« March 2006 | Main | May 2006 »
April 25, 2006
COSD 7th Annual National Conference in Atlanta
“Maximizing the Talent Pool: Looking Below the Surface”
Dates: June 14 - 16, 2006
Location: Hyatt Regency Atlanta Hotel, Atlanta, GA
Registration Deadline Thursday, June 1, 2006.
Contact:
Alan Muir, Executive Director
Career Opportunities for Students with Disabilities (COSD)
The University of Tennessee
100 Dunford Hall
Knoxville, TN 37996-4010
865-974-7148
Fax: 865-974-6497
E mail: amuir@tennessee.edu
Website: www.cosdonline.org
Posted by Nancy at 03:24 PM | Comments (0)
33rd Annual Public Awareness Showcase and Counseling Center
Sponsored by: National Association for Visually Handicapped (NAVH)
Date: May 21, 2006
Time: 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Location: Einhorn Auditorium at Lenox Hill Hospital
131 East 76th Street, New York, NY
Free to the public
This Showcase features products and services for the hard of seeing.™ NAVH large print materials on vision and eye disease will be available. NAVH staff will be available to answer your questions about visual aids and lighting, which will be available to test and purchase.
In addition, ophthalmologists and low vision optometrists will be on site for mini-consultations. Representatives from various government and private organizations that serve the visually impaired will be present. Manufacturers of various products, such as nutritional supplements, CCTV’s and special lighting, will be showcasing their products.
This is a great opportunity to learn what's new for people with visual impairments.
Posted by Nancy at 10:55 AM | Comments (0)
April 24, 2006
MY BODY POLITIC
"I read "My Body Politic" with admiration, sometimes for the pain that all but wept on the page, again for sheer exuberant friendships, for self-discovery, political imagination, and pluck. . . . Wonderful! In a dark time, a gift of hope."
-Daniel Berrigan, S . J .
SIMI LINTON, author of "My Body Politic," is a prominent activist and author of numerous articles about disability. She holds a Ph.D. from New York University and until 1998 taught at Hunter College. She is author of Claiming Disability: Knowledge and Identity and founder of Disability/Arts, an organization that works with artists and cultural institutions to help shape the presentation of disability in the arts and to increase the representation of works by disabled artists.
While hitchhiking from Boston to Washington D.C. in 1971 to protest the war in Vietnam, Simi Linton was involved in a car accident that paralyzed her legs and took the lives of her young husband and her best friend. Her memoir begins with her struggle to regain physical and emotional strength and to resume her life in the world. Then Linton takes us on the road she traveled—with stops in Berkeley, Paris, Havana, and back to her home in Manhattan, as she learns what it means to be a disabled person in this country.
Two Readings and Booksignings in New York in May:
- Columbia University
Monday, May 1, 6–8 p.m.
Introduced by Rosemary G. Feal
Executive Director of the Modern Language Association
Reception to FollowAlfred Lerner Hall
115th & Broadway
Party Room, C LevelEnter the Columbia Campus at 115th & Broadway; follow path to building entrance on right; take elevator (not stairs) to C Level.
Please RSVP (and/or request accommodations) by writing to dsseminar@gmail.com.
This event is sponsored by the Columbia University Disability Studies Seminar and the Office of Disability Services.
- Marymount Manhattan College
Wednesday, May 3, 7:30
Introduced by Daniel Berrigan, S.J.,
Jesuit priest, poet, and peacemakerReception to follow
Marymount Manhattan College Building
221 E. 71st St.
Regina Peruggi Room, 2nd Floor
Please contact Jerry Williams at: 212-517-0604 for more information and to request accommodations.
This event sponsored by the English Dept., Sigma Tau Delta, and the Literary Society Marymount Manhattan College.
