December 16, 2009

Stem Cell Research for Age-Related Macular Degeneration Patients

Filed under: Blindness/VI, Informative — admin @ 3:32 pm

Agency Grants $16M for Stem Cell Research

By Meghan Lewit on October 28, 2009
http://uscnews.usc.edu/health/agency_grants_16m_for_stem_cell_research.html

* Agency Grants $16M for Stem Cell Research

Physician-researchers at USC received a nearly $16 million grant from the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine to fund the development of a stem cell-based treatment for age-related macular degeneration, the leading cause of vision loss and blindness among the elderly.

Mark Humayun, professor of ophthalmology, cell and neurobiology, and biomedical engineering at the Keck School of Medicine of USC and the USC Viterbi School of Engineering, and David R. Hinton, the Gavin S. Herbert Professor of Retinal Research and professor of pathology and ophthalmology at the Keck School of Medicine, will lead the four-year study.

The California Institute and two international partners awarded more than $250 million to 14 multidisciplinary teams of researchers in California, the United Kingdom and Canada to develop stem cell-based therapies for 11 diseases. The Disease Team Research Awards mark the first institute funding explicitly expected to result in a filing with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to begin a clinical trial.

The grants received formal approval on Oct. 29 from the Independent Citizens Oversight Committee, the 29-member governing board of the institute, and were announced at a press conference in Los Angeles.

USC faculty also will collaborate on grants awarded to other California institutions:

• Paula Cannon, associate professor of molecular microbiology and immunology at the Keck School of Medicine, is a co-investigator on a team that received $14 million to develop a novel therapy that may offer lifetime immunity to HIV infection

• Thomas Coates, professor of pediatrics and pathology at the Keck School of Medicine, is a co-investigator on a team that received $9 million to explore treating sickle cell disease using a gene therapy approach to modify patients’ blood-forming stem cell

• Michael Press, holder of the Harold E. Lee Chair in Cancer Research at the USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center and professor of pathology at the Keck School of Medicine, is the co-investigator on a nearly $20 million grant aimed at developing drugs that destroy cancer stem cells in solid tumors.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a progressive disease that causes distortion in central vision and eventually leads to blindness. It is estimated that by 2020, more than 450,000 Californians will suffer from vision loss or blindness due to degeneration. Effective treatment for the disease may be achieved by replacing damaged retinal pigment epithelium — the layer of cells at the back of the eye — and retinal cells with healthy ones derived from human embryonic stem cells, Humayun said.

“The funding will be tremendously helpful and will accelerate our research toward achieving a near-term stem cell-based therapy for AMD,” he said.

Humayun was elected to the Institute of Medicine for his groundbreaking work to restore sight to the blind. Election to the institute is considered one of the highest honors in the fields of health and medicine and recognizes individuals who have demonstrated outstanding professional achievement and commitment to service.

Alan Trounson, president of the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine, said the pace of the disease team projects stands in contrast to the decade or more that’s usually required to reach clinical trials.

“Scientists have talked for years about the need to find ways to speed the pace of discovery,” Trounson said. “By encouraging applicants to form teams composed of the best researchers from around the world, we think CIRM will set a new standard for how translational research should be funded.”

For more information on USC’s stem cell programs, visit http://stemcell.usc.edu

December 11, 2009

Need a Job?

Filed under: AT Funding Possibilities, Informative — admin @ 3:21 pm

NDU was recently contacted by Allison at J. Lodge who shared the following information with us about her employer that is looking for new employees. Check it out!

We have expanded our business model to those who may have visual disabilities. Please note that this is a new area we have begun to administer. We are currently making adjustments as concerns or questions arise. We are so excited! I wanted to share our information with those that might be interested.

The J.Lodge Corporation, a quality call services company, has sustained profitability since 1999 and accredits its success solely to its unique employee model that consists of disabled business Americans. J.Lodge is striving to provide work from home part-time careers for disabled Ticket to work holders. Currently, J.Lodge is expanding and accepting applications for those individuals who are interested in our company and who qualify for our positions. If anyone is interested, please visit: http://www.jlodge.com/careers and apply online

If unsure how to obtain your “ticket to work” you can contact Maximus at 866-968-7842 or http://www.mytickettowork.com. (Maximus is the group authorized by Social Security Disability for Ticket to Work Program) Any questions? Feel free to contact us!

