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TechTalkSpring 2008 Online Edition Promoting Independent Living Through TechnologyThis newsletter is dedicated to Bang Long Jr., 1943 to 2008.
Homeownership Coalition Celebrates Helping 100 Families become Home OwnersOn December 28th the Homeownership Coalition for People with Disabilities celebrated a major milestone in their program: the 100th family to reach their goal of homeownership. The Coalition is an IATP program. DeShawn Brady and her family, along with approximately thirty other people from the community, held a press conference in her family room. "I finally live in a real community where my children can play outside and my neighbors actually care about us," said first-time homebuyer, Brady, a CNA, whose son has a learning disability. "I feel so blessed to be a homeowner." With a HOME American Dream Down payment Initiative (ADDI) grant from the Illinois Housing Development Authority and an Assist Grant from National City Mortgage Co. to lower the loan amount and cover closing costs, homeownership became affordable. Last year, IHDA allocated $410,000 to IATP for the ADDI grant and $92,000 from their Trust Fund to help at least 40 low-income families with special needs buy their first homes in Sangamon, Christian, Logan, Macoupin, Menard, and Montgomery counties. The ADDI funds came from the federal grant allocations that totaled $993,000 for the state. For 2008, two grants from IHDA totaling $438,000 are now available as well as $84,000 from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago to help first-time homebuyers meet down payment and closing costs. For more information about the Homeownership Coalition for People with Disabilities contact Robin Benson or Katie Reeves at 217-522-7985 voice, 217-522-9966 tty, or visit www.iltech.org. Happy homeowners and others at the press conference. Left to Right: Katie Reeves, IATP; Stephanie Verardi, National City Mortgage; Demetreana Brady; Robin Benson, IATP; DeMitchell, Joy, Jalen, DeShawn & Bryant Brady. Camp Big SkyVery few public and private venues for outdoor opportunities are accessible. That excludes people with disabilities from participating in many open-air activities. However, Camp Big Sky provides accessible fishing, camping, boating and other related outdoor opportunities to children and adults with disabilities. The 100 acre camp has native hardwood timber, wetland, grassland pasture, and spring fed lakes of 5 and 14 acres. It is in Fulton County, Illinois just west of Farmington. It is about one hour from Peoria, 45 minutes from Galesburg, 75 minutes from the Quad Cities, 90 Minutes from Springfield and four hours from Chicago. Camp Big Sky does not charge participants and their guests, though they will accept voluntary contributions. Any person with a disability that restricts outdoor access is eligible to visit the camp. Both individuals and groups are welcome. They encourage friends and family members to share in these wonderful outdoor experiences. Currently they offer accessible fishing, camping, picnicking, nature study, and boating. As they continue to develop their accessible infrastructure they will expand their activities. See www.campbigsky.org for more information. I'D Vote CampaignOne out of every 6 people in the US has a disability. Yet, we are not seen as that large of a voting block. The I'D Vote Campaign is working to change all that. That means we all have to make sure we're registered and that we document the fact we're a powerful voting block. The first step of the campaign is to find out who is and who isn't registered to vote; and of those registered, who is voting. That will be done through a process called list enhancement. Each CIL in Illinois is working on the campaign to document each voter with a disability. IATP is proud to be a sponsor of the I'D Vote Campaign and will be working statewide to ensure that Illinoisans with Disabilities turn out in record numbers to vote for the candidates that will give us the same civil and social rights guaranteed to all citizens. Look for more information in the next TechTalk. For more information contact Ann Ford at the Illinois Network for Centers for Independent Living, 800-587-1227 v/tty, or email her at: annford@incil.org. Accommodations, Techniques & Learning AidsThe list below offers some ways to help students with specific learning disabilities (SLD) learn more effectively at home or at school. Any of these should be matched to the child's strengths and needs.
A dictionary or thesaurus, suited to the child's learning level, is also an excellent tool for building vocabulary, spelling and reading comprehension. For students who need help organizing time, materials and information, consider providing:
For students who process auditory information slowly (i.e.: understanding questions asked, recalling needed information, or forming an appropriate answer):
For students who find reading slow and difficult supplement with:
Chicago Lighthouse Device Loan ProgramThe Chicago Lighthouse for the Blind has an equipment loan program. Users can borrow devices and try them out before deciding to purchase a device.
