Disability Resource Digest
Volume 8 Issue 10 November 2008
Access Guide Canada! – "The mission of Access Guide Canada (AGC) is to bring you the most accurate listings on accessible resources possible - a pool of information from which we may all benefit. Participate! You can help make this site great by adding your own favourite accessible locations. Also, please let us know if you have any comments on any AGC listing. Remember, this is not a final product - but a work in progress - and always will be! Whether you are at home, or travelling, please contribute to AGC - and watch it grow!"
http://www.enablelink.org/agc/aboutus.php
Boost fines for abusers of disabled-parking permits, advocates urge – (CBC). "A disabled-parking permit has become the ticket to free parking for thousands of people who are abusing the system, raising the ire of those who have a legitimate claim to the spots and want better enforcement. In Edmonton, people are fined as little as $50 for parking illegally in a spot reserved for people with disabilities. The fines are too low to serve as a deterrent, said Roxie Malone of Edmonton, who was born with spina bifida. Malone said she needs the designated spots but is often shut out because they're misused by other, such as drivers who use a parent's permit for themselves, or park without a tag at all. When Malone noticed the abusers were rarely targeted, she convinced the city to swear her in as a volunteer enforcement officer, complete with a badge and ticket book."
http://www.cbc.ca/health/story/2008/10/28/parking-permits.html
Churches try to meet need of developmentally challenged – by Adelle M. Banks (Baptist Standard). "On Sunday mornings at Damascus Road Community Church, when most children are dismissed from the sanctuary for Sunday school, another set of children and adults head to 'The Haven.' Up to four dozen people gather in the church gym to play games and review a Scripture lesson on a sheet with fill-in-the-blank answers. It's a calm, structured atmosphere where no one seems to notice if a child is a little quiet, or if another writes outside the blanks or a teen or adult hovers close to comfort or coach a participant. 'The Haven' is a ministry for members with developmental disabilities such as autism, Asperger's syndrome or other conditions that may make sitting through a typical church service difficult or impossible. Created about 10 years ago by parents with special-needs children, it's just one example of how churches are trying to welcome families—who otherwise might stay home—into a faith setting that works for them and their children."
http://www.baptiststandard.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=8683&Itemid=53
Guide to the ADA and ABA Standards – (Access Board). "New standards are being issued under the Americans with Disabilities (ADA) and the Architectural Barriers Act (ABA) according updated guidelines previously issued by the Board. Several different agencies are responsible for updating these standards, and action is still pending in some cases. This page explains which standards are in effect at this time according to facility type. Direct links to the standards and related information are included."
http://www.access-board.gov/ada-aba/guide.htm
Increasing Home Access: Designing for Visitability: Research Report – by Jordana L. Maisel, IDEA Center Eleanor Smith, Concrete Change Edward Steinfeld, IDEA Center (AARP). "Visitability initiatives that support aging independently in one's home and community are the subject of this AARP Public Policy Institute Research Report. Authors Jordana Maisel and Edward Steinfeld of the Center for Inclusive Design and Environmental Access (IDEA) and Eleanor Smith of Concrete Change discuss the barriers to visitability implementation and opportunities for further acceptance of these design parameters in the construction of new homes. Visitability is a movement that seeks to increase the supply of accessible housing through the inclusion of three basic structural features at the time of home construction: a zero-step entrance, wide doorways, and at least a half bath on the main floor of the home."
http://www.aarp.org/research/housing-mobility/accessibility/2008_14_access.html
Justification for Wheelchair Accessible Private Transportation in the United States – by Clifton Perez, M.S.W. (NCIL). "The lack of wheelchair accessible private transportation in the United States of America is not a lack of available technology or comparable cost as a Crown Victoria (common vehicle used by a majority of Taxi Companies) but a lack of political foresight. Until legislation passes that mandates a conversion to wheelchair accessible & Universal Design vehicles, the private transportation industry will resist the change, just as the auto industry resisted seat belts, air bags, and fuel economy requirements."
http://www.ncil.org/news/AccessibleTaxis2.html
Safe Egress and Evacuation for People with Disabilities – "The National Disability Authority has launched an important new publication titled 'Promoting Safe Egress and Evacuation for People with Disabilities'. The publication is aimed at ensuring the speedy and safe evacuation of public buildings by people with a disability, particularly in the event of an emergency. The Chairperson of the NDA, Dr. Angela Kerins commented: 'ensuring safe egress in an emergency is a complex issue requiring consideration of a broad range of factors, including the design and usage of a building, the training of staff and the provision of appropriate equipment and facilities. Those responsible for buildings must ensure safe egress for all and this requires consideration of the needs of everyone using the building, particularly the specific requirements of people with disabilities,' she said. This publication will be of special interest to facilities managers, accommodation officers, health and safety personnel, access officers, disability liaison officers and human resource professionals in the public sector. It will also be of interest to design consultants and disability organisations involved with accessibility matters as well as people with disabilities, families and carers."
http://www.eca.lu/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=54&Itemid=9
AAPD Applauds President Bush for Signing ADA Amendments Act into Law – (AAPD). "The American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD), the largest cross-disability membership organization in the U.S., commends the signing into law of the ADA Amendments Act of 2008 Thursday by President George W. Bush. 'Today President Bush has followed in his father's footsteps and taken a stand for equal opportunity and full participation for all Americans. I deeply appreciate the bipartisan leadership in the Congress that brought us to this point, and I thank President Bush for his leadership in signing this critical civil rights law that will make a real difference in the lives of millions of Americans with disabilities and chronic health conditions,' said Andrew Imparato, President and CEO of the American Association of People with Disabilities. The law, which was passed by unanimous consent in the Senate and by voice vote in the House earlier this month, restores civil rights to Americans with disabilities in the workplace. The legislation also overturns four Supreme Court decisions that have inappropriately narrowed the protections of the ADA."
http://www.aapd.com/AAPDRedesign/Communications/PresBushADA.html
Red Letter Day for Americans with Disabilities: ADA Amendments Act signing and start of One More Way national tour – "Starting in Columbus, Ohio, on September 25th -- the same day President Bush is slated to sign the much anticipated ADA Amendments Act of 2008 into law -- persons with disabilities, their service providers and potential employers will learn first-hand about an innovative, national employment collaborative dedicated to persons with disabilities. Developed by The Sierra Group Foundation, the One More Way collaborative will be a central focus of a ten-city, ten-week national tour that will help introduce the initiative's revolutionary approach to increasing employment among workers and veterans with disabilities. 'Given that Americans with disabilities represent the largest pool of untapped labor in our country, we are thrilled that the start of our national tour happens to coincide with the momentous event of the signing of the ADA Amendments Act,' said Sierra Group Foundation Chair, Janet Fiore. 'This legislation will help provide more accommodations for more American workers with disabilities, which mirrors the similarly inclusive nature of the One More Way initiative'."
http://www.onemoreway.org/omw_pr.htm
Conference of States Parties – "The first session of the Conference of States parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities took place in New York on 31 October and 3 November 2008. The Conference elected twelve members of the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities on 3 November 2008."
