NEWS
FYI Newsletter
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FYI Newsletter April 4, 2011
QUICK SCAN:
- Free ADA Focused Webinar
- Get Educated about Autism Conference
- Bloomington/Indy to Host screenings of the film Wretches & Jabberers
- Stafford to Co-Present at Human Resources Conference and Expo
- Case Conference Time
- Pratt Named Shibles Distinguished Visiting Professor
- Library Corner
UPCOMING
FREE ADA FOCUSED WEBINAR: Have you experienced an inaccessible entrance or other accessibility barriers when using your local post office? What about at the visitor center in a National park? The Architectural Barriers Act (ABA) covers both of these facilities and many more. The U.S. Access Board and the ADA National Network are offering a free webinar on the Architectural Barriers Act on Thursday, April 7 from 2:30-4:00 p.m. eastern time.
This session will explore the ABA complaint investigation process and the steps involved in resolving complaints. Complaints about Federal facilities covered by the ABA are investigated by the Access Board. You will also learn about the most common barriers to accessibility in complaints received under the ABA.
Presenters include Peg Blechman and Jeffery Hill, Compliance Specialists, from the U.S. Access Board. The webinar is free but registration is required. Visit http://www.accessibilityonline.org (click on the “Registration Information” web link to start the process).
GET EDUCATED ABOUT AUTISM CONFERENCE: Sixty families a day receive the devastating news that their child suffers from an autism spectrum disorder. To help these families, in honor of Autism Awareness month, AutismCollege.com (http://autismcollege.com/), a new on-line resource for parents and educators, is co-sponsoring a free virtual conference with 16 autism experts over two days on Saturday, April 9th and Sunday April 10th from 8:00 to 5:00 (PST).
You can ask questions, get answers, and participate from home without the expense of travel or a respite worker. All you need is a phone or a computer and the desire to learn. The theme of the conference is Get Educated About Autism. Topics covered will include communication, sensory issues, exercise and ASD, inclusion, best practices in educating children on the spectrum, legal rights, medicine, nutrition and much more.
Temple Grandin, Ph.D., subject of the recent HBO movie, winner of seven Emmy Awards, will be the Keynote Speaker on Saturday at the “Get Educated About Autism” conference. Dr. Grandin will be discussing “The Basics Every Child Needs to Learn.” Other presenters include the Institute’s own Dr. Cathy Pratt; Dr. Carl Hillier OD FCOVD; Darlene Hanson MA CCC; Nancy Brady Ed-Sp ATS; Elaine Hall; Chantal Sicile-Kira; Areva Martin, Esq; Dr. Feder DFAPA; Julie Matthews; Michele Hardy, Beth Gallagher; Lauren Hardy; Brian King LCSW; Lindsey Biel; Eric Chessen; Dr. Jed Baker.
For information and to sign up for the conference, visit http://autismcollege.com/. Questions, Call (714) 335-8176 and ask for Ernest.
BLOOMINGTON/INDY TO HOST SCREENINGS OF THE FILM WRETCHES & JABBERERS: The Indiana Resource Center for Autism and the Autism Society of Indiana will host two screenings of the film Wretches & Jabberers, on April 16 in Bloomington and April 23 in Indianapolis, to commemorate National Autism Awareness Month.
Wretches & Jabberers follows two men, Tracy Thresher and Larry Bissonnette, who embark on a global quest to change attitudes about disability, intelligence, and communication.
The local screening of Wretches & Jabberers will be hosted by the IRCA and representatives of the IU student group Students on the Spectrum (SOS), which focuses on providing IU students living with autism with supports and opportunities to engage in campus and community activities. The Bloomington screening will be held on Saturday, April 16, starting at noon at AMC Showplace 12, 2929 W. Third St. The Indianapolis screening will be held on Saturday, April 23, at AMC Showplace 17, 4325 S. Meridian St., starting at noon.
For more information on the Bloomington event, contact Pam Anderson, Indiana Resource Center for Autism, at 812-855-6508 or pamander@indiana.edu. For information on the Indianapolis screening, contact Leslie Jachim at 800-609-8449 or info@inautism.org.
STAFFORD TO CO-PRESENT AT HUMAN RESOURCES CONFERENCE AND EXPO: Phil Stafford, Director of the Indiana Institute’s Center on Aging and Community, will co- present at the 47th Annual Human Resources Conference and Expo, May 2-4, 2011 at the Marriott East, Indianapolis.
