Michigan Disability Rights Coalition is a disability justice movement working to transform communities.
Device Demonstrations
Device Demonstrations in Michigan: An Overview
The goals of the Michigan's Plan for AT include increasing access to AT by targeted individuals and entities in the areas of education, employment, community living and information technology/ telecommunications. Michigan has targeted priority to first un-served then to under served geographic areas of the state for this funding. The priority for services is to people who are not eligible to receive services or have assistive technology services paid for through other agencies or organizations. The program is also identifying opportunities to leverage collaborative advocacy efforts by providing demonstrations within specific systems and or focus areas.
What are Device Demonstrations?
The purpose of a device demonstration is to help people compare and contrast the features and benefits of a variety of devices in order to make an informed buying decision.
Device demonstrations can include one device, multiple devices (such as comparing four different electronic enlarging devices), single category of participants and multiple categories of participants (a student with a vision disability, their special education teacher and parents, for example). Device demonstrations can be direct or indirect.
Assistive Technology for Communication
Personalized Demonstrations for people with disabilities and Simple picture communication device family members are available! We have items to facilitate communication, including devices with audible and visual messages; communication boards; single message recording devices; a talking photo album; devices with multiple messages; telephones; magnifiers; and items for medication, time management, and voice amplification. These items can be useful in developing a lower cost back up plan for communicating in emergency situations.
Q: Who would benefit from a demonstration?
A: People with communication challenges, people experiencing vision or hearing loss, people with learning disabilities, older adults, and their family members.
Q: Who is doing the demonstration?
A: Everyday users of AT who have been trained to demonstrate a variety of items that improve communication. Demonstrators do not sell or promote specific products.
Q: What is a personalized demonstration?
A: Demonstrations are personalized to give you an opportunity to try any items of interest to you, allowing you to compare/contrast item features before you make a buying decision. There is no obligation to purchase anything. We can demonstrate: Devices and strategies that can help with catching someone's attention, remembering important information, using the telephone, reading, writing, speaking, listening, and thinking.
Q: What if I like something and I want to buy it?
A: Funding and resource information will be available at each personalized demonstration. The demonstrators are not vendors and do not sell devices.
Q: Where do I go to get a demonstration?
A: Demonstrations are arranged by the Disability Network Wayne County/Detroit, Disability Network Oakland/Macomb, and United Cerebral Palsy of Metro Detroit.
Q: How do I contact them?
A: Call or email Cathy Mcadam @ 313 563-1412 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Assistive Technology Long Term Care
The program expanded and updated the "small changes, Big Differences" assistive technology training and kits. The following sites can provide both training and device demonstrations using the kit. Sites are:
Superior Alliance for Independent Living
129 W, Baraga Suite H
Marquette, MI 49855
(906) 228-5744
(800) 379-7245
Disability Network/ Southwest MI
517 E. Crosstown Parkway
Kalamazoo, MI 49001
(269) 345-1516 voice
(269) 345-5925 tty
(800) 394-7450
Disability Network Oakland and Macomb
16645 15 Mile Road
Clinton Township, MI 48035
(586) 266-4160
(800) 284-2457
Michigan Disability Rights Coalition
contact Aimee Sterk
(800) 760-4600
Hearing Assistive Technology Demonstrations
The program has subcontracted with the Hearing Loss Association of Michigan to provide device demonstrations to un-served people with hearing loss disabilities. Through previous funding from Michigan's Assistive Technology Program, this organization started the Hearing Technology Resource Specialist(HTR Specialists) program. HLA-MI has trained over 30 volunteers across the state to educate their local communities about hearing assistive technology.
HTR Specialists use customized equipment kits containing various types of devices that can help you hear better in daily living situations. This program recently expanded the devices in their kits to be able to offer Assistive Technology Demonstrations.
To schedule a demonstration, please write to: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
The following people have been trained to provide demonstrations:
- Kathy Black - Allen Park
- Tony Ferack - Westland
- Carol Rose Fouts -Grand Marias
- Jill Gaus - Jackson
- Kim Henney - Auburn Hills
- Ceora & Ron Hull - Marquette
- Marilyn Knol - Grand Rapids
- Liz Kobylak - Troy
- Ann Liming - Lansing
- Brenda Neubeck - White Lake
- Marla Schindler - Oak Park
- Cindy Shapiro - Beulah
- Cliff Tallman - Coloma
- Maureen Treppa - Lansing
Superior Alliance for Independent Living
The Superior Alliance for Independent Living Center (SAIL) has received a subcontract to provide device demonstrations to residents of the fifteen counties of the Upper Peninsula to explore the benefits of AT and make informed decisions. Michigan ’s Upper Peninsula is a remote, rural part of the state that is historically undeserved.
How to reach (SAIL):
1200 Wright St. Ste 3 Marquette, Mi 49855 (906) 228-5744 (800) 379-7245