News You Can Use
When we find useful information related to assistive technology or disability, we'll post it here.
November 18, 2004: Free “Life After Spinal Cord Injury” DVD
Altimate Medical has announced that their “Life After SCI" videos are now available on DVD. The “Life After SCI” videos were originally developed to help people with new spinal cord injury, but they have proven to be a useful tool for clinicians, students, and individuals with various disabilities. The new DVD includes both volume one and two of “Life After SCI.” Volume one includes footage on boarding planes and renting cars, as well as wheelchair sports. Volume two includes footage of transfers into vans, standing frames, exercise machines and more. Added features include interviews with men and women with spinal cord injuries discussing rehab, family reaction, and adapting.
Link to source: http://www.easystand.com.
September 23, 2004: Voluntary iBot Recall
The August 2004 issue of "New Mobility" Magazine reports (see "News")that Johnson & Johnson has issued a voluntary recall of the iBOT wheelchair in order to fix a problem discovered in one of the wheelchairs during a routine test. The chair spun in a full circle and fell over. Although none of the 36 American iBOT owners have reported this problem, the company has advised that owners not use their chairs until the repairs can be finished. Repairs are expected to take two to three months and people who don't have a backup wheelchair will be reimbursed the cost of a manual or power replacement. No new iBOTs will be manufactured until the problem is resolved.
Link to source: http://www.independencenow.com.
September 23, 2004: Assistive Technology Fair Scheduled
The Greater Grand Forks (Noth Dakota) Business Leadership Network (GGFBLN)is sponsoring an assistive technology fair focusing on employment of people with disabilities. In addition to exhibits,the fair offers mini-symposiums on employment of people with disabilities and reasonable accommodation. The event is scheduled for Tuesday, October 26, 2004 from 1:00-7:00 p.m. at the Alerus Events Center, 1200 42nd Street South, Grand Forks, ND. Registration is $45.00 before October 15 and $55.00 thereafter. For more information, contact GGFBLN, 3551 South 20th Street, Grand Forks, ND 58201; 701-775-3356, 701-775-5266 Fax.
September 2, 2004: Parts Still Available for Ortho-Kinetics Scooters
Users of scooters by Ortho-Kinetics, Inc. (Sierra, Lark, MVP, Bravo, Spirit, etc.) can still get parts for their scooters even though the company is no longer in business. EZ-International, Inc. (EZI) acquired the commercial product lines and related assets of Ortho-Kinetics, Inc. The purchase included in the service parts business for Lark and other consumer scooters previously manufactured and marketed by OKI. The comany supplies original parts for Ortho-Kinetics scooters.
Link to source: http://www.ez-international.com.
May 17, 2004: Blind Grandfather Graduates College with 4.0
The Washington Post has published the story of Bob Brophy, a 72-year-old grandfather who is blind who just earned his bachelor's degree from Jefferson College in Missouri with a 4.0 grade point average. (To read this story, you will be required to register for free with the Washington Post.)
Link to source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A33432-2004May17.html.
March 17, 2004: Muskegon MI High School Receives 2004 NCLD Pete and Carrie Rozelle Award
Muskegon MI High School received the National Center for Learning Disabilities (NCLD) Pete and Carrie Rozelle Award. The Rozelle Award is given to a school or school-related program that addresses the educational and social/emotional needs of all children, including those with learning disabilities. This $5,000 award will allow for expanded programmatic and staff development opportunities that focus on incorporating effective research-based practices into classroom and school-wide practice. Preference is given to programs that serve underprivileged and under- served communities, or programs that have demonstrated unique impact for students with LD. The link goes to the MS Word nomination application.
Link to source: http://www.ld.org/awards/Rozelle_app04.doc.
March 13, 2004: Deaf History Month, 2004
Deaf History Month is celebrated from March 13 through April 15. This is a time to recognize deaf leaders and to learn about events important to the deaf community. For more information, you can check out the Captioned Media Program's newest easy-order E-Zine on Deaf History Month.
Link to source: http://www.cfv.org/.
March 9, 2004: Nominations Open for the Secretary of Labor's 2004 New Freedom Initiative Award
The U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) invites nominations for the Secretary of Labor's 2004 New Freedom Initiative Award. Established in 2002, this award recognizes businesses, organizations and individuals who have demonstrated exemplary and innovative efforts in furthering the employment objectives of President George W. Bush's New Freedom Initiative. The deadline for receipt of nominations is June 6, 2004.
Link to source: http://www.dol.gov/odep/.
February 2, 2004: Kurzweil Announces New Eduation Awards
Kurzweil Educational Systems, Inc. announced annual software awards, which recognize students, teachers, and schools who have shown a commitment to learning or an excellence in teaching students, including those with learning disabilities. Award winners will receive complimentary license(s) of Kurzweil 3000, for individual or classroom use, as well as complimentary support services. The three new awards expand upon the software awards Kurzweil Educational Systems gives annually in conjunction with the National Federation of the Blind and the American Council of the Blind to individuals who are blind or visually impaired, as well as the three national software awards it gives in conjunction with the National Center for Learning Disabilities. The new software awards are: Kurzweil Educational Systems Teaching Excellence Award; Kurzweil Educational Systems School Excellence Award; Kurzweil Educational Systems Scholastic Excellence Award. Applications forms and details can be downloaded from the 2004 Kurzweil Educational Systems web site and must be submitted by June 1, 2004. The Kurzweil Educational Systems Awards Committee will review all applications, make final selections and notify all winners in August 2004.
Link to source: http://www.kurzweiledu.com/k3000awards.asp.
