CeDIR Closed for the Holidays

The CeDIR library will close at 5pm today for the year. We will reopen at 8am on the 4th of January.

Happy holidays!

Governor's Council Videos

The Governor's Council for People with Disabilities, a fellow member of the Indiana Developmental Disability Network, is an "independent state agency that facilitates change." The GCPD hosts community projects and supplies various publications and small grants for PwDs and their families to attend events. Most notably, they host an annual conference attended by many Indiana residents.

At this year's conference, several individuals with disabilities volunteered to provide testimonials about the everyday issues they've faced. Check out the Center on Aging and Community's YouTube page to access more than a dozen interviews with extraordinary people. The speakers cover surgeries, art, public transportation, advocacy, higher education, accessing services, and other diverse issues.

Gifts for the Parents

People who have children or other relatives with disabilities can be on edge during the holiday season. It can be difficult to know what to say or how to act when your friend is dealing with hospital bills or new diagnoses. Diane Flacks of The Star interviews several parents who explain what they would like most in the article, "Making it through the holidays."

For example, the mother of a kindergartener with Prader-Willi syndrome expresses gratitude for friends who made small gestures like contacting extended family to inform them of the situation. An author and mother of a boy with autism says practical help, like an evening of babysitting, can provide much needed relief. Another parent describes a time a family hosted a low-key holiday party for local children with disabilities.

You can read the article here.

Gene for Non-Syndromic Intellectual Disability Identified

Science Daily reported today that mutations in the gene TRAPPC9 may be responsible for nonsyndromic intellectual disabilities (i.e. learning disabilities and mental retardation not associated with Down syndrome, FAS, Fragile X etc.) The finding could explain the origin of 50% of intellectual disability cases worldwide.

Researchers at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health in Canada isolated the gene through an examination of a large Pakistani and Iranian families with numerous individuals with intellectual disabilities. The researchers intend to pursue research as to exactly how TRAPPC9 is involved in brain function.

You can read the original article here. For more information on intellectual disabilities, check out CeDIR's Kids' Corner Book Nook for a list of books on the subject.

Why Cant U Teach Me 2 Read?

Why cant U teach me 2 read? Three students and a mayor put our schools to the test is an examination by Beth Fertig of the effects of the No Child Left Behind Policy in New York City. Three adolescents with learning disabilities attempt take the New York City schools to task for failing to teach them this essential school by the time they reached high school. Fertig describes how mayor Bloomberg of NYC rallied teachers and parents to question the meaning of education and the future of the public school system.

Interested in this book? Indiana resident? Email us!

Not an Indiana resident? Find this book at your local library through WorldCat.

Amazon's Kindle and Accessibility

Kindle, the popular wireless reading device by Amazon, may become more accessible to persons with visual impairments. The Daily Orange reports that Amazon has responded to complaints by Syracuse University and University of Wisconson that students with visual impairments had difficulties navigating through their documents with the device.

In a news release, Amazon stated that they plan to implement an audible menu and extra-large font to make Kindles more accessible.

You can read the original article here.

Toys 'R Us Differently-Abled Toy Guide

Stressing about the holidays? The Toys 'R Us Differently-Abled Toy Guide can help parents, grandparents, uncles and aunts find the perfect gift for their young loved ones with disabilities. The guide suggests toys that enhance particular skills and abilities; you can choose from auditory, creativity, fine motor, gross motor, language, self-esteem, social skills, tactile, thinking, and visual. The site also offers further refinement by age group, gender, theme (like Fairies, Cars, or Sesame Street), and price range. Almost every toy description is accompanied by reviews from parents.

If you don't want to order your gifts online, a box beneath the shopping cart allows customers to search for stores near their zip code and confirms whether the toy is available at that location.

Need more ideas? CeDIR owns several books on toys and recreation:
-The new language of toys: Teaching communication skills to children with special needs
-Fun with messy play: ideas and activities for children with special needs
-Play and imagination in children with autism

Email us if you're an Indiana resident and interested in checking any of these out!

The Power to Spring Up

In The power to spring up: Postsecondary education opportunities for students with significant disabilities Diana Katovitch provides an overview of the options available for students with disabilities who wish to pursue higher education. She covers modified academic programs on university campuses, vocational residential programs for students with special needs, and a range of possibilities in between. Each chapter is devoted to either a comprehensive description of a specific program or a range of options for specific disabilities. The book also guides students through a planning process of deciding whether they're ready for college, whether their future aspirations require a college degree, etc.

Interested in this book? Indiana resident? Email us!

Not an Indiana resident? Find this book at your local library through WorldCat.

School is Not Supposed to Hurt

School is not supposed to hurt: Investigative report on abusive restraint and seclusion in schools is a 60-page publication by the National Disability Rights Network. The report delves into the inadequacies of legal protection, summaries of prominent cases, and suggestions for the current federal administration to reduce instances of harmful restraint of students with disabilities.

In addition to the public PDF linked above, CeDIR also owns a a copy for lending. Email us for more information if you're an Indiana resident!

Lower Attendance and Graduation Rates for Students with Disabilities

The Consortium on Chicago School Research reports that high school freshmen with mild cognitive or emotional disabilities missed five to eleven more days per semester than students who hadn't been diagnosed with a disability. The high number of absences correlates to lower performance, and ultimately lower graduation rates.

According to a press release in the Chicago Tribune, "Among on-track students, 87 percent of students without disabilities graduate in five years. That drops to 77 percent of students who have learning disabilities and to 57 percent for those with emotional disturbances."

Rod Estvan, education coordinator at Access Living, says the findings are a sign that many students with disabilities are undiagnosed or undersupported.

You can read the story here.

