Center for Disability Resources (CDR) : September 2009

Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Depression And Anxiety Disorders Of Adolescents Are Not The Same Thing

ScienceDaily (Sep. 24, 2009) — Adolescent depression and anxiety disorders are two distinct psychiatric disorders, according to Dr. William W. Hale III (a researcher of the Langeveld Institute for the Study of Education and Development in Childhood and Adolescence at Utrecht University) in a recent publication in the Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry.

Hale and his colleagues conducted a five-year, longitudinal study of secondary school adolescents. Every year the depressive and anxiety disorder symptoms of the adolescents were measured. Hale and his colleagues concluded that while adolescent anxiety and depression were strongly related to one another, that adolescent depression and anxiety disorder symptoms are in fact best classified as two distinct disorders.

To view the entire article, please click on the link above.

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Stimulating Sight: Retinal Implant Could Help Restore Useful Level Of Vision To Certain Groups Of Blind People

receives visual data from a camera mounted on a pair of glasses. The coil sends the images to a chip attached to the side of the eyeball, which processes the data and sends it to electrodes implanted below the retina. (Credit: Courtesy of Shawn Kelly)

ScienceDaily (Sep. 24, 2009) — Inspired by the success of cochlear implants that can restore hearing to some deaf people, researchers at MIT are working on a retinal implant that could one day help blind people regain a useful level of vision.

The eye implant is designed for people who have lost their vision from retinitis pigmentosa or age-related macular degeneration, two of the leading causes of blindness. The retinal prosthesis would take over the function of lost retinal cells by electrically stimulating the nerve cells that normally carry visual input from the retina to the brain.

Such a chip would not restore normal vision but it could help blind people more easily navigate a room or walk down a sidewalk.

To view the entire article, please click on the link above.

Monday, September 28, 2009

Pro Parents Calendar of Workshops

9/28/2009

6:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Communicating with Your Child’s School Workshop

Beaufort DSS

1095 Duke Street

Beaufort, SC

Kim Preston, PRO-Parents of SC

South Carolina Special Kids

Education Coordinator

For More Information or To Register Call:

1-866-863-1512

10/02/2009

1:30 pm - 3:30 pm

ADD / ADHD Workshop

Leap Ahead & Fort Mill Family Center

513 Banks Street

Fort Mill, SC 29715

Heather Watson-Kelley, PRO-Parents of SC

South Carolina Special Kids

Project Coordinator

For More Information or To Register Call:

1-800-759-4776 or (803) 772-5688

10/05/2009

6:00 pm - 8:00 pm

ADD / ADHD Workshop

Hampton DSS Office

Suite A

102 Ginn Altman Avenue

Hampton, SC

Kim Preston, PRO-Parents of SC

South Carolina Special Kids

Education Coordinator

For More Information or To Register Call:

1-866-863-1512

*** CANCELLED ***

10/06/2009

9:00 am – 4:00 pm

Matthew Cohen, Attorney

Midlands Technical College

Auditorium

Airport Campus

* Registration Fee: $35.00

Registration Required

Scholarships Available

Heather Watson-Kelley, PRO-Parents of SC

South Carolina Special Kids

Project Coordinator

For More Information or To Register Call:

1-800-759-4776 or (803) 772-5688

*** CANCELLED ***

10/08/2009

12:00 pm - 2:00 pm

Individualized Education Program (IEP) Workshop

CDS

29 North Academy Street

Greenville, SC

Susan Bruce, PRO-Parents of SC

Region 3, Education Coordinator

For More Information or To Register Call:

1-800-759-4776 or (803) 772-5688

10/08/2009

6:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Is Your Child a Target of Bullying? Workshop

Chesterfield DSS Office

201 South Page Street

Chesterfield, SC

Heather Watson-Kelley, PRO-Parents of SC

South Carolina Special Kids

Project Coordinator

For More Information or To Register Call:

1-800-759-4776 or (803) 772-5688

10/08/2009

7:00 pm - 8:30 pm

Communicating with Your Child’s School Workshop

Knightsville United Methodist Church

1505 Central Avenue

Summerville, SC

Kim Preston, PRO-Parents of SC

South Carolina Special Kids

Education Coordinator

For More Information or To Register Call:

1-866-863-1512

10/12/2009

10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Transitioning Into Special Education Workshop

Burton Center / Greenwood DDSN

2605 Highway 72 / 221 East

Greenwood, SC 29649

Susan Bruce, PRO-Parents of SC

Region 3, Education Coordinator

For More Information or To Register Call:

1-800-759-4776 or (803) 772-5688

10/13/2009

10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Individualized Education Program (IEP) Workshop

Laurens DDSN

1860 Highway 14

Laurens, SC

Susan Bruce, PRO-Parents of SC

Region 3, Education Coordinator

For More Information or To Register Call:

1-800-759-4776 or (803) 772-5688

10/13/2009

5:30 pm - 7:00 pm

Communicating with Your Child’s School Workshop

Orangeburg DSS Office

2570 Matthews Road

Orangeburg, SC

Kim Preston, PRO-Parents of SC

South Carolina Special Kids

Education Coordinator

For More Information or To Register Call:

1-866-863-1512

10/13/2009

6:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act Workshop

Fairfield Memorial Hospital

Highway 34 & 321

Winnsboro, SC

Heather Watson-Kelley, PRO-Parents of SC

South Carolina Special Kids

Project Coordinator

For More Information or To Register Call:

1-800-759-4776 or (803) 772-5688

10/14/2009

5:30 pm - 7:30 pm

ADD / ADHD Workshop

WEBINAR

** Internet Access and Phone Required **

Tanya Inabinet, PRO-Parents of SC

Region 2, Education Coordinator

For More Information or To Register Call:

1-800-759-4776

10/15/2009

6:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Is Your Child a Target of Bullying? Workshop

Anderson County DSS Office

224 McGee Road

Anderson, SC

Heather Watson-Kelley, PRO-Parents of SC

South Carolina Special Kids

Project Coordinator

For More Information or To Register Call:

