NTAC e.News — September 1, 2008

Asian/Pacific Islander Words of Wisdom

With the Beijing Olympics just ending, here is a review of ten important Chinese (Mandarin) phrases you should have picked up, followed by their suggested pronunciations:

1. Ni hao! (knee how)- Hello!
2. Ni hao ma? (knee how ma)- How are you?
3. Wo hen hao. (woh hun how)- I'm very well (thanks).
4. Duo shao qian? (dwo shaoh chyen)- How much (money)?
5. Jiu ming a! (jo ming a) Help (if you're in danger)!
6. Qing bang wo yixia! (ching bang woh e siyah)- Please help me (as in a favor)!
7. Xiexie. (syeh-syeh)- Thanks.
8. Dianhua. (dyen hwa)- Phone.
9. Pianyi dianr ba. (pyenyi dyar ba)- Make it cheaper.
10. Wo ai ni! (woh ahy knee)- I love you!

Source: http://www.helium.com/items/408186-key-phrases-in-chinese-that-travelers-should-know

Announcements: NTAC

EARN 10 CEUS ONLINE--POSTPONED!

The tenth offering of the online course, "Introduction to Disability/Rehabilitation with Asian/Pacific Islander Americans," was scheduled to begin on August 18th. However, it is postponed until October 6th. Tuition for this offering remains a very reasonable $100.

Each offering of this month-long course has been facilitated by NTAC-AAPI, with Paul Leung (Professor and Director of the Department of Rehabilitation, Social Work, and Addictions at the University of North Texas), and Nan Zhang Hampton (Professor of the Department of Administration, Rehabilitation, and Postsecondary Education at San Diego State University) serving as professors.

For more information, or to preview the required readings before the next course begins, please go to the following website: http://www.ntac.hawaii.edu/AAPIcourse/. To get on the mailing list for the course, or to find out where to mail your tuition payment, please send an email to James D. Brightman, NTAC-AAPI Vocational Rehabilitation Coordinator, at jamesdb@hawaii.edu. Tell all your colleagues that they too, like you, can complete this popular course while earning 10 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) to apply to their CRC.

Announcements: National and International

NEW EEOC PUBLICATION AIMED AT INCREASING OPPORTUNITIES FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES IN FEDERAL EMPLOYMENT

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) today issued a new question-and-answer guide aimed at promoting the hiring and advancement of individuals with disabilities in federal government employment. The new publication is available on the EEOC's web site here.

Positions Available

Soft Skills: The Competitive Edge

What do employers look for in new employees? According to the 2006 report Are They Really Ready to Work? Employers' Perspectives on the Basic Knowledge and Applied Skills of New Entrants to the 21st Century U.S. Workforce, it may not be what some young job seekers expect. This in-depth survey of 461 business leaders reveals that while the three "R's" (reading, writing, and arithmetic) are still fundamental to every employee's ability to do the job, employers view "soft" skills as even more important to work readiness.

Tips on How Parents Can Put Their Children with Disabilities on the Path to Future Employment

Starting early is a key component to your child's future success. Start by exploring the work world together and conveying your expectations that he/she can and will work when he/she grows up. Provide opportunities for your child to gain early work experience through volunteer work in your community. To read all of this tip and the others, visit this web-page.

Recruiting Young People with Disabilities: A Hiring Strategy with Bottom Line Benefits

Thanks to advancements in technology, young people with disabilities can do virtually any job that someone without a disability can perform. Expanding your workplace to include young people with and without disabilities is a positive way to help shape the future workforce-and benefit your business. To read this article in its entirety, click here.

Recent Products

For a complete list of NTAC products, please visit the Products section of our Web site.

Resources

MacArthur's $2 Million Digital Media & Learning Competition Open and Expanded

The MacArthur Foundation, along with the University of California, Irvine, Duke University, and the virtual network HASTAC, has opened a $2 million international Digital & Learning Media competition that focuses on participatory learning and creates an award category for young innovators aged 18-25. Applications are due October 15, 2008. click here for more information.

Institute of Education Sciences Ed-Tech Research Grant

The Institute of Education Sciences (IES) is currently accepting applications for its Education Technology research grants program. This program supports research on education technology tools designed to provide or support instruction in reading, writing, mathematics, or science or to provide professional development for teachers related to instruction in those subjects. Applications are due October 2, 2008. click here for more information.

Siemens Competition in Math, Science & Technology

The Siemens Competition in Math, Science & Technology seeks to promote excellence by fostering intensive research that improves students' understanding and informs their consideration of future careers. Students may undertake individual or team research projects. Submissions are due October 1, 2008. click here for more information.

Institutes / Conferences

Mapping Hawaii Communities: An Introduction to GIS & Community Analysis

October 29th and 30th - One Day Workshops; information can be found here. This hands-on workshop focuses on teaching the fundamentals of using a Geographic Information System (GIS) for community analysis. Participants will learn to create thematic maps with Census data, Geocoding (Address mapping) and Spatial Queries. Other features of the workshop are learning to extract Census data and good map layout and design. For a detailed description of the workshop, please visit http://www.urban-research.info/workshops/hawaii-gis.htm.

ADA Road Show

The DBTAC Great Lakes ADA Center is collaborating with the Great Plains ADA Center to bring their "ADA Road Show" to northwestern Illinois. The Great Lakes and Great Plains ADA Centers are using this opportunity to cross borders and reach out to people in both regions. The ADA Road Show is a program offered this fall by the Great Plains DBTAC across their 4 state area and will be held in 8 different cities. The Great Lakes ADA Center is taking advantage of the proximity to co-host this event with them. If you have questions or want more information, feel free to contact them at 800-949-4232 (V/TTY) or by email at gldbtac@uic.edu .

TRANSFORMING LIVES THROUGH WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

This conference will cover building strategic business partnerships; creating a prisoner re-entry program based on mentoring and gaining employment; showing the success of your programs through outcomes-based evaluation; and discovering high-growth jobs in your area and how to place people in those jobs. The conference will be held on October 2nd 2008. For more information, or to register, click here.

Accessible Media, Web & Technology Conference - Accessing Higher Ground

On November 11th-14th, EASI provides a great opportunity to make and build networks of colleagues and friends. This conference offers: Over 50 presentations and hands-on sessions, a unique two-day institute on electronic text, and much much more. To get the full Conference Packet right away. Download the PDF version from the web site at: http://www.colorado.edu/ATconference.

Career Development Web Course Sept 10-23, 2008

Training Resource Network Inc. is offering its 2-week, 20-hour web training covering key principles and hands-on tools for innovative vocational assessment, career development skills, and vocational profiling for youth and adults with disabilities. A key factor in the job success of students and adults with disabilities is the job match. This course is an opportunity to learn how to support people to develop a career path that makes sense for them. To learn more about the training and to register, go to: http://www.trninc.com/entry/welcome2.asp.

Research / Publications

AUCD Now Accepting Applications for the 2009 Disability Policy Fellowship

AUCD is now accepting applications for the 2009 Disability Policy Fellowship. The purpose of this year-long fellowship is to offer a significant experience in national level activities related to policy and legislative development, advocacy, program development, technical assistance, and association administration. For application instructions, click here. Applications are dueSeptember 29, 2008 but will continue to be accepted until the position is filled. The fellowship is expected to begin in early 2009.