screenshot of windows speech recognition software with text that says "voice commands are so cool!"

Revisiting Microsoft Windows Speech Recognition Software: An Underrated and Under-Marketed Feature of Windows 7/8

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…

logo of AT video contest: says show off your Assistive Technology 2015 video contest with side yellow leaves framing it

Show Off Your AT Video Contest Winners!

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…

picture of a woman walking with a black service animal on a college campus

Disability Support Programs and Services – College for All!

To see the complete article, visit:  12 Questions to Ask about a College’s Disability Services. Disability Support Programs and Services (DSPS) were enacted in 1976 through the passage of Assembly Bill 77 (Lanterman), which funds support services and instructional programs for students with disabilities in the California Community Colleges.  DSPS assists colleges to provide services…

Image of DCAD 2014 with marchers as far as the eye can see. Image reads Wednesday May 20th, 2015. ADA - Today, Tomorrow, Forever! 12th Annual Disability Capitol Action Day, State Capitol Sacramento California.

12th Annual Disability Capitol Action Day Resource Fair: ADA – Today, Tomorrow, Forever!

What are you doing on Wednesday, May 20th? Join us in Sacramento for the 12th annual Disability Capitol Action Day (DCAD)!  DCAD is one of the nation’s largest and most diverse cross-disability annual days of unity. Recognizing the important issues facing people with disabilities and their allies and in honor of the 25th anniversary of…

Picture of Aleta with her two daughters she is sitting in a wheelchair smiling and her two daughters are behind her standing and there is a lake behind them

Wheelchair88 Offers a New Form of Interdependence For Travelers Using Wheelchairs

by Alette Coble-Temple, PsyD As Ms. Wheelchair California 2015, I am honored that I have been asked to blog for Ability Tools. As a woman with cerebral palsy, interdependence is a foundational aspect of my life. I achieve interdependence by using assistive technology, devices, and personal assistants. While I consider myself successful in navigating life…

$5000 Workplace Accessibility Credit

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…

picture of an accessible tub with a walk in door and blue water inside the white tub with silver metal handles

Where Are All the Walk-in Tubs?

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…