Michigan's Assistive Technology Program
Assistive
Technology Connections
Volume 8, Issue 6, June 2007
In This Issue:
- Calendar
- AT Videos on the web
- Product for Aphasia
- Used Assistive Technology Web Site
- Resources Available for Community Groups
- Subscription Information
Calendar:
- Anytime: On-line course on Universal Web Design $150 - open for 60 days from registration. This course is divided into eleven modules and a final examination. Georgia Institute for Technology CEUs= 0.66.
- Anytime: Courses on-line on a variety of accessibility
and access topics. You must register on the site. Some course are free, Abiltiy
Net Training
- June 2007: Join the Family Center on Technology & Disability for an online discussion June of "Best Practices in the Implementation of Universal Design for Learning".
- June 15-19, 2007 RESNA 2007 Annual Conference Arizona Biltmore, Phoenix, AZ
- June 21-23, 2007: The Collaborative Assistive Technology Conference of the Rockies in Denver, Colorado at the Hyatt Regency, Denver Tech Center. Attendees will learn about local and national perspectives on state-of-the-art assistive technology devices and services.
- June 27 & 28: Workshops on Specialized Topics in Assistive Technology in Kentucky. For more information please contact: Barney Fleming or Kathy Sheppard-Jones Interdisciplinary Human Development Institute - University of Kentucky bflemin@uky.edu or kjone@uky.edu 859-257-7225 (Phone/TDD) 859-323-1901 (Fax)
- June 15-19, 2007 Arizona Biltmore, Phoenix, AZ RESNA 2007 Annual Conference.
- August 7th, 8th, and 9th Assistive
Technology of Alaska (ATLA) will host the Midnight Sun Assistive
Technology Conference in Anchorage. Prior to the conference, on August
5 - 6, the California State University Northridge (CSUN) Center on
Disabilities will make available their Assistive Technology Applications
Certificate Program (ATACP). Call for papers deadline extended - April
27th.
- October 18-20, 2007 Closing the Gap 25th Annual Conference & Preconference Workshops - October 16-17, 2007 Minneapolis, Minnesota
- January 30 - February 2, 2008 Assistive Technology Industry Association (ATIA) 2008 Conference and Exhibition Caribe Royale Resort Orlando, Florida
AT Videos:
Video is all over the web with sites like Yahoo and You Tube. Below are some samples of what you can find related to Assistive Technology. More vendors are posting video demonstrations of products too.
Do you know of a great AT Video on the web? Send it to kdwyeth@prosynergy.org and we'll share!
(Warning: You'll want to have a high speed connection for most video downloading!)
- Video on Use of Screen Readers by Victor Tsaran: "An Introduction to Screen Readers" Using JAWS, Victor, who is blind, demonstrates the use of a screen reader.
- Videos from Georgia in the Teacher Resource Bank of Valdosta State University. From Adapted Art to AT in the IEP. These videos should be viewed in Internet Explorer.
- Posted on You Tube by "boosted240": This is me getting into my 03' Chevy 2500HD Pickup & getting locked in place by the Slidelock.
- Joe Barnick explains about his work as designer and editor-in-chief of the AssistiveWare Newsletter. He has Spinal Muscular Atrophy and uses his Mac and KeyStrokes for all the things he cannot do in the real world.
- Christopher Lee talks about his dyslexia and use of Assistive Technology
- A page that includes several videos which illustrate the concept that AT need not be complex to be valuable.
Product for People with Aphasia:
The Lingraphica is the speech-generating device designed specifically for adults with aphasia. Combining images, animation, text, and spoken words to provide communication for those who have lost their speech, it enables users to express their needs, thoughts, and wishes. The Lingraphica also provides unlimited speech practice to maximize the return of natural language skills. The web site includes video demonstration of the product.
Used Assistive Technology: AT Xchange
http://www.atxchange.org 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. Include a digital photo. ATxchange is open to vendors who have used equipment for sale also. And don't worry about cost, ATXchange is a free service! Maybe you or someone you know is looking for AT? If you can't find what you are looking for, you can post it as an item wanted and receive an email message telling you if and when someone posts the item you are looking for. You may find the AT you are seeking for a bargain price - even for free!
Resources Available for Community Groups
Michigan's Assistive Technology Program has copies of the DVD "Freedom Machines" available to community groups to show to the public in order to increase awareness of assistive technology. This documentary is a public television program and national outreach campaign, looks at our beliefs about disability through the lens of assistive technology. The program explores how human experience and technological innovations are outpacing social policies-and the perceptions that have guided them. The DVD includes: captioning, descriptive video, Spanish, lesson plans and community group presentation advice, other resources.
More information about "Freedom Machines" is available at http://www.freedommachines.com/. For information about how to obtain a copy Freedom Machines DVD for your community group, please contact Kathryn Wyeth at kdwyeth@prosynergy.org or (517)333-2477 ext 335.
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