Here at Ability Tools, we are always looking for good deals on Assistive Technology (AT) products to tell our readers about. During the holiday season it is a great time to find sales on those more expensive AT products, as sales are widespread and most stores participate in the giving spirit by giving consumers at…
The telephone may be an accepted part of life in the 21st century, but not for an estimated three million Californians. Most of us take using the telephone for granted. But if you have difficulty hearing, seeing, speaking, moving, or remembering, what seems to be a simple telephone call can be challenging to many—preventing communication…
Do you ever listen to Science Fridays on NPR? This great radio show broadcasts on many public radio stations on Fridays from 11am – 1pm (PST). If you can’t listen to it live, you can also stream it from their website when it is convenient for you. Well, last week’s topic on Science Friday August…
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…
by Samantha Garcia, Office & Logistics Coordinator Henry lives in a nursing home. He has dementia, rarely speaks and rarely moves. But when he is given headphones attached to an iPod with music specific to his age and known memories, he is moved – to dance, to sing, to speak about what it has given…
by Nubyaan Scott, Program Coordinator for Ability Tools Many of you may know Amazon for its widely diverse online marketplace where you can buy anything from a squat stand to a Roswell soil sample. But, did you know they also make a smartphone? A couple of weeks ago the company revealed that it had designed…
By Rhett Simmons of West Coast Captioning Assistive Technology (AT) has been a major part of my life for the last 23 years. In 1991, I started using AT to provide captioning services for Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals. In case you don’t know, captioning is the black box with words in it…
Disability Capitol Action Day 2014 took place on May 21st in Sacramento and we thought it would be nice to share some photos from this successful and enjoyable event! The day started off with a Solidarity March from the Capitol Rose Garden to the West Lawn. Participants made signs to express what they thought was…
What are you doing on Wednesday, May 21st? If you can make it to Sacramento, come join the disability community for the 11th 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…
by Rosemarie Punzalan, Program Coordinator In-person meetings are great ways to network and collaborate with peers. They give participants a chance to connect on a more personal level than even the most interactive online platforms allow. They are a great way to share resources, as well as give an opportunity to brainstorm ideas with colleagues.…