Where It's AT – Assistive Technology Blog

TRANSCRIBERS/BRAILLISTS

If you are a braille transcriber or braillist who prepares textbooks and/or supports K12 students in the classroom, you are invited to participate in an interview or focus group to share your experiences and beliefs. The study is being conducted by Vision for Independence, LLC to inform the National Instructional Materials Access Center (NIMAC) about the current level of accessibility of digital instructional materials in K-12, the experiences of students who are visually impaired or print disabled when using these materials, and the challenges involved in making materials accessible to all students. If interested in participating, please go to https://uarizona.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_2t6ovViIhC2lWOq. Participants will receive a $25 gift card. For more information email Dr. L. Penny Rosenblum at rosenblu@email.arizona.edu.

TVIS

If you are a teacher of students with visual impairments who works with students in K-12 who use digital instructional materials, you are invited to participate in an interview or focus group to share your experiences and beliefs. The study is being conducted by Vision for Independence, LLC to inform the National Instructional Materials Access Center (NIMAC) about the current level of accessibility of digital instructional materials in K-12, the experiences of students who are visually impaired or print disabled when using these materials, and the challenges involved in making materials accessible to all students. If interested in participating, please go to https://uarizona.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_2t6ovViIhC2lWOq. Participants will receive a $25 gift card. For more information email Dr. L. Penny Rosenblum at rosenblu@email.arizona.edu.

SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHERS

If you are a special education teacher who works with students in K-12 who use digital instructional materials, you are invited to participate in an interview or focus group to share your experiences and beliefs. The study is being conducted by Vision for Independence, LLC to inform the National Instructional Materials Access Center (NIMAC) about the current level of accessibility of digital instructional materials in K-12, the experiences of students who are print disabled when using these materials, and the challenges involved in making materials accessible to all students. If interested in participating, please go to https://uarizona.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_2t6ovViIhC2lWOq. Participants will receive a $25 gift card. For more information email Dr. L. Penny Rosenblum at rosenblu@email.arizona.edu.

CLICK HERE for a PDF with additional info

Lollipop Kids Foundation is in the process of conducting a needs assessment for offering a seating and mobility clinic and aqua therapy. By participating in the survey, you will be providing valuable data that they can use to receive funding for these services. Please take a moment and complete the short survey. Your input is greatly appreciated!

CLICK HERE to take the survey!

May 4, 2022, 12–2 PM EDT

This event is organized by the Disability:IN Inclusion Works Program. Register to meet with 30 participating companies for informational interviews and learn about the companies and their opportunities for employment.

Learning how to use certain tools in Excel and PowerPoint can seem scary and complicated at first, especially if you are a screen reader user. Learn how to use Excel and PowerPoint fully, while also creating accessible content. Join the National Federation of the Blind on Tuesday, March 29, from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m. eastern for this Center of Excellence in Nonvisual Accessibility boutique, when we will go in-depth into Excel and PowerPoint. We will discuss the following:

• Excel
  • Pivot tables
  • Building graphs
  • Using filters
• PowerPoint
  • Adding alternative text
  • Adding multimedia
  • Presenting as a screen reader user

…and more.

Take advantage of this free opportunity. Register for the Excel and PowerPoint boutique.

Assistive Technology (AT) can be used at home, in the community and at work to give people greater levels of confidence and independence.

Join National Disability Institute for a free, one-hour webinar to learn about the newest customizable technology available through avail®. Learn about the process of assessment, training and possible funding sources that can help people afford the assistive technology that best meets their needs.

This month’s spotlight will be presented by avail®, an assistive technology product that empowers independence for individuals with cognitive disabilities. Avail provides virtual support for people with learning disabilities such as Autism, Down Syndrome, Brain Injuries and other cognitive-related disabilities. It is a mobile application that provides personally customized content with step-by-step digital prompts to teach any task or life skill.

National Disability Institute’s Assistive Technology Loan Program provides referrals for grants and funding to cover the cost of AT when possible. For those who need to purchase or refinance their purchase of assistive technology, affordable loans are available for residents of New Jersey and New York with fixed interest rates from 4% to 6%. Lending terms are favorable, helping loan recipients develop or improve their credit and save money.

To learn more, join us Thursday, March 24, from 12:00-1:00 PM ET

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER!

States eligible to compete for Subminimum Wage to Competitive Integrated Employment Grants totaling $167 million

On March 18, the U.S. Department of Education’s Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) released the notice inviting applications for the Subminimum Wage to Competitive Integrated Employment (SWTCIE) demonstration project, aimed at increasing access for people with disabilities to jobs that pay good wages.  

The SWTCIE project is the largest discretionary grant administered by RSA, with $167 million available to State Vocational Rehabilitation agencies and their partners. 

“Economic security should be available to all Americans,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona. “Providing individuals with disabilities with a high-quality education and the services that they need to thrive will result in real pay for real jobs, empowering them and leading to greater social and economic inclusion.” 

CLICK TO READ FULL PRESS RELEASE