	June 1999

Announcements

The Maryland Disabilities Forum
presents
Health, Money, & Community Living

Thursday, June 10, 1999
1:15 P.M. - 3:30 P.M.
Featuring
Dr. George C. Benjamin M.D.
Secretary of the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
And
Joseph Millstone
Acting Deputy Director for Health Care Policy, Finance & Regulation
Hyatt Regency (Inner Harbor)
300 Light Street
Baltimore, Maryland

[An opportunity to speak with individuals who can solve the problems you may be experiencing with DHMH]
For more information contact:
MCIL Resources for Independent Living
410-444-1400
or
Ed Grebenstein 301-588-7828
TTY MD Relay 1-800-735-8522
Free Admission
For Special Accommodations Call 410-358-3646

REHA 488 High Tech/Low Tech Rehabilitation Technology

3 Credit Hours
June 7 - July 7, 1999
Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday

3:30 - 5:40 p.m.
Trigg Hall Room #0114

This is an experimental course, which will provide an overview of high/low technology, which focuses on adaptive and assistive technology, including aids for daily living. The technology will assist individuals with disabilities to achieve to their maximum potential and provide training for individuals who are interested in learning how to use this technology while working with people with disabilities, from children through all stages of adulthood.
The course will familiarize the student with advance computer technology such as the Enabling Technologies (Braille/print system), Dragon Dictate (speech input software), adaptive devices for computers, computer technology such as AlphaSmart, IntelliKeys, DeltaTalker and a broad array of technology available for working with individuals who are blind, deaf, or physically disabled. Other technology to be taught will include augmentative communication devices, voice output, e.g. outSPOKEN (enables individuals who are blind to access Macintosh). This course will have a practical application of knowledge and didactic preparation for understanding the value and use of advanced technology. Technology for working with people with learning disabilities and a broad range of developmental disabilities will be included.
Who should take this course: special students, majors from any discipline, individuals from agencies, families, school teachers, or advocates for people with disabilities.
For registration and information contact the Department of Rehabilitation Services The University of Maryland Eastern Shore 410-651-6262.

7th Annual Pittsburgh Employment Conference for Augmented Communicator August 6-8, 1999 "Employment and Adult Life: Influencing the Future"

SHOUT's new Telephone/Fax Numbers: 1-800-668-4202 U.S. only or 412-885-0943
If you are an augmented communicator, augmentative communication specialist/speech language pathologist, family member, rehabilitation professional, or caregiver, don't miss the best conference of the year when it comes to "talking" and the future of augmentative communication. We are expecting more than 100 augmented communicators and 300 total attendees.
Please circle one and include check-
6th only $75.00
Student: $60.00
7th and 8th $125.00
6th through 8th $195.00 (Full I Registration)
Scholarship Waiver, apply here: .Augmented Communicator Personal Care Attendant If another form of payment please explain
Registration includes: Friday and Saturday breakfast and lunches, Sunday breakfast, conference packet, and a copy of the Proceedings (past conference proceedings are on sale for $10.00 by emailing or writing to SHOUT). Conference registration does not include hotel accommodations. Register early by sending completed form to: (please duplicate registration form)
SHOUT
P.O. Box 9666
Pittsburgh, PA 15226
Conference fees will be refunded in full with written request by August 1, 1999.

Have you attended a previous PEC? -, which year (s)
NAME
ADDRESS
CITY/STATE/ZIP
TELEPHONE- h
-FAX
EMail..
ACCESSBILITY ASSISTANCE: Please check all categories that apply:
Interpreter Services
Information on Personal Assistants
Braille Program
Audiotaped Program
.Assistive Listening Device
- Large Print Progrmn
MEALS:
Vegetarian:
Non - Vegetarian
Soft Meal
Airline reservations: (discounts for USAIRWays travel made 60 days in advance), call Vitullo Travel at 1-800-543-8292 U.S. only or 412-561-5353.
Hotel reservations: Make directly with the Sheraton Hotel, 412-261-2000 by June 15, 1999 (mention Pittsburgh Employment Conference), $114.00 per night, subject to availability. Accessible rooms are available.
***Note: ACCESSS Transportation reservations must be made and paid for by June 20, 1999. Please call Anna Captain at 412-562-5353.
The Pittsburgh Pirates Baseball team is playing the Atlanta Braves on August 5-7 at 7:05 p.m. and on the 8th at 1:05 p.m. For tickets call (412) 321-BUCS.

