2008-02-28
Accessing Second Life: Universal Design in a Virtual World
The SL Accessibility Center, Healthinfo Island, and Virtual Ability, Inc. are proud to present a panel discussion on the topic of universal design. Please join us for this event, which will take place on February 28, 2008, at 9:00 a.m. SLT (Pacific time) on Healthinfo Island (http://slurl.com/secondlife/Healthinfo%20Island/59/72/26). Contact Gentle Heron or Carolina Keats inworld for more information.
With 35 years in education and rehabilitation services, Jondan Lundquist often found himself devising home made accessibility solutions for his students. Returning to studies in biomechanical engineering and later, a doctorate in education, Lundquist now works as a consultant in assistive technology in the Western United States. Jondan's interest in Second Life is in accessibility solutions for residents who have disabilities or impairments, in order that they may have the best possible in-world experience. Whether in the appearance of a building, an interface adaptation, or addressing any other particular need or desire of a resident, he hopes to use his expertise to apply principles of Universal Design whenever possible.
Atsuko Watanabe spends her Second Life redesigning and rebuilding some of the structures on Simon Walsh's Second Ability sim. Watanabe is a degreed engineer who has worked on accessible transportation engineering projects for many years, including contributing roles for major regulation and design criteria documentation for subway, bus, and light rail systems, recreational, and prison system. Atsuko has been a manual wheelchair user for over 30 years. Watanabe will discuss her experiences with accessibility issues in SL, as well as how access and acceptance of people with disabilities in SL is a reflection of attitudes in RL.

2008-2-16
"Possibilities in Grassroots Activism"
The Accessibility Center, HealthInfo Island (23,79,40) (on the roof!)

Disability activist Nick Dupree (SL = Namav Abramovic) addresses the
questions "how can you change Medicaid policy?" "what is grassroots
activism?" "what does it mean to include people with disabilities?"
and more.

Co-sponsored by HealthInfo Island and Virtual Ability, Inc.
Presentation transcript and slideset


2008-02-02 (Saturday) 8:00 a.m. SLT
Health Support Coalition Meet & Greet

Leaders of health support groups at Second Life are invited to a casual gathering to learn about the Health Support Coalition, a group intended to encourage and support health groups in SL. Please join The Sojourner (of Dreams), Gentle Heron (of the Heron Sanctuary) and Carolina Keats (of Healthinfo Island)on the roof of the Heron Sanctuary office building on EduIsland 4.

Bring some text material about your project (notecard is fine; could be your group charter, description from website, or explanation you give over and over), logo or other image identifying the group, and landmark if applicable.

Please join us for a productive morning meeting. We plan to collect information about all our groups and create some form of resources directory that will allow us to better serve our members. Help us ensure the accuracy of the information about the group you lead.