NEWSLETTERJun2007

The transit system wanted to place a 50-ride cap to help rein in costs of its curb-to-curb paratransit shuttle service. Demand has soared in recent years as metro Atlanta's population has aged and younger disabled riders have demanded greater mobility.

But paratransit riders said they often took more than 50 rides a month and deserved access to the unlimited-ride passes, just like other MARTA users. Angry disabled riders packed several MARTA meetings in the past few months to denounce the proposal, a strategy that paid off.

"As a board, we have been listening, we heard you, and we're taking action," said MARTA board member Juanita Abernathy. The board voted to leave paratransit fares alone, enabling riders to continue to buy unlimited-ride monthly passes.

"I'd like to say, nice and loud, thank you to the MARTA board for finally acting and doing what is right," said Paul Booth, one of about two dozen disabled riders who attended the board meeting. "It's about time I get to come into this room and say something good for a change."

MARTA's paratransit ridership has more than doubled this decade, to almost 300,000 trips a year. The service is expensive to provide, costing MARTA about $32 per ride. A monthly pass for the curb-to-curb shuttle service costs $105, compared to $52.50 for MARTA's regular bus and rail network. Federal law allows MARTA to charge paratransit riders twice the regular rate.

MARTA officials have said that only about 22 of the 3,400 disabled riders take more than 50 trips each month, a figure hotly disputed by some paratransit riders.

MARTA's effort to change the fare structure came amid growing complaints from riders about shoddy service, including canceled trips and long waits on the paratransit call center. MARTA officials say many of the problems should be solved soon with the delivery of new shuttle vans and a new leadership team in place.

This article, by Paul Donsky, appeared in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution on 06/12/07. It has been altered slightly to accommodate the space limitations of this electronic format. MARTA is the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority, which operates light rail and bus services in Fulton and DeKalb Counties, and provides service to Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport.

Link to MARTA web page describing paratransit services: http://www.itsmarta.com/howto/special/para.htm

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"Vacation - a period of travel and relaxation when you take

twice the clothes

and

half the money

you need."

--Anonymous

"Happiness

is not a goal,

it is a by-product."

--Anonymous

"All television is educational television. The question is:

what is it teaching?"

--Nicholas

Johnson

"I have seen gross intolerance shown in support of tolerance."

--Samuel Taylor

Coleridge

"Of all tyrannies

a tyranny sincerely exercised for the

good of its victims

may be

the most oppressive."

--C. S. Lewis

"I'm proud

to pay taxes in the United States;

the only thing is,

I could be

just as proud for

half the money."

--Arthur Godfrey

2. "FAS Track" 5K Run-Walk September 9th: Join Us!

The Second Annual AADD “FAS Track” 5 K Run-Walk will be held on the morning of September 9 at Grant Park in Atlanta. "It was a great event last year, and will be bigger and better this year," according to Matt Pieper, AADD Director of Development. Persons interested in participating by running, jogging, walking, or traversing the course in a wheel chair, or in helping to sponsor the event, may contact Matt at mpieper@aadd.org, or at 404-881-9777 ext. 232.

To register, or for more information, visit the "FAS Track 2007" page.

The FAS 5K Run-Walk benefits AADD and helps to build awareness of the fact that women drinking alcohol while pregnant is the leading known preventable cause of birth defects and intellectual disabilities. Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) is the most serious condition in the list of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD).

Registration to participate in the Run-Walk will be $25 per entry.

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3. Good Team...Good Year...Thanks!

~Mary Yoder, CAE

One year ago at AADD, we were celebrating our 50th anniversary of serving people with developmental disabilities. Now, as we near the end of our 51st, I am gratified to think of the many accomplishments that we have celebrated in this year. Join with me in reviewing just a few:

l We provided leadership that resulted in one of the largest

funding increases in Georgia history, for services to

persons with developmental disabilities.

l 35 additional dedicated individuals completed the Partners in

Policymaking advocacy training program, which will help

to assure that momentum around funding, person-

centered services, and full inclusion will continue.

Mary Yoder, CAE

AADD Executive

Director

l With our support, several individuals with developmental disabilities were able to

transition from jail into constructive settings, with our support; we also continue to help

train law enforcement personnel, to help prevent inappropriate incarceration of ndividuals

with developmental disabilities.

l Several families who have members with developmental disabilities were able to move

out of shelters and into housing, with our help.

l With our advocacy, several families were re-united.

l The accreditation review team told us that we met every applicable standard.

I am privileged to work with such a dedicated, creative, and successful team of donors, volunteers, and staff. It is because of this team that I feel confident that great things will continue to happen as we move into the next year.

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4. Atlanta Girl's School Students Help AADD

The eighth grade class of the Atlanta Girl's School presents AADD with a check for $400.00. The girls held a bake sale and sold over 75 dozen donuts to help support advocacy. Their class spent time with Rita Young, Carey Sipp and Riki Bolster at the Capitol in February learning about Unlock the Waiting Lists!, and delivered dozens of thank you cards to legislators for their support. Pictured, L-R, are Rita Young, AADD Staff, Corey Hawthorne, Laura Rogers, and Erica Byas-Smith.

