new An important aspect of RAD's initiative is supporting equitable digital access. The project considers how it can help reduce digital barriers and uplift Aotearoa’s standard of excellence. Investing in digital access and establishing trusted partnerships with stakeholders like businesses, government, schools, social service providers, libraries, marae, youth groups, and non-profits, RAD seeks to create a digitally skilled workforce. Encouraging others to support RAD’s mission, Scott commented, "We need funding. We need used laptops. We need repair clubs established in more schools and communities."... — IT Brief New Zealand, 8h ago

new Ipso facto, the federal government cannot distant itself from the ‘cry’ for access to quality education at all levels, because it is a constitutional responsibility. It is imperative that the country gives her population access to quality education in order to harvest them as demographic ‘dividend’ in the future. Thus, there should be renewed commitment of government across all levels, and the private sector, to address funding the education sector, and providing the less privileged Nigerians with access to education for a brighter future. — The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News, 21h ago

new Tackle social determinants of health on the small scaleFemale patients already face challenges accessing care. That compounds for patients facing limited resources or societal barriers to health access from systemic racism. While it isn’t in the power of one caregiver or care manager to fix an entire social system, smaller-scale outreach and education can impact individual patients and members who need assistance with transportation, scheduling, and costs. — Healthcare Business Today, 1d ago

new Jessica Bwali, Global Campaigner at Tearfund, said: “For people in poverty around the world, how public finance is spent could mean the difference between life and death. Either money goes to dirty fossil fuels and contributes to more drought, flooding and suffering; or it ushers in a clean energy transition and a safer, brighter future. Communities on the frontline of the climate crisis can’t afford any more delays. Four out of five people in sub-Saharan Africa live without access to electricity today and this affects health services, education and livelihood opportunities. In Zambia, we use hydroelectric power, but we still suffer massive power cuts because of droughts. The Kariba dam, for example, relies on a flow of water and when there is no water, the power supply dips. Many people suffer abject poverty because of this. Securing the loss and damage fund for people living in poverty was a good start for the Climate Talks here in Dubai. The urgent challenge now is to make sure that wealthy nations genuinely stump up the cash, and that public finance benefits people on the frontlines of climate change.”... — Oil Change International, 1d ago

new Disability inclusion is central to the promise of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The commitment requires corporates to collaborate with the government, partners, and other stakeholders to find innovative solutions for enabling the active participation of persons with disabilities in their full diversity, and their full inclusion in all decision-making processes. As we continue to strengthen our commitment to equality, structured interventions throughout the employee lifecycle of a person with disability will be necessary for realizing their ability to contribute of themselves. Access to knowledge and skills, practical tools, and assistive. — CXOToday.com, 1d ago

new Education and health are the fundamental right and key drivers for empowerment. The United Nations, working with partners and communities, strives to create an inclusive educational environment, ensuring that every child, regardless of ability, has access to quality education. In conflict situations, special attention is given to providing adapted learning environments that cater to diverse learning needs. — ReliefWeb, 1d ago

new In the Golden State, a bill to expand the state’s approach to workforce development programs passed the Senate floor on a 31-6 vote on May 24th, and is set to be considered by the Assembly’s Labor and Employment Committee on June 14th. The bill would establish the Equitable Access to Job Opportunity Pilot Program, which aims to remove barriers to employment by providing financial aid to train individuals without post-secondary degrees from rural or low-income communities in targeted industries. The pilot program would operate during calendar year 2025, with the existing Workforce Development Board and Office of Planning and Research determining which key industries would be applicable based on goals established in California. — natlawreview.com, 1d ago

new Often these children are taken out of school to work on the farm by their parents, according to Katie Bird of the International Cocoa Initiative, a nonprofit working to end child labour and forced labour in cocoa. “Farmer poverty is a significant contributing factor,” she said. “There is a role for the cocoa industry, quite clearly, but also for governments in cocoa-producing countries, civil society organisations, producers themselves and a role for cocoa-consuming countries as well.” That means also ensuring access to good quality schooling, healthcare and helping farmers diversify. — the Guardian, 1d ago

