Central and Southern California Webinars

Yesterday, we wrapped up our third webinar for our Traumatic Brain Injury Statewide Webinar Series “Improving Service Coordination for People with a TBI”. On October 21^st the first Central California TBI webinar and yesterday, Monday October 25^th we hosted a webinar for Southern California. In both webinars, Lynda Eaton, a physical Therapist at the Mercy General Hospital continued her presentation about Strategies for Working with the TBI Consumer.

 Presenting for the central California webinars, was Jenny Oshiro from the TBI Site - Janet Pomeroy Center in San Francisco. Jenny provided information on the variety of available resources. She emphasized that they offer direct services for San Francisco County but for the outlying areas they act as a resource to allow others to provide accessible services for people with a TBI.

Also presenting for Central California was Tim McKay, who provided a consumer perspective on living with a TBI. Tim is a consumer of Central Coast Center for Independent Living (CCCIL) and is on the Civilian TBI Advisory Committee for this project. Tim and Jenny talked about the services and barriers that are specific to Central California. Tim emphasized the difficulties with insurance coverage and the missed opportunities from delays in treatment authorization. The first year of treatment post injury is when the most recovery takes place.

In our Southern California Webinar, we were honored to have five Traumatic Brain Injury Service For California (TBISCA) Sites on the call.  In addition to CCCIL and Lynda from Mercy Hospital, also presenting a brief overview of their Southern California region TBISCA sites were Robert Almaraz from the Betty Clooney Foundation and Christina Hutchison from Options Family of Services.  

The fifth site present and the main presenter was Claudia Ellano providing an overview of services available through St. Jude Medical Center. She discussed some of the difficulties more rural areas have with getting services. Presenting a consumer perspective from Southern California, James Marshall talked about the challenges of having changes in service providers within an agency. He emphasized the need for continuity of services because of the energy it takes to get a new case worker up to speed and the complexity of Traumatic Brain Injury.

Overall, we were much honored to have such a great group of presenters leading our first set of state wide trainings as well as the participation of all those who attended. You can access the webinar archive at our main website at catbi.org.   

October 19th Northern California Webinar Summary

Today, on October 19 we had our Northern California webinars, our first of three, Traumatic Brain Injury Statewide Webinar Series titled “Improving Service Coordination for People with a TBI”. 

Lynda Eaton, a physical Therapist at the Mercy General Hospital and Traumatic Brain Injury Site for California presented on Strategies for Working with the TBI Consumer.  Lynda began by defining Traumatic Brain Injury as being caused from external forces and the difference between those and other types of brain injuries.  She detailed the impacts on memory and the physical, sensory, cognitive, emotional and behavioral changes that TBI has on a person.

Strategies she suggested for working with consumer with TBI. One was to have them or assist them with developing a daily routine in order to expend the least amount of mental energy. She suggested that they use a daily planner that realistically estimates task completion times and to spend 5-10 minutes each morning and night going over tasks they need to do for the day. You can also help your consumer by helping them find methods to say focus, rest, and to find their time most brain-intensive work at their most productive time of day.  

Presenting a consumer perspective, Robert Cline provided spoke about life with a TBI discussed his journey to learning how to manage his life. This included assistance that he received through American River College and his struggle to find employment. He now works part time with the help of his parents and stated that finding employment is difficult for people with TBI. Robert and Lynda discussed the services and barriers that are including their some of frustrations with loss of time for early treatment due to government and insurance funding.  They also spoke about how crucial it has been to connect to knowledgeable community partners to assist others with TBI in getting the services they need.

We were enthusiastic about this first webinar and the feedback we received.  We will be doing our next webinars on focusing on the Central Coast for Thursday October 21st,  and our Southern California webinar for Monday October 25^th.

Stay tuned for our upcoming set of webinars. In March we will be hosing the VA Services and Systems for Veterans with TBI. In June we will be hosing the Maximizing Community Resources for People with TBI. We are excited to be bringing these trainings to continue the collaboration, relationship building and know how to be able to provide quality services to not only those with a Traumatic Brain Injury and their families, but also all those with disabilities. I would like to thank our participants from CFILC, Department of Rehabilitation, Centers for Independent Living in the region and the California Health and Human Services for taking part in the webinar.

