News and Notes 9 March 21
This issue includes North Regional Spinal Cord Injury System offering videos, survey released of family caregivers of people with multiple sclerosis, FEMA seeks input from stakeholder communities including people with disabilities, NIDRR Grantees participate in Brain Injury Awareness Day, Autism project publishes first Campbell Collaboration Systematic review, and RTC Rural hosts innovative web conference.
Spring has sprung in the DC region! The tidal basin is surrounded by clouds of pink cherry blossoms. Here at NARIC we are looking forward to the World of Possibilities Expo coming up in May. Are you in the Baltimore area? We have free tickets! Hope to see you there!
New Video Highlights Travel After SCI
The NIDRR-funded Northwest Regional Spinal Cord Injury System (H133N11099) offers a series of SCI Forum videos, the latest of which discusses "Travel After Spinal Cord Injury: Finding your Comfort Zone." Experienced travelers with SCI share their wisdom, along with a travel agent who specializes in the needs of travelers with disabilities. Viewers can submit input on this and future topics in a brief survey.
Autism Project Publishes First Campbell Collaboration Systematic ReviewThe NIDRR-funded project on Vocational Rehabilitation Service Models for Individuals with ASD (H133A080027) recently published its first systematic review titled Adult employment assistance services for persons with autism spectrum disorders: Effects on employment outcomes. The review determines the "effectiveness of adult employment interventions in securing and maintaining employment for adults with ASD" in two studies. It also examines qualitative studies to identify elements of successful programs, pointing to areas of future research. The review is available to download from the Campbell Collaboration Library.
NIDRR Grantees Participate in Brain Injury Awareness Day on Capitol Hill
The Congressional Brain Injury Task Force is hosting the Brain Injury Awareness Day on March 21st. Among the events is a BIA fair in the Rayburn House Office Building from 10 to 2, a briefing on "The Impact of Brain Injury: Any Time, Any One, Any Age" from 2:30 to 4 with a panel discussion (see schedule and panelists [PDF]), and a reception at 5:30. The NIDRR-funded TBI Model Systems (TBIMS) will be represented at the fair by the TBIMS National Data and Statistical Center (H133A110006). Their exhibit, created in collaboration with the Model Systems Knowledge Translation Center (H133A110004), will highlight the work of the Model Systems and their consumer information products.
RTC Rural Hosts Innovative Web Conference
The NIDRR-funded Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Disability in Rural Communities (H133B080023) is hosting a State of the Science web conference on Disability and Rehabilitation in Rural America from April 17th through the 20th. The four-day event features one speaker each day, presenting their philosophy and approach to "preserving the heritage of rural America while solving the problems rural Americans face." Participants are encouraged to read the presenters' papers and submit comments, questions, and scenarios in advance. Speaker and registration information are online. This conference is free and open to all!
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the White House are both seeking input from stakeholder communities, including people with disabilities. FEMA's monthly Think Tank conference call focuses on "approaches for incorporating and integrating access and functional needs issues" in emergency management. The conference call takes place this Thursday from 3 to 5 EST. The White House is using their successful IdeaScale model to open a "National Dialogue on Improving the Section 508 Program." Community members are encouraged to submit their ideas to improve the accessibility of information and telecommunications technology purchased and developed by the US Government.
Multiple Sclerosis and Caregivers
The National Alliance for Caregiving, the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, and Sanofi released the results of a national survey of family caregivers of people with multiple sclerosis (MS) (PDF). The survey profiles the average family caregiver, and provides insight into the stresses these families experience and where they turn for information and support. Among their findings: The long life cycle of MS means caregivers are providing care longer than caregivers in general. The full report (PDF) is available from caregiving.org.
