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PLUK eNews for March 28, 2006

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Link: ScienceDaily: Extreme Personality Poses Risk Of ADHD, Conduct Disorder.

Children with personalities marked by aggressiveness, mood swings, a sense of alienation and a need for excitement may be at greater risk for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or conduct disorder, according to a new Florida State University study. |


Online book: The Traumatic Brain Injury Survival Guide

http://www.tbiguide.com/
by Dr. Glen Johnson, Clinical Neuropsychologist
Nearly all of the survivors of a traumatic head injury and their families with whom Dr. Johnson has worked have had one complaint: There is nothing written that explains head injury in clear, easy to understand language. Most say the available material is too medical or too difficult to read. The goal of this online book is to better prepare the head injured person and family for the long road ahead. 
|


Helping Children Overcome Shyness

Parents write: What advice do you have about shyness? Our daughter struggles with this problem and we are unsure what to do about it.    
Children's ability to comfortably relate to a wide variety of people is one of the most important ingredients to happiness and success. Those hindered by shyness face various hardships. Lost opportunities, social exclusion, damaged self-esteem, and loneliness rob children of life's fun and fulfillment. Concerned parents are often confused by and poorly equipped to help their child overcome these difficulties.  
If this is sounds familiar, consider these coaching tips to help your child over the stumbling block of shyness:

Continue reading "Helping Children Overcome Shyness" »  |


Department of Education Assessment Toolkit

The U.S. Department of Education recently developed an online toolkit with materials regarding assessing students with disabilities. The materials include the final regulation and non-regulatory guidance on alternate achievement standards, an FAQ on the intersection of IDEA and NCLB, and related research on assessments. The assessment toolkit is located at: http://www.ed.gov/admins/lead/speced/toolkit/index.html. |


Advocacy Institute begins online training

The Advocacy Institute proudly announces the grand opening of Advocate Academy, a new Webinar service designed to meet the training needs of special education advocates nationwide. http://www.advocacyinstitute.org/academy/  |


Montana Medicare Rx Bus Tour Schedule

  • Tue., March 28th - 9:00-12:00 p.m. - United Way Conf. Ctr. - Kalispell, MT
  • Wed., March 29th - 9:00-12:00 p.m. - Southgate Mall - Missoula, MT
  • Thur., March 30th - 9:00-12:00 p.m. - Westgate Mall - Great Falls, MT
  • Fri. March 31st  - 9:00-1:00 p.m. - Butte Silverbow Incubator  - Butte, MT

For more information contact Blair Williams at 406.457.5511.

Continue reading "Montana Medicare Rx Bus Tour Schedule" »  |


New Titles from NFB Press

  • Tactile Learning Strategies: Interacting with Children Who Have Visual Impairments and Multiple Disabilities By Deborah Chen and June E. Downing
    A new video that illustrates strategies to help children who are visually impaired and have multiple disabilities learn through touch.
  • Teaching Social Skills to Students with Visual Impairments: From Theory to Practice Edited by Sharon Z. Sacks and Karen Wolffe
    How do children become social beings? When a child is unable to observe visually and imitate how other people react, this complex developmental process can become fragmented and incomplete. This new book explores what theory can tell us about how children who are visually impaired become socially skilled individuals.
  • 2006 AccessWorld® Guide to Assistive Technology Products
    Can’t decide which video magnifier to buy? Want to upgrade your screen reader? Thinking of getting a personal digital assistant? Whatever your needs, the 2006 AccessWorld® Guide to Assistive Technology Products has the information you’re looking for. Available in paperback and on ASCII disk.

Order your copies today at www.afb.org/store Or call 1-800-232-3044. |


Link: Cephalon ADHD drug effective but not safe: panel - Yahoo! News.

GAITHERSBURG, Maryland (Reuters) - Cephalon Inc.'s Provigil drug is not safe enough to win approval for treating attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children and teenagers, even though data showed it worked, a U.S. advisory panel said on Thursday. |


Link: Gov't Advisers Reject Strong ADHD Warnings - Yahoo! News.

