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October 24, 2006

11th International Conference on Computers Helping People with Special Needs

ICCHP 2008

Date: July 9-11, 2008

Location: University of Linz, Austria

Pre-Conference July 7-8, 2008

For more information please visit http://www.icchp.org/
.

Posted by Nancy at 11:51 PM | Comments (0)

9th European Conference for the Advancement of Assistive Technology in Europe

Date:
October 3 - 5, 2007

Location:
San Sebastian, SPAIN

For more information please visit
http://www.fatronik.com/aaate2007/.

Posted by Nancy at 11:43 PM | Comments (0)

The Emerging Leaders summer 2007 internship program

The Emerging Leaders summer internship program for college students with disabilities offers paid summer internships at many of America's leading corporations like A & E Television Networks, Barclay's Capital, Bloomberg, Booz Allen Hamilton, CVS Pharmacy, Ernst & Young, FGM, Inc., Horizon Foundation, JPMorgan Chase, Key Span, KPMG, Lehman Brothers, Liz Claiborne Inc., Lockheed Martin, Merrill Lynch, Penguin Group, PricewaterhouseCoopers, SAIC, Sony Corporation, Sun Trust Bank and Walgreens.

These companies are proactive in recruiting qualified people with disabilities.

To be considered for an internship, you must be a current student, undergraduate or graduate, who has completed at least 45 credits (60 preferred), and is maintaining at least a 3.0 GPA.

More information can be found on the Emerging Leaders web site

Please note: Application deadline is December 31, 2006.

Emerging Leaders is a highly competitive program that places college students with disabilities in fulfilling summer internships and provides them with leadership development opportunities. Emerging Leaders partners with businesses to help them find outstanding young talent while also considering diversity and inclusion in their hiring practices.

Student applicants are matched with businesses through a careful screening process that helps ensure that the internship placement is a good fit for both parties.

Booz Allen Hamilton founded Emerging Leaders in 2001. The program currently is administered by the National Business & Disability Council.

Posted by Marten at 02:28 PM | Comments (0)

October 19, 2006

November 6, 2006, Washington, D.C. Career Expo for People with Disabilities

Location: Ronald Reagan Building & International Trade Center.
Date: November 6, 2006.
Time: 10am to 3pm.

All job candidates should pre-register for the career expo.

Sponsored by the Mayor’s Committee on Persons with Disabilities, the Association on Higher Education and Disability (ahead), and Career Opportunities for Students with Disabilities (COSD), our career expo is hosted by the nation’s leading award winning career magazine for people with DISABILITIES, CAREERS & disABLED.

Washington D.C.’s Career Expo, 2006, for people with disabilities already has a strong diversity of companies and government agencies that have signed up to participate. To mention a few: Northrop Grumman, University of Maryland University College, Arlington County Government, Bender Consulting, Raytheon (SILVER SPONSOR), NAVAIR, U.S. Department of Energy, U.S. Department of Justice, U.S. Department of State, National Institute of Allergy & Infectious Diseases, Federal Bureau of Investigation, ADNOHR, Defense Logistics Agency, EDS, Department of Defense, Environmental Protection Agency, NAVSEA Warfare Centers, PEPCO, Social Security-OESP, U.S. Air Force Civilian Careers, U.S. APHIS, Animal Plant Health Inspection Service, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Comptroller of the Currency, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Veterans Administration, Federal Deposit Insurance Corp., KCI Technologies, U.S. Patent & Trademark Office, Social Security HR, U.S. FDA Commission, Accenture, Bureau of Reclamation, Defense Threat Reduction Agency, Fannie Mae, (Bronze Sponsor) Federal Bureau of Prisons, Health Net Federal Services, Intelligence Community (Bronze Sponsor), Library of Congress, Southern Management Corporation, U.S. Department of Energy, U.S. Health and Human Services, U.S. Department of Labor, U. S. Navy-OCHR, U.S. Department of Transportation, U.S. Mint, and Washington Area Transit.

Posted by Nancy at 09:45 AM | Comments (0)

Adaptive Technology Doesn't Have to be Expensive

Enabling Abilities to Appear: Online Workshop Series

This series of four online workshops teaches you how to utilize variety of inexpensive adaptive technology software to enable their clients to reach their individual goals. Topics include screen magnifiers, switch input, text-to-speech and onscreen keyboards. For the last session bring your biggest challenges in using adaptive technology software and hardware, and brainstorm possible solutions.

Who should attend: occupational therapists, teachers, parents, individuals with disabilities, seniors, and anyone interested in learning about adaptive technology.

Location: online meeting room from the comfort of your own computer!

Dates & Topic

Wednesday, November 15th: Magnifiers & Switch Input

Wednesday, November 22nd: Text to Speech

Wednesday, November 29th: On-Screen Keyboards

Wednesday, December 6th: Got Questions? Get Answers!

Time:
5:00-6:00pm PST (for all sessions)

Cost:
$30.00 CAD per session + G.S.T.(if applicable)

Register for all 4 and save $20!

Register online at:
www.enablingabilities.com

More info: Call Darrell (604) 306-5325

Mr. Darrell Hyatt has more than 25 years experience working with computers as an operator, programmer, and technical support person. For the last four years he was an instructor teaching computer skills to people with disabilities at the Neil Squire Foundation.

Darrell has training in social work, business administration, computer applications and trainer development. He also has extensive knowledge and experience with a wide variety of adaptive technologies, and wants to simplify the process to enable more people to use it and allow their abilities to shine.

Reserve now! Space is limited!

Enabling Abilities to Appear

Posted by Nancy at 09:18 AM | Comments (0)

October 18, 2006

Workshop - Easier Than You Think: Networking for People With Disabilities: Boston, MA

Workshop will review what you need to do to prepare yourself to network. You’ll develop an “infomercial”, learn about Boston area networking groups, how to meet people and what to do at a networking meeting. We’ll also explore how networking can help you overcome the kinds of challenges job seekers with disabilities have to deal with: gaps in resumes, lack of experience, few contacts, and employer misperceptions about your abilities. You’ll leave the workshop energized and ready to “jump start” your job search.

Date:
Wednesday, November 15, 2006, 1 pm – 3pm.

Address:
Job Net Career Center, 210 South Street, Boston, MA

To Register:
Email Larry Elle at Larry@resourcepartnership.org or call at 617-855- 2892.

Although there is no fee to attend this workshop, registration is required. Space is limited.

Posted by Nancy at 10:38 AM | Comments (0)

October 17, 2006

Center on Disabilities' Assistive Technology Training Program

The Center on Disabilities at California State University, Northridge is pleased to announce its tenth year of offering the "Assistive Technology Applications Certificate Program (ATACP)." With over 2,200 graduates to date, the ATACP is the largest Assistive Technology (AT) certificate program in the country.

Training will take place at the Fiesta Inn Resort in Tempe, Arizona Wednesday, January 31 to Saturday, February 3, 2007. Other dates are available at the CSUN Twenty-second Annual International Technology and Persons with Disabilities Conference in March 2007 in Los Angeles.

Who Should Attend?

Training workshops you will learn the practical tools and techniques of assistive technology accommodations and applications in meeting the needs of individuals with various disabilities in many settings. In addition to the principles of human needs, environment and tasks, we will address the tools and techniques behind the assistive technology which will enhance the effectiveness of your training experience.

Program Goals and Certificate Objectives

The ATACP is designed to provide a practical approach to the applications of Assistive Technology in meeting the needs of individuals with various disabilities in many settings. Participants will learn:

For further information and to register for the ATACP Traditional Training, visit: www.csun.edu/codtraining or call 818-677-2578.

Posted by Nancy at 10:48 PM | Comments (0)

October 16, 2006

2007 AFB Policy and Research Internship Program

The American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) Public Policy Center is inviting applications for the 2007 AFB Policy and Research Internship program. Located in our nation's capital, the AFB Public Policy Center strives to expand possibilities for people with vision loss by advocating the formulation and implementation of federal legislative, regulatory, legal, research, and funding priorities honoring the capabilities and unique needs of children, working-age adults, and seniors who are blind or visually impaired. The purpose of these internships is to provide highly motivated individuals with professional-level exposure to, and practice with, the public policy and policy research process and an opportunity to apply specialized knowledge and skills in a dynamic environment.

Qualified Applicants

Candidates for these exciting learning experiences will possess a
bachelor's degree (or will attain the degree within the year) and be pursuing a graduate or professional course of study relating to special education, rehabilitation, law, public health, or related human services discipline. All successful candidates will also possess a demonstrable commitment to people with vision loss or other disabilities.

Structure

The AFB Policy and Research Internships are designed to provide maximum flexibility while affording participants with a serious opportunity to learn and work with clear goals and expectations. Each internship will run at least six weeks. Internships will be scheduled throughout the year. Although specific projects will vary depending on the interests and emerging expertise of each successful candidate, activities common to all internships are likely to include

Interns will be supervised by AFB's Director of Public Policy. Extensive mentoring by AFB Public Policy, Policy Research, and other professional staff will offer participants both support and guidance. It will be our pleasure to work with candidates to structure their individual internships to accommodate specific objectives, such as the attainment of academic credit for participation.


Preferred Internship Start Dates


Spring Term: February 5, 2007; March 5, 2007; April 2, 2007; April 30, 2007

Summer Term: May 29, 2007; June 25, 2007

Fall Term: September 4, 2007; October 1, 2007; October 29, 2007

Internship Awards

All internship participants will be offered housing through one of the local universities or other resources convenient to public transportation to and from the AFB Public Policy Center. Housing costs will be covered for each full week of participation. Participants will need to make their own travel arrangements and carry all other incidental costs which they may otherwise voluntarily incur. Subject to available funds or other contingencies, participants may be sponsored to attend conferences which may be held during the internship period, either in whole or in part, as mutually agreed upon.

Applications

To apply, send a resume or CV along with a letter of interest via e-mail to Mark Richert, Esq., Director, Public Policy, American Foundation for the Blind at mrichert@afb.net. Your materials must include


The deadline for applications for internships during the 2007 spring term (February 5, 2007; March 5, 2007; April 2, 2007; April 30, 2007) is November 30, 2006. However, applications for internships in the summer and fall terms are also welcome now.

Successful applicants will be notified within one month of receipt of a complete application.

Posted by Nancy at 02:09 PM | Comments (0)

October 15, 2006

American Association of People With Disabilities Offers Summer 2007 Internship Programs

The American Association of People With Disabilities is accepting applications for the
following summer internships:

Deadline: December 1, 2006

Posted by Nancy at 11:12 PM | Comments (0)

UN Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities in Six Languages

The UN Enable website released revised text of the UN Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities in six languages:

Consult the UN Enable website for the latest updates on the revision of the Convention’s text.

Posted by Nancy at 10:54 PM | Comments (0)

International Employment Conference

Plan Early, Act Right, Achieve High - Designing steps towards an inclusive labour market for people with a visual impairment

Location:
Larnaka (Cyprus)

Venue:
Lordos Beach Hotel

Date:
10-11 November 2006

Conferences and Seminars - 2006

Registration


Contact Informations:

Pancyprian Organization of the Blind
P. O. Box 23511
1684 Nicosia
Cyprus

pot@logos.cy.net

Or fax your request to:
Fax: 00357 22495395

For direct contacts please call:
Mob: 00357 99657467

Posted by Nancy at 07:58 PM | Comments (0)

October 13, 2006

A Disability System for the 21st Century, A Report By The Social Security Advisory Board, September 2006

The following is excerpted from the Introduction to the report.

"During the past 3 years a major activity of the Board has been a review of our Nation’s approach to disability. We have been aided in this task by the many thoughtful parties who have generously shared their perspectives and expertise with us. We have learned a great deal about the strengths and weaknesses of the disability system. The result has been to confirm our belief that a definition based on inability to work collides with the goals of the Americans with Disabilities Act, which proclaimed that “the Nation’s proper goals regarding individuals with disabilities are to assure equality of opportunity, full participation, independent living, and economic self-sufficiency for such individuals.”

This report is available online as a pdf file.

Read as HTML

Posted by Nancy at 11:06 AM | Comments (0)

CUNY Central Office Job Fair: Friday, October 27, 2006

Location:

Time: Valid CUNY ID required for admission.

Sponsored by the CUNY Office of Student Financial Assistance/Job Location and Development And The Career Services Association of CUNY

Meet with the following employers recruiting for Full-Time,
Part-Time, Seasonal and Internship Positions

ABC Radio Stations – NYC
Affairs Afloat
AFLAC
American Girl Place
Anchor Financial Services
Axion
BELL
Bookkeeping USA
Brookhaven National Lab
Campaign to Save the Environment
City Year New York
Creative Time
Cultural Collaborative Jamaica
CUNY Institute for Software Design & Development.
CUNY 311 Project
CUNYCAP
D’Agostino Supermarkets
Dialogue Direct, Inc.
Duty Free Americans
Evelyn Douglin Center
Forrest Solutions
G & Y Kids Power, Inc.
Grassroots Campaign
Internal Revenue Service
Kelly Services
Lenscrafters
Macy’s East
Madame Tussauds NY
Met Life
News America Marketing
NYC Dept. of Corrections
NYC Dept. of Sanitation
NYC Office of the Chief Medical Examiner
NY Life Insurance
NY Police Dept.
NYSIA
NYU Medical Center
NYS Insurance Dept.
People Care
Pierce Promotions and Events Manager
Portside NY
Practicing Law Institute
Primerica Financial Services
Public Service Corp.
Richmond Police Dept.
Revolution Prep.
RVM, Inc.
Social Security Administration
Sunglass Hut Int’l.
Teachers Support Network
Times, Inc.
Union Beer Distributors
UPS
U.S. Indian Health Service
Vera Institute of Justice
Victoria’s Secret
Volunteers of America
Women’s Mosaic
And more…

You must be properly dressed in professional business attire (no Jeans or Sneakers) and bring a minimum of 25 Resumes for entry into the Fair.

Posted by Nancy at 09:46 AM | Comments (0)

New York City Career Fair: Thursday, October 19th, 2006

Location:


Time:
Addt'l Info:

Prepare to Meet These Top Employers:

Explore All Upcoming Career Builder Career Fairs

Posted by Nancy at 09:23 AM | Comments (0)

October 11, 2006

NPR and WGBH's National Center for Accessible Media Partner to Research and Create Services

Washington, D.C., October 11, 2006 – The Department of Education's National Institute of Disability Rehabilitation and Research has awarded a grant to NPR and WGBH's National Center for Accessible Media (NCAM) to develop accessible radio technology for people who are deaf, hard of hearing, blind or visually impaired. The Accessible Digital Radio Broadcast Services grant – in the amount of $150,000 for the first year – will help fund an anticipated three-year research and development project to prototype, field test and assess the cutting-edge radio technologies to serve the needs of people with sensory disabilities. NPR and NCAM are internationally recognized experts in digital radio technologies and accessible media service models.

"As radio moves into the digital transmission arena, public radio is committed to providing people with sensory disabilities equal access to news, entertainment and emergency services," said Mike Starling, CTO and Executive Director of NPR Labs. "Thanks to the Department of Education's support through this grant, NPR and our WGBH partner will leverage our shared abilities to deliver on this promise."

"The time to address the needs of people with sensory disabilities is now," said Larry Goldberg, WGBH's Director of Media Access. "Considering those who are deaf or blind at birth, through trauma or illness, or baby boomers reaching retirement age over the next few years, the numbers of Americans with hearing or visual loss are expected to climb. It is crucial for us to address the unique needs of this growing population as we further develop HD radio services."

In creating radio technologies specifically geared to people with sensory disabilities, NPR and NCAM will bring together experts from broadcasting, academia and non-profit service organizations to best serve the needs of people who are deaf, hard of hearing, blind and visually impaired. The overall goal is to guide the design of prototype digital radios for evaluation by consumers with special needs. At the conclusion of the study period, the design criteria – to be developed with collective input from a representative cross section of disabled consumers – will be turned over to receiver manufacturers as best operating practice. NPR has teamed with Dr. Ellyn Sheffield of Salisbury University, a widely recognized researcher of consumer adaptation to digital radio services, to help design and test the technology in development.

The project's total budget for the first year is $227,810. The Department of Education grant will cover 65 percent of the project costs for the first year, while NPR will fund the remaining 35 percent. Additional federal funding after the first year is dependent on congressional appropriations.

NPR and the NPR Member stations have a long history of pioneering inclusive access for people with sensory disabilities. More than 100 radio reading services for the blind operating in the United States are offered by NPR stations, providing the reading of text from daily news, books and magazines.

In another effort to make radio programming accessible to the deaf and hearing-impaired community, NPR has in recent years tested Web-based real-time captioning of radio programs through www.NPR.org. For a two-hour special on deaf culture and education airing this Thursday October 12, NPR's Talk of the Nation has collaborated with WGBH's Media Access Group, the pioneer of captioning for television, to provide live captioning of the program. The October 12 broadcast will feature an interview with Dr. I. King Jordan, retiring president of Gallaudet University, the world's only university dedicated to deaf and hard of hearing students and a look at the shifting debate over the cochlear implant. Details can be found at www.npr.org/deafculture.

Posted by Nancy at 12:01 PM | Comments (0)

The 2nd International Conference for Universal Design in Kyoto 2006

The 2nd International Conference for Universal Design will be held in Kyoto 22 - 26 October, 2006.

The timetable has been updated and further detailed information could be obtained at: http://www.ud2006.net/en/schedule/timetable.html

Posted by Nancy at 08:34 AM | Comments (0)

October 06, 2006

Training as Vehicle to Employment

Training as Vehicle to Employment (TVE) is an EU funded project created by a consortium which consists of the Independent Living Institute, Sweden; the Centres for Independent Living in Bad Kreuznach (Germany), Dublin, Helsinki, and Thessaloniki; Iniciativas y Estudios Sociales, Spain; Integracja, Poland; and Apeirons, Latvia.

Their Study and Work for All database includes: 254 disability organizations that can give local advice, 83 places to volunteer, along with disability information from 1039 universities, in 54 countries.

Posted by Nancy at 09:23 AM | Comments (0)

Thinking About Holiday Feasts?

With the holdays just around the corner, you will soon be planning your feasts with savory food and good nutrition in mind. Hadley's Foods series can help you do so. Now available in large print, in braille, and on cassette, this tuition-free series can help you plan delicious yet nutritious meals in no time.

The series is based on the textbook Guide to Good Food. Four of the series' mini-courses each focus on a particular food group: "Meat, Poultry, and Fish," "Eggs and Dairy Products," "Fruits and Vegetables," as well as "Grains and Sweets." The fifth mini-course, "A Social Perspective," describes how food enhances entertainment. This series features a unique handbook that includes adaptive techniques and tips to help you confidently handle food-related tasks. Enroll in any of the courses that appeal to you and learn to plan healthy and satisfying dishes that you can enjoy on your own and with others.

Hadley instructor Patti Jacobson notes, "If you'd like to learn how to select, store, prepare, and serve foods while preserving their nutrients, flavors, textures, and colors, then this course is for you!" This series is open to students in the Adult Continuing Education and High School Programs. So why not contact Student Services today to enroll? To do so, just call 800.526.9909.

Founded in 1920, The Hadley School for the Blind is the single largest, worldwide distance educator of persons who are visually impaired. Hadley offers over 100 tuition-free courses to eligible students. The school's 10,000 annual enrollments are from all corners of the United States and more than 100 countries. Courses are available to students who are visually impaired, family members, and professionals. Visit us on the Web at www.hadley.edu

CONTACT:
Student Services The Hadley School for the Blind
Phone: 800.526.9909 or 847.446.8111
Fax: 847.446.0855
Email: student_services@hadley.edu

Posted by Nancy at 09:13 AM | Comments (0)

October 04, 2006

Call For Presentations: Multiple Perspectives on Access, Inclusion, and Disability

Proposals are due: October 31, 2006.

The organizing theme: "Rights, Responsibilities & Social Change"

Continuing the tradition of the past six years, the Seventh Annual Multiple Perspectives conference will bring together a diverse audience to explore disability as both an individual experience and social reality that cuts across typical divisions of education & employment; scholarship & service; business & government; race, gender & ethnicity. The theme is meant to encourage presenters and participants to consider topics, methods and programs from a fresh perspective.

Conference information and updates will be posted to:
http://ada.osu.edu/conferences.htm to be on the mailing list for the conference send an e-mail to ADA-OSU@osu.edu.

"As social movements mature, they begin to look beyond the 'letter of the law', which emphasizes ethics and values, and promulgate systemic changes in attitudes, behaviors and institutional structures." - Leslie Kanes Weisman

Submission Guidelines

Please Note: The full conference fees will be waived and lunch provided for presenters of accepted proposals but the presenter(s) are responsible for travel and lodging.

*Poster sessions proposed by currently enrolled students (graduate or undergraduate) will be accepted through March 21, 2007.

Posted by Nancy at 12:27 PM | Comments (0)

New York State Independent Living Council (NYSILC)Development of The Three-Year State Plan For Independent Living (SPIL)

Public Notice

The New York State Independent Living Council (NYSILC), in conjunction with the New York State Education Department/Office of Vocational and Educational Services for Individuals with Disabilities (VESID) and the New York State Office of Children and Family Services/Commission for the Blind and Visually Handicapped (CBVH), is seeking your input on the development of its next three-year State Plan for Independent Living (SPIL). Three open and two targeted public hearings will be held at the following locations:

Open Public Hearings

Targeted SPIL Hearings at Public Events (All Held In Albany)*

Participation at targeted SPIL hearings at public events by conference registration and attendance only. See details.

The public hearings are open to the public. The targeted SPIL hearings at public events require registration per conference guidelines. All hearings will be held in locations accessible to people with disabilities. Materials will be provided in alternative formats. For further information, contact NYSILC at (518) 427-1060 (Voice & TTY) or at 1 (888) 4-NYSILC (Toll Free Voice for New York State Only).

If you cannot attend any of the public hearings, you can submit written comments to NYSILC before 5:00 PM on Wednesday, November 1, 2006. Comments can be sent via mail to NYSILC, 111 Washington Avenue, Suite 101, Albany, NY 12210, faxed to (518) 427-1139, or e-mailed to nysilc@nysilc.org. Comments can also be sent by visiting the NYSILC website at www.nysilc.org. Click and follow the menu options provided on the home page for "SPIL Comments."

NYSILC is a consumer-controlled, non-profit council that supports the federally funded Centers for Independent Living (CILs) in New York State by: 1) increasing funding and resources, 2) raising public awareness, 3) providing technical assistance and training, and 4) developing and pursuing a public policy agenda that results in systemic change.

NEW YORK STATE INDEPENDENT LIVING COUNCIL (NYSILC)

DEVELOPMENT OF THE THREE-YEAR

STATE PLAN FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING (SPIL)

2008, 2009, and 2010

SPIL Facilitation Outline

NYSILC is a consumer-controlled, non-profit council that supports the federally funded Centers for Independent Living (CILs) in New York State and people with disabilities by increasing resources and opportunities, raising public awareness, providing technical assistance and training, and developing and pursuing a public policy agenda that results in systemic change. NYSILC is currently in the formulation of its next three-year state plan. NYSILC would like your input on some of the following questions.

1. USE OF TITLE VII, PART B FUNDS: These funds are resource oriented. In previous SPIL's, monies were used for purchase of IL services, technology acquisition, targeted fund development, targeted outreach, and best practice exchanges. The current SPIL prioritizes systems advocacy and conference opportunities. Approximately $750,000 is available.

a. What is the best way to maintain and/or improve support for the statewide systems advocacy network?

b. What do you think are the top technical assistance and training needs of the statewide network?

c. What is the best way to increase public awareness about CIL's and issues important to people with disabilities?

d. What is the best way CIL's can conduct outreach to unserved and underserved populations? What has worked in your community?

2. USE OF TITLE VII, PART C FUNDS: These funds are for center operations. Sixteen CIL's presently receive twenty-one grants totaling $4 million. The previous SPIL used new funds for the establishment of new CIL's. The current plan directs all new funds to the existing Federal network of CIL's until they receive a minimum of $200,000 each.

a. How can the statewide network best use new Title VII, Part C funds?

b. How can NYSILC encourage the maintenance and growth of a statewide network of centers?

c. What unserved or underserved areas of the state still exist?

d. What role should the SILC and CIL's play in assuring that culturally competent and linguistically appropriate IL services are available around the state?

3. DESCRIPTION OF EXTENT AND SCOPE OF INDEPENDENT LIVING SERVICES.

a. With housing such a priority, and CIL's being non-residential, what can be done to:

* Increase affordable and accessible housing options?

