Hot Topics

Consumer-oriented and general interest web sites.

Links to Selected Topics A - E

This page contains topics beginning with A - E.  For topics starting with F - M see Hot Topics F-M.  For topics starting N - Z see Hot Topics N-Z.  Inclusion of a site below does not mean that OSU Libraries or The Ohio State University endorse the sites or the information they contain.

A  B  C  Cr  D  E  

 

Accessibility 

  • Accessible mobile reading apps. (Library of Congress) Describes APPS for smartphones and other mobile devises that assist those with visual impairments to access books, newspaper, etc.  Some of the APPs listed are free, some must be purchased.          
  • Assistive technology products for information access. (Library of Congress) List of products designed to assist people with visual or physical disabilities in accessing printed information.  Lists vendors and limited information on pricing.  List is not comprehensive, but rather a sampling of technologies available.  
  • General Resources on Disabilities. (Library of Congress) Lists various resources available to people with disabilities, such as senior citizens, workers with disabilities, etc.  Also contains information on mobile reading apps for devices, etc. to make life easier.
  • Hearing Loss Association of America. (HLAA) Provides information on the topic of hearing loss, technologies available to assist with combating hearing loss, etc. 
  • Information and Assistance Organizations. (Library of Congress) Lists consumer organizations that provide direct services to the blind and visually impaired.  
  • Internet Accessibility Guide:  Improve Internet Accessibility for Individuals with Impaired Vision. (myvision.org) Tip, tricks and recommendations for making web-based content more accessible for individuals with impaired vision. 
  • NLS Reference Guide - Braille and Audio Reading Download (BARD). (Library of Congress. National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped) Web-based service containing Braille, audio, etc. books and magazines.  There are mobile versions also available. 
  • Master's Resources for Students with Hearing Disabilities. (Online Master's Degrees, Sonja Ann Jones, May 12, 2022) The section on resources for students with hearing disabilities is especially helpful.
  • Video Gaming Accessibility. (Library of Congress) List of selected resources pertaining to making video games accessible to people with disabilities.  
  • Yellow Pages for Kids with Disabilities. (Wrightslaw)  Listings of educational consultants, medical and care professionals, government programs, organizations and support groups, etc.  Searchable by state, and zip code.
  • See also Disabilities

 

Acronyms

  • FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations, and Terms:  A Capability Assurance Job and Field Aid.  Washington, D.C.:  FEMA, July 2023.  Alphabetic list of emergency management acronyms, abbreviations, etc.
  • GovSpeak: A Guide to U.S. Government Acronyms & Abbreviations: Home. (University of California –San Diego Library)  Libguide with the most current, extensive and fully linked listing of U.S. government agency, office, program and publications acronyms. 

 

Active Shooter

 

Adoption

 

Area/Country Codes (Telephones)

  • Country Codes. (CountryCode.org)  Alphabetic list by country of international area codes.
  • List of US Area Codes by State:  Area Code Lookup. (WireFly)  Alphabetic list of States and area codes associated with them.  Specific area codes also include information on active number prefixes and zip codes associated with the area code.  Plus information on TV, internet, home security, etc. providers.
  • Phone and Area Code Search. (AllAreaCodes.com)  Maps of area codes for the continental U.S and Canada, listings by states, and selected cities by area code. While searching for a specific phone number is available, it costs and requires email address, etc.

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Bed Bugs – See Pest Control

 

Birth Certificates, obtaining copies – See Vital Statistics 

 

Book Banning – See Censorship

 

Bullying

  • The Anti-Bullying Guidebook:  How to Recognize, Prevent, and Stop Bullying in School, at Work and Online.  (Steps – Student Training & Education in Public Service) Aimed at college students, this resource provides information on various forms of bullying, how to recognize it, how to prevent and address it, etc. 
  • Anti-Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying Resources. (Ohio Department of Education)  Presents a few of the many resources available to help address the issues of harassment, intimidation and bullying.
  • Bullying. (National Crime Prevention Council)
  • Bullying in the Workplace:  Background and a Call to Action. (Michigan State University, WorkLife Office. Barbara Roberts, Hudson Bennett, and John Girdwood. March 2020)
  • Cyberbullying. (National Crime Prevention Council)
  • Cyberbullying and Suicide Among Youth – Guide. (Drug Rehab USA. Andrew McKenna) Geared towards parents has statistics about bullying/cyberbullying, information on the link between bullying and mental health issues, warning signs that bullying is occurring, and links to additional resources.
  • The National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN).  Funded by the Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS), Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), U. S. Department of Health and Human Services, and jointly coordinated by UCLA and Duke University.  Provides information, links, etc. intended for parents, professionals and teachers, and other interested parties.  Coverage includes trauma resulting from substance abuse, natural disasters, physical violence and abuse, sexual abuse, school violence including bullying, etc.  
  • Preventing Bullying.  Atlanta, Georgia:  National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Division of Violence Prevention, 2018.
  • Stopbullying.gov. (U.S. Department of Health and Human Resources) Mixture of video clips, games, contacts information, information on cyberbullying and related topics including state laws and policies on bullying.  Has a section aimed at children. 

