Wednesday, May 8, 2013

UATP builds pediatric stander for child with brittle bone disease

Two-year-old Jaele in her
stander built by the AT Lab.

RANDOM PARTS + INGENUITY = FUTURE MOBILITY
By Sue Reeves

Two-year old Jaele Bennet was born with brittle-bone disease, preventing her from learning to stand and walk. Jaele has metal rods in both femurs and in her left tibia, said her mom, Stacey.

Because Jaele’s left leg is badly bowed, it is hard for her to walk, so she sits and scoots one hip forward at a time, Stacey said. Scooting accommodates both legs.

Read the rest of the story on the CPD Blog

UATP with help of AgrAbility gets a farmer back to work

Farmer Wallace Johnson on his tractor.
A farmer near Provo will be able to continue farming, thanks to the Assistive Technology Lab and AgrAbility of Utah, a partnership between Utah State University Extension and New Frontiers for Families. AgrAbility is part of a national program that helps farmers, ranchers and their family members stay on the farm despite limitations due to aging, disease, illness or other disability.

Wallace Johnson, 75, was finding it more and more difficult to take care of his farm chores due to age-related knee problems. His son-in-law, Clay Christensen, is the AT lab coordinator at USU’s Center for Persons with Disabilities.

Read the rest of the story on the CPD Blog

Monday, May 6, 2013

Summer youth program

Applications for the Logan Options for Independence summer youth program are due May 15.

Click to view the flier larger.

Friday, May 3, 2013

Free online webinar: Using the latest technology to foster communication

The Utah Assistive Technology Program (UATP) will present a FREE online interactive training, “Using the latest technology to foster communication,” on Wednesday, May 15, 2013 from 3:00 – 4:30 p.m.

NOVA-7 communication device by Saltillo.
This free training will be presented by Jean Bosco Walsh, AT Consultant for Saltillo Corp. Saltillo Corporation is dedicated to making personal communication possible to individuals who are unable to use their natural voice. Jean will explore the TouchChat app that is a total communication application available for your idevice. She will then discuss the latest communication devices from Saltillo that are based on the Android system. These communication devices are completely fundable through Medicaid and private health insurance companies.

Jean is a Special Educator with a Master’s in Education. She taught students with significant disabilities in Georgia and Colorado for over 15 years. She’s presented at ‘Closing the Gap’ for 14 years, and has also been an ATIA presenter. She’s also presented at regional Assistive Technology Conferences in Arizona and Colorado. For the past seven years, Jean has worked exclusively in the Augmentative Communication Field. Currently, she is a consultant for Saltillo Corporation covering Colorado, Utah and Wyoming.

In order to participate, you will need a computer with high-speed Internet access. If you are interested in participating please RSVP by Monday, May 13, to Storee Powell via email storee.powell@usu.edu, or call 435-797-7412. Participant instructions will be emailed to you.

If you are a screen reader user please contact Sachin Pavithran at 435-797-6572 or
sachin.pavithran@usu.edu, no later than Friday, May 10, to make arrangements to participate via phone. If you need any other accommodations in order to participate in the training please let Sachin know by this date also.

Please feel free to pass on this information to anyone that you think might be interested.

1st edition of the UATP e-newsletter out!

Learn more about this project that helped
2-year-old Jaela that was built in the AT Lab.
UATP is excited to share the first ever edition of our e-newsletter. View it on Constant Contact, and let us know what you think! We'd love to hear from you and invite content ideas.