School District Approves Anti-Bullying Books with Disability Themes

In California, the Alameda School District approved has just approved a new reading list of 21 books focused on themes such as disability, religion, race, and sexual orientation to help elementary students learn about groups who face discrimination and stereotyping. The effort is aimed a reducing bullying, especially of individuals from potentially vulnerable groups and minorities.

The approved list is not without controversy, however, as some parents raised concerns about the inclusion of books related to sexual orientation. Nonetheless, Patricia Sanders, President of the Alameda Education Association supports the approval.

SOURCE:

“Alameda school board approves books to help curb bullying”

http://www.insidebayarea.com/oaklandtribune/localnews/ci_14911424

Blind UCLA Grad Can Use AT for Bar Exam

SAN FRANCISCO- Northern District of California Judge Charles Breyer ruled in favor of Stephanie Enyart, a Blind graduate of the UCLA Law School, who will be allowed to use her preferred assistive technology on her upcoming Bar exam in late February. The National Conference of Bar Examiners previously denied her request due to concerns that the integrity of the text could be compromised. The Bar also noted that Federal disability law "does not require testing organizations to provide disabled examinees with their preferred accommodations." Nonetheless, the judge ruled Enyart’s request reasonable, noting she the Bar should permit her to use the assistive technology she is accustomed to. Ms. Enyart is currently employed with

SOURCES:
Disability Rights Advocates, an organization based in Berkeley, California. Court Rules in Favor of Visually-Impaired Grad
http://www.dailycal.org/article/108028/court_rules_in_favor_of_visually-impaired_grad
Sounds Fair: Court Says Blind Law Student Can Use Software For Blind On Bar Exam
http://www.businessinsider.com/court-says-blind-law-student-can-use-software-for-blind-test-takers-for-bar-exam-2010-2
Blind student wins computer aid for bar examhttp://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/01/30/BARA1BPRQF.DTL

Students with LD Denied Extra MCAT Time

CALIFORNIA--The California Supreme Court has declined to hear the case of four student with learning disabilities who filed a class-action lawsuit in 2004 against the Association of American Medical Colleges, administrator of the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). The students, who have various learning disabilities including dyslexia and attention deficit disorder had requested additional time and other accommodations on the MCAT but had been denied. The California Supreme Court's decision to not hear the case leaves an earlier ruling against the students in place. The AAMC case attorney notes, "This leaves in place the AAMC's ability to have a single, uniform policy for handling accommodation requests, regardless of the state in which the examinee is located". Three of the four students have since completed the MCAT and gone to medical school.SOURCE:Calif. Court Denies Extra MCAT Time for Students with Learning Disabilitieshttp://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2009/03/02/prsb0302.htm