Just to give regular readers a head's up...
I'll be away from the computer, or without internet access at least, for the next 10 days or so, meanign that there will be no new posts here on Access Ability.
I promise that I will jump right back into blogging once I return to Access Ability HQ.
Ron
Friday, September 21, 2007
Thursday, September 20, 2007
College Internship Program offers promise for students with Aspergers and learning differences
Imagine a college internship geared specifically towards students with learning differences and Aspergers. Now, what if I told you that this is not just in the imagination, but a reality which is already up and running.
I first learned about the
College Internship Program,
Or CIP, on the latest edition of the
Disability 411 podcast.
On D-411's Show 47, host Beth Case interviews Janet Miller, the Program Director of CIP’s newly-opened Berkeley, California psite.
So what exactly is CIP?
According to Ms. Miller, CIP is “a residential program for 18-25 (sometimes 26) year olds with Asperger’s and non-verbal learning disability predominantly. We do have some other students who enter.”
The Berkeley Center is the fourth program that CIP operates. The other programs are at the Berkshires in Lee, Massachusetts, the Brevard Center in Melbourne, Florida, and Bloomington, Indiana.
There is a lot of information about the CIP program in the interview. Basically, it is a residential program to work on the social deficits or independent living problems that are common with Asperger’s and learning disabilities, coupled with at least one college class for the students to gain academic experience. It is a 3-4 year program with, what Ms. Miller describes as what appears to be a high cost. However, she emphasizes that CIP does have funding sources available, including an alliance with Sally Mae.
Something I personally found very intriguing in the D-411 interview was the story about Dr. Michael McMannon, CIP’s Executive Director and founder of the program. Miller says, “He will tell you right out on his website that he himself, in his fifties, like five or six years ago, was diagnosed with Asperger’s… Here’s this man who had been a high, high functioning multi-tasker guy, you know, who had an employee, a longtime employee, come to him with a list a few years ago and said, “Michael, here’s a list of twenty traits of something called Aspberger’s Syndrome. You have nineteen of them.” From this, Dr. McMannon drew his inspiration to develop CIP.
For more comprehensive information about the program, check out the CIP web site and also the podcast.
(Note: The Disability 411 podcasts are always posted with a transcript available. If you are unable to listen to the audio, then click on the link and read the transcript. Like I’ve said before, if your work is worth producing in the first place, then it is worth producing in an alternate format.)
Finally, if you want the latest information about the program, CIP also provides updates on the
Asperger’s Syndrome & LD Blog.
I first learned about the
College Internship Program,
Or CIP, on the latest edition of the
Disability 411 podcast.
On D-411's Show 47, host Beth Case interviews Janet Miller, the Program Director of CIP’s newly-opened Berkeley, California psite.
So what exactly is CIP?
According to Ms. Miller, CIP is “a residential program for 18-25 (sometimes 26) year olds with Asperger’s and non-verbal learning disability predominantly. We do have some other students who enter.”
The Berkeley Center is the fourth program that CIP operates. The other programs are at the Berkshires in Lee, Massachusetts, the Brevard Center in Melbourne, Florida, and Bloomington, Indiana.
There is a lot of information about the CIP program in the interview. Basically, it is a residential program to work on the social deficits or independent living problems that are common with Asperger’s and learning disabilities, coupled with at least one college class for the students to gain academic experience. It is a 3-4 year program with, what Ms. Miller describes as what appears to be a high cost. However, she emphasizes that CIP does have funding sources available, including an alliance with Sally Mae.
Something I personally found very intriguing in the D-411 interview was the story about Dr. Michael McMannon, CIP’s Executive Director and founder of the program. Miller says, “He will tell you right out on his website that he himself, in his fifties, like five or six years ago, was diagnosed with Asperger’s… Here’s this man who had been a high, high functioning multi-tasker guy, you know, who had an employee, a longtime employee, come to him with a list a few years ago and said, “Michael, here’s a list of twenty traits of something called Aspberger’s Syndrome. You have nineteen of them.” From this, Dr. McMannon drew his inspiration to develop CIP.
For more comprehensive information about the program, check out the CIP web site and also the podcast.
(Note: The Disability 411 podcasts are always posted with a transcript available. If you are unable to listen to the audio, then click on the link and read the transcript. Like I’ve said before, if your work is worth producing in the first place, then it is worth producing in an alternate format.)
Finally, if you want the latest information about the program, CIP also provides updates on the
Asperger’s Syndrome & LD Blog.
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Disability Nation, an audio magazine by and for people with disabilities
I have just returned from the web site for the
Disability Nation podcast.
If you are not familiar with Disability Nation (DN), then do check out their site. According to the home page, DN is “an audio magazine by and for people with disabilities” and covers a broad array of topics related to different disabilities. As an added perk the site does offer email notification to let you know when new shows are available.
In a previous post, I mentioned that it would be interesting to see if the site offered transcripts to their podcast as one reader had requested to ensure accessibility for people who are deaf.
Cheers to Disability Nation as they have transcripts for, not only that show, but also for their last several podcasts available, in either PDF or in Word format.
Good work there, DN.
It is encouraging to see that a service targeted towards an audience of people with disabilities ensures inclusion for all, especially when they are aware that an audience exists that requires an alternative format of their material. If your material is worth producing in the first place, it is definitely worth producing in an alternative format.
Disability Nation podcast.
If you are not familiar with Disability Nation (DN), then do check out their site. According to the home page, DN is “an audio magazine by and for people with disabilities” and covers a broad array of topics related to different disabilities. As an added perk the site does offer email notification to let you know when new shows are available.
In a previous post, I mentioned that it would be interesting to see if the site offered transcripts to their podcast as one reader had requested to ensure accessibility for people who are deaf.
Cheers to Disability Nation as they have transcripts for, not only that show, but also for their last several podcasts available, in either PDF or in Word format.
Good work there, DN.
It is encouraging to see that a service targeted towards an audience of people with disabilities ensures inclusion for all, especially when they are aware that an audience exists that requires an alternative format of their material. If your material is worth producing in the first place, it is definitely worth producing in an alternative format.