For more information, contact William Bielawski, Director of Adaptive Technology, 312-997-3671 Greater Access to Computing for People who are Blind & Have Reading DisabilitiesSystem Access To Go (SAToGo) is a new, free, screen reader service. It gives people who are blind access to the internet. It is not tied to a specific computer and will work on any internet connected computer that has sound and runs Windows Vista or Windows XP. The computer must also run Internet Explorer as its web browser. While this program is set up for people who are blind and visually impaired; it can increase internet accessibility for people who have reading disabilities, like dyslexia or other learning disabilities. All the user needs to do is go to any computer that has an internet connection; go to the AIR website and press alt+a. This innovation comes from The AIR Foundation. Their mission is to promote universal accessibility so that every blind and low-vision person in the world has access to digital information over the Internet and Worldwide Web. The foundation offers Web 2.0 accessible screen reader at no cost. Serotek Corporation offered AIR the exclusive license in perpetuity. SAToGo is powered by Serotek's System Access software. It provides immediate text to speech, magnified visual, and Braille access to digital information presented through the Web or other means, while the user is directly connected to the Internet. The software does not remain resident on the user's computer when the connection to the Internet is interrupted or terminated. Users can obtain access to the free software by calling 877-369-0101 or visiting www.accessibilityisaright.org. "SAToGo is highly intuitive and requires minimal training to use," said Serotek CEO, Mike Calvo, "the user not only has access to information displayed on Web pages, but to Web-based applications such as Internet telephone service, and to applications resident on the host computer. The user can also access PDF files, fill out forms, and otherwise interact with information with the same facility as a sighted person." Returning Veterans with Disabilities & ATThere are more than 26 million veterans of the armed forces from World War I to today. The harsh realities of war have cost many veterans their hearing, eyesight and limbs. Luckily, veterans can rely upon assistive technology to enhance their quality of life. Veterans who return home with a service-related disability have several entitlements including the eligibility for assistive technology devices and services, according to the Veteran's Administration.
Equipment Funded:
For a complete copy of Veterans' Benefits and Assistive Technology: Considering The Possibilities by Diana M. Straube for the Neighborhood Legal Services, Inc., see www.resna.org/taproject/library/conference/2007at/veterans.rtf Free Online AT CoursesIf you need to learn more about using new technologies in the classroom, then these workshops are for you! This series will introduce you to using adaptive computer technologies and designing accessible online curricula. Teachers as well as parents can benefit from these classes.
The workshops link to a discussion forum, and users are highly encouraged to get involved, share experiences, problems and successes in their fields. It is available to complement the content within the workshops. These workshops are not moderated; you'll work at your own pace. You don't have to register and they are absolutely free. The Adaptive Technology Resource Centre (ATRC) at the University of Toronto offers this educational outreach program. See http://snow.utoronto.ca/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=90&Itemid=75 to take the courses or learn more details.Dazzled by the Possibilities?It is easy to be dazzled by the possibilities in new assistive technology; but users and/or parents also need to be smart consumers. Asking probing questions about features and the quality of a device can ensure it truly meets the potential user's need. Below are questions to consider when a user is evaluating a device:
Ten Dollar TechTen Dollar Tech is a regular column that features low cost technology or adaptations. Learning math is like learning a foreign language, separate from English. A student must know the language to crack the code. It has a unique set of symbols that have specific meaning. If they learn the rules well, they will be easier to follow. They must understand the vocabulary. Once a student masters the fundamental, the user has command of the language and freedom to participate in the possibilities it affords. Students with specific learning disabilities in math have an even greater need to learn the fundamentals if they are to succeed. There are simple no/low tech adaptations that can support a student learning math concepts and fundamentals. Some of the ideas come from The College of New Jersey, Center for Assistive Technology and Inclusive Education Studies website, http://www.tcnj.edu/~caties; Dyscalculia Online, www.dyscalculia.org; still others are from IATP's creative and generous staff. No-Tech/Low Tech Math Adaptations
It's Worth NotingPlan to attend the Coalition of Citizens with Disabilities in Illinois and the Illinois Network of Centers for Independent Living for the upcoming Annual Disability Rights/ Independent Living Conference. It will be April 28-30, 2008 in downtown Springfield at the President Abraham Lincoln Hotel and Convention Center and the Prairie Capitol Convention Center. Check CCDI's website for more information, www.ccdinonline.org or call 800-433-8848. v/tty. Guide for Aging Computer Users Microsoft developed a site to help people with age-related disabilities use a computer easier. The site features adjustments that are built-in to Microsoft windows. It covers:
Visit http://www.microsoft.com/enable/aging to learn more. South of I-80 Conference for Teens with Visual Disabilities & Their Parents. South of I-70 Conference for Teens with Visual Disabilities & Their Parents Assistive Devices Featured in TechTalk
IATP Program Descriptions
Prairie Capitol Convention Center, Springfield IL, April 28-29, 2008 About the NewsletterTECHTALK is a publication of TechConnect & Illinois Assistive Technology Project (IATP) 1 West Old State Capitol Plaza, Suite 100, Springfield, IL 62701 This newsletter was developed under a grant from the Department of Education. However, its contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the Department of Education, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal government. IATP is funded through a contract with DHS/DRS and this publication does not necessarily reflect the position or policy of DHS/DRS and no official endorsement should be inferred.
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IATP located at 1 West Old State Capitol Plaza, Suite 100, Springfield IL 62701
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