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5. Recreation - Upcoming Events and Activities

-sponsored & co-sponsored by AADD

Walking Club - NOW's the time to get started!

Mondays

You can’t beat an afternoon walk at Stone Mountain Park in the Summer.

5:30 PM

Everybody walks at their own pace. Our goal is to work up to walk a full lap around the mountain (About 5 miles). However we don’t expect walkers to walk a full lap the first day. We have a plan for each walker. Come check us out. You don’t have to commit.

If you are interested or just curious, give Dan a call.

Ages 14 and above

No charge except for special events (scholarships available for those events).

Contact Dan Evatt 404-881-9777 ext 216 email dan@aadd.org

Bocce

Thursday morning bocce will start June 28^th at Mason Mill Park. (Toco Hills Area)

Bocce is an easy, slow-paced, laid-back type of a game that’s fun for all.

If you are interested, or just want more information, call Dan “Dij” Evatt at 404-326-5345.

Bocce - AADD's Special Olympics Bocce

(Unified Activity - including persons with disabilities and without disabilities)

Wednesday evenings, starts Wednesday, July 11th, 6:30 to 7:30 P.M.

No charge except for special events (scholarships available for those events)

Mason Mill Park (Toco Hills area)

Ages 8 and above.

This is a Unified Bocce group. Everyone is welcomed. We need more players for this group.

The team is planning to compete in Special Olympics Fall games, to be held the weekend of October 7th, in Albany, GA. The more the merrier!

Contact Dan Evatt at 404-881-9777 ext 216, or via email at dan@aadd.org.

Cycling

(Unified Activity - including persons with disabilities and without disabilities)

Our group is looking for riders. You don't have to be a hardcore cyclist. Everybody rides at their own pace. Come check us out. You don’t have to commit.

If you are interested or just curious, give Dan a call.

Mondays 6:30 PM Stone Mountain Park

Ages 14 and above

No charge except for special events (scholarships available for those events).

Contact Dan Evatt 404-881-9777 ext 216 email dan@aadd.org

Fitness

Tuesdays mornings

East Lake YMCA

Come to the East Lake YMCA and work out with us. We’ll work out on the fitness machines, walk or run and practice with free weights for Powerlifting competition.

If you are interested or just want more information call Dan “Dij” Evatt at 404-326-5345.

Happy Group (Social Clubs)

Meets twice monthly at several Metro Atlanta YMCAs, usually on Saturday afternoons, depending upon the activity.

Takes field trips such as Braves games, dinner and a movie, dances, plays, “wish to fish,” Hawks basketball games (we don't sit courtside), paint your own pottery, etc.

The newest location will be in the South Metro Area through the Fayette Co. Parks & Recreation and Fayette YMCA Dept. Contact Debbie Parrish 770-461-9714 ext. 5644

Contact Happy Club Voice Mail 404-687-2521

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6. Recreation Activities & Resources

-sponsored by other community groups

Help Us Update This List

The Junior League of Atlanta and AADD are partnering together to update this list. If you know of an activity or have an activity you would like to include in this list, please contact Dan Evatt at dan@aadd.org or call the AADD office at 404-881-9777 ext. 216.

Boy Scouts & Cub Scouts designed for children with special needs

Includes soccer, volleyball, Miracle Baseball and Blaze Sports Goal Ball.

Aseelah House and her staff do a great job; give them a chance and try out some of their activities.

Contact Aseelah House at arhouse@co.dekalb.ga.us or call 770-671-1728

Caglewood

Interested in sleeping in a tent, enjoying nature activities, hiking, and backpacking? Or maybe you would like to spend the weekend in cabins at some of Georgia’s great state parks. If so, this may be a good program for you. Costs available from Caglewood for various programs.

Check out the Caglewood web site at www.caglewood.com/.

Caglewood Inc. 455 Friars Head Inc. Suwanee Ga. 30024

Tel: 770-402-9355 Fax: 770-441-3406 Email: info@caglewood.org

Cobb County Residents

Contact the Cobb Co. Parks & Recreation Cultural Affairs, Therapeutic Recreation Services Unit for lots of activities. They have social clubs, special trips, dances, camps, and various sport teams.

555 Nickajack Rd, Mableton, GA 30126 770-819-3215 Fax 770-819-3218

DeKalb County Parks and Recreation Activity Guide

The DeKalb County Department of Parks and Recreation has published their new activity guide for this Winter & Spring. Aseelah House, TR Program Coordinator, has provided a copy in PDF format. You can print your own copy at this location: ACTIVITY GUIDE. (It is in PDF format, so you will need Adobe Reader or similar software to open it. It's 8 pages long, so give it a minute to open.) If you have further questions, Ms. House can be contacted at: (770) 671-1728.

DeKalb County Recreation - Other Activities and Events

Check out great events and activities in DeKalb County. Some activities include:

Adventure Series Ropes Course, camping, and indoor rock climbing.

DeKalb - Social Club

DeKalb County Parks and Recreation Department has started two new social clubs. One is at Midway Park for 13- through 16-year olds, and the other is at Browns Mill Park for 16+ year- olds.