Cerebral Palsy and Dance

Last month, the New York Times featured an actor with cerebral palsy who vastly improved his motor control by learning to dance. The man, Gregg Mozgala, is 31 and has been undergoing physical therapy since childhood to straighten his gait. Through a performance with the organization Theater Breaking Through Barriers, Mozgala met choreographer Tamar Rogoff, who has been coaching him since.

Mozgala says that a tension-releasing technique, common to dancers, has been instrumental in allowing him to regain control of his body. "My body just really took to it...I did that for about 20 or 30 minutes, and when I stood up, I was walking completely differently. My feet were flat on the ground." He is now performing Rogoff's piece in New York, and will again at the VSA International Arts Festival in June at the Kennedy Center in Washington.

A rheumatology specialist at the Hospital for Special Surgery in Manhattan says his progress sets an example for people with disabilities everywhere: "It’s not over," he said. "There's always a chance to change. You should not — you dare not — give up."

You can read the original article here.

Winter Heating Assistance

ARC Master Trust Winter Heating Assistance Program: The Arc of Indiana is now accepting certification forms for The Arc Master Trust's 2010 Winter Heating Assistance Program. $35,000 has been approved by The Arc of Indiana's Board of Directors for the 2010 program. This will allow 350 low-income individuals with disabilities to receive assistance with $100 toward their winter heating bills. Funding for the Winter Heating Assistance Program comes from The Arc of Indiana's Master Trust Remainder Fund.

The Trust wants to distribute funds as equally as possible throughout the state. Therefore, a limited number of applications will be accepted from each of Indiana's counties. Also, for 2010 initial payments will be made only to those that have not received assistance in the past. If they have received assistance in the past, their name will be placed on a waiting list. After first time applicants have received their check, and money remains to be distributed, checks will be issued to those on the waiting list on a first come first served basis. Complete information about the 2010 Winter Heating Assistance Program is available on The Arc of Indiana’s web site at http://www.arcind.org/news/?naid=24.

Making the MDGS Disability-Inclusive

Yesterday's International Day for Persons with Disabilities was themed "Making the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) disability-inclusive." The MDGs are "the set of global targets to halve poverty, hunger and other social ills by 2015," as set out by United Nations officials like Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.

American singer Stevie Wonder, who has vision impairment, was appointed the new "Messenger of Peace." In a New York news conference to address his appointment, he said, "It is beyond my ability to fathom that 10 per cent of the people of this world [living with disabilities] do not matter to the other 90 per cent of the people in the world...seeing a person who’s left without an opportunity means that we are all with a disability."

You can read more about the goals and activities of IDPwD at the UN News Centre.

International Day of People with Disability

Happy IDPwD! Today, events around the world will bring together people with disability and the general community. The goals of IDPwD are to:

• showcase the skills, abilities, contributions and achievements of people with disability
• promote a positive image of people with disability
• involve people with disability and the broader community in activities to celebrate and raise awareness of IDPwD.

The official International Day of People with Disability website is based in Australia, and can be accessed at http://www.idpwd.com.au/. You can also celebrate by visiting the IDPwD Facebook page!

Whistler Resort and the Paralympics

Whistler Village, British Columbia is getting an accessibility makeover in preparation for the 2010 Paralympics. The village, which is a resort-style city, will be the site of the medal ceremony and other Olympic-related events.

Some of the upgrades include transportation improvements, with an addition of 21 new accessible vehicles to the public system, wheel-chair accessible taxi services, barrier-free pathways to get around the city, and the creation of a database of accessible lodging establishments.

For more information about the transformation, see the Able Traveler article on Whistler. For more information about barrier-free travel, see some of our past posts on the subject.

National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped

The National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped is a national network of cooperating libraries that provide braille and audio materials circulated to eligible borrowers in the United States by postage-free mail. A US resident is eligible if they have a visual acuity of 20/200 or less or limited range of vision with correcting lenses, or those certified by a competent authority as unable to use standard print materials as a result of visual or physical limitations.

The service can provide books in English or Spanish. The NLS also publishes biweekly reviews of the most recent additions to their braille and talking book collections.

To find a local participating library, consult this search engine. To sign up for mail-order library service, visit this page. To browse their collection, you can utilize their online catalog.

Faith and Disabilities

The turkeys have been carved and the trees are going up; the holiday season is upon us. Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa or others, CeDIR has resources to help create inclusive faith communities this holiday season.

-Praying with Lior
-Including people with disabilities in faith communities : a guide for service providers, families, & congregations
-Believing, belonging, becoming
-Faith communities and inclusion of people with developmental disabilities

Support Groups

Are you looking for a support group for yourself or loved ones? The Bloomington Hospital has established several tailored to specific conditions (all phone numbers with area code 812):

Adolescent Bereavement: 353-9818
For children and teens who have lost a loved one

Adult Bereavement: 353-9818
For adults who have lost a loved one

ALS: 353-9299
For anyone with ALS and their family or friends

Alzheimer's: 353-9299
For caregivers fo individuals with Alzheimer's and other dementias

Breast Cancer: 353-5669
Support for women undergoing treatment for breast cancer

Cancer-all types: 353-5669
For individuals undergoing treatment for any cancers and their families

Celiac: 339-3424
For individuals with gluten intolerance

Diabetes: 353-9258
For individuals with diabetes

Fibromyalgia: 353-5534
For individuals with Fibromyalgia syndrome

HIV/AIDS: 353-3261
For individuals with the human immunodeficiency virus

Postpartum Depression: 337-8121
For women experiencing depression following the birth of their babies--family members welcome

RTS: 353-5482
Fr people who have experienced miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, stillbirth or newborn death

Stroke: 353-9818
For individuals who have had a stroke and their caregivers

Tobacco: 353-5811
For individuals in the process of quitting or who have quit tobacco products

Arthritis Myths

Do your bones creak because of the cold? Because you slouch? Probably not. Causations like these are largely myths, as the Harvard Medical school points out in their article "Top 10 Things that Don't Cause Arthritis". Here are some mythical reasons for joint pain:

1) Overuse. Unless you're a jack-hammer operator or professional athlete, you are not at increased risk for arthritis.

