From American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (formerly AAMR)
Learn how to make online presentations more accessible for persons with disabilities.Click here for more information
From ADA-OHIO (The Americans with Disabilities Act)
Employment Tests and Selection Procedures. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has issued a fact sheet addressing the application of federal antidiscrimination laws to employer tests & other selection procedures to screen applicants for hire & employees for promotion. Discriminatory employment tests & selection procedures are prohibited by Title VII the Americans with Disabilities Act & the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA). Click here for a copy of the fact sheet
The Procedures and Guidance for Ohio Educational Agencies Serving Children with Disabilities, lovingly called the “Guidance Document”, is back on line. View the document online. (3/19/09)
From the ARC of Ohio
The Arc and the Autism Society are joining forces on Autism NOW: The National Autism Information and Resource Center - a new and dynamic National Initiative of The Arc funded by the Administration on Developmental Disabilities.
From the Better Hearing Institute
The Better Hearing Institute unveils Hearing Aid Tax Credit website - Help pass hearing aid tax credit legislation now. Click here to visit their website
From Cleveland Department of Aging
Access Your Benefits. The Cleveland Dept. of Aging can help you access federal, state and community assistance programs! Get a Benefits Check Up; Learn what benefits you are eligible to receive; One-on-one enrollment assistance; Confidential; FREE!
A Benefits Ambassador will be happy to assist you! Call 216-664-3418
From Cleveland Hearing & Speech Center
Cleveland Hearing & Speech Center has launched a new Video Relay Service (VRS) call center in conjunction with Communication Access Center (CAC). VRS is a free service for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community that enables them to place phone calls to any hearing person. Calls are placed and received through a professional American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter who signs the conversation with a sign language user and voices to a hearing person who uses a telephone. The interpreter then voices/relays the signed conversation over the phone – in real time – to the hearing caller. (7/16/09)
From
The Consortium for Citizens with
Disabilities (CCD)
The CCD has a new web site dedicated
to information about the critical importance of the Social
Security disability, survivor, and retirement insurance programs
for people with disabilities and their families. Often people
believe that Social Security is just a retirement program and do
not realize its vital role as a social and family insurance
program for people of all ages. The web site offers resources
produced by the
CCD
Social Security Task Force regarding Social Security's impact on
people with disabilities and provides information and links to
other organizations.
Click here to visit their website.
From the Cuyahoga County Board of Developmental Disabilities (CCBDD)
HeARTworks Gallery & Gifts - Located on the lower level of the downtown Galleria - 1301 East 9th Street, Cleveland. Cards for all occasions created by artisans with Developmental Disabilities at the Maple Heights Adult Activities Center are now available online
SAW, Inc. (Solutions At Work)
Just-A-Buck
® in Parma (Midtown Plaza, 1844 Snow Rd.,
Parma, OH)
We Are The Real
Deal...Every Item Is Truly $1.
Helium Balloons; Food & Candy; Greeting Cards; Seasonal Items; Party Supplies;
Candles; Health & Beauty Aids; Cleaners; Gift Wrap; Pet Supplies; Sun
Block Toys; Baby Products; Pool Toys; Housewares;
Stationery; Scrap Booking; BBQ Tools; And
So Much More!
Click here for a flyer
Remember that by patronizing this store you're helping men and women with developmental disabilities earn a living, contribute to our community and enjoy the pride that having a job brings.
Pulleys Coffeehouse 36 - Pulleys is a new SAW, Inc. venture! It is a cafe located in Tyler Village at 3615 Superior Ave., Cleveland. They offer a delicious selection of coffees, sandwiches, soups, pastries and snacks. They are open from 7am to 2pm and they have free Wi-Fi. The cafe employs three adults with developmental disabilities. Click here for a flyer
Learn more about SAW, Inc by visiting their website
From the Cuyahoga County Public Library
Make Cuyahoga County Public Library your convenient one-stop passport and travel center!
Passport application, renewal and photo services are now available at seven convenient Cuyahoga County Public Library branch locations:
Beachwood Branch / Fairview
Park Branch
/ Maple
Heights Branch /
Mayfield Branch / Parma-South
Branch / Solon
Branch /
Strongsville Branch
Passport services will be available during these hours:
Monday - Thursday 9:00a.m. - 8:00p.m. / Friday & Saturday
9:00a.m. - 4:30p.m. / Sunday / 1:00 - 4:00p.m.
Visit the Cuyahoga County Public Library
website.
