Going Full Circle: Using AT to Provide Services to Needing AT to Provide Services

By Rhett Simmons of West Coast Captioning

Assistive Technology (AT) has been a major part of my life for the last 23 years. 

In 1991, I started using AT to provide captioning services for Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals. In case you don't know, captioning is the black box with words in it that you see on the television screen when you are at the gym or in a restaurant. So, even if you can’t hear the sound, you can read the captioning which puts the English words being spoken in the box. Without AT, this would not be possible. Sometimes captioning is broadcast over television and sometimes it is provided live at events or in classrooms. Now, we can also even provide remote captioning through the internet. Our agency provides all these services, and we use AT for all of them.

In the beginning as captioning was just coming to the forefront, software was developed to allow the key strokes from a steno machine (typically used by court reporters) to be recognized as English words. Those words were then projected to a computer screen which allowed the Deaf or Hard of Hearing individual to have communication access to whatever setting they may be in. With the advancement of the captioning software and the use of a computerized steno machine and a laptop, students could then be interactive in their university courses or in work meetings - which they had not been able to do previously. This AT was a huge advancement for the community.            

U.C. Davis wanted to try this cutting-edge technology, and they set up a pilot program. I was the captioner that was contracted to provide services for this pilot. Fortunately, the pilot program was a success! After that I started my captioning agency, West Coast Captioning. We started out in  colleges and universities providing educational captioning, but as requests grew, the agency grew as well. It has been exciting to see how AT technology has changed over the years. With each change, we can provide better services with easier access for our consumers. Being located in a capital city (Sacramento), our agency has evolved to specialize in governmental captioning. We also have captioners on staff who specialize in various other areas.

             

Rhett providing captioning at DCAD 2014 - Rhett and her daughter are in the bottom right

Over the last two years, AT has taken a different role in my life. I am a diabetic and now legally blind. I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes at the age of 28. After the birth of my daughter, the diabetes went away. But, at the age of 35, it returned and I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Years later, diabetic complications started and have not stopped. At the age of 48, I had a stroke. At 50, I developed congestive heart failure and kidney problems, both of which have made Kaiser South Sacramento Hospital my home away from home. At 52, I was declared legally blind. I am now 54, and this - being legally blind - is the complication that I have struggled with the most.            

As a captioner, it is so important to be able to read what you are captioning so that you can correct errors and have the  captioning be as near to perfect as possible. Well, obviously without vision that can’t be done - at least not done in the way I had been accustomed to doing it for 21 years - or so I thought. Miraculously, the good news is that I am STILL doing my job. Unbelievable, huh?            

With the help of the AT, I have been able to continue captioning. Has it been difficult? Absolutely. Has it required a lot of flexibility and change? Yes, it has. But I am doing it! 

Rhett's two captioning screens

I still use the same captioning equipment I always have, but I now have a large (and I mean LARGE) screen attached to my computer. With specialized software for individuals that have low vision or are blind, I am able to enlarge the captioning I am doing on the larger screen while the captioning on the smaller screen stays the same. It is a miracle that, with the enlarged font and the inverted colors, I am able to see the words.            

With my agency, I also have a lot of office work. I currently use a CCTV to help me read my mail, sign pay checks, pay bills, and do invoicing. I didn’t even know about CCTVs until I became blind. This is something that can oftentimes be found in the AT Network Device Lending Library to borrow, should anyone wish to try it out themselves. I can no longer read text such as mail, books, or anything printed but the CCTV allows me to continue to see those things. It is the most amazing piece of AT that I use. I also have a portable CCTV that fits in my purse. I can take this to a restaurant and read the menu. Without this assistive technology, I would not have been able to continue to work or continue to do the many things that running an agency requires.            

What I am particularly thankful for is the fact that going into the field of captioning has allowed me to be exposed to the disability community. This has made my new journey so much easier. I have several blind friends that have inspired me with their professional and personal success and the way they live their lives. At times, I felt like giving up, as I got so weary. During those times, someone always came through to help lead me through it. It has been hard and I have changed a lot.            

I think being willing to change is the key here. The best advice came from a wonderful friend of mine, who also has vision loss. She said to me, “Rhett, if you are willing to do things differently, you are going to be fine. Step out of the box and be open to change.” 

