SEATTLE (PRWEB)
April 23, 2021

Intelligent.com, a trusted resource for online degree rankings and higher education planning, has announced the top online programs for 2021. The comprehensive research guide is based on an assessment of 1,280 accredited colleges and universities in the nation. Each program is evaluated based on curriculum quality, graduation rate, reputation, and post-graduate employment. The methodology also uses an algorithm which collects and analyzes multiple rankings into one score to easily compare each school.

Students who pursue any one of these programs can expect to gain employment much quicker in comparison to candidates without a degree. In addition to accessibility and cost, the steady job growth in this market is one of the many reasons Intelligent.com researched and ranked the Top Online Masters in Special Education Degree Programs.

Intelligent.com analyzed 143 schools, on a scale of 0 to 100, with only 55 making it to the final list for Online Masters in Special Education Degree Programs. To access the complete ranking, please visit: https://www.intelligent.com/best-online-masters-in-special-education-degree-programs/

2021 Online Masters in Special Education Degree Programs featured on Intelligent.com (in alphabetical order):

American University

Appalachian State University

Arkansas State University-Main Campus

Ball State University

Bemidji State University

Brandman University

Campbellsville University

Columbus State University

Eastern University

Emporia State University

Endicott College

Fitchburg State University

Fort Hays State University

George Mason University

Georgia College and State University

Hofstra University

Indiana University-Bloomington

Jacksonville State University

James Madison University

Kennesaw State University

Liberty University

Michigan State University

Mississippi College

North Carolina State University at Raleigh

Nova Southeastern University

Purdue College of Technology

Saint Joseph’s University

Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania

Southern Arkansas University Magnolia

Stephen F Austin State University

Texas A & M University-College Station

Texas Tech University

The University of Alabama

The University of Texas at Tyler

University of Arizona

University of Arkansas

University of Florida

University of Hawaii at Manoa

University of Kansas

University of Missouri-Columbia

University of Nebraska at Kearney

University of North Dakota

University of Northern Colorado

University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus

University of San Diego

University of South Florida

University of St. Thomas

University of West Alabama

University of Wyoming

Washington State University

Webster University

West Chester University of Pennsylvania

West Virginia University

Western Governors University

Xavier University

About Intelligent.com

Intelligent.com provides unbiased research to help students make informed decisions about higher education programs. The website offers curated guides which include the best degree programs as well as information about financial aid, internships and even study strategies. With comprehensive, user-friendly guides and hundreds of program rankings, Intelligent.com is a trusted source among students and prospective students. To learn more, please visit https://www.intelligent.com/.

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JAWS Kiosk was awarded first place for the Judge’s Choice Award at this year’s TravelAbility Summit Launchpad event

CLEARWATER, Fla. (PRWEB)
April 13, 2021

JAWS Kiosk was awarded first place for the Judge’s Choice Award at this year’s TravelAbility Summit Launchpad event held on April 1, 2021. Presented by Laura Boniello Miller, the JAWS Kiosk screen reader solution earned high praise for criteria such as articulation of a problem and solution, enhancing the travel experience for people with disabilities, viability of business model, and value proposition. The day itself was a marathon of great ideas presented by both new and established organizations with one goal in mind – improving the travel experience for people with disabilities.    

Travelability’s Founder and CEO, Jake Steinman, was delighted with the ideas presented. “I am especially thrilled with the quality of presenters and judges who made LaunchPad what it was. What began with 111 pre-qualified innovators researched over a two-month period, ultimately resulted in the top 15 of the best adaptive technology and assistive products that we could find that would help the travel industry reach ‘herd accessibility’.”