Click here for
additional information on fees and how to obtain a passport.
Hear Now Program for Individuals with Low Income
Starkey Hearing Foundation has a program that serves low income individuals residing in the US to acquire hearing aids. Hearing aids are provided through an application process to those low income individuals permanently living in the US who have no other resource to acquire hearing aids. For further information, please call the Hear Now program at 1-800-328-8602 and ask for the Hear Now program. Click here to visit the Foundation website
HUD Produces Video Messages for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced that it has produced videos for YouTube designed to educate Deaf and hard-of-hearing consumers about their fair housing rights, housing counseling services, and loan programs offered by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA)
Click here for a press release
Click here to go to the You Tube site / Click here to go to the Facebook site (3/10/09)
From Keene Promotions, Inc./Think Computer Foundation
Keene Promotions/Think Computer Foundation offers many different activities for persons with disabilities. Click here to read more...
From
Key Bank
Super Refund Saturday for our community. Taxes filed free – on the spot.
When and Where:
Saturday, February 4, 2012 from 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
St. Ignatius High School at 1911 W. 30th St., Cleveland OH 44113
Call 211 or 216-436-2000 for an appointment.
Click here for a flyer
From Koinonia
"Budgeting
your Money"
class starts Feb.
16, 2012. For more information call
Lisa Hofmann
at 216.588.8777 x351 or visit Koinonia's
website
Learn about more events happening at Koinonia by clicking here.
From the National Catholic Office for the Deaf (NCOD)
It is with great excitement that NCOD announces a new resource: Sacrament of Reconciliation.
Sacrament of Reconciliation, a program consisting of a DVD with lesson plans to assist in preparing individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing for the Sacrament of Reconciliation, was produced by the National Catholic Office for the Deaf.
From the National Catholic Partnership on Disability (NCPD)
The Department of Justice (DOJ) recently published new ADA guidance on conducting accessible and inclusive meetings. The 28-page guide, "Accessible Information Exchange: Meeting on a Level Playing Field," covers access to meeting sites as well as presentations, printed materials and other forms of communication. The guide is available on DOJ's website.
From the National Network of ADA Centers (Disability and Business Technical Assistance Centers).
The ADA Audio Conference Series is a project of the National Network of ADA Centers (Disability and Business
Technical Assistance Centers). The ADA Audio Conference Series provides in-depth information on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Accessible Information Technology and other related topics. Please click here to read more...
From Nisonger Center at Ohio State University
Check their website for current clinical trials taking place or call 614-688-4656.
Announcing the Creation of a New Statewide Consumer Education & Advocacy Organization
A small group of Ohio consumers/survivors are in the process of forming a new statewide advocacy and education organization for people with mental illness. The new organization is called the Ohio Center for Advocacy, Training and Support, or “OCATS.” If you would like more information about OCATS, please call 614-370-2116 or email
From the Ohio Coalition for the Education of Children with Disabilities (OCECD)
Visit their website for a complete list of trainings
The OCECD has implemented Audio Conference Training (ACT). This is a new way to attend any of the FREE Parent Trainings from the comfort of your home, office, etc... If you are interested in being a part of any of these trainings, call the Marion office at 800-374-2806 to register for an Audio Conference Training. A packet of information will be sent to you along with the call in number. Click here for more information...
From the Parent to Parent Network
The Parent to Parent Network is sponsoring a year long Mental Health Awareness (MHA) Campaign.
Visit their website to see upcoming speakers and programs
From Project SALUTE
Project SALUTE is a unique service project pioneered by the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law to provide low-income veterans across the country with the opportunity to learn about and receive FREE legal assistance with denied federal veteran disability and pension benefit claims. Visit Project SALUTE to learn more.
From The Red Treehouse
The Red Treehouse is a program of Ohio Family and Children First and the Ronald McDonald House® of Cleveland, Inc. This partnership will propel a broader, stronger resource for families, young adults and professionals statewide. The partnership brings together diverse organizations and decades of experience. Red Treehouse will provide online resources for Ohio families and professionals to help children and young adults (prenatal through age 25) meet daily needs, overcome challenges, and develop their fullest potential. Check out Red Treehouse online.
From the Rehabilitation Research and Training Center
Please click here to read more about a new brochure intended for spinal cord injury survivors living in the community to help maintain their health.