new From my perspective, a highly competitive city, whether component or highly urbanized, showcases economic growth, improved infrastructure, and enhanced public services. As a result, potential benefits for city constituents, particularly the economically disadvantaged, must encompass “increased job opportunities leading to more stable sources of income; enhanced access to quality education facilitated by improved educational institutions and facilities; improved health outcomes through better access to medical services; enhanced mobility and connectivity, making it easier to reach jobs, schools, and essential services; a safety net for poor families through improved social services; improved access to basic services like water, sanitation, and electricity; more opportunities for constituents to start their own businesses; implementation of community development programs targeting poverty reduction; improved access to free cultural and recreational opportunities, and a reduced crime rate resulting in a safer environment for all constituents.”Nonetheless, the actual benefits to poor families depend on the effectiveness of local governance, social policies, and the inclusivity of development strategies. The city government must prioritize pro-poor initiatives addressing the specific needs of indigent constituents, while ensuring inclusive growth to maximize the positive impact of competitiveness on their lives. — INQUIRER.net, 2d ago

new This article advocates that there is uncertainty and only two powers can steer the created uncertainty. Taking a neo-realist stance, Eric Schmidt might encourage scholars in the West or those with more access to Western literature to reiterate the global influence and power of the US. Irrespective of what narrative this article is selling, it is true that digital technology is becoming ubiquitous. When it truly does, cybersecurity becomes the fundamental national, social, and individual security aspect. Every socio-economic activity is becoming digital. Social interactions, business, education, health, governance, and dating are a few important human activities that can be immediately listed, which are mostly online. In this situation, the author’s assertion of AI technology is the strategic technology to which the US has to develop a comprehensive national strategy. While the author’s argument was anchored only to the US, the security threats emanating from loosely understood AI looms worldwide. Every country should revamp its approach towards national security. The world has been digitalized; now, the ‘society’ is a ‘digital society.’... — Montreal AI Ethics Institute, 1d ago

new The United Nations is not deaf to examples such as those above and has worked towards improving life for women across the world – and this is the point where the mixed picture becomes clearer. Feminists often harness the platforms available through the United Nations and secure progress that would not be possible without the playing field made available by international organisations. Perhaps the best example of this came in October 2000, when the UN Security Council adopted Resolution 1325 – a landmark in emphasising the value of equal participation of women, as well as their increasing involvement in the promotion and maintenance of peace and security. Furthermore, it recognised the disproportionate impact of conflict on women. The United Nations subsequently created several specialised groups, such as the Task Force on Women Peace and Security, as well as the Task Force on Violence Against Women, to uphold its commitment to the protection of women’s rights. Additionally, the United Nations has also provided women in impoverished countries with more access to resources and opportunities they would otherwise not have, for example through initiatives such as the UN Girls’ Education Initiative. Further, a large number of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (explored further in chapters 17 and 18) target issues pivotal to women in ways that are designed to be more nuanced in order to overcome some of the ineffective applications of prior efforts which tended to help some women more than others. — E-International Relations, 2d ago

new ...“Ensuring access to affordable, reliable and sustainable energy for all is key to opening up a new world of opportunities for millions of people. Achieving SDG7 will benefit other SDGs related to climate change, economic opportunities and jobs, women’s empowerment, social justice, education and health. Unlocking finance for BESS investments is an important milestone that will enable the development of renewable energy at scale. We need new and innovative ways to mobilize all relevant stakeholders, which is why I am delighted that AFD is joining the BESS Consortium initiative. We are committed to sharing our technical expertise and financing solutions with the 10 first movers and bringing new countries on board to reach the +5GW target.”... — The Rockefeller Foundation, 2d ago

new Meanwhile, the ultra-Orthodox public remained on the sidelines of this debate. The ultra-Orthodox camp consists of multiple groups that are distinctive due to their strict adherence to religious observances and traditional clothing. Many of them live in isolated communities. In the early years of the state of Israel, they opposed Zionism and the secular nature of the state. However, they participated in Israeli politics to protect their interests, and they succeeded in doing so. Many of the ultra-Orthodox receive a full exemption from military service. Additionally, the government provides financial support to those who devote themselves to religious studies. As a result, they are only partly integrated into the labour market. — The Globe and Mail, 2d ago

