Delaware’s 2018 Mother of the Year, Suzanne Farris
Delaware Mother of the Year shares compassion with children

Delaware’s 2018 Mother of the Year, Suzanne Farris, spoke about her children when she was honored with the distinction. Her son, Harrison, diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome as a young child, created GearUp, which helps teach children with special needs how to ride bikes. All four of her children have created volunteer organizations ranging from community service opportunities to writing cards to soldiers overseas and crisis responders.

Project SEARCH at DelDOT
Program offers graduates expanded horizons

Seven high schoolers in Dover were acknowledged at DelDOT’s Project SEARCH graduation ceremony last week. Project SEARCH is a transition program for students with disabilities. The students were offered internships involving maintenance, the finance department and photography. Of the seven graduates, five have secured employment.

US Department of Education seal
Ed department sued over handling of disability-related complaints

A lawsuit recently filed by disability advocates states the U.S. Department of Education is acting illegally in the investigation of complaints of disability and race-based discrimination in schools. This follows the Office for Civil Rights’ (OCR) changes in their manual which came without public notice or chance for comment.

Celeste Blau holds her daughter, Clementine.
Choosing life with Down syndrome

This piece follows Celeste Blau’s experience after discovering her child would likely have Down syndrome. It touches on prenatal Down syndrome diagnosis around the world and laws Republican legislators have proposed that would restrict access to abortion and disability activists’ argument for pro-information, anti-abortion and pro-choice laws and stances.

telemedicine session with patient
Skyping the doctor? Poll shows it’s not just for the young

A poll conducted by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research found that 9 in 10 adults ages 40 and above would be comfortable using a form of telemedicine for themselves or a loved one. This may be more feasible, with a law passed last winter that expands Medicare coverage for video visits for patients with specific conditions; however, there is still concern for reimbursement.