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Easy Access to Digital Books
Online
The website Bookshare.org has announced that book scans can
now be shared through a special exemption in the U.S. copyright law
that permits the reproduction of publications into specialized
formats for persons with print disabilities. The website provides
access to books that are stored online as well as add books to the
collection. Free memberships for qualified students with
disabilities are currently being funded by the U.S. Dept. of
Education Office of Special Education Programs. Bookshare also
offers more than 45,000 digital books, textbooks,
teacher-recommended reading, periodicals and assistive technology
tools.
http://www.bookshare.org
New ODEP Fact Sheet: Making Workplace Accommodations: Reasonable
Costs, Big Benefits
The U.S. Office of Disability Employment Policy
(ODEP) has released a full color, downloadable fact sheet that
summarizes a recent survey conducted by the Job Accommodation
Network on the costs of providing accommodations to employees with
disabilities. Some of the findings:
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80% of employers using JAN wanted to provide accommodations so they
could retain a valuable employee.
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46% reported that the accommodations they implemented cost
absolutely nothing. Similarly, 45% experienced a one-time cost.
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The median one-time expenditure for employers was only $500.
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75% of employers reported that the accommodations they implemented
were either "very effective" or "extremely effective."
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Companies reported a number of indirect benefits: improving
colleague interaction (67%); increasing overall company morale
(58%); and increasing overall company productivity (56%).
To download the fact sheet:
http://www.dol.gov/odep/documents/reasonableaccomodatations.pdf
Legal Ruling of Interest Case: 51 IDELR 89 (SEA NY 2008)
A NY state review officer (SRO) held that a student’s transition
plan was responsive to their unique needs, preferences, and interests,
thus rejecting the parents’ complaint that the plan was too vague.
The SRO determined that the plan reflected the student’s interests
in business and art and was based on a proper career planning
assessment. The postsecondary goals were deemed appropriate in
targeting a Regent’s diploma, while reflecting his strengths in
math. The plan also included a plan of specific actions that would
help the student attain their postsecondary goals. As a result, the
district did not have to reimburse the parents for the student’s
tuition at a private placement.
"Be My Brother" Australian Short Movie Wins Award
20 year-old
filmmaker Genevieve Clay has won Tropfest 2009 with her short film
"Be My Brother," a story about a young man with Down Syndrome.
Leading man Gerard O'Dwyer, inspired the movie she
entered in the short film competition. O'Dwyer picked up the best
male actor award. Said Clay, the movie looks at "people with
disabilities feeling displaced within society because of prejudices, disconnection and isolation."
http://www.abc.net.au/am/content/2008/s2498267.htm
Preparing for Postsecondary Education Update:
Advising High School Students with Disabilities on Postsecondary
Options
Booklet that helps guidance and career counselors assist high school
students with disabilities in accomplishing transitions into
postsecondary education and employment.
This information has recently been updated, and can be read by
visiting this link:
http://www.disabilityinfo.gov/digov-public/public/DisplayPage.do?parentFolderId=5038.
Indianapolis
Tops List Of Disability-Friendly Communities
Indianapolis, Indiana has been chosen as the winner in the eighth
annual Accessible America Competition, the National Organization on
Disability (NOD) has announced. The city is being heralded as a
national model for its focus on disability issues and successful
design of programs, services and facilities that are accessible for
citizens and visitors who have disabilities. The 2009 Accessible
America Competition, administered by NOD, was sponsored by a
generous grant from AARP.
http://www.nod.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=Page.ViewPage&PageID=1560
Runkel wins service award by
Independent Record
The Council of Administrators of Special Education (CASE) has
presented the Harrie M. Selznick CASE Distinguished Service Award to
Bob Runkel at the Council for Exceptional Children Convention in
Seattle. The Harrie M. Selznick annual award recognizes career-long
leaders in the administration of special education programs who have
made significant contributions to the field. Runkel has worked for
the Office of Public Instruction for 24 years and is currently
serving as acting deputy superintendent.
http://www.helenair.com/articles/2009/04/03/local/125lo_090403_runkel.txt
Employing People with Disabilities Update:
Able & Willing
A captioned video of stories about people with disabilities and
businesses working together to create successful mentorships,
internships and long term employment opportunities. This information
has recently been updated.
http://www.disabilityinfo.gov/digov-public/public/DisplayPage.do?parentFolderId=13
Including People with
Disabilities in National Volunteer Service Programs
This list of resources, from the Corporation for National and
Community Service, provides links to methods for including people
with disabilities in national service programs, including
accessibility assessments, mentoring, special education students as
camp counselors and many other ideas.
http://www.nationalserviceresources.org/practices/topic/152
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