May 07, 2008
National Disability Statistics for Disability Advocacy Webinar: 3-4:30 ET on May 22
Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Disability Demographics and Statistics (StatsRRTC) and Independent Living Research Utilization Web Conference
Date: Thursday, May 22, 2008
Time: 3:00 - 4:30 PM ET
Register online
The joint Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Disability Demographics and Statistics (StatsRRTC) and Independent Living Research Utilization (ILRU) Web Conference provides a high-quality online overview of select national surveys used to generate key disability statistics. The presenters will discuss and illustrate the relevance, availability, and quality of existing data sources for centers for independent living and state disability public policy advocates. This course will additionally outline how participants can use these data to enhance grant and funding application preparation as well as target outreach to unserved and lesser-served communities in their states.
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May 06, 2008
DVS Home Video® Sales Effort Comes to a Close
Deep Discounts Offered for One Week on Remaining Inventory
Boston, MA. May 6. DVS Home Video, a project begun by Boston public broadcaster WGBH in the early 90's to make movies on video accessible to the nation's blind and visually impaired viewers, will end as of May 12. The Hollywood studios have ceased manufacturing VHS or tape versions of films for sale and rental. WGBH's work to make media accessible via description goes on, with efforts focused on television, feature films in theaters, DVDs and online video.
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Posted by Nancy at 07:20 PM | Comments (0)
Employment Opportunities with the IRS
Lions World Services for the Blind Contact Collection Representative Course
Our next class for the Contact Collection Representative vocational course starts on June 30, 2008. Clients must report to us by June 2, 2008, for the required evaluation period. IRS offices for this program are located in the following cities: Atlanta, GA; Austin, TX; Brookhaven, NY; Buffalo, NY; Denver, CO; Detroit, MI; Fresno, CA; Jacksonville, FL; Kansas City, MO; Nashville, TN; Oakland, CA; Philadelphia, PA; and Seattle, WA. Not all offices may be hiring at this time.
This four-month course trains individuals who are blind and visually impaired to work for the Internal Revenue Service in tax collection. Each person selected for the course will be placed in employment with the IRS upon successful completion of the program. Entry level is GS 5 with promotion potential to GS 8. Once on the job, Contact Collection Representatives respond to incoming telephone and written inquiries regarding tax delinquent cases, adjustments to taxpayer accounts, and general service procedures. The individual will analyze and resolve tax processing problems, provide information and recommend enforcement action on all types of individual and/or business accounts. Extensive reading may be required on the job and while in training.
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Posted by Nancy at 07:07 PM | Comments (0)
Statler Center Announces Career and Technology Expo
Renee DiFlavio, VP of Employment and Education, announces the upcoming Career and Technology Expo at the National Statler Center. The Expo will be held Thursday May 8, 2008 at the Elizabeth Pierce Olmsted Center, located at 1170 Main Street in Buffalo, New York. In addition to hosting adaptive technology vendors, the National Statler Center is also offering free workshops in job searching and networking; interviewing skills; an introduction to Statler Training; and an introduction to adaptive software.
Workshop attendees will be provided with tips and tricks that can be used in the job search process as well as the interviewing process, an overview of the hospitality industry training provided by the Statler Center, and a glimpse of the available adaptive software for individuals with visual impairments.
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May 05, 2008
The 1st Annual NY Disabilities Film Festival Sept 21-23, 2008
The JCC in Manhattan and UJA-Federation of New York, are presenting the 1st Annual NY Disabilities Film Festival, "Illuminating the lives, stories, and work of people with disabilities."
They are now now accepting submissions.
Posted by Nancy at 02:11 PM | Comments (0)
VSA arts Invites Entries From Young Artists With Disabilities for Green Light Awards
A National Juried Exhibition for Young Artists with Disabilities,
Ages 16 – 25
Deadline: Friday, July 11, 2008, midnight (MST)
Grand Prize: $20,000
First Award: $10,000
Second Award: $6,000
12 Awards of Excellence: $2,000
Sponsored by VSA arts with support from Volkswagen of America, Inc., the Green Light Awards program is open to young artists between the ages of 16 and 25 living in the United States who have a physical, cognitive, or mental disability. A disability is defined as an impairment that substantially limits a major life activity.
The program invites entries of both representational and abstract work. Artwork may illustrate actual aspects of what signals the artist's creative motivations such as the physical world or personal discoveries. Abstract work that relates to feelings or emotions is also encouraged. Work might also reflect the artist's experience of living with a disability and its role in shaping or transforming their work.
Posted by Nancy at 01:57 PM | Comments (0)
May 01, 2008
National Telecommuting Institute (NTI)
NTI is an educational/job-matching non-profit organization. They are pioneering the development of telework jobs for Americans with disabilities. NTI's staff bridge the gaps between employers who have agreed to "go virtual," advanced communications technology, and vocational rehabilitation agencies to enable individuals with disabilities to train for and work online in environments that are easily accessible to them.
NTI prepares qualified individuals with disabilities primarily for work as customer service representatives, but also as technical support agents and medical transcriptionists. Equipped with voice and computer connections, NTI workers have provided service for customers of organizations and companies such as the Internal Revenue Service, AAA Roadside Assistance, and Meijer.