WASHINGTON - Federal health advisers said Wednesday that Ritalin and other drugs for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder should not carry strong "black-box" warnings about potential cardiovascular and psychiatric risks. |


Link: eSchool News online - Senate defies Bush on ed budget.

March 23, 2006—Less than two months after President Bush asked Congress to cut more than $3 billion from education in his 2007 budget proposal, U.S. senators have responded by passing a proposal of their own that would restore $1.5 billion to school funding, significantly reducing cuts to some education programs and leaving the door open for initiatives previously slated for elimination to be saved yet again. |


Link: Great Falls Tribune - Inmates at Shelby prison will train puppies to become service dogs .

Crossroads Correctional Center inmates are training puppies to become service dogs that help disabled people do daily tasks and live more independently. |


Link: BillingsGazette.com :: Sole psychiatrist east of Billings to stop service.

The only Montana psychiatrist in practice east of Billings will close her office this summer, forcing hundreds of people to find a new source of mental health care in a region with few such resources. |


Link: The role of evolutionary genomics in the development of autism.

Scientists at the London School of Economics, UK and Simon Fraser University, Canada have described the first hypothesis grounded in evolutionary genomics explaining the development of autism.

Continue reading "The role of evolutionary genomics in the development of autism" »  |


Scholarship in Rehabilitation-Related Research for Graduate Students with Disabilities

The Toronto Rehabilitation Institute announces the TD Bank Financial Group Scholarship in Rehabilitation-Related Research for Graduate Students with Disabilities

Continue reading "Scholarship in Rehabilitation-Related Research for Graduate Students with Disabilities " »  |


Montana's State Plan for Part C Services Approved

Download MontanaSPP06.pdf

The Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP), has just approved our State Performance Plan (SPP) for Part C Services and so the next step is to share with families and members of our communities the final document.  The link where a person could find the document on line is at http://www.dphhs.mt/gov/fssac, or they can obtain a hard copy from Developmental Disabilities Program, 111 Sander Street, Helena, MT 59602. |


Link: Medical ID Bracelets Medical Jewelry Medical Bracelet.

Now you can communicate essential medical information beautifully with N-Style ID™ Medical ID Bracelets and medical jewelry. Essential information and life saving facts are engraved in conventional identification format and the medical bracelets and medical jewelry are fun and fashionable. No longer will you have to settle for dull medical ID tags. |


Link: NEA: Guide for Educators - Puzzle of Autism.

Download autismpuzzle.pdf

"The Puzzle of Autism" is a succinct informational guide for all education personnel who work with students with Autism Spectrum Disorders. The guide explains common autistic characteristics and suggests effective classroom strategies for improving the communication, sensory, social, and behavioral skills of children who have autism. |


Link: The NetSmartz Workshop - teaching children what to watch out for online with fun, interactive games and activities..

The NetSmartz Workshop is an interactive, educational safety resource from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) and Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) for children aged 5 to 17, parents, guardians, educators, and law enforcement that uses age-appropriate, 3-D activities to teach children how to stay safer on the Internet. |


Link: Legally Blind Musher Finishes Iditarod - Yahoo! News.

"It was the worst run I've ever done," said the legally blind musher, who finished the 1,100-mile race early Saturday in Nome. |


Link: IDEA 2004 Resources. Serving Children With Disabilities Placed by Their Parents at Private Schools

Questions and Answers On Serving Children With Disabilities Placed by Their Parents at Private Schools A series of questions and answers addressing the obligation, under IDEA 2004, of states and local education agencies to children with disabilities enrolled by their parents in private elementary schools and secondary schools. (March 2006)

download files Word   (83K) | PDF (144K)


Link: MindZone - A mental health site for teens..

MindZone - A mental health site for teens. |


RESOURCES FOR TEENS WITH SEIZURE DISORDERS

Adolescence is a time of increased risk of seizure onset or changes in seizure patterns. Dealing with epilepsy is a challenge -- for teens with the condition and their friends. The Epilepsy Foundation web site has developed information specifically to help teens with these challenges. Youth can also communicate with other teens via the web site's teen chat group. For more information, go to http://www.epilepsyfoundation.org/answerplace/Life/adolescents/  |


U.S. Department of Education Approves Montana State Plan

Superintendent Linda McCulloch announced that the Office of Public Instruction received notice from the U.S. Department of Education that Montana's State Performance Plan under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) has been approved. A copy of the approval letter is available on the OPI Web site at: http://www.opi.mt.gov/PDF/SpecED/OSEP_SPP_response.pdf
Questions regarding the State Performance Plan or its approval letter should be directed to Marilyn Pearson at (406) 444-4428.  |


Link: SNOW Kids: Summer Computer Camp.