2) Cold, damp weather. This belief is common, but scientifically unsupported.

3) Medications. The type of medicine that causes bone death is very, very rare.

4) Infections and vaccinations. Infectious diseases can cause arthritis, but only a small fraction of cases can be attributed to them.

5) Diet. What you eat has almost nothing to do with arthritis--though shoveling in the pie and french fries can lead to obesity, which worsens joint symptoms.

For the full list of myths with more extensive explanations, follow the link above.

Getting Closer to a Treatment for Down Syndrome

Researchers from Stanford and the University of California San Diego have found a way to restore learning in mice with a Down syndrome-like condition.

The scientists administered xamoterol to mice who had three copies of one of their chromosomes (similar to the origin of Down syndrome). Before the tests, mice suffered neural degeneration and had difficulty learning to adapt to new environments; for example, they did not build nests when transferred to new homes and could not recognize patterns in audio tones. After the drug took effect, the nest-building and pattern recognition was restored.

The xamoterol worked by being converted by the body into norepinephrine, which is a natural neurotransmitter.

To read more about the discovery, read the press releases at the University of California or MedPage Today.

Introduction to Special Education in Indiana

An Introduction to Special Education in Indiana is a pamphlet developed by Cathy Beard at the IIDC's Early Childhood Center. The handy booklet details laws and services for parents of children in special education or burgeoning SE teachers.

The ECC is offering free copies until our stock runs low. Contact 812-855-6508 to obtain a copy. The CeDIR library also has several copies available for borrowing when the department runs out; email us if you're interested and an Indiana resident.

Make sure to check out the ECC's other publications on their site.

Special Education in Contemporary Society

Special education in contemporary society: an introduction to exceptionality is a textbook for college students by Richard Gargiulo. In addition to a comprehensive text on policies, cultural diversity, families, and specific disabilities, the book features special sections in every chapter: interviews with individuals with learning disabilities, targeted teaching strategies, and suggested learning activities.

Interested in this book? Indiana resident? Email us!

Not an Indiana resident? Find this book at your local library through WorldCat.

Is Your Website Accessible?

This Wednesday at 2pm, ADA Online will host a webinar called "Tips and Tricks for Accessible Web Design." The event is part of the Accessible Technology audio conference series.

This event is free, but requires registration at: http://www.ada-audio.org/Webinar/AccessibleTechnology/.

Job Success for Persons with Developmental Disabilities

Job success for persons with developmental disabilities by David B. Wiegan is written for professionals in vocational rehabilitation, transition services or related work. The book describes proven methods for pin-pointing the strengths of clients with developmental disabilities, tracking down prime employment opportunities, and supporting the client after placement. Wiegan is the Executive Director of Mid-Valley Rehabilitation in McMinnville, Oregon with and has 30+ years of experience in job placement.

Interested in this book? Indiana resident? Email us!

Not an Indiana resident? Find this book at your local library through WorldCat.

Elderburbia

Elderburbia: aging with a sense of purpose in America, written by the IIDC's own Phil Stafford, is now on the CeDIR library shelves. The book examines how local environments shape the aging experience and outlines what makes a community elder-friendly. Elderburbia is especially useful to social workers, aging individuals and city planners looking to prepare for aging populations.

Also check out Dr. Stafford's blog, "Phil's Adventures in Elderburbia," http://agingindiana.wordpress.com/, for more information on elder-friendly communities.

Interested in this book? Indiana resident? Email us!

Not an Indiana resident? Find this book at your local library through WorldCat.

Family Center on Technology and Disability Discussions

CeDIR received this press release from the Family Center on Technology and Disability in Washington D.C.:

"November Online Discussion has begun!

The Family Center on Technology and Disability invites you to join national AT experts Lisa Thumann and Karen Janowski to discuss a wide range of issues associated with instructional technology.

This is an opportunity to discuss both big-picture questions and the very particular ways in which teachers, therapists, parents, and students can use established and emerging technologies in ways that have proven effective in and out of the classroom. Whether you're interested in the growing use of social media tools, the current status of Universal Design for Learning, tech-supported professional development, or technology tools that link home and school, keeping up with technology requires commitment and we salute you for making the effort!"

Their website, http://www.fctd.info/webboard/index.php, provides details on reading transcripts of discussions, requesting the Family Center's "AT Resources" CD-ROM, and registering for announcements.

When Did I Get Old?

On Thursday, November 19 at 9 pm, WFYI Public Television will present When Did I Get Old? Reflections on Aging Today — a new one-hour documentary that alternates studio discussions with aging experts and profiles of active seniors in Indiana. The special will be offered for broadcast on Indiana’s Public Television Stations.

When Did I Get Old was produced by the Emmy award-winning Gary Harrison in cooperation with the University of Indianapolis Center for Aging & Community and the Center on Aging and Community at Indiana University. The documentary focuses on Midtown Gary, Linton, Vincennes, and Bloomington, where residents attempt to improve public conditions and residents overcome personal obstacles.

For more information, contact Lori Plummer at (317) 614-0462 or e-mail lplummer@wfyi.org.

Graduate Seminar: Developmental and Severe Disabilities

Indiana University at Bloomington is offering a seminar for advanced masters and PhD students in January, 2010. Coordinators have distributed the following information:

This seminar endeavors to address issues related to severe and chronic disability of children, that is, disabilities that are attributable to cognitive and/or physical impairment and manifest during the developmental period. The association between poverty and disabilities as well as the impact of socio-cultural factors on the manifestation and outcomes of developmental disabilities will be addressed, for example, the impact of HIV/AIDS on child development.