The site includes official documents, statements, press releases and photographs from the session.
http://www.un.org/disabilities/default.asp?id=1443
International Day of Persons with Disabilities: 3 December – "Dignity and justice for all of us is the theme of this year's International Day for Persons with Disabilities, as well as for the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Dignity and justice for all persons are established universal principles. Since its inception, the United Nations has recognized that the inherent dignity and the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family are the foundations of freedom, justice and peace in the world. These principles, along with equality and non-discrimination, have guided the work of the United Nations for the past 60 years and are enshrined in various instruments such as the UN Charter and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, as well as in treaties such as the International Covenants on Human Rights, and the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. These instruments are among those which make up the international human rights framework, are complementary and reaffirm that all human rights are universal, indivisible, interrelated, interdependent and mutually reinforcing."
http://www.un.org/disabilities/default.asp?id=109
Disability support 'in crisis' – by Scott Harris (VueWeekly). "Close to a hundred parents and caregivers of children and adults with disabilities from across the province [Alberta] rallied October 28 on the steps of the Legislature to demand government action on what they call a crisis in human services support programs for people with disabilities. The parents group Families Who Care, which organized the rally, says that years of underfunding by the provincial government means that agencies which provide support are finding it increasingly difficult to retain qualified staff, and day programs and in-home supports are becoming harder to access as a result. 'As the primary funder, the Alberta government has failed to provide adequate funding to pay staff competitive wages, and it is our children who are suffering with the constant turnover of caregivers,' said Lorrie Baer, a single mother with two children who have an unknown genetic disorder. While she receives support from Family Services to Children with Disabilities for respite and personal care, Baer said there are not enough qualified caregivers to fill those hours, and her children are constantly forced to adjust to 'a revolving door' of new staff."
http://www.vueweekly.com/article.php?id=10065
AccessComputing Expands Efforts With NSF Funds – (University of Washington). "The Alliance for Access to Computing Careers (AccessComputing) has received a National Science Foundation extension grant of $2 million. This funding will be used to expand efforts to increase the participation of people with disabilities in computing fields nationwide. AccessComputing engages individuals with disabilities as well as those who support, serve, guide, educate, and employ them. Specifically, the extension project will
1. increase the capacity of postsecondary institutions, precollege educators, veterans associations, other projects that broaden participation in computing, and industry to fully include individuals with disabilities in computing fields;
2. create synergistic and lasting relationships among stakeholders to foster systemic changes toward inclusiveness in computing education and careers;
3. implement evidence-based practices (e.g., mentoring, internships) to increase the number of individuals with disabilities moving through critical junctures to computing careers; and
4. expand an online resource center to share research and promising practices worldwide."
http://www.washington.edu/doit/Newsflash/nf.09.25.08.html
Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities Commemorates National Disability Mentoring Day and National Disability Employment Awareness Month – (NSSE.com). "On National Disability Mentoring Day, 160 disabled New York City college students and job seekers will pair with volunteer public and private sector mentors in the work place to observe a typical workday, identify necessary skills to advance career development, and learn about possible internships or employment prospects."
http://www.nyse.com/events/1223550032682.html
General Interest
A New Generation of War Vets Comes Home – by Allen Rucker (New Mobility). "The twin wars we are now fighting, known in military parlance as Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, are stealth wars. They are distant, confusing, complex, have no dramatic shape, and are being fought entirely by volunteers. I'm old enough to remember coming home to Walter Cronkite leading off the CBS Evening News with Vietnam War updates every single night of the week — there were rolling body counts, military maps, long descriptions of ongoing battles, and unfiltered footage of dead and wounded soldiers. Writer Michael Arlen aptly dubbed Vietnam 'The Living Room War.' The whole nation tuned in nightly to experience the drama. . . But these wars slog on, with only vague time 'horizons' to offer any hope, and they are altering the fabric of the culture in an equally stealthy way. They are certainly altering the profile of disabled people in America. According to a Veterans Affairs progress report in April of 2008, 513,000 troops have been assigned to Iraq alone since 2003, almost 200,000 of whom have had more than one tour of duty. Over 31,000 troops on both fronts have been injured, and many of those seriously."
http://www.newmobility.com/articleView.cfm?id=11279
Quadriplegic Veteran Plans Adventurous Trek – (Rehab Management). "Veteran Paul Christian is on a mission...from his wheelchair. Christian will be spending the next 18 months traveling America alone to meet with fellow wounded or ill veterans and other people overcoming disabilities. He will be blogging about his preparations and the trip itself on his Web site—Seize Adventure—as he speaks to veterans' groups about technology and benefits, and volunteers at the Disabled Veterans summer and winter sports clinics and the 2010 Winter Olympics and Winter Paralympics in Vancouver, Canada. A quadriplegic since his service in the Army as part of Operation Desert Storm in Iraq (1991), Christian says he is motivated by the challenges he sees the current generation of severely-wounded veterans facing. He wants to show them that debilitating injury or disease does not mean the end of independence and accomplishment. As he writes on his blog, 'We do not have to lay in bed hating life...If you're willing to reach out and grab ahold, you can still Seize Adventure.' After Christian was paralyzed he spent a lot of time laying in bed, unwilling to pursue physical therapy. He rarely left home, seeing himself as entirely dependent on someone else. His perspective changed when a friend alerted him to the Web site of adventurer Ben Saunders, who at the time was in the middle of a solo trek across the North Pole. On impulse, he emailed Saunders, who took the time to reply from his position at the Pole and encouraged Christian to pursue physical therapy."
http://www.rehabpub.com/news/2008-10-23_01.asp
The Positive Side of Learning Disabilities and ADHD – (LD OnLine). "The positive side of attention deficit disorder was shown to the world in August when swimmer Michael Phelps won eight gold medals at the Beijing Olympics — a world record. Phelps has won 14 gold medals in his swimming career, and he and his mother partially credit his success to his ADHD. Phelps was diagnosed with ADHD when he was nine years old and began taking medication, but when he was 11, he asked if he could discontinue the medication and focus on swimming. His mother Debbie Phelps believes that swimming helped him with his ADHD. Read more about Michael Phelps. LD OnLine presents the positive side of learning disabilities and attention deficit disorder each November, when people in the United States celebrate Thanksgiving, a national day of gratitude. Our staff reviews the media and listens to readers of the LD OnLine Newsletter to bring you inspirational stories."
http://www.ldonline.org/article/11727
Government
Canada
New Caregiver Tax Credit Now In Effect – (Government of Manitoba). "Manitobans who are the primary caregivers for family members or other loved ones are now eligible for a $1,020 tax credit that recognizes the vital support they provide to someone in need of care, Healthy Living Minister Kerri Irvin-Ross, minister responsible for seniors, and Finance Minister Greg Selinger announced today. 'Our government is committed to expanding care and housing options for older Manitobans,' Irvin‑Ross said. 'This tax credit provides new supports for families to help a loved one in need of care live with dignity and as much independence as possible.' Manitoba's new Primary Caregiver Tax Credit will provide up to $1,020 a year to individuals who are primary caregivers for spouses, relatives, neighbours or friends who are Manitoba Home Care clients. To be eligible, the primary caregiver must not receive money for their help and must be identified by the client."
