Indiana Assistive Technology Blog

Her story is one that begins with a love of art and ends with a return to independence.

This story was first premiered in the INDATA Winter 2009 Newsletter, which you can read as a tagged PDF. Interested in a demonstration of low vision products? Send an email to Carol Girt, device demo pro, at cgirt@eastersealscrossroads.org or call 888-466-1314.

Indiana Assistive Technology Act

INDATA recently received word that the video, “Connecting the Dots,” won the Organization Contribution award from the Assistive Technology Industry Association (ATIA).  All of the Like I Can videos were entered in the ATIA Youtube contest, where videos submitted contained information about assistive technology and various types of disabilities. “Nicholas’ Story” and “Tom’s Story” were given honorable mentions.  In this article, the links that are given for the videos take you to the Like I Can Web site where all videos are captioned.

Connecting the Dots will be shown at the ATIA conference this October 28-31 at the Renaissance Schaumburg hotel in Schaumburg, Illinois.

Everyone is trying to be environmentally friendly these days.  ”Green” options are everywhere, meaning people can choose to switch to energy saving light bulbs, print less paper at work, or take part in recycling efforts.  Here at INDATA, our green efforts come from the refurbished computer program.  The process is quite simple: Businesses, other non-profits, and even individuals donate their computers to INDATA and we give them out to Indiana citizens who have a disability at no charge!

Image of A Recent Donated Computer Shipment

The only requirements for donated computers are that it must be Windows XP- or Vista-compatible and at a minimum have a Pentium 4 processor.

Once you donate your computer to INDATA, we take off all data and reinstall Windows as well as Microsoft Office.  So far we have distributed about 150 computers this year! That number has risen significantly from  35 in 2008.  However, supply does not meet demand.  We are constantly looking for donated computers as the waiting list continues to grow.

The individuals that receive these computers could not be more grateful as the computer allows them to live more independently and achieve goals that would otherwise be out of reach.  Laptops are extremely useful, as many of these individuals are enrolled in school and need a portable computer.  Why recycle your computer for scrap when you could make a difference in an individual’s life? For more information, please contact Mike Garberg at mgarberg@eastersealscrossroads.org.

This is Wikipedia’s definition of assistive technology:

Assistive technology (AT) is a generic term that includes assistive, adaptive, and rehabilitative devices for people with disabilities and includes the process used in selecting, locating, and using them.

This is true, right? Yes, but AT goes so much further than that!

While working at Easter Seals Crossroads, we see first-hand how AT helps the lives of individuals with or without disabilities.  That being said, let’s take a brief overview of just one type of assistive technology.

Person operating a CCTV

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This past Saturday was the annual State Vision Expo, held at the Indiana State Library in downtown Indianapolis.

According to their Web site, over 650 people attended this year’s event, making it the largest low-vision convention in the Midwest!

Easter Seals Crossroads had a booth to inform individuals of INDATA’s services.  Sara Croft, Education and Outreach Coordinator, and Carol Girt, Loan Library Specialist, represented INDATA and brought assistive technology devices that related to the blind and low vision community.  The event was quite successful as there were many people who stopped by to say hello, learn about AT or talk about their experiences with Easter Seals Crossroads.  Some people said they were members of the Computer Programming Training classes that started at Crossroads back in 1979, while others expressed their appreciation for the INDATA project and the services they have received.

Other vendors included the Hadley School for the Blind, the Will Center in Terre Haute, GW Micro, Humanware and many others.  While each vendor had a specific reason for being at the expo (education, resources, technology), INDATA set itself apart from the others by explaining our equipment loan program.  Many people had heard about various “try before you buy” systems but either thought it was spam or did not believe it could actually work.  That is, until they visited the booth and talked to Sara or Carol who explained how the system worked.  This is where INDATA is unique in comparison to other exhibitors.  Borrowing equipment and figuring out if it works for you is often a dream come true to those who desperately need assistive technology but are having trouble locating or paying for the devices.

One of the other most popular questions we received at the Vision Expo was related to the new AFP, or Alternative Financing Program.  This is a new feature of the INDATA project in which we work with an individual who has difficulty obtaining a loan to purchase assistive technology and the bank, acting as a guarantor of the loan.  This is a program that is working in many other US states and has a great success rate.

Have Questions? Ask Ewart!

If you are looking for more information on the AFP, please contact Information and Referral/Funding Specialist Ewart Soloman at 317-466-1000 or esoloman@eastersealscrossroads.org.

Last year INDATA worked with Fusework Studios to create the Like I Can videos, seen on likeican.com.  Each video focuses on an individual who uses assistive technology in their life for either school, work or daily living.  Check out this captioned video that summarizes how Easter Seals Crossroads and INDATA work together in getting a person the AT they need.