Posted by Nancy at 10:38 AM | Comments (0)
"Creating Our Future: On Campus and Beyond"
Come be part of the 20th anniversary celebration of the National Educational Association of Disabled Students (NEADS)! The 2006 Conference Planning Committee invites expressions of interest by individuals interested in speaking on one of the four workshop panels at our biannual national conference, taking place November 10 - 12, 2006 at the Delta Ottawa Hotel and Suites. The theme for this year's conference is Creating Our Future: On Campus and Beyond.
Our conference operates using a single-track format. This allows all delegates to participate in all four workshops. Speakers will therefore be required to present twice, once in the morning, and once in the afternoon, either Saturday or Sunday. Each speaker will have up to 20 minutes to present, and will then participate in a question and answer session along with their fellow panelists. Sign language and English/French interpretation will be provided.
Workshop Panels:
- Job Search Strategies: Competing in The Employment Market
The future for many college and university graduates includes a desire to compete for the same employment opportunities as their non-disabled peers. Subjects to be addressed may include:
- First-hand experiences of individuals with disabilities pursuing interesting careers (e.g., in the arts, media, sciences, etc.);
- Disclosing a disability in the workplace;
- Arranging for workplace accommodations;
- Mentorship;
- Opportunities for graduate students.
- Looking Into the Future of Post-Secondary Education
Post-secondary education promises to offer a wealth of opportunities and challenges for students with disabilities. Topics to be addressed may include:
- On-campus programs that deliver services to students with disabilities in innovative ways;
- Impact of eLearning on students with disabilities;
- New types of adaptive technologies used by students with disabilities;
- Experiences of students with disabilities pursuing options such as distance education, vocational and trade skills.
- Creating Leaders for the Future
The key to developing future leaders is to provide practical information that can be applied immediately. Our goal is to make this workshop skills-based, interactive and innovative, including opportunities for participants to practice skills and to get immediate feedback. Subjects to be addressed may include:
- Experiences of students successfully advocating for change on their campus, including lessons learned;
- Effective strategies for dealing with campus media, on-campus departments and organizations;
- Working with the mainstream student movement;
- Lobbying university/college administration;
- Public speaking tips and tricks;
- Negotiation skills;
- Writing a press release.
- New Developments in Disability Studies
Disability Studies is an important field experiencing growing interest on Canadian campuses. We invite students studying in this area to submit presentations on their completed research or research-in-progress that showcases new and emerging subjects in the field.
Instructions and Deadline:Expressions of interest should be no more than 500 words in length and must include:
- A title,
- Name(s) of speaker(s),
- The name of the workshop panel of interest,
- The specific subject that the presentation will address, and
- A description of the proposed presentation.
Presentations are encouraged in either English or French, and we invite international submissions. We are able to accept material in print, on disk, online or by e-mail attachment. In case a speaker drops out, we will choose an alternate from the submissions received. The Conference Planning Committee will inform those selected no later than July 31, 2006. Please include any alternate contact details to reach you during the summer, where appropriate.
Due to limited funding, only student panelists can be considered for financial support.
Send your expression of interest and resume:
- Online: http://www.neads.ca/conference2006/en/speaker_online.php
- By e-mail: workshop@neads.ca
- By regular mail:
National Educational Association of Disabled Students,
Attn: 2006 Conference Planning Committee
Rm. 426, Unicentre,
Carleton University, Ottawa,
Ontario, Canada
K1S 5B6
If you have any questions about the event send them to conference2006@neads.ca,or call (613) 526-8008 (Voice or TTY).
Frank Smith, National Coordinator
National Educational Association of Disabled Students
Rm. 426 Unicentre, Carleton University
Ottawa, Ontario, K1S 5B6
tel. (613) 526-8008
http://www.neads.ca/conference2006/en/
Posted by Nancy at 09:49 AM | Comments (0)
The Chicago Disability History Exhibit
Date: April - August 31, 2006
Location: National Vietnam Veterans Art Museum Located at the corner of 18th Street and Indiana Avenue in a new gallery on the third floor. Parking on local streets and also available alongside alley-space. On accessible bus route line.
Description: Guiding visitors from the founding of the city and civil war pension policies, through institutional and eugenics eras, to the survival issues of today.