December 1, 2009

Why Should You Buy Assistive Technology?

Filed under: AT General, Informative — admin @ 4:54 pm

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY?
For many seniors, assistive technology makes the difference between being able to live independently and having to get long-term nursing or home-health care. For others, assistive technology is critical to the ability to perform simple activities of daily living, such as bathing and going to the bathroom.

According to a 1993 study conducted by the National Council on Disability, 80 percent of the elderly persons who used assistive technology were able to reduce their dependence on others. In addition, half of those surveyed reduced their dependence on paid helpers, and half were able to avoid entering nursing homes. Assistive technology can also reduce the costs of care for the elderly and their families. Although families may need to make monthly payments for some pieces of equipment, for many, this cost is much less than the cost of home-health or nursing-home care.

HOW CAN I TELL IF ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY IS RIGHT FOR ME?
Seniors must carefully evaluate their needs before deciding to purchase assistive technology. Using assistive technology may change the mix of services that a senior requires or may affect the way that those services are provided. For this reason, the process of needs assessment and planning is important.

Usually, needs assessment has the most value when it is done by a team working with the senior in the place where the assistive technology will be used. For example, an elderly person who has trouble communicating or is hard of hearing should consult with his or her doctor, an audiology specialist, a speech-language therapist, and family and friends. Together, these people can identify the problem precisely and determine a course of action to solve the problem.

By performing the needs assessment, defining goals, and determining what would help the senior communicate more easily in the home, the team can decide what assistive technology tools are appropriate. After that, the team can help select the most effective devices available at the lowest cost. A professional member of the team, such as the audiology specialist, can also arrange for any training that the senior and his or her family may require to use the equipment needed.

The following case study shows how conducting a needs assessment and working with a team improved the quality of life for one elderly woman and her family:

The results were wonderful. Together, the team helped Christina get a good hearing aid that enabled her to hear well again. A special magnification device and telecaption decoder on the TV meant that she could watch television without having to bother the children. More assistive technology enabled her to talk on the telephone and use the computer as easily as ever before. In the end, the operations to remove Christina’s cataracts were successful, and she could see better than before, but she still used the magnifying screens and telecaption devices for convenience. Combined with her new hearing aid, each item convinced Christina that assistive technology can make a big difference indeed.

When considering all the options of assistive technology, it is often useful to look at the issue in terms of high-tech and low-tech solutions. Seniors must also remember to plan ahead and think about how their needs might change over time. High-tech devices tend to be more expensive but may be able to assist with many different needs. Low-tech equipment is usually cheaper but less adaptable for multiple purposes. Before buying any expensive piece of assistive technology, such as a computer, be sure to find out if it can be upgraded as improvements are introduced.
Whether you are conducting a needs assessment or trying to make a decision after such an assessment, it is always a good idea to ask the following questions about assistive technology:

* Does a more advanced device meet more than one of my needs?

* Does the manufacturer of the assistive technology have a preview policy that will let me try out a device and return it for credit if it does not work as expected?

* How are my needs likely to change over the next six months? How about over the next six years or longer?

* How up-to-date is this piece of assistive equipment? Is it likely to become obsolete in the immediate future?

* What are the tasks that I need help with, and how often do I need help with these tasks?

* What types of assistive technology are available to meet my needs?

* What, if any, types of assistive technology have I used before, and how did that equipment work?

* What type of assistive technology will give me the greatest personal independence?

* Will I always need help with this task? If so, can I adjust this device and continue to use it as my condition changes?

HOW CAN I PAY FOR ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY?
Right now, no single private insurance plan or public program will pay for all types of assistive technology under any circumstances. However, Medicare Part B will cover up to 80 percent of the cost of assistive technology if the items being purchased meet the definition of “durable medical equipment.” This is defined as devices that are “primarily and customarily used to serve a medical purpose, and generally are not useful to a person in the absence of illness or injury.” To find out if Medicare will cover the cost of a particular piece of assistive technology, call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227, TTY/TDD: 1-877-486-2048). You can also find answers to your questions by visiting the website at www.medicare.gov on the Internet.