Contact Aseelah House at 770-671-1728 or email at arhouse@co.dekalb.ga.us.

Metro Miracle League (Buddy Baseball & Bowling)

Interested in Buddy Baseball and Bowling? Check out the North Metro Miracle League’s web site at www.nmml.net.

North - Special Olympics in Alpharetta (Special K’s)

Interested in Special Olympics activities in the north metro area? The Special K’s have a lot of sports to offer: aquatics, track & field, bowling, gymnastics, powerlifting, basketball, long distance running & walking, bocce, golf, tennis, and cheerleading are the sports Debbie Currere has in the Alpharetta area.

Contact Debbie Currere at 770-649-0070

Rockdale County Residents

Rockdale is rockin’. Check with Tom McPike, Rockdale County's Parks and Recreation Department recreation therapist. He has started and expanded many programs. A few of the activities include: after school programs, bocce, Halloween Party, Beep Baseball, Miracle Baseball League, bowling, sled hockey, social clubs, wheel chair basketball, basketball, cooking, swimming, soccer, Christmas Parade and Party, and Mother- Daughter Spa Day.

Call Tom McPike at 770-981-6306 and see what’s new.

Roswell Department of Parks & Recreation

Roswell offers a variety of activities throughout the year. They are mostly geared for ages 18 and up, but have children's activities periodically. For more information Contact Mary Rummel at 770-641-3950 email mrummell@ci.roswell.ga.us. The Roswell website is www.roswellgov.com.

SASSY (A Fun Family Group)

This group in South DeKalb County meets several times a month for social activities.

They meet as a family, parents and children, for picnics, parties, bowling, and even trips to Disney World.

Contact: BJ Kelly 770-987-9171

Voice Mail 770-969-9571

South Metro Residents

Check out Fayette County Parks & Recreation Department Therapeutic Programs.

Special Olympics Teams, Happy Club, and social activities are just a few of the activities Debbie and her group have for South Metro Atlanta residents.

Contact Debbie Parrish at 770-716-4325

Summer Camp

If you are thinking about a summer camp for Summer, now is the perfect time to look. Go to the excellent GLRS summer directory at www.glrs.org, then go to the link for “GLRS Publications.” If you need help looking for a camp give AADD’s recreation manager Dan Evatt a call. He will be glad to assist you in finding a camp. Call Dan at 404-881-9777 ext 216

"Who Doesn’t Like A Day At The Lake" - for AADD

(Unified Activity - including persons with disabilities and without disabilities)

Sunday August 26, 2007

Time: 2 PM until 6 PM

Yacht Club Boat Rides

Fun & Games

Food, Swimming

Bring your family and friends.

Again this year, the University Yacht Club on Lake Lanier has invited AADD's consumers, family and friends for an afternoon at the lake. Dave Erickson, AADD board member, has arranged for us to enjoy the hospitality of the University Yacht Club in their own clubhouse and cove on the lake. There will be boat rides, fishing (bring your own pole), swimming (bring your own suit), and food (the yacht club will provide the food).

RSVP to Dan Evatt 404-881-9777 ext. 216 or 404-326-5345 or dan@aadd.org .

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7. Other Upcoming Events, Activities & Opportunities

In the items below, activity costs, if any, are noted.

Lekotek ATLANTA Computer Club

All kids 8 and above, come join us for fun, computer games and pizza!

We have teens and young adults who participate as well.

Dates: The second Sunday of every month 4-6pm

Cost: $10 per child (scholarships available)

Where: Our Lekotek in Atlanta on 1955 Cliff Valley Way, Suite 102, 30329

RSVP: ASAP 404-633-3430 visit Lekotek web site at www.lekotekga.org

Lekotek LekoPals - For more information contact Audrey or

Helene at Lekotek 404-633-3430

Lekotek COBB Computer Club**

All kids 8 and above, come join us for fun, computer games and pizza!

We have teens and young adults who participate as well.

Dates: 3rd Sunday of every other month 4-6pm

Cost: $10 per child (scholarships available)

Where: Lekotek in Kennesaw on 1925 Vaughn Rd. NW, Suite 150, 30144

RSVP: ASAP to Lisa at 770-420-9889

visit Lekotek web site at www.lekotekga.org

**Volunteers needed for COBB Club Return to Top

Atlanta Alliance on Developmental Disabilities - (AADD)

1440 Dutch Valley Place - Suite 200 Atlanta, GA 30324-5371

Phone: 404-881-9777

Fax: 404-881-0094

Email, AADD newsletter ONLY: AADDnewsletter@aadd.org

Email, AADD Information: info@aadd.org

AADD web site: AADD WEB SITE

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(Please be sure to give us your name when you subscribe. Thanks!)

Announcements of Activities and Programs are provided as a public service.

If you have announcements of upcoming events, send them to AADDnewsletter@aadd.org,

by the 10th of the month. AADD reserves the right to include or edit information.

Excepting programs of which AADD is a sponsor, AADD

does not endorse any product, privilege, or service.

AADD is proud to receive support from the United Way of Metropolitan Atlanta and the Junior League of Atlanta

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