Disability Resource Digest

Volume 7, Issue 10 November 2007

Accessibility

AIMFREE Manuals -

AOL, Google, Microsoft, Yahoo! Unite to Advance Online Media Captioning

New York City Bar Association Paper on Web Accessibility -

Outsourcing accessibility testing is essential -

· Specify that accessibility is essential in your requirements definition.

· Arrange that the site is tested for accessibility."

http://www.it-director.com/business/compliance/content.php?cid=9983

Review of Ableplay.org - by Michael Burks (ICDRI). "AblePlay.org ( http://www.ableplay.org ) is a toy rating system and website that provides comprehensive information on toys for children with special needs so parents, special educators, therapists and others can make the best play choices for the children in their lives with disabilities. Developed by the National Lekotek Center, the leading nonprofit authority on play for children with disabilities, AblePlay provides parents, and the professionals who work with them, access to the most useful, product-specific information about the top play and learning products and toys for children with disabilities."

http://www.icdri.org/Reviews/rev_AblePlay.htm

WID and American Red Cross Partner to Provide Innovative Training to Better Assist People With Disabilities - "WID [World Institute on Disability] and the American Red Cross announced on October 10, 2007 the creation of an innovative national training, awareness and action program to help Red Cross staff and volunteers better serve people with disabilities during disasters. The specialized training program will be funded through a grant from the Verizon Foundation."

http://www.wid.org/wid-and-american-red-cross-partner-to-provide-innovative-training-to-better-assist-those-with-disabilities

Advocacy

American Diabetes Month - "There are 'many faces of diabetes.' Nearly 21 million children and adults in the United States are living with diabetes, and another 54 million people are at-risk. But those aren't the only faces affected by diabetes. If you are a parent or loved one caring for someone with diabetes, your face is in the picture too. Every week throughout November's American Diabetes Month, the American Diabetes Association will focus on a different 'face' of diabetes."

http://www.diabetes.org/communityprograms-and-localevents/americandiabetesmonth.jsp

Disability Coalition Testifies Before Congress - (COAT). "Today, the Coalition of Organizations for Accessible Technology (COAT) testified before the House Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet about problems for persons with disabilities during the transition to digital television. Analog television transmissions will end on February 17, 2009, when digital transmission will be fully implemented. This is the first time this new disability coalition, formed in March 2007, has testified before a U.S. Congressional committee. COAT witness, Claude Stout, Executive Director of Telecommunications for the Deaf, Inc. (TDI) and Chair of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Consumer Advocacy Network, testified to a litany of problems associated with the digital television transition for people with disabilities. 'On a regular basis, we receive reports about cable TV converter boxes not working effectively for caption users, DTV tuners with captions that 'slide off the TV screen,' programs that contain garbled captions, and captions that are lost in transmission. And that's not all of it. There's confusion over the scope of the FCC's captioning regulations, concerns about accessibility features (such as caption controls) that are deeply buried at the bottom of on-screen menus, and TV stations and cable companies that ignore our concerns'."

http://www.aapd.com/News/tech/071018coat.htm

EndExclusion 2007 - "In November 2006 over 300 people gathered in Ottawa to celebrate the accomplishments of Canadians with disabilities over the past 25 years. Over 100 organizations stood together in partnership and solidarity, signing the Declaration of Principle and joining in the discussions that focused on Building an Inclusive and Accessible Canada. On November 22, 2007, Canadians with disabilities will gather once again in Ottawa and move into action. Using the 2006 Declaration as the foundation, initiative partners will finalize a National Action Plan focusing on Building an Inclusive and Accessible Canada, by the end of the event."

http://www.endexclusion.ca/english/index.asp

UN and partners issue handbook on rights of persons with disabilities - "Aiming to help lawmakers better understand the new Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and its Optional Protocol, the main United Nations human rights office and its partners today launched a handbook on the treaty's provisions.'I hope that the Handbook, in addition to raising awareness, will foster the speedy ratification of the Convention so to end the protection vacuum that has, in practice, affected persons with disabilities,' said UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Louise Arbour. With 650 million persons with disabilities worldwide, the new guide aims to help address the marginalization that so many have suffered worldwide, the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) said in a news release."

http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=24215&Cr=disabilities&Cr1=rights

WID launches Curriculum on Abuse Prevention and Empowerment (CAPE) website for people with disabilities - "The World Institute on Disability is pleased to announce the launch of our web resources for Curriculum on Abuse Prevention and Empowerment (CAPE). The recently expanded CAPE website www.wid.org/cape offers an introduction and sampling of the texts, tools, and activities of our abuse-prevention curriculum."

http://www.wid.org/curriculum-on-abuse-prevention-and-empowerment-cape-for-people-with-disabilities-now-available-online

Education

Elementary & Secondary

The CAST Universal Design for Learning (UDL) Lesson Builder - "The CAST Universal Design for Learning (UDL) Lesson Builder provides educators with models and tools to create and adapt lessons that increase access and participation in the general education curriculum for all students."

