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
September 10, 2007

AAPD Accepting Applications for 2008 Summer Interns

Friends,

AAPD is now accepting applications for the 2008 Summer Internship Programs. Details and the application are available on the AAPD website (look under Leadership Development): http://www.AAPD.com.

Applications are due FRIDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2007.

New Fact Sheets on Disclosure
The Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) has developed three new fact sheets on disclosure to assist service providers and youth with disabilities transitioning from high school to a postsecondary setting or the workplace. After high school it becomes the youth’s responsibility to disclose a disability in order to receive accommodations. The fact sheets provide information and resources to help youth make an informed personal decision regarding disclosure.
http://www.dol.gov/odep/pubs/publicat.htm#accommodations

Center for Mental Health in Schools – Great Resource
http://smhp.psych.ucla.edu/websrch.htm

Mental Health Resources for Veterans
From the US Department of Health and Human Services:
http://www.samhsa.gov/vets/

Self-Determination: A Fundamental Ingredient of Employment Support
From the Institute for Community Inclusion:
http://www.communityinclusion.org/article.php?article_id=205

US Census Disability Statistics
http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/
facts_for_features_special_editions/010102.html

Medicare Basics: A Guide for the Families and Friends of People with Medicare
CMS Publication No. 11034 – Revision 5/07 is available. A Medicare beneficiary or caretaker of a beneficiary can order single copies by calling 1-800-Medicare (1-800-633-4223) or at
http://www.medicare.gov .

Handling Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Complaints
From CMS: how to file a complaint, coverage determination, or appeal:
http://www.cms.hhs.gov/partnerships/downloads/11112.pdf

DisabilityInfo.gov
Has a new state and local resources map to assist visitors in locating disability-related information close to home. (click on a topic in the maroon bar at the top, then the map on right hand side of the US to access this feature):
http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/odep/odep20071089.htm

Living with a Traumatic Brain Injury
New video online from Univ of Washington. “People with traumatic brain injuries may experience physical, cognitive or personality changes that affect their work and relationships. Hear stories of people who are rebuilding their lives and readjusting to family, careers and everyday life.”
http://www.uwtv.org/programs/displayevent.aspx?rID=16143

Making Links, Making Connections: Internet Resources for Self Advocates and People with Developmental Disabilities
An article from the journal of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities:
http://www.aaidd.org/Reading_Room/pdf/IDDJune2007.pdf

National Braille Press is pleased to announce the Louis Braille Touch of Genius Prize for Innovation is now open for applications. The Gibney Family Foundation initiated the Touch of Genius prize as a tie-in to NBP's Recently published biography of Louis Braille to stimulate new thinking in the area of tactile literacy.

The Louis Braille Touch of Genius Prize for Innovation will be granted to an individual or group of individuals who advances the cause of tactile literacy for blind and deafblind people worldwide. Louis Braille was an innovator-and this $20,000 award seeks to identify a similar pacesetter and inspire future innovators. For more details and an application, visit us at:
http://www.nbp.org/ic/nbp/braille/louisbrailleprize.html

The Information Technologists' Network has published a free guide, in PDF. This reference could be useful for both users and purchasers of information technology: the IT Director's guide to Accessible IT.
http://www.publictechnology.net/downloads/index.
php?IT_Directors_Guide_to_ccessible_IT.pdf