{"id":3838,"date":"2020-09-02T10:00:00","date_gmt":"2020-09-02T18:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/abilitytools.org\/blog\/?p=3838"},"modified":"2020-09-12T13:03:00","modified_gmt":"2020-09-12T21:03:00","slug":"accessing-at-for-all-ages","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/abilitytools.org\/blog\/accessing-at-for-all-ages\/","title":{"rendered":"Accessing AT for All Ages"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>A woman in San Luis Obispo was in need of <a href=\"https:\/\/abilitytools.org\/about\/what-is-at.php\">Assistive Technology (AT)<\/a> for members of her multigenerational family. She reached out to <a href=\"https:\/\/ccatc.org\/\">Central Coast Assistive Technology Center (CCATC)<\/a> and connected with their Director, Paul Mortola. <br>She was so pleased with her family&#8217;s experience, that she sent in a heartfelt letter to express what her local <a href=\"https:\/\/abilitytools.org\/services\/device-lending-library.php#San%20Luis%20Obispo\">Device Lending and Demonstration Center (DLDC)<\/a> means to her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/abilitytools.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/CCATC-Success-Story-V2.png\" alt=\"Photo of Younger adult male, sitting at a table, utilizing a GoTalk 20+, AAC device. Ability Tools Logo. Text: Ability Tools Blog - Accessing AT For All Ages - The Central Coast Assisstive Technology Center (CCATC) - www.AbilityTools.org\/blog\" class=\"wp-image-3840\" width=\"702\" height=\"352\" srcset=\"https:\/\/abilitytools.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/CCATC-Success-Story-V2.png 1024w, https:\/\/abilitytools.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/CCATC-Success-Story-V2-300x150.png 300w, https:\/\/abilitytools.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/CCATC-Success-Story-V2-768x384.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 702px) 100vw, 702px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container\"><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container\"><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container\"><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<p style=\"background-color:#dffae5;color:#000000\" class=\"has-text-color has-background\">To Whom it May Concern &#8211;<br><br>I am writing to send some acknowledgement and gratitude to the <a href=\"https:\/\/ccatc.org\/\">Central Coast Assistive Technology Center in San Luis Obispo<\/a>! The CCATC has a &#8220;treasure trove&#8221; of equipment available to community members who might need some assistive supports for maximizing independence in everyday activities. Not only does the CCATC have a large supply of equipment in stock- but they will take the time to assess what supports might be needed. And, if they don&#8217;t have a product in stock, their helpful staff will try to <a href=\"https:\/\/testing.myatprogram.org\/home\/6\">search other state-wide lending programs<\/a> to get the product that one might need!<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-pullquote\" style=\"border-color:#6a796d\"><blockquote class=\"has-text-color\" style=\"color:#5f666c\"><p><strong>CCATC has a &#8220;treasure trove&#8221; of equipment <\/strong>&#8230; <strong>for maximizing independence in everyday activities.<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"background-color:#dffae5;color:#000000\" class=\"has-text-color has-background\">When my father was diagnosed with macular degeneration he struggled with reading text. Not only did reading bring him fulfillment, it also allowed him a degree of independence that was critical to his wellbeing. Paul Mortola from the CCATC was extremely patient in providing a variety of equipment to trial \u2013 from <a href=\"https:\/\/myatprogram.org\/DeviceLoan\/DeviceInfo\/0bcb4315-8248-4e34-853a-c0c87649505f\/73bd79d2-f33a-43e7-b312-a9c4a19386e4\/0\">audio pens<\/a> to <a href=\"https:\/\/myatprogram.org\/DeviceLoan\/DeviceInfo\/4b7939ca-e602-412e-aa54-a42d0dd6054b\/73bd79d2-f33a-43e7-b312-a9c4a19386e4\/0\">digital voice recorders<\/a>. He also helped to refer my dad for low-vision support services, assisted with accessing <a href=\"https:\/\/nlsbard.loc.gov\/nlsbardprod\/support\/applicationinstructions\">the Library of Congress Talking Books Program<\/a> and helped my dad purchase an <a href=\"https:\/\/myatprogram.org\/DeviceLoan\/DeviceInfo\/5c6c7406-0722-442e-9d76-81b4c6cdaaa2\/73bd79d2-f33a-43e7-b312-a9c4a19386e4\/0\">Eye-Pal Solo<\/a> (which my 90- year-old dad affectionately nick-named &#8220;Eddie&#8221;!).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide is-stacked-on-mobile\" style=\"grid-template-columns:28% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"273\" height=\"318\" src=\"https:\/\/abilitytools.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Eye-Pal-Solo.png\" alt=\"An Eye Pal Solo Vision Device\" class=\"wp-image-3842\" srcset=\"https:\/\/abilitytools.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Eye-Pal-Solo.png 273w, https:\/\/abilitytools.