Each year, The Arc brings together more than 700 staff and volunteers from our chapters, professionals and experts in the field of intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) and individuals with disabilities and their families for a National Convention. This annual gathering of the I/DD community is designed to inform and inspire with session dedicated to helping those who serve people with I/DD do their jobs better along with empowering advocates in the movement to make a bigger impact.

BIG DATA!

TBI services have started gaining more national exposure as the National Football League continues to bring more awareness and attention to concussions and tramautic brain injuries.  It's no secret that playing in the NFL does pose some health risks, especially concussions.  Over the last couple of years, with the pressure from Congress, the NFL has made it a priority to protect its players from TBI through stricter sideline evaluations after a player takes a hit to their head and most recently, changes in the rules regarding tackling or leading a hit with the player's head and helmet.  But there's still a long way to go.  "I'm gonna be blunt here: We're so primitive," said Dr. David Dodick, a neurologist who examines some NFL players as director of the concussion program at the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, Ariz. "Twenty years from now, we'll look back at ourselves and laugh."  http://espn.go.com/espn/otl/story/_/id/8706409/nfl-concussion-program-marked-inconsistencies-making-difficult-assess-whether-league-making-progress-issue