Ann Arbor Civic Theater: Noises Off

Sun, 05/04/2014 - 3:09pm by annevm

Ann Arbor Civic Theater will present Noises Off May 8-11. From the synopsis on the A2ct web page: "Noises Off finds a dysfunctional theater troupe mounting a classic farce entitled Nothing On. This comedy-within-a-comedy offers the audience a glimpse behind the scenes during dress rehearsal, the opening performance, and a performance toward the end of the run." Ticket information is here.

WCC Information Technology Career Fair

Fri, 05/02/2014 - 3:08pm by monkk

Washtenaw Community College is holding an Information Technology Career Fair for WCC students, alumni, and community members. The fair will be on May 22 from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm in the Morris Lawrence Building. About 30 employers will be there looking for IT professionals to join their team. To register, follow this link. Bring copies of your resume, and dress to impress!

Need help writing your resume? Take a look at the AADL's collection of books that can do just that!

Global Accessibility Awareness Day

Wed, 04/30/2014 - 1:48pm by Sunny29

May 15th is Global Accessibility Awareness Day!

Stemming from a seemingly innocuous blog post in 2011 by a Los Angeles based web developer, Global Accessibility Awareness Day is now an international event with efforts to draw attention to digital accessibility, or lack there of. Challenge yourself any time at a computer by changing your digital habits: go mouse-less for an hour and use only key strokes to navigate your favorite website, or try re-sizing the text on your browser to 200% and check for any losses in content or functionality. You can also learn more about joining an in-person international or local event.

And don't forget about resources and assistive technology offered through the Washtenaw Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped at AADL, and the large print books available for check-out in the catalog!

Child in a Strange Country: Exhibit and Events

Mon, 04/28/2014 - 12:05pm by muskrat

The traveling exhibit from the Museum of the American Printing House for the Blind, "Child in a Strange Country: Helen Keller and the History of Education for People Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired" officially opens this Friday, May 2, with a reception featuring library director Josie Parker, Museum Director Micheal A. Hudson, harpist Deborah Gabrion, and refreshments.

But the exhibit is already assembled enough (in the Downtown Library's lobby and 3rd floor) to see it will be fun and informative featuring a big globe with raised features, selections of writing such as Valentin Hauy’s tactile book and Louis Braille’s dot code, and insights, events, and photographs from Helen's life.

The title of the exhibit comes from Anne Sullivan's report about Helen in which she said, “For the first two years of her intellectual life she was like a child in a strange country,” and noted that no learning was possible until she could overcome the communication barrier posed by blindness and deafness. With that in mind, “Child in a Strange Country” explores four primary subjects: Reading, Science, Math, and Geography. Using Helen Keller’s educational journey as a lens, the exhibit uses tactile reproductions and authentic artifacts to uncover the roots of modern education for children with vision loss. The exhibit is designed to be fully accessible and interactive. You can touch and explore that big globe as much as you want.

If the exhibit whets your appetite, come see Child in a Strange Country or Why is Helen Keller at the Water Pump the Only Person Who Was Blind that Most Americans Know?, on Sunday, May 4 from 2 - 3:30 PM, a talk by Museum Director Micheal A. Hudson in which he explores major advances in learning and literacy since 1784 for people who are blind or visually impaired, introducing characters that most people do not know. Also join us on Wednesday, May 7 from 7 - 8:30 PM for Sensory Communication: Relaying and Receiving Information Through Touch, in which UM Performing Arts Technology Professor Sile O'Modhrain discusses touch, communication, and Helen Keller.

You may also be interested in Visions 2014 in the Morris Lawrence Building at Washtenaw Community College on Wednesday, May 14 from 10 AM - 3 PM, where a variety of exhibitors demonstrate the latest products and services for people with vision loss. The fair also features presentations by guest speakers from the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Disabled, UM Kellogg Eye Center, WLBPD @ AADL, and the AT Guys.

AADL at the Earth Day Festival this Sunday

Wed, 04/23/2014 - 9:59am by eapearce

Come visit the Ann Arbor District Library table at the 43rd Annual Ann Arbor Area Earth Day Festival this Sunday, April 27th from 12:00 to 4:00pm! Coordinated by the Environmental Education Network of Washtenaw and hosted at the Leslie Science and Nature Center, the Earth Day Festival is a fun-filled afternoon of exploration, activities and education for all ages. Over 40 local environmental, governmental and nonprofit organizations will have tables at the festival covering a wide range of topics including live animal demonstrations, sustainable agriculture, environmental quality testing and more. There will also be local food vendors at the festival.The AADL table will have a number of our science tools available for people to try out, including our portable digital microscope.

Admission to the festival is free, and the festival is a zero waste event. Lots of recycling bins will be available and patrons are encouraged to bring their own refillable water bottles. You can read more about the festival here

U-M North Campus Bookstore is Hosting Monthly Story Hour

Tue, 04/22/2014 - 6:13pm by annevm

The University of Michigan North Campus Bookstore is hosting monthly story hours, having recently attracted 28 children for stories, crafts and coloring. The next one is coming up Friday May 9 at 2:30 pm with classics, treats and crafts relating to the books of Dr. Seuss. Summertime story hours are scheduled for June 6, July 11, and August 8, all at 2:30 pm. The bookstore is located in Pierpoint Commons.

Using Yoga To Reduce Stress - NEW LOCATION

Tuesday August 26, 2014: 7:00pm to 8:30pm
Pittsfield Branch: Program Room
Adults And Teens Grades 6 And Up

Camp Abilities Michigan: Summer Sports Camp

Mon, 04/21/2014 - 3:19pm by Sunny29

Camp Abilities Michigan is excited to offer the first annual Summer Sports Camp for children with visual impairments, ages 8-17 years old. Camp Abilities Michigan will join forces with students at Wayne State University in the fields of Physical Education, Adapted Physical Education and Special Education to provide an authentic summer camp experience! From August 20-22, campers will participate in a variety of adapted and stimulating activities, including beep baseball, yoga, goal ball, as well as arts and crafts and other cooperative games. If you would like to enroll a child for camp, or are interested in helping by way of donation or volunteer service, please visit their website. To find out what accessible events are coming to AADL this spring, click here!

AADL partners with UMS to present UMS Rewind

Mon, 04/21/2014 - 11:37am by amy

AADL is pleased to have partnered with the University Musical Society to help build UMS Rewind, a searchable database of performances, programs, and photographs from 135 years of UMS history.

Open to all researchers, this unique research tool is available for searching by composer or composition, conductor or performer, and provides access to repertoire, programs, and other material detailing the unique legacy of UMS and the history of touring in the performance arts in America.

A Story Reminiscent of Mad Men

Fri, 04/18/2014 - 2:28pm by Beth Manuel

The Lost Chapters is the true story of a Madison Avenue advertising man who experienced the glamour and success of the industry's heyday while ultimately being destroyed by it. Author Lisa Anderson's (she goes by Lise, locally) attempt to unravel her father's story comes from the manuscript he left behind before his mysterious death in Tokyo decades ago. Join us as we hear readings from her book on Wednesday, April 23rd from 7:00-8:30 in the Multi-Purpose Room downtown. Anna Byberg, Program Coordinator of Dawn Farm, will speak about the alcohol addiction that ultimately took Dick Anderson's life and will answer questions. AADL has a robust collection of books on the subject of alcoholism and addiction. Read more about the author's fascinating quest on her website. Her book will be on sale & Lise will be available to sign them.