EReaders and Ebooks

i wonder when text books be available on Ereaders? that would be a real blessing for the disabled, but then again i'm sure they would be five times the cost! when i started college someone read my books onto tap. then they were cut up and scanned to cd. i also got books the blind, are books for the blind online yet?

Vanessa Maxwell Tucker Dan, I believe that most are already available through the following two resources: NIMAS and www.bookshare.org. I don't know regarding all ereaders but the availability has never been better. Yes, the books for the blind fall under this category as well.

Vanessa Maxwell Tucker http://aim.cast.org/

Vanessa Maxwell Tucker Sorry...I feel like I'm spamming but here's one more: http://www.nimac.us/

Daniel Keplinger no, you are not spamming. i like links i collect them and share them. it is amazing how many resources there are and a lot of people don't know about them. thanks

Daniel Keplinger The Gargantuan Textbook Tablet http://ow.ly/3gOWh

Daniel Keplinger Google Editions E-Reader Service to be launched in US by the Year End http://bit.ly/hTFotg

Yes, I'm textor

I wonder if one-day cell phones plans would offer more text messages compare to minutes. It would be helpful for the disabled, I know I send more text then I do talk. Not only because my phone is not working at the moment, but in geranial its easier. Now I see commercial for things as life link that are available for people that have low income, or disabled. I don't think that would do much good for me, since I am more of a text person.

Finding New Rides

As some of you know Dena and I sit on the Ellene "Brit" Christiansen fund board that promotes making art more accessible for the disabled. We were contact by a student at MICA that is also in need of a new manual chair. Being that I went through this myself less then a year ago, I know how frustrating this is not having funds for a new wheel chair. I know UCP has something like a wheel chair, but I think most of them are kids sizes. Would anyone have any ideas of where to find low cost, or donated wheel chairs?

Wheelchair Foundation is a global network that gather donations and distributes wheelchair.
http://www.wheelchairfoundation.org/

Whirlwind Wheelchair International teaches how to build strong low cost wheelchairs to be used in underdeveloped countries.
http://www.whirlwindwheelchair.org/

Wheelchair Recycler - Collects, refurbish and re-issue used power wheelchairs at little or no expense to the new user.
http://wheelchairrecycler.org/

Wheelchairs for Iraqi Kids provides pediatric wheelchairs for disabled children of Iraq.
http://www.wheelchairsforiraqikids.com/

Used Wheelchairs USA:
Gently Used Electric Wheelchairs -- Sells/buys/rents used
power electric wheel chairs: motorized Pride Mobility Jazzy/Jet/Quantum
and Invacare Pronto powerchairs.

Secondhand and Used Wheelchairs and Disability Equipment Classifieds
http://www.apparelyzed.com/disability-equipment/

Easy Med Online
http://www.easymedonline.com/used-power-wheelchairs-and-mobility-scooters/

Art Blog, Perfect Studio Day

Last Tuesday Dena and I both got up early, she had to deliver some jewelry and I wanted to do some art. I just knew it was going to be a good art day when I put on my studio close and Dena started to make coffee.
I keep thinking of the scene from Pollock where his “wife” handed him the coffee as he goes out off the house and changes his shoes when in the barn. Dena and I used to do the same routine when I was in grad school, but I had a longer walk.
I worked for 6 hours, so I could finish the piece that was just waiting for me. I took my phone with me, in case I wanted to text. The only thing I didn’t have was music, the iPod was dead.
After working I cleaned up and change into some sweats to relax the rest of the night.

Art Blog

So I had a meeting on Friday at Gougher College in Baltimore. They have a new art gallery for local artist. It is more through their community out reach program. I will be the first artist to exhibit there in February, being a true artist I said I would do 10 new pieces by the hang date. 


Now my ass needs to get motivated, I have been thinking of issuing Dena a Chile challenge, since she knows what happened in the studio after we get back from Chile. Plus our coffee pot broke!


I also plan to keep an artist blog to show what really go goes into putting a show together. As I said before it is not just the work that I put on the walls.

Advise For Future Teachers

This question came from a professor that just showed King Gimp to their class. Do you have any suggestions for my students as they go out into their own classrooms, especially in the area of communicating with families? Or any other suggestions in teaching children with special needs?

Being a teacher is not much unlike being an artist, they both are fields that do not offer monetary wealth. The riches come from the rewards that come from how others benefits from your passions.
No matter how long you are in this field, I encourage you to always be a student. I have been disabled since birth, an artist since 16 and I still learn about new services and tools to help me through life.
Always be challenged to work as a team with piers, parents, and students that will bring success in your field to always grow with knowledge.

FEB Disability Employment and Awareness Training Conference/ Iowa National Rehabilitation Institute Conference

It was another double header week, on Wednesday we spoke at the FEB Disability Employment and Awareness Training Conference and the next day we flew to Iowa for the Iowa National Rehabilitation Institute Conference. The first engagement was straightforward, just go do my thing and give people a lot to think about. As we pull in the parking lot Dena was amazed to see how they reserved a space for us.

The audience was made of federal workers and Veterans; after I did my speech I was given a challenge coin. I was told that this coin should be with me at all times, because any officer could ask to see it. If I could not produce my coin, I would need to do 50 push-ups. I am of course shooting myself in the toe by putting this out there.

Another attendee so happened to work with Paul Perrooka years ago and I knew Paul from the school bus and other circles. After the gentleman heard my address, he felt bad that he did not give Paul more opportunities in life, or to express himself. My response was now he has a new approach for his current and future clients.

The next day Dena and I wear off to Iowa for the National Rehabilitation Institute Conference. Due to a schedule conflict, we could not arrive until the second day. It really work to our advantage, before we went to the hotel we stopped at Wal—mart. I am sure the students that picked us up from the airport, loved seeing Dena walk to the car with beer. We got to the hotel just in time for lunch and some awards that the association gives out.

When I am asked to give the keynote address, at the last minute I always hope that my topic is portinate to the conference? That is what I liked about speaking on the last day of this conference. It must of really helped, since one attendee already ask me to come back to Iowa to present at a different conference.

I always say, I am more then just going to speak. Dena and I like to be social and that night started with some board games and a Celtic band, they played Danny boy by request. We showed up with our room’s ice bucket full of ice and beer. So groups should not worry when things get a bit wild. You are getting together with friends and piers that you see once a year. I am sure everyone has a kinggimp story, or 6.
When the last speaker and I were done the next morning, everyone was gone by 2. So Dena and I had quiet night to our selves!!!!!!!!!