At AbilityMaine we are developing a special page for events, committee meetings, board meetings, etc. that are of interest to people with disabilities. The calendar link will still be on our site, but this special page will be specifically for disability related meetings and events. If you have items to add to this page, if you are a committee member who can provide dates for your meetings,or if you are planning an event, send items to Mainefun40@hotmail.com with CALENDAR in the subject line.

We're always looking for news and information at Abilitymaine. If you have items you think we can use, send them to Mainefun40@hotmail.com with NEWS in the subject line.

NewsBriefs
April 16, 2007

Two youth programs share important documents

Hi! We are the National Youth Leadership Network (NYLN) and the
Kids As Self-Advocates (KASA) project!

Kids As Self Advocates (KASA) is a project created by youth with
disabilities for youth (ages 13 to 24). KASA believes young people with
disabilities have control over their own lives and futures. We teach
youth about their rights, give peer support, give trainings and work to
change the systems that affect our lives.

The National Youth Leadership Network (NYLN) is for young
leaders with disabilities (ages 16 to 28). NYLN helps youth at
national, state, and local levels. Our Governing Board leads the
Network. And our mission is about leadership and education. We focus on education, employment, and independence.

We are two national programs for youth with disabilities. We
came together to create some documents on important issues to young
people. This link shares these documents with others who also care about
these issues: http://www.fvkasa.org/nylnkasa/index.php.

Our organizations are different. But we agree on some important
things, like:

* Making sure everyone uses respectful disability
language; and

* Helping people know how to make things accessible.

We have also included information about the other activities and
work we do. Please contact us to ask questions, to share ideas, or to
work together. Welcome to this powerful network of youth voices!

For more information go to:
http://www.fvkasa.org/nylnkasa/index.php

Sincerely,
Kids As Self Advocates
And
National Youth Leadership Network
For more information:
Kids As Self Advocates
www.fvkasa.org <http://www.fvkasa.org/> ** 1-888-835-5669
2340 Alamo SE, Ste 102;
Albuquerque, NM 87106
For more information:
National Youth Leadership Network
www.nyln.org <http://www.nyln.org/> ** 1-866-480-6565
Portland State University - RRI
PO Box 751; Portland, OR 97207

Thanks: NDSU
For more information on NDSU visit: www.disabledstudents.org

Shareholder Class Action Filed Against Eli Lilly and Company over Zyprexa

This is a forwarded news release from by the law firm of Schiffrin
Barroway Topaz & Kessler, LLP, announcing that a group of
shareholders of Eli Lilly are seeking to sue officers and directors
of the corporation for illegal fraud regarding their psychiatric drug Zyprexa:

http://www.mindfreedom.org/kb/psych-drug-corp/eli-lilly/shareholders-sue

NewMobility.com Seeks Blogger

NewMobility.com is seeking a blogger to write about life on
wheels. The ideal candidate is an active wheelchair user who is
always seeking new experiences and is willing to share them. If
you can commit to six months of blogging at least twice a week,
please submit a bio, description of your blog and sample entry to
jean.dobbs@earthlink.net. Payment is $500 per month.

SOURCE: California SILC and JFA

Virtual Maps for the Blind

Researchers in Greece have developed a new system that converts
video into virtual, touchable maps for the blind. The three-
dimensional maps use force fields to represent walls and roads so
the visually impaired can better understand the layout of
buildings and cities.

To read the entire article, go to:
http://www.sciam.com/print_version.cfm?articleID=
BDC29B20-E7F2-99DF-3C6EC4B5008F1FE9

SOURCE: Scientific American and JFA

NFPA issues Emergency Evacuation Planning Guide for People with Disabilities

March 29, 2007 - A new Emergency Evacuation Planning Guide for
People with Disabilities was developed and issued this month by
the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). The document
provides general information to assist in identifying the needs of
people with disabilities related to emergency evacuation planning.

The document is a valuable resource for people with disabilities
as well as employers, building owners and managers, and others
involved in developing emergency evacuation plans. Critical
information on the operational, planning, and response elements
necessary to develop a well-thought-out plan for evacuating a
building or taking other appropriate action in the event of an
emergency are covered.

The Emergency Evacuation Planning Guide for People with
Disabilities is available for download at no cost from NFPA's Web
site, www.nfpa.org/evacuationguide.

To read more, go to:
www.nfpa.org/newsReleaseDetails.asp?categoryid=488&itemId=33659

Visit NFPA's Web site at www.nfpa.org.

For more information, contact: Lorraine Carli, NFPA Public Affairs
Office at (617) 984-7275 or lcarli@nfpa.org

SOURCE: NFPA