Category Archives: Society: Disabled Issues / Disabilities

The Latest news about what is effecting those with Disabilities in North America, These PR articles, bring the newest technologies, initiatives and helpful tools to those who need them.

Expanding Texas-Based Tech Company Acquires Healthcare Focused Software Business


“Dura is thrilled at the opportunity to leverage our successful business model into the human services industry arena and even more excited to be able to serve organizations doing meaningful work,” said Paul Salisbury, President of Dura Software.

Dura Software, a company skilled in acquiring, owning and operating “Hyper-Niche” software businesses, announced it has acquired Vertex Systems, a technology company that delivers easy-to-use software to organizations serving adults with disabilities. The transaction launches Dura Software into the growing healthcare field, while providing Vertex with the necessary support for continued growth and ongoing advancement.

“Vertex Systems has been operating since the early 1980’s with a strong reputation for service, and Dura Software wants to help Vertex keep pace offering access to additional services and support for its platforms,” said Paul Salisbury, President of Dura Software. “Dura is thrilled at the opportunity to leverage our successful business model into the human services industry arena and even more excited to be able to serve organizations doing the meaningful work of providing services for recipients with Intellectual or Development Disabilities (I/DD).”

Dura Software acquired Vertex Systems late last year, the second acquisition for Dura in 2020 following its agreement with Lane Technology Systems in Q4 2020. Vertex is the leading provider of software made exclusively for organizations providing vocational, day programs and residential services for adults with disabilities. It helps companies manage client records, collect time for clients and staff, billing resources and financial accounting.

“Dura Software supports our mission to provide our customers with easy-to-use, affordable software to reduce administrative workload, enabling employees to focus on those they serve,” said Madison Mauzé, CEO of Vertex Systems. “We are confident that our acquisition of Vertex will accelerate its ability to make technical advancements across the platforms, allowing us to better serve our customers and the industry as a whole.”

Vertex Software, founded by Stanford Chandler and based in Columbus, Ohio, will move its corporate headquarters to San Antonio, but it will retain a workforce at its original location. Dura Software is committed to retaining staff during and after the transition.

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About Dura Software

Dura Software is an expert in acquiring, owning and operating “Hyper-Niche” software businesses. Over the coming years, Dura will continue to expand by acquiring additional great businesses and by generating sustained profitable growth from business operations. Dura Software operates out of downtown San Antonio and currently owns 6Connex, Moki, NordicIT, Lane Technology Solutions and Vertex Systems.

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Level Access, G3ict and IAAP launches 2021 State of Digital Accessibility Survey to benchmark worldwide efforts to create inclusive technology


Image of the Level Access State of Digital Accessibility Report cover.

While the crisis exposed gaps in accessibility, there were also great stories of organizations closing those gaps quickly. We are eager to see the results of this year’s survey to see if the stories we have heard are reflected in the data.”- Jonathan Avila, Chief Accessibility Officer, Level Access

Level Access, the global leader in digital accessibility, in collaboration with G3ict and IAAP, has launched the State of Digital Accessibility survey. This is the third year for the survey, which asks professionals in various roles to describe their organization’s commitment to creating inclusive technology, including websites, mobile apps, software, and hardware.

“The COVID-19 quarantine allowed people with disabilities to work from home, access more resources online, and communicate in more accessible ways,” said Jonathan Avila, Chief Accessibility Officer at Level Access. “While the crisis exposed gaps in accessibility, there were also great stories of organizations closing those gaps quickly. We are eager to see the results of this year’s survey to see if the stories we have heard are reflected in the data.”

“The State of Digital Accessibility Report provides the most comprehensive set of benchmarks for organizations implementing digital accessibility,” said Axel Leblois, President of G3ict. “Its 2021 edition will be of particular importance for all sectors of activity given the pressing imperative to ensure the full inclusion of persons with disabilities in ever expanding digital services and virtual environments.”