Event judges included:

•     Charles Hammerman, CEO of the Disability Opportunity Fund
•     Dan Feshbach, Founder of Blue Umbrella Ventures
•     Ron Pettit, Head of Accessibility, Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines
•     Laszlo Horvath, Producer of the annual startup competition at CES/Las Vegas
•     Zach Curry, Director of Guest Experience, Marriott
•     Thomas Leoutsakos, President, Mobility Transfer Systems
•     Toby Willis, President of Accessibility, Expedia
•     Jay Cardinali, former Head of Global Accessibility, Disney Parks and Resorts
•     Srin Madipalli, former head of Accessibility for Airbnb

Matt Ater, Vice President of Business Development for Vispero, was pleased to be honored among the many great ideas presented. “The hospitality industry has had a challenging year as a result of COVID-19. As travel resumes and the industry recovers, users with disabilities must have the same access to resume travel services, amenities, and opportunities. JAWS Kiosk and the other products demonstrated in the LaunchPad event take major steps to improve the travel experience for people with disabilities. We are proud to be recognized for our efforts and look forward to making travel industry kiosks accessible for all users.”

Below are the top finishers for both Judge’s Choice and Attendees Choice.

Judges Choice:

1.    JAWS Kiosk

2.    Mobi-Mat

3.    Service Animal Travel Solutions (SATS) from Open Doors NFP

Attendees Choice:

1.    Revolve Wheelchair

2.    Alinker

3.    Omeo

For more on the State of Accessible Travel, join TravelAbility’s June 24, 2021 event. JAWS Kiosk is available from accessibility solutions provider, TPGi. For more on JAWS Kiosk and kiosk accessibility, visit TPGI.com or contact Laura Boniello Miller: lmiller@vispero.com

About TPGi:

TPGi is an accessibility solutions provider that supports all phases of accessibility through best-in-class management software and professional services. We partner with the best-known brands in the world to achieve end-to-end accessibility for their digital assets. Our clients span a variety of industries including retail/eCommerce, software/technology, publishing, banking/finance, healthcare, government, and higher education. TPGi experts are globally recognized for their contributions to accessibility standards and guidelines.

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Since the Boston Marathon was postponed this year…that inspired us to create this virtual Coast 2 Coast Challenge.

BROOKLINE, Mass. (PRWEB)
April 01, 2021

April in Boston has always meant running. The Boston Marathon. When the city welcomes the running world to the marathon’s greatest stage. This year, the pandemic changed all that, and the Marathon has been postponed. The Massachusetts Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired (MABVI), has stepped in to fill that void with their Coast 2 Coast Challenge, a virtual cross-country trek for runners and fans alike. During the month of April, MABVI’s Team with A Vision, United in Stride, and walkers and runners across the country are invited, as individuals or teams, to accrue as many active miles as possible, while virtually traversing the country. Participants from around the globe have the opportunity to complete the Challenge with friends and family, anywhere in the world, with a goal to raise $100,000 to support United in Stride, Team With a Vision, and the programs and services of MABVI. Registration for the Challenge is free. So far, the challenge has more than 160 participants and has already raised over $20,000 on its official first day.

“Since the Boston Marathon was postponed this year, people are missing this big community and world event, and we knew many organizations like ours would be missing out on critical fundraising as well,” said Paul Twitchell, Director of Communications and Marketing for MABVI. “That inspired us to create this virtual Coast 2 Coast Challenge.”

Participants can take on the Challenge individually or compile miles as a team, keeping track of mileage by walking, running, or moving over the 30 days of April. Collectively, participants will be virtually traveling from San Francisco, CA to Boston, MA, a total of 4,339 miles, stopping at important blind community landmarks along the way. There is no limit on the number of daily activities or miles, so participants can be creative in how they progress: run (or walk) on a treadmill, around their neighborhood, or on a course of their choosing. At the end of each day or session from April 1st to April 30th, miles can be logged on their account. The popular exercise app Strava is a sponsor, and will be featuring the event on their website and app for the month of April, allowing participants to log miles through the app.

Notable Participants

Individuals of all ages and abilities have signed up to take the challenge, including octogenarian Wynne Miller. Miller is a consumer of MABVI’s programs and services, including the organization’s peer support groups. She has a new Fitbit and has already started tracking her steps.