new ...school administrators or the State Board of Education. An easy to implement action could be to “ develop International Compost Awareness Week (ICAW)…activities for schools.” In additional to continuing to provide and improve materials on the how and why of composting groups considered what types of new materials should be developed including testimonials from industry peers, case studies on the economics of composting, and more publicly available compost demonstration . Action could also be taken to create more resources for home composters for troubleshooting such as "create short + informative video highlighting common mistakes to avoid " and "411 type phone # or texting service for composting" (formally called the Rotline in Chicago when the city had a home composting program). Education actions were also identified to improve composting services by educating those writing and approving waste hauling contracts about what should be in the contract and increasing transparency so that everyone (municipalities, haulers, and households) can easily obtain the answer to the questions "where is the food waste going exactly?" and “what can composters accept?” A list of comments on Education Actions are displayed in Table 10, Appendix 1. INFRASTRUCTURE actions included ways to improve the composting ecosystem especially by increasing access to drop off and pick up programs , as well as ensuring that the programs are more equitable and accessible to all residents, regardless of their ability to pay. To support infrastructure, actions to be taken include increasing public awareness by creating and promoting compost maps and directories by using resources such as "Google Maps for showcasing businesses that compost," 5 holding more events like Pumpkin Smashes or compost giveback days and developing ad campaigns. It was noted that these types of efforts strengthen and support composting’s social infrastructure . To drive usage and demand for compost possible actions included encouraging increased usage on farms (either through incentives, subsidizes, or education) and in public works projects, and motivating residents and businesses to use and make compost and separate their organic waste. Policy was often viewed as a way to mobilize action for infrastructure whether it was creating "supportive equitable well written policy for farmers to be involved in compost as a business model" or to " make spray fertilizer less affordable.” Also suggested were policies to promote compost usage, the idea being that increased use will drive the expansion of compost production facilities. Comments such as “companies adding amended soil to large sites I-DOT Construction or other County municipalities, institutions universities corps" and " tax incentives for landscapers +topsoil producers to bring in compost " are examples of how policy could support infrastructure growth. Finally, streamlining the process of compost creation and improving compost products especially by working on “compost quality standard's testing .” Developing demonstration and research that compares compost products, blends, and mixes to support claims on the benefits of usage for highway construction, farms, and landscape use are also actions that could be taken to support the development of compost infrastructure. — extension.org, 2d ago

new ...“In the school setting, students often engage in insults, banter, teasing, shoving, pushing, and gender-specific conduct that is upsetting to the students subjected to it,” O’Connor wrote. “Damages are not available for simple acts of teasing and name-calling among school children, however, even where these comments target differences in gender. Rather, in the context of student-on-student harassment, damages are available only where the behavior is so severe, pervasive, and objectively offensive that it denies its victims the equal access to education that Title IX is designed to protect.”... — Education Week, 2d ago

new American Student Assistance® (ASA) is a national nonprofit changing the way kids learn about careers and navigate a path to postsecondary education and career success. ASA believes all students should have equitable access to career readiness learning, starting in middle school, so they will be equipped to make informed, confident decisions about their futures. ASA fulfills its mission by providing free digital-first experiences, including Futurescape® and Next Voice™, and EvolveMe™, directly to millions of students, and through impact investing and philanthropic support for educators, intermediaries, and others. To learn more about ASA, visit www.asa.org/about – asa . — eSchool News, 2d ago

new Although Birkbeck has remained true to its founding mission: improving lives through lifelong learning and enabling those who might not otherwise be able to access a high-quality university education, to do so, much has changed during its 200-year history. It is now a world leading teaching and research university, operating from a campus in the heart of London which attracts a range of students from 18 to 80 years of age from 120 countries across the world. — Birkbeck, University of London, 2d ago

new In conclusion, ITA decisions demonstrate a pattern of increasing control over the lives of Afghan citizens and the operational environment of humanitarian responders. New regulations are shaping various aspects of daily life and increasingly restricting women’s access to education, health, and work and the modalities and content of aid delivery. While Afghans’ everyday lives are still not as restricted as during the first Islamic Emirate (1996–2001), the trend of ITA decisions suggests that Afghan society is gradually inching towards the same situation. — ReliefWeb, 2d ago

