The Advocate - Volume 6, Issue 1 Spring 2013

Welcome to the spring edition of the Advocate.

Don't Forget to -- Check your APSU email for IMPORTANT ODS updates, notices, reminders and important information. 

Simply “Like” us on Facebook for latest updates about news and events taking place at Austin Peay State University and the Office of Disability Services.

Save The Date: April 1, 2013 is Disability Awareness Month Kick-off

Meet our staff:

Director: Lynette Taylor

Associate Director: Janet Norman

Adaptive Technology Coordinator: Philip Voorhees

Administrative Assistant II: April Williams

Graduate Assistant: Erin Young

Information Central:

LeRoy Parks Civitan Scholarship

The LeRoy C. Parks Scholarship was established by the Civitan Club to honor Mr. Parks service as 1999-2000 International President. Civitan's main focus is to assist individuals with disabilities. The deadline for this scholarship is April 2nd, 2013. http://www.apsu.edu/scholarships.

2013-2014 TN-AHEAD 4-YEAR SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION

1. Must be a resident of Tennessee and registered with the institution’s disability services office.
2. Must have completed a minimum for 40 hours of college credit at the time of application.
3. Must be enrolled at a four-year institution during the award period for a minimum of nine (9) credit hours.
4. Must be currently enrolled for a minimum of nine (9) credit hours.
5. Minimum of 2.5 (on a 4.0 scale) collegiate GPA and be in good standing.
6. Provide two (2) letters of recommendation with at least one (1) from a faculty member.
7. Nomination by a TN-AHEAD member.
8. Entire application must be completed, including certification from the Disability Services Provider as well as the required essay. You may use additional pages as needed. 

Application Deadline: March 15, 2013 4-Year_TN_AHEAD_SCHOLARSHIP_FORM_2013-14.doc

Important Dates:

March 11-16 2013: Spring Break. No Classes

March 21, 2013: Wellness Expo, 11am to 2pm

March 29, 2013: Good Friday. University Closed

April 1, 2013: Disability Awareness Kick-Off - MUC 303-305 Time: 10am to 12pm

April 6, 13, 20, 27: Chance to Dance - Memorial Health/Red Barn Time: 9am to 11am

April 9, 2013: Freedom Scientific Vision Awareness Day - MUC 303-305 Time: 9am to 3pm

April 16, 2013: ODS Open House and CART Demonstration – MUC 114 Time 9am to 11am

April 24, 2013: STAR Access Technology Bus – MUC Plaza, Time 10am to 2:pm.

May 2, 2013: Study Day. No Classes.

May 3-9 2013: Final Exams.

May 10, 2013: Commencement 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM Dunn Center.

March: 

Paralympic Experience on March 9, 2013

Will take place on March 9 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Kleeman Community Center, 116 Cunningham Lane. This event is open to youth and adults at least 8 years of age, including active duty service members and veterans, with physical and visual disabilities, regardless of skill level. Pre-registration is strongly encouraged. To pre-register and for more information, click here. recpro.cityofclarksville.com

April is Disability Awareness Month at APSU

Event Schedule:

Disability Awareness Kick-Off April 1, 2013

The Disability Awareness Kick-Off will be held on April 1, 2013 in the Morgan University Center, Room 303 & 305 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM. This event officially introduces a month of events aimed at bringing awareness to individuals with disabilities.  We will be hosting a brunch where students can meet our staff in a relaxed, social atmosphere.

Chance to Dance April 6, 13, 20 and 27

This is an introductory dance program for youth between the ages of 8-13 with disabilities. The event will be held on April 6, 13, 20 and 27, from 10 a.m.-noon, in the Memorial Health "Red Barn", Studio B. Youth will learn basic dance skills, rhythm and creative expression. Participants will take part in a presentation on April 27. This event is sponsored by the Austin Peay Dance Program and the Office of Disability Services

Freedom Scientific Vision Awareness Event April 9, 2013

Morgan University Center, Room 303 & 305 from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM Learn  More About Living with Vision Loss
FREE Learning Sessions • FREE Lunch • HANDS-ON Demonstrations

ODS Open House and CART Demonstration April 16, 2013

CART, what is CART? Come tour our office and participate in a CART demonstration in the AT Lab, , meet our staff and play with our assistive technology from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM Tuesday April 16th, 2013.

STAR Access Center Bus April 24, 2013

Commonly referred to as "the STAR Center on wheels" by many staffers and consumers alike, the Access Express provides computer access evaluation, workplace accommodations, employer orientations and assistive technology evaluations to those in need of the services but who are unable to access them. The STAR Access bus will be located in the MUC Plaza from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM.

In order to highlight the growing need for concern and awareness about autism, the Autism Society has been celebrating National Autism Awareness Month since the 1970s. The United States recognizes April as a special opportunity for everyone to educate the public about autism and issues within the autism community.

4^th Annual Fort Campbell Walk for Autism: April 27, 2013

Will take place on April 27 from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. at Fryar Stadium at Fort Campbell, Ky. This walk will raise awareness and unite Families who have been affected by Autism. This event is free and open to the public, for more information call 270-798-2727.

Join the Autism Society in getting involved with the autism community this April.

Put on the Puzzle! The Autism Awareness Puzzle Ribbon is the most recognized symbol of the autism community in the world. Autism prevalence is now one in every 110 children in America - that’s 13 million families and growing who live with autism today. Show your support for people with autism by wearing the Autism Awareness Puzzle Ribbon – as a pin on your shirt, a magnet on your car, a badge on your blog, or even your Facebook profile picture - and educate folks on the potential of people with autism! To learn more about the Autism Awareness Puzzle Ribbon visit http://www.autism-society.org/about-us/puzzle-ribbon.html.

Country Music Nashville Marathon and ½ Marathon: April 27, 2013 - Do not let your disability prevent you from achieving your goal of crossing the finish line.

Racing Wheelchair Division Rules

- Racing wheelchairs shall be defined as a customized performance chair.

- Due to safety issues on the course, and in accordance with International Paralympic Committee rules, NO hand cycles (hand bikes, hand crank devices or other mechanically gear driven devices) will be permitted in the race.

IPC Athletics Rules will be enforced. For additional rules view: www.ipc-athletics.org.

Furthermore the race will abide by the rules and policies of the recognized governing bodies of the sports of wheelchair racing, which do not allow the use of mechanical gears found on hand bikes. For additional information contact: Wheelchair Sports USA www.wsusa.org and the International Paralympic Committee www.ipc-athletics.org.

For Additional Information: Contact Tracy Sundlun at wheelchair@eliteracing.com or 678-283-4424.

Read more at: http://www.runrocknroll.competitor.com/nashville

Tech Corner:

ODS provides individual, group and open Assistive Technology orientations for AT available on campus. For open orientation dates and times go to the Announcements and Events link on the ODS web site. For individual and group orientations please contact the Adaptive Technology Coordinator at ods@apsu.edu to schedule a date and time.