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May 28, 2008
Seido Karate OPEN HOUSE - NYC on 6/14/08
World Seido Karate-do and the Seido Juku Foundation cordially invite you to attend an Open House to learn about the Seido Karate program for the blind and visually impaired.
The Open House is open to men and women from age 15 and up. The program will include a beginner’s karate class. Participants should wear comfortable exercise clothing, but no shorts, please. Participants under the age of 18 should attend with a parent or legal guardian.
DATE: Saturday, June 14, 2008
TIME: 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
LOCATION: 61 W. 23rd Street (between 5th and 6th Avenues), NYC
PHONE: (212)-924-0511
Large groups are welcome. The reception area and locker rooms are on the second floor; the open house will take place on the third floor. Elevator access is available, and working dogs are welcome.
Program
11:30 a.m. Welcome and Registration
12:00 p.m. Short demonstration followed by a general workout, open to all
Please arrive on time as the karate demonstration and workout will begin promptly at noon.
Closest subways:
Take F or R train to 23rd St. The dojo is between 5th and 6th Avenues (close to 6th) on the uptown or north side of 23rd St.
For more information or more detailed directions, please phone (212)-924-0511 or go to their website .
Posted by Nancy at 11:13 AM | Comments (0)
World Seido Karate Program for the Blind and Visually Impaired
The Seido Karate Program for the Blind and Visually Impaired is now in its twentieth year. One of the jewels in the crown of the World Seido Karate Organization, the program has been featured on WNBC TV, New York One and other media outlets. Begun in 1987 under the auspices of Kaicho (Chairman) Tadashi Nakamura, the program has afforded blind and visually impaired people from all walks of life the opportunity to train under the preeminent martial arts master of our time in a safe and supportive environment.
Over the years no fewer than seven students have been awarded the coveted black belt by Kaicho, one of whom is now a chief instructor in the program. The classes are offered free of charge and are taught exclusively by senior Seido members, all of whom have volunteered their services.
Extremely dedicated to their students, these instructors take a personal interest in the progress and development of each and everyone of them. The classes take place at the World Seido Karate Organization Honbu (Headquarters) at 61 West 23rd St. (between Fifth and Sixth).
There is a general class every Thursday 4:30PM – 5:30PM and another one on Saturday 12:00PM – 1:00PM. Both of these classes are open to beginners. In addition, there is a kumite (fighting) class every Wednesday 5:00PM – 6:00PM for more advanced students. Gi’s (uniforms) and fighting equipment are provided free of charge.
The students in the program are also invited to attend Kaicho’s weekly meditation classes alongside the general students, as well as the many special events such as beach training, summer camp and various seminars. And when they go for promotion they stand shoulder to shoulder with the general students, all of them being held to the very same exacting standards. Last but not least, students in the program compete enthusiastically every year against the general students in the annual fall tournament held at Hunter College, the proceeds from which go the Seido Juku Benefit Foundation – the nonprofit arm of the World Seido Karate Organization that funds the program for the blind as well as other similar programs.
The current head of the program is Senpai Steven Meltzer. He can be reached at 917-750-7712. The minimum age for acceptance into the program is 15. There is no maximum age. The training, however, is quite rigorous, and anyone who wishes to join the program must submit to a screening interview and provide us with a signed statement from a medical doctor certifying that their health will not be adversely affected by that training.
Posted by Nancy at 11:10 AM | Comments (0)
"Choices: Disabled Vets Return To Work" TV Show on Internet
"Choices: Disabled Veterans Return To Work", the 23-minute television show, is scheduled to air, nationally, on Del Mar TV's Internet broadcast.
Click onto www.delmartv.com on
Tuesday, June 3, 2008 at 6 PM (PCT) and
Wednesday, June 4, 2008 at 11 AM (PCT).