To thank the worldwide community for their participation in the survey, Level Access is donating $5000 to a disability-focused non-profit. The non-profit will be voted on by those who complete the survey. In addition, G3ict and IAAP are sponsoring five prizes at the individual level. Five email addresses will be chosen at random from those who complete the survey by January 31st. They will each receive either a $100 VISA gift card or a $200 donation to the disability-focused non-profit of their choice.

Key findings from the 2020 State of Digital Accessibility Report:

  • Nearly 68% of participants said that their organization feels compelled to be inclusive of people with disabilities.
  • Nearly 70% of organizations outsource at least one accessibility task.
  • While 94% agree that testing by people with disabilities is important, 56% of organizations are not doing it.
  • More than 35% of participants stated that it was challenging to hire people with experience in digital accessibility.
  • 55% of organizations have prioritized buying a product or solution because of its accessibility.
  • 60% of organizations reported that current litigation trends have motivated them to move faster to achieve accessibility compliance.

“We are grateful to the more than 1,000 professionals and IAAP members who participated in the State of Digital Accessibility survey last year,” said Christopher Lee, Managing Director of IAAP. “We look forward to even greater participation this year.”

To learn more and take the survey, go to LevelAccess.com/SODAR2021.

About G3ict

G3ict, the Global Initiative for Inclusive Information and Communication Technologies, is an advocacy initiative launched in December 2006 in cooperation with the Secretariat for the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities at UNDESA. Its mission is to facilitate and support the implementation of the dispositions of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) promoting digital accessibility and Assistive Technologies. Participating organizations include industry, academia, the public sector and organizations representing persons with disabilities. For more information, please visit https://www.g3ict.org.

About IAAP

The International Association of Accessibility Professionals (IAAP) is a not-for-profit association focused on advancing the accessibility profession globally through networking, education and certification in order to enable the creation of accessible products, content and services for persons with disabilities. For more information, please visit http://www.accessibilityassociation.org.

About Level Access

Level Access provides industry-leading and award-winning  digital accessibility  solutions to over 2000 corporations, government agencies, and educational institutions. Level Access’s mission is to achieve digital equality for all users by ensuring technology is accessible to people with disabilities and the growing aging population. Founded in 1997, Level Access has an unparalleled history in helping customers achieve and maintain compliance with the full scope of accessible technology regulations and standards including the ADA, WCAG, CVAA, AODA, EN 301 549, and Section 508. Delivered through a comprehensive suite of software, consulting services, and training solutions, the company’s solutions ensure customer’s web, desktop, mobile, and electronic document systems are accessible to everyone. Level Access is endorsed by the American Banking Association, named a White House “Champion of Change” in 2014, and multi-year repeat winners on the Inc. 5000 list of fast-growing companies. To learn more, please visit https://www.levelaccess.com.

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ZP, Leading Technology Solutions Company for the Deaf, Relocates to Austin with Innovative DeafSpace Headquarters


Austin is one of our nation’s most deaf-friendly cities and a growing technology and business hub…we can think of no better home for our new headquarters.

ZVRS and Purple Communications, divisions of ZP Better Together, LLC (ZP), a leading provider of communication solutions for the deaf and hard of hearing community, announced today the relocation of its corporate headquarters to Austin, TX, from Rocklin, Calif. Effective January 28, 2021, ZP’s headquarters move will expand its workspace presence in dynamic and fast-growing northwest Austin and features an innovative DeafSpace design and architecture that puts the deaf community and the deaf experience front and center.

ZP’s move brings 150 of the communication solutions leader’s 2,800+ nationwide workforce to Austin’s Paloma Ridge campus with the goal of supporting and connecting with the city’s highly populated and growing deaf community. Partnering on the relocation are several Austin-based companies Sixthriver, NOVO Construction, and Lincoln Property Company; Dallas-based Stream Realty Partners and Colorado-based property owner Ascentris. ZP’s new headquarters is located at Paloma Ridge,13620 N FM 620, Austin, TX 78717.

