Group items tagged

Yes, you read right: The National Federation of the Blind and Virginia Tech have just announced they're working together to build a car that a visually impaired person can drive independently.

The American Bar Association's Commission on Mental and Physical Disability Law established the national Mentor Program for: law students with disabilities prospective law students with disabilities, and recent law school graduates with disabilities The Program’s purpose is to give members of these groups the opportunity to learn from an experienced attorney. In a recent study conducted for the ABA, those immediately out of law school cited having a mentor as an important driving factor of satisfaction with their career. Career satisfaction, however, is just one benefit of having a mentor-mentee relationship. Practitioners, students, and academics have all praised the benefits of a mentor program for those with disabilities, namely the availability of advice, guidance, and support.  

The American Bar Association's Commission on Mental and Physical Disability Law established the national Mentor Program for: law students with disabilities prospective law students with disabilities, and recent law school graduates with disabilities The Program’s purpose is to give members of these groups the opportunity to learn from an experienced attorney. In a recent study conducted for the ABA, those immediately out of law school cited having a mentor as an important driving factor of satisfaction with their career. Career satisfaction, however, is just one benefit of having a mentor-mentee relationship. Practitioners, students, and academics have all praised the benefits of a mentor program for those with disabilities, namely the availability of advice, guidance, and support.  

Lives Worth Living is both an historical documentary about the Disability Rights Movement and a biography about one man's struggle to survive. Charismatic leaders of the movement narrate the story of a long, hard, and successful drive for civil rights — a drive that brought together a once fragmented population into a powerful coalition that created some of the most far reaching civil rights legislation in our nation's history. People with disabilities are one of the largest of any minority within our nation, and this is the first television history on the subject. It is a window into a world inhabited by people with an unwavering determination to live their lives like anyone else, and a passage into the past where millions of people lived without access to schools, apartment buildings, public transportation, etc. — a status quo today's generation cannot imagine.

Click here to register for this event What: The Center for Autism and Related Disorder will host a CARD Montana Autism Conference on Saturday, November 19, 2011 at the University of Montana. The one-day conference will take place from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm in the University Center Theater, located at 32 Campus Drive in Missoula. The conference is free and designed especially for parents, caregivers, students and practitioners. Attendees will learn about applied behavior analysis (ABA) and how it can be used to effectively to treat individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs), as well as strategic and effective treatment programs for children with ASDs. Attendees also have the opportunity to meet Joe Mohs, who has recovered from autism and is living proof that recovery is possible. Where: University Center Theater 32 Campus Drive Missoula, MT When: Saturday, November 19, 2011 8:30 am to 5:00 pm Mountain Contact: For questions, contact Marcia Kmetz at drkmetz@hotmail.com.

The reigning Miss Montana, Wineman arrived in Las Vegas last week for the Miss America pageant with her parents and two sisters — one of them her twin — after a two-and-a-half-day drive from her hometown of Cut Bank, Mont. A week of interviews and competitions kicked off Monday ahead of the televised pageant Saturday at 9 p.m. ET on ABC.

The Freedom Stick is a system, it can be downloaded and installed on a 4gb Flash Drive and carried everywhere by the student, plugged into and used on school computers or public library computers, or even employer computers – anywhere any version of Microsoft Windows is installed (including on Apple Macintosh computers which can have Windows installed as a second operating system). Or it can be installed directly onto your own computer. It is safe in all computing environments, tested globally since development began in Scotland with EduApps. This version was developed with US Department of Education and Michigan Department of Education grants through Michigan’s Integrated Technology Supports (MITS) in order to bring Universal Design Technology to American schools. The Freedom Stick is a collection of free, open-source programs which provide the widest range of supports for differing student needs. It is also a system supported by a range of learning tools – including a full set of “how to use” videos and presentations. It is easy to adapt to the students own needs, and it works with the supports included in Windows to create a true Universal Solution Set.

A 2010 study examining school improvement work in Chicago's lowest performing public schools found that success depends on five necessary ingredients. Not surprisingly, family engagement is one of them. Like baking a cake, researchers found that if even one ingredient was not in place, there was no recipe for success. We know this to be true, yet we fail to see family engagement made a priority in many reform movements.

Register and view more information here!What:The Duke Law School is joining with the Academy for IDEA Administrative Law Judges and Impartial Hearing Officers of Seattle University School of Law to conduct a training at the Duke Law School. The first two days of the three-day training on special education law and procedures will be open to attendance by persons who are not special education hearing officers. Persons attending will be entitled to attend all sessions on the specified days and one copy of the prepared materials for those sessions.When:March 6-8, 2012Where:Duke Law School210 Science DriveDurham, NC 27708Contact:S. James RosenfeldPhone: 206-922-3319