Matt Lavallee, a Content Producer at New England Sports Network (NESN), has already formed a team.

Dave McGillivray is race director of the Boston Athletic Association (B.A.A.), as well as a philanthropist, author, and athlete. In 1978, Dave ran across the U.S. to benefit the Jimmy Fund and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

Charles “Chaz” Davis is a visually impaired runner from Grafton, Massachusetts, Adjustment Counselor for MABVI, Team With A Vision Coordinator, and one of the architects of the Coast 2 Coast Challenge. In his debut as a marathon competitor at the California International Marathon (CIM) in 2016, Davis finished in 2:31:48, setting a new American record for the T12/B2 visual impairment category.

Participants can register online at https://runsignup.com/Race/MA/Brookline/UISTWAVC2C.

About Team With A Vision

Team With A Vision has been raising visibility and critical funds for the Massachusetts Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired for more than 25 years. Our international team of runners are Boston Qualified athletes in the Para Athletic Division, the Adaptive Programs, and charity runners. Add meaning to your miles by joining our team, and be a part of a deep history of running and inclusion. All funds raised support MABVI’s statewide network of vision rehabilitation services, low vision support groups, access technology training, and 400+ volunteers matched 1:1 with individuals who are blind or visually impaired.

About United In Stride

United In Stride (UIS) is an online tool for runners who are blind or visually impaired to connect with sighted guides across North America. Founded by a joint effort from VI athlete Richard Hunter and MABVI, this resource provides the much-needed information so a VI runner can connect with a sighted guide close to home, or when traveling to another part of the country. UIS believes a robust, interactive sighted guide database will create more opportunities for the next generation of visually impaired runners.

About Massachusetts Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired

Founded in 1903, Massachusetts Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired is one of the oldest social service organizations in the country supporting adults and seniors who are blind or low vision. A division of MAB Community Services, Inc., MABVI is a leading provider of integrated medical, social, and rehabilitation services for adults and seniors with vision loss. MABVI empowers individuals and offers them the tools they need to accomplish their goals by helping to remove barriers and increasing access to services. MABVI partners with numerous medical, elder services, and community agencies to create high-impact, cost-effective services for more than 1,500 blind and low vision people across the Commonwealth.

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MV Transportation Logo

“We are committed to helping advance their goal of providing universal accessibility for the Houston community and will leverage our extensive paratransit expertise to continuously improve safety, reliability and the rider experience.” Tom Egan, MV CEO

DALLAS (PRWEB)
March 24, 2021

MV Transportation, Inc., a recognized leader in passenger transportation services, today announced it has been awarded a contract to provide paratransit services by the Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County (Houston Metro) beginning April 11, 2021.

Under terms of the five-year contract, MV will provide safe and reliable paratransit services within the METROLift system, the city’s curb-to-curb shared-ride service for people with disabilities and those who cannot board or ride other types of Metro transit services. MV will be responsible for the minivan component of the METROLift service, including operations, maintenance and customer service. As part of MV’s start-up efforts, the company is rolling out a broad hiring program that includes recruiting drivers from the incumbent provider in addition to its rigorous safety and training programs.

“We look forward to our partnership with Houston Metro and appreciate the confidence its leaders and board have placed in MV,” said Tom Egan, MV CEO. “We are committed to helping advance their goal of providing universal accessibility for the Houston community and will leverage our extensive paratransit expertise to continuously improve safety, reliability and the rider experience.”

MV is the largest privately owned passenger transportation contracting services firm in North America and a leader in providing the specialized on-demand ADA-compliant transportation of persons with disabilities and the elderly. With this latest contract award, Dallas-based MV further expands its Texas-based passenger operations to include Austin, Corpus Christi, Dallas, El Paso, Houston, Justin and San Antonio.

About MV Transportation, Inc.

