Assistive Technology Webinar Series

1. Assistive Technology Webinar Series Brought to you by Michigan’s Assistive Technology Program at MDRC. 1

2. Use the public chat area on the right hand side. Questions and comments are encouraged and expected! The session is being recorded. We will start recording now. About the Webinar

3. AT for Emergencies August 25, 2011 Michigan Disability Rights Coalition (MDRC)

4. Two Types of Emergencies • Disasters • Everyday situations • Two Presentations Included Today: • An Overview of FEMA and AT • An Introduction to Michigan AT Program’s Demonstrations on AT and Communication in Emergency Situations

5. Presenter Jessica Mitchell Regional Disability Integration Specialist for FEMA Region V 536 S. Clark St., 6th FloorChicago, IL 60605 312-408-5499 (office) 312-576-2624 (cell) jessica.mitchell@dhs.gov

6. Short Overview of how FEMA Works • Disasters begin and end locally • Disaster declaration process • Types of disaster assistance available for presidentially declared disasters

7. Where FEMA uses Assistive Technology • Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) • Shelters • Call centers • Community Relations teams • Employees

8. FEMA Regional Disability Integration Specialist • When and why it was formed • Lessons learned from former disasters • Initiatives under current administration • Role within FEMA • During presidentially declared disasters • During steady-state activities

9. How can you help? Talk to your director of independent living Talk to your emergency management officials Grant guidance Organize Facebook page?

10. Resource Handouts For emergency management communities Preparedness resources for individuals with disabilities

11. Michigan’s AT Program Website at http://www.copower.org including a new AT Directory Used Equipment Exchange: AT Exchange at http://www.atxchange.org Low Interest Loans for AT through UCP Michigan’s AT Loan Fund Device Demonstrations available at different locations throughout the state.

12. The Purpose of Demonstrations Hands on experience with devices Compare and contrast features and benefits Make an informed decision about whether AT will help them Not a formal assessment/evaluation An overview, not training on how to use the device

13. Device Demonstrations Hearing Loss Association: Hearing Technology Resource Specialists – 10 kits of devices Small changes, Big Difference for community living low cost items AT for People who are Neurodiverse Low Vision Superior Alliance for Independent Living

14. Every day emergencies including: Ability to function at home alone Back-up plan for communication using low tech items Ability to manage medication Ability to catch someone’s attention Ability to read and write Communication in Emergencies

15. Communication Overview (from Lisa Bardach) The transfer of information between individuals by any means. The information does not have to be true or complete.

16. Why Do We Communicate? Needs and Wants Information Transfer Etiquette Social Closeness Self-talk

17. Communication Functions Getting attention Meeting wants/needs Expressing opinions Recalling information Understanding information

18. Communication Modalities Speaking (verbal expression) Understanding (auditory comprehension) Reading Writing Thinking (cognition)

19. AT Demo: Low Cost Devices • Low cost items may be an entry point and not necessarily a final product for daily use especially with work/school needs. 

20. AT Demonstration Focus Devices and strategies that can help with catching someone's attention, remembering important information, using the telephone, reading, writing, speaking, listening, and thinking. Include low cost back up plans for emergency and disaster preparedness.

21. AT Demonstrations Demonstrations are done by everyday users of AT who have been trained to demonstrate a variety of items that improve communication. Demonstrators do not sell or promote specific products. Funding and resource information is available at each personalized demonstration.

22. Some Devices Includes devices with audible and visual messages. Communication boards(useful back-up strategy!)

23. More Devices Single message recording devices A talking photo album Devices with multiple messages; also have step-by-step for sequenced communication

24. Telephones • Hands on practice is key to deciding what works best

25. And More Magnifiers Items for medication Time management Voice amplification

26. Devices - New You Tube Video of PenFriend Demo Pen friend talking labeling system

27. Devices – iPod Touch Multiple uses for basic communication Also has voice-over features A universal design option

28. Computer-based Communication If a primary device is not available - emergency back up of free/low cost software Reading and writing devices: computer, netbook or device like the Franklin Spelling Master

29. Free Software • Magnification lightning express: www.xpscreenreader.com • Magnification and screen reader www.satogo.com • Screen Readers • NVDA: www.nvda-project.org • Thunder: www.screenreader.net

30. FundingNote Assessments by professionals must be done to access many of the funding sources. ATXchange Michigan Assistive Technology Loan Fund

31. ContactInformation Demonstrations are arranged by: Disability Network Wayne County/Detroit313.923.1655 Disability Network Oakland Macomb586.268.4160 United Cerebral Palsy of Metro Detroit248.557.5070 Need more information? Cathy McAdam @ 313 563-1412 or mcmcadam@prosynergy.org

32. Questions?

33. Thank you! Thank you for completing the online survey about this webinar. A link will be emailed to you. If you do not want to receive email notices of future assistive technology webinar opportunities, please send an email to mdrc@prosynergy.org and ask to be removed from the AT Webinar list.

34. Final Thoughts “When you are unable to communicate, people talk behind, beside, around, over, under through and even for you. But never with you. You are ignored until you feel like a piece of furniture.” – Richard Creech “It wasn't raining when Noah built the ark” - Howard Ruff