Monday, October 31, 2011

Congratulations to Dr. Stephanie Anne Timmer, Friend and Supporter of LD Resources Foundation

LD Resources Foundation is pleased to congratulate our good friend and supporter, Dr. Stephanie Anne Timmer, on qualifying to represent the USA at the London 2012 Paralympic Games.  Dr. Timmer is a world-class Track and Field athlete, competing in the 10,000, 1500 and 400 meter track events, as well as shotput, javelin and discus field events. She won the gold medal in the javelin and 10,000 meter run and the bronze medal in shot and discus events at the 2011 USA Masters Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Cleveland in the 40 and over division. Dr. Timmer is ranked in the top 10 in the world in all three of her field events among Paralympic athletes.  For those who do not know, Dr. Timmer is blind.  Follow this link to read more about her athletic accomplishments.

Dr. Timmer is the Chairman and Co-Founder of Premier Literacy ( a division of Premier Assistive), a company whose mission is to enrich and improve the lives of millions of people worldwide by making information truly accessible through the use of affordable technology. Premier Literacy seeks to give people with disabilities access to today’s technologically oriented world. The company offers a comprehensive suite of products that are invaluable tools for persons with visual, cognitive and mobility challenges, including Learning Disabilities.

LD Resources Foundation and Premier Assistive Technology created a joint initiative in 2008 called the “Key to Access Award Program.”  The focus of this partnership is to create and expand programs that maximize opportunities to provide literacy tools to students everywhere.  LD Resources Foundation continues to expand access to digital literacy tools to greater numbers of students, higher education institutions in New York City and beyond, as well as to public service institutions, government bodies and corporations.

Sunday, October 16, 2011

Impact of ADHD at Work and School, and Prevalence of Associated Conditions revealed in New Survey

PHILADELPHIA, October 12, 2011—New survey results reveal that Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) impacts aspects of work and school for adults and children living with the condition. The survey also shows that many people with ADHD have been diagnosed with, or suspect presence of, other health conditions including anxiety, depression and sleep disorders. ADHD, which affects more than 13 million Americans, is a genetic, neurobiological disorder that results in challenges with attention, hyperactivity and impulsivity. The ADHD Awareness Coalition conducted the survey with the goal of increasing awareness and understanding of the disorder during ADHD Awareness Week, observed on October 16-22. They add that people with ADHD can live fulfilling lives with proper management of ADHD symptoms.

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Technology and Disabilites



“Technology can be a double-edged sword. It may be more efficient—in particular, in the communications arena, which is the subject of this report—leading to an ever-rising demand for skilled workers, pushing the college-wage premium ever higher. “…In this respect, a recent Harris Interactive poll conducted for the Kessler Foundation and the National Organization on Disability (NOD) is encouraging, reporting that the education gap (the share of those with less than a high-school education) has narrowed considerably between people with and without disabilities over the past two decades, from 24 percent in 1986 to 6 percent in 2010 (Kessler Foundation and NOD, 2010).”
From the National Council of Disability report,” The Power of Digital Inclusion: Technology’s Impact on Employment and Opportunities for People with Disabilities.

This report examines the importance of social media and other information technologies in connecting people to job opportunities. Not surprisingly, digital barriers to our networked economy can reinforce rather than break down disproportionately low employment among people with disabilities.