My Special Olympics Track and Field Day

"Thanks to Terra’s mom I got a chance to be on the Track and Field team. She is also the track and field is near the USC College. We had to order our Special Olympics track and field uniforms. Then later we had to walk around the whole track. It was really hot there. It was so hot that I got sunburned on my shoulders and my neck. Then we waited for our events to start. I watched Terra do the shot put throw. Then it was my turn to do my event. I did the softball throw. I got first place in my event. But I knew I was going to get first place before I got the ribbon. Because I am good at throwing the ball really far. And that’s how I know I was getting first place. I’m going to Fort Jackson May 7-9. If you would like to see me do the softball throw come on May 8. I can’t wait until I go to Fort Jackson. It will be a lot of fun. I will tell you readers all about Fort Jackson in the next newsletter.

In the future I would like to do the 50-meter dash for track and field. I would love to roller skate for Special Olympics. That is my favorite sport. It’s also my passion. Well, next to writing that is."

-Kelly Doyle

Understanding How Folic Acid Might Help Heal Brain and Spinal Cord Injuries

ScienceDaily (Apr. 26, 2010) — Babies born to women who do not consume enough folic acid (sometimes referred to as folate or vitamin B9) are at high risk of developing neural tube defects (i.e., defects in the development of the spinal cord or brain). This is the reason underlying the recommendation that women who are pregnant take a folic acid supplement. A team of researchers, led by Bermans Iskandar, at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, has now generated data in rodents suggesting that folic acid might also help promote healing in injured brain and spinal cord. Specifically, the team was able to uncover a molecular pathway by which folate can promote nerve cell regeneration following injury in rodents.

For more information, please click on the title above.

A Brain-Recording Device That Melts Into Place

ScienceDaily (Apr. 19, 2010) — "Scientists have developed a brain implant that essentially melts into place, snugly fitting to the brain's surface. The technology could pave the way for better devices to monitor and control seizures, and to transmit signals from the brain past damaged parts of the spinal cord.
"These implants have the potential to maximize the contact between electrodes and brain tissue, while minimizing damage to the brain. They could provide a platform for a range of devices with applications in epilepsy, spinal cord injuries and other neurological disorders," said Walter Koroshetz, M.D., deputy director of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), part of the National Institutes of Health."

To read the entire article, click on the title above.

Camera Mouse

Camera Mouse is a free program that enables you to control the mouse pointer on your computer screen just by moving your head.

To use Camera Mouse you need a Windows 7, Vista, or XP computer and a webcam.

Camera Mouse was developed by researchers at Boston College and Boston University to help people with disabilities use the computer. They write, “We make it available for free download, with no gimmicks or advertisements, because we want to help as many people as possible.”

The main audience for this program is people who do not have reliable control of a hand but who can move their head. People with Cerebral Palsy, Spinal Muscular Atrophy, ALS, Multiple Sclerosis, Traumatic Brain Injury, various neurological disorders use this program and its predecessors to run all types of computer software.

See more in their video.

The Camera Mouse website may be viewed by clicking the link in this post's title.

SC AT Exchange - new list of items

We have had a lot of items post to the exchange in the past few weeks. Please don’t forget to check in frequently. If you only check every other week you may miss the big tickets items that don’t stay up for very long.

There are 2 lists below:
1. Those items for sale or donation AND
2. Those items that people are in need of for everyday activities.

If you have questions about items on the Exchange:

Please visit the page at http://www.scatpexchange.net/ & find the contact information for these and other items.

You must login (or create a new account if you are a new user) to see the contact information.
If you have logged in and still have questions please call or email Catherine Leigh Graham at 803-434-3189 or Catherine.Graham@uscmed.sc.edu.
Note: If you can’t get Catherine, call Janet Jendron at (803) 446-2566 or email her at Janet.Jendron@uscmed.sc.edu.

****SC ATP Exchange list as of April 14, 2010.****

Items Available

Computers and related

HP Laserjet Printer, Hewlett-Packard

Daily Living

Feeding Pump
Cath adapter tips, One box (unopened) used for meds given by G-Tube
Diapers
Electric Patient Lift
Winsford Feeder
Nutrene Jr. Formula
Boys Shoes For AFO's
Commode/Shower Chair
Jevity 1cal

