Indiana Assistive Technology Blog

Movie theater popcorn, credited to gennierobot from flickr

Going to see a movie is a great way to spend an evening with friends, family, or a date.  The cushioned seats, dark surroundings, smell of popcorn, and in-your-face large movie screen have a way of capturing your undivided attention and exciting the senses.  Theaters across the nation have continually improved conditions to try and please a wide array of audiences by providing food and drink, a variety of different films available at one time, comfortable seating, and more.  Thanks to MoPix, now even deaf or blind audiences can enjoy the experience!

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JAN (The Job Accommodation Network) is a program dedicated to finding solutions for people with disabilities in the workplace.  They are one of many services provided by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy.

Utilizing an on-screen keyboard

There are several ways JAN can help improve job efficiency.  Consultants trained in specialized fields (such as rehabilitation counseling) work with employers to make their environments more accessible, educate people with disabilities about their rights, and help rehab professionals facilitate career placements for their clients, to name a few.

JAN also provides an electronic database called SOAR which offers suggestions for specific accommodations.  For example, if I were to select the “Deaf or Hard of Hearing” category, I can then click on their “Accommodation Examples” to browse some situations and solutions.  Here’s one that they provide:

Situation: An employee working in an office environment has hearing loss due to tinnitus and hyperacusis.  She could not be around noise in the office environment for long periods of time.

Solution: The individual’s employer provided her with a private room to work in alone.  This was reported to be very effective.  Cost: $0.

SOAR is free to access on JAN’s website, and provides countless examples for various job accommodations.

Want to learn more?  Visit the Job Accommodation Network website and discover numerous resources and support today!

Attendee at Prentke Romich Exhibit

WHAT: Statewide Assistive Technology Conference hosted by the INDATA Project at Easter Seals Crossroads

WHEN: July 29 and 30, 2010

WHERE: Indiana Convention Center, 100 S Captiol Ave, Indianapolis IN

Who should attend: Professionals in technology, students, parents, k-12 teachers and college professors, case managers, family advocates, Vocational Rehabilitation counselors, physicians, nurses, and others who want to learn about how assistive technology can increase independence among those you work with or yourself.

Over 50 exhibitors of assistive technology products and disability resources will be available to you – last year’s exhibitors included:

AAC: Dynavox Mayer-Johnson, SpecTech, Tobii ATI, Prentke Romich Company, A2C Solutions Group

Jeremy Warriner, Keynote

Blind/Low Vision: Humanware, GW Micro, Eye Can See, BOSMA Enterprises, Lab Computers

Deaf/Hard of Hearing: Relay Indiana/INTRAC, Outreach Services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing

Deaf and Blind: Helen Keller National Center for Deaf-Blind Youth and Adults

Environmental Control Units: SAJE Technology

Durable Medical Equipment: Home Health Depot, Sure Hands Lift and Care Systems

Autism or Sensory Processing Disorder: Sensory Critters

Aging: CICOA, Rest Assured, Seniors Guide, Senior Helpers, University of Indianapolis Center for Aging and Community, Indiana Resource Center on Independent Living

Mental Health: Indiana Works/Center for Mental Health, Meridian Services

Learning or Cognitive Disabilities: Families Reaching for Rainbows, Indiana Reading and Information Service

AT for K-12: PATINS Project

Physical Access/Mobility: Ace Mobility

AT for Farmers: Breaking New Ground Outreach Program/AgrAbility

Employment Services: Family Social Services Administration’s Bureau of Rehabilitation Services, Easter Seals Crossroads

Advocacy: The ARC of Indiana

Sports: Rehabilitation Hospital of Indiana Sports Program

Research: Regenstrief Center for Assistive Technology

Support and Information Services: Best Buddies Indiana, Indiana Canine Assistant Network, Indiana Resource Center for Families with Special Needs (IN*SOURCE), Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library, National Multiple Sclerosis Society – Indiana State Chapter, The Generations Project

In addition to the exhibitors, we had 20 educational sessions on assistive technology and employment, aging, independent living, and education.  This year we will have 36 hours or presentations on AT.  If you are interested in presenting, exhibiting, or sponsoring the INDATA Conference, please contact Sara Croft, Conference Coordinator, at scroft@eastersealscrossroads.org or 888-466-1314.

To access Closed Captioning, roll your mouse over the arrow in the lower right corner of the video and click the “CC” button.

Farming is dangerous work.  According to the U.S. Department of Labor, approximately 120,000 farm related injuries occur each year.  Thanks to the AgrAbility Project, assistance is available to anyone working in the field of agriculture with a disability.  Services provided include on-site visits, assessments, training, and technical assistance.  Assistive technology, such as extra steps and handholds for a tractor, is also made available.

Tractor

Who qualifies for the program?  The AgrAbility Project helps anyone who suffers from physical, cognitive, or illness-related disabilities.  Some of these include cerebral palsy, arthritis, hearing impairment, back injury, diabetes, visual impairment, and cancer.  27 states have their own State Projects with the same 3 objectives:

• Provide education to build service capacity with health, farm and government service providers on accommodating disabilities and preventing secondary injuries.
• Expand program capacity through networking activities of mutually sharing information and resources with non AgrAbility individuals and organizations.
• Provide farmers with disabilities consultative services and technical assistance that increases the likelihood the farmer can continue to farm successfully; such as, modifying or adapting the agricultural operation, buildings, equipment, and/or tools.

Indiana’s state project operates under the Breaking New Ground Outreach Program (BNG).   The BNG staff spread awareness of their programs by exhibiting at health fairs, field days, and machinery shows.  They have a Rural Assistive Technology Demonstration Van fully equipped with adaptive aids for improving independence, support group meetings, and more.  To get in touch with the BNG program, call (800) 825-4264 or email them at bng@ecn.purdue.edu.