The Arc Maryland Advocates for Stop Bullying and Show Respect!

ANNAPOLIS, Md. - Oct. 9, 2013 - PRLog -- The Arc Maryland, the state’s largest non-for-profit statewide grassroots advocacy organization dedicated to the rights of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, is running a comprehensive program on bullying and respect and an associated awareness called “Stop Bullying and Show Respect!".  The Arc Maryland joins organizations nationwide in honoring October’s National Bullying Prevention Month observance with their anti-bullying advocacy effort.

Children with disabilities are particularly vulnerable as targets of bullying and are two to three more times more likely to be bullied compared to children without disabilities, according to a study by The Pacer Center  (“Disabilities: Insights from Across Fields and Around the World,” 2009).   Forty percent of children with autism and 60 percent of children with Asperger’s syndrome have experienced bullying, according to The Autistic Society.

The Federal Guidance on Bullying from the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) issued a formal guidance in August 2013 stating bullying of any student by another student, for any reason, cannot be tolerated in schools and that addressing and reporting bullying is critical. If you have a child with disabilities, it is critically important to be watchful of bullying. OSERS notes that children with disabilities are disproportionately affected by bullying.

There are long range effects of abuse and harassment such as substance use, anxiety, depression, thoughts of suicide and life-long issues in self-confidence. Children with identified disabilities are, under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) 1975, guaranteed a “Free and Appropriate Education” (FAPE). Bullying can be a barrier to a student with a disability receiving a meaningful education and, according to the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, this constitutes a violation of these educational entitlements for students with disabilities.

In 2008, Maryland passed  House Bill 199 requiring Maryland public schools to establish a model policy prohibiting bullying and cyber–bullying, harassment, and intimidation in schools.  According to the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) a total of 5,213 bullying incidents were reported for the 2011-2012 school year, an increase of 535 reported bullying incidents from the 2010-2011 school year. MSDE cautions that there are instances when bullying behavior may cross the line to become "disability harassment," which is illegal under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.

The Arc Maryland is on the frontline of anti-bullying grassroots advocacy efforts and during the month of October, the organization will

•Distribute a new Parent’s Anti-Bullying Resource Guide as part of the “Together We’re Better Celebrating Diversity” program
•Conduct Law Enforcement Training by individuals with developmental disabilities at the Governor’s Fall Criminal Justice Conference in October
•Engage members of The Arc and affiliate organizations in their Anti-Bullying awareness campaign
•Encourage people to participate in PACERS UNITY DAY “Make it Orange and Make it End” show you care about students who are bullied on October 9, 2013

Kate Fialkowski, The Arc Maryland’s Executive Director remarked: “In honor of National Bullying Prevention Month, I’m pleased to announce the Stop Bullying Show Respect campaign.  The Arc Maryland is excited to partner with State agencies to educate students, parents and citizens on bullying awareness. These programs are vital to protecting our vulnerable population from bullying, harassment and victimization.  We need to ensure all students have the opportunity to learn in a safe and respectful environment – with an appreciation for all individuals regardless of their disability or differences.”


Click to view The Arc Maryland Together We're Better Celebrating Diversity Bullying Video:

http://youtu.be/FtQUKbtYoSs



About The Arc Maryland:

Dedicated to creating a world where children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities have and enjoy equal rights and opportunities.   Find out more about The Arc Maryland’s Together We’re Better Celebrating Diversity Program and associated awareness on the Website Program page at http://www.thearcmd.org

For more information on Bullying:

MSDE website on bullying:

http://www.msde.maryland.gov/msde/divisions/studentschoolsvcs/student_services_alt/bullying/index.html