http://lessonbuilder.cast.org/

Learning Through Listening Website - RFB&D and CAST [Centre for Applied Special Technology] have co-developed a website for K-12 educators who want to integrate audio materials into their curriculum. The site includes "listening focused content and skill building exercises such as:

· Lesson Plans

· Classroom Activities

· Teaching Strategies

· Listening Resources"

http://www.learningthroughlistening.org/

OSEP Funds 15-State Accessible Instructional Materials (AIM) Consortium - "The U.S. Department of Education's Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) has awarded 15 states and CAST, a leading education research and development organization, $4.9 million to launch the Accessible Instructional Materials (AIM) Consortium to improve the quality, availability, and timely delivery of accessible instructional materials to K-12 students with print disabilities. The office of Sen. Edward M. Kennedy (D-MA) notified CAST of the award, which covers an 18-month span, by telephone last week. The Federal grant will cover 100% of the costs associated with AIM Consortium activities."

http://www.cast.org/about/news/press/2007-10-02.html

Teaching Chemistry to Students with Disabilities: A Manual for High Schools, Colleges, and Graduate Programs - "The American Chemical Society (ACS) has pioneered efforts to remove barriers that hamper individuals with disabilities from studying chemistry and starting careers in science. ACS, the world's largest scientific organization, focuses its efforts through its Committee on Chemists with Disabilities (CWD). The committee's projects include three previous editions of this book, which were entitled Teaching Chemistry to Students with Disabilities. This fourth edition, renamed Teaching Chemistry to Students with Disabilities: A Manual for High Schools, Colleges, and Graduate Programs, shares a similar concern and commitment. A companion publication, Working Chemists with Disabilities, describes how scientists maintain productive careers in research, teaching, and other fields despite physical disabilities. NSF generously funded work on Teaching Chemistry."

http://membership.acs.org/C/CWD/TeachChem4.pdf

Employment

CVS Caremark Inks Disability Employment Pact - (Providence Business News). "The U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy and CVS Caremark Corp. have established a two-year nationwide alliance to promote the employment of people with disabilities. The effort will include technical assistance, training and education, outreach and communication. 'This alliance will mutually benefit CVS Caremark, the company's work force and customers, the Labor Department's Office of Disability Employment Policy and the general public,' the ODEP's Karen M. Czarnecki, acting assistant secretary of labor, said in a statement yesterday evening. 'Hiring, retaining and advancing employees with disabilities is just good business,' she said. 'ODEP and CVS Caremark will share information, guidance and resources that will help to develop model programs for other employers, particularly in the retail and pharmacy services industries.' The agreement was signed yesterday afternoon by Czarnecki and Steve Wing, director of government programs for CVS Caremark, at the Labor Department headquarters in Washington, D.C."

http://www.aapd.com/News/empissues/071106pbn.htm

Disclosure Decisions: To Get the Job Fact Sheet - "Effective disclosure can establish a positive working relationship with your employer. Practicing with a close friend, family member, or career counselor can help to increase your comfort level and skills. Follow this disclosure decision guide to determine what will work best for you."

http://www.worksupport.com/research/viewContent.cfm/585

Is it acceptable to pet the guide dog of an individual who is blind? - (AbilityMagazine). "Is it okay to grab a chair to sit at the same eye level when conversing with a person who uses a wheelchair? Is it appropriate in all cases to exchange hand-written notes in order to communicate with a person who is Deaf? Answers to these and many other questions about successful interaction with individuals with a variety of physical and mental conditions can be found in the United Spinal Association pamphlet Disability Etiquette. This useful publication is offered as part of United Spinal's celebration during October of National Disability Employment Awareness Month, spearheaded by the U.S. Department of Labor. Sensitivity toward customers with disabilities makes good business sense, and it makes employees with disabilities feel more welcome and be more productive in the workplace."

http://www.abilitymagazine.com/news_etiquette.html

JobEnable.com Web Site to Link Disabled Job Seekers and Job Opportunities - "NetworkIP (http://networkip.net) employee Matt Lawrence has overcome his own personal disability and is using his talent to assist others with disabilities to obtain employment. At the World Conference on Disability Expo in Washington, D.C. on November 15th, Matt and his employer, NetworkIP, will launch JobEnable.com, a web site where employers can post jobs for the disabled and disabled candidates can post resumes and search a database of job openings."

http://www.marketwire.com/mw/release.do?id=781046

New Web Site For Youth Sheds Positive Light On Skilled Trades - (CCRW). "In less than two years, with the combined efforts of many talented young people, the Youth Ability in Skilled Trades (YAST) project launched its website today. This website provides up to date information about trends, training, and education in the skilled trades industry, and encourages young people with disabilities to explore this unique career path. The project is implemented in the lead organizations' (Canadian Council on Rehabilitation and Work (CCRW)) locations across Canada: Manitoba (MB), Saskatchewan (SK), Ontario (ON), New Brunswick (NB), Newfoundland (NL) and at partners' locations: EmployAbilities, Alberta (AB) and PEI Council of the Disabled, Prince Edward Island (PEI)."

