Indiana Assistive Technology Blog

This Indiana organization provides service dogs to people with disabilities.  What makes it unique from other service animal programs is the fact that these dogs are trained by people in correctional facilities.

ICAN, which stands for Indiana Canine Assistant Network, was formed in 2001 by Sally Irvin, Ph.D.  Each dog undergoes a two year training process before they are placed with an individual.  The program is aimed at assisting individuals with physical and developmental disabilities in becoming more independent in their dally lives as well as build skills for job and life management.  So far the program has paired up 59 people with service dogs.

To apply for the program, individuals must provide information about themselves and pay a one time application fee.  Once the information is reviewed, members from ICAN will conduct an interview and possibly and in-home evaluation.  Every step of the application process is important in ensuring that a service dog would be a good fit for the individual; it is a big decision, after all!

Towards the end of the two year training process, clients with disabilities will frequently visit the offender training their dog at the correctional facility to learn how to work with their new dog via Team Training.  At the end of the Team Training, clients take their service dogs home, but are encouraged to keep in touch with their handlers.

If you’re interested in applying for the program, volunteering, or sponsoring a dog, learn more at the ICAN website or visit their Facebook page (and check out all of the cute puppy pictures while you’re at it).

Hotels.com now has a search filter that finds hotels with various accessibility features to narrow your results.  So folks who are preparing to travel and looking for a hotel that they can access with their wheelchair, for example, will be able to do so with ease.  This also means that people with disabilities can take advantage of the same kinds of bargains and reviews offered to the general public when trying to find a hotel.

Accessibility Features search filter on Hotels.com

You can search for hotels under the following accessibility filters:

• Accessibility equipment for the deaf
• Accessible bathroom
• Accessible path of travel
• Braille or raised signage
• Handicapped parking
• In-room accessibility
• Roll-in shower

By utilizing this search filter, I can see that 34 hotels in Indianapolis currently offer accessible bathrooms, accessible path of entry, and in-room accessibility (see image below).

Search results image

Now I can go through the list and determine which hotel I would prefer to stay at, knowing that they will be accessible to me and my individual needs.

Try it out for yourself at Hotels.com!

Ball State University bell tower

As a follow-up to our November post Accessible Education in Indiana, INDATA wanted to recognize Ball State University.  Disability Friendly Colleges recently included Ball State in their list of 75 colleges to exceed beyond the American with Disabilities Act guidelines.

Ball State earned this acknowledgement for its exceptional student disability services, which include accessible residential housing, adaptive PE classes, wheelchair repair, and accessible shuttle service.  They uphold their reputation for being disability friendly with programs like Power Soccer, a soccer team for wheelchair users, and their faculty mentor program, which matches students with disabilities with faculty members in their major for personal support and guidance in their transition to college.

We would like to congratulate Ball State University for their outstanding efforts and look forward to keeping up with further developments in accommodating students with disabilities.

To learn more about Ball State’s disability services, check out their Disabled Student Development page, or contact their office at 765.285.5293.

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.

You may be familiar with Wheelchair Basketball, but have you ever heard of Beep Baseball or Quad Rugby?  The Rehabilitation Hospital of Indiana Sports Program (RHISP) currently offers 15 different sports teams and 40 introductory sports clinics for people with physical disabilities.  This program enables people with disabilities to have the same opportunities as athletes without disabilities.  The RHISP includes Power Soccer, tennis, racing, golf, and water skiing, as well as weekend activities like scuba diving, rock climbing and horseback riding.

Basketball Hoop

Want to learn more?  You’re in luck!  On Sunday, January 31st, 2010 from 3pm to 7pm, the RHISP is hosting the 2009-2010 RHI Sports Extravaganza!  This event will take place at the Indiana State Fairgrounds Grand Hall.  Participants can play games and learn about what all the program has to offer.  Following that will be an Awards Banquet Dinner.  Visit http://rhispextravaganza.eventbrite.com/ to register today!  If you have any questions or concerns, call 317-329-2281.

Wheelchair ramp at the Hercules Library

What is universal design?

The Center for Universal Design at North Carolina State University defines universal design as

The design of products and environments to be usable by all people, to the greatest extent possible, without the need for adaptation or specialized design.

Examples of universal design include:

• contrast and magnification controls on any system with visual output – ex. television or computer monitor
• closed captioning on all television networks
• ramps either alone or in addition to stairs at entryways

Universal design would not only improve the way we physically access the world but also how we learn in classroom settings.  If you are looking to learn about how you can utilize the principles of universal design you can attend the workshop “Web Accessibility for Online Learning: A How-To Guide for Creating Accessible Content.”

Participants in this workshop will:

• Develop an understanding of Universal Design Principles for Online Learning
• Develop an understanding of potential accessibility/usability issues that need to be considered in course design
• Create more accessible/usable course content

While this course is highly recommended, it is also considered intermediate and those participating should expect to devote 7 to 12 hours per week for assignments.

If you are more interested in a Universal Design 101 course,  try picking up these items at your local bookstore:

Universal Principles of Design by William Lidwell and Kritina Holden

Universal Design Ideas for Style, Comfort and Safety gives a great illustrated guide to designing single family homes

Universal Design for Learning by the Council for Exceptional Children gives courses and ways that universal design can be implemented in the classroom