http://news.gov.mb.ca/news/index.html?archive=2008-10-01&item=4555
New Exemption Will Benefit People With Disabilities And Parents Of Children With Disabilities – "Individuals with disabilities and parents of children with disabilities in Saskatchewan will be able to better plan for the future, following the exemption of Registered Disability Savings Plans (RDSPs) from social assistance calculations. The exemption means that RDSP assets and income - including funds withdrawn for payment to a beneficiary - will not be included when determining eligibility for the Saskatchewan Assistance Program."
http://www.gov.sk.ca/news?newsId=ff7d6467-8e61-4579-8319-651bb0f3b5a7
New Program Cleans The Environment While Helping Manitobans With Kidney Disease – (Government of Manitoba). "The Manitoba government and the Kidney Foundation of Canada – Manitoba Branch have launched a free Home Appliance Retirement Program that will help fight kidney disease and protect the environment, Science, Technology, Energy and Mines Minister Jim Rondeau announced today. 'The program is designed to accomplish two things – protect the environment and at the same time help in the fight against kidney disease,' said Rondeau. 'Two benefits from a single program create a double-win situation for all Manitobans and especially people suffering with kidney disease.' 'This is a very timely program for the Kidney Foundation as Manitoba has the highest per capita rate of kidney disease in the country,' said Val Dunphy, executive director of the Kidney Foundation's Manitoba Branch. 'Kidney disease is growing at an alarming rate and the Kidney Foundation needs all the support it can get – both from the government and the public'."
http://news.gov.mb.ca/news/index.html?archive=2008-10-01&item=4567
Transit Stop Announcements – (OHRC). "On behalf of the Ontario Human Rights Commission (the 'Commission'), I would like to thank you for the commitment you have made to announce stops in your transit services. I am pleased to report that all 38 of Ontario's public transit providers have now committed to announcement of all transit stops by the end of this year. In our first communication with Ontario's transit providers on this issue, in October 2007, we requested that, if not currently doing so, transit services immediately take steps toward audible announcement of all stops. This request for immediate action reflected the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario decision in Lepofsky v. TTC, in which the transit provider was given 30 days to commence announcement of all stops. We look forward to December 31, 2008 as the deadline by which all transit providers will have stop announcement systems in place."
http://www.ohrc.on.ca/en/resources/news/transitthank
U.S.
CMS Issues Final Rule To Empower Medicaid Beneficiaries To Direct Personal Assistance Services – "A final rule that would allow more Medicaid beneficiaries to be in charge of their own personal assistance services, including personal care services, instead of having those services directed by an agency, was announced today by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). The rule, on display today at the Federal Register, guides states who wish to allow Medicaid beneficiaries who need help with the activities of daily living to hire, direct, train or fire their own personal care workers. Beneficiaries could even hire qualified family members who may already be familiar with the individual's needs to perform personal assistance (not medical) services."
http://tiny.cc/Rbd4d
Fla. Official: We'll Allow GAO Poll Watchers – by Billy House (Media General News Service). "Federal poll watchers will apparently be permitted on Election Day at voting sites in Florida's Hillsborough, Pinellas, Miami-Dade and Broward counties, after all. In a letter Thursday, Florida Secretary of State Kurt Browning told U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson that his office will 'encourage' the election supervisors of the four counties to allow U.S. Government Accountability Office researchers to monitor the sites. Earlier this week, Browning had acknowledged that his initial response to a request by the GAO to be allowed to check equipment and monitor polling-place accessibility for people with disabilities, including senior citizens, was, 'No, you can't come to our polling places.' Browning said state law is very clear on who can go into a polling place. Democrat Nelson on Monday wrote to Gov. Charlie Crist asking him to reconsider that position by his administration."
http://www.mgwashington.com/index.php/news/article/fla-official-well-allow-gao-poll-watchers/1978/
Social Security Announces Nationwide Launch of Compassionate Allowances – "Michael J. Astrue, Commissioner of Social Security, today announced the national rollout of the agency's Compassionate Allowances initiative, a way to expedite the processing of disability claims for applicants whose medical conditions are so severe that their conditions obviously meet Social Security's standards. 'Getting benefits quickly to people with the most severe medical conditions is both the right and the compassionate thing to do,' Commissioner Astrue said. 'This initiative will allow us to make decisions on these cases in a matter of days, rather than months or years.' Social Security is launching this expedited decision process with a total of 50 conditions. Over time, more diseases and conditions will be added. A list of the first 50 impairments -- 25 rare diseases and 25 cancers -- can be found at www.socialsecurity.gov/compassionateallowances. Before announcing this initiative, Social Security held public hearings to receive information from experts on rare diseases and cancers. The agency also enlisted the assistance of the National Institutes of Health."
http://www.ssa.gov/pressoffice/pr/compassionate-allowances-1008-pr.htm
Who Gets Your Vote? – by Rebecca Hare and Daryl Ann Doane (New Mobility). "New Mobility asked two people with disabilities, each with knowledge of politics and government — one Republican and one Democrat — to write an essay of equal length explaining why they are voting for their party's candidate. The views expressed are those of the authors, not New Mobility."
http://www.newmobility.com/articleView.cfm?id=11278
Health/Wellness
CIHI's Health Care in Canada 2008: Canadian health system information at a glance – "Today, the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI) released the ninth edition of Health Care in Canada. The report, composed of pivotal analytic work undertaken at CIHI during the last year, is a reference guide offering a condensed look at the most up-to-date information on the Canadian health care system. A recognized resource for those interested in health information, Health Care in Canada 2008 takes a look at key issues surrounding health spending, health human resources, access to care, quality of care and population health."
http://secure.cihi.ca/cihiweb/dispPage.jsp?cw_page=media_23oct2008_e
Google Adapts Google Health for the Visually Impaired – by Clint Boulton (eweek.com). "Google's Health portal, which symbolizes cloud computing for consumers, is augmented to allow visually impaired users to access the site via screen readers and self-voicing browsers. Google Health competes with Microsoft's HealthVault as the search engines continue to slug it out for more users of their Web services. Google Health launched last February, but the service has been curiously quiet since."
http://www.eweek.com/c/a/Search-Engines/Google-Adapts-Google-Health-For-The-Visually-Impaired/
Legal
AIG settles North Carolina disability case: $18 million payout is 'huge' – (Trading Markets). "American International Group, the major insurance company that received an $85 billion federal bailout for risky financial practices, has agreed to pay $18 million to a former North Raleigh man who was completely disabled when a pickup truck hit him in the parking lot of his apartment. The settlement appears to be one of the largest in the state's history for a personal injury case, local lawyers say, and it was driven by the fact that AIG was already on the hook for a much larger judgment -- $75 million -- after a subsidiary did not defend the case in Wake Superior Court. 'That's huge,' said Dan Hartzog, a veteran civil litigator in Raleigh who was not involved in the case. 'It would be a big jury verdict, but it's a really big settlement.' Such settlements rarely become public, but the details were discussed in an open session of U.S. District Court earlier this month with a News & Observer reporter in attendance. Lawyers for both sides had sought to keep the settlement confidential, but U.S. District Judge Terrence Boyle did not take up their request."
http://www.tradingmarkets.com/.site/news/Stock%20News/1970876/
Court reverses ruling on would-be doctors – (SanFransisco Chronicle). "Would-be doctors in California with dyslexia or other disabilities that affect their reading skills aren't entitled to extra time or other accommodations on the medical school entrance exam, a state appeals court said Thursday, reversing a lower-court decision. An Alameda County Superior Court judge had ruled two years ago that California disability law is broader than federal law and requires the organization administering the Medical College Admission Test to accommodate students who show that their disorders make reading difficult. But the First District Court of Appeal in San Francisco said state law mirrors federal law on the subject - the American Disabilities Act - and gives the American Association of Medical Colleges leeway in deciding when a student needs assistance because of a serious learning disability."