http://www.ccrw.org/en/news/news_detail.asp?News_ID=88

Promoting the Employability and Employment of Persons with Disabilities Through Effective Legislation - "This is a curriculum development project in support of a prior effort funded by the Development Cooperation Ireland and The International Labour Organization. The focus is to enhance the capacity of national governments in developing countries, employers,' workers', and organizations serving individuals with disabilities to collaboratively promote the employability of and the employment prospects for people with disabilities through effective non-discrimination legislation, policy, and programs. An international training curriculum is being designed by Cornell University's Employment and Disability Institute in collaboration with the ILO and will offered through partnering universities in several developing countries including Thailand, Vietnam, Beijing, Mongolia, Ethiopia, Tanzania, South Africa, Uganda, Kenya and Zambia."

http://www.ilr.cornell.edu/edi/p-ilo.cfm

Ethics

Back Off! I'm Not Dead Yet. I Don't Want a Living Will. Why Should I? - by Charlotte F. Allen (washingtonpost.com). "Do I have to have a living will? Last year, I had an experience that gave me the distinct impression that if I didn't have one, my life was hardly worth, well, living. A routine mammogram had revealed that I had early-stage breast cancer. This kind of cancer is noninvasive and thus not particularly life-threatening if promptly attended to, and the required outpatient surgery isn't especially risky. Nonetheless, one of the shoals I had to maneuver through at the hospital (which otherwise afforded me excellent care) was a series of efforts to persuade me to sign on to the currently fashionable notion of a 'good death.' Those efforts came in the form of a living will, one of those advance directives on end-of-life care that are currently urged upon us all by such high-minded organizations as the American Medical Association, the American Bar Association, state laws and an array of policymakers, bioethicists and advice columnists. . . . But I've developed a sneaking suspicion that someone else may be hoping to call the shots. After three attempts to induce me either to sign up or to state my refusal to do so in writing, I had to wonder how voluntary a living will really is in many cases. In my case, I started to feel ever-so-slightly harassed."

http://www.aapd.com/News/bioethics/071015wp.htm

The Eugenics Temptation - by Michael Gerson (washingtonpost.com). "James Watson, the Nobel Prize-winning scientist who helped discover the structure of DNA in 1953, recently pronounced the entire population of Africa genetically inferior when it comes to intelligence. And while he hopes that everyone is equal, 'people who have to deal with black employees find this not true.' . . .In 1997, Watson contended that parents should be allowed to abort fetuses they found to be gay: 'If you could find the gene which determines sexuality and a woman decides she doesn't want a homosexual child, well, let her.' In the same interview, he said, 'We already accept that most couples don't want a Down child. You would have to be crazy to say you wanted one, because that child has no future.' When it comes to the parents of disabled children, Watson has somehow confused 'loving' and 'courageous' with 'crazy' -- the sign of a heart clearly inferior to the gentle hearts of children with Down syndrome. And most of us have met women who don't look like models and gay people who prefer being alive to the preferences of their parents."

http://www.aapd.com/News/bioethics/071024wp.htm

General Interest

13 Questions: Andre Jordan - (Ouch). "Meet Ouch's new doodler! Andre Jordan is an artist and illustrator who, since February 2004, has written about his depression and subsequent journey through therapy on his very successful blog, A Beautiful Revolution. But his site has never just been about words - he also features his characteristic felt-tip drawings, which have struck a chord with his many readers because of their insight and dark humour. Andre has just published his first book of illlustrations, called If You're Happy And You Know It - and he's also producing a series of new weekly doodles for Ouch! We asked him to put down his pens for a few moments and answer our probing personality questions."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/ouch/closeup/13questions/andre_jordan.shtml

http://www.abeautifulrevolution.com/blog/ (Andre Jordan's blog)

'It's a very isolating diagnosis' - by Debbie Andalo (Guardian Unlimited). "What happens when children are diagnosed with multiple sclerosis? Debbie Andalo on the work being done to help them cope with a disease largely thought to affect only adults. . . . Karen Pumpuni could be any ordinary teenager enjoying her half-term break. In her skinny jeans and T-shirt she crouches over her computer, breakfast on her lap, finishing off her AS-level English coursework. Only the wheelchair folded away in the corner of her home in Streatham, south London, gives a clue that her life is far less ordinary than that of other 16-year-olds. For the last two years Karen and her family have been coming to terms with her diagnosis of the neurological disease multiple sclerosis, which has only recently been acknowledged by the medical profession as a condition that affects children."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2007/nov/05/children.health

The internet was made for deafblind people - by Liz Ball (Ouch). "If I didn't know better, I would think that the internet was made for deafblind people. It wasn't. It was made for the military. But I can't think of anything else that, by itself, has had such a phenomenal impact upon our lives. Those of us with no useful vision or hearing access the internet using a regular PC equipped with 'screen reader' software and a Braille display. Ten to fifteen years ago, before so much of day-to-day life was available online, deafblind people lived in a very different world."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/ouch/features/lizball_internet.shtml

