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

If you need Social Security materials in other languages go to;
http://www.ssa.gov/multilanguage/

Well, we can’t be serious all the time! Video---Don't try this at home! Check out this kid doing tricks in his chair, including the first ever successful backflip.
http://www.redbalcony.com/?vid=18452

This week, the United Nations announced the theme for the 2006 celebration of International Day of Disabled Persons. This year’s December 3rd celebrations will focus on “E-Accessibility” – improving access to new information technology for persons with disabilities. While access to information and communication technology has created opportunities for everyone, many persons with disabilities are unable to take full advantage of the Internet, thanks to inaccessible designs, formats, and training venues. Since we live in a world that increasingly relies on access to information technology, this is an important issue for the international community of people with disabilities, and we are excited to see it highlighted for this year’s IDDP. For more information on this development, visit the UN Enable website at
http://www.un.org/esa/socdev/enable/disiddp.htm
or contact the UN at
bellando@un.org

Hawaii’s Division of Mental Health cleared! U.S. Magistrate Recommends End of Oversight of Hawaii Adult Mental Health Division by Federal Court
http://www.kaisernetwork.org/daily_reports/rep_index.cfm?DR_ID=39592

EASI Web Conferences, for free and some for a fee!
We wish we could provide all of them free. We desperately want to share and we plan to continue with some free Web conferences. However, like your public radio or TV station, we need income to pay the Internet bills and such. We do have a membership to let you pay one price and have the right to participate in all the fee-based Web conferences for the entire year plus some other benefits. Institutions who become members can have multiple people attending the events for one cost.

Even if you think you aren't interested in the membership, please at least look at the information which is online at: http://easi.cc/sub.htm

The schedule for the fall is online at: http://easi.cc/clinic.htm

Become an EASI annual member and support EASI Web conferences!!

Vista from an accessible view
By Benjamin J. Romano
Seattle Times technology reporter A brain injury at 16 made tying her shoes a challenge for Logan Olson, let alone the demands of publishing a magazine.

Olson is on the computer constantly, typing out ideas, researching seasonal fashions and corresponding with writers and advertisers to assemble the upcoming premiere issue of a lifestyle…
Full story:
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html
/businesstechnology/2003234739_msftaccess30.html

Sad Passing---web resource closed!
Debbie Scales, moderator of the JFWLite group and the JFWLite web site, passed away early morning Sept. 4. The web site has since been closed, and her husband's e-mail address is listed on the web site's closing message. She contributed much valued work to JAWS screen reader users, helping many around the world with her site and her list and will most certainly be missed.
http://www.jfwlite.com

Education: Response-to-Instruction and Universal Design for Learning
Response-to-Instruction and Universal Design for Learning: How Might They Intersect in the General Education Classroom?, by Nicole Strangman. “Response-to-Instruction (RTI) and Universal Design for Learning (UDL) represent innovative education approaches that aim, in part, to help students with disabilities accomplish their educational goals. Both approaches work to make education more accessible to all people as they realize that difficulties with learning may not always have to do with disabilities. The paper looks to provide an introduction to both RTI and UDL and to discuss the intersections of these two approaches in the classroom environment.” available in PDF at
http://www.k8accesscenter.org/documents/RTIandUDLFinal.2.pdf

Alternative-to-Print Lookup Service
The Association of American Publishers recently launched a new tool to enable Disabled Student Services (DSS) professionals to contact publishers to obtain text materials in alternate formats for students with disabilities.
http://www.publishers.org/press/index.cfm

The National Center on Workforce and Disability is hosting some webconferences on self employment in September. No fee to participate: find details at
http://www.onestops.info/website.php?page=cetraining