Stafford will co-present with Ellen Miller from the University of Indianapolis. The Stafford-Miller presentation titled Beyond 9 to 5 and Age 65: The Employer’s Role in a Community for a Lifetime, is part of an aging workforce track. For additional information visit http://www.indianachamber.com/media/pdf/2011_agendas/47thAnnHRConf-Brochure.pdf.
RESOURCES
CASE CONFERENCE TIME: In the midst of planning case conferences for young children with disabilities, the Institute’s Early Childhood Center had developed a resource for parents entitled An Introduction to Special Education in Indiana.
This publication is written for parents who are new to the special education system. It includes an overview of special education law, and sections on the referral, educational evaluation, and case conference and IEP processes. It also includes tips, suggestions, explanations, and a list of resources, including a glossary of “Words and Terms to Know.” This booklet combines the Center’s three previous special education booklets and has been revised and updated to reflect changes made in Indiana’s special education law, Article 7.
This booklet can be accessed through the Indiana Institute’s library by using the Instant Message chat window at http://www.iidc.indiana.edu/index.php?pageId=34, sending an e-mail to cedir@indiana.edu , or by calling (812) 855-6508. You may purchase copies by visiting the Institute’s e-store at http://www.iidc.indiana.edu/index.php?pageId=9.
KUDOS
PRATT NAMED SHIBLES DISTINGUISHED VISITING PROFESSOR: Cathy Pratt, Ph.D., director of the Institute’s Indiana Resource Center for Autism, has been named the Shibles Distinguished Visiting Professor in the College of Education and Human Development at the University of Maine for the spring and fall semesters of 2011.
The Shibles Distinguished Visiting Professorship is named for Mark R. Shibles, who served as dean of the College of Education from 1947-71. Recipients of the annual appointment are recognized experts in various fields of education and serve as consultants to the College in its statewide work to provide professional teaching and leadership training, applicable research, and direct services to Maine schools and communities.
The Shibles professors bring intellectual and professional stimulation to students and faculty, and provide a national perspective and expertise pertinent to improvement of the College’s professional programs, as well as to its response to state educational issues and needs.
Shibles professors have contributed to the College’s efforts in areas such as aspirations, educational leadership, human intelligence and motivation, and the implication of school restructuring for teacher preparation and professional development.
Pratt currently serves on numerous advisory boards and most recently has become a board-certified behavior analyst (BCBA-D). She is past board chair of the Autism Society of America (ASA), has been honored by the Autism Society of America with the Individual Achievement Award, the 2005 Princeton Fellowship Award, and with various awards through NYFAC (New York Families for Autistic Children, Inc.), including recognition from the U.S. House of Representatives. In 2008, Pratt was awarded the Distinguished Service Award by the Indiana Council of Administrators of Special Education. She has written articles and presents on topics including autism spectrum disorders, functional behavior assessment/positive behavior supports, instructional approaches, systems change, and policy. Prior to pursuing her doctorate at Indiana University, Pratt worked as a classroom teacher for students across the autism spectrum and with other disabilities.
Mark R. Shibles Jr., former dean of the School of Education and current professor of education at the University of Connecticut, was the first recipient of the professorship established in memory of his father in 1985. Former Shibles professors include the late Theodore R. Sizer, founder and director of the Coalition of Essential Schools; Linda Darling-Hammond, professor of education at Stanford University and executive director of the National Commission on Teaching and America’s Future; James P. Comer, Maurice Falk Professor of Child Psychiatry at the Yale University Child Study Center.
About the College of Education and Human Development, University of Maine: The College of Education and Human Development prepares teachers and other specialists to apply research-based knowledge and field-tested experience to address the changing needs of schools, children, and families. For additional information, visit http://www-dev.umaine.edu/edhd/.
LIBRARY CORNER
NEW ITEMS: The following new materials may be borrowed by Indiana residents from the Center for Disability Information and Referral at the Institute. To check out materials, contact the library at 1-800-437-7924, send e-mail to cedir@indiana.edu, or visit us at 2853 East Tenth Street in Bloomington.
Kranowitz, C. S., & Wylie, T. J. (2010). The Goodenoughs get in sync: 5 family members overcome their special sensory issues. Arlington, TX: Sensory World. (Call Number: 6 .K72 2010)Lamia, M. C., & American Psychological Association. (2011). Understanding myself: A kid's guide to intense emotions and strong feelings. Washington, DC: Magination Press. (Call Number: 6 .L35)
Morton, D. A. (2010). Nolo's guide to social security disability: Getting & keeping your benefits. Berkeley, CA: Nolo. (Call Number: 55 .M67 2010)
Reeves, D. B. (2011). Elements of grading: A guide to effective practice. Bloomington, IN: Solution Tree Press.