Michigan's Assistive Technology Program

Assistive Technology Connections
November 2009

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In This Issue:

• ATIA Chicago
• Technology for Step-by-Step Prompts
• Winter Traction for Wood Ramps
• Assistive Technology Exchange Highlighted New Item!
  
• Calendar
• Subscription Information

ATIA Chicago

MDRC staff members Kathryn Wyeth and Cathy McAdam attended the Assistive Technology Industry Association conference in Chicago October 29th - 31st. We were pleased to be able to visit with other people from Michigan's Independent Living network at the conference. Michigan's Assistive Technology Program provided some funding to the network to increase their ability to provide Information and Assistance about AT.  Represented at the conference were the Disability Network (DN) Northern Michigan, Blue Water Center for Independent Living (CIL), Capital Area CIL, DN/Oakland-Macomb, DN/Wayne County-Detroit, the Superior Alliance for Independent Living, DN Mid Michigan and Elsie Duell from Michigan Rehabilitation Services. The sessions were great and we enjoyed learning about and trying out devices in the exhibit hall. We all returned to Michigan loaded with demonstration disks, brochures, vendor catalogs and new ideas!

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Technology for Step-by-Step Prompts

One of the cool things I learned at the ATIA conference was how to create step by step prompts with pictures, audio, and a video option using Power Point. The presentation can be downloaded to a handheld device and used to complete tasks like cooking a meal, finding your way around a college campus, completing a cleaning task or really anything! There are also products you can purchase which will produce the same type of prompts. One I saw at the conference was Able Link's Virtual Assistant. Another presenter used the hand held device by Cyrano, the Communicator, to create step by step prompts. The Picture Planner, a visual activity scheduling and prompting system was also an interesting tool. I  learned that in January, the Picture Planner developers plan to add an upgrade to enable syncing the schedule with Google Ca lender. I also learned about how people are using other hand held devices,like the I-pod Touch for video modeling. The AT Program will be exploring options for this type of technology support as we update our "AT for People with Cognitive Disabilities" training. - by Kathryn Wyeth

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Winter Traction for Wood Ramps

Recently the program received a question about the best way to increase traction on wooden ramp where cost is a factor. As we are all too well aware, winter is coming with snow and ice which can make wooden surfaces quite hazardous. We asked our email list of Assistive Technology contacts at Centers for Independent Living in Michigan and received a few suggestions. One person said he uses roofing material. He uses roofing nails along the edge about every 6 inches and goes across the material every 5 feet or so. Where the sections of material overlap, he puts the uphill side on top. Another person suggested trying outdoor carpeting. Do you have an idea that has worked? Or other tips on winter Assistive Technology use? Send them to mdrc@prosynergy.org and we'll post a link to new ideas next month. If you include your address, we'll send you a free "Feisty and Non-compliant" pin!

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Job Accommodation Network (JAN)

JAN is a great resource for both employers and employees to research and get help with making reasonable accommodations. Their web site is a great resource and can be searched by type of disability. They describe the disability in general terms, suggest questions to ask and provide samples of accommodations which could be considered. JAN also can be contacted via phone at 800-526-7234 voice and 877-781-9403 tty.

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Highlighted Item on the AT Xchange!

Garage vertical lift

• Condition: Excellent
  
• Listing Price: The seller is willing to accept the best offer.
  
• Price when new: $10,000
• Date Listed: October 15, 2009
  
• Location: Traverse City
• Item ID: 819
• Must have elevator company pick up and install at the new location.
  

The AT Xchange is a Michigan-based web site 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!

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Calendar of Assistive Technology Conferences and Events:

• Alliance for Technology Access: Talking Communities Webinars: Vendor Forum with TCS Associates
  November 12, 1:00 p.m. (Eastern) in the ATA Online Community Room: Vendor Forum: TCS Associates has partnered with many of the Assistive Technology manufacturers to provide their clients with an array of solutions. TCS Associates is experienced in identifying and providing solutions that will accommodate people with disabilities.
  
  
• November 10 - 14, 2009 Westin Hotel in Westminster, Colorado:  12th Annual Accessing Higher Ground: Accessible Media, Web and Technology Conference for Education, for Businesses, for Web and Media Designers.
  

• November 12, 2009  UCP of Metro Detroit's 4th Annual "Life without Limits" through Assistive Technology Conference. This year's conference theme is the "Technology Today - From School to Work and Beyond". 
  
  
• Thursday, November 12, 2009 Michigan World Usability Day 9:00-5:00, Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center, East Lansing. This year's theme is Designing for Sustainable Communities, and the event will feature a special session on accessibility in the global knowledge economy, talks from the Ford Motor Company and Oakland County eGovernment, an Assistive Technology Expo, a workshop on WCAG 2.0, and more! Please register by November 5th.
  
  
• November 13, 2009 1:30 to 3:30 PM The Michigan AT Program has scheduled a webinar on Hearing Assistive Technology. This session will be held online. The presenters will be Hearing Technology Resource Specialists with the Hearing Loss Association of Michigan.  The session will be held Friday  using MDRC's Online Conference.  This webinar free and available through invitation only. To receive an invitation, please email mdrc@prosynergy.org and ask to attend the HAT Webinar.
  
  
• November 16 - 17, 2009  Washington, DC The Madison Hotel: The 2009 NCTI Technology Innovators Conference, Educational Futures — Powered by Technology, will focus on how learning and assistive technologies can supercharge education for all students.
  
  
• November 18, 2009 Free Webinar Tips and Tricks of Accessible Web Design. This webinar is an in-depth look at some little-known tricks to include in your web site to enhance both usability and accessibility.  These tips include, making dynamic menus more accessible, best practices for displaying and printing hypertext links, printing using footnotes, visual cues on links.  The session will show case AccessibleTech.org, a web site geared specifically for businesses to improve their accessible technology.
  
  
• December 3 - 4, 2009.  Wisconsin Dells, WI AT Across the Lifespan  brings state-of-the-art assistive technology information to Wisconsin. The conference will provide comprehensive information and resources through innovative presentations and an interactive exhibit hall. ATALC is the largest Assistive Technology Conference in Wisconsin with 40 plus sessions in the areas of independent living, employment, education, autism, communication, vision and hearing and product specific sessions from our exhibitors. All categories of assistive technology will be represented, all age groups from birth through adult and senior services, as well as all levels of expertise from beginner to advanced.
  
  
• January 27 - 30, 2010 Orlando, FL: ATIA 2010 Orlando The ATIA Orlando Conference features the latest products and services, showcasing more than 125 exhibitors in one of the most comprehensive exhibitions in the industry.

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