St. GILES Support Group
St. Giles is the patron saint of people with disabilities and the group's founders have used "Giles" as an acronym for Gathering in Love for Education and Support. This is a support group for parents and care givers of children and adults with special needs. It has been created by caring moms to give anyone who is interested a voice and outlet to talk, learn, and share with others dealing with similar daily triumphs and challenges of raising children with special needs. Feel free to invite others you know who may be interested.
If you have any questions please email Sherri Duncan or call 216-205-9907
or email Amanda Mooney or call 216-352-0568
From SOAR!
SOAR! 2012 Winter Session I - January 3 to February 9, 2012
SOAR!
2012 Winter Session II - February 13 to March 22,
2012
From Southwest DBTAC
The Southwest DBTAC is pleased to announce that the Disability Law Handbook is now available.
From
Special Learning
Special Learning's Communicating Basic Needs App for the iPod Touch and iPhone.
This is a tool to support parents and providers in helping children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and other language disabilities to communicate effectively.
This is an app for the iPod Touch and iPhone we recently heard about. We cannot vouch for this product but found it interesting and wanted to share with you. Click here to learn more...
Study Seeks Participants with Sensory and/or Mobility Impairments
If you have a sensory impairment and/or mobility impairment, you may be eligible to participate in a new research project. This research aims to understand what people with sensory and/or mobility impairments do in their daily lives, how their environments affect their community participation and what, if any, help they need to complete activities.
From Tools for Today and Tomorrow
Check out the Tools for Today and Tomorrow website for upcoming events
Tools for Today and Tomorrow is conducting a survey of families and professionals who have used their website.
From the U.S. Treasury
The US Treasury Introduces Direct Express® Debit Card for Social Security Payments. Click here to read more...
From the Department of Veteran's Affairs
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced that on-line applications are now accepted from veterans, survivors and other claimants filing initial applications for disability compensation, pension, education, and vocational rehabilitation and employment benefits without the additional requirement to submit a signed paper copy of the application. Click here for more information...
From the Washington Learning System
Free parent-child activity materials are available for downloading at the Washington Learning Systems website.
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From American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (formerly AAMR)
AAIDD is seeking volunteer interviewers to help develop a state-of-the-art adaptive behavior scale for people with intellectual disabilities. Click here to read more on how to participate and download a recruitment form.
Learn how to make online presentations more accessible for persons with disabilities. Access a lay friendly, web tutorial by the United States Department of Agriculture's Target Center on ways you can adapt web technologies to make presentations more accessible to people with disabilities - Click here to visit their website.
Visit
AAIDD's website
to access current and past issues of this monthly newsletter.
Click here to Subscribe
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The Arc and the Autism Society are joining forces on Autism NOW: The National Autism Information and Resource Center - a new and dynamic National Initiative of The Arc funded by the Administration on Developmental Disabilities.
The partnership includes participation on the National Advisory Committee and providing information and referral services through the Autism Society's AutismSourceTM national contact center. The Autism Society's chapter network will also be tapped to share information with the broader autism community about the Autism NOW Center's activities and resources.
The Autism Society has provided information and referral services to the community through AutismSource since 1971. Families can access AutismSource's website, submit an inquiry or by phone at 1-800-3Autism.
In October, The Arc received an award of $1.87 million for fiscal year 2010 to establish a national resource and information center on Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and other developmental disabilities. Click here to learn about the Center.
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Upcoming Activities from Keene Promotions, Inc./Think Computers
Annual Super Bowl Party - Sunday, Feb. 5, 2012
WHO: Teens- Adults
DATE: Sunday, February 5, 2012 TIME: 5:30 PM – 9:30 PM.
LOCATION: Beachwood Community Center , 25325 Fairmount Boulevard , Beachwood, OH 44122.
COST: $5.00 per participant (pay at the door).
FOOD: Pizza and pop will be provided. Please bring an appetizer or dessert to share. NO CHIPS OR DIP PLEASE.
RSVP: No later than Friday, February 3, 2012. They need to know how much pizza to order.
Come watch the game with family and friends.
You must RSVP by Friday, February 3, 2012, to Judi Greenspan at 216-932-1989 or email
Click read more about Think Computer Foundation
For information on activities, call or email Judi Greenspan at 216-932-1989
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From the National Catholic Office for the Deaf (NCOD)
It is with great excitement that NCOD announces a new resource: Sacrament of Reconciliation.