MV is the largest privately owned passenger transportation contracting services firm in North America and a leader in providing the specialized on-demand ADA-compliant transportation of persons with disabilities and the elderly. We provide paratransit, fixed-route, public and private shuttle, and student transportation services, partnering with over 200 city and county government transit agencies, school districts, universities, airports and corporations. Founded in 1975, MV provides freedom for over 110 million passengers each year across 28 states and Canada with a team of more than 20,000 dedicated transit professionals. For additional information, please visit http://www.mvtransit.com.

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WASHINGTON (PRWEB)
March 18, 2021

The videos, developed in partnership with Student Veterans of America and with financial support from Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP), were filmed, produced, and hosted by PsychArmor Institute.

The videos focus on the value of attending higher education for significantly or catastrophically injured or ill veterans. They also highlight the resources and assistance provided by accessibility offices at higher education institutions. The videos can be found at https://bit.ly/3eLKq9i.

“One of the proudest days of my life was when I rolled across the stage at the University of Alabama and received my college degree, and I believe every veteran – regardless of injury or illness – deserves to feel that sense of accomplishment,” said Shaun Castle, PVA Deputy Executive Director. “Navigating the education system is hard but thanks to our partners and supporters, vital tools like these, and our Veterans Career Program, veterans are better equipped and set up for success.”

“Wounded Warrior Project is proud to join with Paralyzed Veterans of America, Student Veterans of America, and PsychArmor Institute to support post-9/11 veterans on their educational journeys and through their transitions from the military,” said Ashley Bunce, WWP director of community partnerships and investments. “These videos are vital tools that will empower veterans to thrive in higher education as they navigate available care and resources.”

The video rollout is part of a broader focus on continuous learning and educational opportunities led by PVA’s Veteran Career Program, which was launched in 2007 to ensure PVA members, veterans with catastrophic or significant disabilities, their spouses and caregivers, have access to meaningful employment, educational and volunteer opportunities. The program concentrates on the unique needs of clients and provides support ranging from in-depth vocational rehabilitation to developing a resume, practicing interview skills, or choosing a major. Veterans Career Program staff work with any veteran who needs support but has a unique focus on those with barriers to employment or careers.

Studies have found that there are significant benefits for individuals who are engaged in the labor force, including improved quality of life, enhanced self-confidence, expanded social network, a sense of community, and increased income. For many veterans with significant or catastrophic disabilities, additional training or education may be the pathway toward future employment. Both videos highlight benefits and resources available to veterans, and act as vital tools to empower them as they tackle the world of higher education.

Over the coming weeks, PVA’s Veterans Career Program will host a series on education and training opportunities through its virtual engagement platform, Veterans Career Live. The series will not only feature the two higher education videos but also interactive sessions on opportunities with community colleges, micro-learning, online education, and disability resources and accommodations. More information on the Veterans Career Program and Veterans Career Live can be found at PVA.org/VeteransCareerProgram.

About Paralyzed Veterans of America

Paralyzed Veterans of America is the only congressionally chartered veterans service organization dedicated solely to the benefit and representation of veterans with spinal cord injury or disease. For nearly 75 years, the organization has ensured that veterans receive the benefits earned through service to our nation; monitored their care in VA spinal cord injury units; and funded research and education in the search for a cure and improved care for individuals with paralysis.

As a life-long partner and advocate for veterans and all people with disabilities, Paralyzed Veterans of America also develops training and career services, works to ensure accessibility in public buildings and spaces, and provides health and rehabilitation opportunities through sports and recreation. With more than 70 offices and 33 chapters, Paralyzed Veterans of America serves veterans, their families and their caregivers in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Learn more at PVA.org.

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Our community with disabilities is interested in all kinds of movies, like everybody else, but this is the first time a movie about ourselves is offering all kind of features to accommodate our needs.

WINTER SPRINGS, Fla. (PRWEB)
March 17, 2021

Dicapta Corporation announces their app Access4All that allows everyone to experience “Feeling Through.” Thanks to Dicapta’s participation in providing their Access4All technology platform, all audiences with sensory disabilities can access the movie’s accessibility features at any time. This is a unique film in that it casts for the first time a lead actor who is deafblind in real life.

