TouretteConnect July 2020

Dear Friend,

In the last several weeks we’ve seen a spike in outreach to the TAA encompassing stories related to workplace, housing and corporate discrimination. This is not something our community is unfamiliar with, but the national spotlight on similar topics reminds us that we must equip ourselves with knowledge. It is important to understand your rights and when they are being violated. Later this month is the 30th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This landmark civil rights law extended the right for our community, and many others, to access public places, businesses, and to participate in the same everyday activities as other citizens. In celebration, there is a free webinar on July 29 highlighting workplace accommodations and disability rights which we hope you will attend.

COVID-19 hinders most facets of our work, but we continue to pivot and prepare for what comes next. Specifically, we are pushing boundaries in the Tourette Syndrome research front. We are in the process of identifying state-of-the-art research projects that will better the general understanding of TS. Updates on this will be released in the coming months. In tandem, we are opening up the application process for the next tier of Young Investigators to apply for seed-funding. This funding is crucial and in order to do more, we need the support of our community.

As always, we are grateful to continue providing resources, support and hope across the nation, but we are counting on you to make these efforts possible. A gift, no matter how big or small, is necessary to the continued delivery of our important mission now and for generations to come.

Gratefully,

National Conference 2021

[Awareness]

Registration for 2021 is now open! Join us on May 14 – May 16 for the largest national research and practice conference dedicated to Tourette Syndrome and Tic Disorders. Sessions are suitable for all ages and will feature information on TS and co-occurring conditions.

We are proud to announce new and exciting elements including workout sessions, age-specific support groups and off-site activities to make the 2021 Conference in Minneapolis, MN the most impactful yet!

Funding Future Research

[Research]

Help us develop the future of TS treatment and care. With the launch of the 2021 Young Investigator Award Grant Cycle, the TAA encourages early career researchers to invest their efforts and expertise in increasing our biological understanding of TS, pursuing clinical research aimed at improving patient care, and developing and testing new therapies.

Learn more about this opportunity and share it with your networks. Pre-proposals will be accepted through December 4.

Provider Webinar Series

[Support]

Through the joint providership of the Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University and the TAA, a series of webinars are available for healthcare providers involved in the treatment and care of individuals living with Tourette Syndrome.

The series covers diagnosis, management, treatment as well as discussions of Tourette Syndrome’s co-occurring conditions such as OCD and ADHD. CME credit is available at no cost to each participant upon completion.

The 30th Anniversary of the ADA

[Public Policy]

The TAA is commemorating the 30th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. While we’ve come a long way, individuals living with TS still face workplace challenges and need more protections to ensure that having TS doesn’t mean sacrificing life’s simple joys such as going to the movies.

Learn more about the ADA and attend a free webinar on workplace accommodations and disability rights.