Register for Statewide Webinar Series on Traumatic Brain Injury: Improving Service Coordination for people with a TBI

Central Coast Center for Independent Living will be hosting a statewide webinar series on Traumatic Brain Injury. Doug Chandler and Crystal Cardenas Loutzenhiser presented information on these webinars at the recent Statewide CFILC Meeting in Garden Grove.

We strongly encourage key community partners to participate. One of our primary goals is to facilitate partnerships with organizations that work with consumers with a TBI to best serve consumers. The webinars will provide training on TBI, present information about the TBI sites in California and provide a consumer perspective on services for people with a TBI.

Webinar Schedule

The first Statewide Webinar Series on Traumatic Brain Injury will be "Improving Service Coordination for people with a TBI". Below is schedule according to region.

Tuesday, October 19^th Northern California 10:00 – 11:30 a.m.

§  Lynda Eaton  - Mercy General Hospital  

§  Robert Cline  - California TBI Advisory Board

Thursday, October 21^st Central California 10:00 – 11:30 a.m. (This includes the San Francisco Bay Area)

§  Janet Pomeroy Center

§  Tim McKay - Central Coast TBI Advisory Committee

Monday, October 25^th Southern California 10:00 – 11:30 a.m.

§  Claudia Ellano Ota  - St. Jude’s Brain Injury Network

§  James Marshall - California TBI Advisory Board

Who might you invite to participate?

§  Independent Living Centers

§  Department of Rehabilitation

§  Traumatic Brain Injury Service Sites

§  Disabled Student Services at Local Community and Four Year Colleges

§  Speech Pathologists

§  Neurologists and Psychotherapist

§  Occupational Therapist/Physical Therapist

§  Vision and Hearing Resources and Specialists

§  Senior Network

§  Homeless/Housing Services

§  Rape Crisis Centers

§  United Way

§  Veterans Organizations

How to Register?
Please email Crystal Loutzenhiser : Cloutzenhiser@cccil.org or call at 831-757-2968 to RSVP at least one business day prior to the webinar.

Effective Navigation Tips for using the CATBI.org website...

Effective Navigation Tips

We are committed to ensuring that this website is accessible to all users by conforming to existing recommendations and standards. If you encounter a problem accessing this site or if you would like to provide feedback, please contact us. We strive to make our information accessible to all individuals, including individuals who use assistive technology to access this website and individuals who log in from slow connections. This website was designed to accommodate individuals with cognitive, motor, and sensory limitations.

We refrain from using pop-up menus, unformatted PDF files, timed settings, or animated GIFs. A brief alt-attribute tag that identifies the image or its function accompanies all essential images on this site. Parts of website use JavaScript but the mouse is not required for activation and content and navigation are available even if scripting has been disabled in the browser. The use of layout tables has been minimized. However, the page content should be readable where they exist, even when the page is linearized.

This website has been tested for use with assistive technology such as screen readers, keyboard controls, and alternative input devices. In addition, our website has been tested for use with several browsers, including Netscape Navigator, Internet Explorer, Opera, and text equivalents.

We are committed to eliminating barriers to information and access to the Internet. Our webmaster has attempted to design pages with low bandwidth with minimal dependence plug-ins. In the rare case that a plug-in may be required, a link will be provided to download a free version of the plug-in.

Our Web designer looks to the Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) Guidelines and Section 508 Standards of the amended Rehabilitation Act for guidance on design.

This web site conveys information clearly to its intended audience (visitors and potential customers who may or may not be individuals with one or more types of disabilities).

• Uses language in a way that is familiar to and comfortable for its readers.
• Is conversational in its tone whenever possible.
• Uploads within a reasonable amount of time, even on a slow dial-in connection.
• Is accessible to readers with physical impairments.
• Provides an easily discoverable means of communicating with the author or administrator.
• Offers a consistent, clearly recognizable "look and feel".
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• Is visually consistent even when graphics are turned off.
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Here's more useful information to help navigate the CATBI.org website...

Browser Help: Tune-up your Web Browser

Alternative methods to browse the Web

A browser is the software that enables you to see or hear Web pages. Internet Explorer, Firefox, Mozilla, Netscape, Safari and Opera are popular graphical browsers, and Lynx is a well known text browser. Many individuals who are blind or have impaired vision surf the Web by using screen readers such as Jaws, Window-Eyes, IBM Home Page Reader and Hal, to name a few.

