Bloomington's Council for Community Accessibility Presents Annual Awards

Bloomington, Ind. — The City of Bloomington Council for Community Accessibility (CCA) recognized organizations and individuals committed to making Bloomington more accessible to people with disabilities at the annual CCA Awards Ceremony, held Monday at St. Mark's United Methodist Church, 100 State Road 46.

Pete Giordano, Director of Community and Family Resources, congratulated all the nominees and award recipients and thanked them on behalf of Mayor Mark Kruzan. Giordano presented the Mayor's Award posthumously to Sophia Travis.

"Sophia was tremendously influential and supportive of people with disabilities,” Giordano said. “Along with her dedication and commitment to LifeDesigns as a Board member, Sophia advocated on behalf of people with disabilities throughout the community. She was instrumental in establishing the accessible Karst Farm Splash Pad. She presided over the County Council when it passed a tax levy that benefits families with disabilities needing respite. She made so many contributions to our community in so many areas of life that it is difficult to summarize them tonight. Bloomington and Monroe County are better today because of Sophia Travis.”

The following award winners also were recognized for outstanding service:

Self-Advocacy Award: Rachel Roby, for being highly engaged in the community as an educator on behalf of persons with hidden disabilities and breaking down stigmatizing barriers faced by people with mental disabilities

Professional and Community Service Award: Rebecca Davis, for successfully launching Visually Impaired Preschool Services (VIPS) in Bloomington

Business Service Award: James McLary, president and CEO of e2Taxi, for improving mobility for the entire community, especially for people with disabilities, through accessible taxicabs

Employment Award: The Indiana University Wells Library, for providing employment opportunities for people with disabilities

Housing Service Award: Lauren and Peter Cowan, owners of Agewise Design, for addressing the growing need to modify living spaces for aging adults and people with disabilities

Special Recognition: Lake Monroe Boat Rental, for donating pontoon boats for the last three Fish-tival events organized by the Southern Indiana Center for Independent Living on Lake Monroe; Dr. James Laughlin, for outstanding contributions to children with special medical needs through establishment of a local clinic in partnership with Riley Hospital for Children; and St. Thomas Lutheran Church under the leadership of Pastor Lyle McKee, for extraordinary efforts on behalf of persons with disabilities, enabling them to be fully included in congregational activities

Kristin Willison Volunteer Service Award: Carle Crawford, for volunteering on behalf persons with disabilities at Area 10 Agency on Aging, Citizen Advocacy of South Central Indiana, Monroe County Crop Walk, New Leaf-New Life, Monroe County Public Library, in nursing homes and wherever he sees a need

Mayor's Award: Sophia Travis, for her passionate commitment to better our community

The ceremony also included recognition of several fully accessible local businesses and a keynote presentation by Lou Moneymaker, the president and CEO of Bosma Enterprises.

The Awards Ceremony was presented by the City of Bloomington’s Community and Family Resources Department. For information on the Council for Community Accessibility, go to http://bloomington.in.gov/cca or contact Special Projects Coordinator Craig Brenner at 349.3471 or brennerc@bloomington.in.gov.

Mobile App Monday - Marlee Signs

Looking for a high quality app to learn how to sign? Marlee Signs is great for learning to express yourself in American Sign Language. This app will teach you the fundamentals of ASL – from the signed alphabet and basic vocabulary through to common expressions in everyday life – using high-quality video demonstrations starring Marlee Matlin herself.

Want to learn more? Visit: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/marlee-signs/id566054855?mt=8

High School Transition that Works!

Looking for a book to help you teach competitive, marketable skills in real work settings? Want to break down obstacles to meaningful employment for people with disabilities? Pick up High school transition that works!: Lessons learned from Project SEARCH. This book will help you discover the program's secrets to success and offers practical guidance to counselors, educators, transition coordinators, etc. It's filled with invaluable tips and strategies, case studies, and materials to help you apply principles of the Project SEARCH model.

Want to check it out? Email us at cedir@indiana.edu or use worldcat.org to find it in a library near you.

Children with Disabilities, 7th edition

In this 7th edition of Children with Disabilities, the authors examine several new areas: new chapters on diagnosis, neuropsychological assessment, "new" disabilities faced by survivors of previously fatal disorders, and complementary and alternative medicine. The book also has expanded chapters on autism and ADHD, a greater focus on interdisciplinary collaboration, considerations from drafts of the DSM-5, and more!

Want to check it out? Email us at cedir@indiana.edu or use worldcat.org to find it in a library near you.

Local YMCA Fundraiser

Do you love the YMCA? Live in Monroe County? On Saturday November 10th, the Monroe County YMCA is having a free 1 mile Participation Walk. This walk is open to anyone in the community with a disability. Registration is ongoing up until 8:45 the morning of the walk. Participants are encouraged to get sponsorships to raise money for the YMCA's "Y for All" program. Funds are to be turned in the day of the walk. Participation prizes will be awarded and the top fund raiser will receive an additional prize.

Want more information? Contact the YMCA at (812) 332-5555.

Mobile App Monday - My Medical for iPad

My Medical is a comprehensive record-keeping app for your personal medical information. It's meant to replace unreliable paper records or various electronic systems that hold bits and pieces of your medical history. With My Medical, any and all information that is important to you is kept together in one place.

Want to know more? Visit: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/my-medical-for-ipad/id374158958?mt=8#

Inclusion

Inclusion has come a long way in the last couple of decades. From being included in schools to being included in classrooms to being included in extracurricular activities, we continue to see how important it is to families and to the kids themselves to make them feel as welcome as the next person. According to an article in the Kansas City Star, kids with Down Syndrome and those on the autism spectrum are even being elevated to homecoming royalty status.