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/10/30/BA2M13RIRV.DTL
District court certifies nationwide class action against Target in website accessibility suit – "Rejecting Target Corporation's motion to dismiss a group of plaintiffs' lawsuit for a lack of a cognizable claim under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), a federal district court in California certified a nationwide class action on behalf of individuals in the United States who are legally blind who have attempted to access Target.com and as a result have been denied access to the enjoyment of goods and services offered in Target stores. Despite finding that the plaintiffs' class representative failed to demonstrate that his inability to access Target.com rendered him unable to access the goods and services at Target stores, the court ordered the plaintiffs to substitute a new class representative with respect to the ADA claims consistent within thirty days of the date of this order In addition, the district court certified a California subclass for claims arising under California's Unruh Civil Rights Act and the Disabled Persons Act for all individuals in California who are legally blind individuals and who have attempted to access Target.com (National Fed'n of the Blind v Target Corp, NDCal, 3:06-cv-01802-MHP, Motion for class certification October 2, 2007)."
http://hr.cch.com/news/employment/101907a.asp
Media
Budding writers have their say in new rough guide – (yourable). "Budding travel writers have the chance to see their work in print when the second edition of the Rough Guide to Accessible Britain launches early next year. The Guide, which is supported by Motability Operations, the company that provides affordable motoring to disabled people, follows on the success of the 2008 edition, and will feature over 150 ideas and reviews for accessible days out. Rough Guides and Motability Operations are looking for lively reviews to inspire readers, and to uncover lesser-know attractions throughout the UK. Reviews should be up to 250 words long and be both engaging and entertaining, as well as providing the essential information that a disabled visitor would need to be aware of."
http://www.youreable.com/TwoShare/getPage/01News/01Current/October2008/roughguide
Leonard Cheshire disability launches Creature Discomforts viral games – (yourable). "Leading disability charity Leonard Cheshire Disability has teamed up with digital agency MCM Net to launch a new viral games package as the next phase of its award-winning Creature Discomforts Campaign. Creature Discomforts, which features Aardman's hallmark plasticine animations, was launched in November last year, and the second series of campaign ran throughout the summer. The campaign challenges people to change the way they see disability and the characters are based on the unscripted voices of disabled people talking about the issues that affect their lives. One game of the four-game package will be released on the Creature Discomforts website (www.CreatureDiscomforts.org/games) every two weeks. The games complement the existing content on the site, which includes eight animations, a video of the making of the animations and information about the people behind the characters, and will allow users to engage with the campaign in an entertaining and interactive way."
http://www.youreable.com/TwoShare/getPage/01News/01Current/August2008/discomforts
Medical
Common Epilepsy Drug Could Prevent and Treat Alzheimer's Disease – "Researchers at the University of British Columbia and Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute have discovered that a drug used to treat epilepsy and bipolar disorders, blocks the formation of plaques that cause Alzheimer's disease (AD) in animal models. The team led by UBC Psychiatry Prof. Weihong Song, who is also the Jack Brown and Family Professor and Chair in Alzheimer's Disease at UBC, found that if Valproic Acid (VPA) is used as a treatment in early stages of AD memory deficit is reversed. The study, published in the Journal of Experimental Medicine, reveals that VPA works by inhibiting the activity of an enzyme that produces a neurotoxic protein called beta Amyloid. In doing so, plaque formation is discontinued. Amyloid beta-proteins are the central component of neurotoxic plaques in AD."
http://www.publicaffairs.ubc.ca/media/releases/2008/mr-08-139.html
Fresh Hopes and Concerns As Fetal DNA Tests Advance – by Rob Stein (Washington Post). "Doctors have started using powerful new DNA tests to screen fetuses for a wider range of genetic abnormalities, spotting more problem pregnancies early but stirring fears that the results will increase abortions as well as confuse and needlessly alarm many couples. The tests, which use 'gene chips' to detect much subtler chromosomal variations than standard prenatal testing can, have also triggered complaints that they mark another step toward a society that seeks to weed out aberrations in the quest for the perfect child. Proponents argue that the tests allow couples to harness the latest molecular technology to target the most devastating genetic syndromes, alleviating their worries in some cases and in others identifying abnormalities soon enough to terminate the pregnancy or prepare to care for an afflicted baby."
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/10/25/AR2008102502094.html
Gene Find Sheds Light On Motor Neuron Diseases Like ALS – (Science Daily). "Scientists have identified a gene in mice that plays a central role in the proper development of one of the nerve cells that goes bad in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig's disease, and some other diseases that affect our motor neurons. The study is the result of a collaboration by scientists at the University of Rochester Medical Center who normally focus on the eye, working together with a developmental neuroscientist at Harvard who focuses on the cerebral cortex. The work appears in the Oct. 23 issue of the journal Neuron."
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081022135433.htm
New Hope For Multiple Sclerosis Sufferers – (Science Daily). "A drug which was developed in Cambridge and initially designed to treat a form of leukaemia has also proven effective against combating the debilitating neurological disease multiple sclerosis (MS). The study, led by researchers from the University of Cambridge, has found that alemtuzumab not only stops MS from advancing in patients with early stage active relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) but may also restore lost function caused by the disease. The findings were recently published in the New England Journal of Medicine."
