NEW PILOT PROGRAM

ATP efforts to provide assistive technology services to transition students

During the first half of 2006, Assistive Technology Partnership (ATP) sought input from families, school personnel, transition practitioners, Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) staff, and others on the barriers facing students transitioning from school to work or post-secondary education. Suggestions for solutions were also sought.
What we learned is that there is still a great need for more awareness about assistive technology. Schools want more help to support the use of assistive technology in school and the workplace, especially for trial job opportunities. Of greatest interest were solutions that are low cost and can easily transfer from school to work. Employers, school personnel, and families all expressed a need for more technical support with the use of assistive technology. Specifically, they want to see a broader range of devices available for trial use and more on-site help as students explore job opportunities.
We also learned there is a need to know more about resources that can help pay for assistive technology. This is especially true for students in transition where identifying and clarifying the roles and responsibilities of the school, VR, and an employer can often be confusing.

Other issues and needs that were mentioned included:

• Assistive technology solutions for kids with learning disabilities;
• Assistive technology solutions for kids with physical disabilities (high needs due to multiple limitations);
• Classroom based solutions instead of a resource room; and
• Better tracking and sharing of assistive devices.

VR is providing funding

See Pilot Program, page 6.

Ready To Work
With Technology

In 1995 Gary Hauck of Lincoln experienced two aneurysms, which resulted in loss of executive function and short-term memory. (A brain aneurysm is dilation, bulging, or ballooning out of part of the wall of a vein or artery.) His 28-year career working on a factory assembly line ended, and Gary lost his self-confidence when he experienced difficulty solving problems, making decisions, and not knowing what to do next.
Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) is helping Gary investigate a new career path. Barb Test, a VR Counseling Specialist, referred Gary to the Assistive Technology Partnership (ATP) to explore how technology might help him. “Building Gary’s self-esteem was the first step. Being able to manage his schedule, make decisions and problem solve, will make Gary better prepared to work,” Barb says.
David Altman, ATP Technology Specialist, met with Gary for several hours to become familiar with how Gary was organizing his schedule and what he was doing to help him remember things he needed to do throughout the day. Gary was using a calendar by his bed and was tracking appointments on slips of paper. David describes, “Gary needed a portable solution. It is important for Gary to have support no matter where he is, at home, a job interview, and at work. Being able to access a calendar would prevent the frustration of not being able to remember appointments. Using to do lists could give Gary the

Top: Gary Hauck’s Dana. Bottom: Gary Hauck (center) demonstrating the Dana for David Altman and Barb Test.

confidence to take the next step to accomplish what he needs to do.”
“I recommended a device called the Dana. The laptop alternative (costs less than $700) has a full-size keyboard, wide screen and weighs less than two pounds. The Dana is easy to carry in a briefcase or purse. Gary was excited to learn that the Dana would fit in his backpack making it easy for him to take it wherever he goes. Gary recognized the potential of the address book, date book, and memo pad for quick reminders. The Dana has an alarm that will remind Gary of appointments. I also recommended an easy to use talking word processor WRITE:OutLoud. The text Gary types is converted to speech. The voice support gives Gary feedback which helps him evaluate what he has written.”
Gary told David and Barb, “The Dana is my best friend and has become an important tool to help me be successful. During my job seeking skills class I was able to take notes for future reference. I have entered important dates and have no fear of forgetting them. I am making plans to use it in a new janitorial job. I will be able to take notes during job training and track my progress at work.”