Click here to download flyer (PDF)What:Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling (LETRS) for Early Childhood Educators is a supplemental LETRS module based on a growing body of research that says the more children know about language and literacy before they begin formal schooling, the better equipped they are to succeed in reading. This two session presentation describes the scope and sequence of the module, helping preschool and kindergarten teachers to deepen their understanding of early literacy and enhance their strategies to help young children develop the foundation skills needed for learning to read and write.$75.00 Registration Fee - includes copy of LETRS for Early Childhood Educators (non-refundable payable to: Montana Center on Disabilities).You can register online here!When:Registration is from 8:00 am to 8:30 am January 13, 2012 and March 2, 20128:30 AM - 4:00 PMWhere:MSU-Billings College of Education Building Room 122Billings, MT1500 University DriveContact:Debra Miller Email: dmiler@msubillings.eduPhone: 406-657-2072

You can register online here or download the flyer for more information!What:This session will begin with a description of Positive Behavior Supports focusing on the theory/background of this management strategy. The discussion will then move into a description of the processes suggested for successful implementation. The presenter will also discuss the steps for creating a proactive crisis intervention plan specific to individuals who have been diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorders. This will be followed with a brief look at the National Autism Center’s list of research-based interventions and identifying those that may be considered as part of a Positive Behavior Support Plan for people with ASD.Who Should Attend?This session is appropriate for job coaches, job developers, VR counselors, transition age special educators and paraeducators, employment specialists, advocates, families, non-profit leadership staff, and employers.CEUs:.15 CEUs are pending approval through Minot State University. The recording fee for MSU CEUs is $20.00. Three contact hours for ND Social Workers and nurses are also available.Technical Requirements: Participating sites need a computer with Windows ‘98 (or newer) operating system, CD-ROM drive, and PowerPoint software OR a computer with a high speed internet connection and an LCD projector if the number of participants warrants it. The call-in number is a toll free number. There will be no long distance charges for sites.When:February 16, 20128:00 am - 9:30 am Mountain TimeContact:Stacey Johnston at courtney.rockvoy@minotstateu.eduor Courtney Rockvoy at stacey.johnston@minotstateu.edu Phone: (800) 233-1737

It seems impossible to many people that a person who is blind can use an iPhone, that a person with a significant physical disability can drive himself to work, or that a person who can’t read can go to college. Impossible, until they see it done. Throughout the years, I’ve spoken with people who are unsure that their child/student/client could achieve a life goal, even with the support of assistive technology (AT). They might think that AT is just for people with physical disabilities or those who are good with computers or for anybody else but themselves.

Aspyn Schnetter, 15 and a freshman at Senior High this year, finished at Lewis and Clark Middle School in May and decided she was going to try out for the high school’s cheer squad.For Kristy, it was a little concerning. But not necessarily surprising. It was just one more example of her daughter’s indomitable enthusiasm and life-loving drive. Aspyn has Down syndrome.

Watch this fascinating talk visually unfold before you through witty and beautiful illustration. Dan Pink makes the case that there are hidden truths behind what really motivates us. Namely that it's not the age-old motivators of money and power that drives us, but our desire for autonomy, mastery, and purpose.

Even as a youngster, Anthony Vasquez exhibited a probing curiosity and a pulsing energy to seek out new experiences. That drive continued when he entered Cal State Long Beach and decided that learning Chinese would be a worthy challenge. On Thursday, he will be honored as the outstanding graduate in the College of Liberal Arts, a recognition of a cumulative grade point average of 3.895 while earning bachelor’s degrees in journalism and Chinese studies. But for his family, friends and teachers, the honor and academic achievements have special meaning because Vasquez is blind. He used Braille and specialized computer software to learn Chinese and now speaks Mandarin as well as Spanish and English.

When: June 30, 2010 Where: 599 Popham Lane Corvallis, Montana 59828 What: You're invited to bring your child as well as his/her siblings (free). The kid's will get to groom and ride their horses. Instruction is provided by certified instructors and trained volunteers. The field trip will be 2 to 4 hours long depending on the ages of the majority of the children attending. We will be meeting at the Walmart on Brooks/93 at 9:30 for the drive to Corvallis. We'll combine vehicles for those of us that have larger cars and carpool to the ranch.  If you want to join the fun, please send us the names and ages of the kiddos (or teens) planning to attend as well as your contact information by noon on Friday June 25. This trip is sponsored by MT CAAN and a generous donation from Missoula Pediatric Dentistry. For more information:E-mail mtcaan@gmail.com or call Denise Dahlberg at 239-9156

When: June 30, 2010 Where: 599 Popham Lane Corvallis, Montana 59828 Call (406) 961-2999 or (406) 880-6599 or e-mail btr@bitterrootriding.org for more information on this event. Visit Bitterroot Therapeutic Riding's homepage at http://www.bitterrootriding.org/

Janice Coburn and Elva Dorsey of BCDC have been working to engage community members with local assets and bridge the gaps for students in Browning. Their presentation will review the challenges and accomplishments of allowing community members to be the driving force behind asset improvements. There will also be a summary of findings from a recent youth roundtable conducted on the Blackfeet Reservation. Tuesday, November 9th at 10:00am (MST) Call: 866-740-1260  / Access Code: 7618734 Web Login: https://cc.readytalk.com/r/xno4ptmjx17d