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New Post has been published on http://www.leadonnetwork.org/wordpress/2013/09/10/technology-update-59/

Technology Update

An App to Nab Jerks Who Illegally Use Disabled Parking

By Emily Badger – Atlantic Cities

September 9, 2013

The Austin non-profit Parking Mobility argues that one in four cars parked in a disabled parking spot actually shouldn’t be there, an abuse so common that law enforcement could never reasonably keep up with it. But while meter maids don’t always spot these scofflaws, plenty of other people do (especially disabled drivers who are legitimately looking for such spots). So how do they get in on the shaming and ticketing?

There’s a clever app for that, described this week by the New York Times’ Wheels blog. Parking Mobility is trying to partner with cities on an app that would allow trained volunteers to file instant reports to the city from their smart phones of offenders they catch in the act. All they have to do is take three photos:

§  the rear of the vehicle (license plate and make/model of vehicle)

§  the parking spot showing both the vehicle and the disabled parking signs

§  the front windshield of the vehicle showing no disabled placard or ID

  Full Article

  CAPTEC Innovation Day Highlight: Reasonable Accommodations Under the Rehab Act 

In this informative video, Jo Linda Johnson, Director of Federal Training & Outreach Division, Office of Federal Operations, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, provides an overview of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the ADA Amendments Act of 2008. In her presentation, “Dispelling the Myths: Reasonable Accommodations under the Rehabilitation Act,” Johnson addresses definition basics, case studies, and appropriate solutions to employee situations.

  Quick Tip: Reducing Eyestrain When You Work 

Eyestrain can be common, especially for people who spend a lot of time viewing a computer monitor. Here are some quick tips to reduce and avoid eyestrain at work. 

  FEMA Wants Better Hurricane Alerts for People With Disabilities

By Joseph Marks September 6, 2013

The Federal Emergency Management Agency wants to make its systems for alerting and communicating with the public during natural disasters more easily accessible by people with disabilities, contracting documents show.

A solicitation posted in late August focuses on transmitting FEMA’s Integrated Public Alert and Warning System, or IPAWS, alerts to people with disabilities in hurricane-prone states. It would also include determining how local emergency managers are currently using social media to communicate with people with disabilities.

The contract will include integrating technology into existing emergency alert systems that make them more handicapped accessible. The contractor will also be tasked with figuring out how these alerting systems can be retrofitted for people who are illiterate or who don’t have a strong grasp of English.

The contract also includes developing handicapped-accessible options for mobile phone alerts and for social media communication during hurricanes and other emergencies

Full Article

  Announcing Comment Dates for Proposed Rulemaking on Improving Internet Protocol Captioned Telephone Service

On August 26th, the FCC issued a Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (FNPRM) on improving Internet Protocol Captioned Telephone Service (IP CTS) and making it less susceptible to fraud, waste and abuse.  IP CTS is a form of telecommunications relay service (TRS) that permits people who can speak, but who have a hearing loss, to speak directly to another party on a telephone call and to use an Internet Protocol-enabled device to simultaneously listen to the other party and read captions of what that party is saying.

The FNPRM seeks comment on several issues, including, for example: (1) whether to change the method for paying IP CTS providers; (2) whether the funding and responsibilities for overseeing IP CTS should be moved to state TRS programs; (3) improving the registration and verification system for IP CTS users; (4) ways to improve performance of the IP CTS service, such as speed and accuracy of the captions; and (5) ways to improve outreach efforts to educate the public about the use and purpose of IP CTS.

The Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for this IP CTS item was published in the Federal Register on September 3, 2013 at 78 FR 54201, 2013 WL 4681222 (F.R.). 

Comment Deadline:  October 18, 2013

Reply Comment Deadline:  November 18, 2013

Link to the FCC Order and FNPRM:

Word: http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-13-118A1.doc

PDF: http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-13-118A1.pdf

Text: http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-13-118A1.txt

  Excellence in Service for Paratransit Managers

Online Course

Date: September 16 – November 22

Registration Deadline: September 13

This free, 10-week virtual training course is designed for ADA complementary paratransit managers who are new to the field. Course content highlights the history of the disability movement and how to engage the disability community in different service areas. Participants will also gain a greater understanding of the Americans with Disabilities Act and how to better serve people with disabilities. Class members will complete five learning modules consisting of readings, videos, audio recordings, activities, forum entries, and quizzes and will participate in in-depth homework activities and one live closing teleconference. For more information, please contact Krystian Boreyko by email at [email protected] or by phone at 800-659-6428. To register, please email your name, ZIP code, phone number, email address, organization, and job title to [email protected] with “ESPM” in the subject line.