Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Managing ADHD in the K-8 Classroom

Managing ADHD in the K-8 classroom: a teacher's guide is written by Grad L. Flick, a clinical psychologist with over 38 years of experience counseling children, adolescents, and adults with ADD/ADHD. Written for both general and special education teachers, the book discusses the causes of ADHD, how to address specific behaviors, tracking and assessing progress, and "survival techniques for teachers." Flick provides many worksheets and charts to use with students and advice to improve the classroom environment, student performance, and even self-esteem.

Interested in this book? Indiana resident? Email us!

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

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Django

Django: World's greatest jazz guitarist is a picture book by Bonnie Christensen and the winner of the Schneider Family Book Award. Original paintings illustrate a free-form poem about Django, a musical prodigy who lost his hand in a fire. Through perseverance, he regains the use of his "fretting hand" to become a famous gypsy jazz guitarist.

Interested in this book? Indiana resident? Email us!

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

Monday, March 29, 2010

Flashes of Hope Photography Series

The following is a modified March 25th release from the City of Bloomington:

This April and May, the City of Bloomington Entertainment and Arts District (BEAD) will showcase Flashes of Hope, a series of photographs featuring child patients at Riley Hospital.

Each month, the Indianapolis chapter of Flashes of Hope transforms a walkway balcony at Riley Hospital into a photography studio. A makeup artist and hairstylist are brought in to help children and parents look and feel their best, then each child is photographed individually and with their closest supporters – siblings, parents and often a favorite nurse.

Flashes of Hope is a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating powerful, uplifting portraits of children fighting cancer and other life-threatening illnesses. Since the inception of the Indianapolis branch of Flashes of Hope in 2007, more than 200 children have been photographed in conjunction with the American Society of Media Photographers (ASMP), the leading trade association for photographers who produce work primarily for publication. ASMP promotes photographers' rights, educates photographers in better business practices, produces business publications for photographers and helps buyers find professional photographers.

The exhibit will run April 2 to May 28, Monday through Friday in the Atrium of City Hall, 401 North Morton Street. Exhibition hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., as well as additional evening or weekend hours when City Hall is open for meetings and other public events.

The City of Bloomington is committed to providing opportunities for Bloomington and area artists to exhibit artwork in the City Hall Atrium. For more information on the exhibition program, contact Miah Michaelsen, Assistant Economic Development Director for the Arts, at 812-349-3534 or Jared Schlemmer, Assistant Deputy Mayor of the City of Bloomington.

Friday, March 26, 2010

Dyslexia-Friendly Further & Higher Education

Dyslexia-friendly further & higher education by Barbara Pavey, Margaret Meehan, and Alan Waugh is a short paperback for "all practitioners involved in supporting students in FE and HE." The authors discuss how to improve the learning environment for post-secondary students with dyslexia as well as transition to employment issues. With 96 pages of text and thirty more of appendices, it is a quick but essential read for counselors, advisors, and other professionals in higher education.

Interested in this book? Indiana resident? Email us!

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

Thursday, March 25, 2010

The Ultimate Guide to Sensory Processing Disorder

The ultimate guide to sensory processing disorder: Easy, everyday solutions to sensory challenges by Roya Ostavar, PhD, is a straight-forward guide for parents of children with SPD. Dr. Ostavar first walks parents through the basics of sensory processing disorder (recognizing the signs, diagnoses, causes, and case study examples), then dives into tips for coping with stressful situations like religious holidays with big family gatherings, over-stimulating vacations or sports games. She steps into the minds of children with SPD to give parents insight and plan their "sensory diets" accordingly.

Interested in this book? Indiana resident? Email us!

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

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Today: Bloomington/Monroe County Metropolitan Planning Organization - Citizens Advisory Committee Meeting

Today, a meeting at 6:30pm in Bloomington's City Hall will address public transportation planning. From the City of Bloomington Website:

"Interested citizens are invited to be part of the local transportation planning process. The goal of the Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) is to foster and develop citizen awareness of transportation policy and planning. At monthly meetings the CAC reviews transportation projects and policies, and makes recommendations to the Policy Committee of the Metropolitan Planning Organization. To participate or for information, contact Raymond Hess at 349-3423 or visit http://bloomington.in.gov/mpo."

