A young woman uses eye-gaze assistive technology to communicate, enabling her to succeed with independence. Image by Poule, via Wikimedia Commons
We present our bimonthly collection of noteworthy disability articles a day early to make room for our weekly AssistiveTechTuesday feature, to appear in this space on Tuesday, August 15.
At Advancing Opportunities, we excel in providing residential and respite services to people of with all disabilities, along with advocacy and education services for parents and guardians and assistive technology support. As a leader in the field, we are pleased to share our experience, knowledge, and expertise with the disability community through our social media outlets: Facebook, Twitter, Google+, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Pinterest. In our bimonthly column, we will select the best of what we found and shared and present them. Please click on the titles with embedded links to find the full article.
In addition, we are specialists in the area of assistive technology and offer a huge array of services; the Assistive Technology Center is New Jersey’s premier source of information and equipment.
Advancing Opportunities job announcement of the fortnight
Advancing Opportunities is looking for a Residential Support Leader to deliver health services to provide on-site direct behavioral health care services to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in a residential setting in northern New Jersey.
Advancing Opportunities provides supports to individuals with disabilities and their families so they can live fully in the community. Our team includes a diverse collection of men and women committed to treating the people and families we serve with dignity and respect and providing the highest quality services and supports.
Employees of the agency enjoy paid training and an excellent array of benefits, including health care and dental benefits for all eligible full-time staff and a 401(k) retirement plan for all eligible employees.
Notable Disability Articles
Disability in the news (mostly in New Jersey, the population we serve)
New Jersey is one of the first states to win federal approval of its latest accountability and monitoring plans.
For parents of a child with a disability (parenting)
Sometimes, parents of an autistic child could use a little assistance. A study shows the positive effects of cognitive behavior therapy.
Transition and change are hard for most children but even more so for those with ADHD. These children often face challenges with executive function, cognition for everyday coping and performing fundamental tasks. A psychologist offers parents handy tips.
Special Education
While it’s not a cure, music therapy can have benefits to children with autism.
An expert blogger has compiled a list of 40 resources to help students with autism.
Assistive technology
Carly H. is succeeding at Rutgers, with the help of eye-gaze assistive technology.
Tess L. uses eye-gaze AAC technology to communicate with her parents and in school.
Tobii eye-tracking AAC hardware: “a game changer.” We know: several of our consumers have used it with great success.
A young woman reflects on how her power wheelchair was at first somewhat frightening but ended up giving her a high degree of independence.
Advocacy and self-advocacy
Miss Teen USA’s powerful message about disability rights: Tolerance isn’t enough.
College for students with a disability
Brian M., a student with dyslexia, discusses how assistive technology enabled him to succeed in high school and attend college.
What one student learned from Brian M., a person we helped: Overcoming Dyslexia: Lessons Learned from an Ivy Leaguer
Through self-confidence and much hard work, a young woman is accepted to a fine university. These are sentiments shared at Advancing Opportunities, especially at our Student Success Center.
Informative, positive, noteworthy (or all three!)
This is a poignant and beautiful essay. It’s a testament to disability acceptance and, more important, self-acceptance.
People with a disability in the community (disability rights and acceptance; inclusion)
We are always happy to read articles in which people with disabilities are included in interesting events most of us enjoy. With advances in braille, blind people can experience and awe in natural wonders such as the coming eclipse. A link to the original NASA report is included.
Many people with disabilities are being paid way below the minimum wage, and it’s perfectly legal
Learn how smart cities work for people with disabilities.
Medical news—research
New thoughts on an old idea prompt a rethinking of regression in autism.
The benefits of music and music therapy: “Music Is Good for the Soul, and Your Health” – article in Psychology Today
Beauty, glamour, and fashion: the inclusion of people with disabilities
Cerebral palsy can’t stop this New Jersey girl from being confident and stylish. This fashion is about inclusion as much as feeling good about oneself.