The aim of these seminars are twofold: Firstly to discuss common underlying issues in developmental disabilities by exploring commonalities and differences between specific disabilities to deepen our understanding of the challenges experienced, and secondly to enable students to develop and evaluate intervention strategies within specific socio-cultural contexts.

Topics will include issues relating to information processing, receptive and expressive language, augmentative and alternative communication, literacy skills, problem behaviors and self-regulation as well as transitional planning and employment in developmental disabilities. A focus on factors impacting on the sustainability of intervention in severe and developmental disabilities, in particular those related to family-centered intervention and community-based instruction, will also be addressed.

The format of the seminar will be an introductory presentation followed by group discussions based on the required readings in the field. Experts who have already indicated their willingness to participate in this course include: David Mank (Indiana Institute on Disability and Community), Lisa Pufpaff (Ball State University) as well as Lyle Lloyd (Purdue University).

The main seminar presenter and organizer is Erna Alant (PhD), previously Director of the Center for Augmentative and Alternative Communication at the University of Pretoria in South Africa. She is newly appointed as Professor and Otting Chair in Special Education at Indiana University and has extensive experience in severe disabilities and AAC in intervention, training and research in Africa and beyond.

Pre-requisites for the course: Intermediate level knowledge of developmental disabilities, for example, intellectual disabilities, physical disabilities, autism spectrum disorders and relevant teaching and intervention strategies are strongly recommended for the course.

For further information - please contact: Erna Alant (ealant@indiana.edu)

Mental Health Parity Act

Whether the proposed federal health plan goes through or not, US citizens will reap the benefits of a health insurance law passed by Congress last year: the Mental Health Parity Act. As of January 1st, 2010, all insurance plans covering more than fifty people will be required to provide the same amount of service for mental health as they do for physical. This helps ensure that individuals with depression, bipolar disorder etc. have equal access to care.

Make sure to review your insurers new regulations for 2010 to see how the changes will affect you, your charges and family members. Visit the New York Times article for a summary of the pros and cons of the new law. For more resources on mental health, look through our previous posts on the subject.

Textbooks for Students with Disabilities

Hundreds of American colleges are joining up with a Georgia-based program which gives students with disabilities easier access to class materials than ever before. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution highlighted the growth of AccessText Network, an online database that allows students with visual impairments, dyslexia, and other reading difficulties easy access to special textbooks. AccessText contains donations from the following publishers:

* Bedford/St. Martin's, W.H. Freeman, Worth Publishers
* Cengage Learning
* CQ Press
* McGraw-Hill Education
* Pearson Education
* Reed Elsevier Inc.
* John Wiley & Sons
* W.W. Norton

To take advantage of this resource, students should contact the disability services at their universities to inquire whether they are part of the AccessText network.

Researching with Children and Young People

Researching with children and young people: research design, methods, and analysis is written by E Kay M Tisdall, John M Davis, and Michael Gallagher. The book covers every step of the research process for undergraduate and graduate students of Early Childhood Studies, Education, etc. The authors walk students through designing research processes, choosing from modern methods of investigation, and analysis.

Interested in this book? Indiana resident? Email us!

Not an Indiana resident? Find this book at your local library through WorldCat.

Teaching Infants, Toddlers, and Twos

Teaching infants, toddlers, and twos with special needs is written by Clarissa Willis, PhD, a former associate professor of Special Education at East Tennessee State University. Her book covers environment, eating, play, communication, and other essential issues teachers and administrators face when working with children with developmental delays.

Interested in this book? Indiana resident? Email us!

Not an Indiana resident? Find this book at your local library through WorldCat.

Alzheimer's Awareness Month

Check out these resources at the CeDIR Library for Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Month:
-Learning to speak Alzheimer's: a groundbreaking approach for everyone dealing with the disease by Joanne Koenig Coste
-The Alzheimer's advisor: a caregiver's guide to dealing with the tough legal and practical issues by Vaughn E James
-What if it's not Alzheimer's? A caregiver's guide to dementia by Lisa and Gary Radin
-I'm still here: A breakthrough approach to understanding someone living with Alzheimer's by John Ziesel
-Alzheimer's disease: facing the facts [PBS Video]

CeDIR's Fall Newsletter

We've just published a new CeDIR Citings! This season's focus in transition resources. Check out the newsletter at http://www.iidc.indiana.edu/cedir/newsletters/CeDIR_Citings_1009.html.

Disabilities and disorders in literature for youth

Disabilities and disorders in literature for youth: a selective bibliography for k-12 by Alice Crosetto, Rajinder Garcha, and Mark Horan is a great resource for teachers. The book contains hundreds of juvenile book and movie titles containing plotlines focusing on or characters with intellectual, physical, or developmental abilities.

For another source for disability-related media, check out the Kids' Corner Booknook for synopses of popular children's literature categorized by type of disability.

Interested in this book? Indiana resident? Email us!

Not an Indiana resident? Find this book at your local library through WorldCat.

Social Skills Activities

Social skills activities for secondary students with special needs, 2nd Ed. is an update of the popular 1998 instruction book by Darlene Mannix. The book contains 200 lessons and worksheets for students grades 6 through 12. The lessons are divided into 20 units of 10 activities each, with topics such as "being a good listener" and "reading other people."

Interested in this book? Indiana resident? Email us!

Not an Indiana resident? Find this book at your local library through WorldCat.

