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.