Depending on where you live, the state-run Medicaid program may pay for some assistive technology. Keep in mind, though, that even when Medicaid does cover part of the cost, the benefits usually do not provide the amount of financial aid needed to buy an expensive piece of equipment, such as a power wheelchair. To find out more about Medicaid in your State call the toll free number for your State. A list of toll free numbers can be reached through the following website:

* http://www.cms.hhs.gov/medicaid/allStateContacts.asp

Seniors who are eligible for veterans’ benefits should definitely look into whether they can receive assistance from the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA). Many people consider the DVA to have a model payment system for assistive technology because the agency has a structure in place to pay for the large volume of equipment that it buys. The DVA also invests in training people in how to use assistive devices. For more information about DVA benefits for assistive technology, call the VA Health Benefits Service Center toll-free at 1-877-222-VETS or visit the department’s website at:

* http://www1.va.gov/health/index.asp

Private health insurance and out-of-pocket payment are two other options for purchasing assistive technology. Out-of-pocket payment is just that; you buy the assistive technology yourself. This is affordable for small, simple items, such as modified eating utensils, but most seniors find that they need financial aid for more costly equipment. The problem is that private health insurance often does not cover the full price of expensive devices, such as power wheelchairs and motor scooters.

Subsidy programs provide some types of assistive technology at a reduced cost or for free. Many businesses and not-for-profit groups have set up subsidy programs that include discounts, grants, or rebates to get consumers to try a specific product. The idea is that by offering this benefit, the program sponsors can encourage seniors and people with disabilities to use an item that they otherwise might not consider. Obviously, elderly people should be careful about participating in subsidy programs that are run by businesses with commercial interests in the product or service because of the potential for fraud.

-read more on this topic from the National Library of Medicine

November 23, 2009

ATF – Assistive Technology Fund Applications Due DEC 31st

Filed under: AT Funding Possibilities — admin @ 4:29 pm

NDU customers frequently ask us how to find help funding their assistive technology purchase. Well, here is one great option to explore provided by the Association of Blind Citizens (ABC) called the Assistive Technology Fund (ATF). Please note that applications are due Dec 31st and June 30th. Below is information about the application, and further below is more information about ABC. If you, or your organization, have a similar program, let us know!

    Assistive Technology Fund

The Association of Blind Citizens operates the Assistive Technology Fund. The Assistive Technology Fund (ATF) will provide funds to cover 50% of the retail price of adaptive devices or software. The ABC board of directors believes that this program will allow blind and visually impaired individuals access to technology products that will have a significant impact on improving employment opportunities, increase the level of independence and enhance their overall quality of life.

The products covered by this program must retail for a minimum of $200 with a maximum retail price of $6,000. Persons eligible to apply for assistance must have a family income of less than $50,000 and cash assets of less than $20,000. Applications will be reviewed by the Assistive Technology Committee (ATC) and recommendations will be submitted for board approval. If applicants are selected to receive a technology grant, applicants will be asked to provide documents such as tax returns, bank statements and any other documents that the ABC board or it’s designee would deem necessary to assess financial need for the grant.

Applicants must be legally blind and a resident of the United States to qualify for this program. Applications must be submitted by June 30th and December 31st for each grant period (two per year). Applicants will be notified if their request for a grant is approved. Applicants may submit one request per calendar year. All applications must be submitted via e-mail. You will be notified by ABC within 45 days after the application deadline. The grantee will have 30 days after notification to purchase the product. If the purchase cannot be made within 30 days ABC reserves the right to withdraw the award and assign it to another applicant. All decisions are final.

You may fill out the request form below by pasting it in to your word processor and emailing it to: atf@blindcitizens.org.

Important: Requests must be received via email only, by June 30th or December 31st. Please do not use attachments when submitting your request.