Dancing around the issues: Ted Poe's reply about the ADA Restoration Act of 2007
The purpose of Access Ability is not to be a political blog, but is focused on pursuing interests relating to the world of Disability Support Services. However, there are times when the goals of Access Ability and politics collide. The following is the account of such an intersection.
What is one to make of his congressman when given lip service? Sure, it was politically correct, but it was still lip service.
Case in point is the reply I received from my Representative
Ted Poe, R-TX,
In response to my email asking him to sign on as a cosponsor of H.R. 3195, the
ADA Restoration Act of 2007.
In his response, Rep. Poe gave me a rundown of the bill’s assignment for review and he followed this up by thanking me for sharing my concerns with him.
However, at no time did he acknowledge my request for him to sign on as a cosponsor, nor did he ever state whether he would or wouldn’t sign on as a cosponsor of the legislation. However, by his omission, I’ll assume he’s declining my request.
Rep. Poe's reply and obvious omission harken back to Charles Durning playing the Texas Governor in the movie Best Little Whorehouse in Texas when he busts into a jig, singing “I Dance A Little Sidestep.”
Nice move, Mr. Poe. Was that a cha-cha or just a flat-out hustle?
I understand politics and try not to take them personally. However, I take the ADA personally. It is the backbone to so many aspects of things I enjoy and understand today. If it weren’t for the ADA, I shudder to think what my college experience might have been, much less what might have been in several other facets of my everyday life. So, I take it personally that Rep. Poe has slighted my request.
I now need to think through how to proceed from here.
Okay, I’ve shared my experience of contacting my congressman in support of this legislation. I have three questions for you.
1. Have you written your Representative and done the same?
2. If so, what was your Representative’s response?
3. Any suggestions on how to proceed with Rep.Poe?
What is one to make of his congressman when given lip service? Sure, it was politically correct, but it was still lip service.
Case in point is the reply I received from my Representative
Ted Poe, R-TX,
In response to my email asking him to sign on as a cosponsor of H.R. 3195, the
ADA Restoration Act of 2007.
In his response, Rep. Poe gave me a rundown of the bill’s assignment for review and he followed this up by thanking me for sharing my concerns with him.
However, at no time did he acknowledge my request for him to sign on as a cosponsor, nor did he ever state whether he would or wouldn’t sign on as a cosponsor of the legislation. However, by his omission, I’ll assume he’s declining my request.
Rep. Poe's reply and obvious omission harken back to Charles Durning playing the Texas Governor in the movie Best Little Whorehouse in Texas when he busts into a jig, singing “I Dance A Little Sidestep.”
Nice move, Mr. Poe. Was that a cha-cha or just a flat-out hustle?
I understand politics and try not to take them personally. However, I take the ADA personally. It is the backbone to so many aspects of things I enjoy and understand today. If it weren’t for the ADA, I shudder to think what my college experience might have been, much less what might have been in several other facets of my everyday life. So, I take it personally that Rep. Poe has slighted my request.
I now need to think through how to proceed from here.
Okay, I’ve shared my experience of contacting my congressman in support of this legislation. I have three questions for you.
1. Have you written your Representative and done the same?
2. If so, what was your Representative’s response?
3. Any suggestions on how to proceed with Rep.Poe?
Monday, September 17, 2007
Biblio Vault offers accessible scholarly publications
If you don’t already know about it,
Biblio Vault
is the home page for a service offering books that have been published by scholarly presses. The home page has a searchable database with more than 14,000 titles which academic and university presses have published. The user’s search can be narrowed by author, title, or ISBN.
What makes this a good tool for the disability services professionals is that the home page includes a specific message to disability officers, informing them that they are able to provide accessible formats of many of their documents, which students can then access using assistive technology. Producing these accessible documents and making them available to students with print disabilities is one of the services Biblio Vault offers to participating presses.
An additional benchmark is the site’s offer to make their services --including scanning, printing, and conversion-- available to publishers which, in turn, should help grow the collection of accessible scholarly publications.
This is not a new site. Biblio Vault has been in place since 2001, when it was started by the University of Chicago Press, and now serves more than 50 university presses.
The key for the site’s success is awareness of its presence. This begins with you being aware of it. Now that you are, utilize it and share it with your students. Also, if you are at a school that has a scholarly press, share this resource with them and emphasize to them the accessibility that comes with this kind of service.
Biblio Vault
is the home page for a service offering books that have been published by scholarly presses. The home page has a searchable database with more than 14,000 titles which academic and university presses have published. The user’s search can be narrowed by author, title, or ISBN.
What makes this a good tool for the disability services professionals is that the home page includes a specific message to disability officers, informing them that they are able to provide accessible formats of many of their documents, which students can then access using assistive technology. Producing these accessible documents and making them available to students with print disabilities is one of the services Biblio Vault offers to participating presses.
An additional benchmark is the site’s offer to make their services --including scanning, printing, and conversion-- available to publishers which, in turn, should help grow the collection of accessible scholarly publications.
This is not a new site. Biblio Vault has been in place since 2001, when it was started by the University of Chicago Press, and now serves more than 50 university presses.
The key for the site’s success is awareness of its presence. This begins with you being aware of it. Now that you are, utilize it and share it with your students. Also, if you are at a school that has a scholarly press, share this resource with them and emphasize to them the accessibility that comes with this kind of service.
Friday, September 14, 2007
A truly accessible emergency notification system
I have just learned about a useful free service for notifying people who are deaf of emergency situations in their local area or state.
Deaf Link is in the process of broadening the database for their
Accessible Hazard Alert System-Individual Notification
Or (AHAS-IN), which will notify deaf consumers of emergency notifications sent out by city, county, or state agencies. The notifications will be sent to user-supplied email addresses, text pagers, cell phones with text messaging, or PDAs with the ability to email.
The emergency notification can be received in American Sign Language (ASL), English text, voice and can also be received by Braille capable devices for blind or deaf and blind citizens.