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Child Safety

 

Censorship

  • Banned Books Information and Resources:  Censorship.  (University of Toledo) Historical background on censorship and book banning; listings of banned books, films, etc. and discussions on the 1st. Amendment and its implications.  
  • Book Bans & Censorship:  Take Action!  (Simmons University Library) Links to resources for taking action against book banning and censorship, lists of banned books, and includes a book banning legislative tracker by state. 
  • Censorship.  (Bellevue University, Freeman | Lozier Library) Information on the topic of censorship in the form of lists and links to e-books, books, videos, journal articles, databases, organizations.  
  • “Collaborative Teaching Intellectual Freedom to Education Students”.  Nadean Meyer and Darcy Bradley.  Education Libraries.  v.36no.1) Summer 2013: p.24-30.  A series of exercises for education students about intellectual freedom and book challenges although the resources are primarily online the resource also include discussions suggestions, and activities such as role playing.

 

Citizenship

 

Computer Safety/Security

  • Consumer Information – Kids and Computer Security.  (Federal Trade Commission) Geared towards parents covers various computer security issues involving children. 
  • Cybersecurity for Ohio State.  (The Ohio State University) University policies and issues relating to university technology use are available under For Ohio State.  Under For You various topics of cybersecurity.  
  • DoxingWhat is it? How to Dox? How to Protect Yourself from Doxing?  (Protectimus. Anna.) Explanation of what it is, ways to protect against it, etc.
  • Doxing:  What is it & Should You be Worried?  (HTML.COM) Explanation of the term, and its impact.    
  • Facts for Consumers:  Site seeing on the Internet.  (Federal Trade Commission) Set up like a travel guide, site offers information on privacy issue, computer safety issues, definitions of terms, child safety issues, etc.
  • FTC Consumer Alert:  Spyware.  (Federal Trade Commission, Bureau of Consumer Protection, Office of Consumer and Business Education)
  • Heads Up:  Stop Think Connect. (OnGuard Online.gov)
  • Hot Topics:  Cyber Security:  Extending Your Research.  (The University of Maine. Raymond F. Fogler Library) Resource guide with suggested reading, databases, links to government web sites and more on the topic of cybersecurity.  
  • Internet Safety for Kids.  (ConsumerNotice.org) Provides information for parents on safe internet access for their children.  Explains dangers, has steps to take to protect your children, etc.
  • Keeping Kids Safe in Cyber Space.  (SafeHome.org) Provides information for parents on cyber safety for children.
  • 131 Cybersecurity Tips that Anyone Can Apply.  (Heimdal. Andra Zaharia) A list of 131 tips to improve your computer security and online privacy.  
  • Online Privacy and Security.  (Federal Trade Commission) Information on how to protect your devices from hackers and threats, etc.  Available in Spanish.
  • Preparing for a Cyber Incident:  A Guide to Ransomware.  (United States Secret Service) Suggestions for what to do if your computer is infected with ransomware.
  • Securing Your Wireless Network.  (OnGuardOnline.gov) Tips to protecting your Wi-Fi network against hacking.
  • Stop Think Connect.  (Department of Homeland Security/National Cyber Security Alliance) Links to videos, websites, etc. on cybersecurity topic such as smart phone security, identity theft, file sharing, social networking, etc. 
  • Understanding Mobile Apps.  (OnGuardOnline.gov.) Advice on how protect your privacy before and after installing apps on a cell phone or tablet.
  • You’ve Got Spam:  How to “Can” Unwanted Email.  Washington, D.C.:  Federal Trade Commission, Bureau of Consumer Protection, Office of Consumer and Business Education, April 2002.
  • See also Bullying
  • See also Cyber Crimes
  • See also Identity Theft
  • See also Phishing
  • See also Safety

