Best Practices for Surveying People with Disabilities Conference

The Interagency Committee on Disability Research (ICDR) and the Subcommittee on Disability Statistics (ISDS) will host a conference about Best Practices for Surveying People with Disabilities. This conference will take place at the Holiday Inn Capitol in Washington, D.C. April 19-20, 2004.

For additional information, visit: http://www.icdr.us/survey/.

LRP's 25^th National Institute on Legal Issues of Educating Individuals with Disabilities

Labor Relations Press Publications will hold their 25^th annual conference at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel in Orlando, FL from May 2-5, 2004. This conference focuses on issues involving the educational system and persons with disabilities. Due process, legal mistakes within schools, charter schools and vouchers, and measuring student progress are among the many seminar topics presented at this conference.

Visit: www.lrpconferences.com for more information.

2004 Building on Family Strengths Conference

The annual Building on Family Strengths Conference, sponsored by Research and Training Center on Family Support and Children's Mental Health, will take place May 6-8, 2004 at the Hilton Hotel in Portland, OR. Families, researchers, advocacy groups, service providers, and many others will discuss family issues and services dealing with emotional, behavioral, or mental disorders among children and their families.

For more information, go to: www.rtc.pdx.edu/pgConference.shtml, or email gordonl@pdx.edu.

The National ADA Symposium and Expo

The Network of ADA & Information Technology Centers brings you this year's National ADA Symposium and Expo, which takes place at the Crown Center Hyatt Regency Hotel in Kansas City, MO. The conference starts May 11, 2004 and ends May 13. Experts will present interactive trainings in their field of study.

Email ada@missouri.edu for more information or visit:
http://www.adaproject.org/NationalADASymposium.html.

Cell Phone Changes Aid People with Disabilities

Last year Dr. Bonnie O'Day, senior research associate at the Cornell Center for Policy Research in Washington, filed a formal complaint with the Federal Communications Commission about her cell phone service provider, claiming her cell phone was not accessible to her as a person with low vision or to other disabled persons. Cell phone companies are beginning to address accessibility issues by creating necessary features that make cell phone use more equitable. New models are now equipped with a voice that announces a new message, missed calls, battery level, signal level, and when the phone service is in roaming status.

See article "A New Cellphone Nods to the Needs of the Disabled"in the New York Times, February 12, 2004 or contact Dr. O'Day at bonnoday@comcast.net.

Syracuse University Disability Studies Update

The Center on Human Policy in the School of Education at Syracuse University, has updated its Disability Studies information and resources. The update includes books, films, organizations, periodicals, and many more sources pertaining to Disability Studies.

For more information, visit: http://thechp.syr.edu/Disability_Studies_2003_current.html

Helen Keller Biography

Kim E. Nielson explores Helen Keller as a political activist in her new book The Radical Lives of Helen Keller published by New York University Press (January 2004). This biography focuses on Helen Keller as a socialist and her achievements with national and world issues.

New E-Newsletter

The World Institute on Disability (WID) has released EQUITY: Disability and Asset Building Communities Working Together, the most recent e-newsletter to focus on disability. Equity e-newsletter contains articles from people within the field of disability, information about asset building, and related questions and issues.

For more information or to subscribe, visit: http://www.wid.org/equity.

2004 New Freedom Initiative Award

Applications for the 2004 New Freedom Initiative Award are now being accepted through May 21, 2004. This award is given to public-private partnerships, programs, and individuals who develop employment strategies or opportunities among people with disabilities.

For additional information, visit: www.dol.gov/odep, or call the Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP), Education and Outreach Section, (202) 693-7880.

NVR Launches Documentary Series on Human Rights Issues

National Video Resources has launched a documentary video series on Human Rights issues that has been made available at public libraries across the United States and Canada. Community and advocacy groups are encouraged to collaborate with public libraries in order to receive these videos along with $750 to plan any events associated with this project. The program consists of 12 documentary films, including Going to School.

For an application and more information, visit: http://www.humanrightsproject.org/, or contact Jeanne Houck, jhouck@earthlink.net, (718) 389-8830.

Context-Based Research Group Looking for Additional Stories

Mobility Across Cultures, located at http://www.margaretswallkingstick.com, is a year long project by Context-Based Research Group that provides pictures and stories of ethnography sent in by people who are part of www.anthrojob.com. Context is looking for pictures and stories dealing with relationships, technology based items, and individual expressions of the impact of technology on mobility. Every submission published on the website receives $100.

For more information, visit Mobility Across Cultures website.

International Disability and Poverty Research Projects

The KaReport, distributed by Disability Knowledge and Research (KaR), is the most recent newsletter focusing on research involving disability and economic development. This report also contains case studies, event reports, and other matters involving disability. You can read the first issue of the KaReport on the KaR website, http://www.disabilitykar.net/.

2004 ELA Scholarship

The Ethel Louise Armstrong Foundation, Inc. is now accepting applications for the 2004 ELA Scholarship Award, which gives financial assistance to college women with physical disabilities in pursuit of a graduate degree. Scholarships range from $500 to $2,000 and the application deadline is June 1, 2004.

Visit: www.ela.org for more information concerning the scholarship and application process.

New Online Journal of Literature and Disability Culture

Breath & Shadow, from AbilityMaine.org, is a new online journal that contains literary writings by people with disabilities. Literary submissions are based on each issue's theme and range from poetry to interviews. For further information on Breath & Shadow or to subscribe or submit work, visit: www.abilitymaine.org/breath, or email breathandshadow@aol.com.

Judith E. Heumann to be guest on "Disability Matters"

Joyce Bender, host of "Disability Matters", will broadcast a live interview with Judith E. Heumann on April 13, 2004 at 2pm eastern time on www.voiceamerica.com. Heumann is a Disability and Development Advisor for the World Bank and a Disability Rights Leader.

For a transcript of this interview and other interviews (past and future), visit www.voiceamerica.com and click on "Disability Matters" with Joyce Bender.

Tenure Track Position

The National College of Education (NCE) at the National-Louis University has an opening for a tenure track position starting fall 2004. The applicant will be in the Foundations and Inquiry department while working with doctoral students. Recommended qualifications include knowledge of schools and disability studies.

For more information, visit: http://www3.nl.edu/academics/nce/index.cfm, or call Susan Gabel at 1-800-443-5522 ext. 2842.

Coordinator of Research and Evaluation

The Institute on Disabilities at Temple University has announced an opening for the position of Coordinator of Research and Evaluation. Duties will include developing and implementing research and evaluation activities for the Institute, teaching, funding, as well as multiple other duties.

For more information, visit: http://disabilities.temple.edu, or contact Dr. Diane Nelson Bryen at (215) 204-1356, dianeb@temple.edu.