* Best facilitate home ownership for people with disabilities?

b. What resources do CIL's need to effectively divert or transition people with disabilities out of institutional settings?

c. What role should the SILC and CIL's play in the development of leadership among youth with disabilities?

d. What role should the SILC and CIL's play in the implementation of the Help America Vote Act (HAVA)?

4. OPEN COMMENTS.

Additional comments can be sent via mail to NYSILC, 111 Washington Avenue, Suite 101, Albany, NY 12210, faxed to (518) 427-1139, or e-mailed to nysilc@nysilc.org. Comments can also be sent by visiting the NYSILC website at www.nysilc.org .

SPIL EVALUATION PLAN (FFY 2005-2007)

(Current SPIL)

* Objective 1: Maximize cooperation, coordination, and working relationships among CILs, NYAIL, other State agencies, councils, public and private entities that address the needs of specific disability populations and issues. (2005-2007)

* Objective 2: Maintain support for a statewide systems advocacy network with NYAIL. (2005-2007)

* Objective 3: At a cost of over three years, develop and implement a strategic statewide fund development plan with NYAIL. (2005-2007)

* Objective 4: Establish an IL training academy with NYAIL to help centers meet basic standards and expand the diversity of their programs and funding well above their state and/or federal IL appropriations through September 30, 2007. (2005-2007)

* Objective 5: Develop a housing institute that will implement strategies to increase the affordable, accessible, and integrated housing options for New Yorkers with disabilities. (2005-2007)

* Objective 6: Encourage best practice conference opportunities among CILs, other providers, advocates, and consumers with NYAIL. (2006)

* Objective 7: Develop and implement a statewide Voter Pledge Database and Education project. (2005-2007)

* Objective 8: Support and conduct a SSAN Disability Caucus with NYAIL and relevant stakeholders. (2007)

* Objective 9: Conduct two statewide consumer satisfaction surveys for the CIL network. (2007)

* Objective 10: Conduct a statewide needs assessment that will use a strategic planning process to evaluate the unserved needs and long-term growth of the statewide network. (2006)

* Objective 11: Conduct an IL statewide technology needs assessment to determine gaps that may have to be addressed in the next state plan cycle. (2007)

* Objective 12: Upgrade the Independent Living History & Philosophy DVD training product produced for the statewide network of CIL's. (2007)

Added by SPIL Technical Amendment (9/06)*

* Objective 13: Work with NYAIL to provide an Emergency/Rapid Response Technical Assistance Service for the statewide network of centers. (2007)

* Objective 14: Supported by the addition of $137,000 in Social Security Trust Fund monies to the SPIL, fund two peer-mentoring proposals identified during the RFP process conducted in cooperation with the NYS Developmental Disabilities Planning Council (DDPC) through. (2006-2007)

* Pending approval.

NEW YORK STATE INDEPENDENT LIVING COUNCIL (NYSILC)

NYSILC Accomplishments

NYSILC's mission is "to support the Centers for Independent Living (CILs) and increase the independence of people with disabilities in New York State." Its vision looks "to achieve a world where people with disabilities experience equal rights and opportunities in all aspects of society." The council has been successful over the past two years at achieving outcomes in four primary goal areas defined within its mission and vision statements. NYSILC has documented the following progress.

Goal 1: Funding and Resources. In cooperation with other advocates, agencies, councils, and elected officials, successful funding opportunities include receiving $60,000 over three years to act as the court appointed monitor in Galusha v. DEC Federal consent decree, connecting New York City area CIL's with Project Liberty to receive direct funding for disaster relief counseling services, receiving $60,000 per year from the IL NET to evaluate training and technical assistance needs in Regions I & II.

Goal 2: Public Awareness. Targeted media advocacy resulted in press coverage on significant systems advocacy issues over the past seven years. Development and distribution of individually tagged PSA Media Kits for the statewide network (2000-2001), sponsorship of the ABILITY Magazine radio show on WLUX in Long Island, sponsorship of the "Points of View" cable access television program, distribution of quarterly NYSILC "News Briefs," and updates to the NYSILC website (www.nysilc.org).

Goal 3: Technical Assistance and Training. Technical assistance and training activities have been provided at a local, state, and national basis on a wide variety of topics. Selected training events included support for a Nursing Facility Transition 101 training (9/05), a SILC Operations training in Bangor, ME (10/05), and sponsorship of the NYAIL 2006 Conference and Disability Caucus (10/30-11/1/06).

