Job seekers aren't the only ones using Twitter. The Disability.gov website, which I discussed here back in March, is now tweeting on Twitter. Yep, the site is now able to, in their own words, "engage and interact with the disability community on a deeper level." via Twitter. Disability.gov's Twitter account will allow their followers to find "resources about each of Disability.gov's 10 main subject areas on topic-specific days" including benefits, civil rights, education, employment, health, housing and emergency preparedness. To find out more about Disability.gov's Twitter account, click here. And if you decide you want to follow them on Twitter, click here.
Recently in For Persons with Disabilities Category
Job seekers aren't the only ones using Twitter. The Disability.gov website, which I discussed here back in March, is now tweeting on Twitter. Yep, the site is now able to, in their own words, "engage and interact with the disability community on a deeper level." via Twitter. Disability.gov's Twitter account will allow their followers to find "resources about each of Disability.gov's 10 main subject areas on topic-specific days" including benefits, civil rights, education, employment, health, housing and emergency preparedness. To find out more about Disability.gov's Twitter account, click here. And if you decide you want to follow them on Twitter, click here.
The Connecticut Department of Social Services has a list of state programs set up to assist people with disabilities. (Click here.) The list is organized by catagories such as Food and Cash Assistance, Employment, Medical, Housing, Winter Heating, Affirmative Action and Social Services. If you have a disability or know someone who does, please check out this site to see what options are available to you.
The Amputee Coalition of America (ACA) is an organization that seeks to help amputees "achieve their highest potential". The ACA believes that "people with limb loss must play the central role in decisions affecting their lives" and that only "then can they fully embrace life and its limitless opportunities for self-fulfillment". For more about this remarkable organization, click here to access their web site.
Today and all through the week leading up to next Wednesday (August 11), I'll be promoting (here and on Twitter), in conjunction with the Ask The Expert series, a special program which will assist patrons of our library. On August 11th, I'll conduct the library's first (hopefully not the last) Asssistive Technology Walk-In Lab for patrons with disabilities.
Continue reading Assistive Technology Walk-In Lab On Wednesday, August 11th.
Twenty years ago today the Americans with Disabilities Act was signed into law. The ADA, among other things, prohibits discrimination against persons with disabilities in such areas as employment and public accommodations. The ADA National Network has a list of events around the country and ways to celebrate this important day here. Meanwhile, the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) is posting a series of video interviews with people in the disability community. And the White House's special adviser on disability policy, Kareem Dale, discusses the impact of the ADA here. For more information about the ADA, go to the ADA home page here.
This New York Times story notes that state and local budget cuts in home care services for the elderly and disabled do save money for the state goverments, but at a terrible and heartbreaking cost. Read reporter John Leland's account here.
The New York Times recently ran this story about Army Specialist Brendan Marrocco, who lost his arms and legs due to a roadside bomb in Iraq last year. Specialist Marrocco's efforts to resume a normal life with the support of his family, friends, and doctors, is a powerful and inspirational story (as well as a brutal reminder of the never-ending sacrifices our soldiers make, fighting for us overseas) that you can read here. Then go to this site if you'd like to show your support for Specialist Marrocco.
Okay, I said in my last post that new posts would start appearing on July 12. However, I managed to complete sooner than expected editing this podcast interview I did last month with Jim Lunny, VP of Workforce Development Solutions for GettingHired.com, the site that assists job seekers with disabilities,which I thought listeners might like. So please tune in. My thanks to Mr. Lunny for his patience and kindness. (You may have to adjust the volume accordingly.)
No, I haven't really gone fishing. Due to other library-related projects, "Ed's Blog", for those who haven't followed my updates (tweets) on Twitter, will be back next week (07/12/10) with new entries. Meanwhile, let me recommend taking a look at our other library blogs, including the new "Historically Speaking" one, plus other services like our new Teens Facebook page and our summer long "Ask The Expert" program (similar to the Drop-In Computer Labs that run every Thursday in the Technology Training Center) that helps patrons learn new technology. My colleagues have done a great job putting these services together and I hope you'll check them out. See you next week.
Here's a great site for students from grades 3-6, not to mention teachers and parents. Overseen by the American Foundation for the Blind, the Braille Bug Site shows young children the history of braille, how it was created, why it's important and how to read and write the language themselves. The site itself is user friendly to patrons with visual disabilities. For more about this site, click here.