New Program Helps Disabled Access 2010 Opportunities - (NeilSquire). "The Province [B.C] has provided 2010 Legacies Now with a one-time, $900,000 grant to establish Access Works, a program that will help persons with disabilities benefit from employment and volunteer opportunities resulting from the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, announced Claude Richmond, Minister of Employment and Income Assistance. 'B.C. will proudly host the world in 2010,' said Richmond. 'Our presence on the international stage is an exceptional opportunity to demonstrate that our province is a global leader in building communities that are inclusive and accessible for everyone. Access Works is a unique endeavour that will aid persons with disabilities to take full advantage of all the exciting opportunities leading up to 2010 and beyond'."

http://www.neilsquire.ca/section.asp?catid=121&subid=130&pageid=513

Pathologist: Taliban Mostly Recruits Afghans With Disabilities For Suicide Bombings - by Dave Reynolds, (Inclusion Daily Express). "National Public Radio's Morning Edition reported Monday that most of the increasing number of Taliban suicide bombers in Afghanistan are believed to have had physical or mental disabilities. NPR quoted forensic pathologist Dr. Yusuf Yadgari, who claims that, based on autopsies performed on the remains of recent suicide bombers, nearly 90 percent had a disability or medical condition such as leprosy. 'They are probably resentful because in Afghan society they are outcasts,' Dr.Yadgari said. 'They hold a grudge because many of them can't get a job. So, to make money for their families, they agree to become suicide bombers.' He added that it is often difficult to identify those who have successfully carried out suicide missions for the Taliban because they

seldom carry identification, and family members seldom come forward to claim their remains."

http://www.inclusiondaily.com/archives/07/10/16/101507afganwar.htm

Government

Canada

Canada's New Government Introduces Draft Legislative Proposals to Implement the Registered Disability Savings Plan - "'The legislative proposals being released today are an important step towards helping persons with severe disabilities, and their families, save for their financial future,' said Minister Flaherty. 'We will endeavour to complete this legislative process as quickly as possible so that Canadians with disabilities have access to the financial support they need'."

http://www.fin.gc.ca/news07/07-074e.html

Canada's New Government Supports Library and Archives Canada's Initiative for Equitable Library Access - (CNIB). "The Honourable Josée Verner, Minister of Canadian Heritage, Status of Women and Official Languages, today announced funding for Library and Archives Canada (LAC) to support access by Canadians with print disabilities to library collections. Funding of $3 million will support the Initiative for Equitable Library Access (IELA) to assist Canadians who are unable to read standard printed material."

http://www.cnib.ca/en/news/archive/library_archives.aspx

U.S.

U.S. House of Representatives Passes Christopher and Dana Reeve Paralysis Act - (NSCIA). "The bill, which enjoys strong bi-partisan support, was named for the late actor Christopher Reeve and his wife Dana. Christopher Reeve is a member of the Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) Hall of Fame in the category of 'Benefactor,' inducted in the program's inaugural year of 2005. Dana Reeve is a nominee in the same category for induction in 2007. . . The landmark legislation encourages coordination of research to prevent redundancies and hasten discovery of better treatments and cures, as well as to improve the daily lives for those living with paralysis.."

http://www.spinalcord.org/news.php?dep=1&page=0&list=1486

Health/Wellness

Health Plan Used by U.S. Is Debated as a Model - by Reed Abelson (The New York Times on the Web). "It makes for a compelling stump speech. And the leading Democratic candidates for president are all saying pretty much the same thing: adapt the health care program that covers Congress and offer it to the 47 million Americans currently without insurance. 'The American people should have access to the same array of health care choices and benefits as the senators and representatives they elect,' Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton said as she introduced her health care plan last month. . . . But if this would be health care reform, it is reform with a small 'r,' according to many nonpartisan experts. While health policy experts acknowledge that the federal employees' program could be a workable way to reach some of the uninsured, they also say there is nothing about it that would help address what they see as an underlying reason for the growing numbers of uninsured: the nation's runaway medical costs. And without major changes, they say, the model would be sharply limited in achieving the goal of universal coverage for all Americans."

http://www.aapd.com/News/election/071022nyt.htm

Low Muscle Strength and Obesity May Lead to Troublesome Health Concerns in Later Life in Adults with Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities - (NCPAD). "Since the classic work of Rarick and Dobbins, who in the early 1960s reported that children with mental retardation had lower levels of physical fitness compared to their peers, we haven't had much good news regarding the overall physical health and function of youth and adults with intellectual/developmental disabilities (I/DD). During the past four decades, several published studies have essentially said the same thing: As a group, individuals with I/DD have poor physical fitness that generally becomes progressively worse across the lifespan."

http://www.ncpad.org/director/fact_sheet.php?sheet=569

Physical Activity is Important for Adults Who Have Disabilities (Podcast) - "In the United States more than a fourth of the adults with disabilities are physically inactive. Regimens tailored to their needs provide many health benefits but barriers to participating in fitness activities such as inadequate space, facilities, and equipment still exist. CDC funds projects in 16 states to promote the health and well being of people with disabilities. Eliminating participation barriers to health promotion services is critical to helping them achieve their optimal health."