1-800-759-4776 or (803) 772-5688

10/15/2009

7:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Communicating with Your Child’s School Workshop

Florence DSS Office

2685 Irby Street

Florence, SC

Kim Preston, PRO-Parents of SC

South Carolina Special Kids Project

For More Information or To Register Call:

1-866-863-1512

10/20/2009

10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Individualized Education Program (IEP) Workshop

New Foundations Child and Family Services

2300 Standridge Road

Anderson, SC 29625

Susan Bruce, PRO-Parents of SC

Region 3, Education Coordinator

For More Information or To Register Call:

1-800-759-4776 or (803) 772-5688

10/21/2009

6:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Individualized Education Program (IEP) Workshop

WEBINAR

** Internet Access and Phone Required **

Tanya Inabinet, PRO-Parents of SC

Region 2, Education Coordinator

For More Information or To Register Call:

1-800-759-4776

10/22/2009

10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Individualized Education Program (IEP) Workshop

Anderson DDSN

212 McGee Road Anderson, SC

Susan Bruce, PRO-Parents of SC

Region 3, Education Coordinator

For More Information or To Register Call:

1-800-759-4776 or (803) 772-5688

10/22/2009

6:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Communicating with Your Child’s School Workshop

Williamsburg DSS

831 Eastland Avenue

Kingstree, SC

Kim Preston, PRO-Parents of SC

South Carolina Special Kids

Education Coordinator

For More Information or To Register Call:

1-866-863-1512

10/22/2009

6:30 pm - 7:30 pm

Communicating with Your Child’s School Workshop

Maryville Pentecostal Holiness Church

2014 Poplar Street

Georgetown, SC

Kim Preston, PRO-Parents of SC

South Carolina Special Kids

Education Coordinator

For More Information or To Register Call:

1-866-863-1512

10/27/2009

9:00 am - 11:00 am

Individualized Education Program (IEP) Workshop

Shriner’s Hospital

(Auditorium)

950 West Faris Road

Greenville, SC 29605

Susan Bruce, PRO-Parents of SC

Region 3, Education Coordinator

For More Information or To Register Call:

1-800-759-4776 or (803) 772-5688

10/27/2009

6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Communicating with Your Child’s School Workshop

Macedonia Baptist Church

(Cherokee DSS)

216 Macedonia Road

Gaffney, SC

Heather Watson-Kelley, PRO-Parents of SC

South Carolina Special Kids

Project Coordinator

For More Information or To Register Call:

1-800-759-4776 or (803) 772-5688

10/27/2009

6:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Communicating with Your Child’s School Workshop

Richland County DSS

3220 Two Notch Road

Columbia, SC

Tanya Inabinet, PRO-Parents of SC

Region 2, Education Coordinator

For More Information or To Register Call:

1-800-759-4776

11/02/2009

6:30 pm - 7:30 pm

PRO–Parents Overview

Rethinking Alzheimer's Disease And Its Treatment Targets

ScienceDaily (Sep. 23, 2009) — The standard explanation for what causes Alzheimer's is known as the amyloid hypothesis, which posits that the disease results from of an accumulation of the peptide amyloid beta, the toxic protein fragments that deposit in the brain and become the sticky plaques that have defined Alzheimer's for more than 100 years.

Billions of dollars are spent yearly targeting this toxic peptide — but what if this is the wrong target? What if the disease begins much earlier, fueled by a natural process? Reporting in the current edition of the journal Neurobiology of Aging, UCLA professor of psychiatry George Bartzokis argues just that and says that a better working hypothesis is the "myelin model."

"The greatest promise of the myelin model of the human brain is its application to the development of new therapeutic approaches," Bartzokis said.

To view the entire article, please click on the link above.

Friday, September 25, 2009

YAI Launches Integrated Web Site to Better Reach, Inspire and Move People to Support People With Disabilities.

(Photo from the YAI website)

Yahoo! Finance (September 22, 2009) - AUSTIN, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The YAI Network (YAI), one of America’s foremost non-profit organizations devoted to creating hope and opportunity for people with developmental and learning disabilities and their families, announced today the introduction of a new Web site at www.yai.org. The new site provides visitors with a crisp and clear presentation of the organization’s mission and opportunities to engage with the network to support people with disabilities as well as access services and information. The site is integrated with the organization’s online marketing, advocacy and fundraising system to provide visitors, volunteers, advocates and donors with a more personal and engaging experience. It also enables the organization to communicate more effectively with audiences based on their interest and level of involvement.

“The Internet and digital technology has changed the way our stakeholders communicate, access information and manage their most important relationships,” said Philip H. Levy, Ph.D., CEO and President, of the YAI Network. “The people who guide our mission and spread our message have high expectations for YAI and the valuable resources we offer. The new site will help us strengthen those relationships, provide greater access to information and messages of hope as well as allows us to use social media and digital technology such as video to better transform the public’s perception of people with developmental and learning disabilities.”

To view the entire article, please click on the link above.

Thursday, September 24, 2009

DSAL Workshop - Charleston area, October 14 and 16

Down Syndrome Association of the Lowcountry (DSAL) presents "Through The Same Doors:

Workshop for Inclusive Education"On October 14 and 16 DSAL will host Nancy Brown, an expert on inclusion and differentiated instruction. She will present with her daughter, Bridget. The workshop is designed to achieve the following goals:Educators will receive hands-on experience with curriculum differentiation.

Educators will bring their own lesson plans, and will learn howto modify those plans so that they are accessible for diverse learners

Educators will learn several different techniques for teachingstudents with diverse learning styles

Educators will become effective at facilitating inclusion ofstudents with special needs in general education classesSessions will be held on October 14 and 16 at Seacoast Church inMount Pleasant. Participants are eligible for CE credit. Educatorsshould register via ERO for one of the four sessions offered:

October 14: 8:00 am - 11:30 (elementary); 1:00 pm - 4:30 (elementary)

October 16: 8:00 am - 11:30 (middle school); 1:00 pm - 4:30 (high school)

DSAL wants to foster inclusive educational opportunities for studentsthroughout the Lowcountry by providing teacher training and support, so that all students can proceed through the same doors.

