Newsline

In This Issue

July 2008

Upcoming Events

1. Management Institute
2. STOMP Webinar
3. National Accountability and OSEP Leadership Conference

Parent Center Updates

1. DREDF Update
2. PIC of DE Audio Conference Archives

Announcements & News

1. TA&D Project of the Month: NIUSI/LeadScape
2. ¡TradúceloAhora! Archived Webinar
3. ITCA Parent Leadership Awards
4. ADA News
5. Interagency Committee on Disability Research Stakeholder Meetings
6. Recent Report Examines Tribal Groups' AYP Definitions

Resources

1. Planning Transitions to Prevent Challenging Behavior
2. Outcome Evaluation Resources
3. Special Needs Planning Guide
4. National Clearinghouse on Disability and Exchange Monthly E-Forum
5. Flipping for Phonics

Technology

1. New Assistive Technology Tools

Fundraising

1. Network for Good Tips
2. Vision USA - Free Eye Exams

Upcoming Events

Management Institute

The ALLIANCE Management Institute will take place September 22-24 in San Diego, CA. We look forward to seeing many of you there!

Materials from the recently held Transition Institute are available online at www.taalliance.org.
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STOMP Webinar

Specialized Training of Military Parents (STOMP), the national Parent Center for military families, will be presenting a webinar on August 20 at 2 PM CDT (3 PM EDT, 1PM MDT, 12 Noon PDT). Look for a registration email in the next couple of weeks.

National Accountability and OSEP Leadership Conference

The National Accountability Conference and OSEP Leadership Conference will take place August 25-27, 2008 in Baltimore, MD. Draft conference agendas are available online.
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Parent Center Updates

DREDF Update

Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund (DREDF) in Berkeley CA is involved in several health care initiatives. They were awarded a grant by the National Council on Disability to conduct research on the current status of health care for people with disabilities. They also work as part of various advocacy coalitions in California to promote increased access to health care for people with disabilities, including work on a state bill that will prohibit private health insurers from limiting benefits for durable medical equipment. DREDF, directed by Susan Henderson, is home to the PTI for three California counties and a Community Parent Resource Center focusing on foster youth with disabilities.
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PIC of DE Audio Conference Archives

The Parent Information Center of Delaware has hosted several audio conferences on topics such as advocacy and mediation over the past year that are posted as archived presentations on their Web site. The audio file can be played online, and accompanying print files or resources are also available. Marie-Anne Aghazadian is the director of PIC of DE.
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Announcements & News

TA&D Project of the Month: NIUSI/LeadScape

Each month, the ALLIANCE Newsline will feature information about one of the other OSEP-funded Technical and Dissemination (TA&D) projects.

NIUSI (National Institute for Urban School Improvement)-LeadScape brings together principals from around the country into professional communities focused on leadership for inclusive schools. The project, housed at Arizona State University,  provides various tools and resources to participating principals, including: institutes, research-based materials, communities of practice, site visits, and coaching.
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¡TradúceloAhora! Archived Webinar

On July 22, the ALLIANCE National Center held a webinar on the IBM ¡TradúceloAhora! Spanish automatic translation program. The recorded training and presentation are available online, and additional materials will be added soon.
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ITCA Parent Leadership Awards

The Infant Toddler Coordinators Association (ITCA) is seeking nominations for their 2008 Parent Leadership Awards. Six regional awards are given in addition to one national award. Nominations must be submitted to the ITCA by October 1, 2008.
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ADA News

The 18th Anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is July 26, 2008. Below are some links to news and resources on the ADA:

www.disabilityinfo.gov: This Web site, a collaborative effort of 22 government agencies, contains comprehensive information for people with disabilities including resources on employment, housing, and benefits. The site’s local and state resource maps have been enhanced and now offer greater access to information on programs and services located in specific areas of the country.
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ADA Amendments Act Update: The ADA Amendments Act (previously named the ADA Restoration Act) is making its way through Congress. It was overwhelmingly passed in the House by a 402-17 vote. The Senate is expected to act on the bill when it returns from summer recess in September.
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Interagency Committee on Disability Research Stakeholder Meetings