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081022211030.htm
Scientists Restore Movement To Paralyzed Limbs Via Artificial Brain-Muscle Connections – (Rehab Management). "Researchers in a study funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) have demonstrated for the first time that a direct artificial connection from the brain to muscles can restore voluntary movement in monkeys whose arms have been temporarily anesthetized. The results may have promising implications for the 250,000 Americans affected by spinal cord injuries and thousands of others with paralyzing neurological diseases, although clinical applications are years away. 'This study demonstrates a novel approach to restoring movement through neuroprosthetic devices, one that would link a person's brain to the activation of individual muscles in a paralyzed limb to produce natural control and movements,' says Joseph Pancrazio, PhD, a program director at the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)."
http://www.rehabpub.com/news/2008-10-16_02.asp
Policy/Research
Commissioner: Europe Needs To Shift More Quickly To Community Inclusion – by Dave Reynolds (Inclusion Daily Express). "The Council of Europe's Commissioner for Human Rights has issued a report calling on European governments to switch from focusing 'exclusively on institutional care, medical rehabilitation and welfare benefits' to 'rights-based actions to improve inclusion and participation.' 'More than 80 million persons are still neglected in Europe simply because of their disabilities,' Commissioner Thomas Hammarberg wrote the issue paper he released on October 20. 'More inclusive policies must be implemented, stamping out social stigma and all kinds of barriers'. Hammarberg wrote that he is encouraged that several countries have adopted disability plans, but that many have been too slow in implementing those plans."
http://www.inclusiondaily.com/news/2008/10/27/102708euadvinst.htm
Developing a national disability strategy for Australia: access, inclusion, participation – "This discussion paper sets out why we need a National Disability Strategy and what might be included in such a strategy. It has been prepared to inform people about the Australian government's plans to improve support and remove barriers for people with disability, their families and carers, and to ask for ideas about how this can be best achieved. It is intended that the National Disability Strategy will guide government activity and future policy initiatives in this important area. The Strategy will provide an opportunity to make sure decisions relating to disability will be based on sound principles, and have clear goals that will result in plans of action and lasting change and improvements. The development of the Strategy presents an opportunity to influence government policies and initiatives that will follow over the coming years."
http://www.apo.org.au/linkboard/results.chtml?filename_num=236229
Disability is Associated with Intimate Partner Violence - Close to One in Three Women Have Been Physically Assaulted – "Each year, women experience about 4.8 million intimate partner related physical assaults and rapes. Women with a disability are more likely to experience intimate partner violence (IPV) than those without a disability, says a new study presented at the American Public Health Association's 136th Annual Meeting & Exposition in San Diego . The study, which used data collected from seven states and one territory as part of the 2006 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System survey, examined disability prevalence and differences in IPV among women with and without a disability."
http://www.apha.org/about/news/pressreleases/2008/AM-presentation_disability_and_violence.htm
Disability Poverty in the UK – "Disability Poverty in the UK is a ground-breaking report that not only looks at financial poverty but also poverty of opportunity and emotional poverty that disabled people face in the UK. The primary recommendations of this report are that the government commits to: 1) End disability poverty, by developing and implementing a specific strategy for tackling the issue 2) Measure disability poverty as a unique form of poverty, through the use of a series of indicators. The report sets out other recommendations to the government to tackle disability poverty in the UK and the publication on 8 January 2008 will be followed by extensive parliamentary lobbying work."
http://www.lcdisability.org/?lid=6386
Disability support figures lift by 25% – (The Age). "The ageing population and welfare-to-work reforms have led to a sharp increase in the number of people using disability support services, a new report shows. The report shows the demand for services such as respite care, accommodation and employment increased by about 25 per cent between 2003 and 2007. The findings are part of an Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) report on the federal and state disability agreement."
http://news.theage.com.au/national/disability-support-figures-lift-by-25-20081029-5ano.html
Disability support services 2006-07: National data on services provided under the Commonwealth State-Territory Disability Agreement – "Disability support services 2006-07 is a report on data collected as part of the Commonwealth State/Territory Disability Agreement National Minimum Data Set (CSTDA NMDS) between 1 July 2006 and 30 June 2007. The NMDS provides information relating to CSTDA-funded service outlets and users of these services, including support needs of users and informal care arrangements. The special focus chapter uses trend data from four full-year data collections to describe changes in the profile of CSTDA consumers since 2003–04 and their patterns of service use."
http://www.apo.org.au/linkboard/results.chtml?filename_num=237364
Eldercare: What we know today – by Kelly Cranswick and Donna Dosman (Statistics Canada). "Gerontologists, health care providers and government have long been attempting to define and better understand caregiving. Statistics Canada's General Social Survey (GSS) first collected data in 1996 on measuring the care provided to Canadians. The focus of that survey was on all care that Canadians provided and received due to temporary difficult times or long-term health problems. According to these data, while the demands and consequences were considerable, Canadians were willing to help family and friends. Canada has an aging population with a growing number of seniors (people aged 65 and older) who need support and care. As a result, when data were collected for a second time (2002 GSS), the focus shifted to care provided to seniors. The findings suggested that aging Canadians need assistance, and that family and friends provide help despite growing work and family demands. However, while Canadians are willing to help out their family and friends, caregiving duties have consequences that impact caregivers' work, health and family."
http://www.statcan.ca/english/freepub/11-008-XIE/2008002/article/10689-en.htm
Participation and Activity Limitation Survey 2006: Tables (Part V) – (Statistics Canada). "The Participation and Activity Limitation Survey (PALS) is Canada's national survey that gathers information about adults and children whose daily activities are limited by a physical, mental, or other health-related condition or problem. This report presents a series of tables on the; Total income; Old age security pension and guaranteed income supplement; Canada / Quebec pension plan benefits; Child tax benefit; Other government income; Employment income; Investment income; Retirement income."
This report contains data tables but no description of major findings.
http://www.statcan.ca/bsolc/english/bsolc?catno=89-628-XWE2008011
Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness (JVIB) Publishes Special Issue on Macular Degeneration – (AFB). "A recent study from the National Eye Institute reports that the diagnosis rates of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the cause of the majority of vision loss in the United States for senior adults, are expected to double by the year 2025. To address this growing population, the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) recently released the Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness (JVIB) Special Issue on Macular Degeneration. The goal of this groundbreaking Special Issue is to encourage further discussion in the field of geriatric vision rehabilitation and low vision practice and to raise awareness of the methods of effective vision rehabilitation for individuals living with AMD."
http://www.afb.org/Section.asp?DocumentID=4452
National Council on Disability Assesses Rehabilitation Act's Impact on Transition Outcomes for Youth With Disabilities – (PRNewswire). "The National Council on Disability (NCD) today released a report titled The Rehabilitation Act: Outcomes for Transition-Age Youth (http://www.ncd.gov/newsroom/publications/2008/doc/RehabilitationTransitions.doc), calling on Congress and the U.S. Department of Education to make changes to current service delivery practices that will improve transition outcomes for youth with disabilities. This report is a comprehensive assessment of the impact of the Rehabilitation Act on the employment and postsecondary education outcomes of eligible transition-age youth."
http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/10-28-2008/0004912899&EDATE=
Our Choice For A Better Ontario: A Plan For Cutting Poverty In Half by 2020 – by Adam Spence (The Ontario Association of Food Banks). "Hundreds of thousands of Ontarians live in poverty. On the front line of the fight against hunger and poverty, we know their names, their faces, and their stories. We also know that poverty is greater amongst certain population groups, including new Canadians, Ontarians with disabilities, single parent, and First Nations households. Hunger and poverty also hits certain neighbourhoods and communities with greater force than others. . . . Twenty per cent of Ontarians forced to turn to food banks every month are persons with disabilities. This figure is well beyond the population average of 13.5 per cent. The poverty rate for Ontarians with disabilities is also disproportionately high. . . . We believe that guiding principles are the starting point for the development of a comprehensive poverty reduction plan in Ontario. These principles represent our collective approach to poverty reduction from broad areas of focus to specific policy recommendations. Consequently, these principles will have a powerful influence on our goals and actions."
