Michigan Disability Rights Coalition is a disability justice movement working to transform communities.
Assistive Technology Connections News
AT Oral History Project
The Assistive Technology Oral History Project is an archive of pioneers in the field of assistive technology (technology for individuals with disabilities). It includes the histories of assistive technology (AT) specialists including occupational therapists, physical therapists, experts in blind and low vision, special educators, audiologists, rehabilitation engineers, software and AT device inventors, and more.
IRS provides assistance for people with disabilities
Individuals who are blind or visually impaired can download hundreds of the most popular federal tax forms and publications from IRS.gov. These products range from accessible PDFs to e-Braille formats and are accessible using screen reading software and refreshable Braille displays. Visit IRS Accessibility page to download these forms and publications. Also, view a video that highlights IRS products and services available for people with disabilities.
Free Tax Return preparation help is also available
People who are unable to complete their tax return because of a disability may get assistance from a local IRS Tax Assistance Center or through a Volunteer Income Tax Assistance or Tax Counseling for the Elderly site (VITA or TCE). To find a Tax Assistance Center near you, go to IRS.gov and then select "contact your local IRS office".
You can also find a nearby VITA or TCE location by calling 1-800-906-9887 or at http://irs.treasury.gov/freetaxprep for VITA and www.aarp.org/money/taxes/aarp_taxaide for TCE. The IRS sponsors VITA and TCE. Publication 907, Tax Highlights for Persons with Disabilities, explains the tax implications of certain disability benefits and other issues, and is available at IRS.gov. Visit www.IRS.gov and enter "accessibility" in the Search box for more information.
Mobile Tech Tips for Weak Hands
Don't let hand weakness interfere with using a tablet, e-reader or smartphone:
Technology has put the world into the palms of our hands through hand-held mobile devices such as the iPad, smartphone and e-reader. But when disability caused by muscle disease takes the “hand” out of “hand-held,” the tips and products detailed in this article may help.
From: http://quest.mda.org/article/mobile-tech-tips-weak-hands
Council of the Blind denounces Kindle Fire
Amazon’s Kindle Fire is enjoying a big demand from customers who are placing more than 2,000 orders an hour -- more than 50,000 a day -- for the new tablet aimed at taking market share from the mighty iPad.
But not everyone is happy with the new tablet’s features, or lack of features.
In a strongly worded statement today, the American Council of the Blind says it “denounces the introduction of Amazon’s inaccessible Kindle Fire” because it does not include a magnifier or a screen reader to help people with impaired vision.
Here is a statement from Mitch Pomerantz, president of the American Council of the Blind:
"I had expected that, unlike previous releases of Kindle devices, Amazon would have included accessibility to Kindle Fire for people with disabilities right from its design phase given the accessibility that has been included in similar products that are on the market. Amazon’s blatant disregard for the blind consumer demonstrates a profound arrogance and represents technological discrimination against our community."
Groups like the American Council of the Blind and the affiliated Coalition of Organizations for Accessibly Technology have been pushing to make broadband, wireless, and internet technologies accessible and affordable for people with disabilities.
From: http://www.techflash.com/seattle/2011/10/council-of-the-blind-denounces-fire.html
Welcome to the Accessible Technology Coalition
The Accessible Technology Coalition (ATC) is a new resource on assistive technology (AT). Their goal is to make access to AT easy and available to everyone. They have a new website for AT Information and if you don't find what you need, you can Ask an Expert for assistance. They also offer webinars and in person trainings on various AT topics.
The AT Coalition is a project of the Center for Accessible Technology (CforAT). CforAT is one of the oldest and most respected AT Center in the US, and our staff are known for their ability to solve complex AT issues and work with people with a wide range of disabilities, including people with multiple disabilities.
The mission of the AT Coalition is "to develop a consumer driven, grassroots program that provides people with disabilities, and those that work with them, accurate answers to their technology questions allowing them to identify appropriate solutions - particularly for those who do not have access to a local AT Center".
October is AAC Awareness Month
Effective communication for all...in our lifetime! AAC=Augmentative & Alternative Communication=other ways to communicate besides speech. Many people still wait in silence for someone in their life to believe that they can learn to communicate better, who will provide technology, training and ongoing support to communicate their wishes, hopes and dreams--and will keep trying methods to find one that works. www.aacawareness.org and www.everyonecommunicates.org
Hacking Autism
9/24/11
The mission of "Hacking Autism" s to develop innovative, touch-enabled applications for the autism community and make this software available for free on HackingAutism.org. If you have an idea for a touch-enabled application you can visity the webpage to submit your idea. You can also read other ideas and choose your favorties to to help the organization decide which apps to develop. Developers can sign up to be a part of the "Hackathon" coming in 16 days.
Switch Access to Kindle
Page Bot, custom-fit switch adaptor for Kindle DX makes reading accessible for people with motor disabilities. For more information, visit Origin Instruments’ PageBot product page.
Designing an Android Tablet for the Blind
From "Laptop: The Pulse of Moble Tech"
The Orion 18 has many of the specs you’d expect on an Android tablet: Wi-Fi and 3G, GPS, an accelerometer, camera, 32GB of internal memory, an SD card slot, and a full-size USB port. However, in place of a traditional screen, the Orion sports a Braille display, capable of showing up to 18 characters. In July, LevelStar co-founder and chief product engineer Marc Mulcahy—who is blind—introduced the first Android tablet for the blind at the National Federation of the Blind’s annual conference.
New Look for the Assistive Technology Web Page
Have you visited our web page lately? If so you will have noticed a new look and layout. We are still working on adding new materials and would love to hear your feedback on the new page.
One big item we'll be working on building is the new Assistive Technology Directory, located under the Find it Now link. We are looking for new resources to add to the directory so if you know of any, or of organizations and individuals to add here, please ask them to use this form to add their information to the directory.
Technology Helps with Independence
After living most of his adult life in group homes, Jeremy Collins has a townhouse in Coon Rapids where, with some help, he can live mostly on his own. See the article in the Star Tribune about how technology is used to help Jeremy and his circle of support.