The volunteers behind CReATE

A good volunteer is like a good hair stylist - they can be hard to come by! But volunteers at CReATE (www.createutah.org) are dedicated and effective. We'd like to publicly acknowledge their awesomeness.

These volunteers help CReATE get more low-cost wheelchairs to Utahns who need them. CReATE has two new volunteers: Justin Favero is an occupational therapy student from the University of Utah that has chosen to use volunteer hours here at CReATE as one of his electives; and Jim Olive is a retired forklift technician and business owner. Jim's knowledge of electric forklifts makes him a real asset.

Volunteer Kenneth Whitledge.

Kenneth Whitledge is a workhorse that helps us every Monday and has become quite adept at scrapping out wheelchairs. He usually scraps out at least three chairs every Monday.

Volunteer Ed Patillo.

Ed Patillo is another volunteer that is a retired computer network technician that is great at cleaning and refurbishing wheelchairs. Ed and Tom really enjoy listening to jazz here in the shop.

Volunteer Steve King.

Steve King is another volunteer who is a retired artist and technician that has been great at helping us get more organized. Steve also donated a MIG Welder and shelving for us to use.

Our sincere thanks to these people, as CReATE works to expand our capacity to improve people's lives.

Requesting a reasonable accommodation in the workplace

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.

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. 3^rd. 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.  2^nd to make arrangements to participate via phone. Please feel free to pass on this information to anyone that you think might be interested.

Disability Law Center focus group in Cache Valley

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). 

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.

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.

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 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.

AT Workshops for Blind and Visually Impaired