“Austin is one of our nation’s most deaf-friendly cities and a growing technology and business hub,” said Sherri Turpin, ZP Chief Executive Officer. “We can think of no better home for our new headquarters and are very excited to strengthen our presence in Texas. This move will allow ZP to tap into a dynamic workforce, attract more deaf talent, accelerate our technology innovations and support an incredible community of people who share our passion and commitment to language and communication access.”

ZP has a nationwide workforce of sign language interpreters and ZP’s non-interpreter employee base is comprised of 72 percent deaf and hard of hearing individuals. Turpin’s top priority was to secure a new home that crystalized a deaf-friendly design and architectural philosophy known as DeafSpace. The move also puts ZP into a hub of technology talent to create advancements in video communication and build relationships with both the deaf and business communities.

DeafSpace, a registered trademark of Gallaudet University, was first codified in 2005 through a collaborative effort with the ASL and Deaf Studies Department, architect Hansel Bauman, and others at Gallaudet University, the world’s leading liberal arts university for deaf, hard of hearing, and deafblind students. DeafSpace Guidelines feature a catalogue of more than 150 distinct DeafSpace architectural design elements that address the five major touch points between deaf experiences and the built environment: space and proximity, sensory reach, mobility and proximity, light and color, and finally acoustics. Common to all of these categories are the ideas of community building, visual language, and the promotion of personal safety and well-being.

“DeafSpace and other human-centric design principles are crucial to designing spaces that are not only intuitive and inclusive for deaf people, but also benefit everyone,” said Roberta J. Cordano, President of Gallaudet University. “DeafSpace principles should be prioritized in construction to make our built environment accessible for all. I applaud ZP’s proactive efforts to incorporate DeafSpace principles in the design of their new headquarters and I look forward to viewing the new space in the future.”

“From the very start, our new home was created specifically for our Deaf employees and community and with the collaboration and support of our deaf executives,” added Turpin. “The foundation of our new headquarters is centered on DeafSpace guidelines, ensuring that we created an environment that considers our deaf employees first and that would affirm the experience and culture of our deaf and hard of hearing workforce.”

To ensure safety for all, ZP plans to host an open house after the pandemic restrictions have been lifted.

About ZVRS and Purple Communications

ZP Better Together, LLC (ZP), divisions of ZP Better Together, LLC are communications solution-makers dedicated to delivering the highest-quality and most innovative communication services to meet the unique needs of each Deaf and hard-of-hearing individual. Our commitment extends across hardware, software, and in-person solutions within these four areas of service: Video Relay Service (VRS), Video Remote Interpreting (VRI), Communication Access Real-Time Translation (CART), and On-Site Interpreting. These four pillars of service are the foundation of our commitment to the belief that every conversation matters. Whether it is at home, on the go, at school, or in the workplace, our mission is to grow and bridge two worlds with innovative, accessible communication solutions, creating more opportunities in our Deaf and hard-of-hearing community.

About Ascentris

Ascentris is a real estate private equity firm based in Denver, Colorado. With over $2.1 billion in assets under management, Ascentris manages a series of fully discretionary institutional vehicles targeting both core and value-add investments across the major property types and geographic regions within the United States. Since 2003, Ascentris’ management team has relied on an investment philosophy and organizational structure that results in its investors getting to opportunities ahead of the market while receiving an unmatched level of service, transparency and accountability. Ascentris is a privately held and management-owned SEC registered investment adviser that maintains an unwavering commitment to put its investors’ needs first.

About Lincoln Property Company

Lincoln Property Company today employs approximately 4,400 people in 40 area administrative offices in the United States and Europe. Our cumulative development volume currently exceeds $11.5 billion in commercial properties, and our development efforts have produced over 120 million square feet of commercial space. Lincoln’s commercial developments have been widely recognized as landmarks in their communities for their design, quality, and superior locations. Lincoln currently manages more than 124.5 million square feet of commercial property and 128.8 million square feet of residential property nationwide at a combined value of more than $26.5 billion.