Each summer, the Adaptive Technology Resource Centre (ATRC), at the University of Toronto offers a multimedia camp for teens with disabilities. The goal of the camp is to teach teens with disabilities how to fully utilize adaptive technology, while gaining valuable technical skills that enable participants to create their very own personal multimedia web pages. As participants develop these skills, emphasis is placed on the importance of accessible web design. |


Link: 2006 Summer Special Needs Camps - CampResource.com.

72 Special Needs Camps Listed. |


Link: ADDResource.com: Schools and Camps.

There are 240 sites in the Schools and Camps category. |


Link: Lions Camp Tatiyee. - Arizona

The Mission of Lions Camp Tatiyee is to provide a camping experience for challenged individuals,  among their peers, that encourages independence and self-confidence.|


Link: Gallaudet University Athletics.

The Gallaudet Sports Camps, designed for deaf and hard-of-hearing boys and girls ages 10-18, are one-week sessions that will provide campers with instruction to improve their playing skills and better understand the dynamics of each sport.  |


Link: Camp Nuhop - "Where Friends are Made".

Camp Nuhop—located in southern Ashland County, Ohio—is a residential summer camp for all children with learning disabilities, attention deficit disorders and behavior disorders. What started out as a one-week program years ago with eight counselors serving 27 children has blossomed into a camp that serves 560 children during six weeks, with a waiting list of 50. The camp has grown to 45 staff members and five directors. |


Link: A Special Camp For Special Kids - Camp Lee Mar.

Camp Lee Mar is a private residential special needs camp for children and young adults with mild to moderate learning and developmental challenges, including but not limited to the following: mental retardation, developmental disabilities, down syndrome, autism, learning disabilities, Williams Syndrome, Asperger Syndrome, ADD, Prader Willi, and ADHD. A structured environment, individual attention and guidance are emphasized at all times.  |


Link: Special needs summer camps in Missouri. Supporting children and adults with developmental disabilities including Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardations and more.

Bear River Ranch is the home for three very unique coed summer camps.  We believe that everyone should have the opportunity to enjoy camp and build great memories to last a last time. |


Link: ADHD Adventure Summer Camp - AD/HD Summer Camp - Learning Disability (LD) Summer Camp: SOAR.

SOAR believes all individuals identified with learning disabilities (LD) and attention deficit disorders (ADD, ADHD, AD/HD) possess inherent talents, abilities, and gifts, which we harness during our summer camps, fall and spring weekends, winter break program and semester courses. The SOAR model is founded on two fundamental principles. The first principle is youth with LD and ADHD flourish when they are encouraged to focus on their strengths in an experiential setting, such as summer camp and outdoor adventure activities. The second principle is that youth with LD and ADHD must develop and utilize strategies that enable them to deal with the challenges associated with LD and ADHD. |


Link: Frontier Travel Camp, Special Needs Tours, Special Needs Travel, Special Needs, ADD/ADHD, Developmentally Disabled

Frontier Travel Camp, Inc. was established in 1997 as a summer camp alternative for individuals with special needs. We believe that group travel is an ideal way to experience independence, improve social skills, and increase self-esteem in a secure and exciting environment. |


Link: Camp Sky Ranch- North Carolina.

Camp Sky Ranch serves developmentally and mentally disabled individuals of all ages, from all over the world. Children and adults with Down Syndrome, Prader-Willie Syndrome, ADD/HD, and Fragile X Syndrome attend our camp each year. We cannot accept campers with severe behavior or emotional problems. Campers must possess expressive and receptive communication skills and must exhibit behavior that is appropriate for group living. They must be ambulatory, able to dress and feed themselves, and be able to take care of their toilet needs. |


Link: The Learning Camp: Building confidence and self-esteem in kids with ADD, ADHD, LD, dyslexia and other learning disabilities..

