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…
You might be asking yourself, “What, exactly, are switches?” Switches are an assistive technology used by individuals with different disabilities for many different reasons. Switches can act as communication devices, to teach cause and effect, and they can take the place of using a keyboard or a mouse. They come in a variety of shapes…
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 Chi Hung Luke Hsieh, Assistive Technology Advocate at Community Access Center For Assistive/Adaptive Technology and Rehabilitative professionals, Dragon Naturally Speaking from Nuance has become the go-to software for people with fine-motor challenges. It’s almost a knee-jerk reaction to recommend Dragon to all people that have trouble manipulating the mouse and/or keyboard. And, it maybe…
Button and Zip wtih No Grip (BAZWNG) is a low-tech assistive technology designed and developed by Shawn O’Bray. It is a dressing aid designed to help button and zip pants independently. : Here is Shawn’s story: When I was 19 I was in a car accident that left me paralyzed. I spent 5 1/2 months…
By Emily Flynn, Program Coordinator, Ability Tools I have been working with Ability Tools and CFILC’s Digital Access Project for about six months now and I have been really enjoying seeing the connection between the two programs. The partnership between the assistive technology (AT) that Ability Tools provides and Digital Access Project’s low-cost internet service…
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…