Association of Blind Citizens Assistive Technology request form
________________________________________________________________________________________

Name:

First Line Of Address:

Second Line Of Address:

City:

State:

Zip:

Telephone Number with area code:

Email address:

Provide a description of 500 or fewer words of the device you wish to purchase and how it will help you achieve employment or increase your independence.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

The mission of the Association of Blind Citizens (ABC) is to advance relevant causes, increase opportunities in education, employment, cultural, recreational and other life activities, as well as enhance the social, political, and economic well-being for all people who are blind or visually impaired.

The ABC supports, argues in favor of, and defends the rights of individuals who are blind or visually impaired. The ABC is a membership organization of blind/visually impaired persons, their friends and families, and other interested individuals who recognize the needs and issues effecting the blind community.

The ABC offers assistance by providing information and referral, advocacy, and other supports to maximize and increase options and opportunities for all blind and visually impaired persons.

The ABC offers seminars to address important issues which have an impact on persons who are blind/visually impaired. Concerns related to civil rights in employment, education, and other matters are addressed by the ABC. The ABC advocates for legislation which effects persons who are blind/visually impaired, as well as assisting its members in getting the most out of agencies and organizations to provide appropriate and meaningful services to individuals in the blind community.

In addition, and in keeping with the blindness culture, the ABC provides social and recreational opportunities by organizing excursions to events which are accessible and meaningful to individuals who are blind or visually impaired. Outings may include audio-described movies/plays, museums, nature hikes, and other activities. Also, the ABC organizes other get-aways to destinations for the fun and relaxation for all to enjoy.

And here is a the link to the ABC!

November 17, 2009

NIH News in Health – Blocked Eye Vein Research

Filed under: Informative — admin @ 11:14 pm

Here’s an interesting article about some of the latest studies on retinal vein occlusions going on at the National Institutes of Health.

Improving Vision in Patients with Blocked Eye Veins

Injecting the eye with medications can improve vision in patients who have blockage in an eye vein, a new study shows. But laser treatment may be a better option for patients who have blockages in small branches of the vein.

Millions of Americans lose some of their vision each year. Vision loss can occur if a blood clot blocks blood flow to the eye’s retina. This leads to a condition called retinal vein occlusion. In some cases, the blockage leads to macular edema, a common cause of blindness.

Eye doctors often use laser therapy to improve vision in patients with blockages in small branches of the vein. But there’s been no proven treatment for patients with blockages in the main vein. Some doctors have found that injecting the eye with medications called corticosteroids can improve vision in patients with either kind of blockage.

To find out which treatments might be best for different patients, NIH-funded scientists studied nearly 700 people. All had vision loss and blockages in either the large or the small veins of the retina.

After 1 year, corticosteroid injections significantly improved vision in about 26% patients who had blockages in the main retina vein. Only 7% of patients who generally received no treatment had similar improvements. The finding provides the first solid evidence that eye injections are an effective long-term treatment for this type of vision loss.

For patients with small-vein blockage, eye injections significantly improved vision in about 1 out of 4 patients. Laser therapy was just as effective. But patients receiving injections were more likely to develop other eye problems. Because laser therapy led to fewer complications, it may be the best option for patients with blockages in smaller veins.

The original article and more information can be found at http://newsinhealth.nih.gov/2009/October/capsules.htm

July 27, 2009

Healthy Vision 2010

Filed under: Blindness/VI, Informative — admin @ 5:49 pm


Healthy Vision 2010

NDU is located in Bethesda, MD, close to the National Institutes of Health. One of the institutes within the NIH is the National Eye Institute. Below, is some information about one of their initiatives – Healthy Vision 2010.

For the first time, vision objectives have been included in Healthy People 2010, a national disease prevention initiative that identifies opportunities to improve the health of all Americans.

Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Healthy People identifies the most significant preventable threats to health, and establishes national goals to reduce these threats. The chapter on vision addresses visual impairment due to eye disease and refractive error; regular eye examinations for children and adults; vision screening for pre-school children; injury prevention; and vision rehabilitation. Most states and many localities use the Healthy People framework to guide local health policies and programs.

For more information, click the logo above. Or click here.