The Interagency Committee on Disability Research is seeking public comment on the federal disability research agenda. The public can provide feedback in-person at the public meeting, over the phone or through Web cast, or by submitting written testimony. Public hearings will take place August 5th and August 13th at the Doubletree Hotel in Arlington, VA.
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Recent Report Examines Tribal Groups' AYP Definitions

A recent report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) looks at how various tribal groups have defined Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) under the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB). The Bureau of Indian Education standard, adopted by the majority of tribal schools, uses the AYP definition of the state in which the school is located. Several tribes are developing their own standards, however, to make standards and assessments reflective of their culture.
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Resources

Planning Transitions to Prevent Challenging Behavior

The webinar Moving Right Along: Planning Transitions to Prevent Challenging Behavior was presented in May as a joint project of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), the Center for Social Emotional Foundations of Early Learning (CSEFEL), and the Technical Assistance Center on Social Emotional Intervention (TACSEI). The event was based on an article that describes why challenging behavior occurs during transitions and offers ideas and strategies for planning more effective transitions that teach social skills and emotional competencies for young children. More >>>

Outcome Evaluation Resources

Toolfind is a directory of outcome measurement instruments for programs serving youth. Developed by the United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley, the Web site provides a comparison chart of nearly 50 evaluation tools as well as a searchable database.
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Special Needs Planning Guide

The Special Needs Planning Guide: How to Prepare for Every Stage of Your Child’s Life is a practical resource written by financial advisors with family members who have disabilities. The book is written chronologically and includes forms, checklists, and other useful tools. The book is available through Brookes Publishing or other online retailers.
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National Clearinghouse on Disability and Exhange Monthly E-Forum

NCDE’s E-Forum offers monthly updates and news from the Clearinghouse. The E-Forum provides, news, scholarship announcements, tools and tips on increasing the participation of people with disabilities in all types of international education.
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Flipping for Phonics

Flipping for Phonics is a reading program for children ages 3-7 that uses a 6-column flipbook with colorful graphics to form 2,000 possible words. Student and teacher versions are available, along with free lesson plans and other activities.
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Technology

New Assistive Technology Tools

A recent article in eSchool News highlights emerging educational technology such as an open-source screen reader program and a system to enable students with physical disabilities to control a computer with their tongues.
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Fundraising

Network for Good Tips

Network for Good is a nonprofit that helps charities be more effective in their fundraising and provides a one-stop-shop for donors to give to their favorite organizations and keep track of their donation history. They also publish a weekly email newsletter, Tips, with strategies and ideas for fundraising and marketing.
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Vision USA - Free Eye Exams

Vision USA, operated by members of the American Optometric Association, provides free eye exams to children and adults who meet specified eligibility criteria. Individual must be working or live in a household where at least one member works, not have vision insurance, not have had an eye exam in at least two years, and have an income below the designated level. Applications are accepted by phone, online, or through the mail.
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Featured ALLIANCE Publications

Why Parent Centers? Why the ALLIANCE?

Explains how Parent Centers serve families and how the Technical Assistance ALLIANCE for Parent Centers serves the nation’s 100 Parent Centers. Data on Parent Center effectiveness and contact information is included.
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Parent Centers Helping Families: Outcome Data 2006-2007

Data collected and compiled by the ALLIANCE about the numbers of people served by the nation’s Parent Training and Information Centers (PTIs) and Community Parent Resource Centers (CPRCs).
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ALLIANCE Map

Map of the United States shows the Parent Training and Information Centers, Community Parent Resource Centers, and the regional and national offices of the Technical Assistance ALLIANCE for Parent Centers. Contact information for each Parent Center is on the back.
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