The meeting is a good opportunity for local citizens to chime in on projects for Downtown development, neighborhood streets, bike/pedestrian systems, and accessibility issues.

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Mixed Signals

Mixed signals: understanding and treating your child's sensory processing issues by Mary Lashno is a paperback filled with real case examples of how children with sensory processing disorders behave. Lashno offers strategies for parents, teachers, and other caregivers to recognize indicators of conditions like Down Syndrome or ASDs, working with therapists for the most effective interventions, and understanding complex behavior.

Interested in this book? Indiana resident? Email us!

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

Monday, March 22, 2010

Fuzzy Buzzy Groups

For children with sensory processing difficulties, interaction with their peers can be difficult. The authors of Fuzzy buzzy groups for children with developmental and sensory processing difficulties: a step-by-step resource, Scots Fiona Brownlee and Lindsay Munro, have devised a program for these children to develop social skills and improve self-esteem.

The Fuzzy Buzzy book contains advice for professionals on how to put together a group of children aged 2-5, as well as suggested activities, worksheets, and a CD of music for group sessions.

Interested in this book? Indiana resident? Email us!

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

Friday, March 19, 2010

"Television with a Conscience"

The Television Academy of Honors will pay tribute to eight TV episodes "with a conscience" on May 5th, 2010. The criteria for the selection was, broadly, demonstration of the "power of television to change attitudes and lives...These programs concern vital issues ranging from capital punishment to racism, prescription drug abuse and trafficking, autism, the military escort for fallen service members, physician-assisted suicide and important disability issues."

Here are the eight episodes announced, with plot synopses.

CSI, "Coup De Grace": The team investigates the accidental shooting of an off-duty cop by another cop, officer Danny Finn, whose unabashed racial bias raises the possibility that the shooting was no accident

Glee, "Wheels": Glee advisor Will Shuster challenges the club members to spend a week without walking to better understand their fellow member Artie, who has paraplegia. The group takes it one step further and prepares a full song and dance number in wheelchairs. A student with Down Syndrome is also selected for the cheerleading squad, whose usually caustic coach has a sister with the same condition.

Grandpa, Do You Know Who I Am?: An HBO documentary that tells five stories of children, ages 6-15, who are coping with grandfathers or grandmothers suffering from Alzheimer's disease.

Explorer, “Inside Death Row”: An episode in this National Geographic expose interviews three inmates in Huntsville, Texas as their dates of execution draw near, and follows the stories of their families and loved ones as they deal with death firsthand.

Private Practice, "Nothing To Fear": Pete and Sam of Oceanside Wellness struggle with the issue of assisted suicide, as a former colleague with stomach cancer faces a slow, painful death.

Taking Chance: Another HBO movie, this film is based on the journal of Lieutenant Colonel Michael Strobl, who volunteered to escort the remains of fallen Marines to their homes in the United States.

Unlocking Autism: Discovery Health will air this documentary on April 6th. Unlocking Autism will "voyage into the lives of some of autism's most fascinating characters and learned more about the challenges and successes of overcoming the still mysterious disorder known as autism."

Vanguard, "The Oxytocin Express": Jouranlists venture to the "main source of an illicit prescription drug pipeline." The documentary tracks the trail of the potent narcotic from Florida to Kentucky, where overdoses and addiction run rampant.

You can view some of these episodes online from the official station websites. Here are links to Wheels on Fox and The Oxytocin Express on Hulu.

Thursday, March 18, 2010

Disability Awareness and the Internet

A column in today's Mercury News, a Silicon Valley publication, highlighted the latest efforts of Yahoo! to educate web designers and developers about the importance of universal design.

The author, Mike Cassidy, visited the Yahoo Accessibility Lab, where he was asked to simulate the effects of having a stroke by typing with one hand while holding a ball. The lab also employs blindfolds and vision-altering goggles to simulate visual impairments. Alan Brightman, one of the two founders, says, ""My goal in having people come in here, is that when they walk out of here, they don't see the world in the same way ever again."