Technical assistance and training products included the development and distribution of an IL History & Philosophy training product to CIL's (10/01), distribution of DVD Version of IL History & Philosophy product (9/03), acquisition of the Wisconsin QUILS peer quality assurance product for the statewide network (9/05), and development and distribution of a Financial Reference Guide for the statewide network of centers (6/06).

Significant papers and reports issued by NYSILC included: 2003 Voting Machine Accessibility Survey (6/03), HOME SWEET HOME...unless you don't have a home! A look at the housing crisis for people with disabilities in New York State and recommendations for reform (3/04), 2004 NYS Statewide Consumer Satisfaction Survey (10/04), A DIFFERENT UNIVERSE: Zogby voting trends report (12/04), HERE THE RUBBER FAILS TO MEET THE ROAD: A look at the negative impact transportation gaps have on the life of New Yorkers with disabilities and recommendations for reform (2/05), Complaints Reveal Widespread Patterns of Voting Discrimination Against New Yorkers with Disabilities (3/05), 2005 Voting Machine Accessibility Survey: Let the buyer...and disabled voter...beware! (6/05), Time to Evaluate the Disability Vote in New York (5/06), NYSILC Housing Institute Handout: The Housing Crises for Persons with Disabilities by Robert Davies (7/06), and Executive Summary: 2006 NYS Voting Access Survey Report (8/06)

Goal 4: Public Policy. In cooperation with other advocates, agencies, councils, and elected officials, the Statewide Systems Advocacy Network (SSAN) achieved the following public policy accomplishments: reversal of a NYS Code Council decision that now calls for 100% adaptability in the construction of new apartments (12/01), Medicaid Buy-In program (1/02), Most-Integrated Setting law coordinating council (9/02), Help America Vote Act (HAVA) (10/02), budget restoration/SSI COLA (5/03), NYS Attorney General Eliot Spitzer sign on to State of Minnesota amicus brief in Tennessee v. Lane before the U.S. Supreme Court (10/03), and media support for the Nursing Facility Transition and Diversion Waiver law (10/04).

Posted by Nancy at 10:07 AM | Comments (0)

October 03, 2006

National Association for Visually Handicapped (NAVH) Networking Day

Date: Saturday, October 28th
Time: 1:30 – 3:30 PM
Location: NAVH Headquarters, 22 West 21st Street, NYC

Group Discussion: "Socializing in a Sighted World"

Facilitated by Mindy Levine

Space is limited and reservations are required.

Please RSVP by calling:

Mindy Levine or NAVH
(212) 245-9656 or
(212) 889-3141
mindygl@verizon.net

Posted by Nancy at 11:18 PM | Comments (0)

Intiative for Women with Disabilities: Panel Discussion "Why Work"

An innovative panel discussion on making the choice to work:

Including a representative from the Social Security Administration presenting the Work Incentives Program.

RSVP 212-598-6429 by October 10th, 2006 -- Please notify at this time if you need a sign language interpreter.

Light refreshments to follow.

NYU Hospital for Join Diseases is an accessible environment.

This Educational Lecture Series is sponsored by the Intiative for Women with Disabilities, Elly & Steve Hammerman Health & Wellness Center.

Posted by Nancy at 11:07 PM | Comments (0)

Make a Career of Making a Difference with O&P (Orthotists and Prosthetists)

Julie G. Hayes, Director of Grants and Special Projects of the American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists invites you to learn abouta career in O&P by visiting their career website at http://www.opcareers.org. Click on "Talk to an O&P Professional in Your Area" at the bottom of the homepage to find practitioners in your area willing to answer career questions. Orthotists and prosthetists are specifically trained and educated to provide custom designed external orthopedic braces and/or artificial limbs and related patient care.

This allied health professional combines art, science, technology, and creativity and finds great personal satisfaction knowing he or she is rebuilding lives by helping patients reach their goals.

As part of a national outreach campaign, they are working to increase awareness of careers and schooling in O&P. At present, O&P graduates have a 100 percent employment rate and most choose to make it a lifelong profession.

Posted by Nancy at 09:24 PM | Comments (0)