Since then, several people have given me that same advice and this is where the AT comes in. I always go back to that solid advice when I feel defeated. I do things very differently now than I did just two years ago. I am sure that in two years from now I will be doing things differently again. I feel so fortunate to live in a time when AT is here to help me with these changes. If this had happened even 20 years ago, I would have had to quit. Perhaps someday I will reach that point, but it won’t be because of this disability. It will be because I am getting too old and it is time to retire.           

And actually, being blind is not all bad. At first I thought it was but now that I have settled in a bit, I am finding more and more good things about it. Yes, it is sad that I cannot see my daughter’s beautiful smile anymore. But on the flip side, she is apparently dying her hair every color of the rainbow right now and that, in particular, is a thing this mom doesn’t need to see – I’m good. Just sayin’…

DCAD 2014 - A Day of Disability Unity, Education, Celebration... and AT!

Disability Capitol Action Day 2014 took place on May 21^st in Sacramento and we thought it would be nice to share some photos from this successful and enjoyable event! 

The day started off with a Solidarity March from the Capitol Rose Garden to the West Lawn. Participants made signs to express what they thought was important for legislators and the public to consider, and then they marched all together toward the Capitol chanting with signs in tow. 

During this time, the Annual Disability Resource Fair was open, which featured forty outdoor booths with information and resources for people with disabilities and their allies. 

Next up was the Education Rally on the Capitol West Steps, where a variety of speakers spoke about the important topics of the day. After the Educational Rally, music was enjoyed; provided by the “Dream Achievers,” a band of young adults who performed live music.

DCAD 2014 was truly a success and we know that next year’s celebration of the 25^th anniversary of the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) will be even better. We hope to see you there!

Disability Resource Fair in Sacramento - Wednesday, May 21, 2014

What are you doing on Wednesday, May 21st?

If you can make it to Sacramento, come join the disability community for the 11th annual Disability Capitol Action Day (DCAD). DCAD is one of the nation’s largest and most diverse cross-disability annual days of unity. Recognizing the important issues facing people with disabilities and their allies in 2014, DCAD's theme is “The Time Is Now.” People from every corner of California will come to march in solidarity, share resources, and listen to passionate speakers. We will also discuss important issues like the In-Home Supportive Services, building accessible communities for all and the potential of the disability vote in the 2014 elections.

For over a decade now DCAD has continue to grow. Last year we welcomed over 2500 people and the Disability Resource Fair had more than 45 exhibitors there, sharing accessible resources, educational tools and products.

The Disability Resource Fair has some very exciting new exhibitors this year, including Innovations Health Devices, WHILL, Inc., Saltillo and the Prentke Romich Company, just to name a few. 

Innovations Health Devices will be demonstrating the exciting JACO.  JACO is an assistive robotic device that gives you the power and the freedom to do for yourself.  Check out this video of this robotic arm in action!

Innovations Health Devices will also have a wheelchair accessory, the Wijit, that improves mobility and reduces injury.

Also at DCAD will be a demo of the WHILL - a personal mobility device that traverses over sand, snow, gravel, and woodchips, and has a sleek and narrow design. Read our  blog about the amazing WHILL by clicking here.

 

Both the  Prentke Romich Company and Saltillo Corporation will be at DCAD to demo the latest and greatest in Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) devices. AAC is a term that is used to describe various methods of communication that can help people who are unable to use verbal speech to communicate. AAC can benefit a wide range of individuals, from a beginning communicator to a more sophisticated communicator who generates his own messages. 

 

Be a part of the DCAD 2014 team on social media! You can like us on FACEBOOK, follow us on TWITTER or share your DCAD story on TUMBLR and YOUTUBE. On all of our social media outlets we will be asking disability community members to complete this personal advocacy statement: “The time is now for …”

DCAD is for everyone who shares our common goal of increasing access and equality for people with disabilities. Please invite your friends, family, neighbors, colleagues and caregivers…and don’t delay, the time is now to join us today!