About NOVO Construction

In response to the growth and demands of our West Coast clientele, NOVO began operations in Austin in 2012. In this market, we are called upon to manage fast-paced, high-end construction mainly in the technology, investment, and life-science sectors. As a Boutique GC, we are selective with the work we target so that each project we take on gets the attention and staff required for execution at the highest level. Our mission has always been to build long-term relationships with loyal customers. Our goal is to create success through our commitment to innovation, the strength of our team, and dedication to our customers. Due to this, we are fortunate to have repeat clients, accounting for 85% of our client base. At NOVO, we build rock solid relationships.

About Sixthriver

A small group of design professionals wanting to provide a different kind of design partnership founded Sixthriver in Austin, Texas in 1994. Our team then, as we are now, is comprised of award-winning design specialists who know and understand our city’s culture to its deepest extent. As our city has evolved, so has our firm. From just a few local projects, our project storyboard has grown to include over 25 million square feet of design projects ranging from local commercial off ice spaces to ground up multi-use buildings to large scale student housing projects across the nation. Our firm designs original environments where our clients can conduct business and affect their industry and community. Our creative process is firmly rooted in the ideal that great design solves a basic problem in a handcrafted and elegant way. We are committed to the future and the persistent pursuit of new thoughts and ideas and we hold steadfast to our vision and values to take us there.

About Stream Realty Partners

Stream Realty Partners (Stream) is one of the fastest-growing full-service commercial real estate companies in the nation, with over 250 million square feet of office, industrial, retail, and healthcare assignments, resulting in over $3.6 billion in real estate transactions annually. Founded in 1996, Stream has grown from its two original partners to a staff of over 900 real estate professionals that share one common goal: to provide an unequaled level of service to our clients. At Stream, we realize that our success begins and ends with our people. As a result, we work hard to attract and retain the best talent in the industry. These high-caliber professionals come together to create a distinct culture that is best summarized by our firm’s values: smart, honest, nice, and passionate.

Media Contact:

AnnMarie Killian

amkillian@zvrs.com

NAELA Celebrates Passage of Latest COVID-19 Relief Package


www.NAELA.org

NAELA members advocate for the needs of older adults and people with disabilities, and the passage of this relief package will benefit these populations tremendously.

The National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA) praises the U.S. Senate for passage of the latest COVID-19 relief package. The relief package will aid in three of NAELA’s top public policy priorities for 2021:

Made permanent the lower medical expense deduction threshold. This tax deduction helps individuals offset the cost of high out-of-pocket health expenses, including long-term care. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 temporarily lowered the threshold for the deduction from 10 percent of adjusted gross income (AGI) to 7.5 percent of AGI. Congress had previously extended the measure, and it was set to expire at the end of the year.

Extends Medicaid’s spousal impoverishment protections to home and community-based service waivers until September 2023. This policy ensures that individuals can access Medicaid long-term care at home while allowing their spouse to retain a modest amount of resources for living. The Affordable Care Act temporarily mandated that Medicaid’s assets and income protections for the spouse of a beneficiary apply not just to institutional settings (nursing homes) but also to home and community-based service waivers starting in 2014. Since its initial expiration at the end of 2018, Congress had continually used short-term extensions to keep the protections going through December 2020.

Funding for Money Follows the Person through 2023. First created in 2005, the Medicaid Money Follows the Person Demonstration Project (MFP) provides grants to states in order to 1) support Medicaid enrollees who want to transition from nursing facilities back to community-based settings; and 2) develop infrastructure to promote and enhance access to HCBS. Thanks to MFP, over 100,000 individuals have transitioned out of nursing homes and back to the community.

“NAELA members advocate for the needs of older adults and people with disabilities, and the passage of this relief package will benefit these populations tremendously,” said NAELA President Wendy Cappelletto, Esq., CAP.

Learn more about NAELA members and read Questions and Answers When Looking for an Elder and Special Needs Law Attorney.

Find an elder and special needs law attorney in your area using NAELA’s Member Directory.

