Logan Herald Journal 'USU employee appointed by Obama to national board'

Read about UATP's program director's appointment by President Obama to the U.S. Access Board in an article in today's Herald Journal newspaper:

Dec. 5, 2012
By Kevin Opsahl

An employee at Utah State University's Center for Persons with Disabilities has been appointed by President Barack Obama to a top federal government board charged with writing technical standards for policies for disabled persons.
 

Sachin Dev Pavithran, the program director of the Utah Assistive Technology Program at the center, was appointed to the U.S. Access Board on Tuesday, according to the board’s website.

Read the rest of the story here.

Utah Assistive Technology Program director appointed to Access Board by Pres. Obama

More key administration posts were announced by the Obama Presidency Friday. Among them was Cache Valley resident Sachin Pavithran. 
 
The appointment makes him a member of the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board, also known as the U.S. Access Board, which is in charge of writing technical standards for various policies relating to people with disabilities. The board consists of 13 appointed members who work in conjunction with the staff of the board in drafting standards.

Sachin Pavithran (center), a Utah State University
grad, will serve on the U.S. Access Board.

Pavithran said, "These are the kinds of things I've been working towards, but I didn't think it was going to happen this quick - I was surprised when I got the call."
 
Seven months ago, Pavithran received a call from the White House after being highly-recommended for a position on the board. Since then, he has undergone multiple and various background checks to verify Pavithran "as a person" rather than his qualifications - something he's not lacking in.
 


Pavithran with his former
guide dog, Barstowe.

The Utah State University graduate serves on the Committee of the National Federation of the Blind, the Association of Assistive Technology Act Programs National Board and is also currently the director of the Utah Assistive Technology Program at the Center for Persons with Disabilities (CPD) at USU.  

"I'm really excited. I know I'm going to learn a lot about policy," Pavithran said.
 
Some of the key issues the board will be dealing with include web accessibility, education, ADA issues, and policy that impacts people with disabilities.

One issue he hopes to especially contribute to is accessibility for the blind. Pavithran, who is blind, has 12 years of experience in accessible websites and training others in assistive technology.

While the position will require Pavithran to spend time in Washington D.C., he will continue to pursue his Ph.D at USU in disability disciplines with a focus on rehabilitation, while working at the CPD.
 
"I know it's going to be a lot of work. This is not something I just sit back and listen," Pavithran said. "There are a lot of expectations from me and I hope to live up to them and learn and contribute."

In January, he will be sworn in to the position, which is not dependent on the term of the president. Rather, it is an ongoing appointment.

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For more information about this story, contact UATP's Public Relations Specialist, Storee Powell, at storee.powell@usu.edu or 435-797-7412.

CReATE wheelchair recipients of 2012

Amy in her power chair from CReATE.

UATP's AT reuse program, CReATE (Citizen's Reutilizing Assistive Technology Equipment), refurbishes donated mobility equipment. The devices are then given back to the community for a low-cost. See some of the 2012 CReATE device recipients on our new Facebook album. Do you know a Utahn who needs a mobility device? Call CReATE 801-887-9398 or visit us online at http://www.uatpat.org/create/.

'Show off your AT' video contest - cash prizes!

The Assistive Technology Network is hosting a video contest. Here's the info:

The purpose of the contest is to showcase the creative ways people with disabilities use assistive technology in their daily lives. Many people with disabilities use assistive technologies to accomplish tasks they otherwise could not. Sometimes they modify a commercial device or improvise their own device to meet a specific need. By sharing your ideas and the solutions you created, you can motivate and inspire others who are looking for solutions of their own.
 
Five finalists will be selected from submitted videos and posted to the AT Network Channel on Youtube. Online voting by the public will determine the winner. The winning video will be featured on the new AT Network website.

Cash prizes! Learn more at http://atnet.org/video-contest/.

Free online webinar: Infant head shape deformities and correction through use of Cranial Remolding Orthoses

The Utah Assistive Technology Program will present a FREE online interactive training, Infant head shape deformities and correction through use of Cranial Remolding Orthoses, on Wednesday, December 5, 2012 from 3:00 – 4:30 p.m.

This free training, presented by Dallin Chambers, certified Orthotist at Northwest Orthotics and Prosthetics, will cover head reshaping through the use of a cranial remolding orthosis. The following aspects will be discussed:  head shape deformities, necessary measurements – how to obtain them and what they mean to you as the practitioner or parent - contraindications, scanning process, overall treatment from initial evaluation to final appointment, insurance companies that cover them and their requirements. 

Dallin Chambers received a Bachelor’s of Science Degree from the University of Utah in Exercise and Sports Science.  From there, continued his education at Century College in White Bear Lake, Minnesota, where he completed two more years of specialized schooling in the field of Orthotics.  He completed a one-year residency at Northwest Orthotics and Prosthetics in Provo where he continues to work as a certified Orthotist.

In order to participate, you will need a computer with high-speed Internet access. If you are interested in participating please RSVP by Monday, December 3, 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 Monday, December 3 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.

Power Wheelchair Maintenance Tips

These are some tips written by Clay Christensen, the Assistive Technology Lab Coordinator. He has lots of experience working on chairs, and has learned that maintenance is often about preventative care. As the weather changes, this can become particularly important. For further questions regarding powerchair maintenance, Utahns can contact the AT Lab at 435-797-0699, Ext. 1.


AT Lab coordinator, Clay Christensen,
working on a wheelchair tire.

• Avoid locations where freezing temperatures are expected. Store in a dry place; if this is not possible, keep a tarp over the chair and keep batteries charged.
• Keep batteries at a high state of charge - this keeps them from freezing, which will destroy the cells.
• This can be done with a trickle charger. (They can be purchased at most automotive part houses for around $50.00 or online.)
• Check the electrolyte level (This is the dilute solution of sulfuric acid and water). In other words, if the battery is not a sealed type, remove the caps and make sure that the water level is full. Note: Use only distilled water!
• If the chair has air tires versus solid, make sure the air pressure is at manufacturer specification (when the temp drops, so does the air pressure in tires). This will help the tires avoid unusual wear patterns.
• If not using the chair during winter months, remove batteries and store in cool dry place (between 50-70 degrees).

AT Podcast weekly!

Easter Seals Crossroads in partnership with the Indiana AT Program produce a bi-weekly assistive technology podcast. The first, Assistive Technology Update, talks about the latest and greatest in the AT world. The second program, Accessibility First, features tips and tricks for quick AT and accessibilty solutions for people with disabilities. Make sure to tune in! It is also available on iTunes or Stitcher Radio for smart phones.

Also, check out their YouTube channel every Monday for a new video about tech tips.