This PACE-TV produced public access television show is an interview with Urban Miyares, blinded Vietnam veteran and founder of the Disabled Businesspersons Association, and the work the charitable organization has been doing since 1985 to assist disabled veterans in their self-employment interests and business activities as the "National Disabled Veterans Business Center."
You don't want to miss this. Tell everyone you know...
To receive information on having "Choices: Disabled Veterans Return To Work" being broadcasted on your local public access television channel, free of charge, contact James Beck, PACE - TV producer, at James@PACETV.org or visit www.PaceTV.org.
Disabled Businesspersons Association
San Diego State University - Interwork Institute
3590 Camino del Rio North
San Diego, CA 92108-1716
Office: (619) 594-8805
Email: Info@DisabledBusiness.com
Posted by Nancy at 10:56 AM | Comments (0)
Autism Network International Autreat 2008
Autism Network International Presents Autreat 2008, "Living Life the Autly Way."
Autreat is a retreat-style conference run by autistic people, for autistic people and our friends.
Autreat focuses on positive living with autism, NOT on causes, cures, or ways to make us more normal.
Date: Monday-Friday, June 23-27, 2008
Time: 4 p.m. Monday to 1 p.m. Friday
Location: Bradford, Pennsylvania
Advance registration is required to attend Autreat.
Registration form MUST be received by June 12, 2008
Posted by Nancy at 09:57 AM | Comments (0)
May 21, 2008
National service program supports local nonprofit
WICHITA, Kan. – A national service program vested in meeting the critical needs of millions of Americans recently announced their support of a project to support working individuals with disabilities.
AmeriCorps announced the $45,489 award to the Cerebral Palsy Research Foundation of Kansas during National Recognition of AmeriCorps Week, a nationwide recognition to thank the more than 540,000 men and women who have served in AmeriCorps since its 1994 inception.
Robert Hull, CPRF Research Division vice president, was notified by Amy Hetrick, Corporation for National and Community Service Program Manager, about the recent donation. The two will meet May 30 – June 3 at the National Volunteering and Service Conference in Atlanta, Ga., to discuss the AmeriCorps National Direct Planning Grant.
The grant will be used to create two planning teams, consisting of 20 disability and service professionals in both Wichita and Atlanta. They will develop plans and collaborations for a three-year AmeriCorps program to begin in July 2009. Accounting students at colleges and universities will be invited to become AmeriCorps members. They will be trained to provide financial support services such as, Social Security Administration disability benefits management, Internal Revenue Services income tax preparation, financial education and asset development for working individuals with disabilities.
“We are delighted to receive this planning grant. It will help us lay the foundation for a strong AmeriCorps program with units in Wichita and Atlanta, Georgia to provide these financial support services to individuals with disabilities,” said Hull. “As they begin working, these services will help them overcome financial obstacles and move ahead toward the American Dream.”
AmeriCorps is a national service program that engages 75,000 Americans of all ages and backgrounds in service to meet critical needs in education, the environment, public safety, homeland security, and other human needs. AmeriCorps works through existing organizations and helps them reach more people and better achieve their mission. In 2007, the nation’s AmeriCorps members recruited 1.7 million community volunteers to serve alongside them in some 4,100 nonprofit, faith-based and community organizations across the country.
More about AmeriCorps can be found at www.AmeriCorps.gov. Learn more about CPRF by visiting www.cprf.org.
###
Media contact:
Liz Karp
Cerebral Palsy Research Foundation of Kansas, Inc.
316.652.1544 or 316.304.1627
Posted by Nancy at 02:42 PM | Comments (0)
Charting a New Future: Roxbury, MA on 6/14/08
Our Space Our Place, Inc. Spring Fundraiser
When: Saturday June 14, 2008
Time: 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Location: Tobin Community Center
1481 Tremont Street, Roxbury MA (Community Room)
Contribute and help provide safe and reliable
transportation to enable more blind students to
attend our after school and career exploration
programs.
