Michigan's Assistive Technology Program
Assistive
Technology Connections
February 2009
In This Issue:
- Employment Survey
- Digital TV Transition Delayed
- Wayne State University's Enabling Technology Lab
- Demonstrations in Wayne, Oakland and Macomb Counties
- Assistive Technology Exchange Highlighted
New Item!
- Calendar
- Subscription Information
Employment Survey
The U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) released findings of the most extensive survey in history of employers' actions and attitudes toward employing people with disabilities. The survey found that a majority of large businesses are hiring people with disabilities and discovering that costs for accommodations differ very little from those for the general employee population. Additionally, the survey showed that once an employer hires one person with a disability, it is much more likely that employer will hire other people with disabilities. The survey does provide some disappointing news in that it reveals some resistance among businesses to viewing people with disabilities as able to advance up the corporate ladder.
Digital Television Transition 
The Coalition of Organizations for Accessible Technology (COAT) calls for a delay in the Digital Television (DTV) transition date citing accessibility issues. The issues include: problems with receiving and displaying closed captions, difficulties with the pass through of available video description (narration added to visual program elements during natural programming pauses), and troubles with the hook-up of digital equipment. The bill to delay the transition to June has finally passed through Congress. Some stations still plan to make the change by the original transition date.
Wayne State University's (WSU) Enabling Technology Lab
The Assistive Technology (AT) Program at MDRC is working with the Enabling Technology Lab to create a web based "wizard" in order to help people find funding for AT. MDRC, along with Michigan Protection and Advocacy Services and UCP Michigan is helping to identify people who are knowledgeable about funding and who are willing to be interviewed by WSU students. For more information, or to volunteer, please contact Kathryn Wyeth: kdwyeth@prosynergy.org or(800) 760-4600 ext 335.
Demonstrations in Wayne, Oakland and Macomb Counties
Demonstrations of devices which help people with disabilities
to communicate in emergencies are now available! Demonstrations give
people with disabilities a chance to try out some products, to compare
and contrast features and benefits and make an informed buying decision.
Three kits of equipment are available for the demonstrations. The kits
include the following: products with audiovisual messages; communication
boards, single message recording devices, talking photo albums, products
with multiple messages; a variety of telephones, magnifiers, and items
for medication, time management, and voice amplification. These products
and
strategies can help with catching someone's attention, remembering
important information, reading, writing, speaking, listening, and thinking.
The demonstrators can provide referrals for funding sources and additional
information and services. For more information and to schedule a demonstration,
please contact Cathy Mcadam: 313-563-1412 or Mcmcadam@Comcast.Net
New device for People who are Deaf/blind
Recently, a
new communication device, the "DeafBlind Communicator"
(DBC), became available thru HumanWare This device will enable face-to-face
communication for persons who are
Deaf/blind with others who are deaf and the general public. The
Michigan Commission for the Blind (MCB), DBUnit, is extending an
invitation to attend a demonstration of the DBC on Tuesday, February
24, 2009 from 10 am until 12 noon. The demo will be held in the
MCB office located at: 201 N. Washington Sq., 2nd Fl., Lansing, MI 48909.
RSVP by Wednesday, February 18, 2009 to caldwellc@michigan.gov
Highlighted Item on the AT Xchange!
"Pride Victory 3 wheeled scooter with basket. Red with grey trim and basket. Only used on a few occasions. Not used in the home, only for a few shopping trips."
- Condition: Excellent
- Asking Price: Free
- Price when new (MSRP): $2,233
- Location: Clarklake, Michigan
- Date listed: February 2, 2009
The AT Xchange is a 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 on AT Xchange.org. The AT Xchange is open to vendors who have used equipment for sale also don't worry about cost, AT Xchange is a free service!
Calendar of Assistive Technology Conferences and Events
- February 20-22, 2009 Gaithersburg, Maryland
The 10th Annual Conference of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, Special Interest Division 12 and Alternative Communication. - March 18-20 The 2009 Detroit, MI.
Michigan Association of Computer Users in Learning (MACUL) Conference "Teaching and Learning in a Digital World: Best Practices". - March 16-21 at the
Los Angeles Airport Marriott & Renaissance
Montura Hotels
Technology and Persons with Disabilities Conference 2009 California State University - Northridge (CSUN).
MDRC Governing Board Meetings
Come
tell your story to the Michigan Disability Rights Coalition's Governing
Board. All meetings are open to the public and we encourage people to
attend.
All meetings are at:
3498 E. Lake Lansing Rd., Ste 100,
East Lansing,
MI 48823
List Information To Subscribe or Unsubscribe:
Send an e-mail message to: Kathryn Wyeth kdwyeth at prosynergy.org
If you have questions about this newsletter or list send an e-mail message to Kathryn Wyeth or call 1(800)760-4600 extension 335.
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