Miata and her Mother at Gadget Camp
Patricia Finkley assisted her daughter in the participation of Gadget Camp during the last week of June. Gadget Camp was a week long, day camp held at Butler University put on by the INDATA Team at Easter Seals Crossroads to give students with disabilities a chance to grow and have fun at a week of summer camp. Miata, Patricia’s daughter, and nine other children were able to learn about communication and social skills, along with making valuable friendships throughout the week.
“This was our first time doing something like Gadget Camp, and we loved it!” Patricia said after the completion of Gadget Camp. She was happy to see the growth in Miata’s communication and social skills throughout the week. Volunteers at Gadget Camp saw improvement in Miata’s communication skills, and by the completion of Gadget Camp Miata was able to more easily use her communication device effectively.
Patricia also made a point to let everyone know that Miata had fun and made new friends during the week at Gadget Camp. Some of her favorite activities during the week were fishing and singing camp songs.
Fish
What: Gadget Camp- an all-day, week-long camp for kids ages 10-16 that use augmentative communication devices.
When: June 28- July 2, 2010
Where: Butler University, Indianapolis
A Child Painting
INDATA and Easter Seals Crossroads is proud to stay we have completed a successful week of Gadget Camp this past week with ten wonderful kids! Camp helped students to improve social skills, improve vocabulary, and provided a fun week of camp.
Camp activities included fishing, an animal safari, photography, painting, water balloons, a scavenger hunt, tie dye, and many other activities around Butler’s campus.
Campers went home with artwork, prizes, and friendships to remember this week of fun and learning!
Child Petting an Iguana
Help support students with disabilities get back to school by donating your used computers to the INDATA Depot at Easter Seals Crossroads.
Laptop Computer
Currently, we have a need for laptop computers and LCD monitors with minimum requirements of:
· Two to four years old
· Pentium 4 Processor
· At least 512 megabytes (MB) of RAM
· At least 60 gigabytes (GB) hard disk
· CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive
· Keyboard and Mouse
Read our recent blog post to find out more information on Danielle’s story, a recipient of a laptop computer from the INDATA Depot!
We’ll take donations from anywhere in the state – call us at 888-466-1314 and ask for Mike Garberg to find out more about donating your computer.
The next time you clean out your attic or basement, consider donating some of your used belongings to a good cause. INDATA is currently accepting second-hand assistive technology (AT) for our equipment reutilization program. Donated AT is sanitized, repaired, and given to Indiana residents with disabilities in need. This is a free service that prevents waste from going to a landfill, and can really make a difference in someone’s life!
At Easter Seals Crossroads, we strive to improve the lives of people who struggle with daily activities. AT can give them back their independence they need in order to read their mail, stay organized, or fill out a job application. Read the inspiring story of artist Justine Horlander in the AT Connection 2009 Winter Newsletter and learn about how she overcame the issues revolving around her disability.
Examples of reusable AT include: crutches, walkers, computer monitors, canes, wheelchairs, pill organizers, and magnifiers. INDATA does not accept items like hearing aids, which are usually custom made. For more information on what is acceptable for donation, contact Mike Garberg at mgarberg@eastersealscrossroads.org or 317-466-2013.
This equipment reutilization operates under the guidelines provided by the Pass It On Center, a collaboration of AT Reuse programs in the United States.
Wheelchair
E-readers (also known as e-book readers) are portable devices used to display e-books, and lately the market has exploded with several different varieties. Let’s take a closer look at the accessibility features in these new products!
Continue reading »
INDATA this, INDATA that. What exactly is INDATA anyway?
- Assistive Technology Lab
Let’s catch up a bit. INDATA stands for the Indiana Assistive Technology Act. Its goal is to spread the word about assistive technology and make it readily available for Indiana residents with disabilities. Here are the services we offer:
- Device Demonstration Set up an appointment to learn how to use assistive technology devices.
- Device Loan Borrow equipment for up to three months to help you decide if you could use it. Follow these easy steps to set up an account and browse the various devices available for loan.
- Equipment from Assistive Technology Lab
- Training Quarterly assistive technology trainings and annual assistive technology conference held at the convention center in Indianapolis.
- Equipment Reutilization Donate old equipment including wheelchairs, walkers, canes, crutches and other mobility related devices to Easter Seals Crossroads as it prepares for an upcoming equipment exchange program.
- Reutilized Computer Program We repair and refresh donated computers and give them to people with disabilities that have no means to purchase one on their own.
- AT Hour This one-hour presentation informs your group about the assistive technology programs and services provided by the INDATAProject and includes an exciting “show and tell” of various assistive technology equipment.
- Information and Referral Questions about assistive technology? You can call our Information & Referral/Funding Specialist to learn more about available services and funding options.
We’re a friendly bunch here at the INDATA project, and we’re here to provide you with assistive technology solutions. Questions or comments? Stop by anytime at http://www.eastersealstech.com!
