Wednesday, October 28, 2015

Free webinar: Accessing services from the Utah Assistive Technology Program

The Utah Assistive Technology Program (UATP) will present a FREE online interactive training, “Accessing services from the Utah Assistive Technology Program,” on Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2015, from 3:00 – 4:30 p.m. MST.

There are many components to the Utah Assistive Technology Program including demonstrations, evaluations, funding options, device loan, fabrication and maintenance. Who qualifies? What are funding options? What kinds of devices can be loaned? Can you fix my device? These questions and more will be answered in this webinar by the UATP team. We’ll share some awesome stories of success of previous clients, and answer your questions live. UATP wants to serve all Utahans with disabilities and those that work with them.


Four hands forming a square: UATP team answers your questions!
The UATP team will answer your questions!
This webinar will be presented by Clay Christensen, Utah Assistive Technology Lab coordinator; Tom Boman, CReATE program coordinator; and Lois Summers, Utah Assistive Technology Foundation business assistant.


In order to participate, you will need a computer with high-speed Internet access.

RSVP: If you are interested in joining please RSVP by Tuesday, Nov. 3rd. Contact 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, or need any other accommodations in order to participate in the training, please contact UATP Program Director Sachin Pavithran at 435-797-6572 or sachin.pavithran@usu.edu, no later than Monday, Nov.  2nd to make arrangements to participate via phone. Please feel free to pass on this information to anyone that you think might be interested.


Tuesday, October 20, 2015

Easy fundraising for CReATE

CReATE needs your help! As a fundraising effort CReATE has partnered with Smiths Community Rewards Program. 

We ask that you please take a moment to enroll in support of "Citizens Reutilizing Assistive Technology Equipment" (aka CReATE). 

Smiths Community Rewards poster

Each time you swipe your rewards card, CReATE earns! Enrollment will not affect your fuel points or coupon discounts. You can enroll at www.smithscommunityrewards.com.

** After you have registered/signed in, go to your "account summary" by clicking on your name in the top right hand corner of the screen. Scroll to the bottom of the page where you'll find an option for "Community Rewards". Just enter CReATE's code: 32788**

Thank you for your support of CReATE! Together we help keep Utah moving with low-cost wheelchairs and other mobility equipment.

Thursday, October 15, 2015

Free online webinar: Low-tech AAC (Augmentative or Alternative Communication) for children

The Utah Assistive Technology Program (UATP) will present a FREE online interactive training, “Low-tech AAC for children,” on Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2015, from 3:00 – 4:30 p.m. MST.


Man attempting to make a call using corded phone while wearing headphones.
Is your AAC method working?
Augmentative or Alternative Communication (AAC) is any device, system, or method that improves the ability of a child with a communication impairment to communicate effectively.  Fancy devices with a lot of features have their place, but low tech is often easier to use, more diversified for different users and a larger variety environments (and don't have batteries that die). Our session will focus on low- to mid-tech communication styles, which will include different techniques and demonstrate a variety of devices that can be used for successful communication. 

This webinar will be presented by Kent Remund. He has worked in the field of assistive technology for the past 15 years in a variety of settings.  He is the current project director for the Utah Assistive Technology Teams (UATT) as well as an assistive technology specialist for the Utah Center for Assistive Technology (UCAT). He has extensive experience assisting, evaluating and assessing children and adults with the appropriate selection of assistive technology tools.   
Kent Remund of UCAT.
Kent Remund inspecting FDR's wheelchair.

In order to participate, you will need a computer with high-speed Internet access. 

RSVP: If you are interested in joining please RSVP by Tuesday, Oct. 20th. Contact 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, or need any other accommodations in order to participate in the training, please contact UATP Program Director Sachin Pavithran at 435-797-6572 or sachin.pavithran@usu.edu, no later than Monday, Oct. 19th to make arrangements to participate via phone. Please feel free to pass on this information to anyone that you think might be interested.

Thursday, October 1, 2015

ADA and cake at USU during Disability Rights Weeks

DISABILITY RIGHTS WEEK COMING TO USU OCT. 5-8

Posted on CPD BLOG September 16, 2015 by Sue Reeves


USU ADA cowboy hat logo
Learn the history of the hat logo.
To celebrate the 25th anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Center for Persons with Disabilities at Utah State University will present its inaugural Disability Rights Week Oct. 5-8. The week-long celebration is co-sponsored by the Disability Resource Center and USUSA, and includes an information fair, birthday cake and a free comedy show.

Justin Dart’s cowboy hat is being used as the iconic image for this year’s event. Dart is remembered as “the father of the ADA,” and he was famously photographed with President George H.W. Bush, and the hat, at the ADA signing.

“Disability rights are civil rights,” said Shane Johnson, associate director of development at the CPD and one of the event organizers. “Twenty percent of the population of Utah identifies as having a disability, so chances are good that every person on this campus either has a disability or has a friend or family member with a disability.

“The 25th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act occurred in July, but we wanted to wait until more people were on campus to commemorate the event,” Johnson said. “We have some fantastic events planned.”

The week begins with yard signs marking the accessible features of the USU campus—curb cuts, automatic door openers, elevators, etc., and a window display at the Campus Store.

On Thursday, Oct. 8, an information fair will be held at the TSC in the Sunburst and International Lounges from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. “Lives Worth Living,” a documentary about the disability rights movement that led to the ADA, will run on a continuous loop, and the CPD’s disability history posters will be on display. Visitors to the information fair will be treated to birthday cake from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in celebration of the ADA. This is an Aggie Passport event, so come and get your passport stamped!

On Friday, Oct. 9, America’s Got Talent runner-up Drew Lynch and his partner Sam Conroe will make you laugh in the Sunburst Lounge at 6 p.m. This is a FREE event and open to the public.

In addition, there will be displays by campus and community partners including the DRC, USUSA, Common Ground Outdoor Adventures, AgrAbility, Options for Independence, Up to 3 Early Intervention, the Interdisciplinary Disability Awareness and Service Learning class, Aggies Elevated, Utah Assistive Technology Project, the National Federation for the Blind, WebAIM, the Emma Eccles Jones College of Education and Human Services, Special Olympics/Best Buddies, the Disability Law Center, the Counseling and Psychological Services office and the National Alliance on Mental Illness.

Watch the CPD Facebook page for additional details.