Lennie's Donates to United Way

On Monday, November 2nd, Lennie's & the Bloomington Brewing Company will donate 20% of the proceeds from meals purchased after 4pm to the United Way of Monroe County. In order to participate, contact Katie Harvey at kdharvey@indiana.edu to obtain a Helping Hands Certificate to present at the restaurant.

Lennie's is located on E. 10th St. in Bloomington, next to Dagwood's Sandwiches and Pizza Express. They offer gluten-free alternatives for pizza and beverages. They're open until 11pm on Monday.

Canoeing and Kayaking

Canoeing and kayaking for people with disabilities is written by Janet Zeller, a lifelong paddler with quadraplegia and developer of the adaptive paddling program for the American Canoe Association. The book informs outdoor professionals, paddling instructors, and recreation providers how to tailor paddling to each individual's abilities. Zeller covers accessibility law, an overview of how common disabilities interact with the sport, safety and rescue procedures, and more.

Interested in this book? Indiana resident? Email us!

Not an Indiana resident? Find this book at your local library through WorldCat.

Enriched Care Planning for People with Dementia

Enriched care planning for people with dementia : a good practice guide for delivering person-centred dementia care is written by Hazel May, Paul Edwards, and Dawn Brooker of the Bradford Dementia Group. The authors integrate case studies, research and personal stories to provide "a complete practical framework" for caring for persons with dementia or learning disabilities in a way that hinders disengagement.

Interested in this book? Indiana resident? Email us!

Not an Indiana resident? Find this book at your local library through WorldCat.

Bloomington Housing Authority October Events

This upcoming Sunday, the 25th, BHA's Family Self Sufficiency and Home ownership divisions will be at the Coca-Cola stand outside the local Wal-Mart. The programs will sell barbecued foods and offer face painting for children. The proceeds will help low-income families in the community acquire affordable housing.

Also mark your calendars for the BHA's 5th Annual Fall Festival at the Crestmont Boys & Girls Club. The event on October 31, 4-6 pm, will be a family-friendly party of costume making, scarecrow making, pumpkin painting/carving, hay maze, sack races, breakdancing/moonwalk, applebobbing/blood bath, and face painting. There will be free food and dancing from 6-7 pm and the Haunted House is open from 7 to 9pm. The event is also sponsored by the Crestmont Boys and Girls Club and Big Brothers & Big Sisters.

For more information about the BHA and the process of obtaining affordable housing, visit their website at http://www.bhaindiana.net/.

Android 1.6: More Accessibility Features

Google's Android operating system for mobile devices is becoming more inclusive: the latest version, Android 1.6, has built-in features to make applications "more widely usable by blind and low-vision users."

The system, which is installed on devices like the Dell Mini3i and select Motorola and Samsung cell phones, now includes a screenreader and comes bundled with a Text-to-Speech engine. New software also enables developers of the Android platform to easily create accessibility aids, apply universal design to their user interfaces, and access a standard Text-to-Speech function library to minimize workload.

Google advertised the launch here.

Dyslexia and Dysgraphia

Teaching students with dyslexia and dysgraphia: lessons from teaching and science by Virginia W. Berniger and Beverly J. Wolf explains how to meet the needs of students with special learning needs while effectively teaching all students in a K-12 class. The book focuses on the integration of psychology, linguistics, education, and neurology to best understand students with learning disabilities and efficiently tailor lessons to their needs. The text is dense, but essential for teachers of inclusive student bodies.

Interested in this book? Indiana resident? Email us!

Not an Indiana resident? Find this book at your local library through WorldCat.

Stone Belt 50th Anniversary Retrospective

The City of Bloomington Entertainment and Arts District (BEAD) has set up an exhibit chronicling the 50 years of Stone Belt history in the City Hall atrium.

Stone Belt was established in 1959 as a community resource, and has since grown to provide such programs as residential and employment services, advocacy, the Art & Craft division, and the generous Hand in Hand project.

The exhibit will run until the end of October. The City Hall atrium is open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on weekdays and 9:00 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays.

Understanding and Promoting Access to People with Learning Disabilities

Understanding and promoting access for people with learning difficulties: seeing the opportunities and challenges of risk is written by Dr. Jane Seale and Dr. Melanie Nind of the University of Southampton School of Education. The book reviews current approaches to accessibility, the application of modern technology for expression, public spaces, the role of citizenship education and more.

Interested in this book? Indiana resident? Email us!

Not an Indiana resident? Find this book at your local library through WorldCat.

How Can My Kid Succeed in School?

How can my kid succeed in school? What parents and teachers can do to conquer learning problems is written by Craig Pohlman, PhD, an administrator and article author who has conducted several thousand assessments of young children with learning difficulties. The book is organized into three sections, each a "progressive stage in developing and understanding" the needs of individual students. Part one focuses on home life, part two on school, and part three on the interaction with developmental professionals. As a whole, the book will be particularly useful for parents and teachers of students with learning disabilities.

Interested in this book? Indiana resident? Email us!

Not an Indiana resident? Find this book at your local library through WorldCat.

Organizing the Disorganized Child

Organizing the disorganized child: Simple strategies to succeed in school is written by Martin L Kutscher, pediatrician, and Marcella Moran, a licensed psychotherapist and educational consultant. The book begins with an explanation of "how my kid [got] into this mess" (key: the natural development of the frontal lobe), the role of the parent and tips on how to approach your child about the subject. The following chapters provide guidelines to being proactive in creating an organization system in a positive, supportive manner: setting up supplies, tracking multiple classes and teachers, making calendars, establishing morning and nighttime routines, visually organizing school notes, etc. Though aimed at the general populace, this book is especially useful for children with AD/HD and related disorders.

Interested in this book? Indiana resident? Email us!

Not an Indiana resident? Find this book at your local library through WorldCat.