About NAELA

Members of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA) are attorneys who are experienced and trained in working with the legal problems of aging Americans and individuals of all ages with disabilities. Upon joining, NAELA member attorneys agree to adhere to the NAELA Aspirational Standards. Established in 1987, NAELA is a non-profit association that assists lawyers, bar organizations, and others. The mission of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys is to educate, inspire, serve, and provide community to attorneys with practices in elder and special needs law. NAELA currently has members across the United States, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom. For more information, visit NAELA.org, or to locate a NAELA member attorney in your area, visit NAELA.org/FindLawyer.

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Wealth Advisory Launches Firm to Serve Special Needs Families


Valiant Partners heart-shaped logo with tagline: Safeguarding family futures.

Valiant Partners, a specialty, family-owned financial planning firm in Carlsbad, Calif., dedicated to helping families caring for loved ones with special needs.

“For those of us caring for children and loved ones with special needs, we worry whether our child will lead a safe and happy life. Perhaps the biggest concern is: ‘Who’s going to care for my child when I’m gone?’” – Jeff Vistica, CFP®, ChSNC®, AIF®, co-founder, Valiant Partners

Vistica Wealth Advisors, an integrated wealth management firm serving clients across California, announced today the launch of Valiant Partners, an advisory practice dedicated to serving the lifetime planning and financial needs of neurodiverse families. The new practice fills an underserved and growing need in the market. According to a recent study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 17% of children aged 3-17 years had a developmental disability.    

The founders of Valiant Partners are Dan Vistica, MS-Tax, and Jeff Vistica, CFP®, ChSNC®, AIF®. The Visticas understand the unique challenges confronted by parents of children with developmental impairments.

“For those of us caring for children and loved ones with special needs, our concerns can sometimes feel insurmountable,” said co-founder Jeff Vistica. “We worry whether our child will lead a safe and happy life. Perhaps the biggest concern is: ‘Who’s going to care for my child when I’m gone?’”

In addition to his other qualifications, Jeff Vistica has been designated by The American College of Financial Services as a Chartered Special Needs Consultant®, which provides him with the expertise to help clients plan for the future with honesty, ethics and compassion. Jeff and his team can help clients navigate the unique challenges of estate planning, special needs trusts, life insurance, tax and investment planning, and healthcare issues.

Lily Vistica, a licensed marriage family therapist, helps support clients in finding resources to address the many challenges associated with educating and caring for a child with special needs.

About Valiant Partners

Based in Carlsbad, Calif., Valiant Partners is a specialized wealth advisory firm that provides lifelong planning and peace of mind for families caring for a loved one with special needs. With expertise in financial planning, tax management and evidence-based investing, Valiant Partners understands the challenges neurodiverse families face every day. For more information, please visit http://www.valiantfutures.com.

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BraunAbility Announces Payment Relief for New Accessible Vehicle Purchases


News Image

BraunAbility, the global leader in mobility transportation solutions, announced a new payment relief offer of 90 days deferred payment on the purchase of any new or preowned vehicle with a new BraunAbility conversion now through Jan. 31, 2021.

The program offers individuals and families in need of a wheelchair accessible vehicle the financial relief of three months with no payments on any new or qualifying preowned vehicle with a new BraunAbility conversion. To qualify, the accessible vehicle must be purchased through an authorized BraunAbility dealer utilizing BraunAbility Finance, and the offer is only valid in the United States.

This offer is one of many budget-conscious programs and products offered by the mobility leader. BraunAbility also offers a line of budget-conscious mobility solutions, including a certified pre-owned line of accessible vehicles featuring a low-mileage, pre-owned chassis and a new BraunAbility conversion.

Individuals interested in learning more about the 90 days deferred payment offer or budget-friendly mobility solutions may contact a BraunAbility product specialist at 800-433-0859 or find a local BraunAbility dealer at http://www.BraunAbility.com.

