All is not lost down here in the land of Trump, where I'm avoiding Nova Scotia weather. The local Muscular Dystrophy Association, to which I belong, invited folks to tour a state run Assistive Technology Center. I learned about this program a couple of years ago and have been looking for an opportunity to learn more. The website is very informative.
The North Carolina Assistive Technology Program (NCATP) is a state and federally funded program that provides assistive technology services statewide to people of all ages and abilities. NCATP leads North Carolina's efforts to carry out the federal Assistive Technology Act of 2004 by providing device demonstration, short-term device loans, and reutilization of assistive technology. Here are the categories of devices and services:
- Aids for Daily Living
- Alternative and Augmentative Communication
- Vehicle Modifications
- Environmental Control
- Sensory Aids
- Vision
- Hearing
- Tablet Access
- Computer Access
- Learning, Cognition, and Development
- Seating and Mobility
At 17 facilities, in a large and crowded room, there are hundreds of devices, complex and simple, familiar and strange - all useful and ready to try.
My favorite is a Gyro Cup, which I could really use. Even though it looks like me, it's not.
Keyboards, telephones, software (a big presence), tables, pointing devices, communication schemes, toys - even a robot.
The robot - BEAM - is a mobile telepresence and you can sign up for a live demonstration. Lynne Deese, who organizes the tours is terrific!
Just in passing, she mentioned "Rehabilitation Engineering" as if everyone should know about it. These are people who make their living providing assistive technology and helping figure ways to pay for it. I never heard of it. There is a professional organization. I think Nova Scotia has one member. Let's get more!
Coincidentally, in the same realm, the university of Manitoba is looking to assemble a Nova Scotia focus group to examine strategies and solutions for people who use mobility devices to improve their ability to get into their community in the winter. Here is their recruiting poster and contact info:
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