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Volume 11, Issue 3: Summer 2003
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What's Inside...the Summer 2003 issue
Only Congressional
Action Will Save DATI Services
We have received numerous
calls and emails expressing concern about the funding status
and actual expiration of the Assistive
Technology Act and what it means for Delaware. In order to clarify
this and provide accurate information, the national Association
of Tech Act Projects obtained confirmation of the following
information from the Department of Education's Grant Office.
The "Disability-Friendly" Workplace
The
concept of being "disability-friendly" is one way that
employers are being made aware of what they can do to not only
meet accessibility requirements, but to also expand their sources
of good workers, enhance productivity for all workers, and create
a more satisfying work setting.
Ergonomics in the Office
I
would like to take this opportunity to pass along some ideas
that may help reduce
the possibility of acquiring a musculoskeletal disorder (MSD),
such as carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis, or tenosynovitis,
associated with repetitive stress.
Inaugural Money Management
Workshop A Great Success
On Friday, May
30, 2003, DATI hosted an exciting half-day workshop
at Del Tech's
Terry Campus in Dover on money management skills
for persons with disabilities. This free workshop, titled "Money
Matters!" was funded by the Delaware Developmental Disabilities
Council (DDC).
Inclusion Conference
Scheduled for November
Mark your calendars - the 10th
Annual Inclusion Conference will be held on November
6, 2003.
Employment Opportunity
The
Freedom Center, a consumer-driven organization providing a variety
of services and supports for independent living, is
seeking a qualified individual for the full-time position of
Independent Living Specialist.
Dealing
with Standing Limitations
Workers who have stamina or standing
limitations can often benefit by alternating between sitting
and standing to reduce or alleviate fatigue and back discomfort.
Different types of stools or chairs might be considered as
options depending on the type of work setting, the specific
nature of the workstation, and specific tasks and activities
that the worker will need to perform.
Technology in Literacy
Education Grant Competition
A partnership between
the International Reading Association and Don Johnston Incorporated
supports
a competition intended
to foster the creative use of computer technologies in classrooms
to "connect" students with literacy learning.
NIDRR Seeks Input to Long-Range
Plan
NIDRR is in the process of updating its long-range
plan, and seeks input from people with disabilities, interested
family
or friends, service providers, disability and rehabilitation
researchers and others to guide its future activities.
The Low Down on Low Tech
For
an individual with dexterity problems and/or fine motor impairments,
using a key to unlock a door, cabinet, or drawer
can be difficult and sometimes painful.
A
Useful Web Site
NICHCY
is pleased to let you know about the launch of the great new
website by the National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability
for Youth (NCWD/Youth).
Did You Know? - Access at
the Gas Pump
The Delaware Code (Title 6, Section 2912)
requires gas stations that offer both full- and self-serve
fueling to provide full-service
at self-service prices for disabled drivers with state issued disabled
placards or license plates.
Election Reforms
Benefit Voters with Disabilities
One of the few
positive things generated by the 2000 federal election debacle
is the
Help America Vote Act ("HAVA"), 42 USC § 15301-15545,
passed by Congress in 2002.
Resource
for the Road: National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association
The
National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association (NMEDA) is
a 500-member trade association serving dealers, manufacturers,
and professionals involved in the modification of transportation
vehicles for people with disabilities.
Safe Transport for
Children with Special Needs
The Injury Prevention Center
at Connecticut Children's Medical Center has produced a free,
web-based interactive training that
provides information about safe transport for children with
special needs.
What Is All This Talk
About Blue Teeth
Bluetooth is the newest kid on the technology
block, and it holds a lot of promise for the assistive technology
industry.
Promising Products
Lift
Mates, Inc. has developed two new products to make boxes easier
to lift and stack.