By Laura Simmons-Martinez, Technology Project Director, Team of Advocates for Special Kids (TASK) Project Communicate is the much-needed piece that links (AAC) augmentative and alternative communication to TASK’s TECH Center services. Thanks to a generous grant from the Disability Communications Fund, we are thrilled to be able to provide this service to those in need.…
The Amputee Coalition, along with many others in the prosthetic limb communities, are asking for help in raising awareness of a recent Medicare policy proposal released on July 16 that has the potential to drastically change prosthetic care for individuals with amputations. Keep in mind that even if you’re not currently a Medicare patient, private…
written by Erin Lauridsen, Assistive Technology Educator at ILRCSF Parents of children with disabilities know that part of parenting is navigating complex systems and resources. Jasmin is just such a navigator for her 5 year-old son, Jordan. Jordan has low muscle tone, a mild hearing loss, and developmental delays. Jordan cannot speak, but understands spoken…
By Emily Flynn, Program Coordinator for Ability Tools This month, I had the pleasure of interviewing Amy Liu for our “Get to Know Your AT Advocate!” blog series. Amy is an AT Advocate at Center for Independent Living that has locations in Oakland and Berkeley. Amy has been an AT Advocate for over two years…
By guest blogger, William Kellogg, High Tech High International We didn’t ask Picasso to work without paint and we didn’t ask Michelangelo to work without marble. We saw the value in giving them the tools to succeed, and they didn’t even identify as disabled. It is for this reason I struggle to understand why there…
by Kim Lathrop, Administrative Staff at CFILC Hi! My name is Kim. I am a 29 year old single woman and I live with my two Shih Tzus in my own apartment. Now, all of that may not seem too out of the ordinary, but I did leave out one detail…. I was born without…
By Emily Flynn, Program Coordinator for Ability Tools This month, I had the pleasure of interviewing Jorge Ruiz for our new AT Advocate’s Blog series. Jorge is an AT Advocate at Central Coast Center for Independent Living (CCCIL) in Salinas, CA. Jorge has been an extraordinary member of CCCIL’s team for over five years now! …
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…
This post was reprinted with permission from disABILITY WORK TOOLS Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Tax Incentives can help offset the cost of accommodating a worker’s disability. With assistive technology and accommodations workers can keep doing their jobs instead of quitting their trade and applying for social security disability payments. Workers and employers often do…
by Emily Flynn, Program Coordinator I have recently started working for Ability Tools as the Program Coordinator for their Information and Referral line. I receive many questions every day and, most of the time, I am able to assist the individual with little to no problems by answering their questions and/ or giving them referrals…