Check out this amazing article about Chris Clasby in the Montana Headwall.
In addition, there is also an article by Chris in the current issue of the Bugle, the magazine of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. Unfortunately there is not yet an online link for that article, so pick up a print version today!
The Montana Council on Exceptional children Special Education Research AWARD 2012 was given to Gail McGregor and Ellen Condon at the MCEC Conference (April 25-27) in Billings, MT. Congratulations Gail and Ellen!
Webinar: Preparing Youth for Community Employment – Part 2
Presenter: Ellen Condon, M.Ed.
Date: Tuesday, May 8th
Time: 1:00 – 2:30 Mountain Time
There is no cost to register, but Space is limited.
Reserve your Webinar seat now at:
https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/299852862
Event flier: http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs058/1102150261897/archive/1109743516699.html
Just a note to recognize that the Montana BRFSS has included ‘disability’ as a demographic category in its reports and interactive websites since 2001 and provide a piece of the vision for the CDC’s wonderful new interactive website. The important shift in the presentation of data and data analysis frameworks is ‘disability’ as a population of interest for public health investments as opposed to ‘disability’ as an outcome of poor public health investments (how many public health professionals think of disability).
Members of the Montana Disability and Health team provided input on the development of the CDC interactive website and on its accessibility. CDC staff should be commended for their efforts to promote data that show the health disparities experienced by populations with disabilities and to advance a system that is accessible.
CDC Disability and Health page:
http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/disabilityandhealth/dhds.html
And another page with maps and data:
http://dhds.cdc.gov/dataviews/
The Rural Institute seeks a part time Accessible Media Specialist (Computer Support Specialist II)
The accessible media specialist supports a variety of print and web-related technology and graphical design needs of the Rural Institute faculty and staff. Specific duties include but not limited to: designing, implementing and supporting traditional and interactive websites, graphics, videos, reports, brochures, presentations, and other documents; serving as an “accessibility expert” to ensure that media and documents are provided in an accessible and understandable format meeting W3C and section 508 standards and regulations; creating training material, giving presentations, and answering questions related to accessible document and media creation within the Rural Institute. Many tasks are performed under a self-management environment, but require a high level of coordination and communication with project directors.
To view the full announcement and to apply, please visit:
The University of Montana-Missoula is seeking an Occupational Therapist to serve as the Clinical Coordinator for the Rural Institute MonTECH program. The Rural Institute is Montana’s Center of Excellence in Disabilities and MonTECH is a major program within the Rural Institute. MonTECH is Montana’s comprehensive resource center for Assistive Technology (AT). The program serves people of all age ranges and all disabilities as well as providing services to individuals, families, professionals, schools, and agencies throughout Montana. It is the state’s centralized point of contact for information, equipment demonstration, equipment loan, equipment exchange, training, technical assistance, and professional evaluations that document an individual’s need for assistive technology. MonTECH’s Clinical Coordinator is responsible for delivering direct professional services as well as ensuring that all of the multiple project strands (e.g., information, demo, equipment loan, evaluation) work together to support positive outcomes for individuals with disabilities, their service providers, and families.
To view the full announcement and apply, please visit:
Tobii ATI Training opportunity at MonTECH
Please join us to learn more about Tobii ATI products, including Eye Gaze technology, software and Apps!
Presented by: Dani Mohn, BA-SLP, Regional Sales Manager for Tobii ATI
Date: Wednesday, April 25th, 2012
Time: 9:30am — 3:30pm, *lunch on your own (12-1)
Location: 700 SW Higgins Avenue, Missoula, MT
Hosted by: University of Montana, Rural Institute—MonTECH
*Space is limited. Please RSVP at: #1-877-243-5511 (in state toll free) or 243-5751 (local)
Agenda:
Morning session: Overview of Tobii ATI products and services & hardware features
Afternoon session: More in depth information about software, Sono Suite, Sono Flex app & hands-on time
*Bring a laptop to install new demo software to trial
A FREE Arthritis Foundation Workshop
Hosted by the Montana Assistive Technology Program
Thursday, May 17, 2012
10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Registration begins at 9:30 a.m.
MonTECH Training Room
700 SW Higgins Ave., Suite 003
Missoula, MT 59801
SPACE IS LIMITED
Registration is required before May 11, 2012
Two ways to register:
Speakers include:
A FREE Workshop for ranch workers, health care professionals and the general public. Topics will include:
Drs. Gail McGregor, Research Professor for the University of Montana Rural Institute, has been notified that her SMARTER Balanced nomination has been endorsed by Montana’s Executive Committee. As described by this multi-state consortium, the focus of Smarter Balanced is to develop next-generation assessments that accurately measure student progress toward college- and career-readiness. In 2010, the consortium was awarded U.S. Department of Education funding to develop an assessment system aligned to the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) by the 2014-15 school year.
Catherine Ipsen, Bethany Rigles, Nancy Arnold, and Tom Seekins publish:
The Use of Telecommunication to Deliver Services
to Rural and Urban Vocational Rehabilitation Clients
(Rehabil Couns Bull 2012;55 144-155)
Abstract:
Telecommunication offers a cost-saving alternative to face-to-face vocational rehabilitation (VR) service delivery, yet little is known about the current use. This article describes findings from an exploratory survey of 1,187 counselors, representing 13 VR agencies across the United States. The online survey explored agency, counselor, and client facilitators and barriers to telecommunication use during the VR process. Staff with training in telecommunication strategies reported significantly higher rates of email telecommunication (p < .01). Counselors with a higher rural caseload mix engaged in significantly less email telecommunication during the VR process, and rural clients as compared with urban clients were characterized as having less personal access to a computer with Internet. Although counselors use and rely on simple telecommunication methods such as phone and email to serve their clients, strategies to address barriers are needed to expand telecommunication use during the VR process.
Full Article:
http://rcb.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/55/3/144