Designed with Usability and Accessibility in Mind

This site has been designed with the intention that all users should be able to read or listen to its content regardless of their Web browsing device. Unfortunately, graphical browsers still do not behave identically.

There is no sure-fire browser guaranteed to render pages as designed without crashing. Selecting the right browser depends primarily on your operating system (Microsoft Windows, Macintosh or Linux).

The list of browsers that follows is intended to serve as a starting point and should not be considered comprehensive. Macintosh users, particularly those using OSX and newer, definitely will want to download a browser other than Microsoft Internet Explorer, as this is not being supported on these operating systems.

Mac Browsers

• Safari
• Opera
• Camino
• Mozilla
• Visit Pure-Mac.com for a list of additional Mac-compatible browsers.

Windows Browsers

• Mozilla Firefox
• Netscape
• Opera
• Internet Explorer

Linux Browsers

• Mozilla Firefox
• Opera
• Netscape

Get More Out of Your Browser

Whatever Web browsing technology you use, it's a good idea to check for updates a couple of times a year. Newer browsers tend to load Web pages more quickly and to provide more features that allow users to customize viewing and printing preferences.

How to Check Your Browser Version

Look at the top of the browser screen. Above the buttons will be a series of menus, and at the far right is one entitled, "Help." Click on that and go to the bottom menu item. Depending on your browser, it will read something like, "About Internet Explorer," "About Communicator," or "About Opera." Click on that item, and the next screen will show you what version you have. Often, if you are using an older version, the screen will include a link to check for updates.

Make Your Browser Work for You

Most all browsers allow you to adjust the settings in your browser to optimize your Web experience. The specifics of each scenario below will vary among browsers, but the principles are common to all.

Text too small and hard to read - or too large and clunky?

Look at the top of the browser screen. The second or third item from the left will be titled View. Click on this and look at the pull-down menu: in Internet Explorer, click on Text Size; in Netscape, click on Text Zoom; in Opera, click on Zoom. Generally, too, the text size you view is also the size that will be printed.

Tired of printing out pages with the right margin chopped off?

Before you print out the page, click on File, then Print Preview. If you can see that you'll lose the right margin, then go back a step and click on File, then Page Layout. Change the page orientation from portrait to landscape, and perhaps even extend the margins a bit. Now print.

Want to save ink and printing time or, conversely, do you want to print out background images and wallpaper?

Then turn on or turn off "Print Background Colors and Images." In Internet Explorer, this is under Tools/Internet Options/Advanced. In Netscape, it's under Print Preview/Page Setup. In Opera, it's under File/Print Options.

Accessibility Help for Navigating the CATBI.org Website

Accessibility Help

Navigation

These strategies will help you navigate through this website.

Website Structure & Organization

The CATBI.org website is divided into three levels:

• Home page
• Level-1 pages
• Level-2 pages
• Level-3 pages

Home Page

The CATBI.org home page contains navigational text links to Level-1 pages in three places:

• The top navigation links are horizontally placed at the top of the web page.
• The main navigation links are vertically placed on the right side of the web page.
• The footer links located at the bottom of the page. All images are accompanied by ALT-attribute descriptions.

At the very top of the page are three links:

• A link to the main content of the web page that your browser is on.
• A link to the Accessibility-Help Page (structural description and access instructions).
• A link to the footer. Beneath these links are the logo banner and the main navigation bar.

The top navigation provides links that include access to the Home Page, Services, About Us, Contact Us, and Site Map information. Each link may be clicked to take you to where there is information regarding that item.

The narrative content follows below the top navigation and to the left of the main navigation. Beneath the content is the footer information with links to the copyright, top of the page, privacy policy, accessibility policy, and disclaimer.

Level-1 Pages

Each Level-1 page contains menu-style links along the right of the page, with footer links located at the bottom of the page. All images are accompanied by Alt-attribute descriptions.

At the very top of the page are three links: one to the content of the Level-1 page; one to the Accessibility-Help Page (structural description and access instructions); and one to the footer.

Level-2 Pages

Each Level-2 page includes narrative content and, where possible, a text link back to its primary reference page.

Level-3 Pages

Each Level-3 page provides an external link to content that exists outside of the CATBI.org website. Users should click on the browser's back button to return to the CATBI.org web page. Navigation features within Level-3 web pages may significantly differ from the CATBI.org website.