Donation: $100.00
Please let us know that you will join us RSVP to:
Cheryl Cumings, Founder
Our Space Our Place, Inc.
Phone: (617) 459-4084
Email: President@ourspaceourplace.org
http://www.ourspaceourplace.org/
Contributions may be mailed to:
Our Space Our Place, Inc.
198 Tremont Street Box 325
Boston MA 02116
Posted by Nancy at 01:07 PM | Comments (0)
May 16, 2008
Greater NY Health & Fitness Fair to be held 6/5/08
…The Greater NY Chamber in conjunction various health care and health promotion groups will host its Annual Health Fair and Luncheon at Baruch’s Newman Conference Center located at 124 E 25th from 9am until 2pm on Thursday June 5th 2008.
RSVP : call 212-686-7220 or visit www.chamber.com
FREE Information and seminars to help small businesses and entrepreneurs learn more about acquiring health benefits, health insurance and medical programs as well as staying healthy will be provided by chamber partners. "Helping employees stay healthy improves their bottom line" says Mark S. Jaffe, the CEO of the Greater NY Chamber. Since the 1980’s, Mark has been working with leaders in the health purchasing alliance field like the Long Island Association’s James Larocca , The NY State Business Group’s Gordon Lenz as well as Westchester Chamber and Brooklyn Chamber leaders. In 1996, the Greater NY Chamber got involved with Derek Jeter’s Turn 2 Foundation to help promote healthy lifestyles, and in 1999 it helped introduce the first health care medical discount program in the Metropolitan NY Area. Mark testified for the Sullivan Commission about health care equity and full participation; and in 2005, was appointed to the HealthCorps Advisory Board and helped introduced NYS legislation that was designed to allow small firms to pool together to purchase more affordable health care programs. Today Mark serves on the NYC Food and Fitness Partnership and on the Corporate Resource Board of the American Diabetes Association.
"Human resource directors and small business owners are encouraged to attend the Health & Fitness Fair; register for workshops to learn about early interventions that will save their businesses money and improve productivity" states chamber CEO Jaffe; who has studied both human resources at the University of Utah in the Graduate MBA program and public health at the Baruch School of Public Affairs. This year’s experts selected from among the top personnel of important agencies will staff expert panels like;
- knowing your rights when purchasing and using health insurance…
- alternatives when you can’t afford health insurance and
- How to stay healthy and fit PLUS several other business improvement & financial guidance experts brought together by DTM MEDIA (Full Program due out May 26th)
The original Health Fair was developed because of the continuing double digit increases in the cost of health insurance premiums. The Greater NY Chamber knew it was time to alert and encourage employers to keep their employees healthy by sharing common sense alternatives to increasing the use of healthy foods and fitness in the workplace. The Greater NY Chamber has been recognized by US Senators, Congressional Leaders, Governor’s of NY and NJ, as well as NYS & NJ Senators, Assemblypersons, the City of New York, Westchester and Rockland; plus many other local elected officials, civic and business leaders as an important source of information and contacts. We also led a group of chamber presidents that honoured NYC Health commissioner for his important work!
This Health Fair kicks off with a Networking Breakfast sponsored by DTM Media. At 9:45am there will be an expert panel on Affordable Alternatives to Health Insurance; at 11am another panel on Staying Healthy to improve your Bottom Line, and at 12:30PM a luncheon that will honour the work of the American Diabetes Association and the NYC Food & Fitness Partnership. We will also learn more about our rights when it comes to getting the most out of our HMO’s and Health Insurance Companies from our special luncheon guest speaker.
The Greater New York Chamber is an approved NYS Not-for-Profit Regional Chamber; recognized by the US Chamber. It provides valuable services to almost 10,000 business and civic leaders. It also maintains a charitable foundation approved by the IRS to assist local chambers, trade organizations & civic groups; as well as a political action committee to help to improve the business climate and quality of living in the NY Metro Area!