Helen Keller Statue Unveiled

Last week, a copper statue of the young Helen Keller was unveiled at the Capitol building. Keller is depicted with the famous water pump where her teacher, Anne Sullivan, made the breakthrough connection between words and reality.

The statue was was proposed by Sen. Riley of Alabama as a replacement for the one of Jabez Curry. It was sculpted by artist Edward Hlavka of Utah and is the first statue in the Capitol to depict a child.

You can read more about the statue from the press release on CNN: http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/10/07/HELEN.KELLER.STATUE/index.html.

Alzheimer's disease research seeks volunteers for clinical study

A new intravenous drug to treat Alzheimer's is in development, and IU is looking for volunteers 50-88 years of age with mild to moderate symptoms to participate in a clinical trial.

The drug, named bapineuzumab, is designed to attack and destroy the proteins believed to be responsible for the memory loss and confusion associated with Alzheimer's disease.

Volunteers will undergo 20 rounds of testing at the IU Medical Center in Indianapolis. A caregiver must accompany each participant.

For more information about this or related studies on Alzheimer's, contact Elva Van Hook at 317-278-8389 or toll-free 866-257-0195.

Activities for Adults with Learning Disabilities

Activities for adults with learning disabilities: Having fun, meeting needs by Helen Sonnet and Ann Taylor provides "over 60 sessions of fun and engaging activities." Each activity is ranked by level of assistance required, accessibility, volume of noise, messiness, and reading skill, for tailoring to individual participant needs. The book is divided into categories of cooking (cookies, fruit punch), arts & crafts (calenders, photo frames), games (picture bingo, netball), special occasions (Valentine quiz, fancy-dress walk), drama and dance (talent show, country dance), and outside events (barbecues, local walks). The activities are based on the authors' experience in the UK-based MENCAP Gateway Club and are perfect for use in group homes and day centers.

Interested in this book? Indiana resident? Email us!

Not an Indiana resident? Find this book at your local library through WorldCat.

Promoting Emotional Education

Promoting emotional education: engaging children and young people with social, emotional and behavioural difficulties is a collection of articles for professionals and educators edited by Carmel Cefai and Paul Cooper of the Universities of Malta and Leicester, respectively. The articles examine subjects such as the perspectives of students with emotional and behavioral disorders, the effectiveness of peer tutoring and nurture groups, bullying, and "contemporary values and their implications."

Interested in this resource? Indiana resident? Email us!

Not an Indiana resident? Find this book at your local library through WorldCat.

Disability Employment Awareness Month

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month! CeDIR has many materials for support professionals, employers, and persons with disabilities with advice on how to find and create an inclusive workplace. Our newest additions include:

-Dyslexia and employment : a guide for assessors, trainers and managers
-The way to work : how to facilitate work experiences for youth in transition
-Asperger syndrome and employment : what people with Asperger syndrome really really want
-Social inclusion at work
-Workplace supports and job retention : promoting an employer driven approach to employment of people with disabilities

For even more titles, take a look at our resource guide on employment. Interested in any of these materials? Indiana resident? Email us to learn how to check them out.

Sad without Tears

Authentic dialogue with persons who are developmentally disabled: sad without tears by Jennifer Hill dissembles the misconception that persons with developmental disabilities are incapable of engaging in "authentic dialogue" about emotional issues. Hill, a psychotherapist, chronicles the progress of members of her therapy group as they discuss "sorrow, grief, jealousy and joy." The book is eye-opening for professionals and family members alike.

Interested in this book? Indiana resident? Email us!

Not an Indiana resident? Find this book at your local library through WorldCat.

Key Issues in Special Education

Key issues in special education needs and inclusion is a comprehensive textbook for students studying the field of Education. Written by Alan Hodkinson and Philip Vickerman, the book focuses on the recent development of care for children with Special Education Needs (SEN): the legalities, the politics, and the practice.

Interested in this book? Indiana resident? Email us!

Not an Indiana resident? Find this book at your local library through WorldCat.

Dyslexia and Employment

Dyslexia and employment: a guide for assessors, trainers and managers is edited by Dr. Sylvia Moody, a psychologist specializing in adult dyslexia. The book is advertised as a "jargon-free guide" which addresses the tricky aspects of managing employees with learning disabilities. The authors present on legalities, HR and trades-union perspectives, and specific disability-related issues in the workplace.

Interested in this book? Indiana resident? Email us!

Not an Indiana resident? Find this book at your local library through WorldCat.

Visual Prosthesis

Until very recently, restoring vision through artificial prosthesis seemed like a fantasy reserved for Star Trek characters. In the 1990s, researchers began to make the fantasy a reality: various methods were devised to allow persons with visual impairments to achieve some degree of sight, through implanted electrodes, microchips and cameras that stimulate receptor cells.

The latest advancement comes from Doctors Weiland and Humayun of the Doheny Eye Institute at the University of Southern California. The scientists and their team have developed and tested a "microelectronic implant" that has successfully allowed individuals to identify simple objects (for example, differentiate between a cup and a plate) and discern the direction of motion. The authors hope to continue their studies to improve sight resolution, enable face recognition, limit the risks of infection, and address other practical concerns.

To learn more about the human eye and implants, you can read Weiland and Humayun's paper here. For more information on visual impairments, check out these resources held at the CeDIR library:

-Blindsight (documentary)
-Children with visual impairments: a parents' guide
-No end in sight: my life as a blind Iditarod racer

City of Bloomington Council for Community Accessibility Seeks Nominees

The City of Bloomington’s Council for Community Accessibility (CCA) is soliciting nominations for its annual awards ceremony that will recognize individuals, businesses, and organizations that make the community more accessible for people with disabilities.
The CCA advocates on behalf of people with disabilities, promotes awareness of the challenges faced by those with disabilities, and works to develop solutions to problems of accessibility. The Council meets monthly at City Hall.