From humble beginnings ten years ago, The Learning Camp is one of the first-few summer camps developed specifically for kids with learning disabilities such as ADD, ADHD, dyslexia and other challenges. We have dedicated ourselves to providing adventurous summer camp fun for boys and girls ages 7 - 14 combined with carefully designed academic programs. With only one location tucked in the Vail Valley of Colorado we are able to focus on our singular mission; helping kids with learning disabilities build self-esteem and independence. |


Link: Multiple Sclerosis: New Hope for Patients - Newsweek Healthbeat - MSNBC.com.

March 14, 2006 - One summer morning, about to enter his junior year in college, Greg Roehrich woke up with a tingling feeling in his left foot. Initially, he dismissed it as a case of “pins and needles.” But by the next morning, the sensation had spread to just below his knee. Within two weeks, the entire left side of his body and the right side of his face were numb. “I remember picking up an ice cube and watching it melt in my hand,” says Roehrich, who lives in Ringwood, N.J. “I didn’t feel a thing.” |


Link: The Kids on the Block, Inc. Puppet Programs.

The Kids on the Block has developed over 40 different programs addressing various disabilities, educational and medical differences and social concerns. Each topic is thoroughly researched and field-tested before it becomes available to schools, community service organizations, hospitals and special interest groups. A complete curriculum accompanies each topic area including scripts, answers to questions children ask, background information on the topic, character biographies, resource materials, follow-up information, and continued support from the KOB National Office. |


Para Aces News Flash

Download para_aces_news_flash_mar_06.pdf

A publication of the Montana Paraprofessional Consortium. |


Eleanore’s Project - Feb 06

Download feb. 06 newsletter.pdf

Welcome to the second edition of the Eleanore’s Project Expedition Journal. |


Disaster Preparedness for Families of Children with Special Needs

Publication: http://www.fifionline.org/images/PDF%20Files/Disaster%20Planning%20for%20CYSHCN.pdf

Disaster Preparedness: Hurricanes, acts of terrorism, and floods are all clear in the minds of everyone today. But, even though we all know what CAN happen. . . are we prepared? Can we protect ourselves and our family? Would we know what to do? |


Autism Radio Program

Program archive: http://autismone.org/radio/default.cfm?radio=schedule&archive
Autism One Radio presents knowledgeable, caring hosts providing answers to many of the most important questions. We cover a wide range of topics, including the most effective treatments and therapies, school concerns, legal issues, government policies, family dynamics and more. |


Link: New ADA Accessibility Guidelines Side-by-Side Comparison - Index.

This document provides a comparison between the updated ADA Accessibility Guidelines, the original ADA Standards, and the International Building Code. The comparison is ordered according to the format and sequence of the new ADA Accessibility Guidelines, which the Board published in the Federal Register on July 23, 2004 (column 1). Corresponding provisions in the U.S. Department of Justice's Standards for Accessible Design* (column 2), which are based on the original ADA Accessibility Guidelines, and the International Building Code** (column 3) are reordered for side-by-side comparison. |


Link: Attitude, Not Cost, Barrier to Disabled Workers - The NewStandard.

Recent data shows employers who make an effort to accommodate employees with disabilities can do so at little cost and great benefit, exposing deeper discrimination behind dismal employment numbers. |


Link: CNN.com - Huge gaps in state, federal test scores - Mar 3, 2006.

WASHINGTON (AP) -- In Mississippi, 89 percent of fourth-graders who took a state reading test were rated proficient or better. But when the same students took a federal test, only 18 percent reached that standard. Such discrepancies are not uncommon. Students from all over the country performed worse on a tough federal test than they did on state exams in reading and math -- raising questions about whether states are setting lower standards. |


Link: Dropout rates high, but fixes under way | csmonitor.com.

CHICAGO - They're the kids who fall through the cracks, the ones who rarely get extra attention or tutoring - who, very often, disappear even from the statistics. But high school dropouts are getting increasing attention as groundbreaking studies show how alarming the problem is. Nearly a third of high school students don't graduate on time; among blacks, Hispanics, and native Americans, it's almost half. |


Link: Electronic ear device helping children overcome speech impediment: South Florida Sun-Sentinel.