new Most importantly, the RISE grant helped Northeastern purchase its simulators, which include a birth simulator, a pediatric simulator and two adult simulators. Using the simulators students can do everything from listen to heartbeats and breathing sounds to insert a catheter and their patients are even able to talk to them and answer questions.Instructors shared that the simulators are invaluable because they help students grow their confidence and figure out what they still need to learn while realizing just how much they already know. Plus, it's a great place for students to apply what they've learned in the classroom.Nursing students commented that the simulators help make them more comfortable, teach them time management, provide valuable hands-on experience outside of the classroom and allow them to work on their critical thinking skills."I like simulation because it is a place for me to make errors and not have to worry about killing the patients," Brandon Williams said.Before watching a demonstration of the birth simulator, the group heard from Jennifer Garcia, a student who benefited from the RISE grant and in May will be graduating with an RN (Registered Nursing) degree. From California, she was working a dead-end job when her sister was accepted into NJC's program and encouraged her to enroll. After taking a job at Sterling Regional MedCenter as an inventory associate to make sure that healthcare was right for her, she fell in love almost immediately and went to work earning her CNA degree."Being from out of state it's been very difficult for me," Garcia said, explaining that the cost for her to attend Northeastern is much higher than a student who has lived here all of their life. "I wasn't sure I would be able to afford it and then came the RISE grant. It just lifted this great burden off me and I was able to focus all of my time and attention into preparing my skills.""I am very grateful to the RISE grant for everything it has given me because I feel that I have a purpose," Garcia added, sharing that she plans to work in the community when she graduates.Next, Giacomini shared how for years, she and Brower discussed how they could partner with students coming in, who often come from a country where they were a veterinarian or a doctor but now they need to get the skills and credentials to be able to work in the United States. Through the RISE grant, they were able to remove the financial barrier for some of the students and it also helped them create an integrated education and training program.Northeastern found a cohort of students whose language proficiency was just enough that they could have a basic conversation but they needed language skills specific to a CNA, which they got through a customized English training that was developed. The college also worked with them on workforce preparation skills like communication, time management, learning cultural differences, etc."It was great to finally pilot this program that we'd been trying for so long to get together," Giacomini said, adding that now those students are recruiting others to the CNA program.Next, was the simulation, which involved a pregnant woman who came in stable but started deteriorating with her heart rate and blood pressure showing signs of distress and her oxygen level dropping. She then experienced an eclamptic seizure due to high blood pressure and when the mother awakened it was determined she was in labor. The mother went on to deliver a healthy baby girl, who was examined for any problems and vaccinated.After the simulation, the group heard from Shelly Griffith, CEO of Eben Ezer Lutheran Care Center, one of Northeastern's main clinical sites for both nursing and CNA students."We rely heavily on (NJC) to help train CNAs, individuals who are looking to pursue an entry point into the medical field," she said. "The beauty of NJC is they have been able to flex some schedules and be able to accommodate those who may need to be working full-time while they are looking to grow their career options."NJC's program is especially critical given the shortage of healthcare workers. Griffith shared Eben Ezer has a need for 20 CNAs right now,"What's happening is the demand for our service is significant and so people are having to go on a wait list, which means that many people, their needs are not being met because nursing homes throughout the rural communities are not able to meet that need because of limited staffing levels," she explained.Following her remarks, guests had a chance to try out the simulators themselves.The day ended with a panel discussion that included Tamara Durbin, executive director of Northeast Colorado BOCES; Kyle Stumpf, Superintendent of Holyoke School District; Danielle Ongart, Executive Director of Colorado Department of Education's Student Pathways; and Misti Ruthven, Director of Education and Training Innovation for the Office of Governor Polis.They talked about the importance of career connected learning as it benefits both students and the economy by opening students' eyes to career opportunities they might want to consider. Stumpf mentioned the success of his district's internship program.The group also talked about some of the barriers that exist to providing this, the biggest being cost, especially in northeast Colorado where it costs a lot to transport students from their school to another school that offers the program they're interested in. There is also the challenge of trying to ensure all students have equitable access. Durbin pointed out that students who live in northeast Colorado need to have the same opportunities available to them as those on the Front Range.During a question and answer session with the audience, Trae Miller, executive director of the Logan County Economic Development Corporation, pointed out that internships and apprenticeships sound great but the state requirements that go into those and the reporting aspects create a barrier for businesses to participate in those programs. He also shared that students need help with basic skills such as showing up on time and learning how to take instruction.Ongart suggested there needs to be a regional entity in place to help students and businesses navigate this, so it doesn't all fall on the district or the business, and Stumpf mentioned his district teaches a class an hour a day with all of those skills and they also provide businesses with funding to help offset the costs of doing an internship.State Sen. Byron Pelton asked why the state is reinventing the wheels with apprenticeships, instead of learning from what's in place now. He said his frustration with recent legislation regarding apprenticeships is "you're going to have a lot of outside forces that are going to try to do their best to send it one way or the other when we need to just worry about the entire workforce, not just a little part of it; we need to worry about the entire workforce." Pelton pointed out in two years, half of Colorado's electrical trade will be retiring, "so we've got to get more people in there," he commented.He also said would like for time in college courses to count toward credit for both college and high school, which he plans to introduce a bill to require."We realize the importance of apprenticeships and we have challenges in trying to determine those opportunities for youth in high schools and have that be seamless for them," Durbin said, adding that it's something they are working on.©2023 Journal-Advocate, Sterling, Colo. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. — GovTech, 2d ago

