October 19, 2009
Invitation to participate in a Google Usability Study
Help Google test the accessibility of their products, for people with impaired vision, by registering to participate in an upcoming user study.
Learn about Google’s commitment to accessibility.
Please note: If you are using JAWS you will have to turn on the "Forms Mode."
Posted by Nancy O'Connell at 01:49 PM
October 16, 2009
Eric Damery Vice President of Software Management unveils Jaws 11
On Monday, October 19th, Eric Damery will take the Tek Talk audience on a tour of Jaws 11. For the first time, this exciting software release will be distributed on a DVD providing the user with additional helpful materials, as well as a free DAISY player; FS Reader. You won't want to miss Eric's demonstration of the new robust features included in the release of Jaws 11 as well as his discussion of several important enhancements. Here are a few examples of these powerful new features.
Research it is a new feature that provides quick access to information while also making it easy to return to your primary task. Use just a few keystrokes to look up information and display salient data in the Virtual Viewer. When you have finished researching, press another keystroke to return to the task you were performing before the research started.
Eric will demonstrate the new Word Index feature. This generates a list of words that frequently appear on a document or web page. The words are sorted and appear in the list based on the number of occurrences, with the highest number placed first, and the remaining words alphabetized.
You won't want to miss Eric Damery showcasing all of the innovations packed into this robust screen reading software, so be sure to mark your calendar and save the date.
Date: Monday, October 19th, 2009.
Time: 5:00 p.m. PDT, 6:00 p.m. MDT, 7:00 p.m. CDT, and 8:00 p.m. EDT and elsewhere in the world Tuesday 0:00 GMT
Continue reading "Eric Damery Vice President of Software Management unveils Jaws 11"
Posted by Nancy O'Connell at 08:30 PM
October 15, 2009
Prompt Passage of Economic Recovery Act Payment for 2010 Needed
Law Does Not Provide for a Social Security Cost-of-Living Adjustment for 2010
With consumer prices down over the past year, monthly Social Security and Supplemental Security Income benefits for more than 57 million Americans will not automatically increase in 2010. This will be the first year without an automatic Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) since they went into effect in 1975.
"Social Security is doing its job helping Americans maintain their standard of living," Michael J. Astrue, Commissioner of Social Security said. "Last year when consumer prices spiked, largely as a result of higher gas prices, beneficiaries received a 5.8 percent COLA, the largest increase since 1982. This year, in light of the human need, we need to support President Obama's call for us to make another $250 recovery payment for 57 million Americans."
Continue reading "Prompt Passage of Economic Recovery Act Payment for 2010 Needed"
Posted by Jim Hasse at 06:06 PM
Workshop NYC: "The Accessible Mac"
The Computer Center for Visually Impaired People at Baruch College invites you to come take a look at the growing selection of Apple products that have accessibility features built in to them.
See how they function and how they can work for you. The Mac Book, the iPod and the iPhone will all be presented and discussed.
Date: October 19, 2009
Time: 7:00-9:00 pm
Location: Baruch College, 17 Lexington Avenue (between 22nd and 23rd Streets, on the east side of Lexington Avenue), Room 1220
Reservations: Call 646-312-1420
Posted by Jim Hasse at 01:23 PM
October 12, 2009
Virtual Job Fair at AbilityLinks.org
October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month, and AbilityLinks is honoring NDEAM by hosting their virtual job fair October 12th through the 16th.
This week-long online recruiting event will be accessible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and is free to both job seekers and employers. Opportunities are available for employers to become Featured Employers or for non-exhibiting companies to sponsor the event. Further information is available online.
Exhibiting employers will receive a virtual booth, company profile page and unlimited job postings with links to their preferred online application page, as well as an opportunity to participate in a webinar to showcase their company and job openings. Job seekers will be able to post various styles of their resume, tailoring them to specific areas of interest, listen to employer webinars to learn more about available opportunities, and submit their resumes directly to employers. Because the career fair is online, it's convenient for both employers and job seekers to attend by eliminating any costs, hardships and additional time associated with traveling to in-person job fairs.
Continue reading "Virtual Job Fair at AbilityLinks.org"
Posted by Nancy O'Connell at 06:54 PM
October 09, 2009
The Campaign For Disability Employment: It's what you CAN do that matters!
The Campaign for Disability Employment is a collaborative effort to promote positive employment outcomes for people with disabilities by encouraging employers and others to recognize the value and talent they bring to the workplace.
This PSA video shows a store manager, teacher, communications manager, landscaper, corporate policy director, public relations manager and veteran at work. Listen to their message to employers on the You Tube video below.
Posted by Nancy O'Connell at 12:06 PM
Statement by U.S. Education Secretary Duncan on National Disability Employment Awareness Month
U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan today issued the following statement in support of President Obama's proclamation of October as National Disability Employment Awareness Month:
"President Obama and I recognize the critical role that education plays in empowering the next generation of Americans with disabilities. Through education, we can help people with disabilities build a strong foundation of knowledge and marketable skills with expectations for employment and the ability to give back to others in their communities. Stimulus funding under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act represents an unprecedented investment in students with disabilities and demonstrates the administration's commitment to helping all Americans achieve success in school and work. We are proud of the many projects underway at the Department of Education to assist children and adults with disabilities in acquiring the tools they need to achieve their dreams," Secretary Duncan said.