Exhibition includes posters, timelines, photos, artifacts such as 19th century "charity cards"; a cane of FDR's; a headstone from Manteno State Institution; braille ABC plates and many items from daily life; all the versions of "Accessible Chicago" put out in the 70s; prototype of the first Metra lift; and arrest warrants for some of our most esteemed leaders. 4 dvd screens with headphones. Culminating in the growth of the disability culture and arts scene in Chicago.
Exhibit done by, for, and about disabled people. All of the public is welcome.
Access Notes: Text is in 18 or 24 point font. There are many touchable items. Audio-described tours are available upon request. A full narrative, in large print font, of the print story that appears on the wall is available in advance of one's visit. Request from ssnyder@uic.edu for an e-version. Posters have simple language labels and large pictures. All video is captioned. Full braille text in process. There is no flourescent lighting. Seating in gallery. Fully accessible facilities on same floor as gallery space. If you prefer to use your own headphones you may bring them.
Sharon Snyder
Assistant Professor Department of Disability & Human Development University of Illinois at Chicago
Chicago, Illinois 60608
312-413-1975
ssnyder@uic.edu
Posted by Nancy at 09:47 AM | Comments (0)
April 19, 2006
P&G Virtual Campus
P&G Virtual Campus has 3 new classes starting on April 7, 2006:
- Balancing Act: Managing Time and Stress in a Busy World
- How to Give a Great Presentation
- How to Find Your Perfect Career
It's fast, free, and easy. Remember, P&G Virtual Campus is online 24/7, so it's easy to fit them into your busy schedule.
Enroll today at http://pgvirtualcampus.com/?mcID=blast041206.
Posted by Nancy at 02:42 PM | Comments (0)
EASI Podcast Series
EASI: Equal Access to Software and Information's podcast series includes:
- Barrier-free IT Tips and Tricks
- It's About People, Not Technology
- Conference Podcast Series
You can subscribe at: http://easi.cc/podcasts/
Posted by Nancy at 02:28 PM | Comments (0)
Two New Free EASI Web Conferences
EASI: Equal Access to Software and Information has 2 more free, live, voice chat Web conferences in the next month. You can register for them at: http://easi.cc/clinic.htm
- Creating Accessible Narrated PowerPoint on April 27
Presenters, Dick Banks and Norm Coombs More and more teachers are using PowerPoint in class. Now, many are also using them in online classes. Frequently they want to add narration to them. First, this presentation will briefly discuss tips on making narrated PowerPoint which, without adequate planning can be very time-consuming. Second, it will focus on designing the presentation in advance for accessibility by all students especially those who are blind, deaf or who have learning disabilities.
- Using Authoring Tools to Create DAISY Documents on May 9
Presenter, Karen McCall How can I create DAISY books and content for myself or my students? What is DAISY? How do I choose an authoring tool for creating documents? This web seminar explores the advantages of DAISY content, what type of information can be converted to DAISY and how to choose your authoring tool and player.
How do you choose the best DAISY authoring tool for you or your organization? Knowing what's available is the first step!
Register for both at: http://easi.cc/clinic.htm
Posted by Nancy at 02:22 PM | Comments (0)
Braille: Every Day, Every Way Web seminar hosted by Hadley School
Winnetka, IL. The Hadley School for the Blind will host "Braille: Every Day, Every Way," its first Seminars@Hadley to be broadcast over the Internet Wednesday, April 26, beginning at noon, CDT.
The seminar will last approximately 90 minutes and is open to Hadley students already enrolled in the Professional Education and Family Education programs or to professionals in the blindness field. Participants will learn how braille can positively impact the lives of family members who are blind, the importance and value of braille and how braille can be used in everyday life. This program is free, but registration is required for this interactive seminar. Space is limited, so early registration is recommended. To register, email seminars@hadley.edu with your name and email address. Please put Braille Seminar in the subject line. You will receive a confirmation email containing your password to login to the seminar, as well as a review of technical requirements. Please note, registration will only be taken via email. If you are unable to participate in this seminar, please watch for future seminars covering a variety of topics.
