July 02, 2009

Seminars@Hadley Presents: Connecting the Dots: Celebrating the Legacy of Louis Braille

Date: Wednesday, July 14
Time: 3:30PM CDT, 20:30 GMT
Registration will only be taken online, and not by phone.

2009 marks Louis Braille’s 200th birthday. In celebration, The Hadley School for the Blind is honored to have C. Michael Mellor, author of "Louis Braille: A Touch of Genius" (National Braille Press) lead a Seminars@Hadley.

On Tuesday, July 14, from 3:30-4:30 pm CDT, 20:30-21:30 GMT, Mellor will share his insights and answer questions about the life of Louis Braille, talk about the making of his book and the national traveling exhibit it inspired. The exhibit was produced by National Braille Press in Boston and is touring through libraries and schools throughout the year. It is on display at Hadley during the entire month of July.

Posted by Nancy at 02:29 PM

Rep. Edward Markey Re-Introduces The Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act, H.R. 3101

WASHINGTON, June 29, 2009 -- Late Friday night, Rep. Edward Markey (D-MA) re-introduced the Twenty-First Century communications and Video Accessibility Act, comprehensive legislation designed to expand access for people who are blind or have other disabilities to telecommunications equipment and video programming.

"It is imperative that we restore the modest requirements for production of video description to primetime television and extend them to digital TV and the internet, require non visual access to onscreen emergency warnings, and require visual menus to be accessible. Contrary to the commonly held notion about the blind, we do watch television, go to movies, buy DVD's and participate actively on the web. The American Council of the Blind is committed to the concept that equal access to these media is critically important for full integration into mainstream society," said Mitch Pomerantz, president of the American Council of the Blind.

Continue reading "Rep. Edward Markey Re-Introduces The Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act, H.R. 3101"

Posted by Nancy at 09:37 AM

July 01, 2009

VESID Consumer Forum

COMMUNITY ACCESS and New York Association of Psychiatric Rehabilitation Services-NYC (NYAPRS-NYC)

Do You Have Experiences With VESID? Have They Helped or Hindered You in your efforts to become Employed or Go Back to School? We want to hear from you.

Please Join Us For An Exciting Discussion on What VESID Can Do To Become More Responsive To The Vocational Goals/Needs Of People With Psychiatric Disabilities?

Continue reading "VESID Consumer Forum"

Posted by Nancy at 05:56 PM

HHS Announces Initiatives in Support of the "Year of Community Living"

Health & Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius has announced a funding opportunity that will make it easier for older people, younger adults and their families to learn about and access health and long-term care through Aging & Disability Resource Center Programs (ADRCs).

ADRCs provide one-on-one counseling and streamlined access to programs and services that can enable people to remain in their own homes and communities.

Find your local ADRC.

Posted by Nancy at 04:49 PM

Take Action to Include Vision Rehabilitation in Health Care Reform

A growing coalition of vision rehabilitation specialists, optometrists, ophthalmologists, and rehabilitation agencies from across the nation, spearheaded by VisionServe Alliance, Lighthouse International and others are leading an effort to include Certified Vision Rehabilitation Specialists, Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialists, Certified Low Vision Therapists, as well as Occupational Therapists as part of health care reform.

Vision rehabilitation professionals provide highly specialized vision rehabilitation services that help people, particularly aging adults, learn to live safely and independently despite their vision loss.

Please take action today: