AT Network Blog

The Debate Over Smartpens in the Classroom

2012-01-31T09:00:00.000-08:00

by Shelley Haven, ATP, RET – Assistive Technology Consultant

www.TechPotential.net

New technologies for learning also create new challenges. This is very evident with "smartpens" which capture a student's handwritten notes, record audio, and link the two together. Devices like Livescribe’s Echo® can be incredibly helpful to students with dysgraphia, slow auditory processing, and other issues that impact their ability to effectively take notes. Students can listen more, write less, and selectively review sections of the recording later by tapping their written notes with the pen.

The challenge is the pen's ability to audio record, so laws or policies that specify what can and cannot be recorded in class apply. (These also apply to other notetaking technology that record – e.g., digital notebooks like Microsoft OneNote, various iPad notetaking apps, smartphone recorder apps, etc.)

I'm not a lawyer – nor do I play one on TV – but here is what I've gleaned from websites, list serve discussions, and my work with schools on this issue. In short, there are no hard-and-fast rules that apply in every state, every school, or every situation.

Concerns center around three issues: intellectual property, student confidentiality, and teacher rights.

At the college level, a professor might object to recording on the basis of "copyright infringement." One list serve post by a student claimed that her professor forbade her to use the smartpen because the lecture was his "intellectual property." But what if the student uses it as an academic accommodation?

Institutions have different perspectives about this. For example, the student handbook at Vermont's Middlebury College states: “Where a particular accommodation results in a verbatim transcription of a classroom lecture or presentation…[these] are the intellectual property of the individual professor, Middlebury College, and/or both,” and sharing these with anyone without prior written consent is prohibited. Institutions may employ an agreement for use of recording devices as an accommodation, such as this form from North Carolina State University.

At the K-12 level, recording teachers (as well as students who speak up) raises fears that a questionable off-hand remark or disciplinary action might become the latest YouTube sensation. States’ laws vary on use of recording devices in an educational setting, with some generalizing this to fall under laws regulating recording of phone calls without prior consent.

In California, Education Code Section 51512 says use of a recording device by any person, pupil or otherwise, without prior consent of both the teacher and the principal "disrupts and impairs the teaching process and discipline" and as such is prohibited. However, the last paragraph appears to provide an exception for accommodation-related recording, saying "This section shall not be construed as affecting the powers, rights, and liabilities...as provided for by any other provision of law.” This might include the ADA or IDEA rights of a student who needs recording as an accommodation. So which takes precedence?

The key may be striking a compromise on a case-by-case basis that balances the needs and rights of all involved. I've helped a few schools work out solutions. For example, in one school we determined that the district's board policy took precedence, and thus the "site administrator" (the principal) could make final decisions. The pen would only be used in certain circumstances (e.g., lecture portions of class but not discussions) and the student, parent, and teacher would sign a document indicating that they understood and would abide by the agreement, similar to this downloadable "Acceptable Use Policy" form for classroom recording.

Schools across the country are exploring other solutions that balance the educational benefits of technology like the Livescribe smartpen with the rights and confidentiality afforded to those being recorded, for example:

Only use pen in certain classes, or during certain times in class.
Pen is owned and retained by school; recordings are uploaded to computer controlled by school; teacher has 24 hours to approve recording before providing student access to it.
Teacher (not student) uses pen under a document camera to teach, then shares the “Pencast” (file including both the notes and audio) with all students.
For some activities, all students get to use a pen, or a limited number of pens are distributed to students on a rotating basis.

As with many emerging technologies, new capabilities raise new concerns and questions, so solutions are evolving and always a moving target. Remember the furor over electronic calculators in school and how they would single-handedly destroy math instruction? We seem to have survived that and even integrated the use of calculators into instruction. I am sure we will do the same here.

Have you experienced smartpens in the classroom or been denied their use? If so, please leave a comment below.

Join us at the AT Network's annual AT Forum

2012-01-24T09:00:00.000-08:00

Calling all AT Network members! Join us for the AT Network’s annual in-person training and networking event.

AT Forum Overview
The AT Network’s annual AT Forum will be held on Wednesday, February 29th from 10am to 4pm in downtown San Diego. This in-person event is a great opportunity to network with AT Network members, work on issues of mutual concern and receive training. Click here to register before the Wednesday, February 15th deadline.

I'm not yet a member. How can I join the AT Network?

It's simple. Click here to complete the AT Network membership application. Click here to learn the benefits of membership.

AT Forum Registration Information
To review the AT Forum agenda and to register, click here. Lunch will be provided for all registered participants. The deadline to register is Wednesday, February 15th.

Why is the AT Forum held in San Diego?
The AT Network is scheduled in tandem with the annual CSUN International Technology and Persons with Disabilities Conference in San Diego. The AT Forum is organized and sponsored by the AT Network. The AT Forum is not affiliated with the CSUN Conference. If you would like to learn more about the CSUN conference, click here.

AT Network Forum Agenda and Location Information
When: Wednesday, February 29th
Where: Columbia Center Building, 401 West A Street, San Diego, CA 92101, 3rd Floor, Room 300

Agenda Overview:
10 AM - 10:30 AM Welcome and Introductions
10:30 AM - 12 PM Small Group Discussions/Networking
12 PM - 12:30 PM Reports to Large Group and Discussion
12:30 PM - 1:30PM Networking Lunch
1:30 PM – 4 PM iPad Training with Debbie Drennan from Parents Helping Parents

iPad Training Description
Do you know people who are swept away in the iPad tidal wave? Are you curious about how to make the iPad more user-friendly for people with disabilities? This presentation will focus on how to make the iPad user-friendly for all individuals. First, we will explore accessories for the iPad, including stands, cases, speakers, switches, etc. that can make the iPad more accessible. Then, there will be hands-on time with the built-in accessibility features on the iPad’s OS5 operating system. And, if there is time, there will be an opportunity for you to share your favorite apps for individuals with disabilities. Come, learn, and share!

iPad Training Note: The AT Network will provide a limited number of iPad 2s with the OS 5 operating system for participants to use. If you have your own iPad 2, please bring it and make sure to update it with OS 5 before you come.

Click here to register for the AT Forum before the Wednesday, February 15th deadline.

Introducing Rachel Anderson

2012-01-17T14:04:00.000-08:00

We are excited to announce that Rachel Anderson has joined the AT Network as our new Information & Assistance Advocate. She will be answering the AT Network’s Information and Referral line (800-390-2699), updating the AT Services Directory, and organizing outreach efforts.

A little bit more about Rachel:

Rachel Anderson, CFILC’s Information and Assistance Advocate, has worked for a variety of nonprofit organizations in educational outreach, volunteer management and advocacy roles. She holds a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership, Policy and Management and was awarded a fellowship as a future female leader in the nonprofit field.

Speaking Spanish fluently, Rachel has lived and worked in Central and South America as well as five different states in the U.S. She is passionate about national and international social justice issues and CFILC’s mission, and is very excited about her role in the AT Network—which is giving information, referrals and assistance to the public in regards to all things related to assistive technology.

Rachel recently moved from Oregon to California with her husband and is happy to be in sunny Sacramento. She enjoys walking around midtown with her dogs, Victor and Jara, and meeting new people.

Welcome Rachel!

Charter Schools and Assistive Technology

2012-01-10T09:00:00.000-08:00

By Kim Cantrell, CFILC’s Director of Programs

Do charter schools welcome students with disabilities? Turns out, not so much.

I was listening to the radio news a couple of weeks ago and heard a segment on charter schools in Florida. They discussed how many of Florida’s charter schools will not enroll students when they deem them to have “severe” disabilities, citing cost as the biggest reason. According to the report, charter schools can get away with this—even though they receive public funding—due to a loophole. The NPR Morning Edition report states:

“Where special education students attend school is determined by their Individual Education Plan (IEP). That plan is developed by the student, parents, school officials and therapists. The IEP team won't send that student to a charter school that isn't set up to serve disabled students. School districts design a systemic plan to educate students with disabilities. Charter schools do not. Their solution is often to refer students back to the traditional public schools.”

Wow. Students with disabilities are being turned away from publicly-funded charter schools because they lack the infrastructure to provide services. Based on this loophole, it doesn’t sound like Florida’s charter schools have much incentive to change things. Not only are students with disabilities being pushed away, students currently attending charter schools in Florida may not be receiving the assistive technology they need because their school is not designed to identify and meet students’ needs.

What does this have to do with California? According to researchers from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, this trend of exclusion continues in other states, including California.

Have you heard of students with disabilities being denied admission to California’s charter schools? Are students enrolled in charter schools getting the assistive technology they need to succeed? Please share your thoughts and experiences in the comment box below.

The AT Network is on YouTube!

2012-01-03T09:26:00.000-08:00

by Rosemarie Punzalan, CFILC’s Web Accessibility & Training Specialist

The AT Network held a variety of trainings, vendor forums, virtual brown bags and other meetings. They were recorded on a webinar platform such as Talking Communities or Elluminate Blackboard Collaborate, which required you to download a small plug-in the first time you use the software. Due to some organizations that have firewall to prevent a user with limited permissions like downloading a web start plug-in (Java is an example) not being able to access the AT Network’s Archived Webinars can be frustrating. For the first time, the AT Network Training Program has completed its portion training pilot project and that is making some of the recorded webinars available on a few social media web sites like AT Blog, Facebook, and YouTube. These resources can be viewed on a variety of platforms including mobile devices like an iPad, iPod, iPhone, Motorola Xoom, etc.

The following recorded webinars are now available on AT Network’s AT Blog, Facebook, and YouTube Channel:

AT Network Training on Reading and Writing Solutions, Tips and Tricks

AT Network Brown Bag on AT Re-use Coalition

AT Network Training on AT & Transition: What Happens After High School

AT Network Training on An Overview of iDevices and Apps

AT Network Training on Your Rights to AT in the Workplace

AT Network Training on AT and Medicare

AT Network Training on AT for Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)

AT Network Training on Overview of AT Assessment Tools

Please note: the above webinars with live captioning were recorded. We tried our very best to edit the video and its captioning for social media purposes. We apologize in advance for the captioning delay.

To stay up to date with AT Network’s Training Program I highly encourage you to subscribe to our social media resources:

We are constantly looking for ways to improve the quality of the AT Network’s Training Program. As a valued AT Network Member how you rate our trainings, vendor forums, virtual brown bags and other meetings helps us determine what trainings you would like to see in the future.

What would you like to learn about assistive technology in 2012?

Expanding our Community, Vision with new AT DLL

2011-12-13T12:52:00.000-08:00

By Derek Zarda, Independent Living Resource Center San Francisco

Being the newest Assistive Technology Device Lending Library (DLL) on the AT Network, I can say that these past few months following its inception here at ILRCSF have been truly remarkable. We at ILRCSF are very thankful for the opportunity to participate in this program and provide AT devices not just to consumers locally, but also throughout the AT Network’s DLL centers.

We stocked our DLL initially with a diverse array of AT items to meet the various needs of our community. Our inventory ranges from vision aids such as portable video magnifiers, listening devices such as the Pocket Talker Ultra, smart media devices that include iPads, Kindles and Tablets, and mobility aids such as multi-fold ramps and walking canes with foldable seats. Popular items that we have seen so far include our ACER PC notebooks (with JAWS screen reader software), ramps, and reading/cognitive AT devices.

I want to mention ramps again as we have learned just how vital it is that the AT DLL program offers ramps. Of the ramp rentals we have completed so far, one loan enabled a senior advocacy organization to have an accessible stage at an event (at no cost), while another ramp loan is currently aiding a consumer who uses a wheelchair to test out accessing her van for travel with her family.

Our first AT DLL loan was an ACER PC notebook to a veteran with a disability, who is a member of a veterans art guild that meets weekly at ILRCSF. With this loan, he has been able to store and edit photos for a mural project that he’s organizing with his fellow veterans with disabilities. Sometimes it’s easy to overlook how big an effect one device loan can have in the community.

Outreach to high schools and colleges about our AT DLL program has also been a major focus point for us. One of these visits was to a class at the City College of San Francisco to give a presentation about general services and our AT DLL, and I have been asked to return for follow-up presentations. One of the students from that class even contacted me the very next day to set up an appointment to discuss her AT needs, and within a week she had a Reading Pen 2 to try out. The excitement in the student’s eyes said it all – a whole new world of possibilities was opened up to her.

Our new DLL is really a big hit here in San Francisco, and it is just the beginning of new developments to follow in the upcoming year. We look forward to working with consumers and the other DLL centers in providing short-term loans of invaluable AT devices to open the borrowers’ minds to new opportunities and prospects. With the initial reception we have received in these first few months, the best is yet to come.

An Abilities Expo Perspective

2011-12-07T08:31:00.000-08:00

by Shannon Coe, CFILC’s Reuse & Finance Coordinator

During the weekend of November 19th and 20th, I got the chance to attend the Abilities Expo in San Jose.

There were new faces and animals at the event. I saw horses giving rides to people with autism as a form of therapy. There was a hot air balloon with accessible views and a motor home with lifts to bring a person with a physical disability inside the motor home so they can go on adventures. The Expo also had a film festival that showed documentaries submitted by people with disabilities.

The AT device I liked the most at the Expo was a manual wheelchair that could become a motorized wheelchair when you attach an electronic device that looks like the front of a standard bicycle to it. The device looks like a motorized bicycle. It is currently not in the market but I saw a participant riding around in it. The inventor went to the Expo to show off the device in hopes of getting a venture capitalist to invest in the wheelchair. Overall, I was impressed with the creative inventions and art that permeated the event.

Have you been to an Abilities Expo? If so, what was your experience like?

You Gotta Have a Plan When Searching for AT Funding

2011-11-30T13:53:00.000-08:00

Are you looking for alternative funding resources to pay for the assistive technology you need? There are fewer funding sources out there these days, but if you are organized and able to justify your need for AT, then you may be able to get what you need.

The AT Network has resources online to help you develop a funding strategy and find alternative funding sources. Also, if you need to write a letter documenting your need, the AT Network has a template you can use.

Click here to learn how to develop a funding strategy.

Click here to find possible alternative funding sources.

Click here to view a funding request letter template.

And if you would like to talk to us about your specific assistive technology funding situation, please contact the AT Network's information and referral line at 800-390-2699 or email us at info@atnet.org.

Accessible Hot Air Balloon Rides

2011-11-21T09:00:00.000-08:00

By Kim Cantrell, CFILC’s Director of Programs

While at the Abilities Expo in San Jose last weekend, I came across an exhibit showcasing an accessible hot air balloon basket made for wheelchair users. It was an amazing sight. Now wheelchair users can easily enjoy hot air balloon experiences. The accessible basket has a ramp, lowered rail and a window allowing more than 180 degree visibility for all passengers.

Currently there is only one company offering accessible hot air ballooning experiences in the United States. Located in wine country, Up & Away Ballooning takes off from the Sonoma County Airport in Santa Rosa. If you are a wheelchair user interested in a hot air ballooning experience, click here to check it out.

What accessible adventures have you had? Please share in the comment box below.

The Repair and Reuse Fund is available!

2011-10-27T16:45:00.000-07:00

By Shannon Coe, CFILC’s Reuse & Finance Coordinator

It’s alive! The AT Network has resurrected its Repair and Reuse Fund. With a new face lift to the online application, we would like to highlight some of the changes. The most important change is that organizations can now submit up to five devices for repairs each week, up to $1000 for each device. After submitting the applications and attaching the photos of the devices and a 501(c)(3) letter for first time applicants, tracking numbers will be sent to the applicant to ensure all devices submitted are matched to the photos attached to the online application. Receipts for the devices repaired must be submitted within 30 days from when the application was approved.

Only organizations with a 501(c)(3) letter that accept donated AT devices can apply for funds. Organizations may not use the funds to repair AT devices owned by individuals. The repaired device must be reassigned to new owner. We will be accepting applications on a continuous basis until the fund is exhausted or until April 30th, 2012.

You can learn more about the AT Repair and Reuse Fund at http://www.atnet.org/repairfund.php and apply for funding at http://atnet.org/application/application-for-funding.php. If you cannot access these links, you can also go directly to http://www.atnet.org and click on “Limited time only: AT Repair and Reuse Fund Application.”

What skeletons, I mean devices, are in your closet?

It's Disability History Week!

2011-10-13T17:12:00.000-07:00

The Second Annual California Disability History Week is being celebrated around the state this week (October 10th- October 14th), the result of a long-fought effort by young people with disabilities determined to create a better understanding of the contributions people with disabilities have made to our society. In honor of this important week, students, teachers and schools around the state are preparing dozens of activities to take place both during and after school.

"California's youth with disabilities led the effort to create Disability History Week because we know that by learning about the past, we can help change the future." said YO! Volunteer Penelope DeMeerleer.

"Giving teachers the chance to create lesson plans and encourage conversations in class about the history of the disability history will go a long way in helping to reduce ignorance on campus and increase awareness and tolerance" Jonny Vallin, a student at CSU Los Angeles, explained.

Part of a national youth-led movement to increase awareness of disability history, California's Disability History week encourages schools and colleges to highlight the disability rights social movement, the disability leaders and actions that led to Rehabilitation Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Supreme Court's landmark ruling in the Olmstead case. Schools are planning events including: rallies, classroom activities, panels, assemblies, outreach, and guest speakers.

Efforts to pass the resolution to create Disability History Week, authored by Assemblymember Jim Beall (D-San Jose), were supported by the California Foundation for Independent Living Centers and YO! Youth Organizing! Disabled & Proud and comes after youth movements in several other states were successful in gaining recognition of Disability History Weeks. Nationwide, efforts to recognize disability history are supported by the federal Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy.

"Our history is so rich and diverse in California, yet many of my peers have never learned about the history of the disability community. I think this lack of knowledge is a major reason why so many young people with disabilities experience bullying at school," said Ania Flatau, a student at Monterey Pennisula College. "This is why it is so important for Disability History Week to get started. I know that if my classmates had more information about the disability community, there would definitely be a greater understanding between students with and without disabilities."

The Second Annual Disability History Week will be particularly timely, as an effort to overturn the recently adopted Fair, Accurate, Inclusive and Respectful (FAIR) Education Act at the ballot will be required to submit over 500,000 valid signatures on October 12th in order to qualify. The FAIR Act will lead to schools including information about the disability rights and LGBT rights movements in social studies and history classes in K-12 education. A month after Governor Brown signed the FAIR Act into law, several anti-gay groups launched an effort to prevent the historic Act from going into effect. Youth with disabilities from around the state are determined to make sure that these efforts to exclude certain parts of our history do not succeed.

Looktel Money Reader--a user's perspective

2011-10-11T16:31:00.000-07:00

by Dane Geer, AT Advocate at the Independent Living Center of Kern County

LookTel Money Reader is a helpful mobile assistant that’s simple and easy to use. While shopping I use the application to verify money while checking out or to ensure I am getting the right amount of change back. It can also be used to quickly and easily sort money with total independence from virtually anywhere.

LookTel Money Reader instantly recognizes US currency and speaks the denomination, enabling people with visual impairments or blindness to quickly and easily identify and count bills. Simply point your iPhone or IPod touch’s camera at any US bill and the application will tell you the denomination in real-time. It supports $1, $2, $5, $10, $20, $50, and $100 bills. There's no need to hold the iPhone or the IPod touch still or capture a photo and wait for a result – recognition happens continuously and in real time. Additionally, the app does not require any internet connection, which means it can read money quickly at any location, anytime.

I really like the pricing compared to other money readers out there, it’s amazing how well it works for me and other blind people that I have talked to about the app. They all say that it is a very useful app to maintain their independence without relying on others.

For more information please visit their website at: www.looktel.com

On the News--iPad apps for children with autism

2011-10-03T10:44:00.001-07:00

A recent news story on the bay area's channel 7 features iPad apps for children with autism. Debbie Drennan of Parents Helping Parents is also featured. To watch the video and read the story, click here.

To check out Debbie's AT Network training on apps for iDevices, click here.

Check out the AT Network’s archived trainings

2011-09-28T13:58:00.000-07:00

Have you wanted to attend the AT Network’s webinar trainings but haven’t had the time? Fortunately, it is not too late to learn about the latest in assistive technology.
The AT Network currently has over 30 archived trainings available to view. Each webinar is approximately 60-90 minutes. Follow any of the links below to watch archived trainings from the comfort of your computer. Make sure that your computer speakers are turned up so you can enjoy the full webinar experience. Once you have chosen an interesting topic, grab a snack, then sit back, relax and enjoy the show!

AT Network Archived Training Topics:

AT & Transition: What Happens After High School? Click here to view.
An Overview of iDevices and Apps. Click here to view.
Your Rights to AT in the Workplace. Click here to view.
AT for Attention and Deficit Disorder. Click here to view.
AT and Medicare. Click here to view.
Overview of AT Assessment Tools. Click here to view.
Reaching Today’s Struggling Readers with Accessible Digital Books. Click here to view.
AT Consideration for School-aged Children. Click here to view.

To view a full list of the AT Network’s archived trainings, click here.

September is National Preparedness Month

2011-09-22T09:00:00.000-07:00

September is National Preparedness Month

In his proclamation designating September as National Preparedness Month, President Barack Obama stated, “In April of this year, a devastating series of tornadoes challenged our resilience and tested our resolve. In the weeks that followed, people from all walks of life throughout the Midwest and the South joined together to help affected towns recover and rebuild…Disability community leaders worked side-by-side with emergency managers to ensure that survivors with disabilities were fully included in relief and recovery efforts. These stories…underscore that in America, no problem is too hard and no challenge is too great.”

Disability.gov’s Emergency Preparedness section has many tools and resources that can help people with disabilities and others prepare for, and recover from, emergency situations and disasters.

Here are a few examples of the resources you’ll find on Disability.gov
• Tips for people who have pets or service animals
• Information about emergency kits and supplies
• Preparing for emergencies at work and school
• Accessible shelters and emergency housing
• Help recovering from a disaster

Disability.Blog also has information about the importance of including everyone in emergency management planning, preparing for emergencies in the workplace and taking into account service animals when planning for emergencies.

Reprinted from the Disability Blog

10 Things Every School District Should Know About AT

2011-09-20T09:00:00.000-07:00

School is back in session, which means that assistive technology and individualized education plans (IEPs) are on the minds of many students and teachers.

The Georgia Project for Assistive Technology (a program of the Georgia Dept. of Education) created a four-part video series framing essential concepts and action steps for the responsible provision of AT services. Useful to school systems in any state (as well as parents, educators, therapists, and others), whether you have an AT program in place or are in the process of developing a program, here are 10 Things Every School District Should Know About Assistive Technology.

Thank you to the AT Program News for sharing this resource.

Beyond the Apps Store!

2011-09-15T16:12:00.000-07:00

10 Web pages with apps for special education and adults with disabilities

Thank you to the AT Program News for sharing the resources below.

As the volume of apps for mobile devices explodes, websites are cropping up to help us learn, review, and share about them. Below is a selection to help you get started:

1. Apps for Children with Disabilities (a4cwsn.com)
Videos of apps in action to help parents, educators, caregivers and professionals make more informed purchases. The creator is a parent who has also launched an effort to give away 50 iPads in 50 states.

2. IEAR.org; I Education Apps Review
Founded by an education technology specialist, this site has created a community of over 500 educators, administrators, and app developers, including 30 volunteer "educator" app reviewers. Apps are categorized by grade level and tagged by subject. There is also a special education category with 10 reviews so far. A great place to explore (and help grow?)

3. Teach with your iPad
This is a Wiki with a special education page. There are a lot of educators out there creating Wikis to share education technology advice and this is one of them.

4. Mobile Learning for Children with Disabilities
Founded by a special educator, this Wiki includes 140 iPad/iPhone apps organized by category in addition to articles, video case studies and captioned video tutorials on devices.

5. Moms With Apps: Disability page
An online catalog of apps created by family-friendly developers.

6. iPodsibilities
"One teacher's thoughts on using iPods and iPads in the classroom." Apps, reviews, lesson plans and more--including for special education.

Beyond Special Education...

7. iPhone/iPad Apps for AAC

8. iPhone/iPad Apps for Magnification and Vision Support

9. iPhone/iPad Apps for Literacy Support
These link to large spread sheets explaining, comparing, and reviewing apps! The AAC page sorts apps with symbols/pictures only, apps with symbols and text-to-speech, and text-based-only apps. The Vision page sorts apps by magnification and other vision support. The Literacy Support sheet is more of a listing only. They are provided by the Spectronics Web site--a supplier of inclusive learning technologies in Australia and New Zealand.

10. AAC TechConnect Apps Assistant
The Apps Assistant is under development to help sort through the sea of AAC apps through a series of basic questions. Check out the apps list and sign up for beta testing.

Happy searching!

A 5 minute request from people with speech disabilities

2011-09-06T09:00:00.000-07:00

By Dr. Bob Segalman, President, Speech Communications Assistance by Telephone, Inc.

People with speech disabilities are asking others to help urge the FCC to update technology regulations to improve their telephone access. The FCC is considering whether Speech-to-Speech (STS) should be upgraded to include a video component, called Video Assisted Speech- to-Speech (VID-STS). The information provided by the video component makes them understandable even if their speech is too distorted to use traditional STS.

Users of VID-STS would make calls using a broadband connection as well as a camera and microphone on their PC. A trained VID-STS operator, who can help users be understood on the phone, would relay the call between the user and the called party. During these calls, the VID-STS operator would watch the AAC device (voice output PC) and/or the face of the caller with a speech disability. This operator would observe any gesturing or facial expressions made by the person with a speech disability, and use this combination of information to relay the content of the phone call to the recipient of the call.

Please let the FCC know that you support improved telephone access for people with speech disabilities. We need input from: potential users, family member/caretakers, disability advocates, allied medical professionals, government utility associates, and telephone industry associates. Many people with speech disabilities have other disabilities which prevent them being activists, so a few minutes of your time is needed to act on their behalf.

A support statement is available at www.speechtospeech.org: Go to the middle of the home page and click on the "Support Statement for VID-STS", and please complete your contact information. Your responses will go to the FCC.

For additional information, contact:

Bob Segalman, Ph.D., D.Sc. (Hon), President

Speech Communications Assistance by Telephone, Inc. (SCT)

515 P St., #403
Sacramento, CA 95814

Call 1-888-877-5302 and then ask for me at 916-448-5517

E-mail: drsts@comcast.net

Website: www.speechtospeech.com

Fear of Abandonment

2011-08-30T12:24:00.000-07:00

This is a guest post by Jeff Symons, MSE, ATP, a rehabilitation engineer located in Northern California. Jeff provides AT and ergonomic assessments to individuals and clients of the California Department of Rehabilitation as well as other agencies.

I recently got feedback from a counselor that many of the clients that I assessed had quit using the voice recognition software I recommended. I also had another client send back a device that I had recommended. I took these as signs to wonder about technology abandonment. I did some research and found two articles that discussed this issue. Click here to access the first article and click here to access the second article. Both articles listed several key factors that may be involved in technology abandonment. These factors are:

1. Lack of consideration of user opinion in selection;
2. Easy device procurement;
3. Poor device performance;
4. Change in user needs or priorities;
5. Assistive technology training;
6. Follow up.

I try during the assessment to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the options and make sure I understand the user’s perspective. At the end of the assessment I hope that the client, counselor and I are on the same page and agree with what I am going to recommend. We may not always agree on the best solution, but I try to document that in the report.

As I look at these recent instances and the factors of technology abandonment, one conclusion I came to is that follow up and training may be an area that I need to focus on more. I assume that things are going OK unless I hear a complaint, but that may not necessarily be true. In the case of voice recognition software, I have seen a number of people who have stated that it did not work well for them. However, after showing them how well it can work once someone is properly trained, they are generally more interested in learning how to use the program.

I would like to know what reasons people have given for not using what was recommended. I use voice recognition for my reports, and also I'm using it to write this newsletter. I use voice recognition not because I have to, but because it is much faster for me than typing. So again, I would be curious about the reasons people quit using what was recommended.

In the case of the client who sent back a device I recommended even though she had tried it during the assessment, it is likely some follow-up training also may have helped. I do not think she knew how to set up the device and, therefore, did not think it was working properly. A phone call may have solved this problem.

My dilemma is that I would like to follow up with clients to see if they have received the equipment recommended and, if so, to learn how is it working. The problem is that sometimes they have not received recommended equipment for various reasons or their case has been closed. If there is an issue, this could create a problem if we have to re-open their case. I would really like some input and advice as to how to solve this dilemma.

What are your thoughts on technology abandonment? Have you abandoned technology that you thought would meet your needs and later learned that it would not? Any tips you would like to share?

AT is Going Back to School

2011-08-23T09:00:00.000-07:00

Shannon Coe, CFILC’s Reuse & Finance Coordinator, interviewed Nellie DeMeerleer, YO! Volunteer

As students are getting ready for the new school year, I wanted to find out what kind of AT youth are using these days in college. So I decided to interview Nellie, a youth volunteer for the Youth Organizing (YO!) Disabled and Proud Program. Nellie is 21-years-old and is also a third year student at Sacramento City College (SCC). Due to her hydrocephalus, she is blind in the left eye and has Petit Mal Seizures. Nevertheless, Nellie is able to succeed in school because of accommodations, including AT, provided for her by the Disability Resource Center (DRC) at SCC. In my interview with Nellie, this is what I discovered.

1. When did you start using Assistive Technology (AT) for school?

I started using AT at a very young age. In school I use large print because it makes reading less difficult. I also use a magnifier when large print isn’t available. I also wear glasses to help my Nystagmus and farsightedness.

2. What are some of the accommodations you request at school?

Some accommodations I like to have are: a note taker, extra time on tests, a recorder to record the lecture, and a desk in the front of the class.

3. Which AT do you find most useful and why?

I really like using a recorder for lectures because it makes me less worried about getting all of the notes down. Instead I get to relax and listen to the lecture and participate in class discussions.

4. How can you access AT in your school?

I get the AT I need at the DRC at Sacramento City College. Once I enroll in my classes and figure out which accommodations I need for each class, my teacher fills out a sheet for me to sign, and I give it to the DRC.

5. What made you realize that AT is essential at school and work?

I realized that using AT can help me be more successful at school and work, and that using AT is not a hassle or a stigma anymore. When I was in high school, there was a stigma with using AT. But as youth are becoming more aware and open to AT, I see more of my peers using AT in school now.

6. How has AT helped you be more independent at school or work?

Using AT makes me feel more independent because I don’t need to ask for assistance at school or work to get my assignments completed. Also, AT has changed a lot in the last few years. In the past, I carried 14pt. font large print materials to class but now I only need to carry one book because my teachers post electronic documents online. All I have to do now is change the font size. AT has helped me a lot so I encourage other students to take advantage of it.

After my interview with Nellie, I came to realize how much AT has changed and improved in the last decade, especially the perception of AT among youth. It no longer has the same stigma as in the past. Now youth with disabilities can succeed in their education without the fear of being different.

Now I want to hear from you. How has AT helped you succeed in school?

Will AT Save IHSS?

2011-08-16T09:00:00.000-07:00

By Allan Friedman, CFILC's Technologies Manager

California made a BIG bet in March. We (the disability community, caregivers and the legislature) bet that AT devices for a few at-risk individuals will save the state $140 million dollars in prevented hospitalizations. And if we’re wrong? A cut to IHSS hours for all.

When SB 72 was signed into law March 24^th, the clock began ticking on an ambitious pilot project to see if California could reduce Medi-Cal hospital costs by ensuring that patients take their proper dosages of medications at the proper times. More than a dozen states have succeeded in reducing hospitalizations due to medication mismanagement, so hopes are high.

The technology being piloted is called a Medication Dispensing Machine. Loaded by the Medi-Cal recipient or caregiver with a month’s supply of medications, the machines are programmed to dispense the proper dosages at the proper times. The user is alerted with both a visual (flashing light or sign) and auditory signal (a recorded voice, bell or other sound). If the dispensed meds are not taken in a set amount of time, they are withdrawn into the machine and a text or audio message is sent by telephone to caregivers, doctors or other designated receivers. All dosages are recorded and can be monitored remotely.

But will California realize the savings from this use of assistive technology in time to prevent cuts to IHSS hours? It's doubtful. The Department of Healthcare Services has only just begun to work out the details of how they will identify those at risk and how they will deliver the service to them. Their most recent progress report (available on the pilot project webpage) shows that implementation will not start for several more months, most likely in 2012.

Yet the bill calls for reporting to begin in October and that evidence of savings must be reported to the legislature by April 2012 or else the budget committees will begin planning a reduction in authorized hours for IHSS recipients beginning in October of 2012. This budgeting tactic is being called a "trigger."

The Medication Dispensing Machine Pilot Project has a lot of potential to reduce costs and help consumers stay healthy and out of hospitals. It is likely that, even with delays to its implementation, it will be continued in the next budget cycle. But it seems clear that the saving from this program probably will not come soon enough to avert cuts to IHSS services.

How to fund the eyeglasses you need

2011-08-09T09:00:00.000-07:00

By Jorge Ruiz, Assistive Technology Coordinator at the Central Coast Center for Independent Living in Salinas

As an assistive technology advocate, I often get requests from consumers on a variety of different pieces of equipment and services. Recently many of our consumers have inquired about funding assistance for basic eye glasses. Of course, before acquiring glasses one must first acquire a prescription from an eye doctor in order to have glasses made. This is the first barrier as many of our consumers don’t have vision coverage or don’t have the resources to pay for those services. Furthermore consumers often believe that Medi-Cal can pay for those services. Here is what Medi-Cal’s vision care policy from their website:

As of July 26, 2010 Medi-Cal again started covering an eye exam from an eye doctor for beneficiaries 21 years or older.

What will Medi-Cal now pay for?

Medi-Cal will now pay for these services if you are any age:

· To see an eye doctor to test your eyes

· To test for a prescription for eyeglasses

· To test for a prescription for contact lenses if you have eye diseases

· To check the health of your eyes

· To check to see if you have low vision

What vision-related expenses will Medi-Cal NOT pay for?

Medi-Cal will not pay for these if you are 21 years of age or older (except in some cases):

· New eyeglasses or to fix your glasses

· Contact lenses

· Things that will help you see better (like magnifying glasses)

What are the exceptions?

Medi-Cal will pay for eyeglasses, contact lenses or other things to help you see better for only these people:

· Pregnant women; and only if your doctor says that not having them will be harmful to your baby or pregnancy

· Children or people less than 21-years-old who have full Medi-Cal

· People who live in a nursing home

There you have it. Unless you fit in that small population, you won’t be able to get glasses through Medi-Cal.

As an advocate, my next step is to brainstorm solutions that fill this gap when consumers don’t have the proper coverage to acquire glasses. The first places I look are service organizations like the Lions Club, an organization that recycles eyeglasses throughout the world. Our local Lions Club assisted my consumers in acquiring much needed services. But what can we do when there are no Lions Clubs available to help?

Recently I found out about the organization called New Eyes for the Needy that helps with the cost of prescription glasses for low income individuals in the United States. The applicant submits an application along with a copy of a recent prescription for eyeglasses and, if approved, the applicant receives a voucher from the organization for the cost of glasses. The applicant will then have to find a dispenser that will agree to make glasses for the consumer at the rates printed on the voucher. Once the glasses are made, the organization will reimburse the dispensary for the work completed. The hard part of the program is finding a dispensary that takes the voucher, but once you do, the process is much smoother. Furthermore, the organization is partnering with Wal-Mart vision Center and many Walt-Marts have started taking the voucher.

We often have to think outside of the box to find resources that meet our needs or the needs of the people we serve.

Have you found any new funding sources that fill the gaps that insurance coverage doesn't provide?

Expanding Access to Communications Technology for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Communities

2011-08-02T08:28:00.000-07:00

By Shannon Ramsay, CFILC’s Information & Assistance Advocate

We increasingly communicate using advanced devices that zip data back and forth between us over the Internet. Since many of these new types of communication technology have not been designed to be accessible for those of us with hearing impairments, it has become necessary to update and expand existing telecommunications laws to address these accessibility barriers. The 21^st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act (CVAA) was passed to ensure that this next generation of Internet-based and digital communication technologies is accessible to those of us with hearing and speech disabilities. In this article I will review the changes which the CVAA is making to hearing aid compatibility requirements as well as the expansion of the relay service.

Until now section 255 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 only required newly manufactured and imported phones using the traditional public switchboard network to be compatible with hearing aids. Section 255 did not make any provisions for manufacturers of new Internet-enabled phone technology to incorporate hearing aid compatibility into their products. Click here to find out more about past hearing aid compatibility requirements under section 255.

In Title I, section 102, the CVAA extends the current regulations for hearing aid compatibility to include all equipment and devices which offer Internet protocol-enabled (IP) communication services. IP-enabled devices, such as Internet phones, tablets, and PDAs, transmit your voice through the Internet using technologies such as Voice over Internet Protocol (VOIP) instead of the traditional switchboard system. Today many people and organizations use Internet phones to communicate more cheaply and easily, but there is no guarantee that you will be able to hear and understand the person calling you using an Internet phone if you wear hearing aids. The CVAA mandates that the manufacturers of new IP-enabled telecommunications devices must incorporate hearing aid compatibility into new products by including things such as acoustic handsets in their designs. Regulations spelling out the requirements for hearing compatibility of IP-enabled telecommunications devices will be issued by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in the fourth quarter of this year. I am personally looking forward to a time when I can use an Internet phone and know that I will not experience any interferences with my hearing aids.

Right now telecommunications relay services (TRS) are only intended to facilitate functionally equivalent communication between people with hearing and speech disabilities and all other people. Section 103 of the CVAA updates the scope of relay services to require equivalent telephone communication functionality between parties regardless of disability and to increase relay service obligations for all VoIP service providers.

Have you experienced any difficulties using Internet-enabled communications technology as a person with a hearing impairment?

What is an ATP, and why you should work with one

2011-07-26T09:00:00.000-07:00

by Fred Tchang, ATP and Director, Assistive Technology Services in New Jersey

People working in the field of assistive technology have many different backgrounds--education, technology, therapy. The one credential that unites us is the RESNA Assistive Technology Professional (ATP).

How does a credential differ from a training course? Training courses are great for learning new material. The ATP is not a training course—it is a credential that recognizes professionals who have reached an internationally accepted standard of knowledge in assistive technology. The certification process includes work/education eligibility, the passing of a 200-item examination, and an on-going commitment to practice at the highest ethical standard in the field of assistive technology.

Why do people seek to earn the ATP? Earning an ATP identifies the certificant as a trustworthy, dedicated expert. Those who hold the ATP credential are listed on RESNA’s website for easy identification and referral. An ATP certified professional takes a holistic approach to every situation, assessing your situation and influences, and then determining what equipment will enable you to optimize your life at home, school, work and in the community.

Know where to find an RESNA certified AT professional (ATP)? Visit www.resna.org and click on “Find a Certified AT Professional.”

Show Us Your AT!

2011-07-19T11:35:00.000-07:00

By Allan Friedman, CFILC's Technologies Manager

Most of us tend to think about big things in AT--communication devices, wheelchairs, ramps, iPads, computer screenreaders. But it's the little things, low-tech improvisations, that often mean the most to users of assistive technology. Whether it's taping a stick to a hair brush to extend one's reach or hanging a pull cord on a door knob, simple devices that people fashion for themselves tend to be extremely useful and valued.

Necessity is the mother of invention and people with disabilities, especially those with limited incomes and resources, are always inventing solutions for themselves. We'd like to share those solutions with others. By sharing our creativity we can inspire others and perhaps provide a bright idea for someone who is stymied by their limitations.

We'd like you to share your AT solutions with us so we can share them with others via the AT Network website. If you've got a favorite gadget or device that you have put together and depend on, write us at feedback@atnet.org and tell us about it. Better yet, send pictures! We will share your ideas by posting them in the "How to Succeed with AT" section of our website. Together we'll show people that creativity and AT go hand in hand when it comes to providing functional solutions to functional needs.

A Good Idea Gone Bad

2011-07-12T09:00:00.000-07:00

by Allan Friedman, CFILC's Technologies Manager

Competitive bidding sounds like a good idea, right? Get the lowest price and the best deal. Save money. What could go wrong?

Plenty, especially when it's Medicare running the process and durable medical equipment (DME) vendors doing the bidding. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Competitive Bidding Program for certain Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies (DMEPOS) is causing havoc in the home healthcare industry.

The Medicare Modernization act of 2003 (MMA) required Medicare to replace the Home Medical Equipment (HME) payment fee schedule for certain items with a "competitive acquisition" or government contracting program. The program was implemented on January 1, 2011 in nine cities (including the Riverside/Bakersfield area) and will expand to 91 metropolitan areas later this year in round 2.

In California, round 2 cities include: Bakersfield, Fresno, LA-Long Beach-Santa Ana, Sacramento-Roseville, San Diego-Carlsbad-San Marco, SF-Oakland-Fremont, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara and Visalia-Porterville.

So what's wrong with the competitive bidding program? Well, for starters it is driving suppliers out of business, limiting choice for consumers, lengthening hospital stays and causing much grief for consumers.

As a result of the bidding process, many vendors who provide a variety of home healthcare products and DME were awarded contracts to supply a single item or none at all. In some areas, out-of-state vendors won contracts to supply products, forcing consumers to drive long distances or rely on mail order to obtain supplies and products they previously purchased locally.

Hospital discharge planners are delaying releases because they cannot match patients to contracted providers with the appropriate products such as wheelchairs, oxygen equipment and sleep therapy devices.

One Medicare recipient was waiting for her diabetes test strips for more than two weeks and could no longer receive them from her original provider since the company was not contracted. Another patient needs oxygen 24 hours a day and relies on portable oxygen to visit her physician. Her HME company did not win a contract and the user needs physician approval to switch to a different company. She has no access to oxygen and cannot visit her physician.

So what can we do? For starters, Consumers in the Riverside-San Bernardino area who have been affected by this program need to tell their stories. At the AAHomecare’s website (http://www.aahomecare.org/) They can click on the ‘Competitive Bid Problems?’ button and provide feedback on how their access to home healthcare products and services has been affected by the program.

We also need to get behind HR 1041 and urge its passage before the program expands to round 2 later this year. HR 1041 would roll back the flawed pilot project and institute an up-to-date and fair pricing schedule defining what Medicare will pay for certain equipment. The bill has 132 cosigners, none from California. Advocates, consumers and others who are concerned, should write their representatives in Congress and urge them to cosign the bill.

A lot of Californians are already experiencing difficulties as a result of this program. Many more will unless we join the national effort to stop it. The time to advocate is now!

The Future of Robotic Vacuum Cleaners

2011-07-05T09:00:00.000-07:00

By Shannon Coe, CFILC’s Reuse & Finance Coordinator

Yesterday, as our country celebrated Independence Day with friends and family, I also got to enjoy a clean Independence Day with my husband and friends with the help of Wally. No, Wally is not a dog or a cat. He is cleaner than any dog or fury pet because Wally is a Robotic Vacuum Cleaner. Think of Rosie the Robot from the Jetsons, a cartoon I used to watch in grade school. I can’t believe the future has arrived for us to have a robot that cleans the floor. Of course, Wally looks nothing like Rosie but he has helped me gain more independence.

As a wheelchair user, I have difficulty vacuuming and sweeping while pushing my wheelchair at the same time. Since I always feel exhausted after trying to vacuum, I rarely do it and delegate the responsibility to my husband. But with our busy schedules, we don’t have the time to clean the dust bunnies underneath our bed or the dirt on the floor left by my wheelchair every day.

We programmed Wally to clean the floors everyday while we are away at work. Since then we have not seen any dirt or dust bunnies. Sometimes Wally gets stuck underneath the kitchen counter and we have to bring him back to his charging station, but once he is charged up, he goes back to work.

Before we purchased Wally, we did some research online and found that there were a few brands out there that sell robotic vacuum cleaners. Of course, none of them are cheap, but a good vacuum cleaner is never cheap. After much research, we went to Fry’s Electronics store and bought the Neato Robotics. After watching some YouTube videos comparing the different brands out in the market, we decided that the Neato was much more methodical in how it cleans so it does not bump into the furniture as often. Basically, the Neato is programmed to scan the room and start vacuuming without me having to hold or control it. When the dirt bin is full, it is also easy for me to empty it. Wally has definitely made my life less stressful.

Other brands of Robotic Vacuum Cleaners include:

Samsung’s Navibot and the Roomba iRobot.

To get an idea what Robotic Vacuum Cleaners can do, you can watch it on You Tube.

Do you consider Robots to be a friend or foe in the world of Assistive Technology?

A Ramp Up to Accessing 21st Century Communication Technology

2011-06-28T14:58:00.000-07:00

By Shannon Ramsay, CFILC's Information and Assistance Advocate

So many of the ways that we communicate vital information are not fully accessible to people with disabilities. The 21^st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010 (from here forward referred to as “the Act”) was signed into law by President Obama on October 8, 2010 to give people with disabilities access to these communications services. This overview article is the first in a series of posts which will explain the provisions of the Act.

The act is broken down into two major sections, each of which is made up of several subparts. In the first major section, the act addresses barriers to communication technology, such as the incompatibility of smart phones with hearing aids and inaccessibility of content on the Internet. The second major section of the act focuses on increasing access to video programming through closed captioning and audio description.

Currently, many of us who wear hearing aids experience interference on certain types of phones, such as smart phones, or we are not able to hear the sounds on the phone clearly enough. These incompatibilities cause us to miss critical pieces of information which are necessary for us to communicate effectively. I have experienced situations in which I have needed to take my hearing aids out to hear conversations on my phone. There are provisions in the first section of the act which address the problem of hearing aid compatibility with certain types of phones.

Right now a large amount of online information is still not easily within the reach of people with disabilities. We are denied equal access to information about employment and educational opportunities because far too many websites are still not designed with screen reader access or closed captioning integrated into their design. Also, many times assistive technology comes into conflict with Internet hardware and software preventing web access. Provisions are stated in the first section of the Act to reduce these barriers and to make it possible for us to check e-mail, shop for music, apply for jobs, follow the latest news, and track the amount of funds we have in our bank accounts as easily as our peers without disabilities.

Frequently, people with disabilities become stranded and lose access to the technology and personal assistance we need during disasters such as floods and earthquakes because emergency information is not presented in an accessible format. The first section of the Act includes provisions to ensure that emergency service providers make information about disasters and disaster relief services accessible through audio description and closed captioning. In the second section, the Act states that an emergency information advisory committee should be established to come up with the best methods for increasing access to emergency information.

Furthermore, the first section of the Act contains provisions requiring the establishment of a relay system which will assist deaf individuals to communicate more easily by phone with people who can hear. The first section also includes requirements for the distribution of communications equipment for people who are deaf-blind.

The second major section of the Act mandates that video programming must be made more accessible through the increased availability of closed captioning and audio description.

All of the provisions of this act are intended to set new standards so that Americans with disabilities can take advantage of the technology our economy depends on. This is especially important in today's job market when every worker needs the necessary skills to compete for the jobs of the future.

If you would like to get more information about the history of the law and read the entire text of the 21^st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010, click here.

What barriers have you encountered to communications services and video programming and how do you think this act will help you overcome them?

AT Helps Keep Senior in her Home

2011-06-21T15:26:00.000-07:00

It's time for an AT Network success story.

Sometimes the difference between living on one’s own and requiring skilled nursing care can be as simple as a single assistive device. “Mary” (not her real name) is a senior living in the Santa Barbara area. She lived by herself in the home she and her late husband purchased many years ago. But a spate of recent falls had family members concerned. Worried about her safety, they were urging Mary to move to a care facility. But Mary neither wanted to move out or have anyone move in with her. A friend referred Mary to the Independent Living Resources Center.

ILRC’s Assistive Technology Advocate at first suggested Mary subscribe to an emergency alert service but she could not afford the monthly service fees. So the advocate told Mary about the California Telephone Access Program (CTAP). A free service funded by the California Public Utilities Commission (through a fee added to all telephone bills) CTAP provided Marie with an emergency automatic dial telephone and an alert button on a bracelet she could wear. After a fall, Mary could press the button on her bracelet that would cause her telephone to automatically dial a set of pre-program numbers, including 911.

With the emergency automatic dial phone installed, Mary was able to continue living in her own home and her family had peace of mind knowing she could contact help when she needed it.

What is your AT success story?

NVDA Project: a Screen Reader by the people for the people

2011-06-14T09:00:00.000-07:00

By Luke Hsieh, AT Advocate at the Community Access Center, Riverside

As far as computer screen readers go, JAWS from Freedom Scientific has become something of an absolute standard. Last time I checked, a copy of JAWS standard version costs $895. In case the irony escapes you, $895 is approximately the same amount of a Supplemental Security Income Check for the month. (Hmmm…I wonder when they are going to make the next shark movie.)

So, when two blind computer programmers did not want to pay that kind of money for computers to talk, they reasoned, rightly, that others probably don't want to pay that kind of money to make the computer talk either. Together they wrote their own screen reader and very generously offered it as open source software. It’s called NonVisual Desktop Access, or NVDA.

I would hate open source software if I worked for Microsoft, but I don't, so I absolutely adore it. Anyone can download, modify, use, copy, or share the software just as long as nobody makes any money on it. So IVONA just downloaded the thing, packaged it with their voice engine and voila! They have an accessibility pack. But wait, didn't I say that nobody is supposed to make money off the screen reader? Well, the screen reader is free, but the voice engine is not, so you get the picture.

The NVDA screen reader comes with its own voice engine, but I could barely understand anything it says. It's like hearing myself in a tape recorder, and I wonder why anyone would model the voice engine after me. So that voice engine had to go. Luckily the two programmers don't have too much qualm about people changing voice engines. So I use IVONA Emma II British English Voice Engine on NVDA, and the result is promising enough for me to want to tell you about it. Now that I have told you about it, it is your turn to download and see or hear for yourself.

4 Reasons to Like the AT Network's Facebook Page

2011-06-07T09:21:00.000-07:00

By Rosemarie Punzalan, CFILC's Communications Specialist

1. You are already on Facebook. You often log in to Facebook and refresh your News Feed hundreds of times a day anyway. If you "Like" the AT Network, then you will receive AT-related news updates.

2. Give us feedback. The AT Network is always curious to learn what our AT Network members think. Appreciate a specific blog? Would you like to see a webinar and/or in-person topic more thoroughly explored? Let us know on our wall!

3. Keep up with our AT Blog. When a new post is added to the AT Blog, it is also added to our AT Network Facebook Page! That way you won't miss a single post and will stay up-to-date on the latest assistive technology news from around California.

4. Participate in AT Network webinars. When a new webinar event is added to the AT Network Calendar of Events page, it is also added to our AT Network Facebook Page! Attend 60-90 minute webinar trainings, vendor forums and virtual brown bag discussions.

Like AT Network on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/AT-Network/105697443751

Magical apps for your iPhone or iPad

2011-05-31T09:15:00.000-07:00

By Jeff Samco, Assistive Technology Advocate, FREED

I work as an assistive technology advocate at FREED, an Independent Living Center in Nevada City, California. I am also legally blind, so I use AT everyday in my life. Here is a quick overview of the "magical" apps I use on my iPhone 4.

Note: I do have a little useable vision for pointing a camera, although not enough to see what is on the screen, nor in the viewfinder. Also, I've only had the iPhone for 2 months. I solely use it via the built-in screen reader called VoiceOver. And, for those interested, I do not use it as a phone since I cannot afford the monthly service fee. Instead, I use it with apps that are entirely self-contained on the iPhone or those which work via a Wi-Fi connection such as I have at home, work and at some public venues.

US Currency Identification apps:

EyeNote, developed by the US Treasury, is a free application for your iDevice. I do applaud the US Treasury's effort to make US currency more identifiable for those who are blind or visually impaired. However, the implementation of the free EyeNote app falls significantly short in its performance compared to that of a previously-released commercial app by LookTell called Money Reader that costs $1.99.

Here's my brief comparison of the two apps:

The EyeNote snaps a picture which is then analyzed and, if successful, speaks the denomination. The bill needs to lie quite flat in adequate lighting to be recognized. If not recognized, the user needs to again snap another picture and wait the few seconds of processing time.

The Money Reader app uses a continuous video stream from the iDevice's camera and activates an iPhone 4's built-in flash if needed. Recognition takes less than a second. Bills can be quickly passed in front of the camera and identified one after another. It will recognize a bill when fully open, folded in half or less, flat or krinckled. It rarely cannot identify the bill.

And cameras can do more than identify money. oMoby object identification is a free app that requires data connection via Wi-Fi or cell. You snap a photo of an object such as a box or can of food, and the image is sent off over the Internet for comparison with a database of images. If a match is made, a short text description is returned and VoiceOver can speak it. If no match is made, the image is sent to a live human who views it and types in a short text description returned to the sender. I've had great success in identifying various food items in the kitchen. Of course, results are only as good as the photo image taken.

Let's move on to GPS applications. The Navigon GPS app retails for around $70, but can be found on sale a couple times a year. I have quite a bit of experience with the Trekker Breeze (a handheld talking GPS device retailing for approximately $900) and will use it for comparison.

The Breeze: Very good with naming cross streets, distance to next turn, customizing walking routes and marking personalized locations. The Breeze's limitations include: It does not announce on which side of the street you will find your destination address, Points of Interest are limited, recalculating a route is slow, it comes with only one regional map (e.g., California only), it costs $75 to purchase maps for the entire U.S., and the Breeze is not so precise with vehicle directions.

Navigon: Certainly more limited with no ability to announce names of cross streets. Always tells the street name currently travelling, announces distance to and name of next turn, announces which side of the street destination address is on, includes all U.S. maps, and is much better with Points of Interest. The Navigon recalculates routes quickly and has better vehicle directions and information.

After using Navigon for a month now, I have found it to be adequate for my walking and driving needs (driving in the sense that I am the navigator for my wife).

And for the fitness minded, the iTreadMill walking pedometer app is only 99 cents and is self-contained on an iDevice. You can easily learn distance walked, current speed, average speed and number of steps, whether on a treadmill or out for a walk. The iTreadmill does not use GPS, but the motion sensor of the iDevice. Typically there is no way of getting information on a treadmill display other than viewing it.

I use non-AT apps, but these are the main ones that still amaze me for the added capabilities they add to my life.

What AT-related mobile device apps amaze you? Please share your thoughts in the comment box below.

Disability Capitol Action Day

2011-05-23T11:10:00.000-07:00

Did you know that Disability Capitol Action Day is only two days away? On Wednesday, May 25, Californians with disabilities will come together on the west steps of our state capitol in Sacramento for a march, rally and resource fair. This year's theme is "Our voices, our choice, our lives, our vote."

With many proposed budget cuts that will dramatically affect the disability community, join us and let your voice be heard. All participants are encouraged to make appointments with their legislators. Also, please swing by the AT Network's resource fair table and say "Hi!."

Click here for a schedule of events.

Learn about the RESNA ATP Certification, and the new SMS (Seating and Mobility Specialist)

2011-05-17T09:33:00.000-07:00

Did you know that the AT Network hosts webinar events? Did you know that you can participate from the comfort of your home or office? It's true. The AT Network hosts remote AT trainings, conversations and vendor forums. Click here to check out our calendar of webinar events.

In fact, we have a great webinar coming up. Join us on Thursday, June 2, 2011 from 11am to Noon for an AT Network Brown Bag: RESNA ATP Certification, and the new SMS (Seating and Mobility Specialist)

To Join the Webinar Session: http://tinyurl.com/atforum15

Webinar Description: Why do people get certified? Why do people seek out ATP's? And what exactly is RESNA? Find out more about this specialized credential in our field, who it was designed for, and what its relevance is to you. RESNA itself is the Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America, a professional society for individuals and organizations interested in technology and disability. Visit the RESNA website, www.resna.org, to get background information, and bring your specific questions to learn more.

If this is your first time participating in a CFILC Elluminate webinar, please follow the directions below at least 24 hours before the webinar:

1. Ensure you have access to a headset, microphone, and speakers. These can be separate or in a USB headset combination.

2. Check your computer for compatibility with Elluminate (you will only need to do this one time):
Visit the following link: http://elluminate.com/support/index.jsp You will see First Time Users Step 1,2, and 3. Step 1 shows a green check if you have Java loaded and a red X if you don't. Step 2 will allow you to go into a configuration room to test your audio and microphone. Step 3 is more general information including an online orientation, quick reference guide, and a recorded introduction.

3. If you use a Screen Reader, download the Java Accessibility Bridge:

a. Visit the following link: Link to download Java Accessibility Bridge for Screen Readers. This bridge is ONLY for Windows users. The accessibility bridge is already pre-installed with Java for Mac OSX users.

ILS - Integrated Listening System, or Incomprehensible Little Secrets...

2011-05-10T12:12:00.000-07:00

Written by Luke Hsieh, Community Access Center, Riverside

I am back to my favorite field of Assistive Technology after about eight months of doing Special Education Advocacy. My conclusion? Computers are way more compliant than school districts in the Inland Empire.

Anyway, the latest and hottest news for people with Autism seems to be something called an Integrated Listening System. From a strictly technical standpoint, the whole thing appears to be a glorified MP3 player. But some school districts seem to swear by it, and if it is good enough for the Californian school districts, it may be good enough for me. But first, I need to do some digging for information.

What's surprising about the system has been that other than the officially sanctioned testimonies and research articles, shockingly little is known. That does not go well with my stereotypical notion of the American public. Usually when something does not work, the allegation of fraud and scam fly off the roof, and god forbid, civil lawsuits. So, looking at it from this angle, no negative publicity equals good publicity. Although there are tons (gigabytes) of therapeutic listening CDs on Amazon, there is no integrated listening system, not even a sample. So we are left with little more than informerciously (yay, I invented a new word) miraculous testimonies, and the fact that some school districts are using it.

So, if you know something, anything, about the efficacy of the seemingly glorified mp3 player, I need to know if it helps you or your child and to what degree it has helped. Please share your thoughts in the comment box below.

Where can you find AT Services?

2011-05-03T13:55:00.001-07:00

Written by Allan Friedman, CFILC’s Technologies Manager

Recently, we unveiled the AT Services Directory, version 6.0 (? I think; I’ve lost count) on the ATnet.org website, and I believe it is the most user friendly version yet.

Way back in 1997 (at about the dawn of the Internet age) the AT Services Directory was a collection of floppy disks (remember those?) managed and updated by a Department of Rehabilitation contractor. If you needed referral to a resource, you called him. We put it online in the first iteration of the AT Services Directory in 1998. Since then, the directory has undergone a few upgrades and revisions designed to make it easier and more productive for people to use.

Last year we added bookmarking and a comment section for each record so users could share their experiences. The bookmark feature allows users to create their own resource list and print it out after doing multiple searches during a session.

The comment section allows users to rate the resource and share comments on the vendor/service provider.

We also provided a link to add new resources. Every page of the directory has a banner ad across the top that links to the submit a new resource form. This has enabled vendors, service providers and consumers to add new resources to the directory.

Our latest improvements should make search results more responsive and relative to users’ needs. We reduced the number of categories and replaced the sub-categories with a second-level search for type of service. Now you can, for instance, select “Blind & Low Vision” from the category box and “funding” from the Service Type box and get a list of resources that provide funding for blind and low vision devices. Searches can be further refined by using the zip code feature to narrow the geographic radius of a search.

To help users figure out what category to search, we’ve added links to a descriptions page which lists examples of the types of devices and services that would be found in the category.

We hope these changes make the directory a more useful search tool. Our goal is make the AT Services Directory the place to go to find assistive technology service providers in California. Take some time to visit the AT Services Directory at http://atnet.org/svcdir/index.php. And if you know of a resource that should be in the directory but isn’t, tell us about it. Submit a new resource at http://submit.atnet.org.

What’s Happening to Durable Medical Equipment Coverage?

2011-04-19T09:00:00.000-07:00

By Kim Cantrell, CFILC’s Director of Programs

Over the past several years private health insurance companies have slowly and steadily reduced durable medical equipment (DME) coverage. If you belong to a Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) or a Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) and are not enrolled in Medi-Cal or Medicare, then your DME coverage limits may have taken a nosedive in recent years.

If you don’t need DME, then chances are you haven’t noticed the reduction or realized its consequence. For people who rely on DME, you are probably very aware of the coverage changes because it means that out-of-pocket costs have skyrocketed.

Years ago if you had private health insurance and needed a wheelchair, your health insurance company would cover a percentage of the cost of a new chair, usually between 70-90%. If you needed to purchase a $10k wheelchair, you would pay between $1-3k and the insurance company would cover the rest. The out-of-pocket amounts were still large, and it created a real burden on many families.

Within the last ten years DME coverage has become even more restrictive. Many companies are covering 50-80% of DME cost, but only up to an annual maximum amount, typically $2,000. This means that your out-of-pocket expense for that same $10k wheelchair would be over $8k, which is a lot more than $3k.

These coverage changes affect how often people can afford to purchase DME. People are still purchasing shower chairs, bedside commodes, and other low-cost items that fall within coverage limits, but the high-cost items are frequently out of reach. People are going without manual and power wheelchairs and other high-cost DME items. And when they do, they lose the independence their DME would have given them.

The AT Network receives many calls from people who have private health insurance and still cannot afford to buy DME. They simply cannot afford the expense. Even though they have health insurance, it is not enough to cover what they need, and they call us looking for low-cost alternatives.

We live in a world of rising health care costs. Advancements in medical technology are expensive. I understand that health insurance companies are trying to control costs where they can, especially in places where many people will not notice. However, reducing DME coverage by imposing annual caps hurts people who already bear a large financial burden for their health care.

If you have private health insurance, do you have an annual cap on DME coverage? What kind of out-of-pocket costs are you paying?

Can your organization apply for the AT Reuse & Repair Fund?

2011-04-14T09:00:00.000-07:00

By Shannon Coe, CFILC’s Reuse & Finance Coordinator

Does your organization receive donated assistive technology devices? And do the devices only need simple repairs such as new batteries, footrests, wires, tires, etc. to get them working again? But your organization does not have enough funding to repair the devices. You wish there was some money out there that could help repair all the broken devices in your AT storage room so you can give them to new individuals who need them. If these thoughts have crossed your mind, then the Repair and Reuse Fund may be of interest to your organization.

The Repair and Reuse Fund gives organizations money to fix up second-hand AT devices for new consumers. It is important to note that the fund cannot be used to pay for repairs on devices that already have owners. For instance, I received an application from an organization requesting funds to repair a scooter already owned by an individual. Although I understand her dilemma, funds can only be applied towards devices that are going to be reassigned to another consumer. Thus, the devices must have already been donated to the organization. The goal of the Repair and Reuse Fund is to support and increase the reassignment of repair devices to new consumers.

Established nonprofit organizations that are members of the AT Network and accept donated AT devices in California can apply for up to $1000 for the Repair and Reuse fund once a week. Currently, a few organizations have applied for the Repair Fund, and some of them have submitted an application more than once. As of April we still have over $16,000 left in the fund to be used until it gets exhausted or until June 30^th, 2011. Many of the repaired devices have been power wheelchairs and scooters. However, we would like to encourage organizations to apply for funding to repair other durable medical equipment and communication devices.

The application process is easy to complete. In addition to submitting an application, a photo of the device and a 501(c)(3) letter can be e-mailed to shannoncoe@cfilc.org. Once the application has been reviewed, the organization will be contacted as to whether their application has been approved for funding. Upon approval, the organization can proceed to make repairs. When repairs have been completed, invoices and receipts will need to be submitted in order to get reimbursed for the purchased parts, repairs, and labor. The reimbursement process thus far has taken less than 30 days to process. Our goal is to get the funding out before the end of June 2011.

Click here to find out more details about the Repair and Reuse Fund. The information online will list the eligible activities and uses, funding criteria, and timeline. Don’t miss out this great funding opportunity!

What devices do you have in storage that needs repairing?

My CSUN Conference Adventure

2011-04-05T09:00:00.000-07:00

By Shannon Ramsay, CFILC’s Information & Assistance Advocate

I traveled to San Diego to attend the annual CSUN Technology and Persons with Disabilities conference last month. Until this year, I have heard a lot about it, but I never had the chance to attend.

I spent part of Wednesday afternoon and most of Thursday and Friday staffing the AT Network’s table in the exhibit hall at the CSUN conference. We were located in the second floor ballroom along with all the other nonprofits and government agencies.

I was able to take some time to circulate and visit with vendors in both parts of the exhibit hall on Thursday and Friday, and I have to say that I was impressed by how many organizations were present from foreign countries. There were organizations at the conference from Switzerland, Germany, China, Canada, Ireland and Brazil. It was especially informative to talk to individuals from these organizations to find out what sorts of services are available to people with disabilities in other countries.

I met with representatives from a British company called Traveleyes. This company organizes trips all over the world for blind and sighted travelers. The company helps blind individuals find sighted travel companions in the groups in which they travel so that the visually impaired travelers can fully experience the travel destination. I checked out the Traveleyes website after I returned from the conference to see what sorts of trips the company has planned, and I found myself fantasizing about my next vacation.

This conference really allowed me to broaden my horizons about what types of technology are available for people with other disabilities including people with hearing and speech disabilities as well as various learning disabilities. I was able to speak with representatives from a company called Interpretype which sells products to help people who are deaf or hard of hearing as well as individuals with communication disabilities. This company sells products which help individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing communicate by way of text messaging and video phones. Interpretype also operates a relay communication service and provides access to a remote interpreting service through its products.

In addition, I found out about a company called Texthelp Systems, which provides a number of different software solutions for people with learning disabilities, low vision and print-related disabilities. This company provides literacy software solutions to help those individuals who have difficulty with reading and writing.

I did have some personal interests to pursue while I was at the conference. As a blind individual I am always looking for new solutions to the challenge of navigating unfamiliar environments. It would be practically impossible for me to get advanced mobility instruction for every new location I have to travel to, so I am very interested in learning about alternatives such as GPS navigation, auditory directions, and tactile maps. I was very impressed with the work that the company Click and Go Wayfinding Maps is doing for visually impaired travelers. I was able to listen to a sample narrative map which this company has created at the CSUN conference. Basically the narrative map provides the traveler with step-by-step instructions for how to get from a particular starting point to the traveler’s destination. The maps are set up in a similar fashion as instructions from an orientation and mobility instructor who is teaching a student a new route. I just hope that Click and Go Maps will start creating narrative maps for the Sacramento region very soon, which is where I live, work, and travel.

Finally, I used some of my time during the CSUN conference as an opportunity to conduct some research of my own into what solutions are available for portable scanning systems. I wanted to check out these devices since I am in the market for something which I can use to scan and read printed text wherever I go. At the conference, I was able to check out the Pearl scanner, a camera-like device which works in conjunction with a laptop and Open Book scanning software, and the Sarah scanner, which is a stand-alone reading machine. Both of these scanning devices are sold by Freedom Scientific. Also, I tried the scanning system from Humanware that is manufactured by Intel. I also stopped by the Sendero Group booth and got more information about the KNFB Reader Mobile I had the opportunity to speak with the different vendors and get hands-on experience with the various scanning devices at the conference. This helped me get a clearer idea of which device would best suit my personal needs.