Deaf Link is working to broaden its database and attempting to gather contact numbers and email addresses, as well as state and zip code information, for people who are deaf. At the web site linked above, the service providers are making the following plea for assistance:
““In order for this system to provide you and your family with this potentially life saving information, we need your help. We are expanding our database of email addresses, text pagers with ZIP codes of individuals who are Deaf, Hard-of-Hearing, Late Deafened, Deaf and Blind and Blind who live in the United States. This service will attempt to notify you if an emergency/hazard happens in your area through the email/pager/text phone/PDA address you provide.. This alert system is in addition to alerts on the television and any other hazard information you have access to. We are expanding this service across the United States. We can only alert you and your family members if you are in our AHAS-IN database.”
Users do not need to submit their name or address, only email address, text pager address and/or other assistive capable devices and the county, state and ZIP code where they live/work. This user information is good for one year.
I heartily encourage you to share this site with anybody who is deaf, perhaps even with those who are blind. It is an accessible means of communicating emergency information to them in a timely manner.
This service appears very encouraging as the providers seem to have taken the necessary steps to truly know their audience’s needs. Also, note that it is apparently not available in all areas yet, but they promise to contact users when it is working in their areas via the provided contact number or email address.
Note: I do have a personal gripe with the web site as it has audio which automatically loads with the page. This makes it difficult to browse the web site information with a screen reader using speech output.
Deaf Link is in the process of broadening the database for their
Accessible Hazard Alert System-Individual Notification
Or (AHAS-IN), which will notify deaf consumers of emergency notifications sent out by city, county, or state agencies. The notifications will be sent to user-supplied email addresses, text pagers, cell phones with text messaging, or PDAs with the ability to email.
The emergency notification can be received in American Sign Language (ASL), English text, voice and can also be received by Braille capable devices for blind or deaf and blind citizens.
Deaf Link is working to broaden its database and attempting to gather contact numbers and email addresses, as well as state and zip code information, for people who are deaf. At the web site linked above, the service providers are making the following plea for assistance:
““In order for this system to provide you and your family with this potentially life saving information, we need your help. We are expanding our database of email addresses, text pagers with ZIP codes of individuals who are Deaf, Hard-of-Hearing, Late Deafened, Deaf and Blind and Blind who live in the United States. This service will attempt to notify you if an emergency/hazard happens in your area through the email/pager/text phone/PDA address you provide.. This alert system is in addition to alerts on the television and any other hazard information you have access to. We are expanding this service across the United States. We can only alert you and your family members if you are in our AHAS-IN database.”
Users do not need to submit their name or address, only email address, text pager address and/or other assistive capable devices and the county, state and ZIP code where they live/work. This user information is good for one year.
I heartily encourage you to share this site with anybody who is deaf, perhaps even with those who are blind. It is an accessible means of communicating emergency information to them in a timely manner.
This service appears very encouraging as the providers seem to have taken the necessary steps to truly know their audience’s needs. Also, note that it is apparently not available in all areas yet, but they promise to contact users when it is working in their areas via the provided contact number or email address.
Note: I do have a personal gripe with the web site as it has audio which automatically loads with the page. This makes it difficult to browse the web site information with a screen reader using speech output.
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Breastfeeding mom denied extra time
There is an interesting case being appealed before the National Board of Medical Examiners. This case is a gray area, blurred because it is framed by societal issues, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and the health concerns of a nursing mother, playing out against the backdrop of the rigid enforcement structure of the Clinical Knowledge Exam.
Sophie Currier
Already has her Harvard doctorate and has followed that up with five years of medical training. The final barrier that is keeping her from having a hard-earned MD-Ph.D. is the aforementioned exam.
(Note: registration is required to read this Boston Globe article, but it is free and easy.)
To understand this case fully, you need to know that Currier is the mother of a still nursing, 7-week old daughter. According to the article linked above, “If she does not pump milk from her breasts every two or three hours, she could suffer blocked ducts, the discomfort of hard breasts, or an infection called mastitis.”
Currier is receiving accommodations for dyslexia and attention problems. This includes giving her double time for the nine-hour exam, letting her take the test over a two-day period. On the surface, this may appear to help ameliorate her problems, but it only doubled them, allowing her only the normally allowed break times each day.
She asked the board last week for extra break time to allow her to pump her breasts, but was denied. The board cited the Americans with Disabilities Act as their guide and told her that breastfeeding was not among the covered disabilities.
Yes, it is true that, under the ADA, pregnancy, lactation and related actions such as breast feeding and breast pumping are not covered by the law. However, what they are dealing with in this case are health concerns of the mother. Granted, the short time that she will be subjected to testing is not guaranteed to incur the possible adverse physical results that are possible. Still, there are health concerns that are not necessarily disabilities, no matter how temporary the condition is.
According to the article, “Forty-seven states have passed laws that protect nursing mothers, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Many protect the right of mothers to breast-feed in public, and some exempt them from jury duty, where breaks can be few and unpredictable.” Unfortunately for Currier, Massachusetts, where her case is playing out, has no such laws at this time.
It is interesting that one of Currier’s advocates, Dr. Ruth Lawrence, is a chairwoman on the American Academy of Pediatrics. Here, a medical professional is speaking on Currier’s behalf against the medical testing establishment. Ironic, isn’t it?
“Lawrence said the nursing mother of an infant that age should pump at a minimum of every three hours, for about one half-hour each time. The academy recommends that babies be exclusively breast-fed for the first six months .”
It is understandable that the exam board is trying to avoid setting a precedent, but they need to use the ADA as a guide, not a rigid rule that does not allow for gray areas such as this. A warden once had a sign hanging in his office that read, “When the rules and common sense collide, common sense shall prevail.” Currier’s case is one where common sense should be victorious.
Additional Reading:
Here is a 2006 Boston Globe article about Currier, illustrating how she manages her busy and demanding
life while dealing with dyslexia and ADHD.
Sophie Currier
Already has her Harvard doctorate and has followed that up with five years of medical training. The final barrier that is keeping her from having a hard-earned MD-Ph.D. is the aforementioned exam.
(Note: registration is required to read this Boston Globe article, but it is free and easy.)
To understand this case fully, you need to know that Currier is the mother of a still nursing, 7-week old daughter. According to the article linked above, “If she does not pump milk from her breasts every two or three hours, she could suffer blocked ducts, the discomfort of hard breasts, or an infection called mastitis.”
