Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Let your voice be heard! Survey about Job Accommodations

Please share this information with anyone interested in the topic of job accommodations.


Dear Colleague

Research finds that people with and without disabilities request and benefit from workplace accommodations.

What do you think the Return On Investment is for your company’s flexibility? Do you need data to support your workplace flexibility? How do you ensure support for policies and programs that support workers during tough economic times?

Companies need to see data to support their workplace flexibility. The Burton Blatt Institute at Syracuse University is conducting a study of workplace accommodation policies and practices, the long-term effectiveness of workplace accommodations, and the costs and benefits of accommodations over the long-term.

The benefit of this research is that you will be helping us to assess the costs, benefits, and utility of workplace accommodations and understand what organizational policies, practices, and cultures lead to successful use of accommodations.

If you are a person who has ever asked for an accommodation or for flexibility in your schedule or work situation, we want to hear about your experiences and the costs and benefits of your accommodations!

If you implemented accommodations for your employees – we want to hear from you! We’re compiling data to better estimate the total costs and benefits of workplace flexibility.

Please click on the link below to learn more about the research and participate in the survey.

http://websurvey.syr.edu/accommodations.aspx

Monday, August 30, 2010

Back to School Technology: The Best FREE Apps for your Laptop!

We have already set you up with suggestions for a new back to school laptop (see, "Back to School Technology: Laptop Computers" ) and a backpack to put it in (see, "Back to School Technology: Laptop Backpacks "). Well now, we focus on the top FREE applications that should be on that new laptop.

This list of the top 12 must have free applications comes from C/NET.

Happy downloading!

Friday, August 27, 2010

TLC Spotlight - String Switch

TLC Spotlight - String Switch





Activated with just a tug!



This durable switch is designed by Ablenet. It requires less than half an ounce of tension to activate! The switch comes with four strong suction cups for convenient attachment to most surfaces.


This switch is ideal for anyone with limited finger and or hand mobility and those with minimal strength. Takes only a slight pull to activate.



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!











Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Back to School Technology: Laptop Backpacks

OK...last time we spoke about the best laptop computers for back to school (see post, Back to School Technology: Laptop Computers)

This time, thanks to the people at the C/NET Crave Blog, we look at the best Laptop Backpacks out there.

Enjoy!

Monday, August 23, 2010

FREE Audio books!

Are you looking for audio books but don't want to spend any money? If so, check out Books Should Be Free

This website has many books available in a variety of genres, including: childrens, fantasy, historical fiction, and even teen/young adult.

Once you find the book you are interested in, follow the link to the book page. There you will find a short summary of the book, an embedded audio player so you can listen to a sample of the book, and the link to either download the book directly into iTunes or download the mp3 files.

Download a book today and try it out! Once you do - leave a comment and let us know your thoughts.

Friday, August 20, 2010

Technology and New Literacy

With the school year almost upon us - it seemed like a good time to revisit this article from Wired.com, "Clive Thompson on the New Literacy", that talks about a study from Stanford University that focuses on students and their writing abilities. The study analyzed over 14, 000 writing samples from college students. These samples were anything from essays to blog posts to emails.

According to Andrea Lunsford, who organized the study:

"I think we're in the midst of a literacy revolution the likes of which we haven't seen since Greek civilization."

She feels that technology is hurting the writing ability of students - but instead it is having the opposite effect.

To check out the findings of the study, visit the Stanford Study of Writing.

Thursday, August 19, 2010

Sign Language using a cell phone!

Researchers at the University of Washington have developed MobileASL to enable video of American Sign Language to be sent between cell phones. While this videoconferencing feature is available on some phones now, like the iPhone 4 using FaceTime, it requires LOTS of bandwidth.

This tool will provide video compression to allow the images to be transferred via any wireless carrier, while reducing the need for bandwidth. This is very important as more and more wireless carriers drop their unlimited data plans, instead charging customers for the amount of information they download. The researchers are hoping to be able to implement this tool into any cell phone that has a camera on the same side as the screen.

Check out the video below to see the system in action.


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