| News for special education professionals |  |
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- District says boy with autism cannot bring service dog to school
A Columbia, Ill., family is hoping a court injunction will allow their 5-year-old son with autism to bring his service dog to school. The district has not commented on its reasons for refusing their request to allow the dog trained to assist children with autism to accompany Carter Kalbfleisch. The family said a civil rights investigation is being conducted by the Department of Education. KTVI-TV (St. Louis)
(8/12)     
- Study of star eclipse gets help from gifted students
Gifted Arizona middle-school students are participating in a research project studying a rare star eclipse. The Citizen Sky program connected 32 seventh- and eighth-grade students with the American Association of Variable Star Observers. The students are observing and collecting data about the eclipse of Epsilon Aurigae. The students' work will be included in science journals. The Arizona Republic (Phoenix)
(8/13)
- University offers tools for success to students with disabilities
At the University of Texas at Austin, school and independent programs are helping students with disabilities excel, an initiative that a university official says benefits the diversity of campus life. A university program provides tools such as spell-check computers or prewritten notes for students with learning disabilities, while the College Living Experience, an independent national program, provides academic counseling and registration help. Daily Texan (University of Texas at Austin)
(8/14)
| Educational Leadership | | |
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- Colleges make changes to accommodate veterans
The new, expanded GI Bill is influencing colleges to prepare for the needs of young American veterans. Veterans require more services for disabilities, academic and psychological counseling, health services and financial aid. The University of Nevada at Las Vegas is improving services and fostering the growth of student veteran advocacy groups to improve the college experience of veterans. Las Vegas Sun
(8/14)
| Technology Trends | | |
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- Device enhances sight for people with visual disabilities
A sunglasses-like electronic device might be able to compensate for visual impairments such as diabetic retinopathy or advanced macular degeneration. The device can manipulate images from a built-in camera to enhance contrast or increase visibility around the edges of objects. Canadian developer eSight expects production to begin in 2010. CBC.ca (Canada)
(8/13)
- Voice-recognition technology opens computer access
Improvements in voice-recognition technology are creating a more level-playing field for people with disabilities. Experts say the technology will have positive implications for people with visual impairments, dyslexia and other disabilities. "Voice recognition technology has really enhanced or increased awareness of accessibility," said Anne Taylor, director of access technology for the National Federation of the Blind. National Public Radio (text and audio)
(8/11)
| Policy News | | |
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- New Jersey requires insurers to cover therapy for autistic children
New Jersey has joined 14 other states in requiring insurance companies to pay for screening and therapy for children with autism and developmental disabilities. Insurers have argued covering the cost of such therapies is prohibitive and they are educational, and not medical, remedies. Supporters said the therapy could save the state special-education costs in the long run. One in 94 children in New Jersey is autistic; the national average is one in 150. The Star-Ledger (Newark, N.J.)
(8/13)
- Woman with disability wins wrongful dismissal case against store
A 22-year-old London law student with a prosthetic arm has succeeded in her case against retailer Abercrombie & Fitch. Riam Dean claimed she was wrongfully dismissed because of her disability. Store management assigned Dean to the stockroom, then later fired her for violating the clothing store's "look policy" by wearing a cardigan to cover her prosthesis. A London tribunal agreed Dean was wrongfully dismissed and awarded her compensation but did not uphold a charge of disability discrimination. The Guardian (London)
(8/13)
| Eye on Exceptionalities | | |
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- Experts link epilepsy and learning disabilities
 Early cognitive testing could spot potential learning problems for children diagnosed with epilepsy and guide important intervention therapies, recent research suggests. A government-funded study at the Indiana University Medical Center and Cincinnati Children's Hospital found a connection between epilepsy and cognitive disorders. Researchers said early intervention could help alleviate academic difficulties. USA TODAY
(8/12)
- Research: Children of active military run greater risk of mental illness
Children of American soldiers in active deployment are more than two times as likely to develop psychological problems than their peers, according to research. Having a parent go to war causes children to experience high levels of stress while parents are deployed and when they return home, experts say. MSNBC
(8/13)
| CEC Spotlight | | |
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CEC membership -- don't educate without it
Become a CEC member and get access to the training, resources and peer-to-peer support you need to meet today's challenges in special education. Membership benefits include peer-reviewed journals, discounts on CEC publications and professional development opportunities such as the CEC Annual Convention & Expo, access to professional liability and other insurance plans and more. Join today.
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Looking for something to do this summer?
Whether it's a rainy day or you just need a break from the sun, CEC Audiofiles+ are the perfect way to earn CEUs from the convenience of your home. More than just audio, CEC Audiofiles+ include access to archived Web seminars presented by leaders in special education. Topics include co-teaching and collaboration, ARRA [the economic-stimulus plan] and gifted and differentiated instruction. Find out more.
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- Wednesday, August 12, 2009
- Tuesday, August 11, 2009
- Monday, August 10, 2009
- Friday, August 07, 2009
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