http://oafb.ca/assets/pdfs/OurChoice.pdf
Pioneering impact report launched by RNID – (yourable). "RNID, the largest charity representing the nine million people in the UK who are deaf or hard of hearing, is once again at the cutting-edge of impact reporting by presenting its results for 2007/08 online through a specially designed, web portal. RNID's aims and impact for 2007/08 have been web integrated and are accessible through video, case studies, text, photography and sign language. A keyword search function will make results available to all web users and allow stakeholders to access results by area of interest. The charity first introduced impact reporting to the sector in 2001 and hope the new format will provide even greater transparency of results and a more meaningful illustration of impact to a wider audience. Brian Lamb, RNID Director of Policy and Advocacy, said: 'This is not an online version of a printed report. The multimedia environment allows people to get right to heart of what is important to them. A charity needs to be fully accountable to each and every stakeholder and demonstrate the impact it makes on people's lives'."
http://www.youreable.com/TwoShare/getPage/01News/01Current/October2008/rnid
Poverty is everybody's business in N.B. – by Elsie Hambrook (Times & Transcript). "Nasty prejudices still get in the way of concerted action on poverty. Some people paint all the poor with the same brush. They think the poor are 'lazy' or 'irresponsible', that if they made different choices, worked harder or 'smarter', they could pull themselves out of poverty. Denial is also a stumbling block, as in 'I'd never go on welfare, it'll never happen to me.' The reality is that many people work full-time but earn less than the poverty line, juggle part-time or seasonal jobs, education and training along with family responsibilities and still can't make ends meet. For some New Brunswickers, poverty is as close as a few missed paycheques, the result of a separation or divorce for women, or of an illness or disability that strikes before the Old Age Pension kicks in."
http://timestranscript.canadaeast.com/opinion/article/434392
Refugees and migrants with disability and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities – "Potential migrants and refugees to Australia are subject to a health assessment in order to determine their eligibility. In most cases (including for humanitarian entrants), the assumed future costs associated with a health condition or disability are taken into account as part of the assessment procedure. This means that migrants and refugees with disability are routinely refused entry to Australia as a result of an assessment of the potential health costs associated with their illness or disability. It also means that many families supporting people with disability make a difficult decision to leave behind a family member in order to build a life in Australia. In cases involving humanitarian entrants, these family members with disability will remain in extremely vulnerable situations, having also been displaced by war, persecution, or civil unrest, but unable to join their families in Australia."
http://www.apo.org.au/linkboard/results.chtml?filename_num=236165
SSI Annual Statistical Report, 2007 – "Since 1974, the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program has guaranteed a minimum level of income for needy aged, blind, or disabled individuals. Each year, we issue a report that presents data on the SSI program and the people who receive benefits from it."
http://www.ssa.gov/policy/docs/statcomps/ssi_asr/2007/index.html#preface
Trends in Income Support – by John Karl Scholz, Robert Moffitt, Benjamin Cowan (Institute for Research on Poverty). "Antipoverty programs are designed to mitigate the most pernicious aspects of market-based economic outcomes—unemployment, disability, low earnings, and other material hardship. These programs compose society's 'safety net' and each has different eligibility standards and benefit formulas. While they can be aggregated and categorized to summarize trends in coverage and generosity, a consequence of their patchwork nature is that the safety net may appear different to a family in one set of circumstances than it does to a family in another. The authors have three primary goals in this paper. First, they provide updated information on expenditures and recipients for a range of antipoverty programs, describing the evolution of the safety net over the past thirty-five years. Second, they use data from the Survey of Income and Program Participation (SIPP) to calculate the antipoverty effectiveness of federal programs for families and individuals in different circumstances. Third, they explore changes in the characteristics of recipients of means-tested transfers, tax credits and social insurance."
http://www.irp.wisc.edu/publications/dps/pdfs/dp135008.pdf
Rehabilitation
Breakthrough In Manual Wheelchair Propulsion – (Rehab Management). "NuDrive, a lever-drive propulsion accessory for manual wheelchairs that reduces the force needed to self-propel by up to 40%, was recently introduced by Pure Global, Hertfordshire, UK. Wheelchair users can propel themselves forward and backward, maneuver, and brake by pushing the levers; there is no need to spin the wheel rims by hand. The ergonomically designed drive units allow users with arthritic or weak hands to self-propel, requiring no finger of hand dexterity. It attaches to most manual wheelchairs with 24-inch, metal-spoked wheels. The product can be used indoors and outdoors by long-term and occasional wheelchair users who have some degree of strength in both arms, and can help users tackle inclines and difficult or uneven terrains."
http://www.rehabpub.com/news/2008-10-10_02.asp
News from the Mobility Front – by Rich Smith (Rehab Management). "You very soon could be faced with dramatically fewer choices in wheelchairs and accessories due to an unintended consequence of a new federal law aimed at fixing the unintended consequence of an earlier edict. The reform law is the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008 (HR 6331). Approved earlier this year by Congress, then vetoed by President George W. Bush, and ultimately resuscitated by override votes in both the Senate and House of Representatives, the new measure delays by 18 months implementation of Medicare competitive bidding for certain durable medical equipment, including complex wheelchairs."
http://www.rehabpub.com/issues/articles/2008-10_03.asp
Self-Help
Leonard Cheshire Disability – "Leonard Cheshire Disability supports over 21,000 disabled people in the UK and works in 52 countries. We campaign for change and provide innovative services that give disabled people the opportunity to live life their way."
http://www.lcdisability.org/
Planned Lifetime Advocacy Network (PLAN) – "Planned Lifetime Advocacy Network (PLAN) is a non-profit organization, established in 1989 by and for families committed to future planning and securing a good life for their relative with a disability."
http://www.plan.ca/homepage.php
Sports/Recreation
Coming of Age: First Inclusive Fitness Conference at Club Industry Achieves an Important Milestone – (NCPAD). "This is a moment in time we mustn't soon forget. Club Industry, one of the largest and most influential fitness conferences in the world, contacted NCPAD staff several months ago and requested that the Center submit a specialized track at this year's conference in Chicago on Inclusive Fitness. Imagine that: A stand-alone set of presentations on fitness-related topics pertaining to people with disabilities, inside a conference that has largely focused on everything BUT disability for the past three decades! I almost can't believe what I'm saying but just to make sure I'm not dreaming, someone pinch me."
http://www.ncpad.org/director/fact_sheet.php?sheet=654
Long-Jump World Record Reached With The Aid Of Space Tech – (Rehab Management). "German athlete Wojtek Czyz, running with a space-tech enhanced prosthetic leg, set a new world record at the Paralympics 2008 in Beijing, reaching an amazing 6.50 m and beating the previous world record by 27 cm. In spring 2004, the European Space Agency's Technology Transfer Programme technology broker MST Aerospace, Cologne, Germany met with Czyz and his trainer to perform a prescreening of the most crucial elements of the prosthesis used by Czyz. Having lost part of his left leg 3 years before in a sports accident, he now uses a prosthesis in two athletic disciplines: long jump and sprint competitions."