new The world changing will not be a revelation to your readers. I read about some data which said that people are no longer making a choice on where they work over a year or even months. If they perceive they are in a bad job, they’re giving notice that day. We have talked about the perception of hospitality being a bad job – long and unsociable hours and difficult customers – so for businesses in this sector, it is in our control to add as much good into the experience as we possibly can. Flexibility is key and the mutual balance has to be right for both colleagues and the wider business. If people genuinely feel that they are being treated fairly, they will stay longer and feel compelled to do their best. We are working with our franchise partners to add more good into the team member experience, such as offering benefits including access to sick pay and various insurances – should the worst happen – and discounted shopping. These are benefits that aren’t actually very common within restaurants or within hospitality, but we are determined to be the business that thinks and works outside the expected parameters. A great example is Heartstyles – as I mentioned earlier – which is being rolled out across all our outlets, to genuinely give people life skills to be successful. This is backed up by more education opportunities, including apprenticeships and degrees and supporting people with career planning. This was all founded on a culture of recognition, which is a real core foundation of Yum!. It’s a very simple equation and a fine balance, that if you are complacent and don’t put enough good into the experience, it tips towards greater attrition, as people have choice and will look elsewhere if they feel neglected. It is definitely a work-in-progress and increasingly, you have to be creative, flexible and have an open ear to what people are telling you. — theHRDIRECTOR, 2d ago