http://www2a.cdc.gov/podcasts/player.asp?f=6889#transcript

MEDIA

Dave's Disability Inspires Business Success as Online Gallery Celebrates 3000 Artworks Milestone - (Youreable). "An art gallery website owned by a Swindon man with cerebral palsy is on target to be the first in the UK to include more than 10,000 individual pieces of affordable artwork from both artists and galleries. Interest from throughout the world - as far away as India - has already helped to establish more than 3000 different artwork items since www.exactlywhatiwant.co.uk first went online less than 18 months ago. Dave Plotkin's belief in the website is powered by his own frustrations. Dave has cerebral palsy and as a wheel chair user looking for a simple sunset in local galleries was faced with inaccessible doorways and staircases to circumnavigate as he viewed."

http://www.youreable.com/TwoShare/getPage/01News/01Current/October2007/dave

Presidential Candidates Forum: A National Forum on Equality, Opportunity, and Access - (AAPD). "The National Forum on Equality, Opportunity, and Access is a presidential candidates' forum hosted by Granite State Independent Living Center (GSIL) and a New Hampshire coalition of disability organizations and sponsored by more than fifteen of the country's largest national disability organizations. Manchester Community Television will televise the event, which will feature live appearances by the presidential candidates and an audience of over 500 New Hampshire voters with disabilities, their families, and their friends. During the forum, each candidate will have an opportunity to present his or her vision for the future of national disability policy (including employment, healthcare, long-term community-based supports, transportation, education, etc.) and receive questions from an audience through a moderator. Lunchtime keynote addresses from key Democratic and Republican leadership are also planned. National leaders from the disability community will also be in attendance, including Ted Kennedy, Jr., Tony Coelho, and Cheryl Sensenbrenner."

http://www.aapd.com/News/election/070920aapd.htm

The 9th Annual Ever Widening Circle Highlights Comedy and Music - "A sold out crowd enjoyed artistic excellence, conversation, community and celebrating disability culture at the 9th Annual Ever Widening Circle, Wednesday October 10 at the Marriott City Center in downtown Oakland. With ABC7's Carolyn Tyler as MC, the evening began with singer songwriter Slau (www.slau.net) and ended with the comedy of headliner Josh Blue, 2006 winner of NBC's Last Comic Standing (http://www.joshblue.com/)."

http://www.wid.org/ever-widening-circle/the-9th-annual-ever-widening-circle-highlights-comedy-and-music

Web Marketing to a Segment Too Big to Be a Niche - by Andrew Adam Newman (The New York Times on the Web). "Although 50 million people in the United States have some form of physical or mental disability, they spend money just as easily as others. But there are few efficient ways for advertisers to reach them, and that's what a new Web site, Disaboom.com, hopes to change. Disaboom is the brainchild of J. Glen House, who graduated from medical school after becoming a quadriplegic as a result of a skiing accident at 20. The site combines the social-networking features of Web sites like Facebook with information of interest to its constituency: medical news, career advice, dating resources and travel tips. Disaboom.com went live Oct. 1 and hopes to attract more than a million unique visitors each month by the end of February and to double that over the next year. Mr. House and his investors took the company public in May, listing it on the Over the Counter Bulletin Board securities market. 'I don't think mainstream advertisers realize the magnitude of the marketplace and how underserved it was,' said Howard Lieber, vice president for sales at Disaboom. Among some advertisers who have already signed contracts with Disaboom are Netflix, Johnson & Johnson, Avis and Cricket Communications."

http://www.aapd.com/News/aapdinthe/071030nyt.htm

Medical

'Bone cement' for spinal injuries - (BBCnews). "Belfast researchers are developing a new 'bone cement' which could give hope to spinal injury victims. Medical engineers at Queen's University believe the material could help those injured in car crashes for example. The biological cements, designed to repair burst spinal fractures, are being developed and tested in a project between Queen's and Leeds University."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/7066546.stm

Policy/Research

General Information and Annotated Links - Giles Seguin (Canadian Social Research Links ) included this five year old site in this month's 'new links,' and explains "even though the content and links on the linked page are five years old in 2007, very few of the links are broken, and you may find a few historical gems here." This site "contains annotated links to selected web sites having information on CPP Disability and other related income security programs. This may not be a complete list. We are periodically updating the list and adding or amending links as the need arises. Users are encouraged to consult our disclaimer concerning other web sites."

http://cmte.parl.gc.ca/cmte/committeepublication.aspx?com=&sourceid=140855

Human functioning and disability - "The demand for statistics on human functioning and disability has greatly increased following the International Year of Disabled Persons (1981), the adoption of the United Nations World Programme of Action Concerning Disabled Persons (1982), and the release of the Standard Rules on the Equalization of Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities (1993). The World Programme of Action specifically requested the United Nations to develop systems for the regular collection and dissemination of information on disability. The questionnaire on Human Functioning and Disability Statistics was subsequently developed based on recommendations and decisions by expert group meetings and the United Nations Statistical Commission. In March 2006 the United Nations Statistics Division initiated a systematic and regular collection of basic statistics on disability through the existing Demographic Yearbook data collection system. This web site is a statistical reference and guide to the standards and methods and available data on human functioning and disability."

