Raffle for Autism Source

Don’t know where to begin?
Unsure where to turn when faced with the challenges of autism?
Looking for resources in your community?

This is your chance to help us help those affected by autism and possibly turn that chance into a huge cash prize.

We need your support. We need to expand, improve and enhance our capabilities. Our national office averages 7,000 in-depth contacts a year. We have helped 70,000 people over the past ten years through our national contact center alone and our on-line referral database is used by 16,500 people each month, but the demand for information and support is greater now than ever in our fifty year history. Today, however, our resources are maxed out, our technology needs updating and our staff and affiliate leaders always need additional training in the latest industry standards. 21st Century problems need 21st Century solutions - with your help we can get there. As you may have guessed the investment to get us where we need to be is huge. That is why each raffle ticket gives you two chances – the chance to win one of eight great prizes and to help us help others. All net proceeds of this raffle will go towards updating, expanding and improving Autism SourceTM a vital resource to the autism community.

The top prize is $50,000. There are two second place prizes of $25,000 each and five third place prizes of $10,000 each. All of this for only $25 per ticket. Even if all tickets are not sold you can still win a prize since the raffle may be held as a 50-50 drawing.


So take a chance for yourself, knowing that your “chance” provides certainty that we will be there to answer the call of those in need.

Help us by entering the raffle today!

For more information: http://www.autism-society.org/raffle-for-autism-source/

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

Online Autism Spectrum Study

https://uwmadison.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_9mBLjVV14yPtgKV

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

From Brain to the Spine, Free Training on Spinal Cord and Traumatic Brain Injuries

South Carolina Assistive Technology Program - Bookshare Webinar

Bookshare is the world's largest online library of copyrighted books for people with qualifying reading disabilities. This workshop will address the most common questions teachers and parents have about Bookshare. We will review what resources Bookshare has to offer, the eligibility criteria, and types of membership. Reading options, compatible AT software, mobile reading and web solutions for Bookshare will be discussed. Free resources will be provided.

Time: 3:30pm – 4:30pm
Cost: Free, but pre-registration is required. Once you've registered, you'll be sent the link to the webinar.
Date: September 3, 2014

Register for the Bookshare webinar at: http://www.sc.edu/scatp/forms/trainingregform_ww_bookshare_9-3-14.html

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

Improved Detection of Patient Disabilities Can Reduce Disparities in Clinical Care

People with disabilities have greater risk for experiencing healthcare disparities and differences in diagnoses, treatments and outcomes, according to research. Nearly 20 percent of the U.S. population lives with a disability, but little attention has been paid to improving the quality of healthcare provided to disabled patients. A major factor has been inadequate identification of specific disabilities.

The study recommended that healthcare providers develop questions that capture the range of possible disabilities and produce actionable data, which can be used for developing quality improvement initiatives. Also, the authors suggested that involving persons with disabilities and their families in developing questions would help incorporate a broader perspective in which environmental and social factors are considered. This will help identify potential disparities. The authors concluded that pinpointing disparities in care for disabled patients would enable provider organizations to establish effective quality improvement initiatives and eliminate disability disparities.

For more information: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/02/140205103544.htm

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

Detection of Down Syndrome During Pregnancy Improves for Younger Women

New figures from the National Down Syndrome Cytogenetic Register in England, reveal the proportion of Down Syndrome cases diagnosed antenatally has increased in younger women. Furthermore, Down Syndrome diagnoses are occurring earlier in pregnancy for women of all ages.

The latest figures are captured in the new NDSCR Annual Report 2012.

Key findings from the report (all figures from 2012):

• There were 1,982 diagnoses of Down syndrome, 64% of which were made during pregnancy.
• There were an estimated 775 babies born with Down syndrome (an increase from 739 in 2011 and 734 in 2010).
• The proportion of women under 35 receiving a diagnosis of Down syndrome during pregnancy has increased from 54% in 2008 to 66% in 2012. The proportion for women 35 and over remained constant at 71% from 2008 to 2012.
• The proportion of women receiving a diagnoses of Down syndrome during pregnancy after screening in the first three months of pregnancy (first trimester) increased from 45% in 2008 to 77% in 2012 for women under 35 and from 68% in 2008 to 80% of 2012 for women 35 and over.
• The proportion of women having a termination after a diagnosis of Down syndrome during pregnancy has decreased from 92% in 1989-2010 to 90% in 2011-12.