Currier is receiving accommodations for dyslexia and attention problems. This includes giving her double time for the nine-hour exam, letting her take the test over a two-day period. On the surface, this may appear to help ameliorate her problems, but it only doubled them, allowing her only the normally allowed break times each day.
She asked the board last week for extra break time to allow her to pump her breasts, but was denied. The board cited the Americans with Disabilities Act as their guide and told her that breastfeeding was not among the covered disabilities.
Yes, it is true that, under the ADA, pregnancy, lactation and related actions such as breast feeding and breast pumping are not covered by the law. However, what they are dealing with in this case are health concerns of the mother. Granted, the short time that she will be subjected to testing is not guaranteed to incur the possible adverse physical results that are possible. Still, there are health concerns that are not necessarily disabilities, no matter how temporary the condition is.
According to the article, “Forty-seven states have passed laws that protect nursing mothers, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Many protect the right of mothers to breast-feed in public, and some exempt them from jury duty, where breaks can be few and unpredictable.” Unfortunately for Currier, Massachusetts, where her case is playing out, has no such laws at this time.
It is interesting that one of Currier’s advocates, Dr. Ruth Lawrence, is a chairwoman on the American Academy of Pediatrics. Here, a medical professional is speaking on Currier’s behalf against the medical testing establishment. Ironic, isn’t it?
“Lawrence said the nursing mother of an infant that age should pump at a minimum of every three hours, for about one half-hour each time. The academy recommends that babies be exclusively breast-fed for the first six months .”
It is understandable that the exam board is trying to avoid setting a precedent, but they need to use the ADA as a guide, not a rigid rule that does not allow for gray areas such as this. A warden once had a sign hanging in his office that read, “When the rules and common sense collide, common sense shall prevail.” Currier’s case is one where common sense should be victorious.
Additional Reading:
Here is a 2006 Boston Globe article about Currier, illustrating how she manages her busy and demanding
life while dealing with dyslexia and ADHD.
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
growing up with a disability offers grown up insight
I just came across
Growing up with a disability,
A blog written by David , a college student who understands so much more than his 21 years belie.
Evidence of this maturity is spelled out very clearly on his blog’s “About” page:
“I am 21 years old and am taking a year away from college to pursue this project. I like sports, music, travel, and conversation. And, I have cerebral palsy.”
And
“I believe society often underestimates the complexity of living with a disability - the joys, the challenges, the ordinary, and the extraordinary. “
There are two points worthy of noting in those statements.
First, Did you notice how he identified himself? Not only did he take the person first approach, but the cerebral palsy was included almost as a footnote. Yes, he happens to have a disability; however, this is but one facet of David’s character, which is overly abundant in his writings.
Secondly, in the last statement, he speaks volumes when he said, “the ordinary, and the extraordinary.”
The general public categorizes people with visible disabilities which are classified as severe all too often in one of either two bins-- the “poor soul” category with no semblance of normality in life, or the “supercrip” who is the maximum over-achiever, and moste suredly an anomaly amongst his or her disabled peers. However, like David points out, many people with these extreme disabilities would probably call their lives ordinary.
I am making a genralization in that last statement, but am speaking from the many conversations I’ve had with friends whose disabilities span a broad spectrum of conditions and limitations. These people have a life, family, friends, and enjoy activities and hobbies like most ordinary folks. They may have to go about these activities a little different to participate, but the enjoyment is the same. They are just ordinary people, but happen to have a disability.
Okay, enough pontificating from me. Good work there, David for putting so succinctly what it took me a couple of paragraphs to write out.
One particular post I found interesting on David’s blog was his most recent, Sept. 9 post about going to college. In that post, he spells out the assistive technologies of all sorts which has served him well and gives credit to an often overlooked genius among his helpers. This post also says a lot about the individual resourcefulness each of us provides and how we can all benefit from synergy. Not to mention, that post has some very useful tips on adaptations, remedies, and fixes others might find useful.
Growing up with a disability,
A blog written by David , a college student who understands so much more than his 21 years belie.
Evidence of this maturity is spelled out very clearly on his blog’s “About” page:
“I am 21 years old and am taking a year away from college to pursue this project. I like sports, music, travel, and conversation. And, I have cerebral palsy.”
And
“I believe society often underestimates the complexity of living with a disability - the joys, the challenges, the ordinary, and the extraordinary. “
There are two points worthy of noting in those statements.
First, Did you notice how he identified himself? Not only did he take the person first approach, but the cerebral palsy was included almost as a footnote. Yes, he happens to have a disability; however, this is but one facet of David’s character, which is overly abundant in his writings.
Secondly, in the last statement, he speaks volumes when he said, “the ordinary, and the extraordinary.”
The general public categorizes people with visible disabilities which are classified as severe all too often in one of either two bins-- the “poor soul” category with no semblance of normality in life, or the “supercrip” who is the maximum over-achiever, and moste suredly an anomaly amongst his or her disabled peers. However, like David points out, many people with these extreme disabilities would probably call their lives ordinary.
I am making a genralization in that last statement, but am speaking from the many conversations I’ve had with friends whose disabilities span a broad spectrum of conditions and limitations. These people have a life, family, friends, and enjoy activities and hobbies like most ordinary folks. They may have to go about these activities a little different to participate, but the enjoyment is the same. They are just ordinary people, but happen to have a disability.
Okay, enough pontificating from me. Good work there, David for putting so succinctly what it took me a couple of paragraphs to write out.
One particular post I found interesting on David’s blog was his most recent, Sept. 9 post about going to college. In that post, he spells out the assistive technologies of all sorts which has served him well and gives credit to an often overlooked genius among his helpers. This post also says a lot about the individual resourcefulness each of us provides and how we can all benefit from synergy. Not to mention, that post has some very useful tips on adaptations, remedies, and fixes others might find useful.
Monday, September 10, 2007
Patricia E Bauer offers professionally written resource blog for disabilities
I have been reading a blog regularly for a couple of weeks now that I want to share with you.
It is written by
Patricia E. Bauer,
“a freelance journalist who is fascinated by the convergence of science, medicine, ethics, public policy, disability and the media.”
