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FYI Newsletter

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FYI Newsletter August 29, 2011

Quick Scan:

• ADA-Indiana Webinar
• Paraprofessional Focused Training for Students Across the Autism Spectrum
• Making AAC Work with the Educational Curriculum
• Registration Now Available for Star Autism and Factor Training
• School Readiness – A Project Update
• CCA Annual Awards Ceremony
• Library Corner
  

Upcoming



ADA-Indiana Webinar: Do you know what types of electronic and information technology are covered by Section 508? Do you have questions about how to comply with the standards? For an overview of Section 508, plan to participate in this free webinar session hosted by the ADA National Network and the U.S. Access Board.

Section 508 - the Basics
Free Webinar
Thursday, September 1st
2:30 - 4:00 p.m. Eastern

The webinar is free but registration is required!

Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act Amendments requires that when federal departments or agencies develop, procure, maintain, or use electronic and information technology, they must ensure that the technology is accessible to federal employees and members of the general public with disabilities, unless an undue burden would be imposed on the department or agency.

While the Access Board is presently involved with updating these standards, this session will focus on providing a basic overview of the current standards. A question and answer session will be provided at the conclusion of the session.



Paraprofessional Focused Training for Students Across the Autism Spectrum: The Institute’s Indiana Resource Center for Autism will host a series of regional workshops geared for paraprofessionals who work with individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders in early childhood settings or general and special education classrooms.

Paraprofessionals/instructional assistants play a critical role in educational programming for students across the autism spectrum. Realizing this important role, the goal of this one day workshop is to address a range of topics and provide a deeper understanding of autism, behaviors, and strategies for teaching. The goal is to provide paraprofessionals with tools they can instantly implement.

Workshop dates and locations include:

• September 20, 2011 – New Albany, IN
• September 28, 2011 – Greencastle, IN
• October 7, 2011 – Carmel, IN
• November 1, 2011- Michigan City, IN
• November 15, 2011 – Evansville, IN
• November 29, 2011 – Huntington, IN

The workshops are scheduled from 8:30 - 3:30 p.m. (all local times) with registration beginning at 8:00 a.m. The registration fee is $60. All registrations include a subscription to the Indiana Resource Center for Autism Reporter E-Newsletter and are done online through Indiana University (IU) Conferences.

Registration questions should be directed to IU Conferences at 800-933-9330, Melissa at iuconfs@indiana.edu or Ginger at gscott@indiana.edu. If you have questions about the workshop content, please contact Cathy Pratt (prattc@indiana.edu) or at (812) 855-6508. All other questions should be directed to Donna Beasley (dbeasley@indiana.edu) or at (812) 855-6508.

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Making AAC Work with the Educational Curriculum: Mark your calendars for October 7, 2011 and plan to attend a one-day workshop on Augmentative Alternative Communication (AAC) presented by Robing Wisner, and educator and advocate in the field of special education and AAC and a mother of children with special needs.

This workshop will discuss teaching strategies to improve language skills for all children, including those who use AAC. The workshop will then address the process of adapting classroom materials as we discuss how IEP goals, educational standards and curriculum content are covered with an emphasis on high frequency words. High tech and low tech support materials will be discussed. Participants do not need to bring an AAC device or laptop computer to this training.

The workshop will be held in the Dogwood Conference Room, Indiana Memorial Union on the campus of Indiana University, Bloomington. There is no registration fee associated with this training. Participants can park in visitor lots 1 or 2. Cost is $1.85 per 1/2 hour. Parking tickets can be validated inside the IMU for a reduced rate of $0.95 per 1/2 hour. This workshop is sponsored by the IU School of Education’s AAC/AT Lab and Prentke Romich Co.



Registration Now Available for Star Autism and Factor Training: For those interested in registering for the Indiana Resource Center for Autism’s Star Autism workshop or the Factor training, visit:

Star Autism Training Program

Factor Training Workshop

If you have questions about the workshop content, please contact Kim Davis (davisk@indiana.edu) at (812) 855-6508. All other questions should be directed to Donna Beasley (dbeasley@indiana.edu) at (812) 855-6508. Across the Courtyard



School Readiness – A Project Update: How do early educators ensure all children successfully enter and complete kindergarten? Identifying skills and instructional routines associated with successful school readiness is the focus of this project conducted by the Center. As evidence-based curricula and teaching practices are identified, information is translated into practice which can be applied by early educators in prekindergarten, child care, and Head Start.

Last fall, observations were conducted in 34 kindergarten classrooms to identify skills and routines deemed critical for children to have during the first month of school. Qualitative and quantitative descriptions of key routines were identified (physical, social, and instructional dimensions). Social, communication, and cognitive skills associated with successful participation and engagement were also identified. Workshops around school readiness were conducted and follow-up research is planned for bridging preschool and kindergarten classroom practices. For additional information, contact Michael Conn-Powers at (812) 855-6508 or e-mail mipower@indiana.edu.

In Bloomington



CCA Annual Awards Ceremony: The City of Bloomington Council for Community Accessibility (CCA) invites submission to nominate for the CCA’s Annual Awards Ceremony. The CCA will honor individuals, businesses, and organizations for going above and beyond the call of duty on behalf of people with disabilities. The Council is seeking nominations in the following categories:

• Kristin Willison Volunteer Service Award
• Business Service Award
• Professional and Community Service Award
• Housing Service Award
• Self-Advocacy Award
• Mayor's Award

If you are aware of an individual, business, or organization worthy of recognition, please complete a nomination form! You can submit a nomination online as well. Return to Community and Family Resources Department, P.O. Box 100, Bloomington, IN 47402.

Don’t hesitate to nominate yourself or your business! The deadline for nominations is October 10, 2011. For more information contact Craig Brenner, Special Projects Coordinator, (812) 349-3471 or brennerc@bloomington.in.gov.

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.

Armstrong, D. F. (2011). Show of hands: A natural history of sign language. Washington, DC: Gallaudet University Press. (Call Number: 42 .A777)

Batinovich, S. L. (2010). Sound sense: Living and learning with hearing loss. Washington, DC: Gallaudet University Press. (Call Number: 40.51 .B3)

Howlin, P. A., & Charman, T. (Eds.). (2011). The SAGE handbook of developmental disorders. Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications. (Call Number: 20. H6)

Waters, T. J. (2010). Secret signs. Washington, DC: Gallaudet University Press. (Call Number: 18.W3)

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