Those who sign up may participate in an online discussion on better advocacy for braille in local communities. The seminar will cover topics like braille on maps, restaurant menus, labeling personal home items and note-taking. Also, included is how braille can benefit visually impaired people in the workplace, creative uses of braille and how to pass along the importance of learning braille to others. During the seminar, students will have the opportunity to present questions to the seminar instructors.
Technical requirements to participate in the seminar are: For Windows: Windows 98, ME, 2K, XP or 2003 (XP recommended) system, Pentium 3 500 MHz or better CPU, 512 MB RAM, Internet Explorer 6, or FireFox, JavaScript and cookies enabled in the browser, 56K or faster Internet connection (broadband recommended), full duplex audio device, microphone and speakers.
For Macintosh: Mac OS 10.3 system or later, 512 MB Ram, Safari or FireFox browser, JavaScript and cookies enabled in the browser, 56K or faster Internet connection (broadband recommended), full duplex audio device, microphone and speakers.
Hadley instructors Donna Hernandez and Sue Melrose will lead the Webcast. Donna Hernandez earned her B.A. in Special Education and is certified in visual impairment. She also received a B.A. in Elementary Education from Illinois State University and is certified in learning disabilities, emotional and behavioral disorders and in teaching those with mental disabilities. Sue Melrose earned her B.A. in Psychology and her M.A.T. in Early Childhood Education from Stanford University.
##
Editor's Note: The Hadley School for the Blind is the single largest worldwide distance educator of blind and visually impaired people. Since its founding by William Hadley and Dr. E.V.L. Brown in 1920, all of Hadley's distance education courses have been provided free of charge. Today, the school serves more than 10,000 students annually in all 50 states and 100 countries. Hadley relies on contributions from individuals, foundations and corporations to fund its programs. Visit us on the Web at http://www.hadley.edu
Posted by Marten at 10:31 AM | Comments (0)
Summer Youth Employment Program - 2006
Summer is fast approaching and there are again summer jobs available through the NYC Department of Youth and Community Development's Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP).
Youths from 14 through 21 years of age can learn employment skills, work-related social skills, take advantage of educational activities, develop career awareness, understand money management... and earn some income too.
The SYEP is open to youth ages 14 through 21, living in NYC regardless of income level.
DEADLINE for submitting an application with required documentation is TUESDAY, MAY 30, 2006.
Visit the DYCD SYEP website for information and download the APPLICATION ...
Posted by Nancy at 09:36 AM | Comments (0)
1st National Conference on Employment of Lawyers with Disabilities
The Early Bird Registration for the ABA 1st National Conference on Employment of Lawyers with Disabilities has been EXTENDED until 04/24/2006. You can register on-line.
Sponsored by ABA President Michael S. Greco, the ABA Commission on Mental and Physical Disability Law, and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
Date:
- Monday, May 22, 2006
Tuesday, May 23, 2006
Location:
- Renaissance Washington Hotel
Washington, D.C.
CLE certification pending.
Keynote Speaker: Former Attorney General of the United States and Governor of Pennsylvania, Dick Thornburgh
Conference Topics Include:
- Is Disability Diverse or Just Different?
Does It Pay to Hire Lawyers with Disabilities?
Best Practices in Law Firms
For more information about the conference or to register, please contact Michael J. Stratton at (202) 662-1571, cmpdl@abanet.org, or fax (202) 662-1032.
The American Bar Association (ABA) President’s Office, the ABA Commission on Mental and Physical Disability Law and the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) have partnered to bring to you this important learning opportunity. This Conference is appropriate for lawyers, law students, law schools and any organization that employs lawyers. Our intent is to help expand opportunities for lawyers with disabilities in all legal employment sectors.