Ms. Bauer has professional writing credentials to be envied. According to the blog site, “She has served as senior editor of the Los Angeles Times Sunday Magazine; special assistant to the publisher of the Washington Post; reporter and bureau chief at the Washington Post, and pundit on public affairs television in Los Angeles. Her articles have appeared in the Washington Post, the New York Times and many other publications.”
Her interest in disabilities and the related issues of this domain may stem from the fact that she and her husband are parents to two children, one of whom has Down syndrome and is a leukemia survivor.
As one might expect of a professional journalist, her writing is of top-notch caliber and her resources of information for the blog are broad reaching.
The blog site is rich in news and issues concerning a bast spectrum of disabilities. It is definitely a site to check regularly or put into your RSS feeds.
It is written by
Patricia E. Bauer,
“a freelance journalist who is fascinated by the convergence of science, medicine, ethics, public policy, disability and the media.”
Ms. Bauer has professional writing credentials to be envied. According to the blog site, “She has served as senior editor of the Los Angeles Times Sunday Magazine; special assistant to the publisher of the Washington Post; reporter and bureau chief at the Washington Post, and pundit on public affairs television in Los Angeles. Her articles have appeared in the Washington Post, the New York Times and many other publications.”
Her interest in disabilities and the related issues of this domain may stem from the fact that she and her husband are parents to two children, one of whom has Down syndrome and is a leukemia survivor.
As one might expect of a professional journalist, her writing is of top-notch caliber and her resources of information for the blog are broad reaching.
The blog site is rich in news and issues concerning a bast spectrum of disabilities. It is definitely a site to check regularly or put into your RSS feeds.
Friday, September 07, 2007
More about the ADA Restoration Act of 2007
Two pieces of news about the ADA Restoration Act of 2007.
First, the
Road to Freedom
is a bus tour which is currently crossing the country and aiming to raise awareness about the pending legislation. The Road to Freedom web site has the latest news and appearances of the bus, as well as other useful links such as “What You Can Do”; The site also has a store as well as a blog to help chronicle the endeavors of the dedicated crew.
Additionally, for the latest information about the status of the ADA Restoration Act of 2007, you might want to grab the upcoming episode 41 of
Disability Nation Podcast.
The episode will air on Sunday, Sept. 9 and will feature some interesting aspects, including the Disability Legislative Liaison for Iowa Senator Tom Harkin .
At this time, it is a bit unclear if there will be a text transcript of this podcast available. One has been requested of the creator of the Disability Nation Podcast and I will be interested to see his response.
First, the
Road to Freedom
is a bus tour which is currently crossing the country and aiming to raise awareness about the pending legislation. The Road to Freedom web site has the latest news and appearances of the bus, as well as other useful links such as “What You Can Do”; The site also has a store as well as a blog to help chronicle the endeavors of the dedicated crew.
Additionally, for the latest information about the status of the ADA Restoration Act of 2007, you might want to grab the upcoming episode 41 of
Disability Nation Podcast.
The episode will air on Sunday, Sept. 9 and will feature some interesting aspects, including the Disability Legislative Liaison for Iowa Senator Tom Harkin .
At this time, it is a bit unclear if there will be a text transcript of this podcast available. One has been requested of the creator of the Disability Nation Podcast and I will be interested to see his response.
Wednesday, September 05, 2007
Some resources for students with ADHD or LD
Here are a couple of resources that might be of assistance for anybody dealing with either Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) or a Learning Disability (LD).
The first is a blog, written by a woman named Shane, with a straightforward name, the
ADHD & LD Resource blog.
Shane has some credibility, not to mention motivation, in understanding the subject of her blog, as she is a stay at home mom of a 10-year old son with ADHD and three LDs, and she has tried to gather as much information as she can to understand her son’s needs. As these needs evolve, so does her blog.
Reading over Shane’s postings, there are obvious signs that she is writing about a preteen and his family who are learning to manage his disability. So, you might be asking why I am writing about this blog on Access Ability, whose target is postsecondary students and the professionals who work with them? Easy. In my own experience, I’ve observed that there are many people who don’t learn of their ADHD or LD until adulthood, particularly when struggling through college courses that have become distressing way beyond the coping skills that have previously served to help them compensate. Shane's information and resources can serve anybody with ADHD or an LD, regardless of age.
Shane’s blog is a good resource for both ADHD and LD, but, as she admits, she does draw a lot of information from
SchwabLearning.org,
A web site dedicated to being a “parent’s guide to helping kids with learning difficulties.”
The Schwab Learning site is completely searchable, with informational dropdown boxes that include “postsecondary” as an education level, so you DSS professionals might be able to find some resources here that you didn’t already know about. And, if you already know about Schwab Learning, let this serve as a reminder to share the site with your students who could add it to their toolbox of resources.
And, don’t forget to share Shane’s blog with them as well.
The first is a blog, written by a woman named Shane, with a straightforward name, the
ADHD & LD Resource blog.
Shane has some credibility, not to mention motivation, in understanding the subject of her blog, as she is a stay at home mom of a 10-year old son with ADHD and three LDs, and she has tried to gather as much information as she can to understand her son’s needs. As these needs evolve, so does her blog.
Reading over Shane’s postings, there are obvious signs that she is writing about a preteen and his family who are learning to manage his disability. So, you might be asking why I am writing about this blog on Access Ability, whose target is postsecondary students and the professionals who work with them? Easy. In my own experience, I’ve observed that there are many people who don’t learn of their ADHD or LD until adulthood, particularly when struggling through college courses that have become distressing way beyond the coping skills that have previously served to help them compensate. Shane's information and resources can serve anybody with ADHD or an LD, regardless of age.
Shane’s blog is a good resource for both ADHD and LD, but, as she admits, she does draw a lot of information from
SchwabLearning.org,
A web site dedicated to being a “parent’s guide to helping kids with learning difficulties.”
The Schwab Learning site is completely searchable, with informational dropdown boxes that include “postsecondary” as an education level, so you DSS professionals might be able to find some resources here that you didn’t already know about. And, if you already know about Schwab Learning, let this serve as a reminder to share the site with your students who could add it to their toolbox of resources.
