Disability

American Water Recognized for Inclusion, Diversity & Equity Leadership

Retrieved on: 
Monday, April 24, 2023

American Water (NYSE: AWK), the nation’s largest publicly traded water and wastewater utility company, announced today that it has been recognized by several national organizations for its inclusion, diversity and equity (ID&E) leadership, including:

Key Points: 
  • American Water (NYSE: AWK), the nation’s largest publicly traded water and wastewater utility company, announced today that it has been recognized by several national organizations for its inclusion, diversity and equity (ID&E) leadership, including:
    “American Water is proud to be recognized for our ongoing commitment to inclusion, diversity and equity,” said M. Susan Hardwick, president and chief executive officer, American Water.
  • 50/50WOB is the leading global nonprofit education and advocacy campaign driving the movement toward gender balance and diversity on corporate boards.
  • American Water is among only 11 percent of U.S. corporations to have earned the 50/50 Women on Boards™ designation.
  • Learn more about American Water’s Inclusion, Diversity & Equity strategy here .

Thousands of great work opportunities now available through Canada Summer Jobs for youth

Retrieved on: 
Monday, April 24, 2023

Today, Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth, Marci Ien announced the launch of the hiring period for Canada Summer Jobs (CSJ) for youth 2023.

Key Points: 
  • Today, Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth, Marci Ien announced the launch of the hiring period for Canada Summer Jobs (CSJ) for youth 2023.
  • This summer, more than 70,000 CSJ placements are being made available for young people between the ages of 15 and 30.
  • By providing all young people with equitable opportunities to develop their skills, Canada Summer Jobs can help them to succeed in the job market.
  • Canada Summer Jobs for youth is delivered through the Youth Employment and Skills Strategy (YESS) and is part of a suite of programs offered by the Government of Canada to help youth gain the skills, education, and work experience they need to successfully transition into the workforce.

Flood warning expert: I worked on UK's emergency mobile broadcast – here’s what we learn from tests like these

Retrieved on: 
Monday, April 24, 2023

At 3pm on April 23, an unusual warning sound was emitted from millions of phones across the UK.

Key Points: 
  • At 3pm on April 23, an unusual warning sound was emitted from millions of phones across the UK.
  • This was the first test of the government’s
    national emergency alert system, which will eventually be used to warn people about nearby flooding, fires and other hazards.
  • This kind of “cell broadcast” is already used around the world to deliver many kinds of warning messages, from missing child alerts to wildfire evacuation instructions.

How would people respond?

    • We published our findings in the journal Natural Hazards.
    • We worked with 90 participants selected from 360 volunteers based at the University of Hull (where I work), ensuring that our cohort matched the university’s demographic make up.

1. It got their attention

    • While this is to be expected, we know from research on disaster response that strong negative emotional responses can inhibit people’s ability to take protective action.
    • This highlights the urgent need for more and better consideration of often-marginalised and vulnerable people in order to make emergency messaging accessible to everyone.

2. People are likely to act


    People consistently reported they would change their behaviour in response to messages: depending on the message they’d been sent they would prepare for evacuation, check to see whether the message was accurate, contact people or click a link included in the message for more information. We found that people who had been flooded in the past were more likely to want specific information about evacuation routes, suggesting that experience of flooding prepares people for the practical reality of being in a serious flood in the future.

3. People worry if it’s legit

    • There is, of course, a risk that the impact of the alert signal will be diminished if too many messages are sent for less dangerous hazards.
    • This is good news for the UK: it will now have a robust, reliable and secure way of communicating with citizens.

New Adaptive Student Athlete Program (ASAP) expands access to top-tier competitions

Retrieved on: 
Monday, April 24, 2023

NEW YORK, April 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the Guardian Life Insurance Company of America (Guardian), a leading provider of disability insurance, is announcing a multi-year grant to the University of Michigan Adaptive Sports and Fitness (ASF) program for the creation of the Adaptive Student Athlete Program (ASAP). This national program significantly expands access to competitive opportunities in Para track and field, wheelchair tennis, and wheelchair basketball for collegiate student athletes with disabilities, paving the way for them to increase their participation and receive equitable recognition alongside their able-bodied peers.

Key Points: 
  • Guardian and the University of Michigan partner on program that expands competitive access ahead of Paralympic Games.
  • NEW YORK, April 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the Guardian Life Insurance Company of America (Guardian), a leading provider of disability insurance, is announcing a multi-year grant to the University of Michigan Adaptive Sports and Fitness (ASF) program for the creation of the Adaptive Student Athlete Program (ASAP).
  • This national program significantly expands access to competitive opportunities in Para track and field, wheelchair tennis, and wheelchair basketball for collegiate student athletes with disabilities, paving the way for them to increase their participation and receive equitable recognition alongside their able-bodied peers.
  • Guardian and the University of Michigan partner on program that expands competitive access ahead of Paralympic Games.

Rising construction demands may create further challenges for Nova Scotia’s construction labour force

Retrieved on: 
Monday, April 24, 2023

The outlook anticipates that overall construction employment in the province will be 3% higher by 2032 than levels achieved in 2022.

Key Points: 
  • The outlook anticipates that overall construction employment in the province will be 3% higher by 2032 than levels achieved in 2022.
  • The BuildForce Canada market outlook projects that as many as 7,800 workers, or 24% of the current labour force, will retire from Nova Scotia’s construction industry by 2032.
  • “The construction industry remains focused on building a more diverse and inclusive labour force.
  • In 2022, Indigenous workers accounted for approximately 5% of the province’s construction labour force, or about the same percentage as among the overall provincial labour force.