*All workshops are free, but space is limited! CCSD teachers willregister through their own ERO system; all other teachers shouldregister by emailing Jennie Banks: jbanks1@comcast.net

Teachers from all schools - public and private - are welcome and encouraged to attend. Seating is limited, and will be available on a first-registered,first-served basis. Please register by sending the following information to j banks1@comcast.net:(1) Your name, (2) Your position, (3) Your school, (4) Grade level,(5) Session you wish to attend.

Nancy Brown is an inclusion consultant for the Illinois State Boardof Education (Project CHOICES) and a private consultant with PATHFINDERS consulting services. She has worked with many schooldistricts to help facilitate district wide systems change. Nancy andthe LRE Project CHOICES team work with administrators, teachers, special education directors, and school principals to design astrategic plan that supports an inclusive educational model where allstudents can learn successfully. Nancy has worked in the disabilityfield for over 30 years in many different arenas. She co-presents with her daughter Bridget, who was the first person with a disabilityto be included in her school district. Nancy specializes in inclusive education, person centered planning, adaptations and accommodations,inclusive models of supports in schools, transition, access andequity for all students. Nancy has been trained in: Cognitive Coaching, the Green Circle Program, Character Counts, and the National Coalition Building Institute.

Bridget Brown, a young woman with Down syndrome, was the first person with a disability included in her school district in Illinois. She isa strong advocate of inclusion and helping people with disabilities find their own voice. She works for a grant through the IllinoisCouncil on Developmental Disabilities and works with young adultswith disabilities in two high schools. Bridget has been trained as a PATH/MAP facilitator with Managing the Art of Living and she is agraduate of the STARS advocacy program through the ARC ofIllinois. Bridget is a National Public speaker.

Note: there is also a parent workshop on the evening of Oct15th. The workshop will feature practical advice about inclusion,person centered planning, self-advocacy, and working with schools forsuccess. The workshop will be held from 7:00-8:30 pm at SeaCoastChurch in Mount Pleasant. If you plan to attend, please email Cindi May(mayc@cofc.edumayc@cofc.edu>).

EdTech Conference" BEYOND THE LIMITS" Oct 14-16

The SC EdTech conference, "Beyond the Limits", offers content and activities that span all areas of educational technology with diverse workshops, presentations, speakers, exhibitors, and recognition events.

The 2009 conference theme takes participants to different heights in educational technology professional development. With over 90 concurrent workshops and presentations and over 150 exhibit booths,there should be a lot to take in and do. Keep up with the latest conference news under "Latest News" on the website and other special feature areas at: http://edtech.scaet.org/

Mark your calendars and set your plans for October 14-16, 2009, at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center and Sheraton Hotel.

For more information, please click on the title above.

Historic Gene Therapy Trial To Treat Alzheimer's Disease

ScienceDaily (Sep. 23, 2009) — Researchers in the Memory Disorders Program at Georgetown University Medical Center are now recruiting volunteers for a national gene therapy trial – the first study of its kind for the treatment of patients with dementia due to Alzheimer's disease.

The phase II study examines the safety and possible benefits of CERE-110. CERE-110 contains a gene and is injected during surgery into a part of the brain affected by Alzheimer's disease. The gene will instruct brain cells to produce more of a protein, called Nerve Growth Factor or NGF, which helps nerve cells survive and function properly. The transfer of this gene into the brain is a medical technique called gene therapy.

"Our goal is to stop the progression of Alzheimer's disease," explains R. Scott Turner, MD, PhD, director of Georgetown's Memory Disorders Program. "This is our first study of a gene therapy injected into brain, and thus the trial requires close collaboration with our neurosurgery colleagues at GUMC, in particular Dr. Chris Kalhorn."

To view the entire article, please click on the link above.

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Deficits In Brain's Reward System Observed In ADHD Patients; Low Levels Of Dopamine Markers May Underlie Symptoms

Two baby capuchin monkeys. (Credit: iStockphoto/Eric Isselée)

ScienceDaily (Sep. 10, 2009) — A brain-imaging study conducted at the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Brookhaven National Laboratory provides the first definitive evidence that patients suffering from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have lower-than-normal levels of certain proteins essential for experiencing reward and motivation.

"These deficits in the brain's reward system may help explain clinical symptoms of ADHD, including inattention and reduced motivation, as well as the propensity for complications such as drug abuse and obesity among ADHD patients," said lead author Nora Volkow, Director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse and a long-time collaborator on neuroimaging research at Brookhaven Lab.

The study, published in the September 9, 2009, issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association, also has important implications for treatment. "Finding ways to address the underlying reward-system deficit could improve the direct clinical outcome of ADHD, and potentially reduce the likelihood of other negative consequences of this condition," said study co-author Gene-Jack Wang, chair of Brookhaven's medical department.

To view the entire article, please click on the link above.

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Imitation Promotes Social Bonding In Primates

Two baby capuchin monkeys. (Credit: iStockphoto/Eric Isselée)

ScienceDaily (Aug. 15, 2009) — Imitation, the old saying goes, is the sincerest form of flattery. It also appears to be an ancient interpersonal mechanism that promotes social bonding and, presumably, sets the stage for relative strangers to coalesce into groups of friends, according to a study by a team of scientists at the National Institutes of Health and two Italian research institutions.

The study authors found that capuchin monkeys preferred the company of researchers who imitated them to that of researchers who did not imitate them. The monkeys not only spent more time with their imitators, but also preferred to engage in a simple task with them even when provided with the option of performing the same task with a non-imitator.

"Researchers have known that human beings prefer the behavior of other people who subtly imitate their gestures and other affects," said Duane Alexander, M.D., Director of the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, where the NIH portion of the study was conducted. "Observing how imitation promotes bonding in primates may lead to insights in disorders in which imitation and bonding is impaired, such as certain forms of autism."

To view the entire article, please click on the link above.