About BraunAbility

BraunAbility is the world’s leading manufacturer of mobility transportation solutions, including wheelchair accessible vehicles, wheelchair lifts and seating, storage and securement products. Founded nearly 50 years ago by Ralph Braun, the company has grown into the most well-known and trusted name in the mobility industry, bringing independence to millions of individuals across the world. BraunAbility is a wholly owned subsidiary to Patricia Industries, a division of Investor AB Group. Visit http://www.braunability.com for more information.

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COVID Surge Slows Recovery for People with Disabilities


graphic with employment statistics

We may see improvement in the employment-to-population ratio in coming months as the stimulus bill kicks in and the vaccine becomes more widely available – Dr. John O’Neill, Kessler Foundation

Kessler Foundation and University of New Hampshire nTIDE Report—featuring the Administration on Disabilities Disability Employment Technical Assistance Center

Despite recent declines in economic indicators, people with disabilities remained engaged in the labor force, according to today’s National Trends in Disability Employment – Monthly Update (nTIDE), issued by Kessler Foundation and the University of New Hampshire’s Institute on Disability (UNH-IOD). Future trends will depend on a number of factors affecting public health and economic recovery, such as vaccine distribution and stimulus efforts.

nTIDE COVID Update (month-to-month comparison)

In the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Jobs Report released Friday, the employment-to-population ratio for working-age people with disabilities increased slightly from 29.1 percent in November to 29.4 percent in December 2020 (up 1 percent or 0.3 percentage points). For working-age people without disabilities, the employment-to-population ratio decreased from 71.1 percent in November to 70.9 percent in December 2020 (down 0.3 percent or 0.2 percentage points). The employment-to-population ratio, a key indicator, reflects the percentage of people who are working relative to the total population (the number of people working divided by the number of people in the total population multiplied by 100).

“In December, we saw a modest increase in the employment-to-population ratio even as COVID-19 infections surged following Thanksgiving gatherings,” said John O’Neill, PhD, director of the Center for Employment and Disability Research at Kessler Foundation. “We may see improvement in the employment-to-population ratio in coming months as the stimulus bill kicks in and the vaccine becomes more widely available,” he added.

The labor force participation rate for working-age people with disabilities decreased from 33.6 percent in November to 33.2 percent in December 2020 (down 1.2 percent or 0.4 percentage points). For working-age people without disabilities, the labor force participation rate also decreased from 75.9 percent in November to 75.7 percent in December 2020 (down 0.3 percent or 0.2 percentage points). The labor force participation rate is the percentage of the population that is working, not working and on temporary layoff, or not working and actively looking for work.

“For people with disabilities, the labor force participation rate showed a small decline compared to last month,” noted economist Andrew Houtenville, PhD, research director of the University of New Hampshire’s Institute on Disability. “Over the course of the pandemic, we have seen people with disabilities staying engaged in the workforce by either working, actively looking for work, or still expecting to be recalled. The decline in December may reflect the reinstatement of restrictions to stop the increasing spread of COVID-19.”

Traditional nTIDE Numbers (comparison to the same time last year)

The employment-to-population ratio for working-age people with disabilities decreased from 30.6 percent in December 2019 to 29.4 percent in December 2020 (down 3.9 percent or 1.2 percentage points). For working-age people without disabilities, the employment-to-population ratio also decreased from 74.8 percent in December 2019 to 70.9 percent in December 2020 (down 5.2 percent or 3.9 percentage points).

The labor force participation rate for working-age people with disabilities decreased from 33.3 percent in December 2019 to 33.2 percent in December 2020 (down 0.3 percent or 0.1 percentage points). For working-age people without disabilities, the labor force participation rate also decreased from 77.3 percent in December 2019 to 75.7 percent in December 2020 (down 2.1 percent or 1.6 percentage points).

In December 2020, among workers ages 16-64, the 4,383,000 workers with disabilities represented 3.1 percent of the total 139,636,000 workers in the U.S.

nTIDE COVID Update – Friday, January 22 at 12:00 pm Eastern

Stay tuned for our mid-month update about the employment of people with disabilities as we follow the impact of COVID-19 and look at the numbers in more detail.

