screenshot of windows speech recognition software with text that says "voice commands are so cool!"

Revisiting Microsoft Windows Speech Recognition Software: An Underrated and Under-Marketed Feature of Windows 7/8

by Chi Hung Luke Hsieh, Assistive Technology Advocate at Community Access Center For Assistive/Adaptive Technology and Rehabilitative professionals, Dragon Naturally Speaking from Nuance has become the go-to software for people with fine-motor challenges. It’s almost a knee-jerk reaction to recommend Dragon to all people that have trouble manipulating the mouse and/or keyboard. And, it maybe…

Picture of Nicole seated and smiling at her computer desk and using a Braille note.

Digital Access Project and Ability Tools

By Emily Flynn, Program Coordinator, Ability Tools I have been working with Ability Tools and CFILC’s Digital Access Project for about six months now and I have been really enjoying seeing the connection between the two programs. The partnership between the assistive technology (AT) that Ability Tools provides and Digital Access Project’s low-cost internet service…

picture of Jorge and his consumer talking in chairs in his office

Get to Know Your AT Advocate!

By Emily Flynn, Program Coordinator for Ability Tools This month, I had the pleasure of interviewing Jorge Ruiz for our new AT Advocate’s Blog series.  Jorge is an AT Advocate at Central Coast Center for Independent Living (CCCIL) in Salinas, CA.  Jorge has been an extraordinary member of CCCIL’s team for over five years now! …

logo of AT video contest: says show off your Assistive Technology 2015 video contest with side yellow leaves framing it

Show Off Your AT Video Contest Winners!

Earlier this year, Ability Tools launched their second AT video contest. We were so pleased with all of the submissions we received and would like to thank each and every contestant for entering! The purpose of this contest was to showcase creative ways people with disabilities use assistive technology (AT). AT is any object, device…

picture of a woman walking with a black service animal on a college campus

Disability Support Programs and Services – College for All!

To see the complete article, visit:  12 Questions to Ask about a College’s Disability Services. Disability Support Programs and Services (DSPS) were enacted in 1976 through the passage of Assembly Bill 77 (Lanterman), which funds support services and instructional programs for students with disabilities in the California Community Colleges.  DSPS assists colleges to provide services…

Image of DCAD 2014 with marchers as far as the eye can see. Image reads Wednesday May 20th, 2015. ADA - Today, Tomorrow, Forever! 12th Annual Disability Capitol Action Day, State Capitol Sacramento California.

12th Annual Disability Capitol Action Day Resource Fair: ADA – Today, Tomorrow, Forever!

What are you doing on Wednesday, May 20th? Join us in Sacramento for the 12th 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 and in honor of the 25th anniversary of…

Picture of Aleta with her two daughters she is sitting in a wheelchair smiling and her two daughters are behind her standing and there is a lake behind them

Wheelchair88 Offers a New Form of Interdependence For Travelers Using Wheelchairs

by Alette Coble-Temple, PsyD As Ms. Wheelchair California 2015, I am honored that I have been asked to blog for Ability Tools. As a woman with cerebral palsy, interdependence is a foundational aspect of my life. I achieve interdependence by using assistive technology, devices, and personal assistants. While I consider myself successful in navigating life…

$5000 Workplace Accessibility Credit

This post was reprinted with permission from disABILITY WORK TOOLS Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Tax Incentives can help offset the cost of accommodating a worker’s disability.  With assistive technology and accommodations workers can keep doing their jobs instead of quitting their trade and applying for social security disability payments.  Workers and employers often do…