Yahoo and other companies have been taking steps to make websites compatible with screen readers, on-screen keyboards, and navigable by keystrokes only.

You can read the article here: http://www.mercurynews.com/breaking-news/ci_14698496.

For more information about accessible technology, see the following resources at the CeDIR Library:

  • DO-IT: Universal access to computing (VHS)

  • The universally designed classroom: accessible curriculum and digital technologies

  • Teaching every student in the Digital Age: universal design for learning
  • Wednesday, March 17, 2010

    Ivy Tech Event: "Free Your Mind From Hidden Disabilities"

    Next week, from March 25th to the 31st, Ivy Tech Bloomington will celebrate Disability Awareness Month with a series of activities for the "Free Your Mind From Hidden Disabilities" event.

    The activities will take place between 10:00 am – 6:00 pm in the 2nd floor Rotunda of Ivy Tech Community College Bloomington’s main campus. Activities will focus on discovering what it's like to have a hidden disability. Organizers have secured several of CeDIR's most popular books and DVDs (Inside Dyslexia, Living Along the Autism Spectrum, The Boy Inside) for display and viewings. The event is free to the public.

    For more information, contact Sue Gauck at sgauck@ivytech.edu or call 330-6046.

    Tuesday, March 16, 2010

    Disabilities At Work on Internet Talk Radio

    On April 14th, a talk show streamed through the internet called Disabilities At Work will debut on the VoiceAmerica Business Channel. The show will air every Wednesday at noon and will focus on broad areas of interest to people with disabilities, their advocates, and employers.

    DAW Radio will spotlight businesses that go 'beyond compliance' in finding and hiring qualified people with disabilities, or who support people with disabilities through philanthropy or in other ways. The show will feature corporate VIPs, successful service providers, educators, PWDs with interesting stories, authors, researchers, government officials, elected representatives, and the occasional celebrity.

    Show organizers are now searching for topics, ideas, suggestions, sponsors, comments, or speakers. Learn how to contribute by visiting their website at DisabilitiesAtWork.org. You can also contact Disabilities At Work via email at info@DisabilitiesAtWork.org, Twitter, or their Facebook page.

    Monday, March 15, 2010

    Volunteers Needed

    The Center for Possibilities, a non-profit organization whose mission is to "improve the quality of life for young children and adults with developmental disabilities and their families," is looking for volunteers for this Friday's "Diva Day."

    The Center for Possibilities is located in Hobart, Indiana, and is preparing for its 50th Anniversary Gala Event. Volunteers will do hair, make-up and nails for the women in the Center's Adult Program. No experience or supplies necessary--just one hour of your time!

    If you're interested in helping out, email Michelle Higel at mhigel1@yahoo.com.

    Friday, March 12, 2010

    Keeping Disability Benefits after a Child with Disabilites Becomes an Adult

    An SSD attorney in Chicago, Jeffrey A. Rabin & Assoc, released an article clarifying the rules of SSI today. "Many parents may believe that their disabled children will be able to continue receiving Social Security disability or SSI payments once they have reached 18 years old," it begins. "However, this is not necessarily true. The federal government uses a different standard to determine disability status for children than it does for adults. Once disabled children turn 18, they will lose their benefits if they do not meet the adult disability standards."

    The authors detail how disability is determined for children and adults, and how parents can prepare for the transition across the 18th birthday. You can read the article here: http://www.24-7pressrelease.com/press-release/keeping-disability-benefits-after-a-disabled-child-becomes-an-adult-141078.php

    For more information on SSI, look into this title from the CeDIR library: Nolo's guide to Social Security Disability: getting & keeping your benefits. Email us for details on how to check it out.

    Thursday, March 11, 2010

    Next Tuesday: ADA Audio Conference

    Next Tuesday, March 16th, the ADA will conduct a free audio conference on "Conducting Effective Accessibility Surveys."