I definitely had a very interesting experience at the CSUN conference, and I learned a great deal. This conference is worth attending if you are interested in assistive technology.

Did you attend the CSUN conference this year? If so, please feel free to share what you learned in the space below.

8 Great Online Employment Resources

2011-03-29T09:00:00.000-07:00

Thank you to the AT Program News for sharing these resources.

1. Our Ability
A Web portal for mentoring launched March 24th. View and listen to success stories. Post a job or resume. Read about and interact with successful people with disabilities in the education and business world. The site is the brain-child of John Robinson, general manager for WCNY, AXXESS Media Productions (author of
Get Off Your Knees: A Story of Faith, Courage, and Determination).

2. Accessible Technology for All
AccessibleTech.org is a project of the ADA National Network geared for the business community. The site provides resources on accessible technology and AT. National Hotline: 800-949-4232

3. Workrave
Free ergonomics software download to prevent Repetive Strain injury while working on your computer. (Windows and Linux only). Find more free ergonomics software

4. Searchable Online Accommodation Resource (SOAR) The Job Accommodation Network (JAN)'s Web page for exploring various accommodation options for people with disabilities in work and educational settings.

5. Employer's Practical Guide to Reasonable Accommodations Another great JAN resource: covers Americans with Disabilities Act basics and info on reasonable accommodations for applicants, interviewees, current and former employees, and employees on leave.

6. Workplace Accommodation Examples
Read case studies about successful workplace accommodations and add your own. This Wiki was created as a means to share unique accommodation ideas. Located at CATEA's Work RERC site (at Georgia Tech).

7. Punch-In.org
A new self-directed Employment Assistant that is geared for young adults with disabilities seeking to enter the workforce.

8. Solving the Employment Puzzle for Youth with Disabilities
Customizable, free parent training curriculum that focuses on providing specific
information on various employment systems for persons with disabilities. From the Pacer Center. Power Point version.

Do you have any employment-related resources that you would like to share? If so, let us know in the comments section below.

Mandatory Enrollment of Seniors and Persons with Disabilities in Medi-Cal Managed Care

2011-03-23T09:07:00.000-07:00

Many people with disabilities receive medical care, including durable medical equipment and medical supplies, through California's Medi-Cal system. California is rolling out Mandatory Managed Care for people with disabilities and seniors. The questions and answers below outline who is affected and explain the basics regarding the transition. A big thank you to Disability Rights California for sharing this important information.

Written by Disability Rights California

California’s Protection & Advocacy System

Q: I receive Medi-Cal. Will I have to enroll in managed care?

A: Many seniors and persons with disabilities, approximately 380,000

people, will have to join a Medi-Cal managed care plan if they live in

one of the 14 counties on the list below:

Alameda

San Bernardino

Contra Costa

San Diego

Fresno

San Francisco

Kern

San Joaquin

Los Angeles

Santa Clara

Riverside

Stanislaus

Sacramento

Tulare

But not everyone in these counties will be affected. You do not have

to enroll in a managed care plan if:

1. You have Medicare as well as Medi-Cal

2. You receive services from the California Children’s Services

(CCS) program, or

3. You receive foster care or adoption assistance benefits

Q: When will these changes take effect?

A: Mandatory enrollment will depend on your birth month.

Mandatory enrollment will begin in June 2011 for people with

birthdays in June; it will begin in July for people with birthdays in July,

and so forth. This process will continue for one year, through May

2012.

Q: What is managed care?

A: Managed care means that you receive your health care from a

managed care plan. A managed care plan is an organized network of

health care providers, which emphasizes primary and preventive

care. Hospitals, physicians and other health care providers are

members of the network. The managed care plan can be public or

private.

Q: Are there any benefits to managed care?

A: Yes. Managed care plans can provide you with the following:

• Help coordinating your care

• Help finding primary care doctors and specialists

• Help finding a pharmacy

• Ongoing referrals to specialists

• Telephone advice nurses

• Customer service centers

• Support groups

• Health education programs to:

o Quit smoking

o Prevent and deal with drug and alcohol problems

o Manage chronic pain

o Eat well and exercise safely

• Help getting to and from medical appointments (non-medical

transportation)

Q: If I’m in managed care, can I keep the same doctors I have

now?

A: Ordinarily, your doctor must be part of the managed care network.

However, if you now have a doctor who is not part of the managed

care network, you can keep that doctor; but only if the doctor is both

willing to keep seeing you and willing to accept the managed care

network’s payment rate or the Medi-Cal fee-for-service rate,

whichever is higher. The doctor becomes a part of the managed care

network just for purposes of caring for you. The doctor will have

access to network providers for purposes of referrals, etc.

Q: If I don't already have doctors I like, will the health plan

provide ones who know about my disability?

A: The Medi-Cal managed care plan can help you find a doctor's

office that will meet your special needs. Your doctor and the health

plan will be responsible for helping to coordinate your care. This

includes helping you find the specialists you need. In addition, the

managed care plan has telephone advice nurses to answer your

health questions and customer service call centers to answer

questions about your benefits.

Q: What if I don't like managed care – can I get out?

A: No. However, if you have a “complex medical condition” the

managed care plan must provide continuous care with your current

provider for up to one year after you enroll in the managed care plan.

This is true whether or not the provider is willing to accept the

managed care network’s payment rate. The state is finalizing

requirements for this “exceptions process.”

Q: I live in a rural county without any Medi-Cal managed care

plans. Will I have to enroll in a managed care plan?

A: No.

Q: How will I know what to do to enroll?

A: You should be getting letters and phone calls beginning about 90

days before you are required to enroll. The letters and phone calls

will explain the steps you need to take and the options for managed

care providers in your area.

Q: I don’t have to enroll in managed care but I want to. Is it

possible for me to enroll voluntarily?

A: Yes, as long as your county has at least one managed care network

that accepts Medi-Cal.

Q: How can I find out more about the managed care plans in my

area and pick the best one for me?

A: You can find information about Medi-Cal managed care on the

Health Care Options (California Department of Health Care Services)

website: http://www.healthcareoptions.dhcs.ca.gov/HCOCSP/Home/.

You can also call Health Care Options at: 1-800-430-4263.

2011 CSUN Conference

2011-03-16T17:53:00.000-07:00

It's that time of year again. The AT Network is currently staffing a booth at the 26th Annual Technology and Persons with Disabilities Conference organized by California State University, Northridge (CSUN). We are busy talking to people about the AT Network and wandering the exhibit halls to learn what is new in assistive technology. Stay tuned because we plan to share what we have learned in the weeks to come.

Let Your Money Talk

2011-03-08T10:31:00.000-08:00

By Shannon Ramsay, Information and Assistance Advocate, CFILC

Perhaps you have been in a situation where you asked for change and you found out later that you had been given the wrong amount of money. You could not do anything about this because you did not have a way of checking the denominations of the bills as they were given to you. Maybe you wanted to pay for something and you found out that the bills in your wallet were different in value than you thought they were. These upsetting and embarrassing situations confront individuals with vision impairments and print-related disabilities every day in the United States because they cannot tell U.S. currency apart by touch.

Countries in other parts of the world, such as the member nations in the European Union, use currency which is a different size in length and width based on the value of the bill. The United States does not follow this practice at this time. American currency feels the same whether you are holding a one-dollar bill or a one-hundred-dollar bill in your hand. While the U.S. mint has started printing currency with different color markings and larger numbers, these changes to American money do not help individuals with print-related disabilities, those who are color blind, and people with a wide array of visual impairments.

There are several small, easy-to-use gadgets on the market which you can use to handle the challenge of identifying the money you have. One money identifier available on the market is called the Franklin Talking Bill Reader, which is sold by Independent Living Aids. You can find out more about the Franklin Money Identifier and you can also purchase it at the Independent Living Aids website www.independentliving.com

It’s a handheld device which allows the user to immediately determine the denominations of U.S. dollar bills. The device allows you to present the correct amount of cash at the end of a transaction and to count and sort the change you receive. The Franklin money identifier will identify any current or recent designs of U.S. currency. It will speak the value of the bill it reads in English or Spanish depending on what the user prefers, and the announcement can be made aloud or through earphones. This device couples visual pattern recognition technology with an embedded digital camera to read the currency the user wishes to identify.

The Franklin Bill Identifier has a simple two-button interface, and it employs voice commands to prompt the user. All the user has to do is point the device at a bill from any angle and depress a button. The Franklin Money Identifier comes with PC software so the device can be updated if there are any changes in the design of U.S. currency. An audio CD with recorded instructions and a USB connector also come with the device. The device operates on two AAA batteries and sells for $299.95.

Another currency identifier on the market is called the Money Talks Money Identifier. It is a portable, easy-to-use device which can be used to quickly identify paper currency. This device recognizes and announces the value of U.S. paper money from $1.00 to $100.00. To operate this device you simply switch it on, slide the money into the slot on the front of the device, and touch the “M” button. The Money Talks device will announce the denomination of the currency in a clear male voice. The device can identify both the old and new versions of American currency, and it can identify either the front or the back of the bill. This device was developed by MaxiAids, which sells the device. You can find more information about the Money Talks Money Identifier at www.maxiaids.com The Money Talks Money Identifier costs $199.95. The device has a volume control button and a headset jack for privacy. It comes with print and cassette instructions and is operated by three AAA batteries. The device measures 4-3/8 inches long by 3-3/8 inches wide by 1-1/8 inches thick, and it comes in a lightweight plastic storage case.

A third handy little device for identifying currency is called the iBill Talking Banknote Identifier. It is sold by Orbit Research for $99.00-$109.00. This device can be purchased through the Orbit Research website at www.orbitresearch.com It helps people with vision challenges to identify the money they are paying with or the change which they receive in stores or restaurants. This device is very simple to use because the individual simply inserts the end of a bill into a slot on the side of the unit and presses a button. The denomination of the bill is announced almost immediately in a female voice. The user can insert either end of the bill into the slot on the side of the device to determine the value of the bill. This little device is very compact and lightweight. It measures 3.0 inches long by 1.6 inches wide by 0.7 inches thick. The iBill identifies all U.S. currency in circulation at this time with 99% accuracy. Also, the device can be updated when new designs of currency are released. The unit gives the user a clear error message when a bill is too badly torn or defaced to be identified.

It is very easy to use the iBill currency identifier since it only has two buttons. The device is operated by just one AAA battery which lasts for about a year with normal use of the device. The user manual for this device is provided in large print and an audio format.

A great feature of the iBill money identifier is its variable setting for how a bill is identified. The user can have the denomination of the bill, such as “one” or “five”, spoken aloud. You can also choose to have the device identify bills using a pattern of beeps or strong vibrations. The vibration setting for currency identification is especially helpful in noisy settings, and it also makes the device useful for deaf-blind individuals. In addition, the user can change the volume setting on the device.

A fourth currency identifier is called the Noteteller and it is sold by Brytech for $300. It operates in essentially the same way as the other currency identifiers which this article describes. You can find out more about the Noteteller and you can also purchase it at the Brytech website www.brytech.com

An additional solution to the problem of identifying currency is to put bills into a scanner and to use optical character recognition software such as Open Book or Kurzweil 1000 to determine the denomination of a bill. Most recent versions of these scanning software packages have a function for identifying currency.

Have you ever used a currency identifier? If so, was it accurate? Tell us about your experience with or without a currency identifier in the comment box below.

Simple Speech from Pal Software Design LLC - A brief review of AAC Software for Windows Platform

2011-03-01T09:00:00.000-08:00

By Luke Hsieh, Community Access Center, Riverside

When I first came across the Simple Speech website, I was a little apprehensive because it didn’t include the company's physical address or telephone number. It only has a PayPal sign for credit card payment, the name of its CEO and a rather vague statement that the company is based in Brooklyn, New York. True, many small companies that produce software aimed at a niche market tend to use this model to minimize operating expenses—and trust me, AAC software definitely qualifies as a niche market. Using a PayPal payment and direct download of the software means no mess, no fuss. However, most companies do provide their physical address and telephone number to give an impression of legitimacy. So you cannot blame me for being a little weary.

To make a long story short, I took a chance and bought a copy of Simple Speech for testing. It works very much like Proloquo2go from AssistiveWare and Dynavox's MightyMo; it also comes with a full set of Dynavox PEC pictures. However, it does not include a voice engine, so it will use whatever voice engine is already installed on your device. Hence, if the only voice engine you have is the infamous Microsoft Sam, then Sam would have to do.

I like Simple Speech because school districts may be more likely to buy the software for Windows Platform devices instead of buying a $200 iPod or a $500 iPad. The disadvantage is that even with the latest Tablet Windows PC, the Windows Platform device may still not be as portable as an iPod Touch or iPad. So there is something of a trade off there. But if you can afford $45 for IVONA 2 Text to Speech Engine and another $49 for Simple Speech, you can turn any Windows platform PC into a rather pleasing AAC device.

Have you tried Simple Speech or any of the other AAC software discussed above? What were your experiences? Please share your thoughts in the comment box below.

The Magic of Voice Labeling Systems

2011-02-24T11:26:00.000-08:00

By Shannon Ramsay, CFILC’s Information & Assistance Advocate

How would you like to be able to harness the power of your own voice to help you stay organized at home, at school, or around the office? There are devices on the market today called voice labeling systems, which allow you to make customized labels by recording your voice on adhesive labels or plastic cards of varying sizes.

One of the voice-labeling systems on the market is called the RNIB PenFriend Voice Labeling System. The PenFriend was originally introduced by the Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB) in London. It is a small pen-shaped device between eight and nine inches long with a one gigabyte storage capacity for all the user’s voice notes. The PenFriend comes with a built-in speaker and microphone as well as four simple buttons for turning the device on and off, controlling the volume, cycling through the device’s menus, and making recordings. Along with the PenFriend, the user receives print and recorded instructions, batteries, a lanyard, and a USB connector. The PenFriend also comes with sheets of 127 adhesive labels which are circular or square-shaped. You will use these adhesive labels together with the pen-shaped device to create your labels. When you have used up the initial package of labels, you can purchase additional packages of 380 labels. These packages of replacement labels sell for $25-30 each. The PenFriend Voice Labeling system sells for $130-150 depending on whether you purchase it on-line from the RNIB website or whether you buy it from Bay Area Digital, Independent Living Aids or the Speak To Me Catalog.

It is not necessary to have access to a computer to make labels with the PenFriend. You only need to have a computer if you want to transfer music or other audio files onto the PenFriend through the USB connector cable. The PenFriend can be used as a portable storage device in addition to a labeling system.

In order to produce a label, you point the pen-shaped device at one of the adhesive labels and hold the record button down while you say what you want to record on the label. The labels can be as short or as long and detailed as the user wishes to make them. It is even possible to record over a label which you have already made. In order to hear a note which you have recorded on a particular label you simply point the pen-shaped device at that label and the PenFriend will play back that recording for you. The device has all the voice labels which you have created stored on its internal memory chip.

The PenFriend is a handy little device for marking mail, medicine bottles, CD’s and DVD’s, cleaning products, food packages, school projects, and all sorts of other things around the home or office. This device can help you keep track of important papers or organize a filing system. Since there is no limit to the length of the message which you can record on one of the PenFriend’s adhesive labels, you can include a recipe or operation instructions as part of the label. This device is very compact and lightweight so you can take it with you wherever you go in a purse, a backpack, or a briefcase. The PenFriend is a wonderful device for people who have difficulties remembering things or who do not have the dexterity to create hand-written labels or to operate a print labeler. The PenFriend is also especially useful for individuals with print-related disabilities or visual impairments.

There is a similar voice-labeling system on the market called the Touch Memo Voice Labeling System. It operates in essentially the same way as the PenFriend. There are no real major differences between these voice labeling devices. The Touch Memo Voice Labeling System comes with more adhesive labels than the PenFriend does as well as plastic tags and washable labels. The Touch Memo Labeling System has three buttons and a volume wheel. Unlike the PenFriend, the Touch Memo Labeling system can be recharged by using its power adapter or by connecting it to a computer with a USB connector. It does not use regular AAA batteries like the PenFriend does. Also, the Touch Memo Labeling System has two gigabytes of storage instead of one gigabyte, which the PenFriend has. In addition, the Touch Memo Voice Labeling System costs $100 more than the PenFriend does.

A third voice labeling system available for purchase is the VoxCom III Voice Labeling System. This labeling device uses plastic cards on which you can record your voice notes. The VoxCom III costs $119.95 with 50 plastic cards and $124.95 with 100 plastic cards. You can record a 10-second note on one of the plastic cards and then play your voice label back by inserting the card into a slot on the VoiceCom III. You can also record over labels which you have previously made on the plastic cards which come with this device. This device operates with a 9-volt battery and comes with various mechanisms, such as magnets and rubber bands, for attaching the plastic cards to the things which you want to label.

Have you ever used a voice-labeling system? If so, tell us about your experience in the comment area below.