In particular, the Conference will provide examples of best practices in hiring lawyers with disabilities, focus on the law pertaining to the employment of lawyers with disabilities and provide practical advice for how to set up a legal work environment to be accommodating to lawyers with disabilities. The Conference will also feature Richard L. Thornburgh, Esq., Of Counsel, Kirkpatrick & Lockhart Nicholson Graham, LLP, as the Keynote Speaker the first evening of the Conference. Mr. Thornburgh previously served as Governor of Pennsylvania and Attorney General of the United States under two presidents. He was also instrumental in the enactment of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Ms. Cari M. Dominguez, Chair of the EEOC, will also be a featured speaker at the Conference. We are also fortunate to have the Honorable Judge David S. Tatel, of the United States Court of Appeals for District of Columbia Circuit, as our featured speaker during lunch on the second day of the Conference.
The Conference is a celebration of diversity, and will be held in an appropriate setting - our Nation’s capitol. The Conference will also provide a wonderful networking opportunity for lawyers, law students with disabilities, and legal employers.
Posted by Nancy at 09:05 AM | Comments (0)
April 18, 2006
The 4th NYS Governor’s Expo on Assistive Technology
"Technology Opens Doors", will be held on May 11, 2006 at the Empire State Plaza Convention Center in Albany, NY.
Held since 1998, the Expo offers over 100 exhibitors and numerous presentations of assistive technology devices and services available for people of all ages and abilities.
REGISTRATION
The cost of Attendees Registration will be $3.00 for early registration and $5.00 for onsite registration.
Posted by Nancy at 03:42 PM | Comments (0)
April 17, 2006
Improving SSDI Work Incentives
Policy Proposals for Improving SSDI, SSI and Medicaid Work Incentives Prepared By Jensen and Silverstein
Allen Jensen and Robert "Bobby" Silverstein recently proposed policies for improving SSDI work incentives (e.g., addressing the cash cliff). Policies for updating and improving SSI and Medicaid work incentives are also proposed. These proposals are the product of a research project funded by the Social Security Administration (SSA) through a sub-award from the Disability Research Institute (DRI) at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Additional funding was provided by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
The policy proposals developed by the project team (referred to as the Gradual Reduction Choice Option and Related Policy Proposals) recognize the heterogeneous nature of the SSDI disability population and the many variables impacting the ability of persons with severe disabilities to sustain a substantial level of earnings over a significant period of time. The policy proposals are designed to enhance the quality of life and financial independence of SSDI and SSI beneficiaries and at the same time facilitate net long-range cost savings (or at least not result in additional costs) to the Social Security Trust Fund, the U.S. Treasury, and the states.
In a nutshell, the proposals provide SSDI beneficiaries with an informed choice (which entails tradeoffs) between current SSDI policy (which includes the cash cliff) and an alternative, which includes a $1 for $2 gradual reduction in benefits after an initial earned income disregard of one-half of the dollar value of the monthly Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) level and continued attachment to the SSDI program when benefits are reduced to zero as long as the individual's severe impairments continue. The proposals also encourage work for both the SSDI and SSI populations by making the programs' work incentives similar and thus easier to understand and utilize. In addition, the project team suggests related policies for enhancing SSI, Section 1619, and Medicaid work incentives. Finally, the project team developed a framework for conducting cost estimates of an SSDI policy which entails a $1 for $2 gradual reduction of benefits as earnings increase.
Links to the papers prepared by the project staff are as follows:
* SSDI Gradual Reduction Choice Proposal and Related Policy Proposals
Posted by Marten at 11:05 AM | Comments (0)
April 12, 2006
Hamlet - Theater by the Blind
Hamlet by William Shakespeare at the Mint Theater, New York City. May 16 to June 11.
The Company: George Ashiotis, Melanie Boland, Nick Cordileone, John Little, Pamela Sabaugh and Nicholas Viselli
Director - Ike Schambelan
In this sleek, visceral, clear production, a prince receives a charge to avenge his father's murder and wonders if he really saw a ghost or unjustly suspects his uncle.
