White background with blacjk letters that read 'new tech new year". colorful gears border the writing

New Year, New Tech

AT Advocates are community based information and referral specialists who can assist consumers with a variety of assistive technology issues. They work at Independent Living Centers in California.  Ability Tools wouldn’t be the program it is without these advocates and all their hard work. With the New Year approaching we asked our advocates to tell…

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The Transformers Cometh!

Written by:  Luke C. Hsieh, Assistive Technology Advocate, Community Access Center While there has been little exciting news in the realm of high-tech consumer electronics – other than the soul-eating-time-devouring-productivity-killing Pokemon Go – there is some news in the tablet word. Sometimes masquerading as a therapeutic app for people with agoraphobia, or, more generally, a…

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Gaining a Grasp on Assistive Technology

By Maggie Mahony, Grasp Assistive Technologies Grasp Assistive Technologies aims to deliver every benefit of technology to enhance communication, interaction, and learning.  We specialize in offering assistive technologies and educational toys from around the world.  We believe in the power of progress; and that each advancement, big or small, is a critical step towards independence.…

Financial Loans for Assistive Technology Now Available in California!

Financial Loans for Assistive Technology Now Available in California! Finding money to pay for assistive technology can be a challenge for many people with disabilities and qualifying for a loan may seem like an impossible task due to limited income and credit history. Fortunately, on July 11th, CFILC launched a low-interest financial loan program for…

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Celebrate your Independence with Assistive Technology (AT)!

Happy 4th of July from Ability Tools! Did you know that we have hundreds of different items for loan and even some gently used items that are FREE available on our website? We call this the AT Exchange – AT stands for for assistive technology, i.e. things that make your life easier.  It can include…

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National Reuse Conference Declared a Success by All!

We had such an exciting and successful Ability Tools Reuse Conference! Thanks to everyone that made it out to Sacramento last week! At this national conference, we were fortunate to have folks from all over the United States join us to learn, share, collaborate, and strengthen the Reuse movement in California. Many participants were from…

Assistive Technology with RJ Cooper & Associates, Inc

Have you heard of RJ Cooper & Associates, Inc? If not, you should check him out and sign up to receive his e-newsletters.  He makes specialized software and hardware products for people with disabilities.  He also does road trips and likes to work with others to develop improved assistive technology for all! Here is his…

The State of the Self-Driving Car

by Mike Monticello, for Consumer Reports, March 2016. Original article in its entirety located here. Teresa Favuzzi is a good driver; it’s every­one else around her who is a maniac. Favuzzi’s partner is legally blind, so the 54-year-old independent-­living director from Sacramento, Calif., is used to taking the wheel of the family car. She makes…

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What’s Happening at Ability Tools…

Did you check out our 2016 Assistive Technology (AT) Photo Contest?  We opened the voting of the top ten finalists up to the public and here are a couple of the winners! See all of the winners by clicking here. Thanks to everyone that participated! It was a great event and we will surely do…