Genentech Announces Industry-Leading Brain Health Research Collaborations and Latest Data Across Neuroscience Medicines at AAN 2023 Annual Meeting

Retrieved on: 
Monday, April 24, 2023

Genentech, a member of the Roche Group (SIX: RO, ROG; OTCQX: RHHBY), is announcing three new partnerships focused on improving brain health outcomes.

Key Points: 
  • Genentech, a member of the Roche Group (SIX: RO, ROG; OTCQX: RHHBY), is announcing three new partnerships focused on improving brain health outcomes.
  • “With that in mind, we are committed to developing and delivering new medicines that address areas of highest need in neuroscience.
  • See AAN oral presentation details on Genentech’s telehealth pilot with Cleveland Clinic here , Tuesday, April 25 at 3:54 p.m.
  • To meet the needs of people living with brain health conditions, Genentech is continuing to grow and advance its pipeline, with key areas of focus in neuroimmunologic, neuromuscular, neurodegenerative and neurodevelopmental diseases.

Ventura Park Announces Important Event on Behalf of Children's Foundations: 10,000 Smiles

Retrieved on: 
Monday, April 24, 2023

CANCUN, Mexico,  April 23, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Venturapark, The only water park in Cancun and a member of The Dolphin Company family, a worldwide park operator, announced that it will host 10,000 Smiles, a well-known event with a cause that in this 7th edition will collect new toys to donate to three different foundations, on the occasion of Children's Day.

Key Points: 
  • Before the pandemic, The Dolphin Company had carried out seven successful editions of 10,000 Smiles through its Dolphin Discovery Foundation I.A.P.
  • in several parks and habitats of its family, which together supported several children's foundations in health and education matters.
  • If people wish to participate, they can make a reservation by calling: 998 849 4748, the event has a capacity limit.
  • "We are very happy to resume this important and beautiful event that is 10,000 Smiles.

4 ways all online university courses could promote student mental health

Retrieved on: 
Sunday, April 23, 2023

At the same time in Canada, more students are taking online courses, particularly in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Key Points: 
  • At the same time in Canada, more students are taking online courses, particularly in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Read more:
    Do university students want more online learning, post-pandemic?

Course work is central to student experience

    • While the post-secondary experience is not all about course work, completing assignments, writing exams and attending lectures is a big part of students’ daily lives.
    • This makes academic courses prime forums where instructors can promote mental health by sharing mental health resources (providing information about student mental health services) and by designing accessible and flexible courses.

Universities’ commitments to well-being

    • There are many opportunities to make post-secondary institutions more accessible, inclusive and health promoting.
    • Forty-four Canadian post-secondary institutions have taken up aspects of this charter as part of the Canadian Health Promoting Campuses Network.

What students want

    • Students in my study were asked: “What advice would you give to your professors/instructors (teaching online courses) to facilitate inclusive and supportive learning environments for students with mental-health-related disorders?” Students suggested the following: 1) Use elements of universal design for learning to provide accessibility for all students while also promoting mental health.
    • Students said:
      “Online learning has been wonderful for my mental health.
    • Having to ask for extensions can be difficult for students who are already experiencing the negative effects of mental-health-related stigma.
    • 3) Students consistently said they are juggling multiple priorities (academics, jobs and family) and managing stress with varied levels of support.

Setting the stage for wellness

    • The results of this study suggest that online courses can be designed to be accessible and to promote mental health.
    • Courses that are designed to be accessible and to promote mental health set the stage for learning and wellness.

AUTISM ALLIANCE OF MICHIGAN Hosts 12th Annual Michigan Shines For Autism Gala

Retrieved on: 
Saturday, April 22, 2023

SOUTHFIELD, Mich., April 22, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Autism Alliance of Michigan (AAoM) will host the 12th annual Michigan Shines for Autism Gala at MotorCity Casino Hotel on Saturday, April 22, 2023 from 6PM to 12AM. We are especially honored to have Huntington Bank join our long-standing partner, DTE Foundation, as a Presenting Sponsor this year as we heed the call for civil rights from the Autism community.

Key Points: 
  • Autism Alliance of Michigan (AAoM) will host the 12th annual Michigan Shines for Autism Gala at MotorCity Casino Hotel on Saturday, April 22, 2023 from 6PM to 12AM.
  • SOUTHFIELD, Mich., April 22, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Autism Alliance of Michigan (AAoM) will host the 12th annual Michigan Shines for Autism Gala at MotorCity Casino Hotel on Saturday, April 22, 2023 from 6PM to 12AM.
  • The Michigan Shines for Autism Gala is AAoM's largest fundraiser that raises over $1,000,000 annually to support their mission.
  • To purchase tickets and/or make a donation, visit MI Shines for Autism Gala.

TECH4ALL: Driving Inclusion and Sustainability with Partnerships

Retrieved on: 
Saturday, April 22, 2023

SHENZHEN, China, April 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- At a media roundtable held yesterday at Huawei Global Analyst Summit 2023, Huawei and its global partners shared the latest TECH4ALL practices and discussed how digital technology enables a more inclusive and sustainable digital world.

Key Points: 
  • During the session, several of Huawei's global TECH4ALL partners also made updates on projects that are currently running across the globe.
  • A key message was that for each project, the powerful combination of technology and partnerships has been fundamental to driving positive outcomes.
  • To drive inclusion and help build sustainable futures, TECH4ALL education projects have so far reached 220,000 beneficiaries globally.
  • With the TECH4ALL partners at the media roundtable clearly showing what working together with common goals can achieve in practice, Huawei hopes to continue enabling inclusion and sustainability through innovative technologies and long-term partnerships.