new SINGAPORE - Media OutReach - 23 November 2023 - (NASDAQ: AMZN) – This holiday season, Amazon Singapore engages the local community with ‘Page to Page: Amazon Singapore Books Pop Up’, a unique and immersive reading experience happening from 2 - 17 Dec 2023 at Punggol Regional Library. The initiative will launch on 2 Dec 2023 with an opening ceremony, with invited guests that include children and family beneficiaries as part of the Amazon x Shop for Good wishlist initiative. To further underscore their support for the local community, Amazon Singapore will also be donating a total of $100,000 in cash to 4 local NPOs, including Children’s Wishing Well, Club Rainbow (Singapore), Fei Yue Family Service Centre and Glyph Community, to help children and youths in Singapore better learn, play, and develop in the long-run. The donations will be presented to representatives from the various NPOs at the launch of ‘Page to Page: Amazon Singapore Books Pop Up’. Amazon Singapore’s increase in support for underprivileged children and their families is aligned to the direction from the Forward SG Report 2023 to look to social empowerment rather than social assistance when it comes to supporting and uplifting lower-income families. This effort held at the Punggol Regional Library underscores Amazon’s commitment to inspiring the next generation of lifelong readers as well as the history of the company that began as an online book store. The pop-up promises an enriching experience for families and young school children, extending reading resources to the heartlands. Showcasing a tree adorned with books sourced from Amazon Singapore's diverse local and international sellers, the initiative fosters a sense of community, inspiring a passion for literacy during the festive season. Families are encouraged to join with their children, to cultivate a mutual love for reading and engaging in creative activities to craft special moments with each other. Under the Amazon x Shop for Good wishlist initiative, Amazon Singapore continues to work closely with local NPOs to understand the evolving needs of the underprivileged and channel resources to uplift and nurture them, especially children. In addition, the initiative serves to raise awareness and encourage the public to give to meaningful causes regularly and offers a platform for donating transparently. Delivering Smiles in Singapore this holiday season Amazon Singapore’s wishlist initiative started in 2020 to make giving and doing good a part of daily experiences for customers in Singapore, especially during the pandemic. As people shop on Amazon.sg for holiday gifts or everyday essentials, they can browse the items requested by NPOs on their respective wishlists, click to purchase them per their budget, and directly support the causes they are most passionate about. Each NPO’s wishlist is an updated depository of items which their beneficiaries currently need most and works as a self-serve tool—at no cost to NPOs—to inform customers on Amazon.sg what the NPOs need and their quantity. Customers who are keen to donate can select any listed item and quantity, make the payment, and have the items delivered directly to the NPOs’ specified address. This minimizes instances of mismatched items being donated to NPOs or the need to drop them off physically while offering the same vast selection, convenient shopping experience, and great prices that customers have come to expect from Amazon.sg. A total of 16 local NPOs are currently part of the Amazon x Shop for Good wishlist initiative: Arc Children’s Centre, Beyond Social Services, Blessings in a Bag, Children’s Wishing Well, Club Rainbow (Singapore), Engineering Good, Fei Yue, Glyph Community, New Hope Community Services, Singapore Red Cross, SHINE Children and Youth Services, Singapore Children’s Society, The Singapore Association for the Deaf (SADeaf), SOSD, The Food Bank Singapore, and Willing Hearts. Joanna Tan, CEO, Children’s Wishing Well, said, “This donation initiative has enabled us to acquire food items for the children, books to enhance their learning and development, educational materials, and much more. As we approach the year's end, we look forward to ongoing support in ensuring our children have the essentials and educational resources they require.” Lim Si Hui, Co-General Manager, Glyph Community Limited, said, "Through the Shop for Good wish list, our aim is to enhance our capabilities with the essential equipment necessary for implementing our exciting new technology, coding, and AI programme! With products such as tablets as a critical tool, we can empower young children to thrive in the digital age." Teo Siang Loong, Executive Directior, Club Rainbow (Singapore), said, “We at Club Rainbow are elated by the endless possibilities that comes with this partnership with Amazon Singapore. Being part of Shop for Good has enabled our beneficiaries to receive many essential necessities such as milk powder and diapers. These items contribute to our monthly distribution efforts to support the basic needs of our low-income families. Books and many other educational resources will augment the learning and development of our pre-schoolers, primary and secondary school children through ongoing early intervention programmes, tuition sessions and enrichment activities. These initiatives are pivotal as key enablers to ease the financial distress for our vulnerable families, and empower them to live with dignity.” Arthur Ling, Chief Executive, Fei Yue Family Service Centre, said, “Our Shop for Good wish list eases the financial strain on low-income families, allowing them to prioritise their resources for other daily necessities. Through the distribution of milk and diapers to our Family Service Centres, we empower our social workers to provide essential support to our beneficiaries.” Customers can join Amazon in its season of giving by shopping for an NPO’s wishlist via amazon.sg/shopforgood. Hashtag: #Amazonsg #DeliveringSmileshttp://www.twitter.com/amazonsghttp://www.facebook.com/Amazon.sghttp://www.instagram.com/Amazon.SG... — SME Business Daily Media, 2d ago

new All of the children who attended the meeting at Otts-Rubenstein’s house were recommended for different CPS schools, but Otts-Rubenstein said she still had concerns. She said many of the schools might not have the support that they need. She notices things that the district might not, she said.It will take a lot for the migrants — who have never left their children with others — to trust city officials to provide adequate care. She said it took a lot for her to trust the school where she now sends her daughter.Otts-Rubenstein was especially disappointed by the district’s assessment of Keinymar and made a list of points the district missed: trauma care to help her cope with the stress of the long journey, visual impairment resources, technology to keep her engaged, direct nursing assistance and transportation.“The fact that she doesn’t have a paraprofessional included on the bus, right? That’s a big problem and a big miss. Why did I catch that and the committee didn’t?” she asked.She said Keinymar’s family shouldn’t accept the district’s academic goals for Keinymar without asking for additional staffing and support.“We can revisit goals and make them more cued into Keinymar once she is able to attend school safely,” wrote Otts-Rubenstein in an email to the district.Students with disabilities are protected under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, said Rachel Shapiro, managing attorney in the special education clinic at Equip for Equality. If parents don’t agree with the district’s designation for their child, she said, they can schedule a mediation to look at other types of accommodations.“Special education students always have a right to go to school,” she said. “It’s important for parents to understand that, even if they’re not U.S. citizens, that their kids have these rights.”... — Governing, 2d ago