http://unstats.un.org/unsd/demographic/sconcerns/disability/

Know your ABI [Acquired Brain Injury] - "According to a report published this month by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence, every year around 5,000 schoolchildren in England sustain injuries that can leave them with a hidden disability, the equivalent of 157 classes of children."

http://www.thechildrenstrust.org.uk/news.asp?section=0001000100060001&itemid=1061&itemTitle=Know+your+ABI

Study: Disabled less likely to be online - by Anick Jesdanun (USA Today). "Americans with disabilities and other chronic conditions are less likely to use the Internet, but those who are online are among the most avid consumers of health-related information, a new study finds. Half of those with chronic conditions use the Internet, compared with three-quarters of those without, the Pew Internet and American Life Project said Monday. That's partly because those with chronic conditions tend to be older and less educated, two factors linked with lower Internet usage overall, said Susannah Fox, an associate director at Pew and the study's main author. Other barriers include difficulties navigating the Web for those with, say, poor vision or motion control. But when they are online, those with chronic conditions are more apt to seek health information online — at least for some tasks."

http://www.aapd.com/News/tech/071011usat.htm

Teaching/Training Modules on Trends in Health and Aging - "Since January 1, 2003 the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), the American Society on Aging (ASA), and the University of Michigan Social Science Data Analysis Network (SSDAN), with support from the National Institute on Aging, have been developing teaching modules on trends in health-related behaviors, health status, health care utilization, functional status and disability, and health care expenditures of the United States aging population. The modules are based on and illustrated with data from the NCHS Data Warehouse on Trends in Health and Aging . The modules are designed for use by teachers at the secondary, undergraduate and graduate levels for courses in aging, sociology, demography, public health, medicine, and for self-study by health and aging professionals." The modules are:

· NCHS Data Warehouse on Trends in Health and Aging: An Overview of the Value and Uses of These Data Sources

· Using Beyond 20/20 (browser) to Access the Data Warehouse

· U.S. Population Structure: An Aging America

· Basic Measures and Statistics Used in the Data Warehouse

· Life Expectancy and Mortality

· Trends in Chronic Diseases among Aged Population

· Disability Trends among the U.S. Aged Population

http://www.asaging.org/NCHS/

Rehabilitation

Canada to be home to one-of-a-kind research facility - "It will be one of the world's most advanced rehabilitation research and development facilities - a place where new therapies and assistive technologies will be developed for people recovering from, and living with, disabling injury or illness. The Toronto Rehabilitation Institute (Toronto Rehab) today officially announced its $36 million research initiative - iDAPT (Intelligent Design for Adaptation, Participation and Technology). Located in the heart of Canada's 'Discovery District' in downtown Toronto, approximately 60,000 square feet of renovated and newly constructed space for 14 different research laboratories - will be dedicated to the iDAPT facilities and rehabilitation research. Led by Dr. Geoff Fernie, Toronto Rehab's Vice President, Research, in collaboration with the University of Toronto, iDAPT will bring together the brightest research minds and state-of-the-art technology in a collaborative venture, one that involves hundreds of scientists, research students, clinicians, social scientists, engineers and industrial designers from across Canada and beyond."

http://www.canparaplegic.org/en/Research_32/items/34.html

More than one in ten clients returned to rehabilitation within two years - "A new report from the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI) shows that between 2003 and 2005, over 4,200 clients (11%) discharged home from an inpatient rehabilitation facility returned to inpatient rehabilitation at least once within 24 months following their initial stay."

http://secure.cihi.ca/cihiweb/dispPage.jsp?cw_page=media_30oct2007_e

Self-Help

Autism Speaks - "At Autism Speaks, our goal is to change the future for all who struggle with autism spectrum disorders. We are dedicated to funding global biomedical research into the causes, prevention, treatments, and cure for autism; to raising public awareness about autism and its effects on individuals, families, and society; and to bringing hope to all who deal with the hardships of this disorder. We are committed to raising the funds necessary to support these goals. Autism Speaks aims to bring the autism community together as one strong voice to urge the government and private sector to listen to our concerns and take action to address this urgent global health crisis. It is our firm belief that, working together, we will find the missing pieces of the puzzle."

http://www.autismspeaks.org/index.php

October is Spina Bifida Awareness Month! - "Learn what spina bifida is, how it can be prevented, and where to find resources for those affected."

http://www.cdc.gov/Features/SpinaBifida/

Unemployment, Welfare, and Social Security Disability/SSI Benefits: How They Affect One Another - by Kevin Liebkemann, Raymond A. Cebula III, (ILR). "This article will help you understand the requirements of Unemployment (UI),Welfare(TANF/GA), and Social Security Disability (SSI/SSDI). Finding the program that is right for you will save time and help you get the most help possible. This article includes: An overview of all three programs, with information about eligibility and benefit amounts; a short discussion of how disability and work affect each program; and an explanation of how each program affects the other, with advice on how to handle common issues you might face."

http://digitalcommons.ilr.cornell.edu/edicollect/1238/

Technology

Accommodations: Free Online Text to Speech Converter - "SpokenText.net allows you to record PDF, Word, plain text, PowerPoint files, RSS news feeds, emails and web pages, and converts them to speech automatically. You can download your recording as an iPod book or mp3 file. Registration is required. Every member gets a personal podcast URL , which you can use to download recordings to iTunes or your iPod. You can also easily share your recordings on your web site or blog using SpokenText Badges or individual recording players. And best of all it's completely free!"