The Medi-Cal TAR process and DME

2011-02-15T15:56:00.000-08:00

Written by Kim Cantrell, CFILC's Director of Programs

A treatment authorization request, otherwise known as a TAR, is a form needed to pre-approve funding for treatment, including Medi-Cal approved assistive technology (AT). The TAR is submitted for Medi-Cal approval before the order is placed and provides medical justification for the AT requested. In almost all cases, to be approved by Medi-Cal TARs must include a medical assessment or physician’s prescription including the recipient’s condition and the benefits that he/she will realize through the use of an appropriate device.

Medi-Cal requires TARs for all AT devices costing more than one hundred dollars. Each year consumers are allowed a certain number of requests without TARs for items under $100 (i.e. crutches, canes). Durable medical equipment (DME), such as wheelchairs and walkers, needs to be approved by Medi-Cal and requires a TAR. The form must be completed properly for the order to be processed.

Completing a TAR requires teamwork between a physician and a Medi-Cal approved DME vendor. The physician describes the medical justification for the request on one portion of the TAR, and the vendor reports the price and describes the equipment requested on another portion. It is the vendor’s responsibility to submit the TAR to Medi-Cal.

Before the TAR is written, the physician must justify the need for AT to both Medi-Cal and the vendor. The TAR process requires vendor-physician cooperation, so vendors may be reluctant to begin the process until they receive documented support from a physician. The medical justification begins with a physician’s prescription or an AT assessment by an occupational therapist or other qualified evaluator. If you or your physician is unsure what AT is needed, then it is a very good idea to be evaluated. Having a prescription and/or an assessment is a very important preliminary step in the TAR process.

Although the physician and vendor write the TAR, the consumer can assist in the process. Medi-Cal is more likely to deem a requested item medically necessary if they receive a physician’s detailed description of need. It is your responsibility to urge your physician to be as specific as possible when writing the prescription and the TAR. For example, rather than the physician simply writing “power wheelchair,” recommend the paperwork include necessary details such as “power wheelchair with reclining motion is medically necessary.”

Additionally, you can request a letter from the physician, on letterhead, describing your condition and the medical benefits you will realize through the AT requested. Talk to your physician regarding a time line for completing the letter. Due to time constraints, you and the physician may decide for you to write a draft of the letter. Of course, your letter is not intended to replace the physician’s final letter, but serves as a letter of self-advocacy explaining the need for AT in your own words. The final physician’s letter then becomes a team effort between you and the doctor.

Also, ask which person in the physician’s office actually writes the TAR. It may be the physician or it could be a nurse or office assistant. It helps to speak to the person responsible to make sure the TAR includes a detailed account of your needs.

Ultimately, you should strive to provide Medi-Cal with all relevant information regarding your claim. When the TAR request is submitted to Medi-Cal, it should include a prescription and/or assessment, a TAR, and, if possible, a physician’s letter explaining the medical necessity of the item.

If this process becomes overwhelming at any stage, contact an AT advocate. The advocate will help you understand your rights and will work on your behalf to make sure that your needs are being met throughout the TAR process. From the prescription to the delivery of the product, an advocate can facilitate communication with the vendor, the physician, and if necessary, Medi-Cal. If your TAR is denied, it is not too late to contact an advocate. Advocates are located throughout California, and they can help you understand the reason for the denial and how to appeal Medi-Cal’s initial decision.

Medi-Cal has 30 days to respond to your request—either to approve it, to deny it, or to defer it—once the TAR has been received or the request is automatically approved. If Medi-Cal defers the request by asking the vendor for additional information, Medi-Cal then has 30 more days to again approve, deny or defer your request. The potential for deferment of your TAR makes it is critical to provide Medi-Cal with as much information as possible, especially for expensive items.

For custom orders or expensive equipment, Medi-Cal may still contact the vendor with additional questions, even if you submitted a well-justified TAR and supplementary materials. The truth is that the volume of TARs Medi-Cal processes is staggering. According to a Medi-Cal employee, the deferment process allows Medi-Cal to catch up when TAR volume or complicated requests require more time than the initial 30-day period. Unfortunately, the practice of deferring requests is particularly harsh to the waiting consumer. If your TAR request is deferred, an AT advocate can work with you to contact Medi-Cal and ensure a decision is made as soon as possible.

It is important to note that the vast majority of requests are approved or denied within the 30-day period. Hopefully, by using some of the helpful hints described above, you will be able to benefit from the TAR process and receive Medi-Cal approval for the AT you require.

Have you had to wait for a TAR to be approved? Do you have any other Medi-Cal TAR tips to add? If so, please leave a comment below.

How to Develop an AT Funding Strategy

2011-02-08T13:18:00.000-08:00

By Kim Cantrell, CFILC’s Director of Programs

Finding funding for AT can be tricky. If you aren’t able to fund the device you want right away, don’t despair. It’s just time to get creative and develop an AT Funding Strategy. You are much more likely to get the device you need if you have a plan. In fact, while developing a funding strategy you may learn about a variety of AT options that you didn't know existed before you started. The process will help you think about a variety of issues including the purpose of the device, how often you will use it, the environment in which it will be used and your abilities.

Click here to check out the AT Network website for step-by-step instructions describing how you can create a funding strategy. The AT Network website offers information explaining how AT may be funded by California's Regional Centers, Medi-Cal and Medicare.

Also, if you or someone you know needs assistive technology, we encourage you to contact the AT Network’s Information and Referral specialist at 1-800-390-2699 or info@atnet.org to learn about additional funding resources.

Have you been successful in your search for assistive technology funding? What funding barriers have you encountered? Please let us know in the comment box below.

That’s One Small Step for Reuse…

2011-02-01T15:17:00.000-08:00

Written by Allan Friedman, CFILC’s Technologies Manager

Seeds have been planted and the sprouts of a new collaboration have begun to emerge. Last fall we convened a summit of organizations that have an interest in AT reuse. The group began to explore ways to work together for the common purpose of increasing access to used AT for all Californians.

Out of that meeting came a small task force that has already met a few times via teleconference to begin to flesh out some of the ideas discussed at the summit for ways reuse programs can work together for their mutual benefit as well as the benefit of California’s disability community. They identified a number of issues to explore including ways they can share information, trade donated equipment, collective purchasing agreements, transportation, public policy and funding.

One of the task force’s first actions was to help AT Network staff determine the best way to utilize AT Act funds to support reuse in California. Today’s release of a Request for Proposals (RFP) for grant funding and the concurrent initiation of the AT Repair and Reuse fund is just one small step in a process of building a true reuse network in California.

$150,000 has been allocated to fund a limited number of grants of up to $30,000 each. Successful applicants will use this funding to make capital purchases or improvements that will enable them to sanitize and repair or refurbish wheelchairs, communication devices, CCTVs and other AT devices. Applications for the competitive grants must be received by March 11, 2011. Visit http://atnet.org/membership/Resources.php for complete details.

In addition to the grants, a repair fund has been established to help small organizations pay for parts and repairs to devices that have been donated to their programs. Organizations that accept donated DME and assistive devices can complete a simple online form for financial assistance to make the devices usable again. While not a competitive process like the capacity building grants, the repair fund is small and available on a first-come, first-served basis. There is a limit of one request per week for any organizations that apply. Details on the program can be found at http://atnet.org/repairfund.php.

Both of these funds will mean a new life for many devices and enable low-income Californians to get assistive technology they might otherwise not be able to acquire.

“We heard a number of people at the summit say they have donations they could reassign to new users, but they are unable to pay for parts or repairs to make the devices usable,” said Kim Cantrell, AT Network Program Director. “The repair fund will allow organizations to request a few hundred dollars for new wheelchair batteries or other parts and have a working device to provide to a low-income consumer.”

By helping organizations make some capital improvements to their reuse programs, we expect to enable them to turnaround even more devices, increasing the supply of quality used devices for Californians with disabilities. These first steps, along with the efforts of the task force, are the beginnings of a statewide network that will make efficient use of donated devices and enable all Californians to have access to AT, new and used, that meet their functional needs and their pocketbooks as well.

Celebrate Ed Roberts Day on January 23rd

2011-01-18T09:00:00.000-08:00

CFILC sponsored national Ed Roberts Day legislation

The California Foundation for Independent Living centers applauds the overwhelming passage of legislation honoring pioneering disability rights advocate Ed Roberts in the House of Representatives. Authored by Rep. George Miller (D-Martinez), House Resolution 1759 declares the House’s support for a national “Ed Roberts Day” to be held on January 23^rd.

“Ed Roberts was a ground breaking leader who helped galvanize the disability rights movement around the fundamental idea that all people should have the opportunity to pursue education, go to work and live in the community,” said Sheri Burns, Chair of the California Foundation for Independent Living Centers.

“As we recognize Ed’s lifetime of leadership in the Disability Rights Movement we remain committed to continuing his work by advocating for access, equality, and full inclusion of people with disabilities.”

In addition to supporting the establishment of Ed Roberts Day, Miller’s legislation acknowledges the accomplishments Roberts made in helping reduce barriers, increase access and improve lives for persons with disabilities.

Roberts, who passed away in 1995, was the first student with significant disabilities to attend UC Berkeley, where he began advocacy efforts and helped found the nation’s first student-driven disabled students program. Roberts founded the Independent Living Center in Berkeley, directed the California Department of Rehabilitation and was a key leader in the national disability rights movement. Roberts later co-founded and became the President of the World Institute on Disability.

The full text of H Res 1759 is here. The resolution was sponsored by the California Foundation for Independent Living and cosponsored by Representatives Sam Farr, Rush Holt, Barbara Lee and James Langevin.

Say Bye-Bye to TTYs

2011-01-11T09:00:00.000-08:00

Written by Allan Friedman, CFILC’s Technologies Manager

Once on the cutting edge of assistive technology, the Teletypewriter (TTY), also known as a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD), is well on its way to the scrap heap of history.

The advent of instant messaging, text messaging and video relay have left the analog technology of baud rates and caller protocols in the dust, providing more direct and much easier communications for people who are deaf or hard of hearing.

Invented in 1963 by James C. Marsters and Robert Weitbrechtin, TTYs were based on technology first created in the 1870s for stock tickers. They converted text to audio signals that could be carried across telephone lines, deciphered and displayed on the other end. TTYs were the first tool that enabled people who are deaf or hard of hearing to communicate with others over the phone.

But like any technology, TTYs had their limitations. There had to be one on the other end of a call, meaning calls could only be placed among TTY users. A person who was deaf could not call someone with hearing unless they had a TTY as well. This limited the ways a person who is deaf could use a telephone. They could not, for instance, call a restaurant to make reservations, make a payment over the phone, or call a neighborhood business unless that business happened to have a TTY. People with hearing, who were infrequent users of TTYs, had to learn a number of protocols like “sk” and “gh” to signal when they finished “talking” and the person on the other end could begin typing.

Over the last decade as broadband access became more available and mobile phones become “smarter,” instant messaging and texting took off. For the first time, people who are deaf could communicate directly with anyone on an equal footing. Texting began to level the communications playing field for people with disabilities. The introduction of video relay services in 2003 added a new dimension, allowing the use of ASL and providing better, more real-time communications than was possible using a TTY. Skype and other video chat services enable people who are deaf to speak directly to each other in real time, without the delays usually associated with TTY use.

Mobile communications technology continues to become more powerful, faster, and more adaptable. New applications are expanding their use and, fortuitously, making the devices more universally accessible and usable. There is still a ways to go before everyone can use them, voice activation features are still not quite good enough to handle many speech impairments, but touch screens, text-to-speech and other features are enabling many people with disabilities to communicate more easily and more directly than ever before.

While the technology behind TTYs is history, it will still be several more years before the machines disappear for good. As we look forward to the communications advances on the horizon, it is important to remember that there are still many people with disabilities on the wrong end of the digital divide who still depend on legacy systems such as TTYs. We must continue to advocate and push for universal access to technology so these people are not also left behind on the dust heap of history. But we can look forward to one day soon saying bye-bye to the TTY.

What are your experiences with TTY machines? Please share your thoughts and stories in the comments box below.

AT Network Survey--We need your input before January 10

2011-01-05T08:44:00.000-08:00

Are you a Californian who cares about assistive technology (AT) and/or disability issues? If so, the AT Network needs your input! Please take 10-15 minutes to complete an important survey about assistive technology and California’s AT Network project. The survey will be open through Monday, January 10.

This survey is designed to be completed by Californians with an interest in assistive technology and/or disability issues. Please feel free to forward this email to others who may meet these qualifications.

Click the link below to take the survey:

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/ATstakeholdersurvey

Thank you very much for your time and input. Your responses will help build a stronger AT Network.

Web Accessibility--the Basics

2011-01-04T09:00:00.000-08:00

Written by Rosemarie Punzalan, Communication Specialist and resident web accessibility expert, CFILC

Whether you are a novice with little or no web development experience or new to accessibility, it doesn't hurt to understand the basics of POUR Web Usability. POUR stands for Perceivable Operable Understandable Robust. Below are just some examples to give you a basic understanding of POUR.

Many of us surf the Internet to access communication, commerce, entertainment, information, and other important aspects of life that we take for granted. The most common senses we use when surfing the internet are hearing, sight and touch. These senses are important to our daily Internet access. It is very important that a user has the ability to perceive the web content. Not only is the ability to perceive web content important, but inputting the information into our brains is very important!

PERCEIVABLE

Hearing

There are many kinds of audio interactions we use when surfing the Internet. Some examples of audio interactions are: hearing music, listening to web radio, and watching videos. If you operate a web site, to make your audio information available to individuals who cannot hear, provide captioned audio. Below is an example of a video with closed captions that was posted on http://www.dor.ca.gov/rd_life.wmv.

Sight

Web sites provide enormous information with content that consists of graphics, multimedia, and text. Individuals who can see can read text, view images, understand the web page layouts, and understand the meaning of colors in certain cultural perspective (for example,– red and green street lights). To make your web content available to individuals who are blind or have low vision, prior to your web design, structure your content (i.e. headings, subheadings, lists, etc.). They rely on screen readers and keyboards to navigate through a web site.

Touch

Imagine an individual who is deaf and blind. How would this individual access information? There are ways a person who is deafblind can access information. 1) Through sign language where individuals use their hands to feel one another’s body movements, gestures and sign language; OR 2) A Braille device – a text can be converted to Braille.

OPERABLE

A standard keyboard and mouse is often used to access web content, but not everyone can use them. Some individuals use adaptive or alternative devices depending on their disability (for example, a mouth stick to manipulate a keyboard). Blind users depend on a keyboard and screen reader to navigate web content.

UNDERSTANDABLE

To ensure your web site is usable to people of all abilities, you should make sure the web content's language is as easy to understand as possible.

ROBUST

Technology changes and can be very expensive as well as time consuming. There are different operating systems and different versions of browsers. People who use adaptive devices or alternative devices such as screen readers or screen magnifiers to navigate web content do not always update their devices or software to keep up with other changes in computer technology. Ensure your web site is robust through all operating systems and different versions of browsers by testing it on multiple web browsers and operating systems.

What is your experience with web accessibility? Have you been unable to navigate a web site due to accessibility barriers? Do you host a web site and find web accessibility implementation challenging? Have you had a positive experience? Share your story in the comments section below.

The Amazon Kindle: A Review

2010-12-28T09:00:00.000-08:00

By Luke Hsieh, AT Advocate at the Community Access Center in Riverside

Let's get one thing straight—the Amazon Kindle is not the Apple iPad. For one thing, the functionality of the Kindle is not on par with the Apple iPad; it was designed for one purpose, assisted reading. Secondly, the durability of Kindle may arguably be frailer than iPad. I broke my Kindle within a week and had to return it to Amazon for a replacement. While you can leave the iPad on for weeks, you cannot do the same to Kindle without its LED display caving in.

However, considering its purpose and cost, I think it is a charming little assistive device. For $189 you get free Wifi 3G. To me, that already justifies the cost. 3G Wifi normally costs $40 a month, so if your kindle lasts a year or two, it would be economically justifiable. Kindle comes with text-to-speech voice navigation and also text-to-speech narration. Although its choice of voice engines leaves something to be desired, at least the functionality is there.

Another advantage Kindle has over iPad as an assisted reading device is that the Kindle is not touchscreen based. The learning curve for people who are blind would be less steep than the iPad. Theoretically one can operate a Kindle with just eight keys, and 4 of them are arrows. In short, despite being seriously outdone by iPad in terms of functionality, durability and versatility, I'd still recommend Kindle to students with disabilities who have visual and specific learning disabilities.

Have you used the Kindle before? What is your experience of it as an assisted reading device?

An AT Advocate's Perspective

2010-12-21T09:00:00.000-08:00

All 29 Independent Living Centers in California receive funding for at least one staff member to work on AT advocacy and services coordination. Below is one AT Advocate's perspective on his role.

By Jorge Ruiz, AT Coordinator at the Central Coast Center for Independent Living in Salinas

Working at Central Coast Center for Independent Living has given me the opportunity to meet many different and interesting people. Often I am asked what it is like to be Assistive Technology Coordinator. People want to know the duties of my job. Fortunately, my duties vary from day to day.

