Computer Technology Opens a World of Work to Disabled People

Thousands of people across the United States that suffer from various forms of disabilities are finding hope and work by using advanced technologies. Even those individuals who are plagued by spinal cord injuries or vision loss may benefit from the great amount of technology that is present in today's society. Steven Singley, 41, who is quadriplegic as a result of a car accident 20 years ago, has a special setup that helps him take calls for Office Depot from his home in Centerville, Utah. His right arm, which has limited movement, is strapped to the armrest of his wheelchair, allowing his hand to pivot on a trackball and his pinky knuckle to tap a clicker. A splint with a rubber tip is hooked to his palm so he can type on a keyboard sitting on his lap.

Faster Than Fiber

A Virginia-based telecommunications company, Giga Beam, has developed WiFiber, a wireless high-speed data transferring system that can stream 90 minutes of video from one point to another in as little as six seconds. Blasting beams of data through free space is not a new idea. LightPointe and Proxim Wireless also provide such services. What makes GigaBeam's technology different is that it exploits a different part of the electromagnetic spectrum. Their systems use a region of the spectrum near visible light, at terahertz frequencies. Because of this, weather conditions in which visibility is limited, such as fog or light rain, can hamper data transmission.

Conference Focuses on Nursing Excellence

Nursing students and renowned nursing leaders converge on March 23, 2006 in Augusta Georgia to advance their knowledge and showcase "excellence" in nursing. Dr. Joan Shaver will be the keynote speaker of this conference sponsored by the Beta Omicron Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society. Dr. Shaver, Dean of the School of Nursing at the University of Illinois Chicago will speak about leadership skills that foster "innovation and development for individuals and organizations."

"Other conference activities will cover topics such as innovations in bio-behavioral nursing research, sexual risk reduction, health literacy interventions, reducing inpatient mortality, family-centered care, and inter-hospital nursing education consortiums."