Have a Safe and Wonderful Holiday!
The Technology Lending Center
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Department of Labor Trying to Improve Job Opps for People with Disabilities
On December 9, 2011, the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs proposed revisions to the regulations implementing the non-discrimination and affirmative action regulations of section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended.
This change introduces a goal that at least 7 percent of workers employed by most federal contractors be individuals with disabilities.
"This proposed rule represents one of the most significant advances in protecting the civil rights of workers with disabilities since the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. "President Obama has demonstrated a commitment to people with disabilities. This proposed rule would help federal contractors better fulfill their legal responsibility to hire qualified workers with disabilities."
Establishing a 7 percent hiring goal for the employment of individuals with disabilities would be a tool for contractors to measure the effectiveness of their affirmative action efforts and thereby inform their decision-making. The proposed rule also would enhance data collection and record-keeping requirements — including for documentation and processing of requests for reasonable accommodation — in order to improve accountability. Additionally, it would ensure annual self-reviews of employers' recruitment and outreach efforts, and add a new requirement for contractors to list job openings to increase their pools of qualified applicants.
"For nearly 40 years, the rules have said that contractors simply need to make a 'good faith' effort to recruit and hire people with disabilities. Clearly, that's not working," said OFCCP Director Patricia A. Shiu. "Our proposal would define specific goals, require real accountability and provide the clearest possible guidance for employers seeking to comply with the law. What gets measured gets done. And we're in the business of getting things done."
For a complete look at the revisions visit the federal register here. Comments on the revision will be accepted until Tuesday, February 7th.
You can submit comments identified by RIN number 1250-AA02, by any of the following methods:
This change introduces a goal that at least 7 percent of workers employed by most federal contractors be individuals with disabilities.
"This proposed rule represents one of the most significant advances in protecting the civil rights of workers with disabilities since the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. "President Obama has demonstrated a commitment to people with disabilities. This proposed rule would help federal contractors better fulfill their legal responsibility to hire qualified workers with disabilities."
Establishing a 7 percent hiring goal for the employment of individuals with disabilities would be a tool for contractors to measure the effectiveness of their affirmative action efforts and thereby inform their decision-making. The proposed rule also would enhance data collection and record-keeping requirements — including for documentation and processing of requests for reasonable accommodation — in order to improve accountability. Additionally, it would ensure annual self-reviews of employers' recruitment and outreach efforts, and add a new requirement for contractors to list job openings to increase their pools of qualified applicants.
"For nearly 40 years, the rules have said that contractors simply need to make a 'good faith' effort to recruit and hire people with disabilities. Clearly, that's not working," said OFCCP Director Patricia A. Shiu. "Our proposal would define specific goals, require real accountability and provide the clearest possible guidance for employers seeking to comply with the law. What gets measured gets done. And we're in the business of getting things done."
For a complete look at the revisions visit the federal register here. Comments on the revision will be accepted until Tuesday, February 7th.
You can submit comments identified by RIN number 1250-AA02, by any of the following methods:
- Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
- Fax comments to: (202) 693-1304 (for comments of six pages or less) or
- Mail comments to Debra A. Carr, Director, Division of Policy, Planning, and Program Development, Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs, Room C-3325, 200 Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20210.
Monday, December 19, 2011
APP Attack! Apps for Public Speaking
Our APP Attack for today comes from Gregory Swanson's Apps for Education Blog and focuses on Teleprompter apps for public speaking.
The main feature of these apps is the ability to load in your speech and the app with scroll the text on the screen as you speak.
Check out the list HERE.
Do you want to learn more about APPS?
Do you want to learn how to implement iPads in your school?
Email Mike Marotta, Assistant Director, ATS Dept. at mmarotta@advopps.org
Monday, December 12, 2011
APP Attack! Switch Accessible Apps
Today's App Attack come from Clair Judas, Special Education Technology Specialist, Assistive Technology Team, Area Education Agency 267 in Cedar Falls Iowa.Clair compiled a list of switch accessible apps for the iOS devices. While not meant to be all inclusive - this is a great starting point for apps that allow for alternative access.