new She added that “As a stakeholder in the HR industry, I believe the government plays a role in shaping the landscape for economic development and wealth creation. Government strengthening educational platforms by investing in a robust educational framework that aligns with the demands of the contemporary workforce. It includes fostering partnerships between educational institutions and industry players to ensure graduates are adequately prepared for the dynamic challenges of the workplace. Introducing comprehensive Employment insurance schemes through centralized platforms can be a transformative step. Such initiatives would provide a safety net for individuals in between jobs by offering financial support and access to skill development programs that enhance employability. Reviewing and modernizing existing labour laws is imperative to meet the current economic landscape’s demands. This involves ensuring that regulations are flexible, adaptive, and supportive of innovation. A balanced approach is crucial to safeguard workers’ rights while creating an environment conducive to business growth and job creation. There is the need to continuously foster a conducive environment for entrepreneurship. It can be achieved by simplifying bureaucratic processes, offering financial incentives, and providing mentorship programs to encourage the establishment and growth of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).”... — The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News, 2d ago

new Sameer Hajarnis of OneSpan asks the tough questions you need to be asking of your e-signature provider, and examines why they matter. Up until recently, the government didn’t operate the same way banks or hospitals do. In fact, they have been a little slower than commercial entities to adopt new technologies; however, budget pressure is changing that. When you think about any type of government process – storing important records, rural development, food services, public services, etc. – they all, at one point or another, used to require paper documents and some form of handwritten signatures. The adoption of digitized workflows accelerated when in-person work halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. During this time, most traditional, paper-based signing processes were replaced with modernized e-signatures. Today, the government goes as far as turning to digital identity verification (ID) and remote online notarization (RON) to optimize higher-risk digital processes in the context of remote operations. For example, in March 2020, the Michigan Department of Technology, Management, and Budget’s (DTMB) Records Management Services deployed OneSpan Sign’s e-signature solution as an interdepartmental shared service to route documents for signature. To date, over 1,000 users have been trained to use OneSpan Sign, with roughly 90 percent of basic use cases taking less than 30 minutes of training. With this shift to digitized processes and increased use of e-signatures between agencies, security, and compliance must be top of mind. The government is set apart from other industries– their processes have a lot more oversight from numerous regulatory bodies. Government agencies also deal with the most sensitive and significant types of transactions, so it’s important that they remain secure throughout their entire lifecycle. — Best Identity Access Management (IAM) Software, Tools, Vendors, Solutions, & Services, 2d ago

new ...“We recognize that to create our own unique cohort of newly trained biotech entrepreneurs here in Baltimore, our accelerator will need to provide them with both research support and funding, as well as guidance through the process of commercialization and technology development,” Rose said in a UMSOM press release. “We will be providing mentoring and educational programs from a diverse set of successful life science innovators and leaders to help distill their broad experiences—from navigating FDA regulatory pathways to financing new companies—to all of those who interact with the hub.”... — UMBC, 2d ago

new The report highlighted how communities are at the forefront of innovation. In Windhoek, Namibia, a self-funded project by the youth Empowerment Group is using e-bikes to deliver HIV medicines, food and adherence support to young people who often cannot attend clinics due to their schooling hours. In China, community organizations developed smartphone apps that link people to self-testing which contributed to a more than four-fold increase in HIV tests across the country from 2009 to 2020. — The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News, 2d ago

new ...“The CPCS mother-scholar scholarships bring the Women’s Giving Circle mission to fruition in our effort to create an equitable experience for mother-scholars by helping to alleviate the historical burden that mothers have had to carry when they return to school,” Dr. Castro said. “Many of these women are forced to work multiple jobs, leaving little time for studying or attending classes. Some also struggle to access child care, transportation and counseling—services essential to their academic success.”... — Adelphi University, 2d ago

new She further advised that as a pre-requisite for public office, parents vying for public office must send their children to school in Nigeria. “Government should empower and equip the inspectorate department, introduce widening participation and social welfare initiatives that will ensure children from deprived backgrounds are protected from paying for anything to access education”, she advised. — The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News, 2d ago