Ann Arbor Center for Independent Living invites everyone to tour their building and learn about the services they offer for people with disabilities of all ages. The professional staff will let you know about the many ways it impacts our community every day. AACIL's large facility has an exercise room, computer and art classes, meeting rooms, skill-building classes, social and recreational events and other support services. There are two Thursday morning tours at 9-10 am on March 18 and May 13, and two Thursday evening tours at 5:30-6:30 pm on April 14 and June 9. Call Tom Hoatlin at 734-971-0277 x 18, or tom@aacil.org to RSVP.

Ann Arbor District Library has several recent books and DVDs on topics relating to persons with disabilities, as well as an extensive large print collection and books on tape and CD. Two new book titles, for example, are Remodeling for Easy Access Living and Barrier-Free Travel. Visit the online catalogue at aadl.org, for a keyword search under disabilities, to see all these titles (specify large print within material type, if desired).

AADL Select Sites, at aadl.org, features a list of frequently asked for Websites about a variety of disability issues. Just click on Services, Answers, AADL Select Sites, and Persons With Disabilities.

Today, January 4, is the birthday of Louis Braille, the inventor of the braille alphabet. Braille found that with a series of six raised dots, he could form coded patterns that became the letters of the alphabet, recognizable by touch. Born in Coupvray, France in 1809, Braille was blinded in one eye in an accident and later developed an infection in the other, leading to total blindness. Faced with opposition to his system, Braille unfortunately did not see Braille used extensively until after his death from tuberculosis in 1852.

Not only is it Braille's birthday but 2009 also marked the bicentennial of his birth. Check out the website for information on the history of Braille and suggested activities for young people. You may also be interested in reading a provocative article in this Sunday's, January 3, New York Times Magazine titled "Listening to Braille" which discusses the pros and cons of braille compared to audio transmission of information. The author raises interesting questions about literacy for the blind and how it may be adversely affected by new technologies. The Library still has a number of books in Braille as well as extensive services for the blind through the Library for the Blind and Physically Disabled.

helping hand

It takes work to be a responsible parent, or even just a responsible adult. This month's parent magazine update focuses on magazines that give advice -- because we all need a little help now and then.

Home Education Magazine has advice for any parent who wants to be a little more involved with their child's education -- including an article on the National History Day contest, a guide to running a book club for boys, and a list of good books for teaching teens about money.

Working Mother Magazine features a list of the 100 most family-friendly companies to work for, a guide to purchasing life insurance, and an article on how to rid your home of scary chemicals often found in paint, upholstery and even toys.

American Baby Magazine provides a guide to recognizing signs of autism spectrum disorders in children and seven tips for managing tantrums.

Governor Jennifer Granholm has proclaimed October 2009 to be Investing in Abilities Month in our state. This recognizes the important contribution every one of us makes to the quality of life in Michigan. Ann Arbor District Library offers equal access and a wide range of materials, classes and programming for everyone. We are also proud to manage the Washtenaw Library for the Blind and Physically Disabled. From Oct. 19-31 Investing in Abilities Week at the University of Michigan offers a good opportunity to learn how important the arts are for all of us.

The Downtown Library has a new dedicated area of assistive technology devices that are available for anyone with a visual or learning disability, including a Kurzweil 1000 scanning station and JAWS text-to-speech software, a Braille embosser, a closed circuit reader and magnifiers at all public desks. Public computers at Malletts Creek, Traverwood, West and Downtown Youth have JAWS, and a function that enlarges type is on all public computers. Assistive technology trainer, Nick Wilcox, is ready to help walk-in patrons on the second floor at the Downtown Library from 2-6pm on Tuesdays or by requesting an appointment at WLBPD: 734-327-4224.

On April 15, 2009, 9:00 am - 4:00 pm, a Job Fair for Individuals with Federally Targeted Disabilities, sponsored by U.S. Army TACOM LCMC, will be held at Macomb Intermediate School District, 4401 Garfield, Clinton Twp 48038, between 19 Mile and Hall Rd., SE Bldg. entrance, first floor. Come prepared for an interview, with 20 copies of both your resume and the Schedule A Certification of Disability letter. For more information contact Sarah Utich at 586-412-5403 or utichs@michigan.gov.

AADL (Downtown) subscribes to NM (New Mobility), a monthly magazine that for twenty years has provided a resource for new technology, information and advocacy about mobility issues for people with disabilities. In May 2008 there was an article that describes how four people avoided living in nursing homes by working with their local Center for Independent Living. We also carry PN published by the Paralyzed Veterans of American and EP (Exceptional Parent) targeted to special populations with disabilities.

At a session on aging and technology during the Aging in Place Conference, organized by the UM Health System Housing Bureau for Seniors, I learned how computers, sensors and video cameras are being used to monitor the well being of older adults living alone. Paul McAninch, of Presbyterian Villages of Michigan, added that 25%-33% of people of over 65 will fall each year in their homes, and that this is the leading cause of people entering nursing homes or suffering premature death. How to Avoid Falling can be found at the Ann Arbor District Library.

Professor Martha E. Pollack, Dean of the UM School of Information, discussed other monitoring technologies that are still being developed. Both speakers recommended looking for more information through the Center for Aging Services Technologies.