In order to raise awareness and promote the use of technology in special education, UCP of the Golden Gate (UCP-GG) has teamed with the Best Buy Community Foundation to provide an entire class of moderate to severely disabled special education students in Hayward, CA, with over $35,000 in assistive technology and augmentative communication devices. This effort is intended to raise awareness by demonstrating the impact technology can have in helping special education students attain their academic goals.
The wide array of assistive technology products available coupled with the unique nature of each student’s disability makes it extremely challenging and expensive for educators to find the most appropriate technology resources to help students reach their academic potential. In addition, funding shortages and lack in awareness of assistive technology often result in students with disabilities not being provided with technology resources that can help them achieve their goals.
In order to identify the most appropriate resources for the students selected for this project, UCP-GG obtained the volunteer services of noted Speech and Language Pathologist and Assistive Technology Specialist Jill Rivers. In collaboration with the classroom teacher and with the support of the families and Hayward Unified School District administration, Jill completed assessments of each student and made recommendations for the purchase of augmentative communication devices, software, hardware, and other items specific to helping each student achieve their academic goals. When describing her experience with this project Jill stated, "...in 30 years of working in education, the Bowman School project has been one of my most rewarding and fulfilling experiences."
"This is just wonderful. I was crying in joy when I found out about the programs and equipment donated to the school," said Kathy Zembik, Ally's grandmother. "We've been waiting for this for so long. Now Ally will be able to tell us when she's thirsty, hungry and all the little things that we take for granted."
A touch-screen computer and communication devices for students were among the equipment provided for these students.
Funding support for this project was partially provided by a grant received from the UCP Elsie S. Bellows Fund, which was established in 1995 to provide assistive technology equipment to individuals with disabilities, and a $5,000 grant award from the Best Buy Community Foundation. In addition to their financial support, Best Buy, through their location in Union City, CA, is providing the services of their "Geek Squad" technical support group to provide assistance with installation and ongoing technical support to the class as they endeavor to incorporate technology into their education. "Best Buy is extremely honored and proud to be part of this wonderful project," said Ted Widger, General Manager of Best Buy in Union City, CA.
On April 9th, UCP and representatives from Best Buy's Geek Squad held a reception at Bowman Elementary School where students, parents, teachers, school administrators, and members of the project team from UCP-GG and Best Buy were on hand to celebrate the benefits of the technology.
Window Boy Overcomes Barriers to Live a Life Without Limits
Set in 1968, Window Boy tells the story of Sam Davis, a young man with Cerebral Palsy (CP) who peers though his bedroom window every day at the school he longs to attend. This story takes place in a time when CP was still considered and described as a disease, not a disability and parents were advised to institutionalize their children with disabilities before many of the educational reforms we have come to know today.
With great determination and the help of both his caretaker and his imaginary friend, Winston Churchill, or "Winnie," Sam reaches his goals. He not only succeeds in gaining admittance to the school and the acceptance of his peers, but also fulfills his dream of becoming the school's basketball coach. The narrative, full of poignant insights into attitudes towards people with disabilities, also provides a glimpse into the life of Winston Churchill, who is a key inspiration for young Sam.
Window Boy hit bookstores yesterday.
Author Andrea White, is an award-winning author of young adult novels, a community volunteer and education activist. She is married to Houston Mayor Bill White. They have three children, ages 21, 18 and 16. Her youngest son is an avid basketball player.
Check Out the New and Improved Don't Block My Vote Web Site
DontBlockMyVote.org has recently undergone a Web site refresh for the 2008 campaign season. With the election season heating up, we ask that affiliates encourage their consumers to submit stories about issues that people with disabilities confront as a voting bloc.
We remain dedicated to our original reasons for creating the site:
Voter Registration;
Grassroots, Get Out the Vote (GOTV); and
Discussing election issues as they relate to people with disabilities.
We need to hear from our consumers. Is your issue an accessibility issue? Is your issue that a person running for office choosing not to speak about disabilities in their platform? What about current legislation? What about self-identification with the community of people with disabilities in whole and not one particular disability alone? At DontBlockMyVote.org, all of these issues and many more can be confronted and discussed.
"Don't Block My Vote by failing to adhere to accessibility standards and Don't Block My Vote by ignoring my issues." - Don'tBlockMyVote.org Web site
Based at Temple University in Philadelphia, PA, a blog entitled "Disability Studies" offers a portal to the world of disability-related blogging.