Apps with switch access…
- SoundingBoard: AbleNet: www.ablenetinc.com ; (iPhone/iPod/iPad) Access devices: AbleNet Blue2
- Predictable: TherapyBox www.tboxapps.com ; (iPhone/iPod/iPad) Access devices: RJ Cooper iPad or Therapy Box
- Scene & Heard: TherapyBox < www.tboxapps.com > (iPhone/iPod/iPad) Access devices:
- TapSpeak Choice: www.conleysolutions.com; (iPad) Access devices: RJ Cooper iPad or Therapy Box
- TapSpeak Sequence: www.conleysolutions.com
(iPhone/iPod/iPad) Access devices: RJ Cooper & AbleNet Blue2 Bluetooth
- GoTalk Now: www.attainmentcompany.com > (iPad) Access devices: Attainment Switch app or RJ Cooper Switch Interface
- Alexicomm AAC: www.alexicomtech.com; (iPhone/iPod/iPad) Access devices: RJ Cooper Switch Interface
Thanks Clair for this list! If you would like to contact Clair, his email is cjudas@aea267.k12.ia.us
Do you know of other switch accessible apps? Leave a comment below and share your resource.
Do you want to learn more about APPS?
Do you want to learn how to implement iPads in your school?
Contact us - we can help! We will work collaboratively with your team to determine an effective course of action for your specific situation.
Friday, December 09, 2011
Professional Development Webinars
Would you like to learn about AT without going to a national conference?
ATIA has just announced their schedule of webinars for the first half of 2012.
Learn for nationally recognized speakers without having to leave home! The schedule includes:
- Assistive Technology & UDL in a Multi-Tiered System of Supports
- Core Vocabulary: Why Use It?
- Family Experiences with Autism and Speech Generating Devices
- and many more!
Thursday, December 08, 2011
TLC Spotlight - DynaVox Xpress
DynaVox Xpress
The Xpress may be appropriate for people who are on the go and want a portable communication device.
Xpress is an ultra-portable, dynamic display, communication device. Due to its small size and powerful InterAACt language framework - Xpress fits easily into the lives of children and adults who require communication support and are on the go.
Learn more about the Xpress click here.
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!
The Xpress may be appropriate for people who are on the go and want a portable communication device.
Xpress is an ultra-portable, dynamic display, communication device. Due to its small size and powerful InterAACt language framework - Xpress fits easily into the lives of children and adults who require communication support and are on the go.
Learn more about the Xpress click here.
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!
Thursday, December 01, 2011
TLC Spotlight - Franklin Language Master
Franklin Language Master
Franklin Language Master is great for individuals of all ages who are challenged by blindness, visual or speech impairments, learning disabilities or dyslexia.
A lightweight hand-held dictionary offering full speech controls to read screens or speak individual words at the speed you choose. At less than 6" square, it is also lightweight. Low vision users will appreciate the large-type display option, high-contrast screen and black-on-white QWERTY keyboard. For blind users, orientation features include active screen announcing and raised dots on location keys. Headphones can be used for private listening and without disturbing those nearby.
130,000 words and 300,000 definitions, 500,000 synonyms (words with similar meanings) and over 10,000 antonyms (words with opposite meanings)
11,000 Classmates (category words - for example with tiger you might also find cheetah, lion, cat) - A Franklin exclusive!
Features Phonetic Spell Correction (type the word like it sounds)
Installed grammar guides enables you to write or speak with confidence
Large screen, 3 font sizes showing up to 8 lines of text and adjustable screen contrast
Hear the pronunciation as needed with the press of a button
Port for Headphones (sold separately) so you can listen to your device in private and without disturbing those nearby
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!
Franklin Language Master is great for individuals of all ages who are challenged by blindness, visual or speech impairments, learning disabilities or dyslexia.
A lightweight hand-held dictionary offering full speech controls to read screens or speak individual words at the speed you choose. At less than 6" square, it is also lightweight. Low vision users will appreciate the large-type display option, high-contrast screen and black-on-white QWERTY keyboard. For blind users, orientation features include active screen announcing and raised dots on location keys. Headphones can be used for private listening and without disturbing those nearby.
130,000 words and 300,000 definitions, 500,000 synonyms (words with similar meanings) and over 10,000 antonyms (words with opposite meanings)
11,000 Classmates (category words - for example with tiger you might also find cheetah, lion, cat) - A Franklin exclusive!
Features Phonetic Spell Correction (type the word like it sounds)
Installed grammar guides enables you to write or speak with confidence
Large screen, 3 font sizes showing up to 8 lines of text and adjustable screen contrast
Hear the pronunciation as needed with the press of a button
Port for Headphones (sold separately) so you can listen to your device in private and without disturbing those nearby
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!
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