Able South Carolina: Newsletter

To view the newsletter in full please visit: http://www.able-sc.org/wp-content/uploads/Fall-2014-Newsletter.pdf

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

Association of Maternal & child Health Programs

The Association of Maternal & Child Health Programs (AMCHP) recently released a State Public Health Autism Resource Center (SPHARC) environmental scan report entitled, "State Strategies and Initiatives to Improve Development and Autism Screening, and Early Identification Systems."  This report includes initial findings from an environmental scan of 185 source documents that AMCHP conducted in the summer of 2014; the purpose of this effort was to capture the wide range of developmental screening activities occurring within all U.S. states and territories.  Over the coming year, this data will be analyzed further to develop resources that assist states in building and improving both developmental screening and early identification systems.  These tools and resources will be housed on the SPHARC website, and AMCHP will provide updates and seek feedback as the work progresses.

A companion fact sheet that discusses Title V State Performance Measures (SPM) related to developmental screening and early identification is also available.

For more information and to access these publications, visit the SPHARC website.

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

Written Productivity Workshop

There are still a few spots available in the Written Productivity workshop that will be held Wednesday, December 3^rd  in the Assistive Technology Resource Center in Columbia, SC.

Written Productivity
Time: 9:30am – 11:30amCost: Free, but pre-registration required 

Date: December 3, 2014

Instructor:  Madalina Tudora, SC Dept of Education Assistive Technology Specialist

Teachers are often in the position of referring students to an AT team for assessment for enhancing written productivity. During this workshop, we will explore resources that are available to help with writing difficulties. We will address motor skills and processing and organizational concerns that many students struggle with. We will review various programs that are low-cost or free, as well as audio recording pens that help with notetaking, organization, and study skills.  We will also go over speech-recognition programs and the criteria that students need to meet to have success with them.

Register for the Written Productivity workshop

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

Statewide Transition Conferences for Students, Parents and Professionals

Register for both events online at: www.able-sc.org

For more information about these conferences contact Robbie Kopp:
Voice: 800.681.6805
TTY: 803.779.0949
Email: rkopp@able-sc.org

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

Tools and Strategies for Website Accessibility

Recently there was an AccessGA training conducted by Janet Silva. 

Below is a link to the presentation:

Tools and Strategies for Website Accessibility Webinar Resources

Please note that the resources include a recording of the webinar, a PDF file of the transcript, handouts, and a PDF version of the PowerPoint presentation.

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

Home and Community-based Services: SC Statewide Transition Plan

SC Statewide Transition Plan for Implementation of CMS Final Rule Regarding Home and Community-based Services

The South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS) gives notice that the draft Statewide Transition Plan, required per Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Rule (42 CFR 441.301(c)(6)), is available for public review and comment. The South Carolina Statewide Transition Plan will be submitted on or before Jan. 28, 2015. It will be effective upon CMS approval.

SCDHHS will conduct four regional public meetings and one live online webinar to discuss the Statewide Transition Plan for public input. These meetings will also include information on three Community Long Term Care (CLTC) waiver amendments and their waiver-specific transition plans. For information on the CLTC waiver amendments, please go to www.scdhhs.gov.

To learn more on the actions identified in the Statewide Transition Plan, SCDHHS's draft version of the plan and the scheduled public meeting dates and locations, please visit our website.

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

AccessGA - Webinar, Tools and Strategies for Website Accessibility

Webinar: Tools and Strategies for Website Accessibility

We will demonstrate website evaluation techniques and take a look at several of the most widely used web checkers, WAVE, the Functional Accessibility Evaluator (FAE) and HiSoftware Compliance Sheriff.
Date: November 13, 2014 
Time: 2:00-3:15pm (ET)
Presenters:
Janet Sylvia, Leader, USG Web Accessibility Group (WAG)
John Rempel, AT Specialist, Center for the Visually Impaired
Joy Kniskern, AMAC and AccessGA
 
Register now at the AccessGA Event Calendar

You will hear about the importance of using assistive technology (AT) users and experts as part of the evaluation process and will see a user/expert demonstrate website access with the use of assistive technology. This webinar will present strategies, techniques, and resources for ensuring your website meets accessibility standards and guidelines including WCAG 2.0 and what it means to provide usable vs. technical accessibility.


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

Free Webinars from TobiiDynavox

November 14th, 2014 at 5 PM EST 
Introduction to PODD for Compass  
Join Gayle Porter, the creator of Pragmatic Organization Dynamic Display (PODD), to explore how the features of PODD system are applied in page sets for DynaVox Compass software. This presentation will focus exclusively on the DynaVox Mayer-Johnson product line and will not include information on other similar communication or educational product(s). This course is offered for .1 ASHA CEUs (Intermediate level, Professional area).