http://www.heath.gwu.edu/node/465

Danish Study Seek Opinions on Tongue Interface Systems - "Aalborg University in Denmark is conducting a research project to develop an inductive tongue-control system (http://www.smi.auc.dk/~naja/TCS.html). The project seeks to determine the most efficient tongue interfacing methods for people with movement disabilities, including the optimal mouse/keyboard layout, text entry system, command strategies, and design, with which people with severe physical disabilities can control electronic devices, including computers. Their researchers are currently conducting a survey to get consumers' opinions on the current interfacing system that they use and their thoughts on addition and enhancements that might improve the functionality and usability of the system. This survey will help the research team to design a better and more efficient tongue control interface."

http://www.abledata.com/abledata.cfm?ksectionid=160164&pageid=85474&newsid=187185

Graphic Reading Systems For The Blind Licensed - "A recently completed licensing agreement for two novel National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) technologies may help bring affordable graphic reading systems for the blind and visually impaired to market. The two systems bring electronic images to life in the same way that Braille makes words readable."

http://www.technologynewsdaily.com/node/8359

iPod Cordless Remotes - (rjcooper). "iPods remain the hottest technology that has hit in long time. Unfortunately, no one makes an accessible one, or an adapter that makes it accessible (the one out of Australia is for older iPods). So I've taken the job to task. Below is my contribution. The large green button is 1-3/4" and the smaller buttons are 1-1/4". They are raised and slightly convex. The entire face of my Remote is angled at about 20 degrees, thus making for a nice orientation to the user. Inside my Remote is an RF (radio frequency) remote that I have modified for this purpose. This means, since it's not IR (InfraRed), you don't have to line it up with the iPod. The outer dimensions are 8" wide x 5" deep x 3" tall. Weight is only about 1 pound. And I've already put switch inputs on the rear for performing any of the button functions!"

http://rjcooper.com/ipod/index.html

New Survey Finds Technology Plays a Critical Role in Lives of People with Multiple Sclerosis, Yet Many Are Not Using It to Overcome Disease-Related Challenges - "According to a new survey released this week in conjunction with the National MS Society's National Conference, many people living with multiple sclerosis (MS) who experience visual, dexterity, and cognitive challenges report that technology plays a vital role in helping them live with the disease. However, relatively few are using the assistive technologies that could help them overcome many of these challenges."

http://www.prnewswire.com/mnr/bayer/30325/

Conferences

( New Conferences)

Canadian

24th International Seating Symposium - March 5-8, 2008 | Vancouver, British Columbia. "This international symposium addresses current and future developments in the areas of seating, positioning and mobility. Topic areas include service delivery, product development, research and evaluation. The format for the symposium will include plenary, poster, instructional and paper sessions. Extensive opportunities are provided for networking with colleagues."

http://www.interprofessional.ubc.ca/24th_Seating.htm

Eighth International Conference on the Diversity in Organisations, Communities and Nations - June 17-20, 2008 | Montreal, Quebec. "Welcome to website of the Eighth International Conference on the Diversity in Organisations, Communities and Nations. This Conference is to be held in Montréal, Canada 17-20 June 2008. This conference will address a range of critically important themes in the study of diversity today. Main speakers will include some of the world's leading thinkers in the field, as well as numerous paper, workshop and colloquium presentations by researchers and practitioners."

http://d08.cgpublisher.com/

CHHA - IFHOH, Congress 2008 - July 2-6, 2008 | Vancouver, British Columbia. "The Canadian Hard of Hearing Association and the International Federation of Hard of Hearing People invite you to attend the International Congress for persons with hearing loss to be held in Canada at the fabulous Sheraton Vancouver Wall Center in downtown Vancouver. Programs will be of interest to all persons with hearing loss, and to those who live, work and are part of the lives of persons with hearing loss. This Congress is a 'must' if hearing loss has touched your life."

http://www.chha-ifhohcongress2008.com/

Vision 2008, the 9th International Conference on Low Vision - July 7-11, 2008 | Montreal, Quebec. "In 2008, the 9th International Conference on Low Vision will be held from July 7 to 11 in Montréal, one of Canada's major cities. The Institut Nazareth & Louis-Braille (A Rehabilitation Centre specialized in visual impairment) and the University of Montréal's School of Optometry will oversee the organization of this Conference in partnership with the CNIB (Canadian National Institute for the Blind) under the auspices of the International Society for Low Vision Research and Rehabilitation (ISLRR)."

www.vision2008.ca

U.S.

