Annual Holiday Open House Set for Dec. 1 at Sonoma Developmental Center

The Sonoma Developmental Center's annual holiday open house a wonderful time to get together, visit and celebrate another year of caring at SDC. Sponsored in part by Parent Hospital Association, this year's event is set for Wednesday, December 1, from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. in the Aro Building.

Spotlight on Regional Center Spending in California

While budgets for social services are being scrutinized and slashed, spending at the regional centers in California receives no such public oversight. In fact, even as the state's developmental centers continue to be closed and residents moved out of the few remaining -- ostensibly to save money, spending at California's 21 regional center systems seems to be flying high.

An article in the Sacramento Bee this weekend spotlights the issue (California regional centers spend without public scrutiny, by Jack Chang) and underscores the concerns of many that the move away from the established developmental centers to the regional center system may not in fact provide the cost savings the state seeks -- while at the same time, the level of care for the state's developmentally disabled is not being maintained.

Putting the care of such a vulnerable population in the hands of private facilities, albeit non-profit, with limited public oversight is a decision certainly worth re-evaluating before the last developmental centers are abandoned and that opportunity of choice in care eliminated.

News Update: Ruling Issued in North Bay Regional Center v. Maldonado Case

The website www.leagle.com has published a notice on the November 8th ruling in the petition for reimbursement of legal fees in the case of Roy Whitely, a 40-year resident of Sonoma Developmental Center who successfully won his right to remain at SDC after a lengthy court battle.

You can read a complete account here: IN RE CONSERVATORSHIP OF ESTATE OF WHITLEY

iPad Puts New World in the Hands of Disabled

Visual and intuitive and operated from a simple touchscreen, Apple's iPad has proved a godsend to some severely disabled people. Compared to other devices designed to make communication easier and put computer technology in the hands of the disabled, it is relatively inexpensive. Apple introduced it just this past April, and for those who have put it to the test, it looks to be an easy to use and accessible option - very promising for people with mobility and communication problems.

A recent article in the New York Times (iPad a Therapeutic Marvel for Disabled People) highligts the value of the new touch screen mobile technology, in particular for a young boy in Brooklyn who has great difficulty moving at all on his own but, because of the sensitivily of the iPad's screen, was able to independently activate the device and open a program and now reads books on his own using the device.

According to the article, "parents of autistic children are [also] using applications [on the iPad] to teach them basic skills, like brushing teeth and communicating better."

Glenda Watson Hyatt, a blogger based in Surrey, British Columbia reviewed the iPad last May. She is afftected by cerebral palsy and found the iPad's responsive touchscreen a bit too sensitive for her. Unintended movements and tapping means screens change or extra pages flip, but overall she did find it a useful tool. (see: The iPad as an Affordable Communicator: Initial Review)

It's not considered medical equipment, so it might be difficult to get insurers to cover the cost of the device itself, but the applications may be another story. If you're interested in finding out more, there are additional stories of how the device does and doesn't work for various people in the Times article - and you can try it for yourself at the nearest Apple store.

Join SDC for Lunch November 9

The Sonoma Developmental Center (SDC) marks their 2010 Giving Campaign with a Pasta Feed Luncheon catered by Zack’s Catering.

Sonoma employees and residents, as well as the public, are all invited. Spaghetti with marinara, pesto or meat sauce will be served, along with salad, bread and beverage for just a $6 donation.

All profits from this year's lunch will go directly to Social Advocates for Youth.

The event will be held on Tuesday, November 9th, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in McDougall Hall,  McDougall Hall is located on the corner of Sonoma and Wilson on the SDC campus in Eldridge.

This is the 5th annual pasta feed held for to raise funds and awareness of local charities. SDC's annual Giving Campaign raises staff awareness of the many non-profit organizations in the local community that benefit from their help. Representatives of several deserving non-profit agencies will be at the lunch with information on their organizations and programs.

For more information about the Pasta Feed, contact Robin German, at 707-938-6518