http://www.rehabpub.com/news/2008-10-06_02.asp
Technology
Bionic suit: the Iron Man cometh – by Tim Hornyak (Timesonline). "The idea of possessing superhuman strength is a Hollywood staple. It is also a dream that audiences can't seem to get enough of – witness the £300m-worth of tickets sold worldwide for Iron Man, starring Robert Downey Jr, over the summer. But while Iron Man's rocket boots and built-in 'repulsor rays' so far remain on the drawing board, a powered exoskeleton able to multiply its user's strength tenfold has just become a reality. Earlier this month, in a little noticed ceremony in Japan, the world's first fully functioning robotic exoskeleton was launched. It is called the Hybrid Assistive Limb (HAL) system and will endow the wearer with abilities and strength he or she could previously only have dreamt of. As the scientists said at the launch – we are now officially in the age of the cyborg."
http://technology.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/tech_and_web/personal_tech/article4961568.ece
Enabling The Blind To Find Their Way – (Science Daily). "'Eyes on the future' is the mantra of the 'World Sight Day' held this month to raise awareness of blindness and vision impairment. New technologies, developed by European researchers offering the visually impaired greater independence, live up to this vision. Many of the most innovative systems have been created by a consortium of companies and research institutes working in the EU-funded ENABLED project. The project has led to 17 prototype devices and software platforms being developed to help the visually impaired, two of which have been patented. Guide dogs, canes, Braille and screen readers that turn digital text into spoken audio all help to improve the lives of the blind or severely visually impaired, but none of these tools can make up for having a friend or relative accompany a blind person around and assist them in their daily life. However, a human helper is not always available."
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081024084738.htm
Robotic Technology Mimics Service Dogs – (Rehab Management). "Service dogs, invaluable companions providing assistance to physically impaired individuals, are an elite and desired breed. Their presence in a home can make everyday tasks that are difficult—if not impossible—achievable, enhancing the quality of life for the disabled. Yet with a cost averaging $16,000 per dog—not to mention the 2 years of training required to hone these skills—the demand for these canines exceeds their availability. But what if these duties could be accomplished with an electronic companion that provides the same efficiency at a fraction of the cost? Researchers at the Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, have engineered a biologically inspired robot that mirrors the actions of sought-after service dogs. Users verbally command the robot to complete a task and the robot responds once a basic laser pointer illuminates the location of the desired action."
http://www.rehabpub.com/news/2008-10-29_01.asp
Conferences
( New Conferences)
Internet Event - The RERC on Telerehabilitation - State of the Science Conference – November 17-21, 2008 | Internet. "You are invited to join us each day for live, interactive sessions on current issues related to telerehabilitation. Each morning we'll host an on-line whitepaper presentation and open discussion with an invited panel of experts immediately following. Of course, your participation in these discussions is possible from the location of your choice via the World Wide Web."
http://www.rerctr.pitt.edu/RERC_TR_SOS/
Canadian
NEADS Conference 2008 - "Learning Today, Leading Tomorrow." – November 14-16, 2008. | Ottawa, Ontario. "The National Educational Association of Disabled Students (NEADS) is pleased to announce our 2008 national conference, 'Learning Today, Leading Tomorrow.' It will take place at the Delta Ottawa Hotel and Suites from November 14-16, 2008. The conference will focus on solutions to drive change. This year's event will be an exciting opportunity for students, consumer advocates, service providers, employers and all others interested in exploring key issues of equal access to post-secondary education and employment for students and graduates with disabilities. We welcome delegates from across Canada and around the world. The 2008 conference is being organized by a Conference Planning Committee, comprised of NEADS board members and chaired by Agnes Tomkow, NEADS Alberta Representative. The 2008 conference will welcome guest speakers including Steven Fletcher, Member of Parliament and Sandi Bell, Canadian Human Rights Commissioner."
http://www.neads.ca/conference2008/en/info.php
Louis Braille: From Literacy to Liberty 2009 Canadian Federation Of The Blind Convention Louis Braille Birthday Bash – May1-3, 2009 | Victoria, British Columbia. "Celebrate the 200th birthday of Louis Braille at the fourth annual Canadian Federation of the Blind Convention."
http://www.cfb.ca/
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2009 CDSA-ACEI Conference – May 25-26, 2009 | Ottawa, Ontario. "The 2009 CDSA-ACEI Conference, held in conjunction with the Congress of the Congress of the Humanities and Social Sciences, will be at Carleton University in Ottawa, Ontario, Monday May 25 and Tuesday May 26, 2009. The theme of Congress 2009 is 'Capital Connections: nation, terroir, territoire.' This theme invites an exploration of identity as physical space; the space of a people, a nation, and their historic 'terroir.' It asks the question: Has globalization produced a sea-change in our understanding of the relationship between place and who we are? Our conference will accordingly reflect that theme with regards to disability studies."
http://www.cdsa-acei.ca/conference.html
U.S.
The Network of Autism Training and Technical Assistance Programs (NATTAP) - Second Annual International Autism Training and Technical Assistance Conference – November 19-21, 2008 | Columbus, Ohio. "The 2nd annual NATTAP Conference will gather educators, service providers and parents from across the United States and from around the globe. The objectives of the conference are to review current systems models for addressing the needs of individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), promote use of best practice in research and intervention and provide methods for capacity building – all of which contribute to the ultimate goal of improving outcomes for individuals ages 3-21. The 2008 NATTAP Conference
will provide a forum for the continued exchange of ideas and promising practices that will provide common solutions to the common problems in ASD."
http://www.nattapconference.org/view.php?nav_id=1
Assistive Technology: Improving Lives Daily - A conference for people with disabilities, families and professionals – November 20, 2008 | Warwick, Rhode Island. "Assistive technology can play a critical role in the life of a person with a disability. A wide range of presentations and an exhibit hall offering product demonstrations and information will provide conference participants with the opportunity to learn what a powerful impact assistive technology can have in improving the lives of people with disabilities."
http://www.techaccess-ri.org/Conferences/2008/2008Conf.html
33rd Annual TASH Conference - Social Justice in the 21st Century – December 3-6, 2008 | Nashville, Tennessee. "This year's theme is Social Justice in the 21st Century: achieving the full and equal participation of every member of society in a way that is shaped to meet each member's unique needs. Social justice provides a vision that all members are valued, physically and psychologically safe, and enjoy all aspects of life in their community. We achieve social justice for people who have significant disabilities in a variety of ways. This year's TASH conference will focus on the issues and trends in today's world as they relate to the bringing about social justice for people who have significant disabilities and their families."
http://www.tash.org/2008tash/index.htm
Technology, Reading & Learning Diversity 2009 – January 22-24 2009 | San Francisco, California. "The mission of TRLD 2009 is 'Opening Doors to Universal Learning.' Universal Learning embodies the idea of equitable and flexible access to concepts and ideas for all students, all people. The digital age we live in creates a level playing field and multiple opportunities for all learners to achieve."
