Bookshare Success Story

This blog post was sent to me from Bookshare's Blog. It is a great success story about obtaining books in electronic format with relative ease.

Graduate Student Finds Books in Bookshare


Enjoy and Happy Friday!

Let's Hear It For The Little Guy - Feel Good Fridays

I always root for the underdog. Always. I want to support the person or group that no one things can win the race, game, competition, ect. So when I read Richard's story, I was ecstatic.

In an effort of full disclosure, my family and I know Richard personally through his non-profit organization, Able West Inc. Every summer my father participates in the LBI Wheelchair race that Able West sponsors and stays in contact with him during the year.

The cliff notes of Richard's story are this. In 2003 he received a statement from Medicaid that indicated that the government agency paid for 700 hours of services from Maxim Health care that he never received. 700 hours!

He went to the Medicaid help line for support, but was told that his case would be looked into. When he heard nothing, he searched and found an attorney in Maryland, Robin West, of no relation, and she filed a whistle blower lawsuit.

An investigation was established that encompassed 43 states, and resulted in Maxim paying $150 million in penalties.

Richard will be receiving about $10 million from this settlement. To read the full article, click here.

The importance of self advocacy is what keeps repeating in my mind when I think about Richard's case. If he was not persistent, Maxim's fraud would never have surfaced. It is imperative that we teach our consumers self advocacy to help them improve their lives.

Let's hear it for the underdog!

Enjoy and Happy Friday!

Web 2.0 Wednesday! Glogster

As part of our Web 2.0 Wednesday series, today we will highlight another webinar presented by our friends at Region 4 ESC in Texas.

Today's episode of 1001 Super Tools for Teachers focuses on Glogster.

Listen to the recorded webinar by clicking HERE.

Download the handout by clicking HERE.


Finally, are you in the New Jersey area and want to experience some of these Web 2.0 tools in action! Then you should join NJCART on October 6, 2011 from 12PM to 3PM at the Middlesex ETTC for our meeting: "To the Cloud: Web 2.0 Tools in the Classroom"

For more info on NJCART visit the website at www.njcart.org

The Ah- HA Moment! - You know you want one - Feel Good Fridays

For the past few weeks I have been re-learning some software that I knew well about 4 years ago, but due to lack of use, had forgotten how to use. Additionally, I am learning how to use some software that I never been exposed to before; therefore, it is brand new.

What became apparent to me as I was working through this is that I forgot how frustrating it can be to learn something new; especially when you need to know it well and the intention is that it not for your own use, but that you teach it to someone else. I feel like I did when I was first started writing lesson plans and figuring out how to manage my class. It was frustrating and there were growing pains, but over time, just like anything else, I learned how to do it, and how to do it well.

I think that having this experience is not a bad thing; in fact it was a very good reminder and should happen more often. This feeling is how our students feel often and it can be easy for us to forget that. Being frustrated learning something new reminded me that patience is essential, solid teaching plans are critical, and cutting yourself or someone some slack and allowing adequate time to learn something is absolutely necessary. Ah, HA!

Enjoy and Happy Friday!

The Marching Band is more than just music

When I was in High School it was strongly suggested that I join my High School marching band because my cousin needed a friend with her. I didn’t want to be part of the marching band. Being in the marching band isn’t cool. Forget the fact that the only musical instrument that I can say with certainty that I could play was the radio and that was hit or miss if you could get the radio tuned in to the stations. Mr. MacLean the music instructor at my high school embraced my none musical talent and found a way to have me participate in marching band, ensemble and jazz band. I organized his office, made sure the practice rooms were clean, uniforms were in order and made sure all the equipment made it onto the bus for football games or competitions or out on the field. In time, I was curious in learning how to play an instrument cymbals were already taken by someone that knew left from right. The long and short of the story is that I wanted to be part of of that magic on the field. I learned how to play the Timpani (kettledrums), Chimes and xylophone not instruments that you have often seen in a marching band but were included so I could participate.

The reason for this personal story is because on ESPN today had a segment on a Blind marching band from the Ohio State School for the Blind Marching Panthers and the football team from the Ohio State School for the Deaf. The opening line had me hooked , “I look at obstacle as opportunities for learning”. This is such a wonderful expression of how all individuals approach an obstacle. The only barrier to a person participating in an activity is the limits we put in place. Everything is a possibility until you have exhausted all possibilities to achieve participation. Watch the video at http://espn.go.com/espn/story/_/id/6969144/rick-reilly-blind-marching-band

Being a member of a marking band isn’t just about making music. When a marching band takes to the field they are there to entertain your senses. They want to make you feel, hear and see the music. A marching band moves around the field by counting steps forward, backwards, sideways and diagonal. It is as choreographed as a dance routine. The trick to movement is timing. Everyone has to try to move in sync otherwise collisions are possible. The Ohio marching band operates with guide volunteers for the members that need support. The musical talent move around the field like the masters of music they are while their guides offer support when needed and they become part of the routine. The band has demonstrated that individuals with visual disabilities can participate in an activity that requires coordinated movements because they took the obstacle as a possibility instead of stopping point.

This marching band proves that it takes just one person looking at an obstacle to make things an opportunity that so few ever get to experience regardless of ability. It takes a lot of heart and determination to step up and say I can do this, I want to do this and I will do this. Everyone can participate in music even if like me you have no sense of musical talent, you can still be part of a wonderful group of people if you just open yourself to the possibility.

