It was after watching a news story about a middle school student who is Deaf that Teresa Von Loh and Linda Deichsel decided to establish their company, Virtual VRI (Video Remote Interpreting). This particular student was in a mainstream classroom environment for several years without access to a Sign Language interpreter because none were available in her small, rural town.  They are both nationally certified by the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, and all of their contractors are as well. In addition, they have many years of interpreting experience in a wide variety of settings.

Needless to say, Teresa and Linda are incredibly passionate about the Video Remote Interpreting services they provide, and they offer the most cost effective hourly rates in the VRI industry. Since VRI is offered via the internet instead of an interpreter having to drive to the location, the service is also eco-friendly.  [Read more…]

Source: Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN)

Freddie Mac, a leading mortgage lending company, is partnering with the Autistic Self Advocacy Network to place Autistic interns in full time, paid positions. Freddie Mac is dedicated to including Autistic people as part of a diverse workforce

All positions will be held on the Freddie Mac campus in McLean, Virginia. Accepting the job requires relocation for people outside the Washington, D.C. metro and surrounding areas. Resumes will be accepted through June 14, 2013. Each internship will last for 16 weeks from the start date. Internships will start in early July 2013.

Resumes must be sent to [email protected].

NCIL sends our support to the many people affected by the disaster in Oklahoma.

Progressive Independence of Norman, Oklahoma will be taking donations to help with the relief efforts. Bottled water, clothes, canned food, dog / cat food, blue pads, etc. will be accepted at their office, located at 121 N. Porter Avenue, Norman, Oklahoma.

Checks should be made out to the Red Cross. If you want to make a donation for the relief efforts, please do one or more of the following:

• Make a donation to the Red Cross at www.redcross.org or by calling 800-REDCROSS, or text REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation
• Donate to the Salvation Army at www.SalvationArmyUSA.org or by calling 800-SAL-ARMY, or text STORM to 80888 to make a $10 donation
• Make a $10 donation to the Regional Food Bank by texting FOOD to 32333.

NCIL advises caution for people with chemical and environmental sensitivities planning to attend this year’s annual conference due to extensive remodeling of the conference venue.

All guest rooms are being renovated including new furniture, bedding, carpet and paint. Remodeling started on the 11th floor, working downward. By the conference in July, all guestroom renovations will be complete, the lower floors and the 12th floor most recently. The lobby and conference rooms will not be renovated until after the conference. However, guest room windows open into the central atrium and might permit volatile remodeling chemicals to enter the hallways and conference area.

Off-gassing typical of new synthetic materials and furnishings like these can trigger or exacerbate chemical and other environmental sensitivities.

If such exposures concern you, consider reserving a room in one of NCIL’s overflow hotels, each within one block of the Grand Hyatt.  [Read more…]

NCD’s policy work is stronger when it’s informed by its stakeholders.

Throughout the year, NCD convenes four quarterly meetings and sometimes other forums and events at which there are periods designated for public comment. It is during these times that NCD seeks to learn about emerging issues and areas of concern for NCD’s diverse stakeholders to inform and help direct the work of the Council.

Next Phone & In-Person Public Comment Opportunities: April 22 – 23, 2013 during the NCD Quarterly Meeting

NCD will host two open public comment periods at its upcoming quarterly meeting on April 22-23, and we’d love for you to share your insights with us about emerging issues or other concerns on which you believe NCD should focus its attention.  [Read more…]

The Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN) has just released a new video called Listen Up, the first of two public service announcements that they have created for Autism Acceptance Month. Listen Up features Henry Frost, Amy Sequenzia, and Kevin Barrett telling the world that the Autistic community can speak for itself. The video speaks for itself as well. Watch it on YouTube!

The National Council on Independent Living, a national partner of The LEAD Center, is featured on the center’s new website.

The LEAD Center, a collaborative of disability, workforce, and economic empowerment organizations funded by the Office of Disability Employment Policy at the U.S. Department of Labor, features NCIL and a link to our website on the partner section. The LEAD Center website is a key resource for information to promote public policy, employment and economic advancement outcomes for all people across the spectrum of disability. [Read more…]

This year, NCIL is joining our partner, the Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN), in celebrating Autism Acceptance Month: Acceptance is an Action. By celebrating Autism Acceptance Month, we acknowledge the importance of moving beyond awareness and embracing the action of acceptance.

The power of social media has helped spur the Autism Acceptance Month campaign. It began as a Facebook event that explored the idea of refocusing the dialogue from pleas and donations to engagement and acceptance. From there, the movement found a groundswell of support aided by our friends at ASAN.

In honor of Autism Acceptance Month, ASAN has launched the new website autismacceptancemonth.com, which features more information about the campaign, events happening across the nation, and a pledge of autism acceptance.

I pledge to only attend, speak at or otherwise participate in autism panels, conferences and events that meaningfully involve Autistic people. I choose not to give my business or my time to settings that fail to include Autistic voices in conversations about autism.

NCIL joins ASAN in asking that people from all walks of society – advocates, business owners, writers, policy makers, everyone – take a moment and sign the pledge. Each of us can become an ally to the movement by signing the pledge and passing the word.  [Read more…]

The Autistic Self Advocacy Network is excited to announce the launch of the new Autism Acceptance Month website for this April, as part of a history of campaigns by autistic people and our allies to shift the month’s focus from autism awareness to autism acceptance.

The tagline for the Autism Acceptance Month website is “Acceptance is an action.” This means that autism acceptance is an active process that requires both a shift in thinking and in action. Similarly, the website will not only provide fact sheets and resources about autism for autistic people, family members, educators, and the general public, but will also serve as a central location for posting and sharing information about autism acceptance-themed events occurring across the United States for the entire month.

You can also take the pledge committing not to give your time, business or attendance to autism events that talk about Autistic people without including us. Will you take the pledge?  [Read more…]

Visit the conference webpage to find everything you need to know about the 2013 Annual Conference.

Then, register online or by using the printable registration form. Online registration gives you the ability to register up to three attendees with one transaction and accepts Discover, American Express, Visa and MasterCard.

All registrations received and paid before April 26, 2013 are eligible for the Early Bird registration rates.

This year, you can use NCIL’s custom link to reserve your room at the Grand Hyatt. You must register and pay for the Conference before reserving rooms at the Grand Hyatt. Additional accessible hotel rooms are also available at the Marriott Metro Center and the Embassy Suites, both just 1 block from the Grand Hyatt.

See you in July!