Article in Seattle Times on Deaf Review

The Seattle Times features an article about client of the Washington Access Fund, Melissa “Echo” Greenlee, who participated in the Individual Development Account (IDA) Program, and used her savings to set up the deafREVIEW website.

http://seattletimes.com/html/businesstechnology/2021013935_deafreviewxml.html.

Link to deafREVIEW: http://deafreview.com/

Windows 8 Ease of Access

Earlier this month, WATAP’s Assistive Technology Specialists, Maria Kelley and Gaby de Jongh, were busy presenting on the built-in accessibility features of Windows 8 on the Surface tablet. The trainings included how to locate and initiate the Ease of Access programs and address situations where using the built-in features would be appropriate for consumers with disabilities. Two back-to-back presentations were held at the SW Washington Special Education conference with 30 parents and educators from the south west part of the state.  At the NW Washington Assistive Technology Interest Group meeting thirty two K-12 and higher education professionals from the northern part of the state learned how accessibility of Widows 8 could benefit their students.

For a number of the participants, learning that these free options were available in the operating system they already used was great news. Our AT Specialists answered questions from educators and parents on how to utilize the magnification and high contrast features in conjunction with other software programs for individuals with low vision. One educator wanted specific information on how Narrator, Windows built-in screen reader, could be beneficial for an individual with a learning disability. Our AT Specialists were able to provide her with information about how she could use speech output as an alternative method for accessing printed material.

One individual shared their own experience with built-in Speech Recognition, and how they were able to use dictation for composing emails and editing documents as they were unable to use a keyboard effectively due to suffering a sprained wrist. When one of our AT Specialists asked if they used Speech Recognition to launch programs and navigate around the screen using their voice instead of a mouse, the individual didn’t realize the program had that capability but was excited to try it out.

The built-in accessibility features of the Windows Operating system have successively improved with each iteration. And while many third party software programs offer accessibility where there may not have been before, the built-in features make it more cost effective and available for everyone to use.

Free Webinar: Strategies for Selecting Assitive Technology

Please join the Washington Assistive Technology Act Program (WATAP) and the Washington Access Fund for a free webinar on Selecting Assistive Technology on Thursday, May 16^th at 10:00am.

Image of assistive technology clustered on a desk

Selecting the appropriate assistive technology can be a daunting and intimidating task  in a world where devices and  disability software programs are changing quickly.  Assistive technology can make a significant difference in a person’s level of functional independence but choosing the wrong AT can lead to abandonment and loss of financial investments.   This webinar will provide information on the process of selecting  assistive technology to improve functional outcomes.

Visit this link to register for this free webinar: https://catalyst.uw.edu/webq/survey/gabyd/199981 Once you have registered, we will provide you with a link to attend the webinar and call-in information. This webinar will be captioned.

Assistive Technology Open House for Families at DSB

Ever wonder what kind of technology is out there for a child who is blind or has low vision? Department of Services for the Blind (DSB) is opening its doors to their Assistive Technology (AT) and Low Vision (LV) Labs to provide you and your family with a hands-on experience! Come try out a wide range of tools, devices and technology to see what’s out there! Staff will be on site to answer your questions. We'll be there with the Washington Access Fund to provide information about our services. Light refreshments will be provided.
Please RSVP by April 19 to Janet George at (206) 906-5530 or janet.george@dsb.wa.gov
Event: Thursday, April 25, 2013 3:00-7:00 pm Where: Department of Services for the Blind (DSB) 3411 South Alaska St, Seattle, WA 98118

Hearing Aids and Assistive Listening Devices – Webinar series from WATAP and the Access Fund

Please join WATAP, the Access Fund, and Steve Hillson, Manager of the Hearing Speech and Deafness Center, as he discusses assistive listening devices and hearing aids.

Assistive listening devices and hearing aids are often thought of separately. However, as hearing aid technology advances, the trend is for assistive listening devices to merge with hearing aids. The goal of this presentation is to show how significantly ALDs can enhance hearing aid success.

Register now for a free webinar on Thursday, March 21^st at 10 o’clock by emailing: watap@uw.edu, or by phone at: 800 214-8731. Once you have registered, we will provide you with a link to attend the webinar and call-in information. This webinar will be captioned.

AAC Serving Non-speakers in Medical Settings: Quick Strategies with and without technology - EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION EXTENDED!!!

Early Bird Registration has been extended one week! Register by Friday, March 8^th to receive this discount!

The University of Washington

Speech & Hearing Sciences
Center for Technology & Disability Studies
Are co-sponsoring a Workshop

Friday March 22, 2013
7273 Linderson Way SW
Labor & Industries Auditorium
Tumwater, WA 98501
Full day course offering 0.6 CEUs from ASHA

Register: https://www.regonline.com/AACworkshop03-2013
Student scholarships and discounts for SLPs in their CF year will be available during early bird registration

AAC Serving Non-speakers in Medical Settings: Quick Strategies with and without technology

This one-day workshop will focus on serving non-speaking adults, teens and youth in medical settings, ranging from intensive care to rehabilitation and long-term care. Particular emphasis will be given to serving individuals who have lost communication abilities due to traumatic brain injury, stroke, cancer, or degenerative disease. Addressing the Joint Commission Standard RI.2.100 which requires that the organization "respects the patient's right to and need for effective communication," this course begins with oral strategies but quickly moves to aided communication with and without technology.

Learning Objectives

• Describe three broad categories of AAC referrals in a medical setting.
• Design an AAC Toolkit of materials that will provide the basic tools for serving most patients.
• Convert an ordinary laptop computer into a Speech Generating Device (SGD) that will suffice for some patients with good hand control.
• Describe several low-tech and no-tech strategies that can be set up quickly for some patients with severe motor impairments.
• Use Features-based approach to describe and recommend either traditional AAC devices or new mobile devices with apps.
• Explain the SLPs changing role in AAC with new technology.

Patricia Dowden, Ph.D., CCC-SLP is a Clinical Assistant Professor in Speech & Hearing Sciences at the University of Washington. She has been teaching, researching and providing clinical services to children and adults with complex needs for over 30 years.

This course is offered for 0.6 CEUs (Intermediate level, Professional area)

WA Assistive Technology Workshop - Bringing Technology and Users Together

This exciting workshop will focus on Assistive and Information Technology and the emerging best practices on using technology to promote independence, communication, productivity and inclusion.

In addition to presentations by regional experts, there will be small group demonstrations and hands-on experiences, as well as panel discussions about the next steps to incorporate AT and IT. Please feel free to bring your own electronic devices.

The workshop is intended for residential and vocational providers, VR and transition specialists in Washington State. Participants will learn:

• How is technology being used by people with developmental disabilities?
• How can employment & residential agencies promote the use of AT and IT?
• What equipment, devices and apps are people finding helpful?

Clock hours for teachers and CEUs for VR staff are available

Registration is FREE!

March 25, 2013, 9 am to 4 pm
Spokane Community College, Spokane, WA
Register for Spokane

April 17, 2013, 9 am to 4 pm
Pierce Co. Environmental Sciences Building, Tacoma, WA
Register for Tacoma

If you need registration assistance, contact: conference@sa-ti.org

Presenters Include:
John Lemus - Skils’Kin
Veronica Cook - Shoreline School District
Marsha Threlkeld - WiSe
Francisco Felan - DVR AT Coordinator (Spokane only)
Bill Youngman - DVR AT Coordinator (Tacoma only)
Maria Kelley - WA Assistive Technology Act Program
WA Access Fund