News and Views

Bill Gates has issued his first annual letter about the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation’s work, which includes a section on education and reform.

Representative David Obey of Wisconsin, Chair of the Appropriations Committee for the House, has introduced a stimulus package that has good news in it for education. Nancy Reder from the National Association of State Directors of Special Education (NASDSE) points out that there is $13 B for Part B and $600 M for Part C. There is also $13 B for Title I; $250 M for statewide data systems; $66 M for formula grants to states to provide services to homeless children and $300 million to provide financial incentives to teachers and principals who raise student achievement and close the achievement gaps in high-need schools.

The National Center for Leadership in Visual Impairment maintains a website to announce graduates of the program. The most recent graduate is Julie Durando, from the University of Northern Colorado. She joins Stacy Kelly, Derrick Smith, and Tiffany Wild. Congratulations to all!

Secretary of Education Spellings released new No Child Left Behind regulations today. At http://www.ed.gov/news/pressreleases/2008/10/10282008.html is a press release and links to a copy of the regulations and fact sheets. On Thursday, October 30^th, from 1-2 pm EDT, the Department will host a webinar. For more information on how to participate in the webinar, you can link to: http://www.connectlive.com/events/deptedu103008/.

The National Council on Disability released this new report today that you may find of interest: 

www.ncd.gov/newsroom/publications/2008/doc/RehabilitationTransitions.doc

The following message was received from Bryan Gould:

Seeking TVI input on WGBH’s Teachers’ Domain enhanced resources

The WGBH Media Access Group is inviting teachers of students with visual impairments to provide input on amendments to lesson plans and activities built around Teachers’ Domain resources that would better serve your students.

Please read the enclosed PDF document for details about this opportunity.

I encourage you to forward this email to fellow TVI’s and others who might enjoy contributing to this project. If there are websites, listservs or blogs that would be appropriate for posting this info, please let me know or feel free to post it yourself.

Thanks for considering this and for helping to get the word out.

Bryan Gould

Invitation to Provide Input (pdf)

Each new piece of knowledge helps us understand the process better.

LONDON (Reuters) - A protein in the inner ear helps people differentiate between sounds and understand speech, French researchers reported on Wednesday in a finding that could help treat the hard of hearing.

Scientists find key protein helps people hear | Science | Reuters.

The following discussion forum will be available for participation from October 6 - November 3:

http://www.sharedwork.org/index.cfm

Description of the project from their website:

Project Forum at NASDSE has joined forces with CAST to host this virtual forum on UDL policy issues. We intend for this shared work as a conversation on policy issues related to UDL implementation in schools, districts and states. All interested parties are welcome to discuss policy challenges and barriers to UDL implementation. Guided topical questions will be posted between October 6 and November 3, 2008 to facilitate your collegial discussions and identification of barriers. Your input will help shape the agenda for further UDL policy work.

An invitation from the CAST National Consortium Newsletter Number 26…
On Monday, October 6, 2008. CAST held Virtual Forum regarding Universal Design for Learning with Educators, SPED Directors, and School, District, and State Administrators interested in shaping policy related to UDL Implementation.

During this forum discussions centered around challenges to the implementation of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) with colleagues at the federal, state, district and school levels across the nation. The conversations will inform a small core team’s work at a future face-to-face forum as they develop UDL policy recommendations.

CAST and Project Forum at NASDSE (National Association of State Directors of Special Education) hosted this free webinar on Universal Design for Learning (UDL) as a kick-off event for a month-long online policy forum on UDL implementation.

The conversation will continue for the next 30 days at: http://www.sharedwork.org/index.cfm under the Universal Design for Learning Policy Issues section.

A new software program from Apple reportedly makes the iTunes database accessible for individuals who are blind.

The new software - which transforms the written information on an iTunes-linked computer screen into speech or Braille - stemmed from an agreement between Apple, the Cupertino, Calif.-based computer company, the National Federation of the Blind and Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley.

Software makes iTunes accessible to blind - BostonHerald.com

This is significant because iTunes U - which some universities are now stocking with lecture materials for class use - is also accessible using this new software.

The news isn’t all good, however. In a related story from Sep 26, this new software is free for Macintosh computer users but PC users will have to pay for the software.

The new iTunes can be read on a Macintosh, though people with PCs must buy “screen access software” to make it work. It’s pricey, retailing for around $1,000.
Apple makes iTunes more Accessible - Boston Herald