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Eye-Pal-Solo-258x300.png 258w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 273px) 100vw, 273px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p style=\"font-size:14px\">Check out the Eye-Pal Solo and more assistive technology at the <a href=\"https:\/\/myatprogram.org\/DeviceLoan\/DeviceInfo\/5c6c7406-0722-442e-9d76-81b4c6cdaaa2\/73bd79d2-f33a-43e7-b312-a9c4a19386e4\/0\">NATADS Inventory website<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"background-color:#dffae5;color:#000000\" class=\"has-text-color has-background\">Recently, I have utilized the CCATC for supports for my son who has Autism and some articulation difficulties. My son loves using his &#8220;Amazon Alexa&#8221;, but Alexa isn&#8217;t quite clever enough to interpret what music my son is trying to request, resulting in some rather odd- and frustrating- music selections! Fortunately, because of the CCATC, I was able to trial a <a href=\"https:\/\/myatprogram.org\/DeviceLoan\/DeviceInfo\/5c4be3c1-95f9-4340-85da-0cd816e7f5c2\/73bd79d2-f33a-43e7-b312-a9c4a19386e4\/0\">Go Talk 20<\/a> with my son before purchasing one, to see if it might be the right device to help this communication breakdown between Alexa and my son!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide is-stacked-on-mobile\" style=\"grid-template-columns:27% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/abilitytools.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/GoTalk-20-1024x1024.jpg\" alt=\"A Go Talk 20+ AAC Device\" class=\"wp-image-3843\" srcset=\"https:\/\/abilitytools.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/GoTalk-20-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/abilitytools.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/GoTalk-20-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/abilitytools.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/GoTalk-20-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/abilitytools.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/GoTalk-20-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/abilitytools.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/GoTalk-20-50x50.jpg 50w, https:\/\/abilitytools.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/GoTalk-20.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p style=\"font-size:14px\">Check out the Eye-Pal Solo and more assistive technology at the <a href=\"https:\/\/myatprogram.org\/DeviceLoan\/DeviceInfo\/5c4be3c1-95f9-4340-85da-0cd816e7f5c2\/73bd79d2-f33a-43e7-b312-a9c4a19386e4\/0\">NATADS Inventory website<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"background-color:#dffae5;color:#000000\" class=\"has-text-color has-background\">The CCATC has caring and helpful staff- and a whole lot of knowledge on devices and supports. They go &#8220;above and beyond&#8221; to help, understand the needs- and make navigating the world easier for many individuals.<br><br>Thank You, CCATC!<br><br>Seneca Jacobson<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Paul Mortola <\/strong>is the Assistive Technology Specialist\/Director at <a href=\"https:\/\/ccatc.org\/\">Central Coast Assistive Technology Center (CCATC)<\/a> in San Luis Obispo, California. Click here to <a href=\"http:\/\/abilitytools.org\/services\/device-lending-library.php\">find an Ability Tools Device Lending and Demonstration Center near you!<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A woman in San Luis Obispo was in need of Assistive Technology (AT) for members of her multigenerational family. She reached out to Central Coast Assistive Technology Center (CCATC) and connected with their Director, Paul Mortola. She was so pleased with her family&#8217;s experience, that she sent in a heartfelt letter to express what her&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":3840,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[83,104,155,128,144,4,99],"class_list":["post-3838","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-success-stories","tag-aac","tag-assistive-technology","tag-family","tag-low-vision","tag-seniors","tag-vision","tag-youth"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/abilitytools.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3838","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/abilitytools.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/abilitytools.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/abilitytools.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/abilitytools.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3838"}],"version-history":[{"count":17,"href":"https:\/\/abilitytools.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3838\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3865,"href":"https:\/\/abilitytools.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3838\/revisions\/3865"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/abilitytools.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3840"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/abilitytools.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3838"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/abilitytools.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3838"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/abilitytools.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3838"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}