Posted by Nancy at 02:25 PM | Comments (0)
May 14, 2008
The Disabilities Network of New York City Community Forum: Wednesday, June 4, 2-4 pm

The Disabilities Network of New York City invites you to a Community Forum with NYC Comptroller William C. Thompson
Location:
VISIONS at Selis Manor
135 West 23rd Street
(between 6th & 7th Avenues)in Manhattan.
Date: Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Time: 2-4 pm
Join the Disabilities Network in welcoming Comptroller Thompson as he addresses the NYC Budget as it relates to individuals with disabilities.
The Comptroller holds a key position in NYC. He monitors and informs the public on the performance of the City government, including the state of the City's revenue and spending. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to hear the Comptroller speak directly to the disability community!
PLEASE RSVP to ernesto AT dnnyc.net or call 212-284-4160.
Please contact them to request sign language interpretation, real-time captioning, materials in large print or electronic format, or other reasonable accommodations.
Posted by Nancy at 03:52 PM | Comments (0)
First Ever Asl Video Podcast Launch From The Disability Law Lowdown
May 13, 2008 – The first ever video podcast in American Sign Language is being launched today on the Disability Law Low down website at ASL.DisabilityLawLowdown.com. The Disability Law Lowdown ASL podcasts will bring a new level of service to the Deaf community by expanding traditional audio-only podcasts to include video that allows subscribers too see native Deaf speakers signing the show's content. The podcasts will deliver the latest in disability law information every other week via American Sign Language, captioning, voice-over, and transcripts to maximize accessibility. Free subscriptions to the ASL podcasts are available to have shows automatically delivered to MP3 players. The ASL podcasts are also available on the Disability Law Lowdown website, where transcripts of the shows are simultaneously available. And for the fastest viewing, the ASL podcasts are available on YouTube at www.youtube.com/disabilitylawlowdown.
The hosts for the ASL Disability Law Lowdown are native Deaf signers Danny Warthling and AJ Roupp. They will provide the latest information about disability rights and obligations under the Americans with Disabilities Act, and other disability-related topics. Subscription is free and RSS feeds are available to automatically download the shows to video iPods, computers, phones, and other video-capable devices.
Disability Law Lowdown is provided by the Disability Business Technical Assistance Center (DBTAC), a national network of ten ADA Centers across the country, offering technical assistance and training in the Americans with Disabilities Act and other disability-related laws. DCRE Labs developed the Disability Law Lowdown website and brought together several new technologies as part of the Disability Law Lowdown project.
To subscribe, look for the ASL Disability Law Lowdown podcast on iTunes, or visit ASL.DisabilityLawLowdown.com.
Posted by Nancy at 11:58 AM | Comments (0)
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.
Technology Requirements:
Full participation in this web conference series requires access to email, a telephone line and a computer with internet access. A high speed internet connection is recommended but not required. The webinar will be captioned for the hearing impaired.
Presenters:
MELISSA J. BJELLAND, PhD, is a Research Associate at the Employment and Disability Institute at Cornell University in the School of Industrial and Labor Relations Extension Division. She is currently the Project Manager of an employment disability nondiscrimination study using the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commissions Integrated Mission System. Dr. Bjelland additionally serves as Co-Principal Investigator and Project Director in examining the impact of environmental factors on disability and the decision to work using the American Community Survey. In this capacity, she works with teams to plan and conduct analyses of cross-sectional and longitudinal research files using national survey and administrative datasets to evaluate the impact of changes in policies that advance the employment of people with disabilities.