 

Consumer Information

  • consumer.gov:  What to Know and Do.  (Federal Trade Commission) Government information for consumers
  • Drug Dangers.  (Seeger Weiss LLP) Information on drug and medical related recalls and safety issues.
  • Helping Consumers Spot Credit Discrimination.  Clinton, Iowa:  Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, June 2021.  Discusses what a lender may and may not do and ask when determining credit worthiness and how to spot credit discrimination.
  • MyMoney.gov.  (Federal Financial Literacy and Education Commission) Debt management, retirement, mortgages, scams, etc.  Information for children and Teachers in the form of games, lesson plans, curricula, etc.
  • National Do Not Call Registry.  To stop telemarketing calls, managed by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).  WWW.DONOTCALL.GOV  or call toll-free, 1-888-382-1222 (TTY 1-866-290-4236)

 

Consumer Protection

 

Copyright

 

Cost-of-Living

 

COVID 19 – See Health

 

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Credit – See Money

 

Credit Reports

 

Crime

  • Community Crime Map.  (The Ohio State University. Department of Public Safety) Information on crime on the Ohio State Main Campus, etc.
  • Crime Map for Columbus, OH.  (SpotCrime) Columbus, Ohio crime information and alerts, searchable by address, information is somewhat dated. (Limited viewing unless logged into free account)
  • Directory of Crime Victim Services.  (U.S. Department of Justice. Office of Justice Programs, Office for Victims of Crime) Resource for finding nonemergency crime victim service agencies in the United States and abroad.  Searchable by location, type of victimization, service needed, and agency type. 
  • OnGuardOnline.gov.  (Federal Trade Commission) Includes link for reporting fraud.  From the Home page links to various other resources including maps showing various crime rates on state and selected municipal levels. Parts also available in Spanish.
  • OVC Help Series for Crime Victims.  (U.S. Department of Justice. Office of Justice Programs, Office for Victims of Crime) Series of brochures providing information for victims, etc.  Each brochure defines a type of victimization, gives information on resources available, has some statistics, etc.  Coverage includes child abuse, domestic violence, sexual violence, stalking, and other violent crimes.
  • Phone Scams.  Washington, D.C.:  Federal Trade Commission, September 2019. 
  • States with Revenge Porn Laws.  (C.A.Goldberg) References the appropriate code, laws, etc. for states having revenge porn laws.
  • See also Bullying
  • See also Cyber Crimes
  • See also Human Trafficking
  • See also Identity Theft
  • See also Phishing
  • See also Safety
  • See also Sexual Harassment

 

Cyber Crimes

  • 1999 Report on Cyberstalking… (Department of Justice)
  • Bureau of Justice Statistics Special Report:  Stalking Victimization in the United States.  Katrina Baum, Shannan Catalano, Michael Rand, and Kristina Rose.  January 2009.
  • The New Form of Stalking – Victims.  (Marshal University. Women’s Center) Video clips on the topic.  
  • What is Doxing (With Examples) and How do You Avoid It.  (comparitech. Stephen Cooper) 
  • You’ve Got Spam:  How to “Can” Unwanted Email.  Washington, D.C.:  Federal Trade Commission, Bureau of Consumer Protection, Office of Consumer and Business Education, April 2002. 
  • See also Bullying
  • See also Computer Safety/Security
  • See also Identity Theft
  • See also Phishing
  • See also Safety

 

Cyberbullying

  • See – Bullying

 

Cyberstalking

  • See – Cyber Crimes
  • See – Safety

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 Death Certificates, obtaining copies – See Vital Statistics

 

Disabilities

  • Adapting to PhD Studies:  Tailored Resources for Students with Disabilities.  (phds.me. Bernard Grant) Resource guide to assist students with disabilities pursue a PhD.
  • The Americans with Disabilities Act:  Questions and Answers.  (U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. U.S. Department of Justice. Civil Rights Division.) List of Federal agencies and organizations with federal funding that are sources for obtaining information about the law's requirements and informal guidance in understanding and complying with the ADA.
  • European Disability Forum
  • Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities.  (Ohio Department of Development) Links to resources for people with developmental disabilities and their families, etc.  Includes links for reporting abuse, an abuser registry, reporting fraud, and service provider searching. 
  • Program Areas. (U.S. Department of Labor. Office of Disability Employment Policy) Federal government resources.
  • Yellow Pages for Kids with Disabilities.  (Wrightslaw) Listings of educational consultants, medical  and care professionals, government programs, organizations and support groups, etc.  Searchable by state, and zip code.
  • See also Accessibility