HAMLET's about playing, seeming, acting, fired by showmanship, flauntingly theatrical. People try to improve Shakespeare by inflating - more soldiers, longer processions. Theater By The Blind strips the artifice, the veneer, to reveal the meat, the bones, the life, leaping back over 400 years of encrusted tradition to Shakespeare's rules. Much faster running times than you would expect, actors playing more than one role, and talking to the audience at any time.
It takes two hours to do a cut but very complete HAMLET with six actors playing six archetypes: King, Queen, Prince, Counselor, Lover and Friend. It's now. Royalty means Kennedys sailing, Charles and William playing polo, Armani, Monaco. It's got a contemporary voice and a tempo that soars and engages.
"An extraordinary troupe designed to defy expectations." The New York Times
"One of the most enjoyable companies in the country" The New York Post
"Long purveyors of quality drama." The Village Voice
There will be an open captioned performance on May 21.
Visually impaired patrons will be invited on stage to explore the set 45 minutes before curtain May 20 at 3 & 8, May 21 at 3 and May 27 at 3 & 8.
Braille and large print programs available. The theater is wheelchair accessible.
Theater Five, 311 W. 43 (just west of 8th Ave.), 5th floor. New York, NY
Buy Tickets at Smarttix, 212-868-4444 or www.smarttix.com
Posted by Marten at 12:41 PM | Comments (0)
Ethics and Disability
Disability Studies Lecture Series
Sponsored by:
- The John F. Kennedy, Jr. Institute for Worker Education and the CUNY School of Professional Studies Graduate Certificate in Disability Studies
Professor Adrienne Asch, The Edward and Robin Milstein Professor of Bioethics Yeshiva University will speak on Ethics and Disability.
Date: Thursday, May 4, 2006
Time: 7:00pm – 8:00pm
Location: The City University of New York Graduate Center, 365 Fifth Avenue at 34th Street, Skylight Room 9100
Questions and answers will follow the lecture.
Refreshments will be served. Wheelchair accessible.
Space is limited.
To request accommodations and to RSVP by Wednesday, April 26, contact Tina L. Singleton at 646.344.7318 or via email, Tina.Singleton@mail.cuny.edu
Posted by Nancy at 11:53 AM | Comments (0)
April 04, 2006
Chicago Lighthouse Assistive Technology Help Desk
In an effort to accommodate people with visual impairments in need of technical support, The Chicago Lighthouse has established a telephone assistive technology support line.
The toll free number for the new service is 888 TCL (825) 0080.
"We're excited to have an opportunity to make it easier for people with visual impairments to take advantage of the many technological advancements that are now more readily available," said William Bielawski, program manager for adaptive technology and office skills training at The Lighthouse.
Bielawski noted that any blind or visually impaired person could call the support line regardless of what product they're using.
"It can be any hardware or software relating to assistive technology as long as the customer is visually impaired," he said.
"We also encourage calls from teachers and other individuals who work with people who are visually impaired as well as other interested parties."
Servicing the calls is Ray Campbell, a former engineer with Lucent Technologies who now works in The Lighthouse's Adaptive Technology program.
"Our intent is to offer a one stop place where people who are blind or visually impaired can get the assistance that they need," he said.
"I can listen to what JAWS or WindowEyes is saying and walk him or her right through their problem."
Campbell added that if he can't resolve the issue over the phone, he will schedule an on-site visit as long as the customer resides in the Chicago metropolitan area. The program was made possible when The Lighthouse successfully matched a $41,000 grant from the Boeing Company Foundation.
"We're tremendously grateful to Boeing for their support and we intend to use the help desk in strengthening our level of customer service and showcasing The Lighthouse as a national leader in adaptive technology," Bielawski said.
Celebrating its centennial this year, The Lighthouse is one of the oldest social service agencies in Chicago. It is regarded as the most comprehensive agency of its kind in the Midwest and a model agency nationally.
Contact: Dominic Calabrese
312/997-3662
Posted by Nancy at 04:30 PM | Comments (0)