The Ability Tools team at the California Foundation for Independent Living (CFILC) opted to let our assistive technology (AT) advocates and the general public vote online for a new blog name. With over 50% of the votes, Where It’s AT won! When you think of an assistive technology (AT) blog – Ability Tools is Where…
By Alexa McBride The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was passed on July 26th, 1990. The bill was signed by then President George W. Bush. The ADA gave millions of Americans who have disabilities access to public places, transportation, education, employment and housing. I recently learned that President Bush had a sister-in-law with a disability.…
Written By: Tiffany Taylor, YO! YAC Member & Halten Center for the Blind Who is Tiffany Taylor? I am a teacher of Braille, Assistive Technology, Independent Living Skills and Financial Management at the Hatlen Center for the Blind. I also happen to be a graduate of the program who is visually impaired. What does Independence…
Hey! Did you know June is National Safety Month? Safety and disability can go hand-in-hand, and assistive technology can help. From special locks, alarms and environmental adaptations, here are some examples on how people with disabilities can keep themselves and their families safe. Locks Wireless Remote Controlled Door Locks For those with limited dexterity, fine…
By Jacquelyn E. and Katie J. At Grizzly Creek Ranch* (GCR) in Portola, CA we had a statewide summit for Disability Pride and Leadership. The purpose of the summit was to bring together youth with disabilities from across California to start making a campaign for Disability Pride Month in July. When we arrived at the…
Written by: Luke Hsieh, Assistive Technology Advocate Community Access Center For this top five countdown, I will be ranking my my five favorite assistive technology devices from high-tech to low-tech. By September next year, I will have worked a full decade as an assistive technology specialist for an Independent Living Center. The first generation iPad…
Written By: Liz Pazdral, Executive Director of the State Independent Living Council (SILC) and Madeleine’s Mom If you are living with a disability, you know that modifying tasks is the key to success. This Mother’s Day, I would like to identify some Assistive Technology I used to successfully mother when my daughter was a baby.…
Written By: Ability Tools Staff Did you know that California has a state program that provides FREE phone to individuals with various disabilities? These phones are provided by the Deaf and Disabled Telecommunications Program (DDTP) at no charge to eligible Californians. DDTP distributes telecommunications equipment and services that improve communication for all Californians. A program of the…
By: Kyla Aquino Irving- Communications and Marketing Manager, CFILC Adriana Mallozzi, CEO and Founder of Boston area-based Puffin Innovations, is on a mission to empower people with disabilities by providing innovative assistive technology (AT) devices. Adriana grew up with a disability at a young age and was exposed to AT by an occupational therapist…
A new self driving bus, named Olli, is in the works that does a lot more than taking people places. An accessible version of the bus, called “Accessible Olli” will be using IBM’s artificial intelligence powered Watson technology to communicate with passengers since there will be no driver or staff on it. For example, when…