Temple Grandin at TED Talk - Autism is a Gift

Dr. Temple Grandin is an expert in animal sciences but it is her insight into her own autism that has really catapulted her profile and career. You can hear Grandin putting her support behind bringing back the trades and the hand-on careers back into schools as they definitely serve those who find it difficult to do 'regular' academic work.

An expert on animal behavior, Temple Grandin has designed humane handling systems for half the cattle-processing facilities in the US, and consults with the meat industry to develop animal welfare guidelines. As PETA wrote when awarding her a 2004 Proggy: “Dr. Grandin's improvements to animal-handling systems found in slaughterhouses have decreased the amount of fear and pain that animals experience in their final hours, and she is widely considered the world's leading expert on the welfare of cattle and pigs.”

Grandin’s books about her interior life as an autistic person have increased the world's understanding of the condition with personal immediacy -- and with import, as rates of autism diagnosis rise. She is revered by animal rights groups and members of autistic community, perhaps because in both regards she is a voice for those who are sometimes challenged to make themselves heard.

"Autism is part of who I am."

Temple Grandin

[Via TED]

Accessible Wheels (#ncti2009)

Presenting at the NCTI 2009 is an honor as it celebrates some of the most innovative technological solutions in education.  The 2009 NCTI Technology Innovators Conference, Educational Futures — Powered by Technology, will focus on how learning and assistive technologies can supercharge education for all students.The NCTI is funded by the U.S. Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) and housed in Housed at the American Institutes for Research in Washington, D.C. 

It's only fitting that the most recent episode of the hugley popular new comedy Glee featured the character of Arty Abrams (Kevin McHale) and his quest to being himself.  All the other members of the Glee club were told to use a wheelchair for 3 hours of the school day so that they would realize what life is like for Arty every single day.  The episode was great and his solo/soliloquy was awesome.  Go Arty and Dance wherever you want!

The National Center for Technology Innovation (NCTI) advances learning opportunities for individuals with disabilities by fostering technology innovation. Specifically, we help researchers, product developers, manufacturers and publishers to create and commercialize products of value to students with special needs.

To achieve its goals NCTI offers services to:

• Analyze needs, issues, trends, and promising technology innovations
• Cultivate a collaborative network
• Promote reliable research-based solutions
• Facilitate successful commercialization approaches for the education market

Funded by the U.S. Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP), NCTI works with a deep and supportive community of government, nonprofit, and private organizations. Our network of individuals and staff is dedicated not only to the development of powerful assistive technologies but to the commercial success that will make them viable on a large scale.

And here is the rest of it.