A link to the full report can be found here:http://www.binocar.org/content/annrep2012_FINAL.pdf

For more information: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/02/140205103544.htm

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

Family Connection - Upcoming Midlands Events

UPCOMING MIDLANS EVENTS!
Visit http://www.familyconnectionsc.org/columbia-area-events.html to see what's happening in the coming months.

September 4
Asperger/ADHD Connection
6:00 -7:30 PM
Ways to prepare for the new school year.
At the Family Connection State Office.

September 5-7 
Dream Camp
Camp Pleasant Ridge, Greenville, SC
Open to individuals with disabilities and special healthcare needs, ages 13-26, and their family who wish to create an individualized transition plan with the assistance of Family Connection and Able SC staff.
Complete cost and details can be found on our website.

September 9
Morning Coffee
10 AM 
Panera Bread on Harbison in Irmo

September 11
Morning Coffee
9:00 AM
Cracker Barrel, Sandhills, NE Columbia
Tell the hostess that you are with Family Connection.

September 15
Autism Connection
6:00-7:30 PM
Discussion about back to school and any concerns.
At the Family Connection State Office

September 16
Internet Safety for Children, Teens and Families
9:30 AM to 12:30 PM
Lexington County DSS Community Room -1070 South Lake Drive Ste. A
This training is intended to explain the ways the Internet can be both helpful and harmful to children, teens, and families present ways children, teens, and families can avoid potential problems from Internet use
acquaint foster parents with suitable resources to help children, teens, and the whole family keep Internet use safe and fun.  Trainer: Jill Jiunnies SCFPA Contract Trainer
For more information contact Anna Skipper at AnnaSCFPA@windstream.net or 803-957-0305.
In case you get lost the day of the training, call (803) 785-2880.
Three-hour certificates will be awarded for this training topic. There is no charge for this training.  

September 19
Grupo de Apoyo en Espanol 10:00 AM
ven y comparte un desayuno con nosotros. Te esperamos!At Family Connection of South Carolina.

Mom's Night Out 6:30 PM
Pancho's Mexican Resturant. 5400 Forest Drive 738-9511

September 20
SC Down Syndrome Conference
Columbia, SC
Visit our webpage for more information.

September 22 
SMILES Mom's Night Out
7:00PM
McAllister's in Lexington

September 26 
From the Brain to the Spine
9:30 AM -4:30 PM
A partnership between the Greenville Health System and the Roger C. Peach Rehabilitation 
Palmetto Health Richland Auditorium - 5 Tichland Medial Park Drive Columbia, SC 29203
FREE Training on Spinal Cord and Traumatic Brain Injuries.  A bag lunch will be served. 
RSVP no later than September 19 to smsmith1@ghs.org or fax 864-455-4537

September 27 
Kids Carnival
10:00 AM -12:00 PM
Fun, food and dgames for all ages at the North East Market, 2630 Decker Blvd, Columbia. Carnival provided by Girl Scout Troop 939.

Scrapbooking
1:00 PM -5:00 PM
No Charge, bring your own supplies.
Family Connection State Office.

For more information: http://www.familyconnectionsc.org/columbia-area-events.html

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

South Carolina AAIDD 2014 Annual Conference

The South Carolina Chapter of the
American Association on
Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities  (AAIDD)

Presents Their 2014 Annual Conference:

The Road to Success!

October 8-10, 2014

Crown Reef Resort in Myrtle Beach, SC

For more information: http://scaaidd.org/conference/

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

Dream Camp: Young Adult and Family Camp

September 5th - 7th Pleasant Ridge Camp & Retreat Center | Marietta, SC

Register Now

Transitioning from being a teenager to a young adult is a huge learning process for anyone. Individuals with disabilities share that common journey, but also may face some unique barriers along the way. Over the weekend, each family [team] will create an individualized transition plan with the assistance of Family Connection of SC and Able South Carolina staff. This camp will offer several workshops focusing on: Self Advocacy & Self Determination Communication Disability Rights/Pride Empowering Young Adults Long Term Planning. Click here to find out registration information, camp fees, directions, and more.

