Michigan's Assistive Technology Program
Assistive
Technology Connections
Volume 9, Issue 4, June 2008
In This Issue:
- Calendar
- Use of the Internet
- Simplified Web Browser
- Help with Internet Access
- Assistive Technology Exchange Highlighted New Item!
- Subscription Information
Calendar:
- 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 Pre conference & 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.
Use of the Internet by People with Disabilities
According to the U.S. Census, 36% of people 15 to 64 with a severe disability
use a computer at home and 29% access the Internet at home. The respective
figures for those without a disability are 61 percent and 51 percent.
Free Simplified Web Browser for Children
The Zac Browser greatly simplifies the experience of using a computer.
It seals
off most Web sites from view, to block violent, sexual or otherwise adult-themed
material. Instead it presents a hand-picked slate of choices from free,
public
Web sites, with an emphasis on educational games, music, videos and visually
entertaining images, like a virtual aquarium.
LeSieur's browser essentially takes over the computer and reduces the
controls
available for children who find too many choices overwhelming. For example,
the Zac Browser disables extraneous keyboard buttons like "Print
Screen" and
turns off the right button on the mouse. That eliminates commands most
children
don't need anyway, and it reduces the chance a child will lose confidence
after
making a counterproductive click.
Children using the Zac Browser select activities by clicking on bigger-than- normal icons, like a soccer ball for games and a stack of books for "stories." The Zac Browser also configures the view so no advertisements or other flashing distractions appear.
For more information and for a link to the browser download.
Accessible Tools for Accessing the Internet
There are several places in Michigan which have accessible computer stations for accessing the internet. Many public libraries have updated their public access computers. Please check with your local library.
The "Technology is Power" website lists public access sites and available equipment for people with disabilities in the Detroit/Wayne County area.
If you are looking for employment, many Michigan Works offices have added adapted software to their computers, though support for this can be inconsistent across the state.
You can also contact the Centers
for Independent Living for help
with adaptations for accessing the Internet. All the Centers can help
you
find resources and many offer Assistive Technology Services.See the
Disability Network web page for contact information
Highlighted Item on the AT Xchange! http://www.atxchange.org!
Hoverround Wheelchair:
- Gray & Black- Model MPV4 w/ leg extensions, battery charger.
- Condition: Excellent
- Listing price: $550.00 or Best Offer
- Price when new (MSRP): $1,2000
- Date listed: May 21, 2008.
- Location: Portage, Michigan.
- Picture available on the web.
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!
List Information:
To Subscribe or Unsubscribe:
Send an e-mail message to: Kathryn Wyeth kdwyeth@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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