Vol. 3, No. 6, Nov//Dec 1995	Previous Issues Subscribe to AT Messenger Download PDF Viewer
	PDF Version (for printing) Large Print Version (pdf) Text Version

Opportunities...

Consumers Helping Consumers

Over many years, our society has grown to appreciate the support and encouragement which can be provided by people who share a common bond regarding an issue, problem or situation. DATI is capitalizing on this valuable resource with its AT Peer Mentor Service, a project bringing experienced assistive technology (AT) users together with more inexperienced users. These volunteers are familiar with devices for deaf people, computer access for people with visual impairments, augmentative communication devices, mobility aids, aids for activities of daily living, and adapted driving. The AT Peer Mentor Service and is available free of charge to any AT user.

This service is not meant to replace AT professional services or other resources; rather, it is intended to provide grass roots support from people who have already been there.

In August, the Delaware Assistive Technology Initiative (DATI) sponsored a day-and-a-half seminar to train volunteers to support novice assistive technology (AT) users. Anyone interested in talking with a trained Peer Mentor is encouraged to call one of DATI's Assistive Technology Resource Centers or the DATI Central Site. Some general information will be taken from you in order to match you up with an appropriate Peer Mentor, and then arrangements will be made to put the two of you in touch. Phone numbers to call are:

• Central Site-(302)651-6790 (Voice)
  (302)651-6794 (TDD)
  
• New Castle County-(302)657-5647 (Voice)
  (302)657-5893 (TDD)
  
• Kent County-(302)739-6885 (Voice)
  (302)739-6886 (TDD)
  
• Sussex County-(302)856-7946 (Voice)
  (302)856-6714 (TDD)
  

 

RESNA Receives a Four-Year Technical Assistance Grant

RESNA is pleased to announce its continuation of the Technical Assistance Project. Funded by the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research, U.S. Department of Education, under the Technology-Related Assistance for Individuals with Disabilities Act Amendments of 1994 (P.L. 103-218), the grant will run from October 1, 1995 through September 30, 1999.

The RESNA Technical Assistance Project has carried out its role as technical assistance provider to states and territories for the past six years by providing on-site consultations, conducting national and regional meetings and teleconferences, developing resource materials, disseminating information, and providing assistance via the telephone. Under the new grant, RESNA will continue to conduct these activities as well as initiate new activities such as:

• establishing specialized workgroups on assistive technology (SWATs) in areas such as special education, vocational rehabilitation, medical assistance, and private insurance to identify barriers to assistive technology acquisition and develop action plans to reduce or eliminate the barriers;
• working closely with the RESNA Quality Assurance Project to improve consumer satisfaction and help ensure consumer safety regarding assistive technology;
• expanding the clearinghouse of information about states' assistive technology activities as well as maintaining a presence on the Internet's World Wide Web; and
• collaborating with the National Center for the Improvement of Practice at the Education Development Center in Boston to establish an electronic forum for state Tech Act project personnel to network with educators on various issues.

RESNA is a non-profit interdisciplinary association for the advancement of rehabilitation and assistive technologies. Its purpose is to increase the independence of individuals with disabilities through the use of assistive technology devices and rehabilitation services.

 

American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD)

AAPD is a new organization putting people with disabilities first. It will service as a vehicle to allow people with disabilities to unify, organize and coordinate efforts in the private sector without government programs or benefits.

The group is the brainchild of five disability rights advocates: Justin Dart, former head of the President's Committee on Employment of People with Disabilites; Sylvia Walker, director of Howard University Research and Training Center; Paul Hearne, president of The Dole Foundation; John Kemp, executive director of United Cerebral Palsy Associations; and I. King Jordan, president of Gallaudet University.

AAPD will be working to make people independent and depend less on government support. Government and private payments to support people with disabilities of employable age who do not have jobs is estimated to be $232 billion annually, according to AAPD. Another $195 billion in earnings and taxes are lost each year because Americans with disabilities are unemployed.

AAPD will seek to:

• Foster leadership among people with disabilities.
• Provide information to and from the disability community.
• Educate the public and government policymakers regarding issues affecting people with disabilities.
• Further the productivity, independence, full citizenship and total integration of people with disabilities into all aspects of society and the natural environments.
• And promote service availability in the areas of medical equipment and mobility aids, personal assistance services, insurance and other benefits of membership.