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Michigan's Assistive Technology Program

Assistive Technology Connections
Volume 9, Issue 2, March 2008


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In This Issue:

Calendar:

  • April 3 - 4: Bridges to Better Advocacy, at the Hilton Garden Inn in Austin, Texas To provide attorneys, paralegals, and legal advocates the legal advocacy tools and strategies needed to successfully advocate for assistive technology (AT) devices and services for individuals with severe disabilities.
  • June 12-14: The Collaborative Assistive Technology Conference of the Rockies will be held at the Hyatt Denver Tech Center. Attendees will
    learn about local and national perspectives on state-of-the-art assistive technology devices and services.
  • June 18-20: The 2008 Michigan's Integrated Technology Supports (MITS) Summer Institute will be held at the Hagerty Center on the campus of Northwestern Michigan College in Traverse City.
  • June 26 - 30: RESNA 2008 Annual Conference Arlington, VA. An interdisciplinary gathering of individuals and companies who share a common interest in rehabilitation engineering, assistive technology and disability issues in general.
  • July 7 - July 11: International Conference on Low Vision (VISION 2008). Montreal, Canada. The theme of VISION 2008 is "Research-Rehabilitation Partnerships," conveying a multidisciplinary approach to low vision rehabilitation.
  • October 14-15, 2008 Preconference & Conference: October 16-18, 2008 26th Annual Closing the Gap conference Minneapolis, MN
  • November 11- 14, 2008: 11th Annual Accessing Higher Ground: Accessible Media, Web and Technology Conference, Boulder, Colorado.
    for Education, for Businesses, for Web and Media Designers. Focus is on the implementation and benefits of Assistive Technology in the university and college setting for people with disabilities. Other topics include legal and policy issues, including ADA and 508 compliance, and making campus media and information resources - including Web pages and library resources - accessible. Now accepting speaker applications.

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New CapTel Service Available via Web

The Hamilton Web CapTel®. CapTel is a service designed for individuals who have difficulty hearing on the telephone, where captions, similar to the closed captioning provided on most television programs, are offered to support the understanding of telephone conversations. Previously available only through State Relay programs and with a specialized CapTel phone, individuals nationwide can now make CapTel calls via the Web. Web CapTel works with any type of telephone and any type of Internet access device.

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Quick Ramps for Kids

The QuickRamps for Kids® a program of United Cerebral Palsy of Metropolitan Detroit, provides portable wheelchair ramps to families of children who experience Cerebral Palsy and other paralysis-causing conditions. QuickRamps are a fast and inexpensive alternative to permanent ramps. Best of all, they give a child immediate access to their community. Applications are available at www.ucpdetroit.org All applicants must be under age 18 and must have Cerebral Palsy or paralysis-causing condition. This program is available in Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties. For more information please call (248) 557-5070.

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Consumer Network at Georgia Tech ' s Center for Assistive Technology and Environmental Access (CATEA)

The opinions of people with disabilities are vital to ensure that products and resources respond to their needs. The CCN is a network of people with disabilities and seniors who test new prototypes, products and services in order to improve them through focus groups, field-testing and surveys. As a member, you can join with others throughout the country to help shape the future of products and services designed for you and earn money from your participation in studies.

To participate in the CCN, just follow the link to signup today for CNN The Registry Signup Form can also be completed by phone by contacting a CATEA research representative at 1-800-726-9119 (voice or TTY) or 404-894-4960. CCN members will receive periodic notices about paid and unpaid opportunities for involvement. Please email ccn@coa.gatech.edu with any questions.

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Digital TV and Captions

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has issued several papers on the issue of captioning with the conversion of all television signals to digital by February 17, 2009.

For further information concerning the DTV transition, please call 1-888-CALL-FCC (1-888-225-5322) or TTY at 1-888-835-5322, e-mail at DTVinfo@fcc.gov, or visit the DTV website at . FCC consumer advisories and informational materials about the DTV transition are also available in large print, Braille, and on audio discs.

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Highlighted Item on the AT Xchange! http://www.atxchange.org!

Dodge Entervan:

  • Green 1999 Dodge Caravan by Braun.
  • Lowered floor, raised roof 63" clearance.
  • Power door & ramp, easy lock. 116,792 miles, some rust & dings.
  • Listing price: $4,900.00 Price when new: $36,000
  • Pick up in Dowagiac, MI no delivery. Cashiers check at pick-up.
  • Seller can e-mail more pictures to serious buyer. Date listed March 5, 2008

The AT Xchange is a new Michigan-based website where people can buy, sell or give away assistive technology (AT). Do you have a used AT item
in storage that could really help someone who has a disability? It could be anything from a wheelchair, stair lift, Braille reader, or reacher! If so, just post a classified ad AT Xchange.org. The Atxchange is open to vendors who have used equipment for sale also. And don't worry about cost, ATXchange is a free service!

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Send an e-mail message to: Kathryn Wyeth kdwyeth@prosynergy.org

If you have questions about this newsletter or list send an e-mail mssage to Kathryn Wyeth or call 1(800)760-4600 extension 335.

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