"BETTER IEPS: HOW TO DEVELOP LEGALLY CORRECT AND EDUCATIONALLY USEFUL PROGRAMS"

by Barbara Bateman and Mary Anne Linden
"Better IEPs" is our #1 book recommendation for parents, advocates and attorneys who are trying to develop good IEPs.
The Third Edition has been completely updated and revised. Better IEPS guidelines about HOW TO and HOW NOT TO develop IEPs and examples of IEPs - good and bad.
For more about "Better IEPs" go to
http://www.wrightslaw.com/bkstore/bks_law.htm

Disability News Service - http://disabilitynews.com
Please circulate this message.
The Colorado Cross Disability Coalition is putting together a "This Day In
History" calendar of important dates and events in the history of the disability
community for the year 2000. They need help gathering specific dates (not just
month and year, but day, month and year) for events.
Forward information to:
Carrie Lucas
Denver Organizer
Colorado Cross Disability Coalition
P.O. Box 18874
Denver, CO 80218
303-839-1775
303-839-1782 (fax)
ayuyu2@aol.com

Arizona Technology Access Program: Request for Information

Dear Colleagues, the Arizona Technology Access Program has become acutely aware of the accessibility needs of the many people in our state, and nationally, with Electrical and/or Chemical Sensitivity- related disabilities. See the following websites for more information: http://northlink.com/~lgrant/ http://www.feb.se/
I have received requests to identify resources for people with severe Electrical Sensitivities ("ES") who cannot use computers, and are missing out on the benefits of Internet, e-mailing family and friends, working at jobs with or near computers, or even entering public facilities where computer systems and cables exist. As our society moves more toward computer-based technology, the gap between the public and the people with ES is widening rapidly.
I understand that many types of barriers make computer use off-limits for people with ES. Increasingly, there are products, techniques, and policy proposals available to address the problems of computers' chemical emissions. The most difficult barriers people with ES face now are the electromagnetic fields associated with the computer, the monitors, and the power supply. Related barriers involve monitor flicker, website strobe effects, and audio frequencies.
We know people with autism who have a heightened sensitivity to certain sounds. We saw the recent "Dateline NBC" episode about the 700+ children in Japan who were hospitalized with seizures induced by watching "Pokeyman" on TV. We know people who cannot enter a video arcade, or a casino, or even drive a car because flashing lights affect their seizure disorder. Such difficulties many people experience trying to use everyday technology are very real, certainly incapacitating, and cannot be ignored.
I am aware that ES and chemical sensitivity disabilities are controversial subjects, difficult to address adequately. I know also that the technology exists in our society to shield EM fields, particularly in certain industries and by the military. However, these critically needed shielding technologies have not yet been successfully "comandeered" and adapted for use in essential assistive devices, such as computers, for use by people with disabilities.
Suggestions for beginning the eventual solutions exist. A local electrical engineer, who is profoundly disabled by ES, has painstakingly worked out several partial solutions for individual ES neighbors' household computers. These include conversion of an LCD projection panel into a radio frequency-tight, shielded, monitor with incandescent backlighting, shielding of the computer with mu metal and an RF-tight enclosure, building a box around the computer with a strong remoted exhaust fan that vents to the outside, shielding all wires and cables with metal pipe and running them through the floor or ceiling into another room where the CPU is located, and using remote, shielded keyboards.
The problem is not that ES sufferers have to cook up their own computer set ups, the problem is that it requires incredible know-how and research to develop an effective solution, and to-date we would be hard pressed to find one.
So here are my requests:
1.) Can anyone direct me to a Research and Development program that is, or is willing to consider, applying the electrical engineering field of electromagnetic compatibility ("EMC") to help us solve this problem? We will connect willing researchers with these people who so badly need assistance. Is there a national association of engineering schools which can identify campuses likely to take on projects such as this?
2.) Are Technology Projects, RESNA, or engineering research entities in other states concerned with this issue? Can you help raise awareness of the need for this kind of research, and help connect people in your own states with folks doing the R&D, once they come forward?
Thank you for your time -
Dan Davidson
AZ Technology Access Program
Daniel.Davidson@NAU.EDU