    This audio conference will explore the requirements to conduct accessibility surveys by business, government, and educational institutions to ensure that they meet the requirements of the ADA. Topics to be covered in Part 1 include what and how to measure, who is qualified to do a survey, and what tools are available to support surveys. A panel of experts, including Bill Hecker and Susanne Brueyere of Cornell University and Don Brandon of the DBTAC-Northwest ADA Center, will share their "lessons learned" and "tricks of the trade."

    The public has several options for participating:

    -A free viewing will be offered at the Indiana Institute on Disability and Community, Building L from 2:00 – 3:30 pm. For more information, contact Matt Norris or Vicki Pappas at adainfo@indiana.edu or call 855-6508.

    -Teleconferencing, real-time captioning, or real-time streaming audio over the internet. For more information, see the ADA's page on these options: http://www.ada-audio.org/ProgramInformation/services.php

    Also mark your calendars: Part II of the course takes place April 20th.

    Wednesday, March 10, 2010

    IU's Second Annual Day of Diversity

    Today is the university's "Day of Diversity," and the theme this year is "Toward Civil Conversation." Join us in celebrating at the Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center on the IUB campus, where the libraries will be hosting a panel of university librarians, staff, and guest speakers. Panelists and audience members will grapple with what recent issues and events tell us about the practice of reasonable and worthwhile public discourse and behavior in civic culture.

    What: A Day of Diversity at Indiana University Libraries
    Where: Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center, Bridgwaters Lounge
    When: Wednesday, March 10, 2010
    Time: 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

    Our panelists will be:

    Fannie Cox
    Associate Professor and Reference Librarian
    University of Louisville
    Louisville, Kentucky

    Jaena Hollingsworth
    English Librarian
    IUPUI
    Indianapolis, Indiana

    Kristi Palmer
    Digital Libraries Team Leader
    IUPUI
    Indianapolis, Indiana

    Christina Wray
    Assistant Librarian
    Center for Disability Information and Referral (CeDIR),
    The library for the Indiana Institute on Disability and Community (IIDC)
    Bloomington, Indiana

    Tuesday, March 9, 2010

    Disability Awareness Day Ceremony

    Reprinted from today's Herald Times:

    A ceremony today will honor 10 local organizations that have contributed to the employment of individuals with disabilities.

    Sponsored by the Diversity Works steering committee, a partnership between Stone Belt, Options, WorkOne and Vocational Rehabilitation, the event will be 2-3:30 p.m. at KRC Catering, 216 S. College Ave.

    Mayor Mark Kruzan is scheduled to speak, and to declare today Disability Awareness Day in Bloomington.

    Honorees are: Monroe Hospital, Indiana University’s Memorial Union Market Place, O’Charley’s, Babb’s Super Valu, IU’s Student Recreational Sports Center, The PourHouse, IU’s Instructional Systems Technology, Goodwill East, IU’s Center for Evaluation and Education Policy and Cook Urological.

    “Many businesses in our community recognize that an individual’s skills and abilities and not a disability, define her or him as a good employee and as an asset to the organization,” Daniel Grundman, director of employee services for the city of Bloomington and the head business leader of Diversity Works, said in a statement.

    Hiring people with disabilities makes good business sense, Grundman said. It helps those individuals achieve independence and grows the local work force and economy, he said.

    Monday, March 8, 2010

    Think College!

    Think college! Postsecondary education options for students with intellectual disabilities by Meg Grigal and Debra Hart is a resource for parents and educators in high schools, colleges, and universities to prepare for incoming students with intellectual disabilities. The book outlines how to support students in academia and everyday life as they transition to post-secondary education. The authors consider all aspects of individualized programs, from tracking social progress to evaluating employment opportunities.

    Interested in this book? Indiana resident? Email us!

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

    Thursday, March 4, 2010

    Dixon & Davis on Challenging Behaviors

    Sue Dixon and Kim Davis of the IIDC gave a talk about understanding challenging behaviors for the IYI radio show Kids Count. Hosted by IYI President and CEO Bill Stanczykiewicz, the show discusses key parent issues and provides applicable tips and resources. Guests include youth development experts, national authors on child, youth and parenting issues, educational and government leaders and Indiana youth workers with timely comments that will inform, educate and inspire!

