Vol. 3, No. 4, July/August 1995	Previous Issues Subscribe to AT Messenger Download PDF Viewer
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Opportunities...

Annual AAC Employment Conference

The 3rd Annual Pittsburgh Employment Conference (PEC) for Augmented Communicators will be held August 11-13 at the Sheraton Hotel, Station Square, in Pittsburgh, PA. "Success Stories: The Sociology of Employment for Augmented Communicators" will be the theme of the conference. The program will focus on augmented communicators who experience substantial cognitive impairments and sociology and group dynamics.

Topics will include communicative competence, augmentative communication in the sheltered workshop, and an employment model in person-centered planning.

The conference faculty will feature Pat Mirenda, PhD, Stephen Calculator, PhD, Diane Bryen, PhD, Richard Foulds, PhD, Peggi McNairn, PhD, CCC-SLP, Barbara Thomas, MS, CCC-SLP, Jan Young, MS, CCC-SLP, and Terri McKee, MS, CCC-SLP.

For more information, contact SHOUT, P.O. Box 9666, Pittsburgh, PA 15226; Phone (800)934-4391.

3rd Annual TARP Conference

The Third Annual TARP Conference, ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY: PUTTING THE PIECES TOGETHER, will be held on Saturday, September 23, 1995, at the South Jersey Expo Center in Pennsauken, NJ.

The Conference goal is to provide a hands-on and in-depth educational program for consumers with disabilities, their families, educators, and professionals. Sessions include a panel discussion on real-life funding scenarios, hands-on computer access of computer hardware and software, augmentative communication and other technology in an IEP, technology for consumers with sensory disabilities, a mini travel and recreation expo and over 25 exhibitors and product demonstrations.

For more information, contact the following numbers in New Jersey:

Phone: (609)392-4004, ext. 545
Fax: (609)392-3505
TTD: (609)392-7044

Peer Support Network Established

Do you ever wonder if anyone else has had the same questions, frustrations, and/or difficulties as you in trying to get and use assistive technology? Have you ever wanted to talk with someone else who has had experiences similar to yours? Well, now it may be possible to find others with common AT experiences and be able to talk with them.

DATI has been working for some time to establish a network of AT users who could share their insights and offer encouragement to one another. So far we have collected a group of about 70 people (both AT users and others interested in AT) who want to be part of a peer support network. For those requesting to be part of this network, a directory is being prepared that contains information they provided on their interests and experiences with AT and how to contact them.

If you want to become part of this network, please contact Bob Piech at (302)651-6791 (voice) or (302)651-6794 (TDD) to request a registration form. You can also obtain the registration form by calling the Assistive Technology Resource Center in your county at the numbers listed on page 12 of this newsletter. A copy of the directory will be sent to you, and your contact information will be added to the directory when an update is done. We hope you will take advantage of this opportunity to learn and grow with others in your use of assistive technology.