Closed Captions and Descriptive Narration Available for STAR WARS: EPISODE I THE PHANTOM MENACE™

Closed Captions and Descriptive Narration Available for STAR WARS: EPISODE I THE PHANTOM MENACE™
Lucasfilm, Ltd., Twentieth Century Fox, and General Cinema Theatres, are pleased to present the film, STAR WARS EPISODE I- THE PHANTOM MENACE™ with Closed Captions and Descriptive Narration featuring the Rear Window® Captioning (RWC) and DVS Theatrical® (DVS) systems.
For more information about this film visit the official Star Wars™ Web site at: http://www.starwars.com
Opening May 19 at the following three locations: California
General Cinema Sherman Oaks, Cinema 2, 4500 Van Nuys Boulevard, Sherman Oaks (818) 986-9660 or (818) 986-3078
Georgia
General Cinema Parkway Pointe, Cinema 7, 3101 Cobb Parkway, S.E., Atlanta (770) 937-0730
Washington
Cinerama Cinema, 2100 Fourth Avenue, Seattle, WA (206) 441-3080
The Rear Window and DVS systems are available at all showings of STAR WARS: EPISODE I THE PHANTOM MENACE™ that are being held in the equipped theater. Since this film is being shown in more than one theater at any given location, make sure to check that the showtime you are interested in attending is being held in the RWC and DVS equipped theater. Showtimes can vary from week to week so we suggest patrons call the theater for showtimes, or visit the General Cinema Web site at, www.generalcinema.com
There is no additional fee to use either of these two systems. Simply ask the ticket agent for either a reflector or headset when purchasing your tickets. Please note, because there are a limited number of both reflectors and headsets available patrons are encouraged to arrive about 30 minutes prior to the start of the film.
How it Works The patented Rear Window Captioning System displays reversed captions on a light-emitting diode (LED) text display, which is mounted in the rear of a theater. Deaf and hard-of-hearing patrons use transparent acrylic panels attached to their seats to reflect the captions so that they appear superimposed on the movie screen. The reflective panels are portable and adjustable, enabling the caption user to sit anywhere in the theater. The Rear Window System was codeveloped by WGBH and Rufus Butler Seder of Boston, MA.
DVS Theatrical delivers descriptive narration via infrared or FM listening systems, enabling moviegoers who are blind and visually impaired to hear the descriptive narration on headsets without disturbing other audience members. The descriptions provide narrated information about key visual elements such as actions, settings, and scene changes, making movies more accessible to people with are visually impaired. For more information on described programming, visit the DVS Web site at, www.wgbh.org/dvs
The Rear Window Captioning and DVS Theatrical systems were made possible by WGBH's Motion Picture Access Project or MoPix, a project of the National Center for Accessible Media (NCAM) at WGBH Educational Foundation.
RWC & DVS COMING SOMETIME IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS TO THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS Unfortunately we do not know when these theaters will be equipped. Please call the cinema directly to find out when these two technologies will be available at these locations and check our web site for updates.
Pennsylvania
General Cinema Plymouth Meeting, Cinema 9, 500 Germantown Pike, (outside of Plymouth Meeting Mall), Plymouth Meeting, PA (610)397-0780
Maryland
General Cinema Owings Mills, 10100 Mill Run Circle, Owings Mills, MD (443)394-0060
New Jersey
General Cinema Clifton Commons, 405 Route 3 East, Clifton (973)614-0966
MoPix is working with leaders in the film and exhibitor industries to make more films available with these two technologies in more venues. For a list of equipped conventional and large format theaters, to find out the answers to frequently asked questions, to find out what you can do to bring these technologies to your community or for more information on MoPix, visit the NCAM Web site at, www.wgbh.org/ncam/mopix
National Center for Accessible Media (NCAM), WGBH Educational Foundation, 125 Western Avenue, Boston, MA 02134 ncam@wgbh.org

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