Navigation

You may navigate throughout this site by mouse or by keystroke. Pressing the "Tab" key will advance you to the next link option, and pressing the "Enter" key will take you to the linked document or site. If you need to go back to the previous link, just press the "Shift" and "Tab" keys.

Need help to tune-up your Web Browser? Visit the Browser-Help page on our website.

Learn effective navigation tips to improve your accessibility.

Register for the October 19, 2010 Statewide Webinar Series on Traumatic Brain Injury Integrating CIL and TBI Sites (See instructions below)

Statewide Webinar Series on Traumatic Brain Injury

Integrating CIL and TBI Sites

DATE: October 19, 2010

TIME: 10:00 – 11:30 am

 

Register Today!

You may register for this Webinar up to 24 hours prior to the broadcast.

Registration deadline is: October 18, 2010 at 5:00 p.m. Please email your RSVP to Neal Albritton at webmast@catbi.org prior to this deadline.

 

About the Webinar

Thank you for registering!  This session will provide education on TBI and discuss the diverse effects of this disability, as well as strategies for providing accessible services to people with TBI.  

Presenter Lynda Eaton will speak about regional service needs, resources available for integrated services, barriers and unmet needs from a service provider perspective.

Robert Cline will provide the perspective of a consumer with a TBI. He will discuss the barriers he faced and ways he found to overcome these barriers.

About the Sponsors

The TBI Service Model presentation is made available through a stimulus package grant (ARRA) provided to Central Coast Center for Independent Living (CCCIL) and administered through the California Department of Rehabilitation (DR).

About the Presenter

This session will feature Lynda Eaton, PT, of Mercy’s Home and Community Program. Robert Cline is a member of the California TBI Advisory Board.

Submit a Question

Due to the nature of the webinar technology and the number of individuals that are expected to participate, we are accepting questions in advance. Priority will be given to the questions submitted via this medium.  Advance questions will be accepted up until 24 hours before the scheduled start of the session. Questions will be accepted through the webinar system during the live session as well.

If you would like to submit a question in advance, please send it to webmaster@catbi.org.

If you are not logged in, you will be prompted to login first.

WEBINAR LOGIN INSTRUCTIONS

Prior to the meeting:

You will need to ensure that you have access to:

1.  Computer with a high speed internet connection (Dial-up connection will not be affective)

2.  Internet Explorer Version 7 or Higher (Recommended for optimal functioning)

3.  Soundcard with speakers and/or headphones

4.  Ability to download and install the required plug-in (test your system in advance to determine if you have firewall settings that may prevent you from doing this.) Note:  You are encouraged to log into the system in advance to ensure you will not have any problems on the day of the event.  If you experience problems please refer to our Help Files regarding Firewalls and Proxy Servers at:  http://onlineconferencingsystems.com/user_manual/.

You are strongly encouraged to test your speakers/headphones by clicking on the link labeled “Microphone and Speaker Test” at: https://sas.elluminate.com/site/external/jwsdetect/meeting.jnlp?sid=345&password=M.AD379BCB0A40D3D8C33C6B16A84C0B&username=Test  

Attention MAC and Linux Users:  You may experience problems connecting to this system.   It is important that you test your systems in advance and review all help files if you are experiencing problems.  We apologize for any inconvenience and are working with the System developers to address these issues.

On the day of the event:

Neal Albritton will be available in the Webinar Room 60 minutes prior to the scheduled start of this session.   If you are unfamiliar with the system or have never logged into the system before it is highly recommended that you login early to address any problems you may encounter.

If you are already familiar with the system and have logged in successfully in the past it is still recommended that you login approximately 10-15 minutes prior to the meeting to ensure that everything is operating correctly.

IMPORTANT:  Close all applications on your desktop except for Internet Explorer and then follow the instructions on the next page.

Auditorium

There are two options for entering the auditorium. The preferred method is option #1.

Option 1: Plug-In Method (preferred method for all users)

On the morning of the scheduled Webinar, by 8:30 a.m., you will receive an email from webmaster@catbi.org titled “CATBI October 19, 2010 Webinar Login”. Click on the link which will take you directly to the Elluminate Session Login; enter your name; and then click on the “Login” button.

