By Jorge Ruiz, Assistive Technology Coordinator at the Central Coast Center for Independent Living in Salinas As an assistive technology advocate, I often get requests from consumers on a variety of different pieces of equipment and services. Recently many of our consumers have inquired about funding assistance for basic eye glasses. Of course, before acquiring…
By Shannon Ramsay, CFILC’s Information & Assistance Advocate We increasingly communicate using advanced devices that zip data back and forth between us over the Internet. Since many of these new types of communication technology have not been designed to be accessible for those of us with hearing impairments, it has become necessary to update and…
by Fred Tchang, ATP and Director, Assistive Technology Services in New Jersey People working in the field of assistive technology have many different backgrounds–education, technology, therapy. The one credential that unites us is the RESNA Assistive Technology Professional (ATP). How does a credential differ from a training course? Training courses are great for learning new…
By Allan Friedman, CFILC’s Technologies ManagerMost of us tend to think about big things in AT–communication devices, wheelchairs, ramps, iPads, computer screenreaders. But it’s the little things, low-tech improvisations, that often mean the most to users of assistive technology. Whether it’s taping a stick to a hair brush to extend one’s reach or hanging a…
by Allan Friedman, CFILC’s Technologies ManagerCompetitive bidding sounds like a good idea, right? Get the lowest price and the best deal. Save money. What could go wrong?Plenty, especially when it’s Medicare running the process and durable medical equipment (DME) vendors doing the bidding. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Competitive Bidding Program for…
By Shannon Coe, CFILC’s Reuse & Finance Coordinator Yesterday, as our country celebrated Independence Day with friends and family, I also got to enjoy a clean Independence Day with my husband and friends with the help of Wally. No, Wally is not a dog or a cat. He is cleaner than any dog or fury…
By Shannon Ramsay, CFILC’s Information and Assistance Advocate So many of the ways that we communicate vital information are not fully accessible to people with disabilities. The 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010 (from here forward referred to as “the Act”) was signed into law by President Obama on October 8, 2010…
It’s time for an AT Network success story.Sometimes the difference between living on one’s own and requiring skilled nursing care can be as simple as a single assistive device. “Mary” (not her real name) is a senior living in the Santa Barbara area. She lived by herself in the home she and her late husband purchased…
By Luke Hsieh, AT Advocate at the Community Access Center, Riverside As far as computer screen readers go, JAWS from Freedom Scientific has become something of an absolute standard. Last time I checked, a copy of JAWS standard version costs $895. In case the irony escapes you, $895 is approximately the same amount of a…
By Rosemarie Punzalan, CFILC’s Communications Specialist 1. You are already on Facebook. You often log in to Facebook and refresh your News Feed hundreds of times a day anyway. If you “Like” the AT Network, then you will receive AT-related news updates. 2. Give us feedback. The AT Network is always curious to learn what our AT…