The device that has helped change Jordan's life is called SpeechEasy, and it works by altering the way users hear their own voices as they speak. It is the latest technology in such devices, which have a long history. |


Link: Women's Institute on Leadership and Disability (WILD) — miusa.org.

MIUSA will bring together 30 new grassroots women leaders with disabilities from around the world, to build skills, exchange experience and strategies, create new visions and strengthen international networks of support to improve the lives of women and girls with disabilities. |


Link: Monster Diversity Leadership Programs (DLP) - Students.

The DLP is a highly-selective leadership program designed to help college students develop fundamental career skills, network with top companies and discover their passion. Selected participants will spend a FREE summer weekend with 300 other student leaders in 1 of 10 major U.S. cities.  |


AblePlay: toys rated for their accessibility

Lekotek, a national nonprofit which is widely known as the leading authority on toys and play for children with disabilities (they have toy lending libraries and help parents and providers adapt toys to meet the needs of children with disabilities) has just launched something called the AblePlay Rating System.(TM)  "This free online resource available at www.ableplay.org, features toys rated for their accessibility regarding physical, sensory, communication and cognitive disabilities.  It also includes detailed product reviews and creative ideas for adaptive play." |


Link: Educational Resources > Educational Resources- educational software free 30-day software trial.

Download FREE 30-Day Trials of Educational Software Titles!

Continue reading "Educational Resources- educational software free 30-day software trial" »  |


Making Microsoft PowerPoint Presentations Accessible

PowerPoint is the most commonly used presentation software. Unfortunately, most PowerPoint presentations are not totally accessible to people with disabilities. The National Center on Disability and Access to Education (NCDAE) has created a fact sheet that is designed to help you understand the accessibility features and challenges of PowerPoint. It addresses how to increase the native accessibility of a PowerPoint presentation and how to create an accessible HTML version of a PowerPoint file.  For more information visit: http://ncdae.org/tools/factsheets/powerpoint.cfm  |


Link: Tutorials on Health Care Issues.

KaiserEDU's tutorials are multimedia presentations on health policy issues, research methodology or the workings of government.
|


SOME OF THE WORLD’S BEST CLASSROOMS ARE OUT OF DOORS

Derelict schoolyards are still all too common. Many aging schools have harsh outdoor environments including weed-infested grounds, broken playground equipment, and play areas filled with potholes. Some new schools have abandoned the idea of playgrounds and outdoor learning sites altogether. Recently, for instance, an elementary school was constructed in Georgia without an outdoor play area. School leaders eliminated recess to extend "seat time" for classroom lessons and practice tests, reports Susan Black. Many school leaders don't appreciate the "learning potential in outdoor spaces," says landscape architect, Julie Johnson. In a 2000 study of school landscapes, Johnson and her colleagues say most educators associate learning with indoor spaces, such as classrooms, gyms, music rooms, and computer labs. School grounds are rarely thought of as learning sites, they report. But do these schoolyards contribute to students’ learning? Some studies indicate that well-planned school grounds raise students’ academic performance and enhance their social and physical development. http://www.asbj.com/current/research.html |


2006 EDUCATION VITAL SIGNS: U.S. SCHOOLS IN FACTS & FIGURES

American School Board Journal presents state-by-state figures on student enrollment, teacher salaries, per-pupil expenditures, assessment scores, and other gauges of the health and well-being of our nation’s schools. Other articles explore international comparisons of student performance, preschool education, high school graduation, student health, education law and finance, and the No Child Left Behind Act.  This report card on American education is mixed, with high grades in some areas, low ones in others. But as these articles make abundantly clear, there is plenty of room for reflection, reform, and renewal. A great web page to include in your browser "favorites" section for easy reference throughout the year. http://www.asbj.com/evs/index.html  |


School Age Financial Aid Awards

Link: Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing.

The Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (AG Bell) offers School Age Financial Aid Awards to students, ages 6 to 21, who are registered or currently enrolled in a parochial, independent or private school in a mainstream setting. Awards can be used to reduce educational costs such as tuition, room and board, books, equipment, auditory and speech language support services, academic tutoring, transportation and other school-related expenses. This award is not applicable for students attending public school or college. |


New Magnifier on Microsoft Mouse and Keyboard

Link: Microsoft Mouse and Keyboard Hardware – Magnify.

The Magnifier on Microsoft mouse products is like a magnifying glass that is held up to your computer screen. With a simple press and hold motion, the Magnifier enlarges the area of your screen that fits inside the lens.  |


New Technology from RJ Cooper

  • Augmentative Communication Devices
    For several years I have wanted to 'throw my hat into the ring' of Augmentative Communication, but have resisted because speaker technology and suitable off-the-shelf platforms (computers, PDA's) did not exist that met my criteria.  That has finally changed. I am now offering Auggie, my Aug. Comm. device line, consisting of 3 devices:
    - Super-Auggie - 12.1" touchscreen, 3.5 pounds, running Windows XP
    - Auggie - 8.4" touchscreen, running Windows XP
    - Mini-Auggie - Pocket PC touchscreen, running Windows Mobile
  • PTP-PC (Point To Pictures-PC) Augmentative Communication Software
    I created this software specifically for my Auggie/Super-Auggie AAC devices but some are using it on their PC's! Here is my attempt to make 'real' AAC software.  Even though there is a good choice of products on the market -  SDPro, The Grid, Talking Screens, and several others - I felt they are all quite pricey.  So in keeping with my desire to make AAC accessible to all, like my Auggies, and since we had already made my PTP-Mobile software for my Mini-Auggie (that's why the .Net Framework from Microsoft is necessary, so we use the same "code base," techie thing), it wasn't too big a leap to make PTP-PC.  It's almost identical to PTP-Mobile, for those of you that already have our Mini-Auggie, and it's very 'sequential'.  That is, is not menu-bar based like other software.  It flows from one item to another, dealing with only those things directly connected with the screen you're on.  I find it more intuitive.

http://rjcooper.com |


Link: Preventing and Managing Secondary Conditions with Adult Montanans Who have Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities: Health Resource Guide.

The Resource Guide lists the ten most commonly-reported secondary conditions and provides helpful state and national resources to address each problem. |


Link: billingsgazette.com : Treating moms' depression may help kids .

CHICAGO (AP) -- Treating a mother's depression can help prevent it and other disorders in her child, say researchers in a provocative study that may influence family health care. It's the first time doctors have documented what might seem like common sense, but the results have potentially big public health implications, the study authors and other experts say. |


Link: National Military Family Association - Operation Purple Summer Camp Information.

Free summer camps around the world for military children. |


Link: Blind tech exec knocks down walls for disabled | CNET News.com.

profile: Chris Mairs, a tech executive and world champion water-skier, has never been one to let his blindness get in the way of career or personal aspirations. |


Link: NPR : Understanding Asperger Syndrome.

Renee Montagne talks with Rhea Paul, professor of communication disorders at Southern Connecticut State University and a researcher at Yale's Child Study Center, about Asperger's Syndrome. Paul explains the disability in the context of this week's StoryCorps installment that features a conversation between a child with Asperger's and his mother. |


A Camp to Remember! - Seeley Lake

2006 marks the 10th Anniversary of A Camp to Remember!  Kids ages 6-18 join for this magical week of support, play, & respite amidst the splendor of the Montana summer.  The goal of A Camp to Remember is to provide an enjoyable, supportive experience for kids grieving the death of a family member.  Activities are designed to promote fun while facilitating grief work; blending traditional camp aspects with bereavement and commemoration activities. Contact:  Erin Willig, Program Coordinator by phone (406)721-7690 or fax (406)541-6567 seasons@familiesfirstmt.com  |


New NAMI Support Group in Billings

The new group will meet on Thursday afternoons from 1-2 in the NAMI office beginning March 16.
Phone 406/256-2001 or
namibillings@earthlink.net for information. |


Link: BillingsGazette.com :: Children's museum to open.

