In February 2006 B.U.G., a colorful and contemporary teen look magazine for teenagers and young adults with special needs, debuted in Arizona. The acronym stands for “Being Uniquely Gifted”. The publication is for and about special needs teens and young adults. The magazine is currently a four-page full color glossy format. Expansion to eight pages is planned for early 2007. The magazine is marketed as an annual subscription for school districts, doctor’s offices and support groups as well as individual subscriptions. There are 10 issues published annually. It comes out once a month from September through May and one summer issue covering June, July and August.
The magazine strives to help those with special needs identify with a mainstream look magazine with a positive message targeting real life issues pertaining to them. Those who suffer Down syndrome, Autism, and other developmental disabilities now have a top quality publication and website with information specific to their needs.
The magazine is the brainchild of Karyn Buser, a Tucson, AZ nurse and mother of a teenager with special needs. She saw a need for a contemporary type teen publication after having difficulty finding age appropriate reading materials for her son as he entered the teen years. Buser teamed up with Scott Taylor of DST Creative, a seasoned publisher and commercial artist, to bring Being Uniquely Gifted to fruition.
This magazine is entertaining, informative and educational. Subject matter includes current events, fashion, health, sports and entertainment. There is even a column called Sound Off that showcases our reader’s comments. This publication can be used as a reading tool, a social studies curriculum and just plain teenage fun stuff to spark discussion and discourse.
This magazine and website are also a forum for self-advocacy for this population. The website will periodically post information and events pertaining to the special needs community and it’s supporters. Product information, seminars, community events and sports schedules will be found on this site. Please interact with us and help us promote the culture of those with special needs.
Karyn Buser – Editor
Scott Taylor - Publisher
Here are some links to information and organizations that support the culture of those with special needs. If your organization would like to be listed and linked to our site please contact the EDITOR
Department of Developmental Disabilities
Department of Economic Security
Arizona Department of Education
Click on Programs on left side of page and click on Special Education Website details What’s New, Calendar of Events, Presentations, Forms, Laws and Regulations
Parent Information Network Specialists
PINS are parent consultants on contract with the Arizona Department of Education, Exceptional Student Services (ADE/ESS). Their purpose is to provide parents with information that essential for them to participate in their child’s special education.
Pilot Parents of Southern Arizona
Pilot Parents of Southern Arizona provides a wide variety of programs and services that support families of children with disabilities.
Sharing Down Syndrome Arizona
Sharing Down Syndrome Arizona provides an uplifting place where parents, families, and community can share the joys and unique challenges of loving a person with Down Syndrome.
National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)
Website includes; Database subscriptions, Index of rare diseases, Rare Disease Database, Index of Organizations and much more.
Far Northern Regional Center
Provides services and supports persons with developmental disabilities in nine counties in Northern California.
People First of California
Self Advocacy organization for people with developmental disabilities.
The ARC of Arizona
The ARC of Tucson
The ARC of Tucson Provides Advocacy and Promotion of Equal Life Opportunities for Persons with Mental Retardation.
TheArcLink
TheArcLink provides information to individuals state by state as well as information on many providers
Disability Depot AZ
Disability is Natural
Marketing Coach Production. Site by Mike Shubic