SC Spinal Cord Association: Fall 2014 Newsletter

To access full newsletter: https://gallery.mailchimp.com/b478c78fff3d971ceacba8912/files/Newsletter_Fall_2014.pdf

To access the CDR Library: http://uscm.med.sc.edu/CDR/index.asp

Free Webinar - Using Classroom and Google Apps with High School and College Students

This comes from Google Education. Note: the time is Pacific Time so it would be 3 pm Eastern Time.

Using Classroom and Google Apps with High School and College Students

On December, 16th, join us for an exciting webcast where Alice Keeler, a high school and college teacher, will share how she is successfully using Google Apps for Education and Classroom with her students.

During this presentation, you will hear examples of several assignments Alice has run using Classroom and how they could benefit your school.

Sign up now to attend our complimentary presentation to:

• Get an overview of Classroom
• Hear the story of Alice Keeler and how she uses Google Classroom
• Learn how Google tools are being used in the classroom and how this is improving student learning, collaboration and innovation
• Ask your Classroom questions to our informative presenters

Take full advantage of this LIVE presentation and register now!

Sponsored By: Google for Education

If you can’t make the live event please sign up to view the complimentary presentation at your convenience.

Presented by:

Alice Keeler,
High School & College Teacher,
California State University Fresno

Jennifer Holland,
Google for Education Team

To access the CDR Library: http://uscm.med.sc.edu/CDR/index.asp

Able SC: Communicating With Your Support System

Please contact Able SC to register for the training:
(803) 779-5121, ext.126
TTY: (803)779-0949
dtempio@able-sc.org

To access the CDR Library: http://uscm.med.sc.edu/CDR/index.asp

Able SC: Advocacy Day

For more information: http://www.able-sc.org/about/empowerment/advocacy/

To access the CDR Library: http://uscm.med.sc.edu/CDR/index.asp

Engineer applies robot control theory to improve prosthetic legs

New research enables powered prosthetics to dynamically respond to the wearer’s environment and help amputees walk. Wearers of the robotic leg could walk on a treadmill almost as fast as an able-bodied person.

A University of Texas at Dallas professor applied robot control theory to enable powered prosthetics to dynamically respond to the wearer's environment and help amputees walk.

In research available online and in an upcoming print issue of IEEE Transactions on Robotics, wearers of the robotic leg could walk on a moving treadmill almost as fast as an able-bodied person.

"We borrowed from robot control theory to create a simple, effective new way to analyze the human gait cycle," said Dr. Robert Gregg, a faculty member in the Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science and lead author of the paper. "Our approach resulted in a method for controlling powered prostheses for amputees to help them move in a more stable, natural way than current prostheses."

To read the article in full please visit: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/12/141204110849.htm

To access the CDR Library: http://uscm.med.sc.edu/CDR/index.asp

AbleSC - Yoga for Everyone!

Please join us in a class designed especially for you! All movements will be seated or lying down. Volunteer assistants will be available to make your experience more enjoyable.Where: Yoga Masala, 711 Bluff Rd., Columbia, SCFor more information call 803.413.7848 or visit www.DaraBrownYoga.com
To access the CDR Library: http://uscm.med.sc.edu/CDR/index.asp

ABLE Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. – On Wednesday, U.S. Rep. Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson voted to support “The Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act” (H.R. 647/S.313), which passed the House with bipartisan support by a vote of 404-17.

“The Achieving a Better Life Experience Act eases the enormous financial burden placed upon individuals with disabilities and their families by making it easier for them to plan and save for the future. As a cosponsor of the ABLE Act, I am proud of this bipartisan effort to empower individuals to live with greater dignity and independence. It is my hope the Senate will act swiftly to pass this important legislation,” said Thompson.

Under current law, individuals with disabilities face significant barriers to finding and holding employment and living independently because their access to certain safety-net programs can be lost once they establish a minimum level of savings and income.

The ABLE Act aims to provide families of a severely disabled child with some peace of mind by allowing them to save for their child’s long-term disability expenses in the same way that families of able bodied children can currently save for college through popular 529 investment plans.

The ABLE Act empowers disabled individuals and their families to save their own money in a 529A (or ABLE) account to maintain health and independence with a goal of allowing those individuals to transition away from government assistance and benefits.

ABLE Accounts would be a savings vehicle for disability-related expenses that will supplement, but not supplant, benefits provided through private insurances, the Medicaid program, the supplemental security income program, the beneficiary’s employment, and other sources.