And, don’t forget to share Shane’s blog with them as well.
Tuesday, September 04, 2007
Sometimes, we just need to ask
Sometimes to get something, we just need to ask.
The reasoning behind that seemingly simple statement was the experience I had via email this past week with the lead web developer of
The Cove Herald
in my hometown. I initially stated that the new design for the newspaper’s online site wasn’t working for my screen reader. In subsequent dialogue with this man, I was able to identify the probable culprit— the site’s Flash animation – and give a good description of what I was experiencing.
We began our correspondence exchange when I sent my initial email to him late Thursday. The man wrote me back on Friday morning, asking what it was that I was having problems with. I wrote him back on Saturday morning, describing the hang-ups with what I was certain was the Flash animation and told him what was going on as I tried to find the sports section. After the long weekend for labor day, during which this man was appropriately off, he returned my last email and offered suggestions that he might employ on the site and asked if that would help my accessibility. He was right on target on what he offered and I am looking forward to my next visit to the web site.
This was not only self advocacy at work, but is also an open-minded web developer in tune with what his readers need. His insight in understanding that we don't all access information the same way sets the standard that other IT professionals should model. Thanks, Mr. Gietz.
The reasoning behind that seemingly simple statement was the experience I had via email this past week with the lead web developer of
The Cove Herald
in my hometown. I initially stated that the new design for the newspaper’s online site wasn’t working for my screen reader. In subsequent dialogue with this man, I was able to identify the probable culprit— the site’s Flash animation – and give a good description of what I was experiencing.
We began our correspondence exchange when I sent my initial email to him late Thursday. The man wrote me back on Friday morning, asking what it was that I was having problems with. I wrote him back on Saturday morning, describing the hang-ups with what I was certain was the Flash animation and told him what was going on as I tried to find the sports section. After the long weekend for labor day, during which this man was appropriately off, he returned my last email and offered suggestions that he might employ on the site and asked if that would help my accessibility. He was right on target on what he offered and I am looking forward to my next visit to the web site.
This was not only self advocacy at work, but is also an open-minded web developer in tune with what his readers need. His insight in understanding that we don't all access information the same way sets the standard that other IT professionals should model. Thanks, Mr. Gietz.
Two sites offering wheelchair perspective
I have been following a couple of web sites for a little while I want to share with you. They are related as both are written by men who use wheelchairs. However, in some ways, that is where they split. They are different, as the first offers the resources of a professional rehab counselor and the other is a savvy and literate mobility expert. Their similarities are the strength of the resource each provides.
The first one is a web site titled
Pitt Rehab Counselor,
Written by Greg Traynor, a man who had a spinal cord injury while diving in 1999. As the web site’s title indicates, he is a rehab counselor in Pittsburgh.
On his site, Greg provides some useful links under various categories ranging from accessible entertainment to a variety of adaptive activities including driving, gardening, and sports. He also provides a good gathering of other resources, which is where I found the second site I want to share with you.
WheelchairJunkie.com
Is a site operated by Mark E. Smith, a self proclaimed mobility superstar. I can not vouch for Mark’s mobility skills, but will take him at his word on that. However, I can attest to his ability to capture thoughts and events in a manner which grabs the reader’s attention. On his site, which seems to be a gathering place for his latest blog entries, Mark describes day-to-day encounters and thoughts he has in a direct, yet personable style. He is both candid, as evidenced by his post about
Equality at the Strip Club,
and also very insightful to the world of disabilities. For proof of the latter, read his
July 27, 2007 post
where he compares the level of rehab care one gets from the perspective of sudden trauma versus progressive disabilities.
I know there are other disability related blogs and web sites that are worth noting. Trust me, I read many of them regularly. I have just been impressed with these two sites lately and wanted to share them.
The first one is a web site titled
Pitt Rehab Counselor,
Written by Greg Traynor, a man who had a spinal cord injury while diving in 1999. As the web site’s title indicates, he is a rehab counselor in Pittsburgh.
On his site, Greg provides some useful links under various categories ranging from accessible entertainment to a variety of adaptive activities including driving, gardening, and sports. He also provides a good gathering of other resources, which is where I found the second site I want to share with you.
WheelchairJunkie.com
Is a site operated by Mark E. Smith, a self proclaimed mobility superstar. I can not vouch for Mark’s mobility skills, but will take him at his word on that. However, I can attest to his ability to capture thoughts and events in a manner which grabs the reader’s attention. On his site, which seems to be a gathering place for his latest blog entries, Mark describes day-to-day encounters and thoughts he has in a direct, yet personable style. He is both candid, as evidenced by his post about
Equality at the Strip Club,
and also very insightful to the world of disabilities. For proof of the latter, read his
July 27, 2007 post
where he compares the level of rehab care one gets from the perspective of sudden trauma versus progressive disabilities.
I know there are other disability related blogs and web sites that are worth noting. Trust me, I read many of them regularly. I have just been impressed with these two sites lately and wanted to share them.
Monday, September 03, 2007
Dream job survey sparks thought
I found the results of a recent survey interesting and, like all good research, it triggered a subsequent response.
The 2007 Universum online survey polled more than 44,000 college students across the U.S., asking the students about which company they felt had their
dream job.
Okay, that sample pool is broad enough to give some good informational data. Here’s the thought it triggered for me. What about the students with disabilities, which companies would they ideally love to work for?
I feel certain that there were students with disabilities among the survey participants, but did not read anything differentiating their data from the general pool. I think this might be an interesting research project for somebody with the time and resources to conduct, to see how much the realities that come with living with a disability tempers one’s dreams, including the dream job.
I personally know how the impact of a disability can force one to let go of one dream job, but once that happens, new dreams emerge and these dreams allow for the needs that are associated with that disability.
Any thoughts on this?
The 2007 Universum online survey polled more than 44,000 college students across the U.S., asking the students about which company they felt had their
dream job.
Okay, that sample pool is broad enough to give some good informational data. Here’s the thought it triggered for me. What about the students with disabilities, which companies would they ideally love to work for?