TLC Spotlight - AMDI iAdapter Case

AMDI iAdapter Case

Protect your iPad  with the NEW iAdapter complete with rubberized corners and handle to help protect your iPad from damage. A small slide cover on the front of the housing will hide the home button from roaming fingers that will close running applications.  The iAdapterTM is also an amplifier with dual speakers that will deliver clean crisp sound that can be heard in the noisiest of settings.


What do you think? Do you want to TRY IT before you BUY IT? Then join our Technology Lending Center. Click here to join today!

Web 2.0 Wednesday! Voice Thread

As part of our Web 2.0 Wednesday series, today we will highlight another webinar presented by our friends at Region 4 ESC in Texas.

Today's episode of 1001 Super Tools for Teachers focuses on Voice Thread.

Listen to the recorded webinar by clicking HERE.

Download the handout by clicking HERE.


Don't forget to sign up for the live webinar today on Voki.

September 14, 11:45-12:00 is our next Super Tools webinar.

We will be sharing Voki: what it is and how to use it.

This is going to be fun. Hope to see you there.

Here is the link: http://www.esc4.net/udl

The Webinar is FREE so sign up today!

Finally, are you in the New Jersey area and want to experience some of these Web 2.0 tools in action! Then you should join NJCART on October 6, 2011 from 12PM to 3PM at the Middlesex ETTC for our meeting: "To the Cloud: Web 2.0 Tools in the Classroom"

For more info on NJCART visit the website at www.njcart.org

APP Attack! Apps for Project Based Learning

Today's APP Attack is focusing on APPS that can assist with Project Based Learning.

But why give only one APP - when we can link to another blog post that shares 133! Tony Vincent has a great post on his blog, Learning In Hand, that is a collection of all the information gathered during his session at the 2011 ISTE conference in Philadelphia.

Click here to read his post.

Below is the Wordle that was created from the list of APPS.

















Don't forget to check the link to the APP spreadsheet to see all 133 entries.

Do you have a favorite that wasn't on the list? Then leave a comment below and share your APP.


Do you want to learn more about APPS?

Then sign up for our APP Attack workshop on October 5th at our Ewing NJ office.

We are limiting the registration to the first 20 people, so sign up today!

For more info, click HERE.

Fostering Independence - A Follow up - Feel Good Fridays

A couple of weeks ago, I wrote this blog post regarding fostering independence in our students with special needs.

I am pleased to report that this same student was able to get her computer up and running with the help of HP tech support on her own. She was really excited and it was obvious that she felt a sense of empowerment. I was very happy for her.

In the same vein of fostering independence, my two year old's new favorite phrase is, "I do MYSELF". This phrase is said with such regularity, it is startling to me. The things he wants to do himself range from getting his shoes and brushing his teeth to cooking dinner and using a key to open our front door.

Now what was I saying about fostering independence again...

Enjoy and Happy Friday!

FREE Webinar - 1001 Super Tools for Teachers

Join the staff from Region 4 Education Service Center in Texas for the next installment of their 1001 Super Tools for Teachers Webinar.

Here is the announcement:

Put it on your calendars! September 14, 11:45-12:00 is our next Super Tools webinar.

We will be sharing Voki: what it is and how to use it.

This is going to be fun. Hope to see you there.

Here is the link: http://www.esc4.net/udl

The Webinar is FREE so sign up today!

APP Attack! Mouthsticks,

Mouthstick being used on iPhone screen

Occasionally we will be working with someone who has difficulty using their fingers, but they would still greatly benefit from using an iPad or other touchscreen device.  If they have good control of their hand, but can't isolate a finger, then we can use a stylus, sometimes with a cuff to hold things in place.  If they can move their head in a controlled way, then we can look at mouthsticks.  The problem is that common mouthsticks and styluses don't work with capacitive touchscreens.

Products like the iPad and iPhone have capacitive touchscreens, which means that it measures a change in electric charge when your finger touches the screen.
(Want to learn more?  How Stuff Works has a great little explanation and graphic:  http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/iphone1.htm)

Solution?  A little company called iFaraday, makes a stylus for capacitive touchscreens, and has been nice enough to also make mouthsticks for them.  They have done some good research into the materials that work best for this task.  See for yourself:  http://www.ifaraday.com/Capacities.html.
A similar product, developed by a mouthstick user, comes in various lengths:  http://www.facebook.com/pages/IBilityStick/112730578809399?sk=wall.


Do you want to learn more about APPS?

Then sign up for our APP Attack workshop on October 5th at our Ewing NJ office.

We are limiting the registration to the first 20 people, so sign up today!

For more info, click HERE.

TLC Spotlight - Arc Touch Mouse

Just added to the TLC...

Arc Touch Mouse

Curve for Comfort; Flatten to PackEnjoy stylish, compact comfort and reliable wireless freedom at your fingertips. Curve it comfortably for use. Then smoothly glide your finger up or down the scroll pad to navigate through a page and the Microsoft Arc Touch Mouse responds precisely to the speed of your movement. Use it just about anywhere, even on a rough wood surface or your living room carpet, relying on Microsoft BlueTrack Technology 1. While giving a presentation or surfing the Internet, roam 30 feet away and retain reliable wireless control of your computer. When you pack up and go, you’ll travel in style. Keep the tiny transceiver plugged into your computer’s USB port, or tuck it into the underside of the mouse. Flatten the Arc Touch Mouse to turn it off, and slip it into your pocket or bag as easily as a cell phone.
Want to see more? Take a product tour. Launch

What do you think? Do you want to TRY IT before you BUY IT? Then join our Technology Lending Center. Click here to join today!