In a nutshell, as the assistive technology coordinator my job is to increase public awareness of the broad range of assistive technology available to people with disabilities and to provide case coordination for those consumers that need a particular item or service.

Most people think that AT is only electric and manual wheelchairs. That might be because many people associate disability with wheelchairs. Little do they know that mobility is just one category of AT. So how does an AT Coordinator educate the public? The answer is very simple—by attending resource fairs as well as doing presentations and informing the audiences about AT. On any given weekend I might be setting up a booth at a health and resource fair, giving a disability awareness training that includes using tools of daily living during the hands on section, or providing an in-service presentation to one of our TBI Support groups. After meeting someone at a presentation or an outreach event, I am often asked they can find funding sources to pay for AT. This is probably the most challenging part of the job.

Sometimes consumers need AT and their insurance covers it, but they have no idea that it would. The hardest cases are when consumers need AT and have no medical coverage of any kind, as was the case with one of my most recent consumers. She has difficulty walking and was in need of a scooter or power chair. In this case the consumer received a scooter that was donated to our ILC. If she had not taken this equipment, it might have ended up in storage taking up space or, even worse, in a landfill. As you can see, Assistive Technology is not a one-size-fits-all tool. The job of the Assistive Technology Coordinator is not the same week in and week out.

Have you received services at an Independent Living Center? If you are an AT Advocate, what are the challenges and rewards of your position?

8 Online Resources for Student Transition

2010-12-10T09:59:00.000-08:00

Thank you to AT Program News for sharing the resources below:

1. Teacher Resource Guide on Transition
PDF download from the Wisconsin AT Initiative (WATI)

2. Student Resource Guide on Transition

3. Questions to Ask Colleges about AT Resources
LD Online Web page

4. Preparing for College: An Online Tutorial (for students with disabilities) DO-IT Web page

5. Healthy and Ready to Work National Resource Center
Transition to work resources

6. Family Information Guide to Assistive Technology and Transition
Family Center on Technology and Disability Web page

7. Quality Indicators for Assistive Technology Transition QIAT Web page

8. Students: Know Your Rights and Responsibilities US DOE Office of Civil Rights Web page for students with disabilities preparing for postsecondary education.

Do you have any student transition resources you would like to share? Please feel free to comment on the resources above or share other resources in the space below.

What’s the scoop on Medi-Cal hearing aid coverage?

2010-12-01T10:34:00.000-08:00

Written by Kim Cantrell, CFILC’s Director of Programs

With so many cuts to Medi-Cal and other social service programs, it makes sense that many of us are confused when it comes to Medi-Cal coverage. Lately the AT Network has received many questions from people throughout California who want to know if Medi-Cal still covers hearing aids and hearing exams, and if so, under what circumstances. Medi-Cal reduced benefits coverage in 2009, which makes now a good time to review Medi-Cal’s scope of audiology benefits, including hearing aids and hearing exams.

Medi-Cal currently covers hearing aids for people with at least a 25 dB hearing loss in the better ear and moderate to severe loss in the other ear when prescribed by a qualified physician. Since July 1, 2009, Medi-Cal no longer covers the hearing exam needed prior to being prescribed hearing aids.

However, there are exceptions. According to the Medi-Cal website, people in the following situations still receive hearing exam coverage:

a. Pregnant women will receive the optional benefit if it is part of their pregnancy-related care or for services to treat a condition that may cause problems in pregnancy.

b. Children or young adults who are 20 years old and younger and receive full scope Medi-Cal.

c. People who live in a licensed nursing home such as a Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF), Intermediate Care Facility (ICF), ICF for the Developmentally Disabled (ICF-DD) and Sub Acute Facility.

So unless you are under 21-years-old or live in a nursing home, chances are you have to pay for a hearing exam out of pocket if Medi-Cal is your only insurance coverage. I find this process frustrating because people who can’t afford the hearing exam are forced to go without needed hearing aids.

Once you get your hearing aids, Medi-Cal no longer covers testing them unless you are one of the populations listed under A, B and C above. You are also on your own for replacement batteries unless you are EPSDT-eligible. The good news is that Medi-Cal continues to cover hearing aid repair and replacement parts.

Have you had any experiences with Medi-Cal’s new audiology coverage limitations? Have you or someone you know who has Medi-Cal been unable to receive a needed hearing exam?

AT for the Holidays

2010-11-22T16:06:00.000-08:00

Written by LaCandice McCray, CFILC's Outreach & Training Advocate

It’s that time of year when we spend time with family, friends, and food. With the hustle and bustle of the holidays, we all need tools to make the season merry, bright, and simple. Here are some low-cost gadgets available for preparing and cooking holiday meals:

Locking Lid Stainless Steel Pot: This pot has a lid that locks in place and allows a person to strain liquid with one hand.
Where to find it: http://www.maxiaids.com/store/prodView.asp?idproduct=434&idstore=6&product=Easy-Pour-Locking-Lid-Pot
Cost: $23.95

Talking Scale: The weight bowl and talking feature allow you to get weights of multiple ingredients. The bowl is also removable.
Where to find it: http://www.amazon.com/My-Weight-Vox-3000-Talking/dp/B000G6ZLM0
Cost: $31.20

Black Cutting Board: Good tool for those with low vision or arthritis. The board also has a suction cup to prevent sliding.
Where to find it: http://www.maxiaids.com/store/prodView.asp?idproduct=7010&idstore=6&product=Hold-and-Cut-Black-Cutting-Board-for-Low-Vision
Cost: $29.95

Talking Digital Thermometer: This thermometer, with an easy to read display, will announce the temperature of your cooked meat.
Where to find it: http://www.maxiaids.com/store/prodView.asp?idproduct=9328&idstore=6&product=Talking-Digital-Thermometer-with-LCD-Display
Cost: $39.00

Stove Knob Turner: This device is designed for wheelchair users to reach the knobs of the stove.
Where to find it: http://www.maxiaids.com/store/prodView.asp?idproduct=1086&idstore=6&product=Stove-Knob-Turner
Cost: $16.95

What are some other tools you have used in the kitchen? How have they made preparing meals easier?

Find Used AT @ the AT Network

2010-11-12T09:36:00.000-08:00

Written by Allan Friedman, CFILC's Technologies Manager

The Internet has made finding used assistive devices both easier and challenging at the same time. In the past people looked to local organizations or classified ads in their newspapers. Today, items can be posted on websites like craigslist, freecycle, oodle, ebay, abledata, as well as any of a number of websites run by non-profit organizations that serve the disability community. There are so many places where used equipment is posted that searching online can be quite time consuming with as many misses as hits.

So, we’ve developed and added a number of search tools to ATnet.org that can help you find what you’re looking for.

First, there is the AT Services Directory, a database we developed several years ago and continue to refine. It contains almost 1100 records of providers who sell devices, provide services, funding, or repair AT. It also contains records of organizations and businesses that provide training, customization and many other services. Click here to use the directory to find new devices or related services near you.

We recently added two new search tools developed by fellow Assistive Technology Act projects in Nebraska and Colorado. The Nebraska Assistive Technology Partnership developed the AT Exchange; a website where used devices can be sold, given away or borrowed.

The AT Exchange is a place where you can post classified ads for used devices you would like to sell or give away and allows you to post want ads for items you are searching for. You can also search the inventory of 13 AT device lending libraries around the state. These libraries will lend devices for 30 – 60 days (sometimes longer) to fill a temporary need or so you can try before you buy. And it’s all free! Click here to access the AT Exchange.

Our most recent addition to the site is the AT Finder, developed by the University of Colorado’s Assistive Technology Partnership. This handy search tool allows you to search for used AT on Craigslist, Ebay, Ebay Classifieds, and Oodle in a single search. Using your search terms and zip code, you can find assistive devices posted on any of these sites and get results tailored to your location and needs.

At the AT Network we believe used equipment fills a need and is good for both the environment and the pocket book. In addition to the tools I’ve described above, we’ll be adding links to other sites where used AT can be found as well as more tools to help you find the right device.

We hope you find these tools useful. Just remember that any devices or equipment you find should be based on a professional evaluation and recommendation from an Assistive Technology Specialist to assure proper usage and fit. You can find AT Specialists on ATnet.org; just check the AT Services Directory or give us a call at 800-390-2699.

Come See What’s New at ATNet.org!

2010-10-14T13:59:00.000-07:00

We recently launched a revised version of the AT Network website, www.atnet.org, designed to be easier to use and more informative for consumers, caregivers, service providers and others with a need for AT. The new site divides information into four easy to use sections:

Law & Advocacy: where you can learn about federal & state AT laws and your rights to assistive technology devices and services.
How to: has information about how to find AT, fund AT and use it to succeed in life.
Find it now: is a resource-rich page with several web search tools to help you find new and used devices as well as services in your community.
News and Events: allows you to keep up with the latest news about assistive technology, AT Network events, and training opportunities provided by the AT Network and its members

Visit the new AT Network website at : www.atnet.org and let us know what you think. We welcome your resources and ideas.

Guided tours of the new website are available every Thursday at noon through the month of October. To join the web tour, login at 12:00 pm (pacific time) Thursdays in October at: http://tinyurl.com/atnetour

AT & Disability Employment Awareness Month

2010-10-07T15:39:00.000-07:00

Written by LaCandice McCray, CFILC's Outreach & Training Advocate

The AT Network salutes October as Disability Employment Awareness Month! And speaking of employment, guess what many people with disabilities use in the workplace? That’s right. Assistive Technology.

This year’s theme of Disability Employment Awareness Month is “Talent Has No Boundaries: Workforce Diversity Includes People with Disabilities.” In addition to the growing diversity in the workplace, the use of assistive technology is also increasing. Many people with disabilities use AT to adapt to their work environment or to improve their job performance. Some examples of AT used at work include: adaptive keyboards and mice, BrailleNotes, video relay equipment and services, and variety of computer software.

In recognition of Disability Employment Awareness Month, the AT Network will be participating in these upcoming events:

6th Annual Bone and Joint Expo, October 16, 2010, Napa, CA

· RespectABILITY Conference, October 22, 2010, Los Angeles, CA

· Inland Empire Disability Resources Expo, October 23, 2010, Riverside, CA

· 5^th Annual Northern California Tech Expo, October 23, 2010, Santa Rosa, CA

· Living Healthy with a Disability Resource Fair, October 29, 2010, Sacramento, CA

What are other examples of AT used in the workplace? How are you observing Disability Employment Awareness Month?

Telephone Access For People With Speech Disabilities

2010-09-30T10:38:00.000-07:00

by Bob Segalman, Ph.D.
Do you have a speech disability and live in the USA (including the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico)? If so, you can now use a free telephone service 24 hours a day. “Speech to Speech” (STS) provides communication assistants for people with difficulty being understood by the public by telephone. The Federal Communications Commission regulates Speech to Speech, which is a form of relay service. STS is also available in Australia, New Zealand and Sweden.

STS is provided through the TTY relay in each state. Unlike TTY, STS users communicate by voice through a communication assistant (CA), as many people with speech disabilities have difficulty typing. Many STS users have Parkinson's disease, cerebral palsy, ALS, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy or stroke. Other users stutter or have had a laryngectomy.

People with speech disabilities can dial toll free to reach a patient, trained CA who is familiar with many speech patterns and has excellent language recognition skills. This CA makes telephone calls for them and repeats their words exactly in a 3-way calling environment. STS is the only way for many people to telephone others not accustomed to their speech.

Speech to Speech helps speech synthesizer users, users of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) devices by putting their device next to a speakerphone. AAC users may ask the STS communication assistance to set up the call, negotiate the menu, introduce the call explaining AAC and then go into the background. This enables AAC users to communicate independently once the other party is on the line.

I have cerebral palsy and developed the concept of STS. Now it makes telephone use much easier for me. To try out STS, report problems or request information call 1-888-877-5302 and then ask for me at 916-448-5517. Visit the STS website: http://www.speechtospeech.org/ where you will find the Speech-to-Speech 800 access numbers.

FCC regulations state that individuals can also access STS by dialing 711 and asking for Speech to Speech, but compliance is an issue. If the CA can not place an STS call, please e-mail me (drsts@comcast.net).Have you used STS? If so, what have been your experiences? What can you do to advocate for the increased use of STS by people with speech disabilities and AAC users?

Multi-purpose Assistive Technology Device - Does Apple iPhone Make The Grade?

2010-09-24T13:50:00.000-07:00

Written by Luke Hsieh of Community Access Center, Riverside

June 4th is a very important date to me. No, it's not because on that day in 1989 the Chinese government ordered a general crackdown on Tiananmen Square students, but it was on June 4, 2010 when I obtained my iPhone 3GS. This device has fundamentally changed my life.

The first device I retired was my much beloved iPod Touch (which I gave to my sister). The second device I retired was my 7-year-old Fuji Digital camera, which I probably chucked under the bed somewhere. The third was my Citizen Eco Drive watch, which I gave to my dad.

It is becoming fairly apparent that the Apple iPhone was designed to be an all-purpose PDA. Those who claim Apple’s iPhone 4G is inferior to HTC Droid because it comes with a 5 Megapixel camera as opposed an 8 Megapixel camera have completely missed the point.

The attraction of the Apple iPhone lies with the tens of thousands of third party applications for us technophiles to enjoy. Those third party applications are generally safe, cheap, and useful. Take my iPhone for example. I have turned it into an AAC device with Proloquo2go from Assistware, a GPS Navigation tool with Copilot, a hearing aid with Sound Amp from Ginger Lab, an 8 x Electronic magnifier, a barcode decoder, a portable scanner, dictionary, and a website reader. My customized iPhone feels like an extension of my brain.

The problem with customizing an iPhone as an assistive device is that the iPhone performs every task at about 60% efficiency compared to a single purpose tool. For example, iPhone Electronic Magnifier won't be able to do real time color inversion because the video memory won't allow it to perform the task. The barcode reader won't locate 40% of the decodes inputted. The hearing aid drains battery power like nothing on earth, and the GPS could not find my house number. The iPhone comes with a built-in voice-over function for people with low vision or who are blind. However, operating an iPhone in the Voice Over Mode is so frustrating. It is difficult to use without practice.

Having pointed out the limitations, I am devoted to my iPhone and would never regret the purchase. However, as an Assistive Technology device, it is a light at the end of the tunnel, not the end of the tunnel itself. I look forward to the day when the iPhone XG can do all the assistive functions at 100% efficiency and cost about $200.

How have you customized your iPhone as an assistive technology device? What are some recommendations you have for Apple to improve the iPhone’s efficiency?

Surf, Sun and AT

2010-09-01T14:46:00.000-07:00

Written by LaCandice McCray, CFILC's Outreach and Training Advocate

Often times we think about using assistive technology in the home, at work, or at school. What about using assistive technology for fun? A conference I recently attended in Irvine reminded me that recreation is also an important part of daily living.

August 26-27 was the Amputee Coalition of America’s national conference. For the past 3 years, this conference has been held in Atlanta. 2010 was the first time this conference took place in California. I attended workshops about orthotics and prosthetics, learned about the concerns of the amputee community, and networked with vendors and organizations from all over the country. I also tried different types of AT used for recreation like an adaptive skateboard. Similarly, there were several organizations attending the conference in the field of adaptive sports. Information about swimming, tennis, hiking, and extreme sports was largely available for attendees.

One example of an adaptive sports organization in California is the Association of Amputee Surfers. AMP Surf (for short) organizes surfing clinics for amputees, veterans, and people with disabilities around Southern California. Their mission is to encourage adaptive surfing and other outdoor activities through PIER: Promote, Inspire, Educate, and Rehabilitate. In addition to participating in surfing clinics, there are opportunities to volunteer with AMP Surf or sponsor a clinic. For more information about the Association of Amputee Surfers, visit: http://www.ampsurf.org/.

Organizations like AMP Surf remind us that we all need a little sun once in awhile. Not only can recreation be fun with assistive technology, but its use can promote pride in disability and participation in mainstream activities. What are some recreational activities you have participated in with AT? Have you encountered any barriers along the way?

The AT Network salutes the members of YO! Disabled and Proud for their ACR 162 Victory!

2010-08-27T10:40:00.000-07:00

written by Mazuri Colley, CFILC's Information & Assistance Advocate

Congratulations to all of the youth organizers who worked tirelessly on the Disability History Week Campaign. The bill passed unanimously by both the Assembly and Senate because of all of their hard work and dedication! The bill was introduced by Assembly Member Beall.

The 2nd week of October is now California's official Disability History Week!

The significance of this victory will benefit our state for years and years to come; it will begin the process of infusing the importance of Disability History in our schools and other institutions. Soon people of all ages and abilities will be more aware of the many important contributions made by people with disabilities. The youth that were mobilized through this campaign have done great work. Hopefully their dedication and professionalism will inspire advocates of all ages to take action.

