by Rosemarie Punzalan, AT Network Training Specialist
Zebreda Dunham and Martin Sweeney recently presented at the AT Network’s Southern California Quarterly Regional Meeting on November 20, 2012 at the California Endowment in Los Angeles, CA. To the delight of all of the individuals interested in AT at this meeting, they explored the low-tech, low-cost, down-and-dirty DIY world of assistive technology.
Born in Maryland and now a resident of Pasadena, Dunham is a young woman constantly adapting and modifying the world around her. From a gate opener to smartphone remote, from an umbrella holder to a power soccer guard, from adapted scissors to a joystick helper, Zebreda shared her philosophy about accessibility as well as demonstrated some of the products she has created, adapted and/or modified.
Zebreda Makes It Work! is a series of videos and experiences that highlights a frame of mind about assistive technology and how to imagine, create, adapt and troubleshoot your world and overcome whatever obstacles you might encounter. Below are some of the innovative videos Zebreda shared:
Door Stopper
Door Alarm
Key Turner
Gate Opener
As Dunham notes, “We need each other to survive in this world. I feel that just because you might be labeled as having a disability, you don’t have to disable yourself. Many times those doing the labeling are unaware of the true intelligence and abilities of the individual and more than likely they are the ignorant ones. You are as disabled as you make yourself. I don’t consider myself as being disabled—I consider myself as differently-abled.”
Sweeney was director of the AT Network (2006-09), founding director of the Assistive Technology Project at the Lanterman Regional Center (1998-2006), training consultant for the Center for Accessible Technology (2010-11) and is now a development adviser for the India America Assistive Technology Exchange in Mumbai and Bangalore.
Does Assistive Technology (AT) play a role in your life?
Have you created, adapted, and modified a product to make your life easier?
Want to show off the AT you use or the AT you have created? Check out the AT Network’s video conteston how to enter and you could win $400!