    The show will air on Sunday, March 7th. You can also hear the talk online at: http://www.iyi.org/media/kids-count-radio.aspx

    Also check out Kim and Sue's popular book, When actions speak louder than words at the CeDIR library!

    Cerebral Palsy of NWI 50th Anniversary Gala

    Center for Possibilities- Cerebral Palsy of NWI, Inc will host their 50th Anniversary Celebration on Friday, March 19th, 2010 at the Ambassador Banquets in Hobart. The mission of Center for Possibilities is to improve the quality of life for young children and adults with developmental disabilities and their families.

    The black tie optional event is themed "When we wished upon a star, our dreams came true" will be a night filled with celebration. Doors will open at 5:30pm with a Cocktails & Reception at 6:00pm. A sit down dinner is planned along with performances by "Dancing with Our Stars" Adult Students and "Little Stars" Preschool Students. The Center's Board of Directions will present Founders Awards for businesses, groups and individuals that have supported the Center since it's opening in 1960. The night will end with music and dancing. The event is sponsored by Hobart Animal Clinic and Arvin's Ceady Bar & Grill.

    Tickets will be available until Monday, March 8th until 2pm at Center for Possibilities, 22 Tyler Avenue, Hobart, Indiana. You can also contact Michelle Higel at (219) 962-5751 or mhigel1@ayhoo.com. Price of tickets are $30.00 per adult, $15.00 for children ages 3-11 and free of children under the age of 3.

    Wednesday, March 3, 2010

    CeDIR's Spring Newsletter


    Read the Spring CeDIR Citings at http://www.iidc.indiana.edu/cedir/newsletters/CeDIR_Citings_0310.html!

    In this issue we talk about the new Friends of the Library website, the upcoming Paralympic Games, and our latest resources on social skills.

    If you'd like a hard copy, email us or give us a call at 812-855-6508.

    Tuesday, March 2, 2010

    MOSAIC Film Festival


    Make room in your schedules today, tomorrow, and Saturday for the third MOSAIC film festival in Bloomington!

    The festival is presented by Diversity Theatre, a program of the City of Bloomington Community and Family Resources Department. MOSAIC features short films for adults highlighting poverty and homelessness, and films for children on disability and accepting differences. Participants will have opportunities to discuss the films and the issues they highlight with representatives of local agencies which are partnering with MOSAIC and which provide services in the areas of poverty, homelessness, and disability.

    Today, March 2nd, the films will be shown from 7:00 Р11:00 pm at Rhino's All Age Music Club, 331 S. Walnut Street. On Wednesday, March 3rd, the films will be shown from 7:00 Р11:00 pm at Rachael's Caf̩, 300 E. 3rd Street. A third, shorter event for children will take place at 1pm March 6th at the Elletsville branch of the Monroe County library. All MOSAIC events are free and open to the public.

    For a complete listing of the film titles and descriptions, visit the MOSAIC website: http://bloomington.in.gov/mosaic. For more information, contact Audrey Heller or Stacee Evans at 336-3198 or contact Craig Brenner at 349-3471.

    Monday, March 1, 2010

    FCC Announces New Closed Captioning Complaint Procedure

    Having trouble viewing closed captioning on certain shows? Does it become garbled or move too quickly across the screen? The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has recently announced that there are new procedures in place that will make filing complaints easier. You can now file a complaint directly with the FCC, either by fax, e-mail, postal mail, or online. Just be sure to file the complaint within 60 days of the captioning problem.

    Online
    You can file your complaint by using the FCC's online Disability Access Complaint Form #2000C at https://esupport.fcc.gov/sform2000/formC!input.action?form_page=2000C

    Note:
    Disability Access Complaint Form 2000C on the FCC's website erroneously states that if your complaint is about closed captioning, you must first contact the station or video programming distributor. The FCC will actually accept this web form without your first trying to contact the video programming distributor.

    For more information about filing complaints regarding closed captioning, see this link: http://esupport.fcc.gov/complaints.htm?sid=&id=d1e3 or call the FCC for assistance, Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (eastern time), at 1-888-225-5322 or 1-888-835-5322 TTY.