infoTECH News

[December 21, 2009]

Devices assist people with disabilities

Dec 21, 2009 (The News-Sentinel - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- People with learning disabilities are now being enabled by new technologies, and the INDATA Project at Easter Seals Crossroads is making it easier to learn about what is new.

Carol Girt, equipment loan specialist and Michael Garberg, reuse-distance education technician, were at ARC of Northeast Indiana on Thursday to let clients know what is out there and to demonstrate some of them.

The INDATA Project has been around only since 2007 and is funded by federal and state funds through assisted technology grant funds. The pair travels statewide and is in Fort Wayne every two months. Girt acts as a librarian, loaning out new aids for 30 days so clients can get a feel for the device and decide if they are a good fit before making a costly purchase. Sometimes they also have free items. On Thursday, Girt had a low-tech communication device called a ZAM that allows clients without speech to communicate with those around them through pictures and letters.

"These are used a lot in nursing homes," she said.

She also had some higher-ticket items like an M&A Companion Touch Tablet. The device looks like a small-screen laptop, and it is a small PC, but you can use a pen to write words on the screen and it will type them for you. Another function allows it to read to you, and the software for surfing the Web allows for parental controls. Girt says it is popular with autistic clients.

"We generally try and bring new devices like the INTEL-Reader," said Girt. That device helps visually impaired clients by scanning an item into it that will read it to them. It is very helpful for people who are losing their vision. Along with the INTEL-Reader, the duo had the Pulse Smart Pen, Classmate Reader, voice input systems such as Dragon Naturally Speaking and more to demonstrate.

Garberg recycles old computers to make them useful for disabled clients, and he is always looking for discarded computers and laptops to refurbish.

In 2010 they also will be providing clients with refurbished walkers, wheelchairs and canes to make their clients lives easier. They will open a showroom in Indianapolis so clients can shop at their leisure.

To see more of The News-Sentinel, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.FortWayne.com. Copyright (c) 2009, The News-Sentinel, Fort Wayne, Ind. Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For reprints, email tmsreprints@permissionsgroup.com, call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA.

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