Read the bill here: ACR 162

Learn more about: YO! Disabled and Proud

Learn more about the: Youth Leadership Forum

Please join us in congratulating the members of YO! Disabled and Proud on their accomplishment!

What disability history resources have you encourntered that you would like to share with the community? Please share resource names and/or links in the comments section below.

Enjoy the wonderful world of Disney through Assistive Technology!

2010-08-18T08:42:00.000-07:00

Summer time is a great time to take trips and visit new places. Read one Disney aficionado’s review below of the assistive technology features at Disney World. Disney is planning to unveil the same audio description technology at Disneyland Resort in California in 2011.

Sample Disney’s new theme park outdoor audio description assistive technology

by Ricky Brigante

On June 27, Walt Disney World began a new advancement in assistive technology allowing guests with visual disabilities to “see” theme park surroundings by way of highly-detailed audio description.

The descriptions are delivered to guests by way of Disney’s patented handheld device (pictured above), which has been in use at the Walt Disney World resort for several years. In addition to providing closed captioning and assistive listening for rides, shows, and other attractions, the device is now being updated to include the important and interesting information about outdoor theme park areas.

Read the rest of the article here Inside the MAGIC!

Have any of you visited a theme park that used Assistive Technology to make the park accessible? If so which ones? What was your experience?

Reuse and Recycle: Expanding Access to Assistive Technology

2010-08-05T11:24:00.000-07:00

Written by Allan Friedman, CFILC's Technologies Manager

In a time of severe budget cuts that imperil the ability of Californians with disabilities to live independently, the reuse and recycling of assistive technology is a moral imperative. Reuse is one of the most effective ways to enable more low income individuals to acquire devices that empower them to participate in their communities and retain their independence.

California is the birthplace of the Independent Living Movement. We’ve always been on the leading edge of public accommodations and integration of people with disabilities in our communities. But we lag behind many other states when it comes to the reuse of assistive devices. Successful reuse programs flourish and thrive in places such as Salt Lake City, Austin and Atlanta. Georgia, Kansas and several other states have shown that AT, which is often customized to meet the unique needs of users, can be successfully refurbished and reused without compromise for the individuals who receive the devices.

So why not here? While there are several programs that refurbish computers and get them to low income users with disabilities, only a handful of organizations in California accept donations of communication devices, durable medical equipment and other AT for reuse. True, there are challenges to running a reuse program, including issues around liability, sanitation and space. But programs in other states have met those challenges, and California can too.

We need to increase the supply of used AT. Not only will more reuse programs increase access to AT for people with disabilities who would otherwise go without, reuse programs can also be an important part of our state's disaster preparations; a resource that can be readily tapped in an emergency to replace devices left behind by people affected by our all too common forest fires, earthquakes and other natural disasters.

It will take action by the whole disability community to take reuse to the next level. We need a coordinated system that encourages reuse, provides a means for consumers to donate devices, as well as support for organizations willing to take on the challenges of turning one person’s trash into another person’s saving grace.

Are you interested in learning more about AT reuse? If you want more information about plans for AT reuse in California, or if you want to be part of the planning process, please let us know in the comments section below.

This article reflects the opinion of the author.

Dangling participles get ready to be undangled! (A review of the Ginger Software spelling and grammar checker)

2010-07-28T08:00:00.000-07:00

By Luke Hsieh, AT Advocate at the Community Access Center in Riverside

I first saw this software at the CSUN International Technology & Persons with Disabilities Conference in San Diego. I was so impressed by the demonstration that as soon as I got back to Riverside, I purchased a copy of my own and ran it on a 96 page document (the novel that I happen to be working on).

Let’s just say, it was a vast improvement over traditional grammar and spelling checkers and for $70.00, it is an affordable vast improvement. Any lover of this language will tell you that English is very analytical; it’s notorious for its many grammatical exceptions and prepositional oddities. This means that the vast improvement on traditional grammar checkers still requires human tweaking here and there. So don't expect Ginger to perform a miracle, the 96 page document still took a little less than three hours to correct.

Furthermore, its heavy dependence on the Internet server means it may not function properly without an Internet connection. Ginger Software will also be a hard sale when trying to convince an I.T department that may see it as making the system vulnerable. Other than that, I think the software has much potential.

Who knows? Maybe in the near future, Ginger will even correct my subject-verb agreement, dangling participles, and split infinitives. Since I’m not too paranoid about Internet security, I consider my $70.00 well spent.

Check it out by clicking here.

Have you tried Ginger Software yet? What did you think? Has anyone tried another type of software that is similar? Let us know in the comments section below…

It's the ADA's 20th Anniversary!

2010-07-20T08:00:00.000-07:00

By Mazuri Colley, CFILC's Information & Assistance Advocate

The Americans with Disabilities Act turns twenty this year! This milestone means that there is a whole generation of youth in the United States of America who never experienced life before the ADA. Every year and with every victory for the disability community the task of making our country a better place for new generations becomes more of a reality than a dream deferred. The signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act in 1990 was the culmination of decades and decades of advocacy powered by the disability rights movement.

By ensuring equal opportunity and access for people with disabilities in areas of employment, transportation, public institutions, commercial establishments and governmental entities the ADA changed the social and cultural landscape of our communities. Finally cities and towns across the country were altered and policies were changed in order to accommodate all members of the community.

Every aspect of life requires participation on the part of every individual. Before the Americans with Disabilities Act people with disabilities were discouraged from participating in life due to lack of an inclusive infrastructure in our laws. No one was required to think outside of their own experience when creating policy, which was an unacceptable reality. This is why representation of people with disabilities by people with disabilities is so important and is why there is an ADA.

On July 26^th, 2010 the Americans with Disabilities Act will celebrate twenty years of changing our country for the better. There are still many barriers that need to be broken, voices that need to be heard and more victories to come!

Join CFILC in supporting, Senate Joint Resolution No. 35, Introduced by Senator Corbett. “This measure would commemorate the 20th anniversary of the federal Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, encourage all Californians to recognize and celebrate the important historical significance of the act, and reaffirm the Legislature’s commitment to, and urge Congress to reaffirm its commitment to, the civil and constitutional rights of Americans with disabilities.” Read the resolution in its entirety here: Senate Joint Resolution No. 35

Be Informed:

The U.S. Department of Justice provides information about the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) through a toll-free ADA Information Line. For general ADA information, answers to specific technical questions, free ADA materials, or information about filing a complaint, call: 800 - 514 - 0301 (voice) 800 - 514 - 0383 (TTY), or log on to www.ada.gov

Celebrate! :

Check out CFILC’s event calendar for ADA events in your area:
CFILC's ADA Event Calendar

Click these links for more ADA events!
DOR's ADA Event Calendar
American Association of People with Disabilities ADA Event Calendar

Please join us this July as we celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the ADA in Sacramento on July 26, 2010! For additional information please go to www.cfilc.org.

To Reuse AT start by reusing OPI

2010-07-14T08:00:00.000-07:00

Written by Allan Friedman, CFILC's Technologies Manager.

California is a unique state (although, I’m sure every other state considers themselves unique too). A diverse population spread over a large geographic area with several large urban areas and many remote rural communities poses a number of challenges for service providers intent on inclusion and reaching all citizens with AT needs. But those challenges are not unique to California. AT programs across the country face similar challenges to providing services and meeting the needs of their communities.

When it comes to expanding the reuse of AT, the secret to meeting those challenges is to reuse OPI; other people’s ideas. We need not re-invent the wheel. Rather, we only have to look at successful programs and learn from them. For instance, Utah, Wyoming and many other western states have populations spread over vast distances. But AT programs in these states have found creative solutions to the problem and expense of shipping devices. Partnerships with private companies, libraries and others that move goods around their states have helped these programs control their costs and get devices to consumers.

The Create Program makes extensive use of volunteers to refurbish and distribute power wheelchairs, scooters and pediatric equipment. Georgia’s Star Network brings several organizations together to share resources and collaborate to provide reused AT to consumers. Get AT Stuff is a collaboration of several New England states that make used AT available. Another New England collaboration enables school districts to share AT.

There is nothing truly unique in the challenges we face. We have only to look to the rest of the country for inspiration and ideas on how to meet our challenges. It’s time for California to step up, show that we do have what it takes to expand our reuse programs and make used AT a significant part of our efforts to meet the needs of our disabled and aging population.

Have you experienced AT Reuse programs in other states? If so, please share your experiences below.

Take Action 4 Accommodations

2010-07-06T10:00:00.000-07:00

By Princess Rehman, Youth Advocate, CFILC

Did you know that many community college students with disabilities around California are not getting their accommodation needs met? They registered with Disability Students Services. They followed the proper protocol. Yet many students are having their requested accommodations delayed. Some students are not receiving their accommodations at all. Instead, they receive a letter from their college stating that they will not be receiving accommodations due to budget cuts.

The California Community College system received cuts to disability services that provide accommodations to students who need them to access higher education. Although system-wide the community colleges have experienced average cuts of about 2.5%, they have cut disability services more than 40%, according to the California Association for Postsecondary Education and Disability.

As a result, accommodations are being delayed up to 7 weeks, and in some cases, denied altogether. Mobility assistance, readers, note takers, large print books, audio books, sign language interpreters, captioning, campus transport services and other essential accommodations are being delayed or denied, putting the academic careers of students with disabilities at risk.

The Take Action 4 Accommodations Campaign is working to make sure that students with disabilities are getting their reasonable accommodations met in California’s community colleges. Also, we are working to make students with disabilities aware that they can make a complaint if their accommodation needs aren’t being met. By law, students with disabilities are entitled to have their reasonable accommodation needs met after they have registered with disability student services.

Many students with disabilities are receiving letters in the mail stating that they aren’t able to get their reasonable accommodation needs met due to state budget cuts. If you or someone you know is not getting their reasonable accommodation needs met at their community college, and they have registered with Disability Student Services, you can file a complaint simply by clicking here.

Have you or anyone you know been denied accommodations at a community college recently? How was it resolved? Or was it?

What’s Wrong with Used AT?

2010-06-22T10:43:00.000-07:00

By Allan Friedman, CFILC's Technologies Manager

There seems to be some reluctance on the part of many AT professionals to recommend or assist consumers in acquiring used assistive technology devices. Medi-Cal, Medicare, the Veteran's Administration and other funders will not fund the purchase of a used AT device; only new will do. Why?

The number one barrier to getting AT is cost. Consumers who lack insurance are often ineligible for funding from other sources. With little or no income of their own, they are regularly forced to endure long waits to replace worn out devices or to get AT in the first place. Used devices could fill this void, allowing more people to live independently.

The need is especially great for durable medical equipment (DME). Wheelchairs, scooters, lifts and other devices can mean the difference between dependency on others and maintaining one’s independence and quality of life.

With such a great need and demand for AT, I wonder why so few organizations serving people with disabilities are willing to accept donations of used AT. Indeed, much of the DME that is donated often ends up overseas, serving a valid need in the third world. But much of that equipment could just as well be serving the need here at home.

While there are challenges to running an AT reuse program, especially for DME, successful programs in other states prove it can be done without harm to the organizations or compromise on the part of the consumers. By extending the useful life of devices, we keep waste out of our landfills, fill a need in our communities and maximize the return on investment for cash strapped government programs that are often the funders of new AT.

New is not necessarily better. Properly sanitized and refurbished, most AT and DME can continue to be useful and meet a need for those who receive them. We’ve got to give up our tendency to dispose of things and begin to think seriously about reuse. It is the easiest and least expensive way to expand the availability of AT and DME for people in our communities with the greatest need and least resources.

The above article represents the opinion of the author.

Where the AT Network and the Refueling Act Meet

2010-06-21T16:06:00.000-07:00

Written by Mazuri Colley, Information and Assistance Advocate

You may know that calling 1-800-390-2699 will lead you to the AT Network’s Information and Referral Line, but what you may not know is that you can find that number (or should find that number) posted at every gas station across the great state of California.

At this point you may be wondering, why? And if you are, you are asking a great question! What do gas stations across California and the AT Network have in common? I can tell you the answer in two words….Refueling Act (also known as Business and Professions Code Section 13660).

In short, the Refueling Act states that people with disabilities displaying a license plate or placard from the DMV should receive assistance with refueling upon request. There are a few exceptions that release a gas station owner from this provision, like, for example, if there is only one person on duty.
It’s also required that gas stations post notifications stating whether refueling service is available and if there are certain times when it will not be offered during the day. However, if more than one person is working at the gas station—and the second employee is not exclusively involved in food preparation—regardless of posted refueling hours, the gas station must provide refueling assistance.

There are three types of individuals that call from gas stations, and I have broken them into sections below:

Refueling station owners: Owners call because they want to remain in compliance with the law and they want to understand it better.

People who have not received their right to refueling service: When someone calls because they went to a gas station and did not receive refueling services, they want to know what their rights are and they want to make a complaint. These complaints are made to their local district attorney’s office or with their local police department.

People who called the wrong number: People who think they are calling the corporate offices of Shell or the manager of their local gas station have the wrong number. They are usually either calling to say they got the wrong change back or that pump number three isn’t working.

What do you do if you are at a station that is noncompliant but are still need of refueling service?

One caller who recently was put in the situation of being low on fuel and at a station where she was being refused refueling services was diligent and resourceful in resolving this issue. Without enough gas to get home or to get to another station this person was in a situation that seemed hopeless. She called our information line, but since it was a weekend she left a message to find out how she could make a complaint, but she still needed gas to get home. This resourceful caller was able to call her local police department’s non-emergency line and talk to an officer about her situation. An officer was able to come out and help her get gas and also speak to the owner and employees of the station.

The situation described above is an extreme one, but it pays to be knowledgeable about your options and the resources available to you. Have you or someone you know ever been refused refueling services? How was the situation resolved? How many of you will now think of the AT Network every time you go to fill up your tank?

Does it really have to cost so much: Custom building an electronic magnifier.

2010-06-09T14:55:00.000-07:00

By Luke Hsieh, Assistive Technology Advocate, Community Access Center, Riverside

When my supervisor saw the 13-year-old webcam that I have lying around my office, he asked me if I could turn it into an electronic magnifier using a Windows computer and USB port. The technology involved really isn't rocket science. Bierley is selling a USB based MonoMouse magnifier for approximately $200, so my response to him was, "Besides optical zooming and autofocus, the rest is just software." That statement effectively commenced the experimental project codenamed Webcam. (I told you it wasn't rocket science!)

My choice of webcam fell on the Logitech Webcam Pro 900, one of the higher end webcams that has a 4x optical zooming capacity and autofocus. It even comes with a Carl Zeiss lens and a built-in microphone. They sell for around $70 each.

The prototype was designed so the webcam would hang on a stand to be used as a CCTV. The problem with the prototype was that 4x optical zooming simply wasn't enough for it to function as a CCTV Magnifier and purchasing a battery powered digital camera with higher optical zooming capacity would cost $250.00 or more. (Merlin costs $2700.00 for a reason.)

I knew I wanted autofocus for a reason! All I had to do was bring the camera closer to the paper by wedging the camera into a circular lunchbox and poking a hole on the other side for the USB cable to go through. The prototype mimicked the Bierly Monomouse instead of the CCTV.

The next question was which software to use for color inversion. After trying out more than several trial versions, demo versions, and free versions of video software, I chose Debut Video Capture made by NCH Software, an Australian company, which costs approximately $39.

So the end bill for this exercise is $70 for the camera, $39 for the software and $2 for the lunchbox. Of course, if one has the money, it's better to buy professionally designed video magnifiers like Merlin, Jordy, Ruby, etc. However, this exercise does show how people with limited resources can build their own electronic magnifier with color inversion for a little more than $100.00.

Have you built your own assistive technology? Whether you have built a high- or low-tech device, we want to hear about it. Please share any of your tips or tricks in the comment section below.

Budget Committee Votes Down Caps on DME/AT Benefits!

2010-06-01T09:41:00.000-07:00

The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Health & Human Services just completed its action on the Governor’s May revision of the State budget. Both houses have rejected cuts proposed by the Governor which removes them from further consideration in this year’s budget. Among the items rejected were Medi-Cal caps on benefits including durable medical equipment, medical supplies such as wound dressings, incontinence products, & urinary catheters, hearing aids, and over the counter drugs.

We generated over 110 letters that let the legislators know how vital these benefits are to Californians with Disabilities. Your action, along with those of many other disabled Californians, their caregivers, friends and families helped convince the committee members that the proposed caps would be counter-productive and threaten the independence of many citizens.

Soon the Budget Conference Committee composed of 3 representatives from each house (2 democrats, 1 republican) will begin meeting to consider areas of differences between the 2 houses and possible solutions for dealing with CA’s continual financial crisis.

The battle to insure that vital services continue to be funded is not yet over. Please join us in thanking the members of the Health and Human Services Subcommittee for their support. Let them know we appreciate their efforts on behalf of Californians with disabilities.

TAKE ACTION NOW!

Have you taken action? Let us know by posting a comment below.