Award categories include:
• Kristin Willison Volunteer Service Award
• Business Service Award
• Professional and Community Service Award
• Housing service Award
• Self-Advocacy Award
• Mayor’s Award

Nomination forms are available in the Community and Family Resources Department, City Hall, 401 North Morton Street, Suite 260 and online at www.bloomington.in.gov/cfrd. Nomination must be returned by October 2, 2009. For more information, contact Craig Brenner, Special Projects Coordinator, at (812) 349-3471 or e-mail brennerc@bloomington.in.gov.

Gifts 2

Gifts 2: How people with Down syndrome enrich the world is the followup to the bestselling volume Gifts: mothers reflect on how children with Down syndrome enrich their lives by Kathryn Lynard Soper. The book offers a unique perspective on disabilities through inspirational essays from family members, friends, educators and medical professionals about the rewarding experiences of knowing and caring for someone with Down syndrome.

Interested in this book? Indiana resident? Email us!

Not an Indiana resident? Find this book at your local library through WorldCat.

Patient Voices: OCD

The New York Times has run an extensive interactive feature called Patient Voices interviewing six individuals with obsessive compulsive disorder. These individuals come from all walks of life and give illuminating insight into what it's like to live with OCD.

Want more information on Obsessive Compulsive disorder? Check out these materials available at the CeDIR library:
-What to do when your brain gets stuck: a kid's guide to overcoming OCD
-Talking back to OCD: the program that helps kids and teens say "no way"-- and parents say "way to go"
-Obsessive-compulsive disorder: help for children and adolescents

If you're interested in any of these materials and live in Indiana, email us for information on how to check them out.

Through the Same Door

Through the same door: inclusion includes college is a DVD aimed at young people with disabilities aiming for post-secondary education. The video follows Micah, a young man with a cognitive impairment, as he enters Oakland University and lives the college life of classes, student organizations, and volunteer opportunities. Micah has written several articles and is a national speaker on inclusion in public schools. See his accomplishments here.

Interested in this resource? Indiana resident? Email us!

Not an Indiana resident? Find this video at your local library through WorldCat.

4th Annual Art of Mental Health Exhibit

From Monday, October 5th to Saturday the 10th, the Mental Health America of Monroe County will promote mental well-being through the 4th Annual Art of Mental Health event. The week will consist of talks, public screening, and an ongoing art exhibit at the Monroe County Library. Lecturers include Dr. Natalie Blevins from the IU School of Medicine, actress/singer Meera Popkin-Tarack, and representatives from Centerstone, Milestones, and Oak Tree Counseling.

The event will culminate with a benefit dance on Saturday, 7:30 pm at the Bloomington Convention Center. Craig Brenner & the Crawdads will provide live music, and Bloomington's finest local music will provide desserts. Tickets are $15, available at the Busirk-Chumley ticket office.

For more information, call 812-339-1551 or visit www.artofmentalhealth.org.

Core Vocabulary as an Effective Tool for Teaching Curriculum

This Friday, the IU School of Education will host a presentation by Bruce R. Baker, Adjunct Associate Professor at the University of Pittsburgh, entitled "Core Vocabulary as an Effective Tool for Teaching Curriculum content: High Frequency Vocabulary, Language Learning, and Communicative Competence." His talk will focus on "how to involve students who use AAC in classroom interactions in a way that is enriching to all."

Baker is the President/CEO of Semantic Compaction Systems, which developed the Minspeak language representation technology now used internationally in eight different languages. He has won several awards for design and service, notably from United Cerebral Palsy and the International Society for Augmentative and Alternative Communication.

The talk will be held in room R2277 (the Alumni Room) from 1 to 3 pm. For more information, contact Erna Alant at ealant@indiana.edu.

Augmentative and Alternative Communication Profile

CeDIR recently acquired a diagnostic kit for professionals with Speech and Language Pathology licences: the Augmentative & alternative communication profile by Tracy M Kovach. The kit consists of a users manual and forms for the administration of "quality performance measures in speech-language therapy" for children and adults.

The kit is produced by LinguiSystems, which also produced our popular Functional Communication Profile, The Listening Comprehension Test, the Social Language Test - Elementary and more. If you're interested in any of these materials, email cedir@indiana.edu for information on how to check them out.

Disability Law Clinic at IU

A new resource as cropped up at Indiana University: The Disability Law Clinic. Students at the IU School of Law have volunteered to provide free legal assistance to families with children grades K-3 enrolled in Monroe County Schools who have been denied benefits or are unsatisfied with the services provided to them. Students grades 4-12 with complaints may also be assisted on a case-by-case basis.

For more information about the program, contact Ginny Phero at gphero@indiana.edu with "Disability Law Clinic" as part of the subject line. The offices may be reached at (812) 855-9229.

Local Bloomington Resources on Disability

Have you thoroughly explored all the Bloomington community has to offer individuals with disabilities and their families?

Make sure you haven't missed something by visiting the official city page on Programs and Services for People with Disabilities. The website names a whole host of information, including:

-how to request accessibility counseling and workshops
-an official list of accessible apartment housing in Bloomington
-restaurants with Braille embossed menus
-inclusive recreation programs

Also check out the side menu links to such vital information as emergency preparedness for PWDs and a growing Resource Directory maintained by the Council for Community Accessibility.

Insurance and Assistive Technology

An author for the New York Times recently covered the inefficiencies in Medicare and other insurers with regards to assistive technology for persons with speech impairments. The article highlighted a woman named Kara Lynn who must pay out of pocket for cheap devices that allow her to communicate (like iPhones with speech-generating software) because insurers do not want to cover technologies that may be used by persons without disabilities.

