http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wamc/local-wamc-913308.mp3
Albany, NY – "JUST BECAUSE I CAN'T SEE THE STARS, DOESN'T MEAN I CAN'T REACH FOR THEM" SPACE CAMP MOTTO
NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION RESEARCH IN DISABILITIES EDUCATION SERIES
"ACCESS TO ADVANCEMENT: AN AUDIO EXPLORATION OF THE NATIONAL EFFORT TO INCREASE THE ROLE OF WOMEN WITH DISABILITIES IN SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING AND MATHEMATICS" -
"Space: The Final Frontier." We've probably all heard that before. It's of course the famous opening line to Star Trek. Today, we're going on our own space trek.
Some of our TBOOK listeners may remember the 1986 move called Space Camp. It starred Kate Capshaw, Tom Skerritt, Joaquin Phoenix, and Kelly Preston. In the movie, the young attendees of Space Camp find themselves in space for real when their shuttle is accidentally launched into orbit.
Indeed, space is a fascinating topic that triggers the imagination. It's sparked a whole genre of movies like 2001: A Space Odyssey, Space Cowboys, and The Right Stuff.
And speaking of the "right stuff" the students in our feature story today exhibit the "right stuff." They got to attend Space Camp for real in Huntsville, Alabama at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center. TBOOK was there to witness their real-life adventures in action.
Allison Dunne reports. (13:26)
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For more information on the Space Camp program we just featured, please visit the following website: http://www.tsbvi.edu/space/
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AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT OF 1990 AND THE CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF 1964 BOTH CELEBRATE ANNIVERSARIES
THE DEAR COLLEAGUE LETTER ON THE USE OF ELECTRONIC BOOK READERS AND TECHNOLOGY IN EDUCATION AND THEIR IMPACT ON STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES -
This marks the 20th anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The Department of Education shares the responsibility for protecting the rights of college and university students with disabilities.
Education Secretary, Arne Duncan, is also commemorating the 46th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act. Title VI of the Civil Rights Act prohibits discrimination. Its purpose is to boost access to quality academic programs for students with disabilities, among others.
Secretary Duncan noted recently that "every student should be given the tools they need to pursue careers as scientists, mathematicians, and engineers if they choose."
Duncan announced a reinvigoration of the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) at the Department of Education. OCR is launching compliance reviews and issuing policy guidance on the responsibilities of school districts and institutions of higher education.
To that end, the Departments of Justice and Education just published a Dear Colleague Letter. TBOOK gets details from Russlynn Ali, Assistant Secretary Office for Civil Rights at the U.S. Department of Education.
Glenn Busby reports. (4:08)