Environmental Adaptations

Vitaeris 320 Hyperbaric Chamber
Ceiling Track Lift
Therapy Cooler

Mobility, Seating & Positioning

Columbia Car Seat
Stroller
Power Wheelchair
Power Wheelchair
Bath Chair
Invacare Walker model 6271
Invacare Walker model 6270
Reduced Gap Half-Length Bed Rail
Model B330AL Joerns low height electric bed
Model B675 electric bed
Snug Seat Gator Gait Trainer
Squiggles Early Sitting System =233Hoveround MPV4 Scooter
Pride Jet 2 HD(Heavy Duty) Scooter
Therapeutic Wheelchair Cushion
Therapy Air Mattress APM2
Youth Caregiver Operated Wheelchair
42" Rifton Prone Stander
Child's Corner Chair
Small Gait Trainer
High Low Chair Reduced
power patient lift device =165Patient Lift Device
Power wheelchair
Power wheelchair
Power Wheelchair
Stander
Jazzy Pride 1121 Power Wheelchair
Jazzy Power Chair
Power Patient Lifter
Reclining Shower Chair
Merits P182 Powerchair
Craftmatic 1 Bed

Other

Nebulizer
Halo Helmet

Recreation, Sports, and Leisure

Pool Lift
Swing Seat
Rifton Adaptive

Speech Communication

Assistive Tech Speech Communicator
Speech Communication Device

Vehicle Modification and Transportation

2001 W/C Accessible Dodge Sport Caravan
Wheelchair Accessible MiniVan
Harmar Wheelchair Lift
Wheelchair lift
Dodge 2500 W/C Accessible Van

Items being Sought

Computers and related

Used computer

Daily Living

Heavy duty shower chair & toileting adaptive aid
CCTV Video Magnifier
Dehumidifier
Geriatric Recliner
Emergency System
CPAP with humidifier
Recumbent Bike
"Sure Hands" Ceiling Hoist
E&J Shower Wheel Chair

Environmental Adaptations

Portable Wheelchair Ramp for Van
Portable Wheelchair Ramp

Hearing

Hearing Aid and Eyeglasses

Learning, Cognitive, & Developmental

Big Mack Switch

Mobility, Seating & Positioning

Gait trainer for child
Lightweight 16x16 wheelchair
Walker
Clinitron Bed
Standing Frame
Lift Chair
Standing Frame
Used Manual Wheelchair
Electric Adjustable Bed
Personal Lift
Lift Chair

Recreation, Sports, and Leisure

Hand cycles & adapted tricycle
Kayak

Speech Communication

Step by Step Communicator
AAC Device
Communication Device
Easy Talk16

Vehicle Modification and Transportation

Van Wheelchair Ramp
Side Door Van Handicap Lift
Hi Top Handicap Van
Power Chair Transport Accessories
Exterior Power Chair Lift with a Hitch
Exterior Power Chair Lift with a Hitch

The SC AT Exchange website may be viewed by clicking the link in this post's title.

Mending Broken Hearts Conference: Gentle Teaching 2010

Mending Broken Hearts: Gentle Teaching 2010

Gentle Teaching is a proven strategy used to reduce/eliminate incidence of violence, physical discipline/restraints and inappropriate staff/teacher interactions with children, students and adults in various in home, out of home and classrooms settings. More importantly, it is designed to teach children, students and adults to learn to live together and reduce behavioral/disciplinary problems.

Gentle Teaching is instrumental for helping teachers partner with parents in closing the achievement gap for children.

June 10th and 11th, 2010
8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Columbia, South Carolina

At

The Radisson Hotel and Conference Center
2100 Bush River Road, Columbia, South Carolina
Special rates for guest: $ 99.00 per night plus tax/suites add $20.00

The informational brochure and signup information may be viewed by clicking the link in this post's title.

Special Needs Summer Camps in SC

SCATP has, again, this year, posted a list of summer camps for kids with disabilities. Please let us know if you have corrections to this information, or information about additional camps, and we’ll keep this web page updated as we go.

The camp listing may be viewed by clicking the link in this post's title.

SC Adult Sibling Leadership Network Webinar

SC Adult Sibling Leadership Network Presents:

Dream Big! Moving from Congregate Settings into Supported Community Living Options WEBINAR

presented by Kristi Hartwell
Project Director of the Supported Community Living Initiative
University of South Carolina
April 27, 2010
10:00am-12:00pm

Objectives:

Describe the Supported Community Living Initiative
Define the goals of Supported Living
Learn tips for creating Supported Living opportunities
Listen to a personal account of a successful transition of Supported Living

To register call 1-800-759-4776 or (803) 772-5688 email Melanie at burnettiandr@aol.com
Internet access and a telephone will be needed to participate via the internet.
(You may also access the audio portion only via telephone)

To learn more about the SC Adult Sibling Leadership Network or to receive a membership application, please call the numbers listed above or visit our website www.scadultsiblingnetwork.org

"Reading Made Easy" Training April 21 - Columbia

The program "Reading Made Easy Everywhere" scheduled for the 21st of April in Columbia, SC will be modified. This workshop will not include the scheduled appearance by Scott Marfilius and background information on structured reading supports for struggling readers. The original daylong format will be adjusted to a half day and content will focus on Digital Talking Books from RFB&D and Bookshare.org and Digital Talking Book players. Specific information on the Victor Reader Stream and ClassMate Reader will be provided.