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Columbia, SC 29210

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National Federation of the Blind Files Suit Against Scribd

National Federation of the Blind Files Suit Against Scribd

Burlington, Vermont (July 29, 2014): The National Federation of the Blind, the nation’s leading advocate for equal access by the blind to technology and electronic information, and Heidi Viens, a blind parent from Colchester, Vermont, have filed suit (case number: 2:14-CV-162) against Scribd, Inc. Scribd offers an Internet-based “personal digital library” that allows sighted subscribers to access a collection of over 40 million titles. For a monthly fee of $8.99, sighted subscribers gain unlimited access to this large collection through its website and apps, as well as other services, such as publishing their own work by uploading it to the Scribd collection and participating in social media features. The case has been filed in the United States District Court for the District of Vermont and alleges violations of Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The website and mobile applications that Scribd uses to provide its subscribers with access to electronic documents are not accessible to blind people. The blind use computers, smartphones, and tablets equipped with special software that allows the contents of websites, mobile applications, and documents to be read aloud or displayed in Braille on a connected Braille device. When websites, mobile applications, or documents are not properly coded, they cannot be accessed with the technology used by the blind.

Mark Riccobono, President of the National Federation of the Blind, said: “Access to electronic information is no longer a mere convenience; it is essential to success, productivity, and equal participation in society. Other technology companies have made electronic documents accessible to blind readers, and Scribd has a moral and legal obligation to do the same.”

Ms. Viens said: “I have an active and curious three-year-old daughter, and I want to read to her just like any other parent. I would happily pay for a monthly subscription to Scribd to acquire books to read to my daughter if I could use its service. I hope that Scribd will quickly make its services available to me and to other blind people so that we are all invited into its vast digital library.”

The plaintiffs are represented in this matter by Laurence Paradis, Haben Girma, and Rebecca Rodgers of the firm Disability Rights Advocates; Daniel F. Goldstein and Gregory P. Care of the Baltimore firm Brown, Goldstein and Levy, LLP; and Emily J. Joselson of the Middlebury, Vermont firm Langrock Sperry & Wool, LLP.

###

About the National Federation of the Blind

The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise the expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles between blind people and our dreams. You can live the life you want; blindness is not what holds you back.

Release Date: 

Tuesday, July 29, 2014

Category: 

National

 Chris Danielsen

Director of Public Relations

National Federation of the Blind

(410) 659-9314, extension 2330

(410) 262-1281 (Cell)

cdanielsen@nfb.org

Web and IT Accessibility Trainings

Note: There is no charge for these trainings.

Web and IT Accessibility Training - Entry Level

Date: Monday, August 18, 2014
Time: 10:00 am to 12:30 pm
Location: Clemson Research Park or Webinar via Adobe Connect
Trainers:
Steve Cook, SCCB
Janet Jendron, SCATP, ATAC

Description: Learn about basic accessibility and usability issues with web and information technology. See how people who use assistive technology interact with electronic information. Learn about the SC Web Testers Program, which trains people with and without disabilities to evaluate web pages and electronic information for accessibility and usability. Explanation of the accessibility /usability questionnaire used by the SC Web Testers. Overview of online tools that can be used to evaluate web pages with respect to basic requirements of federal laws.

Location if attending in person:
Advanced Materials Research Laboratory Seminar Room
Clemson Research Park
91 Technology Drive
Anderson, SC 29625

NOTE: Attendees need to bring their own laptops if attending in person.  We'll have a wireless connection for you. You can also access the training through Adobe Connect. Choose the appropriate link below to register for in-person or via Adobe Connect.

To register for this workshop:

• Register for the training to attend in person
• Register for the training to attend via Adobe Connect

For questions about training content, email Janet Jendron at Janet.Jendron@uscmed.sc.edu or call 803-935-5273
For questions about location or Adobe Connect, email Dan Bish at dbish@clemson.edu or call 864-656-9038

Evaluating Web and IT for Accessibility/Usability

Date:  Tuesday, August 19, 2014
Time: 10:00 am to 12:30 pm
Location: Clemson Research Park or Webinar via Adobe Connect
Trainers:
CB Averitt, Senior Consultant, Deque Systems
Janet Jendron, ATAC, SCATP

Description: Brief overview of laws affecting accessibility of electronic information. Overview of assistive technologies used to access electronic information. History and future of the SC Web Testers Program, which trains people with and without disabilities to evaluate web pages and electronic information for accessibility and usability. In depth discussion of accessibility principles/challenges and how they can be evaluated using online tools (e.g., FireBug, WAVE, Web Accessibility and Web Developer Toolbars). Training will be based on the SC Web Testers accessibility/usability questionnaire. Some attention will be given to accessibility solutions.