http://www.trld.com/about/mission/index.html
ATIA 2009 – January 28-31, 2009 | Orlando, Florida. "The ATIA Conference serves as a leading conference for the Assistive Technology community offering attendees the opportunity to participate in discussions with industry experts, learn about new technologies, best practices, and a host of specialized services. Assistive Technology products and technologies will be represented in various presentations, demonstrations and/or exhibits. In addition, hands-on labs will provide an opportunity to experiment with and evaluate the latest assistive technology devices and software."
http://www.atia.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3280
First World Congress on Spina Bifida Research and Care – March 15-18, 2009 | Orlando Florida. "The Spina Bifida Association (SBA) is pleased to announce the First World Congress on Spina Bifida Research and Care. This meeting promises to be the premier forum for a unique gathering of international Spina Bifida researchers and care specialists. For the first time, the international leaders in the medical and scientific community from the fields of neurosurgery, neurology, urology, developmental pediatrics, orthopedics, epidemiology, and other arenas will come together to discuss the future of care for this challenging and complex birth defect. Don't miss your chance to be a part of this amazing event…the future is now."
http://medicalconference.spinabifidaassociation.org/site/c.gnKOKTOtHqE/b.3512717/k.BE78/Home.htm
The 24th Annual International Technology and Persons with Disabilities Conference –
March 16-21, 2009 | Los Angeles, California. "The 24th Annual International Technology and Persons with Disabilities Conference will be held March 16-21, 2009 at the Los Angeles Airport Marriott & Renaissance Montura Hotels. Please join us as we celebrate 24 years of leadership in the technology and disability fields. We will be presenting experts and trends in assistive technology and persons with disabilities, while also highlighting adaptive technology for aging and international practices. The Call for Papers opens Monday, August 25th and closes Friday, October 17th. For additional information about Call for Papers or to submit a proposal please visit our Call for Papers page."
http://www.spinalcord.org/news.php?dep=1&page=33&list=1963
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17th annual Spinal Cord Injuries Conference – March 18-21, 2009 | Orlando, Florida. "New technology, equipment and changes in early interventions are challenging multidisciplinary rehabilitation teams to improve protocols to maximize functional outcomes for persons with SCI. Quality of life issues such as sexual health, spasticity and pain management continue to drive changes in approach and treatment interventions as life expectancy is extended. Improvements in technology and wheelchair function expand options for maintaining shoulder function while maximizing mobility. How do we integrate these changes and discoveries into our clinical practices to provide the best care we can for persons with SCI? Join us at the 17th annual Spinal Cord Injuries conference being held in Orlando this coming spring and take home a cadre of valuable tips that you can apply immediately in your work setting. Seize this opportunity to combine education and an early spring warm up in this spectacular resort location."
http://www.contemporaryforums.com/m412409/bene.asp
Multiple Perspectives on Access, Inclusion, and Disability Annual Conference – April 28-29, 2009 | Ohio State University Columbus Campus. "The Ninth Annual Multiple Perspectives conference continues the university's efforts to 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. This year's theme 'Change, Challenge & Collaboration' reflects the critical place in history we occupy. Between last conference and this call for papers the United Nations has adopted the Convention on Disability, Congress passed a new GI bill and the Higher Education Opportunity Act which include a significant focus on disability; the Access Board is proposing changes in Section 508, the Department of Justice is in the final stages of a comprehensive review and update of the regulations for the ADA's Titles II and III; and the ADA Amendments of 2008 are working their way through Congress. The theme and the quotes below are offered as a guide to framing your proposals and considering your topics from a fresh perspective."
http://ada.osu.edu/conferences/2009Conf/callforpapers09.html
Pacific Rim International Forum – May 2-3, 2009, | Honolulu, Hawaii. "With its beginnings dating back to 1985, the Pacific Rim International Conference on Disabilities has evolved into one of the top rated international educational offerings for and from persons with disabilities, family members, researchers, service providers, policymakers, community leaders, advocates, and nationally recognized professionals in the various disciplines in the diverse field of disabilities."
http://www.pacrim.hawaii.edu/
21st Annual Postsecondary Disability Training Institute (PTI) – June 2 - 6, 2009 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. "Come learn skills you'll use every day! The objective of this Training Institute is to assist concerned professionals to meet the unique needs of college students with disabilities. Participants can select from a variety of Strands and Single Sessions taught by experts in the field that provide participants with in-depth information and adequate time for questions and follow-up activities. Participants also have opportunities to share information and network with each other at various activities throughout the week."
http://www.cped.uconn.edu/09pti.htm
Overseas
4th International State-of-the-art Congress "Rehabilitation: Mobility, Exercise & Sports" –April 7-9, 2009 | Amsterdam. Netherlands. "The theme of the 4th congress underlines the development taking place in our research since 1991: from a strongly manual wheelchair-oriented focus back than, towards the much broader perspective of mobility restoration, active lifestyle, exercise, training and sports in the context of rehabilitation practice today."
http://www.move.vu.nl/links/rehabmove2009/program/
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International Cross-Disciplinary Conference on Web Accessibility 2009 - April 20-21, 2009. | Madrid Spain. "Population demographics indicate that our populations are ageing across the board. As the population ages the financial requirement to work longer is increased, but the ability to work longer is reduced because disability becomes a bar to employment. With the growth of the knowledge economy, and a move from manual work to more thought and communication based activities, there is the very real possibility of older Web users being able to finding productive, fulfilling, and social empowering employment; if only technology, and specifically the Web, where available to them. An ageing but Web literate population indicates a large market for online shopping and services especially when mobility is a problem for the shopper. In this case we wonder how this new population we interact with Web based resources, and what new problems in accessibility will there be to overcome?"
http://www.w4a.info/
Eighteenth International World Wide Web Conference – April 20-24, 2009 | Madrid, Spain. "The International World Wide Web Conferences Steering Committee (IW3C2), Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM) and Madrid municipality cordially invite you to participate in the 18th International World Wide Web Conference (WWW2009) to be held in Madrid, the charming and cosmopolitan Spain´s capital. The World Wide Web Conference is the global event that brings together key researchers, innovators, decision-makers, technologists, businesses, and standards bodies working to shape the Web. Organized by IW3C2 since 1994, the WWW conference is the annual opportunity for the International community to discuss and debate the evolution of the Web. The conference will feature a range of presentations on world-class research, as well as stimulating talks, workshops, tutorials, panels, and late-breaking posters."
http://www.www2009.org/
19th IAGG World Congress of Gerontology and Geriatrics – July 5-9, 2009 | Paris, France. "Every four years, the World Congress of Gerontology and Geriatrics represents a unique and irreplaceable event attended by experts from around the world to discuss the latest findings in the field of ageing. The 19th congress, which is taking place in Paris in 2009, is particularly important, as it coincides with an ideological u-turn. Lifespan extension and the
growing number of elderly people, once considered as catastrophic, are now viewed as an indisputable progress."
http://www.gerontologyparis2009.com/site/view8.php