USA: Edinboro University Recognized as One of the Best Schools for Students with Disabilities
A new book, "College Success for Students with Physical Disabilities," ranks Edinboro University of Pennsylvania as one of the top five most accessible schools in the country. Watch as disabled EUP student Phoebe Sherry talks about why she thinks that ranking is important.
From http://www.goerie.com/article/20120312/NEWS02/303119897/Edinboro-University-recognized-as-one-of-the-best-schools-for-students-with-disabilities, March 12, 2012
USA: Perkins School for the Blind Calls on Entreprenuers to Participate in USD 25,000 Assistive Technology Challenge
As part of MassChallenge 2012, Perkins School for the Blind is offering the Perkins Assistive Technology Prize of $25,000. dministered through MassChallenge, The Perkins Assistive Technology Prize seeks to encourage competitors to develop new, low- and high-technology devices that could have a significant impact on the quality of life for individuals with disabilities. Such assistive technology could apply to any sector of life (education, transportation, recreation, communications, vocational, etc.). The assistive technology could be designed for a certain group of individuals with a disability (vision loss, hearing loss, mobility, etc.), or have a more universal market application. Details and application information are at www.MassChallenge.org.
From http://www.aisquared.com/blog/2012/03/calling-all-entrepreneurs/, March 12, 2012
USA: New Research Projects Explore Ways to Improve Special Education
More than two dozen research grants related to special education just got an infusion of cash from the Institute of Education Sciences. Overall spending on special education research by the federal government has dropped. Still, some interesting projects are on the horizon. Through the IES's National Center for Special Education Research, new research projects will explore the influence of male parents on children with disabilities, improving the accessibility for students with disabilities to large-scale reading assessments, and reducing the development of reading deficiencies or special education designations for urban learners. Another project will work on promoting school readiness for young children who have fetal alcohol disorders.
From http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/speced/2012/03/more_than_two_dozen_research.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter, March 12, 2012
CSUN Presentation: Law is Key to Web Access
Is the law useful in advancing the cause of web accessibility? If yes, how? This presentation was created by Lainey Feingold for the 27th Annual International Technology and Persons with Disabilities Conference in San Diego, California.
From http://www.slideshare.net/lflegal/accessu-at-csun12-law-is-a-key-to-accessibility, March 12, 2012
Report on the Accessibility of Gmail and Google Calendar
The Access Technology Higher Education Network (ATHEN) is continuing its functional evaluation of the components of the Google Application Suite to determine the accessibility of each component for users with various types of disabilities and assistive technology. This evaluation covers GMail and Google Calendar (Calendar). There are several positive findings for users with certain types of disabilities, including users of screen magnification software, keyboard-only interactions and some high-contrast visual layouts.
From http://t.co/6XWSBVhz, March 12, 2012
Video Report: Sign Language Software to Transform Lives
A computer programme that translates sign language into written text could revolutionize the lives of the deaf and hard of hearing, according to scientists. The software, which can be used on portable devices and provides near instantaneous translation, is the first of its kind.
From http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/home-news/video-report-sign-language-software-set-to-transform-lives.2012039364, March 12, 2012
USA: ATMs Fall Short on Disability Rule
A trip to the automated teller machine won't get any easier next week for millions of vision-impaired Americans who were supposed to get relief from the banks and other companies that operate them. ATM operators have until March 15 to make the devices accessible to customers who are blind or visually impaired. But banks and analysts say many of the country's cash machines are unlikely to be ready in time.
From http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204276304577265710282201338.html, March 12, 2012
UN Rights Chief Calls for Boosting Political Participation of Persons with Disabilities
The United Nations human rights chief today called for the removal of barriers that prevent the participation of persons with disabilities in political life and public affairs. High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay said that although she was encouraged by the 109 States that have already ratified or acceded to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, much more needs to be done to ensure their rights are respected and enforced.
From http://bit.ly/zSCZve, March 10, 2012
Indonesian Minister Asks Companies to Employ Persons with Disabilities
Indonesian Social Services Minister Salim Segaf Al Jufri said companies must make jobs available to physically disabled people because they too were entitled to a decent life.
From http://bit.ly/wST6PO, March 10, 2012
USA: AbleLink Technologies Announces Visual Impact Pro for the iPad
Visual Impact Pro allows users to create custom, personalized tasks, social stories and picture-based learning sequences for visual modeling on the iPad. The instructional content may be step-by-step task instructions for individuals with cognitive disabilities, detailed instructions for complicated tasks for individuals with or without disabilities, training tasks for new employees at a job site, or home health care instructions for family caregivers.
From http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/visual-impact-pro/id499969996?mt=8&ls=1, March 09, 2012