To access the CDR Library: http://uscm.med.sc.edu/CDR/index.asp

Autism Society - Call for Presentations

This is your chance to be part of the most comprehensive national conference on autism spectrum disorders in the United States!
July 8-11, 2015Denver, Colorado

CALL FOR PRESENTATIONS NOW OPEN

Autism Society’s 46^th Annual Conference on Autism Spectrum Disorders

Colorado Convention Center

The Autism Society‘s National Conference and Exhibition is the only event to consistently bring together professionals, individuals on the autism spectrum, family members and advocates. Energetic forums provide in-depth presentations that cover what’s new in the field of autism and explore how to improve existing services and supports. This Call for Papers is seeking presentations that address the full range of issues facing those affected by autism today, provide best practices, practical skills/knowledge and cutting edge research on topics of interest to those affected by autism. Of particular interest are sessions with content appropriate for intermediate to advanced audiences. Content areas include early intervention, education, employment, quality of life, behavior, communication, social skills, biomedical interventions, mental health and others. 
The varied expertise and experiences of presenters enables attendees to learn how to more effectively advocate and obtain needed services and supports. The ultimate goal of the Autism Society’s Conference is to empower family members, individuals on the spectrum and professionals to make informed decisions. Overall conference content addresses the full range of the autism spectrum and encompasses lifespan issues. Presentations in Spanish are also encouraged.  

The call for papers is open on the Autism Society website at:  

http://www.autism-society.org/in-the-news/call-papers-2015-autism-society-national-conference/

Submissions are due by Sunday January 18, 2015  

All submissions must be made through our online system.

Questions?  Please call 800-3-AUTISM or email conference@autism-society.org 

Free Webinars from the Accessible Technology Coalition

Below are a number of free upcoming webinars from the Accessible Technology Coalition

Wednesday, December 3, 2014, 11am Pacific, 2pm Eastern
Playing with Educational Software from SETC

Wednesday, December 3, 2014, 3:30pm Pacific, 6:30pm Eastern
iPad: OT Treatment Apps from SETC

Thursday, December 4, 2014, 3:30pm Pacific, 6:30pm Eastern
Accessibility in a Bring Your Own Device Environment from MITS

Monday, December 8, 2014, 1:30pm Pacific, 4:30pm Eastern
Adapting Off-the-Shelf Games from SETC

Tuesday, December 9, 2014, 3:30pm Pacific, 6:30pm Eastern
ECT (Environmental Communication Teaching) Strategies for Implementation from AbleNet

Wednesday,December 10, 2014, 9am Pacific, 12pm Eastern
Math – It can be Fun! from SETC           

Wednesday, December 10, 2014, 3:30pm Pacific, 6:30pm Eastern
AAC in Story Reenactment from SETC

Wednesday, December 10, 2014, 5 - 6 PM  Pacific
Bookshare is Expanding and Improving from EASI

Thursday, December 11, 2014, at 11am Pacific, 2pm Eastern
Print Alternative Through BookShare from SETC       
 
Thursday, December 11, 2014, 3:30pm Pacific, 6:30pm Eastern
Switch Training Resources from SETC           

Thursday, December 11, 2014, 3:30pm Pacific, 6:30pm Eastern
Top 5 iPad apps for Struggling Readers and Writers from AbleNet

Tuesday, December 16, 2014, at 2pm Pacific, 5pm Eastern
AT for Common Core, College & Career Readiness for Students with Significant Cognitive Disabilitiesfrom AbleNet

Wednesday, December 17, 2014, at 4:30pm Pacific, 7:30pm Eastern
Accessibility Options for High Stakes Testing from AbleNet

To access the CDR Library: http://uscm.med.sc.edu/CDR/index.asp

Association of Assistive Technology Programs Webinars

Below are some great webinars from ATAP, the Association of Assistive Technology Programs.

Introduction to IT accessibility.
Date: 1/14/2015Time: 3:00 PM ET
Description: An overview of accessibility, where people with disabilities and technology meet. A discussion about what accessibility is, why it’s vital, and applicable laws.
Register for this Webinar

Document Accessibility in Microsoft Word 2010
Date: 2/25/2015
Time: TBA
Description: For document authors, an introductory look at how to make Word documents more accessible using Word 2010.
Register for this Webinar

Accessible PowerPoint presentations
Date: 3/25/2015
Time: TBA
Description: For presentation authors, an introductory look at how to make PowerPoint documents more accessible using Word 2010.
Register for this Webinar

Considerations in Multimedia Accessibility
Date: 4/29/2015Time: TBA
Description: A high-level look at tools and tips to help make audio and video more accessible. Includes some discussion about captioning techniques, such as re-voicing.
Register for this Webinar 


For additional information please visit: http://www.ataporg.org/ICTWebinars/Default.aspx
To access the CDR Library: http://uscm.med.sc.edu/CDR/index.asp