With the advent of the 3D printer, many AT “challenges” have arisen around the globe, inviting people with disabilities, engineers, and interested members of the public to create assistive technology solutions for people with disabilities. This is exciting to see, and, as one of our staff members who was able to participate in an AT…
by Kim Lathrop, Administrative Assistant, CFILC As an individual with extreme physical limitations (I was born without arms or legs) I have become more than acquainted with assistive technology and special mechanisms made with the intentions of making my life easier. I say ‘intentions’ because the people who are behind the creating/making process are usually…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…