Job Seekers
If you would like to be considered for any of NTI's current or upcoming job opportunities, please go to their website http://www.NTIcentral.Org/ and fill out the online application
Employers
To learn how NTI can help your business or organization meet its staffing needs at minimal or no cost to you as an employer, contact Timothy Wear at NTI via email at twear [AT] nticentral.org
Posted by Nancy at 03:38 PM | Comments (0)
Career Exploration and Job Search: 5/8/08 to 5/29/08
Participants will look at the major elements of a career search: assessing themselves, identifying and accessing the market. Using CareerZone and other web sites, students will create an effective resume and cover letter, market themselves with a 30 second pitch, plan and prepare for an effective interview, and acquire a host of other job readiness skills.
Prerequisite: Keyboarding and Internet skills a must.
Date: Thursdays, May 8 - 29, 2008
Time: 9:30 am - 12:30 pm
Code: CCV-2103
Sessions: 4
Cost: $480 (individuals NOT State-sponsored have a sliding scale)
Contact:
Judith Gerber
Manager, Educational & User Services
Computer Center for Visually Impaired People
(646) 312-1425
Posted by Nancy at 10:37 AM | Comments (0)
April 30, 2008
DePaul University study of costs and benefits of employing people with disabilities finds few risks to employers
Groundbreaking study commissioned by the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce contradicts common misperceptions among employers
CHICAGO - A study conducted by a team of researchers at DePaul University found that employees with disabilities from the healthcare, retail and hospitality sectors in the region were just as dependable and productive as employees without disabilities. In addition, accommodation costs associated with workers with disabilities were often minimal and well worth the expense. First envisioned during Mayor Daley's Task Force on Employment of People with Disabilities between 2002 and 2005, this study was commissioned by the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce's disabilityworks initiative, and made possible through a grant from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. A subsequent financial contribution was made by the Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities.
Posted by Nancy at 01:41 PM | Comments (0)
April 29, 2008
Access Programs at the Guggenheim
Join Guggenheim educators for a museum tour, discussion and private reception. Tours for the hard of hearing and deaf presented in American Sign Language; separate tours for the partially sighted and blind presented through verbal imaging and touch.
Mondays, 6-8 pm
May 5 Cai Guo-Qiang: I Want to Believe
June 9 Thannhauser Collection
July 7 Louise Bourgeois
FREE
Space is limited. Please RSVP:
212 360 4355 or access@guggenheim.org
Public programs are supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs.
Posted by Nancy at 06:14 PM | Comments (0)
Family Connect Brings Together Parents of Visually Impaired Children
New York, NY, April 29, 2008—When parents learn their child has a visual impairment, it can be overwhelming. Parents wonder, "Will my child fall behind at school?" or "Will my child make friends?" or "Will my child have a successful career?" With only 93,600 visually impaired school-aged children in the U.S., over half of whom have additional disabilities, it's easy for families facing vision loss to feel alone.
To help these families connect with each other and give busy parents, grandparents and other caretakers a place to find comprehensive resources and support 24 hours a day, the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) and the National Association for Parents of Children with Visual Impairments (NAPVI) today launched FamilyConnect™, an online, multimedia community for parents and guardians of children with visual impairments.
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Posted by Nancy at 05:45 PM | Comments (0)
VISIONS Employment and Technology Institutes, Summer 2008
Learn how to hone your strategies and tactics for career development at one of the following summer Employment and Technology Institutes:
- June Institute: The Future Is Now!
(College Students and Recent Grads)
Thursday, June 5 to Sunday, June 8, 2008Programming specifically designed for college students and recent grads will include such topics as:
- Assessing Your Strengths;
- Building Experience for a Powerful Resume;
- Interviewing with Confidence;
- Budgeting for Success;
- Understanding the 21st Century Job Market; and
- Exploring the Latest in Assistive Technology.
- July Institute: Building Your Future
(Individuals 18+ years of age who are actively seeking employment or career advancement);
Thursday, July 24 to Tuesday, July 29, 2008Programming specifically designed around the theme of "Getting There - finding opportunities and exploring individual strengths to land that job!" Workshop and seminar topics include:
- Overcoming Transportation Barriers Using Electronic Way-finding Systems;
- Accessing the Information Super-Highway to Search for Jobs;
- Understanding Employment Trends and Market Growth;
- Networking To Develop Valuable Contacts;
- Interviewing Techniques That Impress; and
- Highlighting Your Accomplishments and Constructing a Power Resume.
The July Institute also includes a one day Technology Expo with vendors demonstrating the latest in assistive technology.
Both Institute sessions will take place at VISIONS VCB in Rockland County, NY. The full registration fee (including lodging, meals and round trip transportation from NYC to VISIONS VCB) is $25.
Don't wait until it's too late. Start planning for your future today.