November 20th, 2014 at 3:30 PM EST 
Finding and Editing Activities for the Holidays
Did you know that the Boardmaker Online Community has hundreds of ready-made boards and activities to support participation, communication and fun for the upcoming holiday season? Use these activities as-is or edit them to make quick changes to meet the specific needs of your students. Learn how to find the helpful activities to support classroom instruction and participation throughout the entire holiday season.
And remember, you can watch a recorded training anytime, anywhere!


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

Follow Up to Medicare Coverage for Speech Generating Devices

Follow Up to Medicare Coverage for Speech Generating Devices

On Thursday, November 6th, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) rescinded the language it issued earlier this year in its “Coverage Reminder” which, if fully implemented, would have restricted patient access to Speech-Generating Devices functionalities that Medicare determined went beyond “speech generation” including internet access.  Medicare also stated that it would begin a review of the 2001 National Coverage Determination (or NCD) as the mechanism for updating Medicare’s policies related to SGDs. As part of its announcement, the agency stated:

Since the current NCD took effect on January 1, 2001, the technology for devices that generate speech and the ways in which the devices are used by patients to meet their medical needs has changed significantly. As a result, CMS intends to internally generate a reconsideration of the benefit category NCD addressing Medicare coverage of augmentative and alternative communication devices (IOM 100-02 §50.1). Additional information about this matter will be made available in the near future.

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

Free RESNA Webinar!

Chrome Apps and Extensions to Support Struggling Learners - Going Google! 

Monday, Nov 17 at 3pm EST 

Many schools are discovering the use of the free Chrome Browser, and free apps and extensions in the Chrome browser to support education and learning. How do you support your struggling students? This webinar will present several apps and extensions to support literacy and executive function, and they are free to download right in the Chrome web store. If your students are using laptops (Mac or PC), Chromebooks, or a tablet, Chrome apps and extensions can support them on their device in the classroom and at home.

Registration and more information is at: http://www.resna.org/professional-development/webinars/chrome-apps-extensions-support-struggling-learners-going-google

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

Autism Speaks: iPad Award Program 2014

Autism Speaks is thrilled to announce that the application for our annual iPad award program is now open!

1,176 iPad 4s will be given to financially disadvantaged individuals with autism. We are also including a Kraken A.M.S. case, by Trident Case with each iPad!

Eligible applicants are individuals who:

• Have been diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder by a licensed professional
• Reside in the United States
• Have limited income and cannot afford to purchase an iPad

Technology Grant Timeline

November 10: Online Application Opens
November 14: Application Closes at 11:59PM EST
November 17 - December 5: Review Committee Selects Recipients
December 9: Recipients Announced and iPads sent out!

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted by the person with autism, an immediate family member of the person with autism, or a licensed teacher, social worker or therapist at: application. You must create a login and further instructions will be provided.

The Technology Grant Review Committee will review applications and select the iPad award recipients. All applicants selected to receive an iPad 4 will be contacted on December 9. If selected, the iPad will be shipped via UPS directly to the address provided with the application. Others will receive an email informing them of their status.

Autism Speaks would like to thank Trident Case for their generous donation of Kraken A.M.S. cases.

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

Omega-3 can help children with ADD, experts say

Supplements of the fatty acids omega 3 and 6 can help children and adolescents who have a certain kind of ADHD. These are the findings of a dissertation at the Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, which also indicates that a special cognitive training program can improve problem behavior in children with ADHD.

In this study, 75 children and adolescents with ADHD were given either the fatty acids omega 3 and 6 or a placebo over three months, and then they were all given omega 3/6 over three months. The study was conducted double-blind, which means that neither the researchers nor the participants were allowed to know whether they received the active capsules until afterwards.

"For the group as a whole, we did not see any major improvement, but in 35 percent of the children and adolescents who have the inattentive subtype of ADHD called ADD, the symptoms improved so much that we can talk about a clinically relevant improvement," says Mats Johnson, doctoral student at the Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg.

To read the article in full please visit: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/10/141023091815.htm

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

Inspired by Parkinson's Luncheon

Parkinson Association of the Carolinas invites all people with Parkinson’s as well as their family members, care partners and anyone who serves or assists the Parkinson’s community to attend.  Thanks to our generous sponsor and the PD Southern Summit the luncheon is free to all registered guests.

Register with the online form (http://www.parkinsonassociation.org/events/support-group-luncheon-nov-14/) OR call PAC at 866-903-PARK (7275).  If you are unable to speak to someone, please leave a message with your name, phone number and the number in your party and consider yourself registered.

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