Disability Studies hosts an array of links to other blogs (well over 100), podcasts, news and media and is home to contributors from "coast to coast." Contributors span the spectrum from representatives at academic institutions to people in high school to professionals sharing their experience.
This blog can serve as a launching pad to find more information about the personal experience of having a disability. Learn about events happening around the nation, and belong to a place to exchange ideas within the disability community.
Exhibitors, Get in Front of the Right People in June!
Looking for the perfect venue to showcase your new and exciting product? Look no further than the 2008 Believable Hope Conference, June 18-21, at the Hyatt Regency in Washington, DC.
This conference will bring together professionals from the disability community, business and community leaders and members from the UCP network of more than 100 affiliates, including executive directors, board members, program staff, volunteers, therapists, and service providers. The conference workshops and general sessions will provide in-depth interaction on the challenging and ever-evolving face of disabilities in America.
Lunch and session breaks throughout the conference, a coffee house, and family-related activities within the exhibit hall will drive additional traffic to your booths.
Spaces are limited so don't delay - Register todayfor the 2008 Believable Hope Conference, sponsored by United Cerebral Palsy.
Lenawee Spotlight: Walking tall Daily Telegram, 4/14/08 A Blissfield man plans to walk 830 miles on stilts this summer to support United Cerebral Palsy of Michigan (UCP). During the eight weeks of May and June, Neil Sauter, who has mild cerebral palsy, will cross the lower and upper peninsulas of Michigan, sharing his story and encouraging others to support UCP’s disability advocacy.
Film 'Music Within' Tells Tale of Disabled Activists Voice of America, 4/14/08 A film called Music Within tells the story of a hearing-impaired man who helped bring about legal protections for the disabled. Mike O'Sullivan spoke with director Steven Sawalich about the movie and its message.
7 Things NEVER to Say to People With Disabilities DiversityInc.com, 4/14/08 We've all heard them. Culturally insensitive terms such as "handicapped," "retarded" and "slow" used to refer to people with disabilities, or "compliments" such as "but you look so good," directed at people whose disabilities aren't obvious. While those using the terms may not mean to be insensitive, that doesn't make the words less hurtful.
New location helps disabled worker maneuver on the job Daytona Beach News-Journal, 4/13/08 "We wanted a location that would be new and bright, and professional-looking, and wouldn't have the stigma of a campus-based setting," said Barry Pollock, president and chief executive of the United Cerebral Palsy Association of East Central Florida. "Some of our clients are reluctant to go to W.O.R.C."
Florida - Consider the Lives of the Disabled Before Cutting Funding Spinal Cord Resource Network, 4/11/08 (Blog) In attendance at this protest were approximately 100 people in wheelchairs along with Joseph Aniello of United Cerebral Palsy and representatives from MACtown Inc., Sunrise Community Inc., and additional representatives from United Cerebral Palsy.
Day revolves around life-changing machines Fond Du Lac Reporter, 4/10/08 Our next appointment was at the United Cerebral Palsy Center in Green Bay to get my new communication device. As I mentioned before, the new device is called the Eco-14, and it's a communication device and a computer all in one.
The search for access Daily Vanguard, 4/10/08 Some students with disabilities say historically inadequate access to classrooms, textbooks and technology hinders their experiences on campus.
Hats Off for Mothers luncheon is heads above Houston Chronicle, 4/9/08 Three powerhouse women — Cynthia Allshouse, Elizabeth DeLuca and Cynthia Petrello — led the United Cerebral Palsy Hats Off to Mothers luncheon last week to its greatest success to date.
For Virginians with disabilities, waiting list grows faster than aid Elder Care News, 4/8/08 The Virginia Beach 24-year-old has cerebral palsy, which limits him mentally and physically. He has seizures, requiring him to take four medications and to have around-the-clock supervision.
Overcoming Autism The Connection, 4/8/08 Daniel Starr runs swiftly up the stairs and comes back down with a menagerie of miniature ships, trains and airplanes, thousands of them, each meticulously crafted out of modeling clay. A junior at Yorktown High School, Daniel made each of the figurines by hand and the amount of time he spent on them is readily apparent; many of the ships feature detailed international flags no larger than a quarter of an inch. They've taken him years to amass but, according to Daniel's mother, Victoria, he can make one "almost without looking."
Center displays disability-related art Chicago ABC 7, 3/10/08 (Video) A new art and culture center focuses exclusively on disabilities. It is located at Chicago's Access Living. It's the first of it's kind to offers a wide range of activities.
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