The author states that "...people with speech disabilities have a choice: pay for a cheaper product from their own pockets, try to borrow one from a private assistance group or spend their insurer’s money on a specialty device" which has been severely limited to comply with insurance regulations.

You can read the original article here. For more information on assistive technologies, visit some of our old posts on the subject, or check out our Resource Guide listing titles in our library collection.

Kunstfest 2009

This weekend, the 19th and 20th of September, CeDIR will have a booth at Historic New Harmony's Kunstfest 2009.

Also at the festival will be black smithing and weaving demonstrations, live music, family-fun activities like pumpkin painting and horse-drawn wagon rides, and traditional German foods (bring on the bratwurst!)

New Harmony is located in southern Indiana, about a three-hour drive from Bloomington.


For more information, visit http://www.newharmony.biz or call 1-800-231-2168.

Key Issues in Healthcare Decision Making and Care at End of Life

Next Wednesday, September 16th at 1 pm EST, the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities will host a webinar entitled: Key Issues in Healthcare Decision Making and Care at End of Life: How to use person-centered to support quality planning with people with critical, chronic and/or terminal illnesses. The webinar will feature gerontologist Leigh Ann Creaney Kingsbury, the author of People planning ahead : a guide to communicating healthcare and end of life wishes held here at the CeDIR library.

For registration and more information on this event, visit the AAIDD website at http://www.aamr.org/content_2609.cfm. The IIDC's Center on Aging and Community will also host a group viewing in Building J; to RSVP email Lora Wagers.

Accommodating Students with Disabilities in Post-Secondary Education

Next Tuesday, September 15th from 2:00 to 3:30 pm, the Center for Planning and Policy Studies will host an audio conference entitled "Accommodating Students with Disabilities in Post-Secondary Education." A summary of the conference reads:

"Because educational entities are reporting increased enrollment of individuals with a variety of disabilities that they have not traditionally served, such as autism spectrum disorders, intellectual disabilities, and other emerging groups, this audio conference is particularly relevant to the IU community. The audio conference will feature a discussion of best practices regarding the type of accommodations needed and how the campus environment needs to respond to ensure that qualified students have an equal opportunity to participate.

Those who attend will learn more about how some institutions have implemented programs that have effectively been able to accommodate and integrate these students."

Individuals may attend in person at the Indiana Institute for Disability and Community, Building L, or access the conference online at http://www.ada-audio.org/. The cost is $25 (non-profits) or $40 (for-profit entities). For more information, email adainfo@indiana.edu.

Flu Season

A report by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention showed that two thirds of the 40 US children who have died from the swine flu had disabilities. The children had cerebral palsy, epilepsy, or other neurdevelopmental disorders, according to the summary published by the Associated Press.

For information on the H1N1 virus, a.k.a. "the swine flu," visit the Indiana state government's page, or the CDC's site. IU libraries also have several books on helping you and your children navigate this flu season, including:

-Put prevention into practice: child health guide
-What to do for childhood emergencies and illnesses
-What to do when your child gets sick (also available in Spanish)

If you're interested in any of these titles, email us for information on how to check them out.

Essential Articulate Studio '09

Essential Articulate Studio '09 is a guide to using the title software suite, including Presenter, Quizmaker, Engage, and Video Encoder, to "create e-learning that works." The book serves as both a technical tutorial and a beginner's guide to design, with concrete examples to show users how to build information and instruction.

Interested in this book? Indiana resident? Email us!

Not an Indiana resident? Find this book at your local library through WorldCat.

RTI in the Classroom

RTI in the Classroom: Guidelines and Recipes for Success is a volume by Rachel Brown-Chidsey, Louise Bronaugh, and Kelly McGraw written from years of classroom experience. Brenda Whitaker, principal of Bloomington's own Edgewood Primary school, wrote of the book:

"This is not a book that teachers will just read and replace on the shelf--it will be marked with highlighters, sticky notes, and dog-eared corners! This book will encourage new teachers and energize returning ones by giving them practical tools to implement RTI in their classrooms today. Wonderful features include a tool to assist schools in taking the next steps towards implementing RTI, planning forms to track student progress, and specific intervention recipes for reading, writing, math, and behavior."

Interested in this resource? Indiana resident? Contact us!

Not an Indiana resident? Find this book at your local library through WorldCat.

Eye of the Beholder

Eye of the beholder: true stories of people with facial differences is a book of case studies and an easy-to-understand overview of the latest medical research in facial reconstruction by Laura Greenwald of the Cleveland Clinic. Greenwald interviewed dozens of individuals with facial abnormalities and supplements their stories with ruminations on the psychology of facial recognition, the importance of expression in communication, and the biology of regeneration.

Interested in this book? Indiana resident? Email us!

Not an Indiana resident? Find this book at your local library through WorldCat.

Better Breakfast Month

Do you and your children eat a nutritious breakfast every morning? Breakfast starts up the body's metabolism and ups brain functioning: dozens of studies have confirmed that children who eat a good breakfast perform better in school than those who don't.

The CeDIR library has several books on nutrition to help you choose the best ingredients for your family's most-important-meal-of-the-day.

-Tell me what to eat if I have celiac disease: nutrition you can live with by Kimberly Tessmer
-Special-needs kids eat right: strategies to help kids on the autism spectrum focus, learn, and thrive by Judy Converse
-The G free diet: a gluten-free survival guide by Elizabeth Hasselbeck
-Gluten-free quick & easy: from prep to plate without the fuss, 200+ recipes for people with food sensitivities by Carol Fenster
-The whole foods allergy cookbook: two hundred gourmet & homestyle recipes for the food allergic family by Cybele Pascal

If you're interested in any of these books, don't hesitate to email us about them!