8th annual Technology Innovators Conference: Bright Ideas. Real Solutions - November 15-16, 2007 | Washington, D.C. "This forum brings together thought leaders, innovators, and entrepreneurs engaged in enhancing educational technology. Be a part of the search for real solutions for students with leaders from technology companies, industry, academia, public policymakers, government officials, and the media."

http://www.nationaltechcenter.org/index.php/events-main-page/annual-technology-conference2007/

World of Possibilities Expo Virginia 2007 - December 7-8, 2007 | Richmond, Virginia. "World Of Possibilities Expos focus on Abilities, Healthy Aging and Independent Living and are dedicated to improving the lives of children and adults with disabilities, seniors, their families and caregivers, as well as health care and education professionals."

http://expo.caringcommunities.org/

Disability and Special Needs Technical Assistance Conference (Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Recovery) - January 8-9, 2008 | Washington, D.C. "The Disability and Special Needs Technical Assistance Conference will provide technical assistance on aspects of emergency management planning and response for people with disabilities and special needs. Recent disasters have made us aware of plans and operational procedures related to response and recovery to these populations in any natural or non-natural disaster. This conference will bring together Federal, State, and local experts to discuss day-to-day challenges in planing for their vulnerable populations. You will learn new concepts currently used or being developed to address disability and special needs planning in their jurisdictions."

http://www.governmenthorizons.org/emergency-preparedness-and-response08.htm

23rd Annual International Technology and Persons with Disabilities Conference - March 10-15, 2008 | Los Angeles, California. "The 23rd Annual International Technology and Persons with Disabilities Conference invites submissions of papers for this conference to be held March 10-15, 2008 at the Los Angeles Airport Marriott and Renaissance Montura hotels. The 'CSUN' conference is the world's longest-running and largest conference of its kind on the topic of assistive technology and the positive impact on persons with disabilities. The conference draws more than 4,500 persons annually who attend sessions, visit the exhibit halls, and participate in affiliate meetings and informal gatherings."

http://www.csun.edu/cod/conf/index.html

5th Annual International Conference for Positive Behavior Support - March 27-29, 2008 | Chicago, Illinois. "The 5th International Conference on Positive Behavior Support is an international conference dedicated to promoting research-based strategies that combine applied behavior analysis and biomedical science with person-centered values and systems change to increase quality of life and decrease problem behaviors. The Association of Positive Behavior Support (APBS) is made up of professionals, family members, trainers, consumers, researchers, and administrators who are involved and interested in positive behavior support."

http://www.apbs.org/conference/chicago/default.html

A State of the Science Conference - April 14-15, 2008 | Cambridge, Massachusetts. "This state of the science conference brings together participants from the USA, Canada and an estimated 25 nations into an exciting learning community, integrating research, practice and innovations. Goal of Conference: To highlight efforts and practices directed at making recovery a real possibility for the broadest group of individuals with psychiatric disabilities and to promote the mainstreaming of those practices into 'everyday operations'."

http://www.bu.edu/cpr/conference/index.html

2008 Mobility Planning Services Institute - April 21-24, 2008 | Washington, D.C. "The 2008 Mobility Planning Services (MPS) Institute will take place from April 21-24, 2008 in Washington, D.C. MPS brings together community teams of leaders from the disability world and transportation industry to share information and strategies to improve access to transportation services in their communities."

http://projectaction.easterseals.com/site/PageServer?pagename=ESPA_mobility_planning

Multiple Perspectives on Access, Inclusion, & Disability: Looking Back & Thinking Ahead - April 22-23, 2008 | Columbus, Ohio. "The Eighth 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 'looking back and thinking ahead' is meant to encourage presenters and participants to consider topics, methods and programs from fresh perspectives."

http://ada.osu.edu/conferences/2008Conf/callforpapers2008.html#utmost

Overseas

RAATE 2007 - November 26-27, 2007 | Sheffield, United Kingdom. "RAATE 2007 is the only UK conference focused on the latest innovations in Assistive Technology. This conference will be of interest to everyone who uses, works with, develops or conducts research on Assistive Technology (AT). The conference program has, over the past years, regularly included new technological developments, service innovations, results of formal research projects, service based research and development and a wide range of other stimulating topics. Known as a friendly and productive conference, RAATE offers you a chance to meet and share knowledge and experience with other people working in AT."

http://www.raate.org.uk/about-raate/

4th Cambridge Workshop on Universal Access and Assistive Technology – April 13-16, 2008 | Cambridge, United Kingdom. "'Creating a better balance of work, living and leisure, for disability and ageing' The workshop theme 'Designing Inclusive Futures' reflects the need to explore the issues and practicalities of design that is intended to extend our active future lives in a coherent way. This encompasses design for inclusion: in the workplace; for businesses; for the individual and of products in these contexts."

http://rehab-www.eng.cam.ac.uk/cwuaat/cwuaat08.htm

Disability Studies Conference - September 2-4, 2008 | Lancaster University, United Kingdom. "The fourth international disability studies conference will take place at Lancaster University, UK. The purpose of the conference is to bring together researchers, practitioners, policy makers and activits to share and debate research, ideas and developments in disability studies. A call for papers and posters will be issued in January 2008. The closing date for abstracts will be 30th April. Submissions are particularly welcomed from students, activists and first time presenters, activists and first time presenters. We seek to provide a supportive environment for people making their first conference presentations and to be as accessible as possible to all delegates."

http://www.disabilitystudies.net/?content=3

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