Posted by Nancy at 01:00 PM | Comments (0)
Tapping Into Your Greatest Leadership Potential: Promise and Possibilities
Blind since birth, Olegario "Ollie" D. Cantos VII -- Special Counsel to the Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights in the U.S. Department of Justice, disability advocate and recipient of numerous honors for his work and contributions, both within and outside the field of disabilities, will be the featured speaker at 4:30 p.m., on Tuesday, May 13th, at Best Buy Corporate Headquarters, 7601 Penn Ave. So., Richfield, MN.
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Posted by Nancy at 10:08 AM | Comments (0)
April 26, 2008
Webinar: Mass Production of Scanned Books for Students with disabilities
Two part FREE Webinar series Describing Mass Production of E-text at Cal State Fullerton May 1 - 15 at 2PM EASTERN (New York) time.
Presenters: Jeff Senge and Marc Trinh, Cal State-Fullerton
CSU Fullerton has developed a detailed step-by-step process starting with the student's registration for class and resulting in the timely delivery of the class text in an alternate format usually ready for the beginning of each class.
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Posted by Nancy at 06:07 PM | Comments (0)
April 25, 2008
Legacies of Intimidation and Violence: Hate Crimes Against People with Disabilities: 4/29/08
Date: Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Time: 10am-12pm
Location: COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY, Satow Room, Lerner Hall
Presented by: University Seminar on Disability Studies
Discussants:
Mark Sherry, Endowed Chair of Disability Studies and Assistant Professor of Sociology at The University of Toledo, is an internationally recognized disability researcher. He is completing a book on hate crimes perpetrated against individuals with disabilities.
John Kaye, Lawyer with Lomurro, Davison, Eastman & Muñoz, P.A, in Freehold, New Jersey. Mr. Kaye formerly the lead Monmouth County prosecutor, successfully tried the Erik Krochmaluk case. This was among the most notorious hate crimes against a person with a disability in the United States. Mr. Krochmaluk's 8 assailants each received between 15-20 years in prison.
Posted by Nancy at 01:04 PM | Comments (0)
Webcast: ADA Paratransit - 4/30/08
Marilyn Golden of the Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund (DREDF) will present the webcast on "ADA Paratransit" Wednesday, April 30, 2008 at 2:00pm Central.
About the Webcast
This webcast is the last in a series of five once-a-month webcasts on ADA Transportation featuring Marilyn Golden of the Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund (DREDF).
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Posted by Nancy at 12:13 PM | Comments (0)
April 24, 2008
Rep. Don Young Joins the American Council of the Blind in Supporting the Safety of Blind Pedestrians
Washington, D.C. - Rep. Don Young (R-Alaska) joined with the American Council of the Blind (ACB) today in demonstrating his continued commitment to the safety of blind pedestrians by signing on as a co-sponsor to H.R. 5734, The Pedestrian Safety Enhancement Act of 2008.
"The auto industry has made amazing technological strides over the past decade that have allowed our automobiles to be more energy efficient and to burn cleaner," Young said. "This is to be commended, but, as with most advancements in technology, it has given us a newer and different set of issues to look at. Unfortunately, one of the side effects of these newer hybrid cars is that the noise level produced has been greatly reduced, leading to safety issues for those who are visually impaired. The safety of people is something I take very seriously, and for that reason I am proud to be a co-sponsor of H.R. 5734, the Pedestrian Safety Enhancement Act. I am encouraged that Congress is looking into this issue and that we are looking to do something about this as soon as possible. Let's continue to use our technology for good and use it to keep people safe."
Posted by Nancy at 10:59 AM | Comments (0)
April 23, 2008
National Braille Press Names Brian A. MacDonald to Serve as President
Boston, MA - April 2008 - National Braille Press, a leading Braille publisher and advocate of literacy for the blind, is pleased to announce that its Board of Trustees has named Brian A. MacDonald to serve as the company's new President. Mr. MacDonald brings with him a solid track record of success in operations, sales, marketing and donor development within the non-for-profit world.
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Posted by Nancy at 10:57 AM | Comments (0)
Job Coaching Web Course
TRN, Inc. is offering its popular 2-week, 20-hour web training covering key principles and hands-on tools for effective job design, instructional and behavioral support strategies, and the development of natural and co-worker supports for workers with disabilities.
Registration is $149 US. Participants can log on at any time during the course period and participate in the training.
The course is taught by Tammara Geary. Tammara served as Executive Director of APSE: The Network on Employment for 10 years. She has trained and consulted extensively on supported employment, and as a job coach, received an award for Excellence in Direct Service. She is a lead associate for Griffin-Hammis Associates.
Registration is limited, and previous courses have filled to capacity.
Topics include:
- Principles of Job Design: Steps to take after getting the job, including analysis and task design.
- Job Training and Instructional Support: Setting up learning strategies using task analysis, systematic instruction, natural learning and reinforcement, and data collection.
- Natural Supports: Learn to develop supports using natural features of the work site, including co-workers.
- Social-Behavioral Support: Develop strategies to support workers to interact in socially expected ways to enhance job success.
To learn more about the training and to register, go to: http://www.trninc.com/entry/welcome2.asp
Posted by Nancy at 10:40 AM | Comments (0)