Volunteer Opportunity if You Can Read Cursive Handwriting

In 2010, the US government removed cursive writing from the requirements of the K-12 Common Core Standards. Although over half of US states are returning to that requirement, many of today’s young people can’t read cursive handwriting. That’s a shame because many historically important documents are written in cursive.

The Newberry Library in Chicago has a collection of handwritten documents in cursive that it is trying to have transcribed. Volunteers have already transcribed their Civil War records, but that is only a small part of their collection. The US National Archives has a similar problem.

Do you remember the Palmer Method green strip with white cursive letters that hung above the chalkboard in your elementary school classrooms?  If so, here’s a volunteer opportunity for you. You can help the Newberry Library or the US National Archives decipher their documents written in cursive. This will make their digital archives much more accessible. You may even discover something important to our nation’s history.

To transcribe for the Newberry: https://nt.newberry.org/

To become a citizen archivist for the National Archives: https://www.archives.gov/citizen-archivist

Summer Safety

There are many ways to be unsafe in the summer such as failing to use sunscreen, using lawn mowers improperly, not wearing a life jacket while boating, not paying attention when the kids are in the pool, and not washing your hands.  Here are some other safety strategies for summertime fun.

• Learn the difference between heat exhaustion and heat stroke, as well as appropriate first aid for both heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
• Do everything you can to avoid tick bites. Remember to do a thorough tick check when you get back from being outdoors and remove any you find safely.
• Avoid food-borne illnesses by taking proper storage precautions.
• Use outdoor grills safely. Keep grills clean.

Have fun this summer by taking safety precautions. Heading to the emergency room is nobody’s definition of a fun summer activity.

Tips for Staying Adequately Hydrated

The human body is about 60% water. Chances are you’re not drinking enough. Even mild dehydration can increase fatigue and lower alertness and mood.

Here are some tips to help you stay hydrated.

• Drink a glass of water when you wake up and before each meal. End your day with a last glass 2 hours before bedtime.
• Set a goal and track your water consumption. There are several handy apps to help you meet your hydration goals.
• Experiment with water. Compare how you feel about drinking water with and without ice, refrigerated or room temperature. What could you add to water to jazz up the flavor? Consider pieces of vegetables (cucumber slices) or fruits (citrus slices or berries) or herbs and spices (sprigs of basil, slices of ginger root). Drink water the way you enjoy it the most.
• Eat your water! Chewing ice cubes isn’t really recommended. But many fruits and vegetables can contribute to your overall hydration. Watermelon isn’t the only fruit full of water; all melons and strawberries are good sources. Vegetables including cabbage, celery, cucumber, lettuce, spinach, and cooked squash are about 90% water. Cottage cheese, milk, and yogurt are dairy products high in water content.

For more information on getting more water into your diet, please visit the poster set “Hydration for Health” on Healthinfo Island for the month of August. You will find it here: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Healthinfo%20Island/50/28/28

What is the US Department of Energy doing about accessibility?

It might surprise you to find out that the Department of Energy has anything at all to do with accessibility.

As background, we need to understand the focus of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. This US federal legislation prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in any program or activity that receives federal finances. This requirement applies to the Department of Energy, along with many other federal, state, and local entities / projects.

In May, 2025, the Department of Energy (DOE) has determined that accessibility standards for new construction projects are “unnecessary and too burdensome.” The DOE will be involved in the construction of the energy infrastructure necessary to support all the new planned AI data centers, including nuclear microreactors and other nuclear energy projects. Lack of accessibility at these upcoming projects will impact employees, customers, and visitors who have various disabilities.

Although including accessibility features in the design and construction of new facilities does add (minimally) to the cost, ignoring the need for such features incurs many hidden costs. There may be legal and compliance risks involved and missed revenue opportunities. Potential users can become frustrated and alienated, and place additional demands on customer support.

Universal design for accessibility helps everyone, not just those with disabilities. Perhaps the Department of Energy will rethink its decision to rescind accessibility standards for its planned new construction projects.