Dicapta Corporation’s founder and owner, Maria-Victoria Diaz, states “Doug Roland, the director of Feeling Through, has been outstanding in dedicating his talent to meet the needs of the viewers with disabilities. Our community with disabilities is interested in all kinds of movies, like everybody else, but this is the first time a movie about ourselves is offering all kinds of features to accommodate our needs. From captions adapted for easy reading to Spanish language tracks, Access4All accommodates to the needs of the viewers. I invite filmmakers and media producers to always consider audiences with disabilities among their target to reach.”

“Feeling Through” has won 15 film festival awards across the globe. Currently this film is one of five in the Live Action Short Film category to be nominated for an Oscar on April 25, 2021. A total of 174 films qualified in this category, “Feeling Through” has made it to the final five nominations.

Thanks to the funds from the Office of Special Education-OSEP from the US Department of Education, accessibility for the film “Feeling Through” is available on the Access4All app. The app (1) allows participants the ability to automatically synchronize the film captions, audio description in English and Spanish, American Sign Language (ASL), and other features with the film.

Thanks to Dicapta Corporation’s technology, viewers who are deaf and/or blind can have the same movie watching experience that people without disabilities enjoy. They have access from their Braille displays, or the screen of their mobile device. Whether the film is watched online or in person, viewers will always have the ability to access the tools customized for the blind and hearing-impaired community.

For a limited time, “Feeling Through” is available at the following link :

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h1CqzntEZZ8

Download Access4All from the Google Play store or the Apple store, and enjoy the movie.

Dicapta Corporation is a technology company focused on making media accessible for people with visual and hearing disabilities. It has been offering high quality description, captioning, language customization, and interpretation services since 2004. Dicapta has served the TV industry, media companies, educational institutions, and variety of organizations in making communications accessible to everyone.

For more information on Dicapta Corporation or their Access4All technology visit online at https://dicapta.com/tvaccess/ or call (407) 389-0712.

(1) All the accessibility features for the movie are stored in the Access4All Digital Clearinghouse of Accessibility Assets, administered by Dicapta Foundation, https://access4all.dicaptafoundation.org.

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NAPCO is honored to collaborate with such an important service organization in our community. The ability to provide jobs that give adults with disabilities the chance to work and earn wages while also contributing to the success of our company gives us all a sense of pride.

SKOKIE, Ill. (PRWEB)
March 16, 2021

NAPCO, Ltd. (North American Polymer Company), a national manufacturer of refinishing products and a kitchen and bath refinishing training company, announces a strategic and collaborative partnership with The Douglas Center, a non-profit organization that provides day work programs for individuals with severe intellectual, developmental and physical disabilities. This partnership unites two organizations with a mutual purpose to make a difference in the community.

“NAPCO is honored to collaborate with such an important service organization in our community,” said Jackie Stuckert, NAPCO’s Customer Service and Sales Manager. “The ability to provide jobs that give adults with disabilities the chance to work and earn wages while also contributing to the success of our company gives us all a sense of pride.”

The Douglas Center opened its doors in 1999 to provide comprehensive programming, clinical services, training programs, employment opportunities and a Seniors program that are focused on assisting individuals in the management of their disabilities. They focus on building self-esteem while developing and/or improving existing social, work and independent living skills for these individuals. Their work also connects with local manufacturers and businesses to offer services for piecework on an as-needed basis.

NAPCO partners with The Douglas Center on a monthly basis as part of its Work Center program where individuals perform work based on their abilities and aspirations. Participants in the job readiness group learn on-the-job functions for selected positions within The Douglas Center while earning an income. Individuals working on NAPCO projects work on a variety of tasks, including but not limited to, cutting and assembling filter kits, NAPCO samples, valves, respirator masks, and quick drips. This partnership requires roughly 20-30 hours per week.

“People are our priority at NAPCO and we’re excited that this partnership allows us to connect with the community.” Stuckert added.