Tips for Planning an Accessible Meeting

by Rosemarie Punzalan, Program Coordinator

In-person meetings are great ways to network and collaborate with peers. They give participants a chance to connect on a more personal level than even the most interactive online platforms allow. They are a great way to share resources, as well as give an opportunity to brainstorm ideas with colleagues. However, it is important to  make sure that every individual can participate fully in the entire meeting. Namely, it is extremely important that your meeting is fully accessible to all. A first step is to make sure you and all of the meeting's planners are familiar with the Americans with Disabilities Act's Accessible Meetings document.

The meeting space should provide access to all attendees regardless of disability. Total accessibility includes not only the physical access of the building, room and parking lot, and the public transportation available, but also that other accommodations be made available by request. This could include the print materials being available in alternative formats such as large print, Braille, or on CDs for those that use screen readers. Additionally, a person may request live or closed captioning of the presentations. You should also be prepared to have the handout materials  in other languages such as Spanish or Chinese. Additionally, another accommodation that could be requested is a language interpreter that uses another language or American Sign Language.

Below are some basic tips to keep in mind when preparing for an accessible meeting:

• The indoor and outdoor routes and pathways to the site are accessible for someone who uses a cane, scooter, walker, wheelchair, or has a service animal;

• The signage wall mounts include Braille;

• The bathrooms are accessible;

• The meeting room's seating area is wide enough for pathway travel for someone who uses a wheelchair or scooter, etc. It is best to ask for floor plans of the room in advance of set up;

• Ensure the equipment such as a personal computer and/or laptop, assistive listening devices, microphones, projectors, TV decoders, and teleconference phones are available and in working condition; and

• Print materials are available in alternative formats as well as in other languages.

Below are some additional resources to learn more about ADA and planning accessible public meetings:

· Information and Technical Assistance on the Americans with Disabilities Act - http://www.ada.gov/

· California Department of Rehabilitation's Planning Accessible Public Meetings - http://www.rehab.cahwnet.gov/DisabilityAccessInfo/Planning-Accessible-Public-Meetings.html

· Independent Living Resource Center of San Francisco's Accessibility for People with Disabilities: Practical Tips Word Document - http://www.communitychoices.info/adrc/docs/ACC-TIPS.doc

· Independent Living Resource Center of San Francisco's Accessible Basic Guidelines Word Document - http://www.communitychoices.info/adrc/docs/ACCESSIBLE MEETINGS (2).doc

Do you have tips for making sure your meetings are fully accessible to all?  Let us know by typing in the comment section below. 

Donate Your Used AT for Earth Day

Do you have any gently used AT sitting around in your closet or garage?

 

Donate it for Earth Day!

It is that time of year again... time for some good old-fashioned spring cleaning!  Why not use Earth Day as your impetus to get organized, clean out that garage, basement or closet, and reduce, reuse, and recycle while you are at it. Chances are you have something collecting dust that someone else could use to be independent.

In honor of Earth Day and to promote our reuse partners, the AT Network is excited to announce our first annual Earth Day Reuse Drive with participating organizations throughout California .

 

Did you know that there are many organizations throughout California that accept gently-used donations of medical equipment and other AT devices?  Thanks to a generous donation from Molina Healthcare, the AT Network is kicking off its first annual Earth Day Reuse Drive to promote these amazing organizations' efforts. Not only are they keeping AT equipment from laying useless in landfills, but they are also getting it into the hands of people that really need it!  People like Araceli in Bakersfield. 

Araceli, a mother of two, uses a wheelchair because she has Cerebral Palsy.  She calls her wheelchair her "legs with wings" because it allows her to live independently and do all of the many things a mother of two needs to do. When she was in a car accident and her power chair was destroyed, Araceli's life stopped. She was distraught because she couldn't afford a new one or a rental and was told she would have to wait months for her insurance to cover it. Thanks to the Independent Living Center of Kern County and the AT Network's Keep the Wheels Rolling Repair Fund, Araceli was able to use a refurbished power wheelchair in the meantime. Araceli was greatful to have her "legs with wings" - and life - back.

You can further this great cause by donating any gently used items that might be useful to individuals with disabilities. Please contact each program directly to find out what equipment they accept and please let others know about these programs.  

Click here for a listing of other Reuse Organizations in California. 

Earth Day Sponsored by Molina Healthcare