Ask Questions about Disability and Employment

Join our nTIDE Lunch & Learn series today, January 8, at 12:00 pm Eastern. This live broadcast, hosted via Zoom Webinar, offers attendees Q&A on the latest nTIDE findings, provides news and updates from the field, as well as invited panelists to discuss current disability-related findings and events. Today, David Jones, MPA, director of the Office of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities within the Administration for Community Living joins Dr. Houtenville, Elaine E. Katz from Kessler Foundation, and Denise Rozell, Policy Strategist at AUCD. Join live or watch the recordings at: ResearchonDisability.org/nTIDE.

NOTE: The statistics in the nTIDE are based on Bureau of Labor Statistics numbers but are not identical. They are customized by UNH to combine the statistics for men and women of working age (16 to 64). nTIDE is funded, in part, by grants from the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR) (90RT5037) and Kessler Foundation.

About Kessler Foundation

Kessler Foundation, a major nonprofit organization in the field of disability, is a global leader in rehabilitation research that seeks to improve cognition, mobility, and long-term outcomes — including employment — for people with neurological disabilities caused by diseases and injuries of the brain and spinal cord. Kessler Foundation leads the nation in funding innovative programs that expand opportunities for employment for people with disabilities. For more information, visit KesslerFoundation.org.

About the Institute on Disability at the University of New Hampshire

The Institute on Disability (IOD) at the University of New Hampshire (UNH) was established in 1987 to provide a coherent university-based focus for the improvement of knowledge, policies, and practices related to the lives of persons with disabilities and their families. For information on the NIDILRR-funded Employment Policy and Measurement Rehabilitation Research and Training Center, visit ResearchonDisability.org.

For more information, or to interview an expert, contact:

Carolann Murphy, 973.324.8382, CMurphy@KesslerFoundation.org.

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“Take Me Home” – Fort Bend County, TX Partners with ImageSoft to…


The Sheriff’s Department in Fort Bend County, TX, has officially launched “Take Me Home” – a program designed to improve encounters between law enforcement and individuals with cognitive impairments,…

(PRWeb January 05, 2021)

Read the full story at https://www.prweb.com/releases/take_me_home_fort_bend_county_tx_partners_with_imagesoft_to_ensure_high_risk_individuals_return_home_safely/prweb17640490.htm

National Braille Press Receives $150,000 from NewCo Foundation for Children’s Braille Book Club


We are honored to partner with NBP to put books in the hands of families who otherwise may not have access to print/braille books.

National Braille Press (NBP) announced that it has received a generous donation of $150,000 from the NewCo Foundation over the next five years to help NBP begin the next chapter of the Children’s Braille Book Club to provide free braille books for blind and visually impaired children and their families. Currently, 28 percent of blind children don’t have access to pleasure reading materials. Applications for the free subscriptions to the Children’s Braille Book Club open on January 4, 2021, the birthdate of the inventor of braille, Louis Braille, designated by the United Nations as World Braille Day. NBP will also be raising funds from new and existing donors to match the NewCo Foundation’s gift.

“We are excited to make this special commitment to such an important organization,” said Dave and Dawn Gross, founders of NewCo Foundation. “NBP’s impact in the lives of blind children and their families is significant. We hope other foundations and individuals will join us in supporting the right to read for blind children. We are honored to partner with NBP to put books in the hands of families who otherwise may not have access to print/braille books.”

“Thanks to David and Dawn, we will be leveraging their generous support with matching funds to increase access to the free print/braille books for families who need them,” said Brian Mac Donald, President of NBP. “This next chapter of the Children’s Braille Book Club supports NBP’s efforts to defend everyone’s right to read.”

