Disability Resources

by Ed Salisbury, AT Specialist

There are numerous publications, conferences, and organizations nationwide that provide information on assistive technology, recreation, therapy, and current disability issues. This article will acquaint you with some of the resources that we find helpful at the Assistive Technology Resource Center.

Closing the Gap is a bimonthly publication with content appealing to both consumers and service providers. Articles and advertisements focus primarily on technology for computer access and communication. An annual resource directory of computer software is provided to subscribers of the publication. Closing the Gap also sponsors an annual technology conference featuring a large exhibit floor and a variety of educational seminars. Many manufacturers of assistive technology plan new product releases to coincide with this conference. The conference is five days long and is held every October in Minneapolis, Minnesota. For more information, contact Closing the Gap at (612) 248-3294.

Team Rehab magazine is a monthly publication targeted toward physical and occupational therapists as well as rehab engineers and assistive technology specialists. Most articles focus on the equipment and techniques used by the therapy team in the areas of seating, positioning and wheeled mobility. A reader service card is included in each issue making it easy to obtain literature on new products from any of the numerous advertisers. For more information, contact Miramar Communications at (800) 543-4116.

HANDI Network News is a local bimonthly newspaper published by the Help and Advocacy Network of Delaware with articles of interest to people with a wide range of disabilities. The content of HANDI includes success stories, new product information, local events and happenings, equipment classified ads, personals, and more. HANDI also sponsors the Grass Roots Information Network, or GRIN. The purpose of GRIN is to provide people with disabilities computers donated by local businesses and low cost Internet access. For more information, contact HANDI at (302)324-0630.

The Rehab Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America (RESNA) provides numerous opportunities for information-sharing. In addition to receiving a bi-monthly newsletter called RESNA News, members of RESNA can join any number of special interest groups. These include service delivery, special education, sensory aids, job accommodation, gerontology, and more. Each year in June, RESNA holds its week-long conference in a different major city. The conference targets consumers of assistive technology, service and equipment providers, researchers, and developers. The content of the exhibits and seminars is very similar to that of the Closing the Gap conference with an added emphasis on seating, positioning, and wheeled mobility. While consumer attendance at the RESNA conference is encouraged, the majority of conference attendees are service providers. For more information, contact RESNA at (202) 857-1199.

New Mobility is a bimonthly magazine focusing on disability life-style, culture, and resources. New Mobility's articles deal primarily with issues of interest to adults with mobility impairments such as politics, independent living, sexuality, medical updates, and recreation options. For more information, contact Miramar Communications at (800) 543-4116.

Mainstream is a magazine published ten times a year by Exploding Myth Inc. Articles are of interest to consumers and rehabilitation professionals. For more information on Mainstream magazine, contact your local ATRC.

Exceptional Parent is a monthly magazine for parents of children or young adults with disabilities. Articles cover a wide range of topics including mobility, education, nutrition, and assistive technology. Also included in every issue is a reader service card which makes it easy to obtain information on advertised products. The magazine contains a search-and-respond column in which parents share experiences and ideas with other parents who have children with similar disabilities. There is also an Ask the Doctor column in which parents can write in and ask questions. Classified ads and a New Products section can also be found in the Exceptional Parent magazine. For more information, contact Exceptional Parent at (800)247-8080.

The Trace Center in Madison, Wisconsin publishes its biannual Trace Resource Book, a catalog of over 1,500 assistive technology devices from over 400 manufacturers in the areas of computer hardware and software and augmentative communication. Each product entry contains a description of the product, a picture, and ordering information. Easy to use appendices provide information on manufacturers, publications, databases, and service providers. The Trace Center also markets the Co-Net CD ROM. This CD-ROM contains DOS-ABLEDATA for PC computers and Hyper-ABLEDATA for the Macintosh. This searchable database includes information on over 20,000 assistive technology devices for all disabilities. The CD ROM also contains a text document library including the full text of the ADA and technical assistance manuals. For more information, contact Trace at (608)263-2309.

One of the most valuable resources to the ATRCs is the Internet. Most manufacturers of assistive technology for computers and computer access have sites on the World Wide Web, where product information and even demonstration versions of software can be downloaded. Shareware designed to make computing easier for people with or without disabilities can also be downloaded from numerous sites and archives on the Internet. People with interests in various disabilities can join newsgroups and have up-to-date information electronically mailed to them, or they can chat on-line with consumers and family members of people all over the world with similar disabilities for the price of a local phone call. For information on how to access the Internet and where to find sites of interest, look for an Internet workshop at an ATRC near you.

The resources listed above represent only a small sample of those available nationally as well as locally. Newsletters, support groups, and local conferences are also a valuable resource. For information on any other resources, or for more information on ones listed above, contact your local Assistive Technology Resource Center.

My First Incredible Amazing Dictionary CD-ROM encourages children to explore language. Go to "a" for "airport" and see planes and helicopters animate! Listen to the pilot communicate to air traffic control! See the airplane's wings break a few windows of the hangar, while it gets ready to taxi to the runway!

The Word Group Screens show groups of related words. Annotated Picture Screens label parts of the picture. Letter Screens show children how to write the letters of the alphabet. All screens are easily accessed through a mouse or mouse alternative. For these fun experiences and more with My First Incredible Amazing Dictionary, designed for the child 4 to 7 years old, contact your local ATRC.