Monday, September 21, 2009

Genetic Cause For Type Of Deafness Identified; Discovery Could Lead To New Therapies For Progressive Hearing Loss

ScienceDaily (Sep. 4, 2009) — A team led by scientists from The Scripps Research Institute has discovered a genetic cause of progressive hearing loss. The findings will help scientists better understand the nature of age-related decline in hearing and may lead to new therapies to prevent or treat the condition.

The findings were published the September 3, 2009, in an advance, online issue of the American Journal of Human Genetics, a publication of Cell Press.

"It is thought that mutations in several hundred genes can lead to deafness," said team leader Ulrich Mueller, a professor in the Department of Cell Biology and member of the Skaggs Institute for Chemical Biology at Scripps Research. "However, for many forms of deafness, we don't know what effects the genes have. In this new research, we have linked a previously uncharacterized gene to deafness, first in mice and then in humans."

To view the entire article, please click on the link above.

Friday, September 18, 2009

Study Identifies Which Children Do Not Need CT Scans After Head Trauma

ScienceDaily (Sep. 15, 2009) — A substantial percentage of children who get CT scans after apparently minor head trauma do not need them, and as a result are put at increased risk of cancer due to radiation exposure. After analyzing more than 42,000 children with head trauma, a national research team led by two UC Davis emergency department physicians has developed guidelines for doctors who care for children with head trauma aimed at reducing those risks.

Their findings appear in an article published online and in an upcoming edition of The Lancet.

The collaborative study includes data collected at 25 hospitals from children who were evaluated for the possibility of serious brain injury following trauma to the head. Researchers found that one in five children over the age of 2 and nearly one-quarter of those under 2 who received CT scans following head trauma did not need them because they were at very low risk of having serious brain injuries. In these low-risk children, the risk of developing cancer due to radiation exposure outweighed the risk of serious brain injury.

To view the entire article, please click on the link above.

Thursday, September 17, 2009

You Are Cordially Invited to Participate in a Research Study about Down Syndrome African American Participants Needed!!

Welcome! Ravin Winfrey, a Genetic Counseling student at the University of South Carolina, is conducting research to understand the types of supports used by African American parents in their adjustment to their child with Down syndrome, as well as their support needs. The study has IRB approval from the University of South Carolina; the survey is confidential and completely voluntary.

Eligibility:

*Must have at least one child with Down syndrome

*Atleast one Parent must be African American
(this individual should take the survey)

*The parent must be an adult

Survey:

*Takes ~10-15 minutes to complete, you can access it online: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=H38K9dJIe5aUTTVwi_2f58Yw_3d_3d

*Or you can request a survey to be mailed: 1-800-915-4522

(*Please leave your name, preferred address, and say that you would like a Supports Survey)

*The study will be open from July 10, 2009 and end on October 31, 2009

*Participants in the SURVEY will be entered in a DRAWING for 1 of 2 FREE $50.00 Gift Cards to Wal-Mart

Thank You In Advance for your help and participation!

Ravin Winfrey, B.S.

Genetic Counseling Intern

Principal Investigator
ravin_nicole@yahoo.com

Phone Assessment Effective For Evaluating Cognition In The Elderly

ScienceDaily (Sep. 15, 2009) — Cognitive testing by telephone in elderly individuals is generally as effective as in-person testing, according to a new study by Effie M. Mitsis, PhD, Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at Mount Sinai School of Medicine and part of Mount Sinai's Alzheimer's Disease Research Center.

The study will appear in the International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry.

The study is the first to evaluate the effectiveness of telephone assessment in an elderly cohort using well established neuropsychological tests. Fifty-four healthy women with an average age of 79 were divided into two groups and subjected to a series of standard neuropsychological tests, including mental status questions such as identifying the day and time, remembering a series of words or numbers and naming tasks. These tests are sensitive to cognitive decline and are typically used in clinical trials of Alzheimer's Disease to monitor progression or stabilization of memory and thinking ability in elderly individuals. Both groups received in-person assessment of cognition as well as assessment by telephone.

To view the entire article, please click on the link above.

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

The Real World of Web/IT Accessibility and Assistive Technology

Time: Registration - 8:00 – 8:55; Workshop - 9:00 AM – 3:30 PM

Location: SC State Archives and History (see our online directions page)

Be on time! We’re giving out a door prize promptly at 9:00 am!

Description: Don't miss this unique opportunity to see people who use assistive technology show how they experience web pages! Speakers from around the state will demonstrate various technologies including screen readers and screen enlargers, which they use in accessing Internet and other electronic information. We'll discuss usability vs. accessibility, the basics of designing for accessibility, and show examples of positive and not-so-positive design. They'll be available to answer questions about what works, what doesn't work, and how they solve problems when accessing electronic information (the Web, Word, and PDF documents).

This workshop has been generated as a follow up to a Web Testers Pilot Program, conducted by the SC Assistive Technology Program and the SC Assistive Technology Advisory Committee (ATAC), under the S.C. State Budget & Control Board, to train both people who use assistive technology and those who don't, in the evaluation of state agency web pages for accessibility and usability.

Door Prizes (to date - more will be added!)

A Bag of Techie goodies (flash drive, etc...)
A free web site assessment by SC Web Testers, administered by SCATP and ATAC)
4 Tickets to the Columbia Riverbanks Zoo
2 Tickets for a Charleston carriage ride (Old South Carriage Company)(tentative) Captioning of up to 5 minutes of video for a web page

Schedule

8:30 – 9:00 - Registration
9:00 - First Door Prize Drawing (the winner chooses from the selection of prizes)
9:05 – 9:25 - ATAC Web Testers Pilot Program: Janet Jendron
9:30 – 11:45 (with short break in between) - Demonstrations and Discussions: What makes Web Pages easier? What causes frustration? What are some simple design solutions for these challenges?

Demonstration of JAWS screenreader (Clay Jeffcoat) on Web Pages
Demonstration of ZoomText with screenreader (Grace Strother) on Web Pages
Demonstration of ZoomText with Kurzweil screenreader (Jim Debus) on Web Pages

The demonstrations will briefly cover issues such as skip navigation links, Flash, Drop navigation menus, appropriate alt text, meaningful link text, online forms, layout tables, data tables, video captioning CSS, and heading structure. We’ll have questions and comments from CB Averitt, Cheryl Kirkpatrick, Kevin Pondy, Wendy Mullin, Sam Hahn on web design techniques that could address problems.