Posted by Nancy O'Connell at 11:57 AM
October 06, 2009
Workforce3 One Unveils New Disability & Employment Resource
Workforce3 One has released a new disability and employment resource page to make employment-related information and promising practices available to the workforce system. This new disability and employment community of practice will help promote positive employment outcomes for people with disabilities and expand the capacity of the One-Stop Career Center system to serve customers with disabilities. The new resource also has information to help the business community understand disability employment-related topics such as tax incentives and recruiting and accommodating employees with disabilities.
Posted by Nancy O'Connell at 05:07 PM
Get Your Benefit Verification Before the Chill Sets In
It’s that time of year again – when people in many parts of the country feel a new chill in the air each morning, and put an extra quilt or blanket on the bed.
It’s also the time of year when many states offer energy assistance to people who have low income and resources. Under the energy assistance program, your state may help with the cost of heating your home during the winter. But to get it, in most cases, you’ll need to provide proof of your income. If you get Social Security or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits, you can get proof of the amount of your benefit quickly and easily by going online. Just visit www.socialsecurity.gov.
Continue reading "Get Your Benefit Verification Before the Chill Sets In"
Posted by Nancy O'Connell at 03:18 PM
Social Security Hearings Backlog Down for First Time in Decade
Productivity and Processing Times Also Improve
Michael J. Astrue, Commissioner of Social Security, today announced that for the first time since 1999, the agency has ended the year with fewer disability hearings pending than in the prior year. Social Security ended fiscal year (FY) 2009 with 722,822 hearings pending compared to 760,813 hearings pending at the start of the year, a reduction of more than 37,000 cases. Over the same period, the average processing time for these cases improved from 514 days in FY 2008 to 491 in FY 2009.
Continue reading "Social Security Hearings Backlog Down for First Time in Decade"
Posted by Nancy O'Connell at 02:48 PM
President Obama Announces New Initiatives During National Disability Employment Awareness Month
Washington, D.C. – President Obama today announced that his Administration is taking several steps to ensure that there is fair and equal access to employment for all Americans, particularly the 54 million people in this country living with disabilities. The announcement comes during National Disability Employment Awareness Month.
Posted by Nancy O'Connell at 09:16 AM
October 05, 2009
NATIONAL DISABILITY EMPLOYMENT AWARENESS MONTH, 2009
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
A PROCLAMATION
Fair access to employment is a fundamental right of every American, including the 54 million people in this country living with disabilities. A job can provide financial stability, help maximize our potential, and allow us to achieve our dreams. As Americans, we possess a range of vocational opportunities to make the most of our talents and succeed in a chosen career; those with disabilities are entitled to the same opportunities. During National Disability Employment Awareness Month, we recommit ourselves to implementing effective policies and practices that increase employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities.
Continue reading "NATIONAL DISABILITY EMPLOYMENT AWARENESS MONTH, 2009"
Posted by Nancy O'Connell at 11:01 AM
October 02, 2009
Applications Now Being Accepted for 2010 Summer Internships in New York City
Lighthouse International is working in partnership with a variety of New York City based corporations to provide internships for college students who are visually impaired.
For early consideration, please submit your application on or before November 15, 2009.
Posted by Nancy O'Connell at 06:44 PM
September 2009 Disability Employment Statistics Released
In September 2009, the percentage of people with disabilities in the labor force was 22.0 compared with 70.5 for persons with no disability. The unemployment rate for those with disabilities was 16.2 percent, compared with 9.2 percent for persons with no disability, not seasonally adjusted.
Learn more about the September Disability Employment Statistics.
Posted by Nancy O'Connell at 10:15 AM
September 30, 2009
Job Alert: Finance and Commercial Management Trainees: Jacksonville, FL
CSX Corporation has an immediate need for Finance and Commercial Management Trainees. Candidates must have a Bachelors Degree in a business or operations management field and at least one year of related work experience. Trainees will undergo a training program to develp the skills required to excel in CSX's Finance or Commercial Management departments. CSX has expressed a strong desire to hire within our community.
CSX Corporation, based in Jacksonville, FL, is one of the nation's leading transportation companies, providing rail-based transportation services. For 180 years, CSX has built on the foundation laid by early pioneers who had a vision to create a railroad that safely and reliably services the ever-increasing demands of a growing nation.
For further details on this opportunity and to apply go to GettingHired.com
Posted by Nancy O'Connell at 04:15 PM
A Call for Entrepreneurial Expertise
Are you a Hadley student who is successfully self-employed or has benefited from micro lending? Do you know of a successful business enterprise led by someone with a visual impairment?
The Hadley School for the Blind needs your assistance to identify entrepreneurs who are blind as we develop curriculum on self-employment and entrepreneurial best practices.
We have spoken to hundreds of Randolph Sheppard vendors, as well as numerous massage therapists, lawyers, medical transcriptionists, vision-related adaptive technology business owners and piano tuners. We are now looking for some entrepreneurs who are visually impaired and whose businesses fall outside of these categories.
Our goal is to provide Hadley students with quality instruction based on the proven methods and practices of successful entrepreneurs. If you know of someone who can provide expertise, refer them to us by sending complete contact information (name, type of business, address, phone, fax, email) by mail to Chuck Young, The Hadley School for the Blind, 700 Elm St., Winnetka, IL 60093, by emailing chuck@hadley.edu or by calling 800-323-4238.
The quality and comprehensiveness of our research will be dependent upon input from a broad range of respondents. You are encouraged to share this request with others and submit information by October 15, 2009.
Posted by Nancy O'Connell at 10:14 AM