Reprinted from Easter Seals Crossroads and INDATA Written by Laura Medcalf Scenario 1: In today’s fast-paced society, it seems as though we’re always in a rush. We’ve been spoiled with smart technologies that provide us with instant notifications of texts, emails, and other miscellaneous alerts. We’ve grown accustomed to everything being so instant and easy…
by the California Department of Rehabilitation Traumatic brain injury, TBI for short, is a forceful impact to the head that disrupts the normal functioning of the brain, resulting in an array of physical, mental, emotional and intellectual symptoms and disabilities. TBIs occur more frequently than you might anticipate. According to the Centers for Disease Control,…
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…
What is AT? Assistive Technology (AT) is any object, device or tool used to make life easier. Specifically, Assistive Technology is any device, gadget, hardware or software used by a person with a disability to do things for themselves that might otherwise be difficult or impossible to do because of their disability. Assistive Technology helps…
Did you know that Ability Tools runs 11 Device Lending Libraries (DLLs) throughout the state of California? Our DLLs provide short-term loans of assistive devices and gadgets that can help Californians live independently. Whether the need is temporary or if you would just like to try out some devices before you spend money on them,…
By Emily Flynn, Program Coordinator for Ability Tools This month, I had the pleasure of interviewing Patrick Tran for our “Get to Know Your AT Advocate!” blog series. Patrick has been an AT Advocate at Service Center for Independent Life for two years. He was recently voted “AT Advocate of the Year” by his peers…
Do you ever listen to Science Fridays on NPR? This great radio show broadcasts on many public radio stations on Fridays from 11am – 1pm (PST). If you can’t listen to it live, you can also stream it from their website when it is convenient for you. Well, last week’s topic on Science Friday August…
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…