About NAPCO:

Since 1979, NAPCO, Ltd. has provided products, supplies, and training to professional bathroom and kitchen refinishers. NAPCO is headquartered north of Chicago in Skokie, Illinois, and services all 50 states as well as five countries. To learn how to refinish instead of replace tubs, tiles, or countertops, call 800-888-1081 or visit http://www.NAPCOLtd.com.

About The Douglas Center

The Douglas Center services individuals with disabilities from ages 18 to 100 residing in Chicago, Skokie, and surrounding suburbs. The center serves to assist adults living with intellectual, developmental and physical disabilities in improving their independent living skills and enrichment of their quality of life. For more information on opportunities, visit http://www.thedouglascenter.org.

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The Sunu Band is approximately the same size and appearance as a fitness tracker.

That community includes product users and clinicians with a shared goal of empowering our low vision and blind communities to live and work as independently as possible.

SHREVEPORT, La. (PRWEB)
March 04, 2021

Louisiana Association for the Blind (L.A.B.) and Sunu, Inc. are proud to announce a new partnership that will increase the regional availability of the Sunu Band, a sonar smartband that enables the visually impaired to better sense and navigate their environments. This agreement makes L.A.B. the sole distributor of the Sunu Band in Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas, and provides opportunity for its affiliated agencies in these states to act as sub-distributors of Sunu Band.

L.A.B.’s certified orientation and mobility specialists (COMS) will provide direct and virtual training for certified O&M instructors at participating agencies and new Sunu Band users, creating a convenient “one-stop-shop” for consumers.

“Ultimately, this is about convenience for those we serve,” said Louisiana Association for the Blind Vice President of Community Services Audra Muslow. “That community includes product users and clinicians with a shared goal of empowering our low vision and blind communities to live and work as independently as possible. L.A.B. is proud to serve as a hub to our partners, and we are grateful to our friends at Sunu Band for this partnership.”    

“At Sunu, we’ve always been committed to bringing mobility solutions to our users, said Sunu Band Business Development Executive Diego Mendoza. “L.A.B. has been there since the beginning of our journey to help us with our mission. We’re delighted to be a part of their expansion and we know we accomplish great things together.”

The Sunu Band pairs sonar echolocation with gentle, precise vibration feedback to help the wearer detect objects up to 15 feet away. Sunu Band users often wear it in conjunction with a cane or guide dog to augment awareness, complement mobility and reduce the risk of accidents. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Sunu Band users have praised the device for its effectiveness in helping individuals with visual impairment practice social distancing. There are more than 5,000 Sunu Band users in 45 countries.

The Sunu Band is approximately the same size and appearance as a fitness tracker. A simple, two-button interface allows users to easily switch between indoor and outdoor modes, while a free mobile app for iOS and Android devices is used to adjust user preferences and install firmware updates when needed. Built-in navigational tools help the user learn about businesses and other points of interest located nearby.

Louisiana residents who are interested in learning more about the Sunu Band may do so by contacting Louisiana Association for the Blind at (318) 698-2300. Residents of Mississippi, Texas, Oklahoma and Tennessee are encouraged to contact their local agency for more information.

About Louisiana Association for the Blind

Established in 1927, Louisiana Association for the Blind (L.A.B.) is a private, non-profit community service organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for people who are visually impaired through training, services and employment. As a part of National Industries for the Blind (N.I.B.), L.A.B. participates in the nation’s AbilityOne Program, providing recycled content copy paper and 3M Safety-Walk slip-resistant material to the federal government, made by Americans with visual or severe disabilities in Shreveport, LA. Follow L.A.B. on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. Learn more at http://www.lablind.com.

About Sunu, Inc.

Sunu creates enabling technologies—empowering people with freedom of mobility. Sunu’s first award-winning product, Sunu Band, is like a ‘flashlight’ for the 286 million visually impaired worldwide. Sunu Band is a sonar wristband that’s augmenting human perception using haptic feedback, enabling the visually impaired to better sense and navigate their environments. Learn more at http://www.sunu.com.

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