What's New at CED
June / July 2009
- Article Published in International Magazine
- Universal Design and Technology Workshop
- Higher Education Access Needs Assessment
- I&R Trainings
- New WVATS Loan Library and Exchange System
- Sexuality Training
- Chafee Program Hosts Mini-Conference
- Rural Ministry Conference Presentation
- Summer Institute on Aging Presentation
- CED Staff News
- Closing the Gap magazine, a publication that provides parents and educators information and training necessary to locate, compare, and implement assistive technology, published "Implementing Innovative Uses of Assistive Technology in the Classroom" written by the West Virginia Assistive Technology System (WVATS). This article focused on the initiative WVATS created to collaborate with public school teachers and personnel, providing mini-grant opportunities up to $750.00 to fund new projects to improve outcomes for students with IEPs or 504 plans. Published six times a year, the Closing the Gap magazine highlights hardware and software products appropriate for people with special needs, and explains how this technology is being implemented in education, rehabilitation, and vocational settings around the world. For more information, contact Jamie Hayhurst Marshall at 304-293-4692 x 1141 or e-mail her at jhayhurst@hsc.wvu.edu.
- Sarah Jacobin and Ashley Watts, Assistive Technology Specialists, will present "Universal Design and Assistive Technology: A Holistic Approach to Post Secondary Education Access," at the 32nd Annual AHEAD Conference in Louisville, Kentucky on July 22, 2009. The workshop will demonstrate a holistic approach to provide access to students with disabilities in post-secondary education. The presentation will also highlight methods to train faculty and administrators on universal design practices, accessible information technology and assistive technology. For more information, call Sarah Jacobin at 304-293-4692 x 1144 or e-mail her at sjacobin@hsc.wvu.edu.
- The Higher Education Access Project sent a needs assessment to over 4,000 faculty, staff and administrators at WVU including its satellite campuses, Potomac State College of WVU and the WVU Institute of Technology. The purpose of the needs assessment is to determine the needs of administrators, faculty and staff in relation to students with disabilities in their classrooms, laboratories and offices at WVU. Training opportunities will be offered with respect to any needs expressed by WVU faculty, administrators and staff. If you are a WVU employee and would like to complete the needs assessment, please go to www. cedwvu.org/programs/highered. If you have any questions, or would like a paper version of the needs assessment, please e-mail Ashley Watts at awatts@hsc.wvu.edu, or call 304-293-4692 x 1134.
- Jamie Hayhurst Marshall and Melina Danko presented "Fostering Excellence in Serving Persons with Disabilities: Information and Referral and Assistance Skills and Resources" at the 2009 National AIRS conference which was held in Reno, NV May 31- June 3. The workshop provided individuals in the field of information and referral (I&R) with the basics of providing I&R services to individuals in special populations, specifically increasing awareness of how to assist seniors and individuals with disabilities. Jamie and Melina also presented "Information and Referral: Best Practices for Answering Calls" to CED staff on June 17, 2009 in the second floor conference room of the CED in Morgantown.
- The new WVATS AT4All Loan Library and Exchange system is now up and running at vll.cedwvu.org. WVATS would like to encourage CED staff to sign up as users on the site to use it as a tool when working with clients and also to give staff some feedback on its design and usability. For more information, call Sarah Jacobin at 304-293-4692 x 1144 or e-mail her at sjacobin@hsc.wvu.edu.
- Theresa Evanoff will be presenting a “Sexuality Training for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities” on June 25th from 9:30-3:30 at the CED in Morgantown. The training will be free of charge and will provide 5 hours of CEU credits for Social Workers. For more information or to register, e-mail thedrick@hsc.wvu.edu or call 304-293-4692 x 1163.
- The West Virginia Chafee Foster Care Independence Program hosted a weekend mini-conference in Flatwoods on May 29 -30, 2009. Youth from three independent living programs participated in workshops and experiential learning activities to create budgets and manage their finances. For more information, call Alicia McIntire at 304-558-6067 or e-mail her at Alicia.R.McIntire@wv.gov.
- Regina Mayolo, presented "Being Informed Opens Doors" to the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston Rural Ministry Conference on June 1, 2009. Regina also presented "I Want To Go Home!" at the 2009 Summer Institute on Aging on June 2, 2009 at the Waterfront Hotel in Morgantown.
- Mary Slabinski, presented “Seniors In Action: Rural Health Programs That Work,” at the Summer Institute on June 4, 2009 at the Waterfront Hotel. Participants learned the benefits and challenges of using peer led community based practice models and social networks in service provision, health education, and information dissemination in empowering seniors to live independently.
- CED Staff News:
- Ron Sommerville, graduated this spring from the Palmer Theological Seminary of Eastern University, Philadelphia, PA with a Masters of Divinity degree.
- The Specialized Family Care project welcomes a new staff member. Cheryl Harvey is a new Family Based Care Specialist based in Logan. Cheryl will cover Logan, Boone and Mingo counties. Originally from Kentucky, Cheryl received a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Morehead State University and has also lived in Florida and West Virginia. Cheryl’s work experience includes working as a Victims Advocate, Rape Crisis Community Educator, Director of Social Services, Juvenile Probation Officer and Child Protective Investigator. To contact Cheryl, call 304-792-7095, x 115 or e-mail her at Cherly.L.Harvey@wv.gov.
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