RAYMOND CEBULA III, JD, is a member of the Extension Faculty of Cornell University’s Employment and Disability Institute. As a faculty member, he has provided technical assistance and training to Protection and Advocacy program attorneys and paralegals in 16 states and territories covered by Cornell’s Work Incentive Support Center and written extensively on matters of concern to disabled individuals who are attempting to return to work. He is the principal instructor of EDI Online; a series of Social Security related certificate courses offered by the Institute. As an experienced social security disability attorney Mr. Cebula practiced with the Disability Benefits Project as a Senior Staff Attorney with the Disability Law Center in Boston, Massachusetts. He has also served as a Managing Attorney of the Disability and Medicare projects at Southeastern Massachusetts Legal Assistance Corporation. He is a graduate of Franklin Pierce Law Center in Concord, NH and received a Reginald Heber Smith Community Lawyer Fellowship upon graduation. He is also a graduate of Merrimack College and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in history. His practice has concentrated in the area of social security practice and has brought several pieces of significant litigation on behalf of low income, disabled social security beneficiaries. While working with the Disability Law Center, Mr. Cebula taught at Harvard Law Schools Legal Aid Bureau for a period of three academic years. He is the co-author of the MCLE publication An Advocates Guide to Surviving the SSI System, several SSI practice manuals published by Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education, and an extensive listing of Policy and Practice Briefs housed in the ILR School Library. He is a regular presenter of social security related programs at local and national conferences of social security practitioners.
BILL ERICKSON, MS, is a Research Specialist with the Employment and Disability Institute (EDI) at Cornell University and has been actively involved with disability research for the past seven years. Since 2003 he has been providing high quality Technical Assistance regarding a wide variety of disability statistics for the Cornell University Disability Demographics and Statistics RRTC. He was the project manager for the 2006 Disability Status Report series and developed all the estimates used in the 2005 and 2006 Status reports. He is the coauthor of A Guide to Disability Statistics from the 2000 Decennial Census and has worked extensively with the American Community Survey Public Use Microdata files. He has Census Bureau Special Sworn Status that allowed him to perform analysis on US Census Bureau restricted datasets of Census 2000 and the ACS 2000-2005 under a NIDDR funded FIR. He is intimately involved in design and content of DisabilityStatistics.org and developed the Census 2000 data available on that site. He is co-PI and Project Manager of a NIDDR funded Project regarding web accessibility and usability for persons with disabilities and has been responsible for the management and analysis of several disability related surveys of federal and private employers.
THOMAS P. GOLDEN, MS, CRC, is the Associate Director of the Employment and Disability Institute in the Industrial and Labor Relations School at Cornell University and has been on faculty since 1991. As a faculty member he has been a contributor to the Rehabilitation Research and Training Center for Economic Research on Employment Policy for Persons with Disabilities and the Disability STATS RRTC at Cornell sponsored by the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR). Partly in his capacity with the RRTC he has trained and disseminated relevant information and statistical data nationally and internationally co-authoring the foundation paper for a joint U.S.-U.K. symposium sponsored by the Department of Labor focusing on a comparative analysis of return to work best practices with an emphasis on evidence-based research and prevalence statistics and most recently a few book chapters building off this work. In addition, he has directed the Center for Educational Achievement and Training, the Work Incentives Support Center and several other state initiatives focusing on community participation and inclusion of people with disabilities.
Registration (deadline 5/14/08)
A confirmation letter will be sent via e-mail at least one week prior to the web conference giving you the directions on how to access the information needed to join the webinar.
Materials access directions will be sent under separate cover in a confirmation letter two weeks prior to the webinar.
Please Note: Materials for this program will be disseminated electronically. If alternative formats are requested, please provide your request to Cornell no later than four business days before the web conference.
For questions or assistance, please contact:
Melissa Burress, Cornell University
Employment and Disability Institute
201 ILR Ext. Bldg., Ithaca, NY 14853
Phone: 607-255-7727 Fax: 607-255-2763
Email: mb376@cornell.edu
Posted by Nancy at 09:56 AM | Comments (0)
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.