11:45 – 1:15 - Lunch
1:15 - Door Prize Drawing
1:20 – 1:50 - Cool Tools: Demonstration of the Web Accessibility Toolbar and Web Developer’s Toolbar (Allison Yeager)
2:00 – 3:30 - Demonstrations and Discussion: What makes PDFs and Word Docs easier to access? What causes frustration? What are some simple design solutions for these challenges? Questions and Comments from CB Averitt, Cheryl Kirkpatrick, Kevin Pondy, Wendy Mullin, Sam Hahn on formatting issues that could address problems.
Demonstration of JAWS screenreader (Clay Jeffcoat)
Demonstration of ZoomText with screenreader (Grace Strother)
Demonstration of ZoomText with Kurzweil screenreader (Jim Debus)
3:30 – Door Prize Drawing

To register for this workshop:

Option 1: Complete the online registration form at: http://www.sc.edu/scatp/forms/trainingregform9-22-09.html
Option 2: Email Sally Young at Sally.Young@uscmed.sc.edu
Option 3: Call Sally Young at (803) 935-5263 or 800-915-4522.
Option 4: Fax your registration information to (803) 935-5342. Please include your name, organization, address, email address, phone

To view the complete workshop details, please click on the link above and scroll down to Sep. 22.

Disabled volunteers ready to serve; Workshops help people put their skills to use

Chris Co

The Weekly (9/10/09) -- Avery Olmstead doesn’t think employers mean to discriminate against disabled people seeking work, but it happens, he said.

“I think there are a lot of barriers when employers see a person with a disability. Sometimes they see the disabilities, not the person’s skills,” Olmstead said.

To combat this, Olmstead, along with his co-workers at the University of Maine’s Center for Community Inclusion and Disability Studies, have set up a series of workshops about national volunteerism for disabled people.

These workshops are designed to teach people with disabilities about opportunities they have in national service, such as Americorps, and earn marketable skills.

“Volunteering, as a person with a disability, has the opportunity for someone to feel that having a disability is OK,” Olmstead said. “It makes them feel that they’re not defective.”

Olmstead works as a project specialist for the center’s Project Ready to ServeMaine. He knows all about people with disabilities working in national service — he’s done it.

By Heather Steeves

To view the entire article, please click on the link above.

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Monkey Brains Signal The Desire To Explore

(Credit: iStockphoto/Roman Kobzarev)

ScienceDaily (Sep. 6, 2009) — Sticking with what you know often comes at the price of learning about more favorable alternatives.

Managing this trade-off is easy for many, but not for those with conditions such as Alzheimer's disease or obsessive-compulsive disorder who are trapped in simple routines.

Using brain scans in monkeys, Duke University Medical Center researchers are now able to predict when monkeys will switch from exploiting a known resource to exploring their options.

"Humans aren't the only animals who wonder if the grass is greener elsewhere, but it's hard to abandon what we know in hopes of finding something better," said John Pearson, Ph.D., research associate in the Duke Department of Neurobiology and lead author of a study published in this week's Current Biology.

To view the entire article, please click on the link above.

Saturday, September 12, 2009

Injectable Biomaterial Regenerates Brain Tissue In Traumatic Injuries

(Credit: Clemson University)

ScienceDaily (Sep. 3, 2009) — An injectable biomaterial gel may help brain tissue grow at the site of a traumatic brain injury, according to findings by a Clemson University bioengineer.

Research by assistant professor of bioengineering Ning Zhang shows that the biomaterial gel made up of both synthetic and natural sources has the potential to spur the growth of a patient's own neural stem cells in the body, structurally repairing the brain injury site. In previous lab studies, Zhang has demonstrated the reconstruction of a complete vascular network at the injury site as an initial step toward brain tissue regeneration.

Zhang presented her findings Wednesday, Sept. 2, at the Military Research Forum in Kansas City. The conference is geared toward improving the overall health and welfare of the U.S. armed forces, their families, veterans and the American public.

To view the entire article, please click on the link above.

Friday, September 11, 2009

NC AT Expo December 3-4, 2009

MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR THE 2009 ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY EXPO!!

DECEMBER 3-4, 2009

NORTH RALEIGH HILTON

The NC Assistive Technology Expo is an exciting two-day event designed
to increase awareness and provide current information about assistive
technology. It will be held December 3-4, 2009 at the North Raleigh
Hilton. Participants will learn about the latest in assistive
technology devices, services, strategies and community resources.

Who Should Attend: Professionals in a variety of disability related
fields such as rehabilitation, physical therapy, occupational therapy,
speech and language, regular and special education, health, recreation
and rehabilitation engineering, people with disabilities and their
family members, product vendors, employers and human resource
managers. The following credits are available: DPI, Infant-Toddler
Certification, Recreation Therapy and CRC.

If you would like to learn more, view the attached registration
brochure, visit http://www.pat.org, or contact:

Sonya Van Horn
Phone: 919-872-2298 (voice)
Email: assist@pat.org

Thursday, September 10, 2009

Bollywood embraces disability in quest for realism

(AFP/File – Bollywood actor Abhishek Bachchan, seen here with wife Aishwarya Rai)

MUMBAI (AFP) (Sep. 9, 2009)– From "One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest" to "Children Of A Lesser God", "My Left Foot" and "Rain Man", Hollywood has a long history of portraying people with disabilities or illnesses on screen.

In contrast, India's popular Hindi-language film industry has traditionally shied away from real-life subjects, preferring flights of fancy on romantic love.

But now three major upcoming films are portraying a central character with a disability or illness, marking a shift away from fantasy to treating more contemporary themes.

by Shail Kumar Singh

To view the entire article, please click on the link above.

Wednesday, September 09, 2009

Free Web/IT Accessibility Workshop in September

The Real World of Web/IT Accessibility and Assistive Technology

Time: Registration - 8:00 – 8:55; Workshop - 9:00 AM – 3:30 PM

Location: SC State Archives and History (online directions: http://www.sc.edu/scatp/directions.htm#archives)

Parking is free!