GLASGOW -- Sweat equity and elbow grease transformed an inspiration into a children's museum that will celebrate its grand opening this Saturday in Glasgow.  The 12 hands-on exhibits at the Children's Museum of Northeast Montana are intended to expose kids to the world beyond themselves, board member Marisa Pellerito said. Designed for kids from birth to 12 years old, the exhibits focus on the sciences, creative arts and culture. |


Videos of people using on-screen keyboards and scanning

Link: AssistiveWare - Videos.

Videos of people using on-screen keyboards and scanning to access Macintosh Computers. |


Wireless switch interfaces

There have been some new wireless switch interfaces appear on the market lately:

  1. IntelliSwitch by IntelliTools - Operational up to 5 meters (20 feet) away • 5 switch ports • 2 built-in switches • USB interface • Compatible with IntelliTools software • Compatible with Discover software, Version 1.8 • Compatible with AbleNet's new wireless Jelly Beamer switches • Platforms: Macintosh OS X & Windows (98, ME, 2000, XP) • USB powered or battery-powered (2 AA batteries) when used wirelessly - $299
  2. QuizWorks wireless switch interface - Up to 100 feet distance • Supports 1 to 5 switches • USB for MAC or PC/WINDOWS • Uses standard alkaline 9-volt battery • Supports industry standard single switch software applications - $230 |

Fun with Augmentative Communication

Link: Assistive Speech Technology Research Labs.

This Web Page came about as a result of two presentations at Closing The Gap 2005 and Charting the C's.  This is our way of sharing what we know.  Feel free to use these ideas as stepping stones to outrageous fun.  We hope that people will be able to use ideas to make AAC more fun for AAC users and their support teams. |


Link: A mother faces daughter’s learning disabilities - Today, Weekend Edition - MSNBC.com.

In her candid memoir, “Special Education,” Dana Buchman, reveals her ordeal to understand and accept her oldest child’s learning problems. A successful clothing designer, Buchman writes about feelings of anxiety, guilt, frustration and anger. When her daughter Charlotte was diagnosed with dyslexia, attention deficit disorder and other learning difficulties as a toddler, Buchman had little knowledge about learning disabilities. |


Cosmeo: The Discovery Channel Homework Help site

Link: About Cosmeo.

The Discovery Channel is launching Cosmeo, a $9.95-a-month homework help service that will offer K-12 students at home essentially the same content provided to schools through the company's United Learning subscription service.  |


Link: BillingsGazette.com :: Special Olympian helps organization raise funds.

Vivienne Shockley's smile is wide, bright and warm. And she is quick to flash it, frequently with a soft giggle. Ask Shockley how she describes herself, and the phrases flow from her. "I'm friendly. Very helpful. I'm pretty, and I've got pretty hair. I love animals." |


Link: BillingsGazette.com :: Bullying policies mandated by state.

HELENA -- Starting next school year, Montana school districts must have an anti-bullying policy in order to meet accreditation standards, the state Board of Public Education decided Friday.  The new requirement says schools must have a policy "designed to address bullying, intimidation and harassment of students and school personnel. |


Harnessing the Power of ADHD

Link: The Plainville Citizen.

"I have ADHD," says Jergen.  ADHD, or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, is often considered a childhood disorder. Yet an estimated four percent of adults may also suffer from the hyperactivity, inattentiveness and impulsivity that ADHD causes. With information about this disorder spreading quickly, many adults are suddenly realizing that their previously unexplainable childhood and adult problems may have stemmed from ADHD. Jergen, now in his late 30s, didn't have a name for his problems until he was 22, and ironically, taking a class on special education.  But, as Jergen explains in his book, The Little Monster, the signs started much earlier. "As soon as my eyes would pop open after a nap, the crib would start to tremble and [mymother] would always know when the little monster was awake," says Jergen.

Continue reading "Harnessing the Power of ADHD " »  |


Get Out! Popular Dance Video Game Helps Kids with ADHD

Link: The Plainville Citizen.

"We're still in the beginning stages," cautioned Tammy McGraw, an education specialist with the Appalachian Educational Laboratory and lead author of the study. "But if we can demonstrate that video games help, we can find solutions that do not require us to medicate children as much."

