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Florida FAAST: Accessible Technology for Improved Quality of Life

Florida Alliance for Assistive Services and Technology (FAAST) offers free programs to improve the quality of life for Floridians with disabilities through advocacy and awareness. FAAST provides assistive technology services through its regional centers, including the South Florida Regional Demonstration Center serving eight counties. In line with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), FAAST defines assistive technology as devices that support individuals with disabilities to enhance their functioning. The South Florida Center offers an AT demonstration lab, information and referrals, education, online courses, and an assistive device lending program. FAAST also provides resource guides for different life stages and services for individuals in nursing homes and emergency preparedness. The center offers outreach services, assistance with AT use, and a device loan program for short-term trials. Available devices for loan include communication aids, writing aids, literacy software, and adapted toys. Visit the FAAST website for more information and access to resources.

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Florida FAAST: Accessible Technology for Improved Quality of Life

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  1. FAASTFlorida Alliance For Assistive Service & TechnologySouth Florida Regional Demo Center (SFRDC)RDC Director: Michelle Schladant, Ph.D.RDC Coordinator: Ana Nevares, M.A. 1601 N.W. 12th Ave. Suite 2018 Miami, FL 33136 Phone: (305) 243-5706 Fax: (305) 243-4467 anevares@med.miami.edu

  2. What is FAAST? Florida Alliance for Assistive Services and Technology : FAAST is a free program dedicated to improving the quality of life for all Floridians with disabilities through advocacy and awareness activities that increase access to and acquisition of assistive services and technology. FAAST serves individuals across the lifespan.

  3. What is FAAST? FAASTmainoffice is located in Tallahassee with 6 Regional Demonstration Centers thorough the state. At the South Florida Regional Demonstration Center we serve 8 Counties: • Monroe • Miami-Dade • Broward • Palm Beach • Collier • Hendry • Lee • Charlotte

  4. What is AT? The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) & the Technology Act of 2004 defines Assistive Technology (AT) as: • Devices that supplement the existing skills of an individual with a disability. • AT Devices are tools used to increase an individual’s functioning in one or more developmental areas. • An AT Device is any item, piece of equipment, or product system whether acquired commercially, modified, or customized, which is used to maintain or improve the functioning capabilities of an individual. Examples of different types and use for AT video: http://ataccess.ning.com/video/video/show?id=4500297%3AVideo%3A11

  5. Through the South Florida Regional Demonstration Center, FAAST Provides: • An Assistive Technology Demonstration Lab Located at the University of Miami Mailman Center for Child Development (Suite 2018) • Information and Referrals • AT Demonstrations and Technical Assistance •  Education and Outreach (AT Trainings) • AT Online Courses: Interdisciplinary Fundamentals in Adaptive and Assistive Technology • An Assistive Device Lending Program All FAAST services are FREE

  6. FAASTalso provides: A list of Resource Guides to assist individuals with disabilities navigate the legal ramifications of different stages of life: • General Resources & Self-Help Guide: IDEA • General Resources and Self-Help Guide for Children with Disabilities & their Families • FAAST Employment Resources Self-Help Guide • General Housing Resources & Self-Help Guide • General Resources and Self-Help Guide for Older Individuals with Disabilities

  7. FAASTalso provides: • Resource Guide for Individuals in Nursing Homes • FAAST Emergency Preparedness Resource Link You may access FAAST Resource Guides by visiting the FAAST website at: http://www.faast.org/resources/library The list of Resource Guides are not a substitute for legal advice

  8. South Florida Regional Demonstration Center Lab

  9. Outreach Services • We provide consumers with information and referral according to individual AT needs • AT related conferences at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine • Assistance with the use of AT through individual appointments

  10. Device Loan Program- 30 Day Trail - The South Florida Regional Demonstration Center houses a variety of AT devices, software, and products aimed at supporting individuals (across the lifespan) through education, employment and daily living activities. To schedule a device loan appointment contact Ana Nevares at (305) 243-5706.

  11. South Florida Regional Demonstration CenterDevice Lending Library List You have the opportunity to check an online list of all Devices available for short term loans. To do so, you may visit the SFRDC’s webpage at: http://www.faast.org/programs/regional-demo/south and click on the link: Device Lending Library

  12. Sample of Items for Short-Term Loans at SFRDC Acrobat Visual Tech Price: $2,295.00 UBI-DUO Price: $1,995.00 With the UbiDuo, communication is quick: the deaf, hard of hearing or hearing person can start a conversation right away instead of writing on paper & pen, or waiting for an interpreter to arrive. The Acrobat system is a unique, easy-to-use video magnifier which is ideal for near, distance and self-viewing.

  13. Sample of Items for Short-Term Loans at SFRDC Example of Writing & Typing Aids Talking Calculator Price: $20.00 www.independentliving.com Clear female voice speaks the individual digits or whole integers. Volume control also turns the voice off. Can be used with earphones. Price: $10.00-$25.00

  14. Sample of Items for Short-Term Loans at SFRDC Solo Literacy Suite 6 www.donjohnston.com Neo Software www.donjohnston.com Neo is the easy-to-use, lightweight, affordable word processor. I SOLO is a literacy suite of the most popular assistive technology accommodations, including a text reader, graphic organizer, talking word processor, and word prediction. SOLO 6 is simple to use, yet powerful for students who struggle to read and write.

  15. Sample of Items for Short-Term Loans at SFRDC Adapted Toys, Timer, Mouse Communication Devices

  16. Sample of Items for Short-Term Loans at SFRDC Items for Daily Living

  17. Sample Software • Word Q Speak Q Enhance your writing with fully- integrated word prediction, spoken feedback and speech recognition. Works on top of the writing applications you use everyday. www.goqsoftware.com • Ginger Software Ginger is an intelligent spell checker. Ginger recognizes words in context and provides the most appropriate corrections for spelling and grammar mistakes according to the intended meaning of your sentence. Ginger can tell when a correctly spelled word is misused and replaces it with the right word. www.gingersoftware.com • Text Help-Read & Write Gold This customizable easy to use toolbar integrates with familiar applications including Microsoft Word, Explorer, and Adobe Reader, allowing students to access the support tools they need from within mainstream software programs. It highlights and reads text aloud and also includes comprehensive set of support tools for reading, writing, studying, research, and test taking. www.texthelp.com/page.asp

  18. To find out more about FAASTSouth Florida Regional Demonstration Center Phone: Voice/TTY (305) 243-5706 Email: anevares@med.miami.edu Websites: www.faast.org www.faast.org/programs/regionaldemo/south www.mailmancenter.org/ATservices.htm

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