Since 1983, the Children’s Braille Book Club, the first program of its kind, has been a subscription-based program where NBP sends a new print/braille picture book every month to blind and visually impaired children for a small fee. This new initiative will start by offering free 1-year (12 book) subscriptions of the Children’s Braille Book Club to 125 eligible families on a first-come, first-served basis. The free memberships will last one year, beginning March 2021 to February 2022. The goal is to have the book club free to everyone who qualifies within 5 years. For more information on the Children’s Braille Book Club, eligibility and how to apply, go to http://www.nbp.org

The first book of the new program will be Alma and How She Got her Name by Juana Martinez-Neal published by Candlewick Press of Somerville, MA. In the story, Alma Sofia Esperanza Jose Pura Candela goes on a quest to find out why such a small person has six names. She turns to her father for answers and learns that each name has a meaning and a story behind it. She learns that one day she will have her own story to tell.

The NewCo Foundation, of Santa Rosa Valley, CA, founded by Dave and Dawn Gross, is a non-profit organization driven by the incubation of ideas, products, services and companies founded by or employing students. The foundation supports on and off campus programs that provide employment opportunities for high school and college students to make meaningful contributions to startup endeavors.

About National Braille Press

National Braille Press is a non-profit braille publisher and producer of braille products. NBP creates products and programs to support braille literacy in the blind community and to provide access to information that empower blind people to actively engage in work, family, and community. For more information visit http://www.nbp.org

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A. Lynn Williams Becomes 2021 President of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association


“In my new role, I intend to focus on empowering ASHA members to advocate on behalf of the professions of audiology and speech-language pathology.”

A. Lynn Williams, PhD, CCC-SLP, took office this month as the 2021 president of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA).

In her term, Williams will work to advance the objectives of ASHA and its more than 211,000 members and affiliates who are audiologists; speech-language pathologists; speech, language, and hearing scientists; audiology and speech-language pathology support personnel; and students in communication sciences and disorders.

“I am honored to serve as ASHA’s 2021 President,” Williams said. “In my new role, I intend to focus on empowering ASHA members to advocate on behalf of the professions of audiology and speech-language pathology. As the country grapples with the health and educational consequences of the global pandemic; strives to address the pressing issues of diversity, equity and inclusion; and readies to inaugurate a new president who has been vocal about his experiences as a person who stutters, the importance of the professions is more apparent than ever.”

Williams holds two positions at East Tennessee State University in Johnson City, Tennessee: (1) Associate Dean for Academic Affairs in the College of Clinical and Rehabilitative Health Sciences and (2) Professor in the Department of Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology. Part of her work there involves providing oversight and curriculum development for allied health professions taught at her college.

An international expert on intervention for speech sound disorders in children, Williams has produced and/or given more than 175 professional publications and presentations. With funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), she developed a model of intervention for children with severe speech disorders that has been used nationally and internationally. She also developed an app with NIH funding that will translate research to facilitate intervention to children with speech sound disorders.

From 2016 to 2018, Williams served as ASHA’s Vice President for Academic Affairs in Speech-Language Pathology and was named an ASHA Fellow in 2006. Additionally, she was named a Distinguished Fellow at the National Academies of Practice; was inducted into the West Virginia University College of Human Resources and Education Hall of Fame; and was named an Erskine Fellow at the University of Canterbury in Christchurch, New Zealand. The Erskine Fellowship Programme annually invites 70 distinguished international visitors to lecture at the university.

Speaking of the challenges ahead of her as ASHA’s 2021 president, Williams noted that she will address them with special motivation. “It is the inspiring work of audiologists and speech-language pathologists,” she said. “Every day, across the country, they help advance ASHA’s vision of making effective communication, a human right, accessible and achievable for all.”

About the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA)

ASHA is the national professional, scientific, and credentialing association for 211,000 members and affiliates who are audiologists; speech-language pathologists; speech, language, and hearing scientists; audiology and speech-language pathology support personnel; and students. Audiologists specialize in preventing and assessing hearing and balance disorders as well as providing audiologic treatment, including hearing aids. Speech-language pathologists identify, assess, and treat speech, language and swallowing disorders.

View all ASHA press releases at http://www.asha.org/about/news.

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