Note: No food or drink is allowed in the Archives auditorium.

Be on time! We’re giving out a door prize promptly at 9:00 am!

Description: Don't miss this unique opportunity to see people who use assistive technology show how they experience web pages! Speakers from around the state will demonstrate various technologies including screen readers and screen enlargers, which they use in accessing Internet and other electronic information. We'll discuss usability vs. accessibility, the basics of designing for accessibility, and show examples of positive and not-so-positive design. They'll be available to answer questions about what works, what doesn't work, and how they solve problems when accessing electronic information (the Web, Word, and PDF documents).

This workshop has been generated as a follow up to a Web Testers Pilot Program, conducted by the SC Assistive Technology Program and the SC Assistive Technology Advisory Committee, under the S.C. State Budget & Control Board, to train both people who use assistive technology and those who don't, in the evaluation of state agency web pages for accessibility and usability.

Schedule

8:30 – 9:00 - Registration

9:00 - First Door Prize Drawing (the winner chooses from the selection of prizes)

9:05 – 9:25 - ATAC Web Testers Pilot Program: Janet Jendron

9:30 – 11:45 (with short break in between) -

Demonstrations and Discussions: What makes Web Pages easier? What causes frustration? What are some simple design solutions for these challenges?

Demonstration of JAWS (Clay Jeffcoat) on Web Pages

Demonstration of ZoomText (Grace Strother) on Web Pages

Demonstration of Kurzweil (Jim Debus) on Web Pages

The demonstrations will briefly cover issues such as skip navigation links, Flash, Drop navigation menus, appropriate alt text, meaningful link text, online forms, layout tables, data tables, video captioning CSS, and heading structure. We’ll have questions and comments from CB Averitt, Cheryl Kirkpatrick, Wendy Mullin, Sam Hahn on web design techniques that could address problems.

11:45 – 1:15 - Lunch

1:15 - Door Prize Drawing

1:20 – 1:50 - Cool Tools: Demonstration of the Web Accessibility Toolbar and Web Developer’s Toolbar (Allison Yeager)

2:00 – 3:30 -

Demonstrations and Discussion: What makes PDFs and Word Docs easier to access? What causes frustration? What are some simple design solutions for these challenges? Questions and Comments from CB Averitt, Cheryl Kirkpatrick, Wendy Mullin, Sam Hahn on formatting issues that could address problems.

Demonstration of JAWS (Clay Jeffcoat)

Demonstration of ZoomText (Grace Strother)

Demonstration of Kurzweil (Jim Debus)

3:30 – Door Prize Drawing

To register for this workshop:

Option 1: Complete the online registration form

Option 2: Email Sally Young at Sally.Young@uscmed.sc.edu

Option 3: Call Sally Young at (803) 935-5263 or 800-915-4522.

Option 4: Fax your registration information to (803) 935-5342. Please include your name, organization, address, email address, phone

To view the flyer for this workshop, please click on the link above.

Employment Opportunity: South Carolina Dept. of Education AT Specialist position open

A new Assistive Technology Specialist position is now available with the South Carolina Department of Education, located in thePee Dee Region (Florence, SC).

Job Title: Education Associate II-TG13586

Agency: Department of Education

Opening Date: Sun. 08/16/09

Closing Date/Time: Fri. 09/11/09 5:00 PM Eastern Time

State Salary Range: $44,825.00 - $82,930.00 annually

Agency Hiring Range: Min: $48,486.00 Max:$82,930.00

Job Type: Temporary Grant - Full-Time

Location: Richland County, South Carolina

Normal Work Schedule: Monday - Friday (8:30 - 5:00)

NOTE: This announcement comes from Stacy Springer.
If you have questions, please reply directly to her (information below).

Stacy Springer, MS, OTR/L, ATP

Assistive Technology Specialist

South Carolina Department of Education

1776 William Kennerty Drive

Charleston, SC 29407

843.766.2048 phone

sspringer@ed.sc.gov

http://sccatn.wikispaces.com/

To view the entire job posting, please click on the link above and scroll to the bottom of the page.

More Obesity Blues: Obese People Are At Greater Risk For Developing Alzheimer's, Study Finds

ScienceDaily (Aug. 25, 2009) — Obesity is on a rampage, with the World Health Organization pegging the numbers at more than 300 million worldwide, with a billion more overweight. With obesity comes the increased risk for cardiovascular disease, Type II diabetes, and hypertension.

Now comes more discouraging news. In the current online edition of the journal Human Brain Mapping, Paul Thompson, senior author and a UCLA professor of neurology, and lead author Cyrus A. Raji, a medical student at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, and colleagues compared the brains of people who were obese, overweight, and of normal weight, to see if they had differences in brain structure; that is, did their brains look equally healthy.

They found that obese people had 8 percent less brain tissue than people with normal weight, while overweight people had 4 percent less tissue. According to Thompson, who is also a member of UCLA's Laboratory of Neuro Imaging, this is the first time anyone has established a link between being overweight and having what he describes as "severe brain degeneration."

To view the entire article, please click on the link above.

Tuesday, September 08, 2009

Live Recordings Of Cell Communication

ScienceDaily (Aug. 6, 2009) — A new advanced method for nano-scale imaging of vesicle-fusion – vesicles are biological nano-sized containers - could add to our understanding of diseases of the nervous system and viral infections. In the long term, this could be useful in developing a cure for neurological diseases and mental disorders (e.g. schizophrenia, depression, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease).

Neurons communicate with each other with the help of nano-sized vesicles. Disruption of this communication process is responsible for many diseases and mental disorders like e.g. depression. Nerve signals travel from one neuron to another through vesicles - a nano-sized container loaded with neurotransmitter molecules. A vesicle fuses with the membrane surrounding a neuron, releases neurotransmitters into the surroundings that are detected by the next neuron in line. However, we still lack a more detailed understanding of how the fusion of vesicles occurs on the nano-scale.

To view the entire article, please click on the link above.