Sacrament of Reconciliation, a program consisting of a DVD with lesson plans to assist in preparing individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing for the Sacrament of Reconciliation, was produced by the National Catholic Office for the Deaf. The program was specifically created for students who are preparing for their initial reception of the Sacrament of Reconciliation. All or part of the lessons and DVD can also be used to review or reinforce the understanding of the Sacrament of Reconciliation for individuals who have already received the sacrament. This program is versatile and can be used by a catechist or parent in conjunction with the parish religion book or can be used as the primary text for immediate preparation for Reconciliation.
The DVD/Video is in American Sign Language (ASL) with English captions and voice over in spoken English.
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From the National Network of ADA Centers (Disability and Business Technical Assistance Centers).
The ADA Audio Conference Series is a project of the National Network of ADA Centers (Disability and Business Technical Assistance Centers). The ADA Audio Conference Series provides in-depth information on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Accessible Information Technology and other related topics. This program is designed as a springboard to enhance an individual's existing knowledge base or facilitate continued learning regarding regulations and trends under the ADA. The program is available in three formats: Teleconference, Streaming Audio via the Internet and real-time captioning on the Internet. Click here to visit their website
Call for more information: LEAP, Gary Edler, Program Assistant, 216-696-2716 x101
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From the Ohio Coalition for the Education of Children with Disabilities (OCECD)
The OCECD has implemented Audio Conference Training (ACT). This is a new way to attend any of the FREE Parent Trainings from the comfort of your home, office, etc... If you are interested in being a part of any of these trainings, call the Marion office at 800-374-2806 to register for an Audio Conference Training. A packet of information will be sent to you along with the call in number. Visit the OCECD website for more trainings.
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From the
Rehabilitation Research and Training Center
As part of the continued focus on knowledge and prevention of secondary conditions associated with Spinal Cord Injury (SCI), the Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Spinal Cord Injury (RRTC on SCI) has produced this educational brochure on Diabetes and SCI. Click here to access this publication
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The Southwest DBTAC is pleased to announce that the Disability Law Handbook is now available on their website. Download and print as many copies as you would like. The book will also be translated into Spanish and will be available electronically soon. This Disability Law Handbook is a 50-page guide to the basics of the Americans with Disabilities Act and other disability related laws.
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Special Learning's Communicating Basic Needs App for the iPod Touch and iPhone.
From Special Learning's website: This is a tool to support parents and providers in helping children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and other language disabilities to communicate effectively. The Communicating Basic Needs App for the iPod Touch and iPhone and uses actual photographs of colorful and beautiful images of everyday things that a child sees to help him easily communicate his basic needs while having fun.
This app was developed under the guidance of Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) and organized in a manner found to be successful in practice.
With this Communication App, your child finally has a "voice" to express themselves.
This is an app for the iPod Touch and iPhone we recently heard about. We cannot vouch for this product but found it interesting and wanted to share with you.
The cost to download this app is $39.99. To learn more and to download the app, visit Special Learning's website
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Study Seeks Participants with Sensory and/or Mobility Impairments
If you have a sensory impairment and/or mobility impairment, you may be eligible to participate in a new research project. This research aims to understand what people with sensory and/or mobility impairments do in their daily lives, how their environments affect their community participation and what, if any, help they need to complete activities.
Please click on the link below and you will be directed to a short pre-survey to determine eligibility.
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From Tools for Today and Tomorrow
Tools for Today and Tomorrow is conducting a survey of families and professionals who have used their website. Take a few minutes to complete this survey and let them know how they are doing. Your feedback, which will be kept confidential, will help them continue meeting information needs and making improvements. Please click here to take the survey. (Make sure to click on the “Done” button when you are finished to save your responses.)
Check out their website by clicking here for community informational/educational events. Click on view full calendar.
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U.S. Treasury Introduces Direct Express® Debit Card for Social Security Payments
The Direct Express card provides another option to choose from for the nearly four million Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients who do not have a bank account, but are looking for a no-cost or low-cost alternative to using check cashing facilities and carrying large amounts of cash. Cardholders can make purchases, pay bills and get cash at thousands of ATMs and retail locations.
People may sign up for the card by calling toll-free 1-877-212-9991 or visiting the website. For more information, see Treasury's press release here.
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From the Washington Learning System
Free parent-child activity materials are available for downloading at the Washington Learning Systems website. The development of these materials was supported by Grant H324M020084 from the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs. Free reproducible language and early literacy activities in English and Spanish. Developed by Angela Notari-Syverson, Ph.D. and colleagues.
Click here to download materials and click on the button on the right that says "Download Free Parent Tools" on the home page.
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