The game McGraw and her colleagues tested is a far cry from the gang violence found in Grand Theft Auto or the bloody martial arts action of Mortal Kombat. There isn't even any bumping or grinding. Available for such popular home gaming systems as Sony's PlayStation II and Microsoft's Xbox, Dance Dance Revolution involves stomping on four large buttons to a danceable beat in what educators describe as a mix between Twister and Simon Says.

Continue reading "Get Out! Popular Dance Video Game Helps Kids with ADHD" »  |


Link: Chicago Tribune | Fine-tuning piano lessons for disabled.

Spencer Hua, 7, is just minutes into his piano lesson when his mind begins to wander. He closes his eyes and rests his head on the keys. It's normal for a child with autism to get distracted this way, but Spencer's teacher, Beth Bauer, knows exactly how to bring him back. "Should we do the duet today?" she asks, taking his hand. "Do you want to count or should Beth do it?

Continue reading "Chicago Tribune | Fine-tuning piano lessons for disabled" » |


Link: Boy just wants to be 'a regular kid' - The Boston Globe.

9-year-old becomes a spokesman for understanding cerebral palsy He's only 9 years old, but Colton McGrath is already a scheduled speaker at a Tufts-New England Medical Center School of Medicine lecture next January.

Continue reading "Boy just wants to be 'a regular kid' - The Boston Globe" »  |


Link: Chicago Tribune | Open-ear Hearing aids may aid children with ADHD.

Many people who hear normally but can't decipher background noise from the real message, such as in a loud restaurant, are benefiting from open-ear hearing devices. Originally developed for those with high-pitch hearing loss, these digital devices also may help adults and children with processing disorders that keep them from filtering out the static in their environments. |


Link: BillingsGazette.com :: Federal budget cuts could prove costly to state services.

HELENA -- Federal budget cuts could cost state social services about $27 million over the next year and a half, lawmakers learned Friday.  The Department of Public Health and Human Services is facing unexpected costs, led by roughly $9 million in cuts made last month through the Federal Budget Deficit Reduction Act, the agency said Friday. President Bush's proposed budget would bring about $18 million in additional cuts through fiscal 2007. |


College Financial Aid Strategies from DO-IT

http://www.washington.edu/doit/Brochures/Academics/financial-aid.html

The "College Funding Strategies for Students with Disabilities" offers basic information on federal financial aid programs and points students toward resources for other financial aid.  DO-IT (Disabilities, Opportunities, Internetworking, and Technology) serves to increase the successful participation of individuals with disabilities in challenging academic programs and careers such as those in science, engineering, mathematics, and technology. Primary funding for DO-IT is provided by the National Science Foundation, the State of Washington, and the U.S. Department of Education. |


Scholarship for Students who are Hearing Impaired 2006-2007 Academic Year

$1,000 scholarship to cover tuition, books and supplies. Twenty $1000 scholarships for hearing-impaired students or those with communicative disorders. Available for citizens of the U.S. and Canada. Minimum 3.2 GPA required. The funds may be used for any term, including the summer term, during the awarded academic school year. This scholarship is made possible by the generous support from the members of Sertoma and Oticon, Inc.  http://www.sertoma.org  |


Ethel Louise Armstrong Foundation Scholarships, Applications Due June 1, 2006

http://www.ela.org/scholarships/scholarships.html

ELA Scholarships are available only to women graduate students with physical disabilities who are enrolled in a college or university in the United States. These scholarships are awarded on an objective and nondiscriminatory basis. The ELA Foundation will award scholarships depending on academic and leadership merit. The purpose of the scholarship is to supplement financial assistance for tuition costs for female graduate students with physical disabilities. Scholarships range between $500-$2,000 and are awarded in August. |


Check Out The Strength Coach Radio Show, from Syndicated Radio Host Greg Smith

http://www.thestrengthcoach.com/ Award winning radio host Greg Smith has created "The Strength Coach" radio show, website, and weblog to bring motivational support, news, views and personal insights to listeners. The show airs every Sunday night at 11pm ET on the Radio America Network. Hear Greg's post-Katrina show, listen to interviews with celebrities and coaches, and "roll the dice" to change your life with other listeners nationwide. Listen to "The Strength Coach" radio show online at http://www.thestrengthcoach.com/. |