Re-posted with permission from MATP By Aimee Sterk, LMSW, MATP Program Staff I had my first panic attack about a month ago, outside my doctor’s office. Stress from recent health crises and triggers from childhood trauma culminated in a very scary experience. My friend was able to talk me through breathing /stopping hyperventilating and came…
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…
by Emily Flynn, Program Coordinator I have recently started working for Ability Tools as the Program Coordinator for their Information and Referral line. I receive many questions every day and, most of the time, I am able to assist the individual with little to no problems by answering their questions and/ or giving them referrals…
By Rosemarie Punzalan, Program Coordinator for Ability Tools Do you want to borrow devices to try for free for thirty days? Below are some of the newest devices that have been recently added to the AT Exchange, on of the many free services of Ability Tools. (Computers & Related) J-Pad Joystick for iDevice This…
By Kirk Aranda, YO! Disabled & Proud Youth Advocate This article explains some common apps used by a variety of people with different disabilities. I have highlighted just four popular apps for your I-devices to help make every day life a little bit easier. There are literally thousands of applications (apps) that are available on…
Information compiled by: Rachel Anderson, Marketing & Communications Manager for Ability Tools Last Spring, the staff of Ability Tools had the chance to test drive this new personal mobility device – the WHILL – and listen to the founder explain why and how they invented this new design for a wheelchair. Check out our first…
Article from the AT Program News. AT Program News serves the state Assistive Technology Act Programs, the Alternative Financing Programs, and their community partners. by Amy Goldman Amy Goldman provides context and analyses of Medicare’s struggle to respond to changing times. AAC technology changes fast. Medicare policy? Not so much. 2014 has been a critical…
This week’s post comes to us from Aimee Sterk, LLMSW, of the Michigan Disability Rights Coalition (MDRC) and the Michigan Assistive Technology Project (MATP). You can find their blog and more information about MATP and MDRC by clicking here. Many of us feel as though we need to keep physical and emotional crises hidden, when…
Ability Tools just recently opened a nationwide contest where participating contestants could potentially win $500! The purpose of the contest is to showcase the creative ways people with disabilities use assistive technology (AT) in their daily lives. Many people with disabilities use AT to accomplish tasks they otherwise could not. Sometimes they modify a commercial…
Each year, the majority of the population makes at least one or more resolutions for the upcoming year. Subsequently, each year people get frustrated and quit their resolutions before Spring. Why do we fail and what assistive technology can help us achieve our goals? Fortunately, if you are the type of person that has made…