Location if attending in person:
Advanced Materials Research Laboratory Seminar Room
Clemson Research Park
91 Technology Drive
Anderson, SC 29625

NOTE: Attendees need to bring their own laptops if attending in person.  We'll have a wireless connection for you. You can also access the training through Adobe Connect.
Choose the appropriate link below to register for in-person or via Adobe Connect.

To register for this workshop:

• Register for the training to attend in person
• Register for the training to attend via Adobe Connect

For questions about training content, email Janet Jendron at Janet.Jendron@uscmed.sc.edu or call 803-935-5273
For questions about location or Adobe Connect, email Dan Bish at dbish@clemson.edu or call 864-656-9038

HANDS in Autism at IUPUI

The HANDS in Autism® Interdisciplinary Training and Resource Center was founded in 2004 to extend the outreach and training offered by the Christian Sarkine Autism Treatment Center at Riley Hospital at IU Health and the IU School of Medicine.

With incredible passion and efforts of HANDS staff and foundational support from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and subsequently from such sponsors as the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE), IU Health, and various charitable and philanthropic organizations and individuals, HANDS has been able to emerge as a state-wide program and resource center in its own right.

For more information: https://handsinautism.iupui.edu.

Free Assistive Technology Webinars from AbleNet

Free Assistive Technology Webinars from AbleNet

August 5, 2014 1:00pm CDT - 60 minutes 
Title: Alternative Access to Mobile Devices
Description: Tablet technology and mobile devices are everywhere! While accessing these devices is simple for some - some individuals need alternative access solutions. This session will focus on accessibility features (built-in and available for purchase) as well as an array of hardware solutions to increase access to these everyday electronic tools.
Category: Assistive Technology
Presenter: Mike Marotta, ATP
Cost: FREE
Learn More or Register Now

August 13, 2014 10:00am CDT - 60 minutes 
Title: Power Wheelchair Assessment: The Team Evaluation 
Description: This webinar will utilize a case study to present a power wheelchair evaluation. A team approach is key and specific issues related to school will be included, such as access to the school building and classroom, transportation, transfers in and out of the wheelchair and mounting assistive technology to the wheelchair frame. The evaluation determines readiness, the access method and most appropriate wheelchair base. Evaluation options will be presented when a power wheelchair is unavailable for the assessment or for training. 
Category: Assistive Technology
Presenter: Michelle Lange, OTR, ABDA, ATP/SMS 
Cost: FREE
Learn More or Register Now

August 20, 2014 1:00pm CDT - 60 minutes 
Title: Organization Through Mind Mapping
Description: Thinking through coloring! Let's get out our crayons and a clean sheet of paper – or the computer equivalents. Mind mapping is a visual process which can be used for organization, note taking, brainstorming and increased productivity. The webinar will cover the basic concepts of mind mapping and an overview of several programs which can be used in the educational environment. While mind mapping is widely used as an assistive technology for learning disabilities, it is also a UDL tool!
Presenter: Frank Sapp, MBA, MS
Cost: FREE
Learn More or Register Now

August 21, 2014 3:00pm CDT - 60 minutes 
Title: Suite Fractions - How to Teach and Assess Mastery of Fractions with Classroom Suite 
Description: Core Content Connectors, the new standards for students with significant disabilities built on the Common Core, are based on “Graduated Understandings,” ranging from the Concrete to the Representational, that enable students to grasp complex concepts. Understanding fractions is a complex skill that has historically been difficult for students with significant disabilities to grasp, yet fractions are emphasized on state Alternate Assessments. Using weekly cooking activities and transforming them into Classroom Suite’s dynamic, electronic format will provide teachers with an engaging interactive tool to teach this complex skill. Teachers will have step-by-step instructions on how to create a powerful Classroom Suite motivator in learning about fractions and then link the activity to an assessment paralleling the format of the Alternate Assessment.
Presenter: Linda Laverty, MA ed.
Cost: FREE
Learn More or Register Now

