diagram of brain with the left side colored orange and the right side colored blue

Finding Hope After a Stroke

Submitted by Lingraphica  Do you suffer from aphasia or know someone who does? Lingraphica’s communication devices are designed specifically for adults with speech and language disorders. Lingraphica provides clinically relevant tools and services to help individuals with language and cognitive disorders connect with family, friends, and communities. Working in partnership with clinicians and caregivers, Lingraphica’s…

Road sign saying welcome to California with state flower on it.

Welcome to California

by: Emily Flynn, Ability Tools Information and Advocacy Specialist Working our information and referral line can bring on some very interesting calls. I speak with people from all walks of life and with all different types of disabilities that affect them. Our goal at Ability Tools is to help individuals with disabilities find assistive technology…

picture of the ez lite crusier poratble foldable lightweight power chair

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…

It’s Getting HOT Out There! Stay Cool With AT…

By Rachel Anderson, Ability Tools With temperatures still skyrocketing in California, we thought it would be a good time to talk about some AT, including DIY AT, for dealing with this heat.  Our definition of assistive technology, or AT, is very broad, and to us means  any object, device or tool used to make life…

Accessing Our Country’s National Park Sites and Sights

Summer is almost over, but there is still time to enjoy our beautiful National Parks!  Here is a featured blog from Disability Blog about how the parks are improving their services to allow all individuals to enjoy the wonderful outdoor experiences that our country has to offer.  Enjoy it and get out there while you…

Catherine at table using headset mouse with her computer

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…

gnetleman in front of a podium is talking in front of an Ability Tools banner

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…