To read the entire uplifting article, please visit: http://joco913.com/news/homecoming-votes-reflect-a-new-era/

The SAPRpbis Manual

Looking for a way to compare your school's PBIS efforts with evidence-based practices and benchmarks? The SAPRpbis manual: A team-based approach to implementing effective schoolwide positive behavior interventions and supports can help. The manual is an efficient, comprehensive way to make comparisons utilizing six to ten team members from your school. These members rate themselves on key building blocks of successful PBIS and then brings the whole team together to discuss the results, set goals, and assess progress.

Want to learn more? Email us at cedir@indiana.edu to check out this book, or use worldcat.org to find it in a library near you.

Recognize and Respond to Emotional and Behavioral Issues in the classroom

From the book description:
"Teachers are often the first to identify a child's emotional or behavioral problems but with limited time and resources, knowing how to start helping can be a tough challenge. [Recognize and respond to emotional and behavioral issues in the classroom: A teacher's guide] puts key psychological principles and straightforward, classroom-ready strategies at every K 12 teacher's fingertips, they can provide effective supports for students, keep families involved, and recognize when outside help is needed."

Want to check it out? Email us at cedir@indiana.edu or use worldcat.org to find it in a library near you.

Mobile App Monday - Behavior Breakthroughs

Behavior Breakthroughs is a training app that uses simulations and an interactive environment to model and display a child's behavior. Caregivers learn to effectively implement proven behavioral strategies and techniques using game-based technology. To progress, the user must master the skills of reinforcement and extinction.

Want to learn more about this free app? Visit: https://itunes.apple.com/app/behavior-breakthroughs/id418987677?ign-mpt=uo%3D6&mt=8

Code Source: Accessibility

Code Source: Accessibility examines accessibility requirements that apply to commercial, residential, and existing buildings. The book focuses on four industry publications: the International building code and its Accessibility Reference Standard, the Revised American with Disabilities Act, Architectural Barriers Act Accessibility Guidelines, and the Federal Fair Housing Act's Accessibility Guidelines.

Want to check it out? email us at cedir@indiana.edu or use worldcat.org to find it in a library near you.

Livable Communities for Aging Populations

Design solutions for building lifelong neighborhoods can be easier than you might think. Livable Communities for Aging Populations offers guidance on urban planning and building design that allows people to age in their own homes and communities. Access to healthcare and accessibility features are essential to "aging in place."

Want to check it out? Email us at cedir@indiana.edu or use worldcat.org to find it in a library near you.

Aging in Place training

This week, a new approach to an Aging in Place training will be offered. On October 11th, an interdisciplinary group of planners, public officials, neighborhood leaders, developers, public health experts and others, will spend two days creating a model Lifetime Community District (LCD) surrounding the Bloomington "B-Line" trail. An LCD is a zoning and public policy innovation created to incentivize and influence community development and redevelopment initiatives that promote livability for all ages and abilities.

Want more information? Visit: http://www.iidc.indiana.edu/index.php?pageId=3459for

Mobile App Monday - Faces iMake

FACEWORLD™ is a virtual space where people create together, modify and improve each others art. It is a game, it is a challenge, it is a gallery. For example, you could create a face, upload it to FaceWorld™ and within minutes someone on the other side of the globe, could download it to their own iPad, modify it and upload a modified version to appear next to yours.

It's an extraordinary tool for developing right brain creative capabilities and expanding awareness. It enables kids to express themselves visually in a liberating way. An enthusiastic student will have more incentive to articulate verbally on his/her creation.

Want to learn more? Visit: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/faces-imake-right-brain-creativity/id439641851?mt=8

Bullying Prevention Awareness Month

October is Bullying Prevention Awareness Month. People with disabilities are no less affected by this behavior than those without disabilities; in fact, they're probably more affected by it. Bullying can take the form of verbal, physical, or online attacks, and they can severely affect the victim's self-image, social interactions, and school performance.

For information on bullying prevention, visit:

• http://www.nctsn.org/resources/public-awareness/bullying-prevention-awareness-month
• http://www.pacerteensagainstbullying.org/#/home
• http://www.cfchildren.org/advocacy/unity-day.aspx
• http://csriu.org/

TOP Soccer

Got an athlete with a disability who would enjoy a great game of soccer? Consider signing up for TOP SOCCER at Karst Farm Park for a game on October 16th from 6:30 to 7:30 pm.  The club needs both BUDDIES and ATHLETES, as well as help spreading the word. All are welcome.

TOP Soccer is a community based outreach program for athletes with disabilities to participate in the great game of soccer. Please visit Top Soccer Fall 2012 for a detailed brochure for this upcoming event.

What's New?

Have you noticed the nip in the air? the colors on the trees beginning to change? the pumpkins and scarecrows in the front yards? the sneezes surrounding you? Must be that October is here! But before we get too far into the month, let's take a look back at what new items were received in the library last month. Visit our What's New page at http://www.iidc.indiana.edu/index.php?pageId=2317

Mobile App Monday - GoTalk NOW

Looking for a robust app for those who have difficulty speaking? GoTalk NOW combines the simplicity of GoTalks (Attainment Company’s popular original AAC device) with the capabilities of an iPad. GoTalk NOW has all the essentials of an effective AAC app, like adjustable page layouts, customizable navigation, recorded and text-to-speech capabilities, and an included symbol set.

Interested? Visit http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/gotalk-now/id454176457?mt=8 to learn more about it.