From 9 am to noon Jim Sullivan of HumanWare will lead a discussion and several hands-on activities with these tools. This presentation will be geared toward teachers of the visually impaired, reading specialist, special education teachers, special education administrator and assistive technology specialist. Advantages of these tools for students who are blind/visually impaired and who have learning disabilities will be explored.

An outline of the topics to be covered appears below. If you are interested in attending this modified workshop we ask that you RSVP to jim.sullivan@humanware.com. Participants will receive a certificate of attendance from HumanWare and morning refreshments. For more information please contact Jim at 800-722-3393 ext. 261.

Outline

1. What are Digital Talking Books and Digital Talking Book Players?
2. RFB&D, Bookshare and other Digital Talking Book Providers 3. Victor Reader Stream - Advantages for Students with Print Disabilities 4. ClassMate Reader - Advantages for Students with Print Disabilities 5. Transferring Digital Talking Books from the PC to Digital Talking Book Players 6. Hands-on Activities

Time:
Wednesday, April 21st - Columbia SC
Sign-in: 9 am
Program: 9:15 to Noon

Location

Fast Forward Center
3223 Devine Street
Suite 3
Columbia, SC 29205

Next Decade Offers Promise for Treatment of Spinal Cord Injuries

ScienceDaily (Apr. 4, 2010) — Although new developments in the management of spinal cord injuries (SCI) are on the horizon, any eventual cure for the condition is more likely to involve a multidisciplinary approach, drawing from expertise in several fields, according to a review article published in the April 2010 issue of the Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons(JAAOS).

According to Ranjan Gupta, MD, chair of the department of orthopaedic surgery and professor of orthopaedic surgery, anatomy and neurobiology, and biomedical engineering at the University of California, Irvine, newer therapeutic approaches including stem cell therapy and novel drug formulations, hold special promise for management of SCI patients.

The full article may be viewed by clicking the link in this post's title.

Bionic Eye in Sight: Wide-View Neurostimulator Concept Unveiled

ScienceDaily (Apr. 12, 2010) — Bionic Vision Australia (BVA) has unveiled its wide-view neurostimulator concept -- a bionic eye that will be implanted into Australia's first recipient of the technology.

The prototype bionic eye, developed by BVA researchers at the University of New South Wales and unveiled at the BVA consortium's official launch at the University of Melbourne, will deliver improved quality of life for patients suffering from degenerative vision loss caused by retinitis pigmentosa and age-related macular degeneration.

The device, which is currently undergoing testing, consists of a miniature camera mounted on glasses that captures visual input, transforming it into electrical signals that directly stimulate surviving neurons in the retina. The implant will enable recipients to perceive points of light in the visual field that the brain can then reconstruct into an image.

The full article may be viewed by clicking the link in this post's title.

New Bookshare Module!! "Books without Barriers" for Print Disabilities

Bookshare® is an online library of digital books for people with print disabilities. It operates under an exception to U.S. copyright law which allows copyrighted digital books to be made available to people with qualifying disabilities (this service is free to all U.S. students with disabilities). In addition, many publishers and authors have volunteered to provide Bookshare with access to their works. By requiring individuals to register as Members and provide a Proof of Disability, Bookshare ensures that only qualified individuals use the service. Bookshare is free to all!!

Who Bookshare Serves?

*People with Visual Impairments

*People with Physical Disabilities
*People with Learning Disabilities

*For readers of all ages

The book is then made available to Bookshare Members for download in two accessible digital formats from the website:

*DAISY (Digital Accessible Information System)-a talking-book file format. DAISY books from Bookshare are DAISY 3 text files that work with screen readers, self-voicing synthetic-voice DAISY players, portable self-voicing DAISY players, and scan-and-read software such as Kurzweil K1000 and K3000, WYNN, and OpenBook.

*BRF (Braille Refreshable Format)-digital Braille for use with Braille embossers and refreshable Braille devices.

Bookshare adds hundreds of books every month!! To check out Bookshare visit www.bookshare.org or click on the title above.

A MEETING INVITATION...

Navigating the Complaint Process WEBINAR

Meeting Description: You will Learn about Navigating the Complaint System

Date: Mon, Apr 26, 2010

Time: 10:00 AM EDT

Duration: 2 hours

Host(s): Lana Ott, Complaint Investigator South Carolina Department of Education

Presenter Information:

Lana Ott is the Complaint Investigator South Carolina Department of Education she investigates and resolves written complaints by reviewing documentation and information and conducting on-site investigation, if necessary, makes determinations of whether the school district/agency violated the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), applicable federal and State Board of Education (SBE) regulations, or South Carolina Department of Education (SCDE) policies and procedures

For registration information, please click on the title above.