7 votes

Arizona is known as the best state in the US for people with developmental challenges. But its Division of Developmental Disabilities has turned down thousands of people because of paperwork issues.

Posted by spit-evil-olive-tips
Tags: usa.az, disabilities, children, division of developmental disabilities, government.local, author.amy silverman, author.alex devoid, source.propublica, long read
https://www.propublica.org/article/people-with-developmental-disabilities-were-promised-help-instead-they-face-delays-and-denials

Link information

This data is scraped automatically and may be incorrect.

Title
People with Developmental Disabilities Were Promised Help. Instead, They Face Delays and Denials.
Word count
5566 words

2 comments

  1. [2]
    spit-evil-olive-tips
    Link
    In an act of inclusivity that warms my heart, ProPublica also produced a version of this in plain-language English, so that people with developmental disabilities would find it easier to read:...

    In an act of inclusivity that warms my heart, ProPublica also produced a version of this in plain-language English, so that people with developmental disabilities would find it easier to read:

    Arizona Promised to Help People With Developmental Disabilities. But Some Had to Wait a Long Time. Some Did Not Get Help at All.

    7 votes
    1. kfwyre
      Link Parent
      There's an editor's note about why they chose to do this. As a teacher, part of my job is ensuring curricular access for all my students regardless of their needs, and this article is actually a...

      There's an editor's note about why they chose to do this.

      Amy Silverman wrote this story. She lives in Arizona. Amy’s daughter Sophie has Down syndrome. Down syndrome is a kind of DD. Amy knows what it’s like to get help for people with DD because she is trying to get Sophie what she needs.

      Amy wanted people with DD to be part of making the story. She wanted people with DD to be able to learn from the story. She didn’t want to write a story about people with DD that only people without DD could read. She didn’t think we should write this story how we normally do.

      As a teacher, part of my job is ensuring curricular access for all my students regardless of their needs, and this article is actually a great example of some of the best practices we use in education to ensure that all students can meaningfully engage with instructional content.

      Plain language text not only helps people with developmental disabilities but is also great for people who are learning English. ProPublica also has a Spanish version of the text, as well as an audio version. Each of these expands the accessibility of the article to whole new populations.

      It's not every day that I get to see teaching best practices included in non-educational settings. It warms my heart too.

      5 votes