I feel certain that there were students with disabilities among the survey participants, but did not read anything differentiating their data from the general pool. I think this might be an interesting research project for somebody with the time and resources to conduct, to see how much the realities that come with living with a disability tempers one’s dreams, including the dream job.
I personally know how the impact of a disability can force one to let go of one dream job, but once that happens, new dreams emerge and these dreams allow for the needs that are associated with that disability.
Any thoughts on this?
Sunday, September 02, 2007
Abilities Expo appears to be doing it right
By George, I think Minneapolis is onto something!
They have announced an upcoming Abilities Expo That will take place from Sept. 7-9, 2007.
A variety of organizations on both the national and local levels will be present at the expo to showcase the latest in daily living aids, athletic equipment, mobility products, computer ware, and assistive technology. The products will be displayed in a manner that will allow attendees to see, test and compare the items.
Check out the press release below for an extensive listing of planned activities. The organizers of this event have put a lot of thought into bringing together a large group of products that can assist people with disabilities. Where else can one find Microsoft hosting the assistive technology pavilion, Liberty bikes designed for those with disabilities, the Paragolfer outdoor wheelchair, and even a fashion show with designs for wheelchairs?
I think the organizers have done their homework to gather just the right collection of resources for this event. There is certainly a lot of potential here. The organizers present an expo that would probably do well in any large city. It is definitely a model worth emulating.
At the bottom of the press release, I noticed that the organizers of this event have
their own web site,
where I learned they have also presented the Abilities Expo earlier this year in San Antonio, New York, and Southern California. There is some information specific to the upcoming Minneapolis expo on this site, as well as the ability to print a free admission ticket.
August 30, 2007 02:59 PM Eastern Daylight Time
Dozens of Special Events Scheduled for Abilities Expo/ Minneapolis Including Kids Day Set for Saturday, September 8th
Microsoft Corporation to Sponsor Assistive Technology Pavilion
Abilities Expo
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--For the first time Abilities Expo will be held at the Minneapolis Convention Center from Friday, September 7 and continue through Sunday, September 9, 2007. This three-day event is the one show dedicated to educating and improving the lives of people with disabilities, senior citizens, their families & caregivers, as well as healthcare and education professionals.
“There will be many local and national organizations who will be showcasing everything from computers to athletic equipment and mobility products to daily living aids - all conveniently displayed to see, test and compare,” said Veronica Gonnello, Show Manager for Abilities Expo. “We welcome persons with disabilities and their caretakers to join us to see all of the latest products; participate in exciting activities and hear from dozens of industry experts.”
Show Highlights include:
• Kids Day will take place on Saturday, September 8th and will feature several organizations offering activities specifically geared towards children living with a disability. Activities include sports demonstrations, a fashion show and much much more.
• Assistive Technology Pavilion Sponsored by Microsoft Technology will be showcasing the newest in assistive technology in booth 405 as well as hosting multiple FREE workshops. Partners include GW Micro
www.gwmicro.com
Somatic Digital
www.somaticdigital.com
and ViewPlus Technologies
www.viewplus.com
• Active Living Magazine will be giving away 2500 FREE BLAST cards and prizes in their Booth 202. Prizes include Golf XPress Single Rider Car – ($6,995); Automobility Hand Controls – ($1,000); TotinBonez Golf Clubs – ($499); Eureka Tent – ($429); Foot Flush – ($360); Epiphany Design – ($300); Yves Rocher Gift Basket – ($110); and Lasher Sport - T-shirts and Hats.
• Golf Pavilion: Includes clinics, products and prizes Sponsored by United States Golf Association, ParaBaseTec GMBH and Pat MacDonald, US Table Tennis Champion and US Pro Golfer who will also be hosting Table Tennis demonstrations and Team Registration sign ups.
• A Fashion show: Lulu's Designs co/sponsored by PowerPlay Manufacturing will be hosting a fashion show with designs for wheelchairs.
• Fast Paced Sports include: Hockey: Sponsored by Power Hockey and Xtreme Medical; Basketball and Power Soccer: Sponsored by The Courage Center; Quad Rugby: Sponsored by Coloplast and the Minnesota North Stars; Football: Sponsored by Xtreme Medical
• Stationary sports and events: Attendees can also test the ParaGolfer (outdoor wheelchair with Standup function), Sponsored by Parabasetec. There will also be Fitness Clinics with the Vitaglide: Sponsored by RehaMed International.
• TRIKES AND BIKES: Liberator Trikes (booth 326) will be showcasing the “Liberator”. This unique motorcycle was designed for the physically challenged rider or driver
www.liberatortrikes.com
• Safety Features (booth 227)
www.safetyfeatures.com
will highlight their special features allowing people to control their bike at low speeds. With a flip of a switch, two extra wheels provide stability
and confidence.
Attendees will have a chance to discover and learn about new products and services all conveniently displayed to see, test and compare. Exhibiting companies include Microsoft and their assistive technology partners, Cummings Mobility Conversions, Permobil, Paralyzed Veterans of America, Courage Center, National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Christopher and Dana Reeve Paralysis Resource Center, National Spinal Cord Injury Association, American Association of Intensive Pediatric Physical Therapy and, many local organizations from Minnesota.
The educational curriculum focuses on relevant topics addressing life today for individuals with disabilities, their family and caregivers. The comprehensive workshop programs will consist of consumer and professional tracks, with certificates of participation available to students, and education and healthcare professionals.
Special show services will be available for attendees including Complimentary Wheelchair Repair. Loaner Wheelchairs will be available. For People with Visual Impairments, there will be special workshops and exhibitor information handouts available in large type. For People with Hearing Impairments, there will be a sign language interpreter available to assist persons who are deaf or hearing impaired, for a reasonable length of time per person.
On-site admission to Abilities Expo is $5; children under 12 are free. You may visit
www.abilitiesexpo.com
to print out the coupon for FREE admission. Requested information must be filled out for this free admission form to be valid.
WHEN: Friday, September 7, 2007, 10 am - 5 pm
Saturday, September 8, 2007, 10 am - 5 pm
Sunday, September 9, 2007, 11 am - 4 pm
WHERE: Minneapolis Convention Center, 1301 2nd Ave. S.