September 9, 2014 10:00am CDT - 60 minutes 
Title: Power Wheelchair Alternative Access Methods
Description: This webinar will present a variety of power wheelchair alternative access methods. Many clients with significant physical limitations require a power wheelchair for independent mobility. However, not all of these clients will be able to use a standard joystick. Many options are available to provide mobility to clients with limited motor control or muscle weakness. We will review common access methods and discuss clinical indicators for each. 
Category: Assistive Technology
Presenter: Michelle Lange, OTR, ABDA, ATP/SMS 
Cost: FREE
Learn More or Register Now 

September 10, 2014 10:00am CDT - 60 minutes 
Title: Creating Your Own Digital Content
Description: Mobile devices are everywhere! But…how do we leverage the power of these tools to provide access to curriculum materials? This session will focus on strategies and tools to enable us to create and deliver materials to students – regardless of the devices they are using. These differentiated accessible materials can then be employed in the classroom and/or on students’ personal mobile learning devices to support learning in and out of the classroom.
Category: Assistive Technology
Presenter: Mike Marotta, ATP
Cost: FREE
Learn More or Register Now

September 16, 2014 3:30pm CDT - 60 minutes 
Title: Getting Your Classroom Ready for the New School Year for Your Students with Autism
Description: In this session I will walk us through setting up your classroom if you are teaching students with autism. We will discuss items you will need, steps to take to be prepared for day one of school and the days to come after that. Children with autism have a very specific set of characteristics and therefore also require a very specific set of strategies as well. I will share some of these important strategies with you.
Presenter: Mo Buti, M.Ed-BD, M.Ed-ADMIN
Cost: FREE
Learn More or Register Now 

September 18, 2014 3:00pm CDT - 60 minutes 
Title: Fun and Functional Learning 
Description: This interactive workshop will take a look at two key elements of a meaningful learning activity: fun factor and functionality. Do you know the key motivators for the individual you are working with? Are there at least 2 of those motivators embedded within each activity? Is the learning activity purposeful and meaningful to the individual and others in the environment? Simple concepts that are sometimes missing in the activities we ask our learners to engage in. Learn how to become a better motivator detective.
Presenter: Terry Wendorf, MA 
Cost: FREE
Learn More or Register Now 

September 25, 2014 3:00pm CDT - 60 minutes 
Title: Cook, Fold and Make: Using Classroom Suite to Teach Sequencing Skills 
Description: Common activities that can be documented in small, sequential steps lend themselves to teaching sequencing skills. Capturing students performing each step of an activity with any mobile device provides a powerful motivator in learning the steps in a process in their correct order. This webinar provides a detailed, step-by-step demonstration of how to import images into Classroom Suite to make a short slide show presentation. Participants will then learn how to take these same images used in the slide show to create an assessment in which students must place all the steps in the correct order. Having actual images of students in the slide show and the assessment provides a powerful motivator for student engagement and success in learning. 
Presenter: Linda Laverty, MA ed.
Cost: FREE
Learn More or Register Now 

October 9, 2014 3:00pm CDT - 60 minutes 
Title: Choice Making - It's Not Just for Communication
Description: A growing trend on the Alternate Assessment has been to test students’ ability to interpret and gain information from graphs and tables. This skill can be taught by providing choices for free time and snack time and then converting the information into graph and table format. Using a digital camera, tablet or phone, the images of students selecting their snack can be imported into Classroom Suite’s Make a Book template so that students may visualize the process of obtaining data. Once the data is developed, teachers can convert it into table or graph format. Using screen capture, the data can be imported into Classroom Suite’s Primary Skill Builders template to create a powerful, engaging assessment on this important skill. This webinar will provide a step-by-step demonstration of how to use Classroom Suite to quickly create a tool for teaching and assessing graphs and tables.
Presenter: Linda Laverty, MA ed.
Cost: FREE

Learn More or Register Now

FREE Recorded Webinars Available 24/7

AbleNet University has a vast library of recorded webinars that are available to you free of charge. Visit www.ablenetinc.com/au when you have time and select from topics such as AAC, access to iDevices, assistive technology strategies, and more.

Prediction Update: Autism

In January, we asked prominent neurologists to predict the most significant clinical developments for the field of autism in 2014. Now, at the half-year mark, we check back with Max Wiznitzer, MD, of UH Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital, and Susan L. Hyman, MD, of the University of Rochester, to ask how their predictions are holding up.

Click on the title above to view the video.