The DVS Home Video effort, started over a decade ago with funding from the U.S. Department of Education, resulted in more than 300 videos made accessible through narration of key visual elements inserted into natural pauses in dialogue. From the very first DVS Video's debut, the reaction of the community was immediate and actually profound. Films came alive in a whole new way, and the eagerness for new titles only grew. Many of the videos sold over the years were purchased by libraries and schools, which multiplied the number of individuals and families who took such enjoyment in described movies.
Films are now being distributed for sale and rental on DVD, BluRay DVD and through video on demand (either rental or download to own) services via the Internet. WGBH's Media Access Group, home to the Descriptive Video Service, has been working to transition the home video efforts to DVD and to these online movie delivery outlets. Lack of available memory space on DVDs has been stated as the reason why more description tracks, created for theatrical release in the over 300 movie theaters with WGBH's Motion Picture Access® (MoPix®) systems, are not making the migration onto DVDs. WGBH maintains a list of DVDs that have description tracks on them at the Web page listed with other description-related links at the bottom of this post.
Advocacy is needed from the community of description fans to make this transition happen. Please see the link below for a list of Hollywood studios' home video/home entertainment divisions. Help show the providers of video on these formats that there is a market and that you would be willing to purchase movies with a description track included as an optional feature.
For the next week (until May 12), DVS Home Video titles remaining in stock will be sold at a deep discount. Videos that previously were available for $15.01 and above will be sold for $10. Videos retailing for $15 and below will be now be available for $5.
To access a list of available titles, please visit the Web site .
To hear a list of titles, and/or to place an order, please call: 317 579-0439 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week)
All of us at the Media Access Group appreciate the unyielding support our efforts have generated over the years, and we are looking forward to the next chapter. Here is a list of links to information about ongoing description work from WGBH:
Link to Contact List for Hollywood Studios http://ncam.wgbh.org/mopix/studios.html (please include "Home Entertainment Division" in the address)
Contact:
Mary Watkins
Media Access Group at WGBH
617 300-3700
mary_watkins@wgbh.org
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.
Training at LWSB involves learning the use of the personal computer with ZoomText, JAWS for Windows NT and Braillestar. Students also learn technical information about tax law, regulations, and IRS procedures.
Course qualifications include good independent living and orientation and mobility skills and the ability to read print at 100 wpm with 75 percent comprehension, or Braille at 60 wpm with 75 percent comprehension. Written communication, including keyboarding for business correspondence and filling out forms with a keyboarding speed of 30 wpm, is required. A 12th grade spelling level is required, as is the ability to pass a math test using a calculator with 90 percent accuracy. Clients must also be able to work well with people under pressure. A high school diploma or GED with four years of college or equivalent work experience is required.
Applicants must be U.S. citizens and are subject to FBI name and fingerprint check, employment checks, income tax verification for the past three years, and any other information relevant to selection for employment. Males born after December 31, 1959, must be registered with the Selective Services.
For referrals or more information contact:
Kristin Dow, Vice President for Recruitment and Admissions
(501) 664-7100
(800) 248-0734
www.jobs.irs.gov/dis_lionsworld.html
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.
The National Statler Center is located in Buffalo, New York. It is partially funded by local and national foundations, and holds three classes per year at the Buffalo campus. Students accepted into the program must have a high school diploma or GED, type approximately 20 words per minute, and be ready to work. It is not necessary to know how to use a computer; however, it is important that students can utilize a note-taking device. The National Statler Center is looking for motivated folks who are excited about a career in the hospitality industry.
CONTACT:
Joseph Walters
Technology Specialist
716. 882.5690 ext 223
jwalters@statlercenter.org
Posted by Nancy at 07:00 PM | Comments (0)
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.
Art must be an original work that has been completed in the last three years. Eligible media include paintings and drawings (oil, watercolor, acrylic, pencil, or charcoal), fine art prints (lithographs, etching, intaglio, or woodcuts), photography, computer-generated prints, and two-dimensional mixed media. This year the program also welcomes entries of sculpture and time-based media (video, film, etc.).
Visit the VSA arts Web site for complete program information.
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)