Note: Moderators and Presenters: Please login by 9:15 a.m.

If you are a Windows PC user, please use Internet Explorer to access these instructions and the Webinar room. If you are using a Mac or Linux computer please skip to Option #2

Make sure the speakers on your PC are turned on and the volume is turned up.

Install our plug-in by clicking on the link in the next step. If your firewall is preventing you from downloading and/or installing the Java plug-in, please call the Elluminate support desk at (866) 388-8674 (preferred) or skip to option #2. (You may also contact Neal Albritton at (916) 947-9008 up to 60 minutes before the webinar begins.)

Click here to download and install the Plug-In.

Once the plug-in has been installed, click here to enter the conference room or click on the link provided in the email you receive the morning of the Webinar.

A dialog box will display prompting you to enter a "User Name." Enter your first and last name in the "User Name" field. Names are utilized to verify attendance for continuing education recognition.

Click the “Log On” button.

Option 2: Web Client Method

You will need to have Java installed on your PC in order to use this option. You can download and install Java by clicking on this link.

If you are a screenreader user please read how to use the web client before entering the room.

Click on the following link to enter the conference room (or click on the link provided in the email invitation sent the morning of the Webinar):

https://sas.elluminate.com/site/external/launch/meeting.jnlp?sid=voffice&password=M.A0CC9D062B7C7431A2BFA99D6627F1

Enter your first and last name in the User Name field.

Click the Log On button.

Not able to connect to our auditorium due to a proxy server or firewall setting? Please refer to the following instructional links:

·        Configuring Proxy Settings

·        Local Firewalls

There are two options for entering the auditorium. The preferred method is Option #1. This method is necessary for screen reader users to ensure full accessibility.  If you are using a MAC or Linux Operating system you will need to use Option #1.  If you experience problems due to firewalls, etc. try using Option #2 which is a web based client.   Refer to our help files regarding Firewalls and Proxy Servers on-line at:  http://onlineconferencingsystems.com/user_manual/

 During the meeting:

·        Make sure that all background programs on your computer (e.g., Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, etc.) are closed to improve performance and avoid conflicts with the program.

·        You may submit questions for the speakers using the Public Chat area.

Real-Time Captioning

The real-time captioning is embedded into the conference system.  To access the live captioning during the session please click on the CC icon found in the bottom right-hand corner.  A dialogue box will appear.  You can resize the box and locate it anywhere on your screen.  You will not see any captioning until the session is scheduled to begin.

Materials

A copy of the materials referred to during the webinar will be emailed to you within 24 hours of the conclusion of the session along with a session evaluation.  We value your opinion so please take the time to fill it out.  

We hope you enjoy the session!  

If you have any questions or need assistance with the webinar please contact us at (916) 947-9008 or via email webmaster@catbi.org.

Tuesday's with TBI : TBI is far from a new concept

Why have people been talking about Traumatic Brain Injury so much recently? It seems to be the new buzzword ever since TBI has been pronounced the ‘signature wound’ of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. Yet TBI is far from a new concept, and the limelight being cast on this epidemic is long overdue.

Whether you have a TBI, a loved one with TBI or just want to know more about this complex injury, our new website, CATBI.org, will have something for you. This website and blog is aimed at continuing to raise awareness and educate people and organizations about TBI, and to support consumers and veterans with TBI and their families throughout the state of California.

Visit CATBI.org for our weekly blog updates every Tuesday, where we will be discussing more about what TBI is, what issues are affecting veterans with TBI, the role of caregivers, and how to support the families of loved ones with TBI, among many other subjects. Blogs will also include regular updates on state and federal legislation, resources and new advances in TBI treatment.

Google SafeSearch utility up and running...

Well the website is coming along! The Search Engine is now up and running on each page. If you have any suggestions or difficulty accessing any of the content, please feel free to e-mail me at: webmaster@catbi.org. Enjoy your weekend! Neal

Welcome to the CATBI.org Blog!

I'm happy to share that the CATBI.org website went live on Wednesday, June 15, 2010. I am very excited about this project and the opportunity to work closely with CCCIL's Executive Director (Elsa Quezada) and CATBI Project Manager (Doug Chandler).

Feel free to check in periodically for updates from the CATBI team regarding the CATBI Expansion Project and issues and services relating to Traumatic Brain Injury.