Diversity (DEIA)

  • "Aligning Student Affairs Practice with Espoused Commitments to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion.”  Crystal E. Garcia, William Walker, Dawn Organ, and Yuewei Shi.  Journal of College Student Development.  March-April 2021, v.62(no.2): p.137-153. [EJ1298104] Examined ways student affairs professionals at predominantly white institutions within the South made sense of and enacted commitments to equity, diversity, and inclusion.
  • "Crossing the Boundaries of Employee Engagement and Workplace Diversity and Inclusion:  Moving HRD Forward in a Complicated Sociopolitical Climate”.  Stephanie Pleasant.  New Horizons in Adult Education & Human Resource Development.  Summer 2017, v.29(no.3): p. 38-44.  [EJ1151665] Explores the intersection of employee engagement and workplace diversity.
  • Current Status and Future Trends of Diversity Initiatives in the Workplace:  Diversity Experts’ Perspectives. Diversity in the Workforce Report #2.  Rose Mary Wentling and Nilda Palma-Rivas.  Berkeley, California:  National Center for Research in Vocational Education, University of California at Berkeley/ Washington, DC:  U.S. Department of Education, Office of Educational Research and Improvement, Educational Resources Information Center, November 1997.  [ED414474] Interviews with exports in the field about their perception of organizational and individual barriers to the advancement of diverse groups in the work place.
  • "Delving into Institutional Diversity Messaging:  A Cross-Institutional Analysis of Student and Faculty Interpretations of Undergraduate Experiences of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in University Websites”.  Joanna Rankin; Andrew J. Pearl; Trina Jorre de St Jorre; Moriah McSharry McGrath; Sarah Dyer; Samiah Sheriff; Roberta Armitage; Kerstin Ruediger; Anoushka Jere; Saania afar; Shalaine Sedres, and Daania Chaudhary.  Teaching & Learning Inquiry.  January 2022, v. 10.  [EJ1340410]  Study examines how students and faculty perceived university messaging about equity, diversity and inclusion.
  • "Diverse, Inclusive workplace:  ‘Key Driver of Resilience and Recovery’.”  United Nation News.  6 April 2022.  Summary of survey conducted about how diversity and inclusion is viewed by the various strata with in a company.
  • Diversity does not Automatically Translate into Inclusion.  United Nations- Thailand Blog.  17 March 2022.  Interview with Sarah Kniffs (Officer-in-Charge of the UN Women Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, and Representative in Thailand) concerning keys to sustainable Diversity, Equity and Inclusion efforts.
  • Diversity, Equity & Inclusion:  A Checklist and Implementation Guide for Community College Boards.  Association of Community College Trustees.  [ED611029]  Outlines critical steps in formulating and implementing diversity, equity, and inclusion policies.
  • Enhancing Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility (IDEA) in Open Educational Resources (OER).  Nikki Anderson.  :  University of Southern Queensland, 2022.  Practical guide providing a framework and tips to enhance inclusion, diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility in OER.
  • Gender-Inclusive Language.  (United Nations) Guidelines for UN staff in composing gender-inclusive communications.   Includes training materials, activities and resources including material addressing communications with trans and gender nonconforming staff, etc. 
  • Health Equity and Inclusion Program Strategies(Oregon Health Authority.  Office of Equity & Inclusion) Check list for use in designing equity and inclusion into programs.  Although geared towards health programs, can serve as a basis for other disciplines.
  • LGBT.  (FDLP - Federal Depository Program) Webinars on the topic available through the FDLP Academy Training Repository.
  • Making the Case for Diversity and Inclusion.  Moyomola Bolarin.  United Nations Blog.  31 August 2022Discusses some of the factors and benefits involved in promoting diversity and inclusion in the workplace.
  • Moving Beyond Change Efforts:  Evidence and Action to Support and Affirm LGBTQI+ Youth.  SAMHSA Publication No. PEP22-03-12-001.  Rockville, Maryland:  Department of Health & Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2023.  Intended for a wide range of audiences to help with the care of LGBTQI+ children and youth.  Includes information on schools, behavioral health interventions, a selected list of resources for care givers and more.
  • "Policy Analysis of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Strategies in Canadian Universities – How Far have We Come?”  Merli Tamtik and Melissa Guenter.  Canadian Journal of Higher Education.  2019 v.49(no.3): p.41-56. [EJ1237420]   Review of 15 Canadian universities’ efforts to address equity, diversity and inclusion through their published policies and other strategic documents.
  • Then and Now Experiences of the LGBTQ+ Community. (FDLP – Federal Depository Library Program)  Resource/Subject guide to resources pertaining to the LGBTQ+ community.  Its history, notable individuals, government resources, etc. 
  • See also Accessibility
  • See also Disabilities