Monday, September 07, 2009

Taking Up Music So You Can Hear

(Credit: iStockphoto)

ScienceDaily (Aug. 27, 2009) — Anyone with an MP3 device -- just about every man, woman and child on the planet today, it seems -- has a notion of the majesty of music, of the primal place it holds in the human imagination.

But musical training should not be seen simply as stuff of the soul -- a frill that has to go when school budgets dry up, according to a new Northwestern University study.

The study shows that musicians -- trained to hear sounds embedded in a rich network of melodies and harmonies -- are primed to understand speech in a noisy background, say in a restaurant, classroom or plane...

The findings strongly support the potential therapeutic and rehabilitation use of musical training to address auditory processing and communication disorders throughout the life span.

To view the entire article, please click on the link above.

Friday, September 04, 2009

September is EdCeptional Children’s Month at EdVenture.

FREE ADMISSION: Every Sunday in September for children with disabilities and their families! Admission for Sunday, September 27 is sponsored by the SC Assistive Technology Program/USC School of Medicine.The South Carolina Assistive Technology Program will be sponsoring hands-on assistive technology exhibits all month throughout the museum. See how to make a grocery list with pictures, feel how easy it is to write using different pencil grips, test your knowledge of assistive technology gizmos and gadgets and check out what assistive technology you may already be using!

Visit EdVenture’s CyberLoft on Wednesday, September 16 from 3:00-5:00 and Sunday, September 20 from 1:00-4:00 when South Carolina Assistive Technology Program staff demonstrate how to adapt books and share resources for struggling readers.

Check out these and many other events scheduled for EdVenture’s EdCeptional Children’s month by visiting EdVenture’s website at http://www.edventure.org/ or see the calendar of events at http://www.edventure.org/pdf/EdV_EdCeptSept09(2).pdf .

EdVenture Children’s Museum211 Gervais Street • Columbia, South Carolina 29201803-779-3100Hours: Tuesday – Saturday 9:00am-5:00pm Sunday Noon-5:00pm

Project Rise Improves Grades

Central Illinois News Center (Sep 1, 2009) -- Heartland Community College is doing more to make sure students with developmental disabilities can go on to a four year college.

"Project Rise" is a program where peer mentors show new students the resources available to them, how to get involved in social groups and work to improve their grades.

The program is available to anyone but students on the autism spectrum are seeing some of the biggest advantages.

"With her disability, which is autism, she has actually managed to get A's in writing classes. You know, someone on the autism spectrum describing things in written form is difficult, but with the help of Project Rise is has been successful. We are very happy with them," said Janet Ogunmokun, parent.

To view the entire article, please click on the link above.

Thursday, September 03, 2009

Children With Autism Use Alternative Keyboard To Communicate With Their Families And Their World

The OrbiTouch keyboard. (Credit: Blue Orb)

ScienceDaily (Sep. 1, 2009) — Autism can build a wall of poor communication between those struggling with the condition and their families. While a personal computer can help bridge the divide, the distraction and complexity of a keyboard can be an insurmountable obstacle.

Using a unique keyboard with only two "keys" and a novel curriculum, teachers with Project Blue Skies are giving children with autism the ability to both communicate and to explore the online world.

At the heart of the project is a device called the OrbiTouch. Human-factors engineer Pete McAlindon of BlueOrb in Maitland, Fl., conceived of the concept behind the OrbiTouch more than a decade ago as a way to prevent carpal tunnel syndrome and provide computer access to people with limited or no use of their fingers.

To view the entire article, please click on the link above.

Wednesday, September 02, 2009

Job Announcement

CLASS TITLE: Teacher/Access POSITION#: 138377

Technology Specialist

CLASS CODE/SLOT: CB 10/20 BAND: 5

DEPARTMENT: Outreach/Blind School

LOCATION: Spartanburg

EMPLOYMENT INFORMATION: FTE Position/42 weeks per yar/37.5 hours per week

SALARY RANGE: Minimum: $24,452

Midpoint: $34,847

DUTIES:

Provide individual student and group instruction on campus in the SC School for the Blind and in the off-campus mainstreamed program so that students receive appropriate instruction and can demonstrate increase knowledge in the use of access technology. Coordinate and assist with individual and multidisciplinary assistive/access technology assessments for students at the SC School for the Blind. Develop appropriate IEP goals in the use of Access Technology(AT) that leads to students' success and independence in the integration of AT with the general curricula as well with activities related to the use of computers, note takers, and various AT items in recreation, academics and independent living. Maintains an accurate inventory of the School for the Blind Access Technology. Recommend AT purchases based on current trends, research and cost effectiveness needed for student instruction and use. Monitor service maintenance agreements and updates to ensure, with the coordination of the SCSDB IT staff, that all software and equipment is kept current. Coordinate with SCSDB IT to ensure that all Access Technology is appropriately placed, in good working order, and that copyright law is not violated.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Bachelor's Degree and 3 years experience in the use of, training in, and support of Access Technology. Must have knowledge of information processing operations, micro/minicomputer hardware/software and state-of-the-art technology as it relates to individuals with disabilities. Must also have background in installation, operation, testing and maintenance of Access Technology for individuals who are blind, i.e., refreshable Braille, scanning and speech software. Must be proficient in Braille, and computerized production of Braille. Must have an expert use of Microsoft Office and office equipment such as computer, fax and thermoform copier.

STATE APPLICATION Office of Human Resources

REQUIRED: SC School for the Deaf and the Blind

355 Cedar Springs Road

Spartanburg, SC 29302

OPENING DATE: June 18, 2009

CLOSING DATE: Until Filled

For more information about this job posting, please click on the link above.