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55403
PRODUCED & Questex Media Group
MANAGED BY: 800-385-3085
www.abilitiesexpo.com
Contacts
Media Relations for Abilities Expo
Amy Riemer, 978-475-4441
amy@riemercommunications.com
They have announced an upcoming Abilities Expo That will take place from Sept. 7-9, 2007.
A variety of organizations on both the national and local levels will be present at the expo to showcase the latest in daily living aids, athletic equipment, mobility products, computer ware, and assistive technology. The products will be displayed in a manner that will allow attendees to see, test and compare the items.
Check out the press release below for an extensive listing of planned activities. The organizers of this event have put a lot of thought into bringing together a large group of products that can assist people with disabilities. Where else can one find Microsoft hosting the assistive technology pavilion, Liberty bikes designed for those with disabilities, the Paragolfer outdoor wheelchair, and even a fashion show with designs for wheelchairs?
I think the organizers have done their homework to gather just the right collection of resources for this event. There is certainly a lot of potential here. The organizers present an expo that would probably do well in any large city. It is definitely a model worth emulating.
At the bottom of the press release, I noticed that the organizers of this event have
their own web site,
where I learned they have also presented the Abilities Expo earlier this year in San Antonio, New York, and Southern California. There is some information specific to the upcoming Minneapolis expo on this site, as well as the ability to print a free admission ticket.
August 30, 2007 02:59 PM Eastern Daylight Time
Dozens of Special Events Scheduled for Abilities Expo/ Minneapolis Including Kids Day Set for Saturday, September 8th
Microsoft Corporation to Sponsor Assistive Technology Pavilion
Abilities Expo
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--For the first time Abilities Expo will be held at the Minneapolis Convention Center from Friday, September 7 and continue through Sunday, September 9, 2007. This three-day event is the one show dedicated to educating and improving the lives of people with disabilities, senior citizens, their families & caregivers, as well as healthcare and education professionals.
“There will be many local and national organizations who will be showcasing everything from computers to athletic equipment and mobility products to daily living aids - all conveniently displayed to see, test and compare,” said Veronica Gonnello, Show Manager for Abilities Expo. “We welcome persons with disabilities and their caretakers to join us to see all of the latest products; participate in exciting activities and hear from dozens of industry experts.”
Show Highlights include:
• Kids Day will take place on Saturday, September 8th and will feature several organizations offering activities specifically geared towards children living with a disability. Activities include sports demonstrations, a fashion show and much much more.
• Assistive Technology Pavilion Sponsored by Microsoft Technology will be showcasing the newest in assistive technology in booth 405 as well as hosting multiple FREE workshops. Partners include GW Micro
www.gwmicro.com
Somatic Digital
www.somaticdigital.com
and ViewPlus Technologies
www.viewplus.com
• Active Living Magazine will be giving away 2500 FREE BLAST cards and prizes in their Booth 202. Prizes include Golf XPress Single Rider Car – ($6,995); Automobility Hand Controls – ($1,000); TotinBonez Golf Clubs – ($499); Eureka Tent – ($429); Foot Flush – ($360); Epiphany Design – ($300); Yves Rocher Gift Basket – ($110); and Lasher Sport - T-shirts and Hats.
• Golf Pavilion: Includes clinics, products and prizes Sponsored by United States Golf Association, ParaBaseTec GMBH and Pat MacDonald, US Table Tennis Champion and US Pro Golfer who will also be hosting Table Tennis demonstrations and Team Registration sign ups.
• A Fashion show: Lulu's Designs co/sponsored by PowerPlay Manufacturing will be hosting a fashion show with designs for wheelchairs.
• Fast Paced Sports include: Hockey: Sponsored by Power Hockey and Xtreme Medical; Basketball and Power Soccer: Sponsored by The Courage Center; Quad Rugby: Sponsored by Coloplast and the Minnesota North Stars; Football: Sponsored by Xtreme Medical
• Stationary sports and events: Attendees can also test the ParaGolfer (outdoor wheelchair with Standup function), Sponsored by Parabasetec. There will also be Fitness Clinics with the Vitaglide: Sponsored by RehaMed International.
• TRIKES AND BIKES: Liberator Trikes (booth 326) will be showcasing the “Liberator”. This unique motorcycle was designed for the physically challenged rider or driver
www.liberatortrikes.com
• Safety Features (booth 227)
www.safetyfeatures.com
will highlight their special features allowing people to control their bike at low speeds. With a flip of a switch, two extra wheels provide stability
and confidence.
Attendees will have a chance to discover and learn about new products and services all conveniently displayed to see, test and compare. Exhibiting companies include Microsoft and their assistive technology partners, Cummings Mobility Conversions, Permobil, Paralyzed Veterans of America, Courage Center, National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Christopher and Dana Reeve Paralysis Resource Center, National Spinal Cord Injury Association, American Association of Intensive Pediatric Physical Therapy and, many local organizations from Minnesota.
The educational curriculum focuses on relevant topics addressing life today for individuals with disabilities, their family and caregivers. The comprehensive workshop programs will consist of consumer and professional tracks, with certificates of participation available to students, and education and healthcare professionals.
Special show services will be available for attendees including Complimentary Wheelchair Repair. Loaner Wheelchairs will be available. For People with Visual Impairments, there will be special workshops and exhibitor information handouts available in large type. For People with Hearing Impairments, there will be a sign language interpreter available to assist persons who are deaf or hearing impaired, for a reasonable length of time per person.
On-site admission to Abilities Expo is $5; children under 12 are free. You may visit
www.abilitiesexpo.com
to print out the coupon for FREE admission. Requested information must be filled out for this free admission form to be valid.
WHEN: Friday, September 7, 2007, 10 am - 5 pm
Saturday, September 8, 2007, 10 am - 5 pm
Sunday, September 9, 2007, 11 am - 4 pm
WHERE: Minneapolis Convention Center, 1301 2nd Ave. S.
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55403
PRODUCED & Questex Media Group
MANAGED BY: 800-385-3085
www.abilitiesexpo.com
Contacts
Media Relations for Abilities Expo
Amy Riemer, 978-475-4441
amy@riemercommunications.com
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