 

Divorce

 

Driver’s Licenses

  • Department of Motor Vehicles by State.  (DepartmentMotorVehicles.US. Knight & Davies Co.) Links to each state's DMV.
  • DMV by State. (Online DMV) Information on various topics such as Registration, insurance, driver training, etc. for various states. There is not information for every state for every topic.
  • Driver's Licenses (Ohio).  Acquiring or renewing driver’s licenses and/or State IDs.
  • FTC Consumer Alert:  Driving Overseas?  (Federal Trade Commission, Bureau of Consumer Protection, Office of Consumer and Business Education)

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Earthquakes

  • See – Emergency Management, Public Safety, and Terrorism
  • See – Natural Disasters

 

Ebola – See Health

 

Economics

  • Economic Indicators.  (GovInfo) April 1995- current.
  • Economic Report of the President.  (GovInfo) 1995-past year. 
  • FRASER:  Federal Reserve Archive System for Economic Research.  (St. Louis Federal Reserve.) Started in 2004 as a data preservation and accessibility project of the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, FRASER’s mission is to safeguard and provide easy access to the nation’s economic history—particularly the history of the Federal Reserve System—through digitization of documents related to the U.S. economy.  It contains data and policy documents from the Federal Reserve, government data publications and statistical releases, Congressional hearings, etc. 
  • See also Money

 

Education

  • Accountability Resources.  (Ohio Department of Education) School and District performance reports, issued annually, detailing students’ performance on standardized statewide tests, rates of improvement on those tests, student attendance and graduation rates. 
  • College Navigator. (IES National Center for Educational Statistics)   Locate colleges and universities based on various criteria. 
  • Ohio Department of Education
  • Ohio School Report Cards.  (Ohio Department of Education) Provides current and historical information on a specific school or district such as proficiency test results, graduation rates, financial data, and demographics.  Languages other than English available.
  • OhioHigherEd.  (Ohio Department of Higher Education) Provides links to the Ohio Board of Regents, education programs for students and businesses, tools aimed at students for higher education planning, reports on the state of education in Ohio, etc.  
  • Public School Rankings.  (PSK12.com) Select state, etc.  Some what dated.
  • Testing.  (Ohio Department of Education Testing) Information about legally mandated testing of Ohio students including Diagnostic Assessments, Ohio Achievement Assessments, Ohio Graduation Tests and proficiency tests
  • U.S. Department of Education
  • See also Financial Aid/Grants

 

Elections – See Voting and Voter Registration

 

Embassies and Consulates

 

Emergency Management, Public Safety, and Terrorism

 

Employment

  • America's Service Locator.
  • Buckeye Careers.  (The Ohio State University) Online career services network for OSU students with information on internships, employment opportunities, jobs, etc. 
  • CAREERS.OHIO.GOV.  (The State of Ohio) Search for job openings for the State of Ohio.
  • CareerOneStop – State Job Banks.  (U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration and Americanjobcenter Network) Links to state, private sector, and veterans/government job banks.
  • Jobs at Ohio State.  (The Ohio State University. Human Resources) 
  • Occupational Outlook Handbook (OOH).  (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics) Career information on duties, education and training, pay, and outlook for hundreds of occupations compiled by the United States Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics.
  • Ohio Department of Job and Family Services.  
  • Ohio Means Jobs  
  • O-Net Online.  (U.S. Department of Labor. Employment & Training Administration) Occupational information.
  • U.S. Office of Personnel Management - Electronic Forms.  
  • USA Jobs.  (U.S. Office of Personnel Management) U.S. Government positions.

 

 

Continued by Hot Topics F-M and Hot Topics N-Z

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