SCATP Fall 2009 Training Schedule

Thursday, September 10, 2009
I Can't Believe It's Free: Technology Resources for People with Disabilities
9:00am – 11:00am
Fast Forward Community Technology Center, 3223 Devine Street, Columbia, SC
Instructors: Dee Albritton, Director of Fast Forward Community Technology Center;
Mary Alice Bechtler, SC Assistive Technology Program

Friday, September 11, 2009
Introduction to Boardmaker
9:00 – 11:00am
Presenter: Val Gioia, Assistive Technology Specialist, SC Department of Education
Assistive Technology Resource Center, Poplar Building, Midlands Center, 8301 Farrow Road, Columbia, SC

September 22, 2009
The Real World of Web/IT Accessibility and Assistive Technology
Registration - 8:00 – 8:55am; Workshop - 9:00am – 3:30pm
SC State Archives and History (see our online directions page)
Presenters: Janet Jendron, Clay Jeffcoat, Jim Debus, Allison Yeager, Grace Strother, CB Averitt, Wendy Mullin, Sam Hahn, Cheryl Kirkpatrick

Tuesdays, October 6 - November 3, 2009
Creating Visual Supports for Children with Autism
9:00 – 11:00am
Presenter: Carol Page, PhD, CCC-SLP, ATP

Topics and Locations:

-October 6, 2009: Introduction to Visual and Environmental Supports for Behavior and Social Skills - SC Autism Society Training Room
-October 13, 2009 Supports for Communication - SC Autism Society Training Room
-October 20, 2009 Supports for Literacy - SC Autism Society Training Room
-October 27, 2009 Free Electronic Resources - SCATP AT Resource Center
-November 3, 2009 Supports for Functional Skills in Family Life - SC Autism Society Training Room

Tuesday, October 6 – Florence
Tuesday, December 1 – Columbia
Accessible and Usable Web Pages Using CSS
9am - 12pm
Presenter: CB Averitt, Webmaster, Florence-Darlington Technical College.

-October 6 Location: The Southeastern Institute of Manufacturing and Technology. 1951 Pisgah Rd., Florence, SC 29502, Room 149 (Located behind Florence Darlington Technical College).

-December 1 Location: Midlands Technical College Northeast Campus/Center of Excellence for Technology, 151 Powell Road, Columbia, SC 29203

Thursday, October 8, 2009
Supporting Language and Communication for Individuals with Autism (Repeat)
This is a repeat of a workshop being offered on October 7th in North Charleston
9:00am – 3:30pm
Collaborative Training Center, Midlands Center, 8301 Farrow Road, Columbia, SC 29203
Presenter: Implementation Workshops are presented by speech-language pathologists employed by DynaVox.
This course is offered for 0.5 ASHA CEUs (Intermediate level, Professional area).

Friday, October 9, 2009
Intermediate Boardmaker
9:00 – 11:00am
Presenter: Val Gioia, Assistive Technology Specialist, SC Department of Education
Location: Assistive Technology Resource Center, Poplar Building, Midlands Center, 8301 Farrow Road, Columbia, SC

Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Trash to AT Treasures
9:00am - Noon
Presenters: Dr. Carol Page, Speech-Language Pathologist SCATP and Val Gioia, Assistive Technology Specialist, SC Department of Education
Location: SC Assistive Technology Resource Center, Poplar Building, Midlands Center, 8301 Farrow Road, Columbia, SC

Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Building or Updating Your Home for Accessibility
9:00am–11:00am
Location: Conference Center, Richland Medical Park 2, 2 Medical Park Road, Columbia, SC
Instructors: Wesley Farnum and Michael Reed with MyHome Builders, LLC; Catherine Leigh Graham with the University of South Carolina’s Interagency Office of Disability and Health.

Tuesday, November 10, 2009
“AMPLIFY ! LIFE” – Grab Life by the Phone. How to get specialized phone equipment FREE.
9:00am – 12:30pm
Location: Assistive Technology Resource Center, Midlands Center, 8301 Farrow Road, Columbia (you can find more information on our directions page)
Presenter: Anne G. Bader, Outreach Coordinator for the South Carolina Equipment Distribution Program (SCEDP)

Thursday, November 12, 2009
AAC Assessment
8:30am – 11:30am
Presenters: Dr. Carol Page, Speech-Language Pathologist, SCATP and Val Gioia, Assistive Technology Specialist, SC Department of Education
Location: Lower Level Lecture Hall, 2 Medical Park, 2 Medical Park Road, Columbia, SC

Thursday, December 10, 2009
AAC Implementation
8:30am – 11:30am
Presenters: Dr. Carol Page, Speech-Language Pathologist, SCATP and Val Gioia, Assistive Technology Specialist, SC Department of Education
Location: Lower Level Lecture Hall, 2 Medical Park, 2 Medical Park Road, Columbia, SC

For the complete schedule, please click on the link above.

FRCDSN Conference September 19 - Charleston

The Family Resource Center for Disabilities and Special Needs presents our 12th annual conference:

Assistive Technology - Why aren't you using it?

Saturday, September 19, 2009

Mark Clark Hall on the Citadel Campus

$10 registration fee (includes lunch)

The agenda will start with a brief panel of individuals with disabilities discussing how assitive technology has helped them and in what way.

Then there will be two presentations by Dr. Carol Page and Stacy Springer, defining assitive technology, discussing the different types, and providing information regarding which types might be useful to individuals with a variety of mild to severe disabilites. There will be breaks between sessions and participants will have the opportunity to view and try out different types of assistive technology.

During lunch there will awards prestations and time to browse the silent auction items and vendors with a variety of AT devices (high and low tech) available to explore.

We welcome exhibitors! Please call our office 843-266-1318, to be sure we have room.

To view the FRCDSN website, please click on the link above.

Watching Stem Cells Repair The Human Brain

ScienceDaily (Aug. 21, 2009) — There is no known cure for neurodegenerative diseases such as Huntington's, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. But new hope, in the form of stem cells created from the patient's own bone marrow, can be found — and literally seen — in laboratories at Tel Aviv University.

Dr. Yoram Cohen of TAU's School of Chemistry has recently proven the viability of these innovative stem cells, called mesenchymal stem cells, using in-vivo MRI. Dr. Cohen has been able to track their progress within the brain, and initial studies indicate they can identify unhealthy or damaged tissues, migrate to them, and potentially repair or halt cell degeneration. His findings have been reported in the journal Stem Cells.

To view the entire article, please click on the link above.