communication Support boosts job opportunities and assists with maintaining a job once a job is secured.
Communication Support is accessible, flexible, and amenable for changing times.
Communication Support provided by a Speech Language (SLP) specialist is reimbursable for Telepractice support during shelter-in-place.
Communication Support fulfills the ADA by effectively accommodating individuals with a communication disability inherent in an autism diagnosis.
Communication Support levels the playing field to accessing meaningful and gainful employment for neurodivergent people.
Communication Support facilitates the implementation of affirmative action as autistic adults experience due process.
Once each year, employment outcomes estimates (such as ACCES-VR consumer reports) are revised to reflect updated input data including new programs and demographics (ILC, Transition, etc.). As part of our benchmarking procedures, all state figures are reviewed, calculated for autistic demographics using the CDC prevalence report, and revised as necessary and then re-estimated. We used a time-series regression model to reduce the year-to-year variation in employment outcome rates and sister program consumers served by reducing variation caused by sampling errors and other components of statistical irregularities.
Experience the beauties of Kazakhstan in any season. We are the 9th largest country in the world, and borders China and Russia. Our accessible and sensory friendly live tours are with an English speaking tour guide.
Each Zoom call has closed-captioning enabled, and we can video-record our trip for your memories ($39 *unpredictable resolution).
Our Live Virtual tours with English-Speaking guide is catering to your interests of Culture, language, history, and foods. From desert sand dunes to ice fishing, every week of the year brings a seasonal surprise to our destinations.
$120 Kazakhstan: Almaty City Tour – Live Zoom 1.5 hours (97 minutes) with optional $25 extra 30-minute add-on for a full 2:00 hours to explore more of your interests. Each additional person in your group joins for 35% discount (only $78).
Meet-n-Greet your guide Saeed in the Paniflov park (2 minutes). I will introduce the Paniflov park in honor of Panfilov soldiers of the 1075 regiment of the 312th rifle division (5 minutes) during WWII.
Arrive at the Ascension Church also known as Zenkov Cathedral designed by Andrei Pavlovich Zenkov, and was completed in 1907. The Russian Orthodox cathedral is located in Panfilov Park in Almaty, Kazakhstan. The church was built without any nails, and was one of the only buildings that survived the 1911 earthquake in Almaty (10 minutes tour inside and out).
Right outside, we explore the World War II monument “Feat” in Park of the 28 Panfilov Guardsmen including the Eternal flame at the park during Victory Day celebration, 9 May 2012. (20 minutes outside tour)
A short 2-minute walk to the Kazakh Museum of Folk Musical Instruments. The wooden building was erected in 1908, simultaneously with Ascension Cathedral. The military leadership of the Turkestan governor-generalship once met here for ceremonies and state receptions. In 1980, it was converted to the musical instruments museum, named after the Great Kazakh musician of 19-20th centuries Ykylas, who promoted the purity of folk culture and preservation of various national instruments. Today, there are more than 1,000 items of instruments, divided into 60 types of Kazakh national musical instruments. (30 minutes)
Stop right outside at the Burger King and KFC. We will explore the menus, and I will teach you how to say your virtual meal, and you can see our dollars.
5-6 minute walk to visit the Green Bazaar (15 minutes walk-through including the market where you can guess the parts of exotic animals at the butcher)
Walk to the 75+ years old Rakhat Candy Factory (5 minutes). See the building and enter the showroom to explore all the 1000+ chocolate products on display. There is no bargaining. Before covid, we offered an indoor factory tour.
Followed by 10 minutes of Teatime with your guide and closing questions.
The Doogri Institute maintains a network of professional staff. We provide community habilitative services and coaching to meet the individual needs of all clients who are OPWDD eligible. Individuals who are on the Self Direction program may benefit from our broker service to facilitate reimbursement for services rendered.
Services provided through the Doogri Institute:
Classes available to the general public in any subject area that relates to a person’s valued outcomes (Art, Dance, Exercise, Cooking, Computer Training, Etc.)
Sessions with a private trainer (physical education/exercise) may be covered as long as the service relates to a valued outcome).
Classes must be related to a habilitative need in the individual’s person‐centered plan and not just for recreational purposes.
Classes must be non‐credit bearing; IDGS funding is for non‐matriculating students.
Not to exceed the published fees as outlined in the entity’s published course fees.
Example of services available:
Therapeutic piano lessons, private and community music classes – Doogri Institute Center for the Arts, Rockland County, NY near Monsey, Spring Valley, and Lakewood community.
Academic coaching, intervention facilitator, community independence, mobility navigation, social community training, and self determination towards independent living skills. Located at the Doogri Institute Center for the Arts Monsey office, or video-conferencing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does your child have a developmental disability from birth? Is your child OPWDD eligible?
Does your child need support for making academic, social, and emotional strides?
Does your child require coaching to access community classes, special skills group sessions, or personalized and individualized sessions?
Is your child in an appropriate setting and steadily meeting goals and objectives?
Do you wish to supplement your child’s service program with tutors, coaching, and specialized support personnel as a reimbursable service?
Contact the Doogri Institute today to learn about the community classes and publicly available training and coaching. We have the staff available to deliver the Individual Directed Goods and Services (IDGS) and supports approved within the individual’s habilitation plan. Call our broker today to get started with Self Direction.
Our monthly progress reports include how these services and supports helped:
Improve independence at home and in the community
Live safely at home
Be more involved in the community
Improve health
Engage in meaningful activities such as: Work towards the following goals/valued outcomes
