NEC Foundation of America Grant
For the third time, the Kornreich Technology Center at Abilities! has been awarded a grant by the
NEC Foundation of America related to educating selected audiences about assistive technology and related topics.
The 2005-2006 grant is for development of
A Functional Approach to Workplace Accommodations
, a program aimed at employers or potential employers of people with disabilities. The program describes functional limitations experienced by employees as a result of illness or injury and links them to workplace accommodations that allow the employees to perform their job tasks effectively. This approach will be more intelligible to employers than focusing on medical diagnostic categories or classifications of technology. The program will demonstrate that low-tech solutions are often effective, either by themselves or in concert with higher-tech solutions. Indeed, solutions that involve no technology at all, such as modifying the layout of a room, or reorganizing job tasks, are an important part of accommodating someone with a disability in the workplace.
The program will use a variety of media to convey its content and will be made available to members of the
National Business and Disability Council, another component of Abilities!, free of charge, via NBDC’s website. Distribution to other employers will also be available through a variety of media.
A preview version of this program is now available. View it to get an idea of the program’s structure, features and content. We would appreciate feedback on these program excerpts and will be happy to incorporate your ideas as we finalize the program. Please note that this version is preliminary and does not include captions and other features.
In 2003, through another NEC Foundation grant, a three part professional education series:
Augmentative Communication: Real Problems/Real Solutions
was developed here. The programs were delivered as live, interactive webcasts, featuring staff from the Kornreich Technology Center. Those programs were archived and are available on this website at
Webcast archive (see programs dated 4/30/03, 5/14/03 and 6/18/03).
In 1994, the NEC Foundation sponsored a session related to universal design at the annual National Conference of the Industry Labor Council (now the
National Business and Disability Council)
(Updated: 3/19/2008 12:00:00 AM )
Inclusive Technology Program
ITP is a model program that is significantly altering the way the
Henry Viscardi School (HVS) delivers instruction and expands its students’ educational horizons. Classrooms have been equipped with interactive whiteboards, laptop computers, and individually selected assistive technology to help teachers customize instruction to the needs of individual students. Video conferencing technology further enhances instruction by giving students entry to otherwise inaccessible settings, such as
museums, remote locales, and integrated education programs. Video conferencing can also be used to allow students to attend classes from home or hospital during long-term absences due to surgery or illness.
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Staff and students are enthusiastic about the way the ITP enhances education at HVS. Pictured here is a converted classroom. Each student has a notebook computer at his/her height-adjustable desk. The whiteboard on the wall is showing the students what is on the teacher’s computer screen. The plasma TV screen on the wall can be used for television, video, or video-conference programs.
The Kornreich Technology Center manages and implements the ITP. Joe Dixon, Kornreich Center Director, directs the project, aided by a team of interns: choosing the technology, getting it purchased and installed, training the school staff in its use, and developing educational content that takes advantage of the technology. In the first year, 2003-2004, four classrooms were converted as a pilot project. In 2004-2005 nine more classrooms were done and this year fourteen more classrooms were added, making the availability of this technology complete within the school.
(Updated: 4/25/2008 12:00:00 AM )
Librarian News
After a year as President, Susan Feuer, Librarian of the Rae C. Kornreich Library, has become Treasurer of the Long Island Chapter of the
Special Libraries Association (SLA). With the Kornreich Technology Center since 1999, Ms. Feuer has presided over, expanded, and diversified our specialized assistive technology collection. This experience makes her ideally suited to the leadership of SLA. For more information, visit our
Staff page.
(Updated: 3/19/2008 12:00:00 AM )
Recent Acquisitions
The Kornreich Technology Center is continually adding to its extensive collection of assistive technology hardware, software, and other resources. Two of our recent acquisitions are:
- The
Plextalk PTN1, a player for audio CDs that handles Daisy Digital Talking Books, audio books on CD, and other audio formats. With easy, completely accessible controls and a high quality built in speaker, the PTN1 can be operated and enjoyed by virtually anyone. A variety of other readers for audio books — both hardware and software — are available in the Rae C. Kornreich Library. Please ask the librarian for more information, at 516/465-1614 or email
sfeuer@abilitiesonline.org.
-
Jelly Beamer wireless switch, performs just like a traditional switch — without the hassle of cables. This powerful and portable switch uses the same technology found in wireless headsets for mobile phones and MP3 players, and in handheld devices, such as PDAs. Switches are used by people with disabilities to control equipment such as computers and augmentative communication systems. Wireless switches reduce clutter in the work area, cut down on cords catching in the wheels of the wheelchairs and other equipment, and offer mobility to the switch user accessing a stationary device such as a desktop computer.
Also see the
most recent acquisitions of books, CD-ROM, and videos, available for reference or borrowing at the Rae C. Kornreich Library.
(Updated: 3/19/2008 12:00:00 AM )
Continuing Education Units
The Kornreich Technology Center is an approved continuing education provider for both the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA). In addition to our
webcast series, we will be hosting occasional educational events that will allow speech-language pathologists and occupational therapists to earn credit toward their recertification. Keep an eye on our
Upcoming Events page for scheduled presentations.
(Updated: 3/19/2008 12:00:00 AM )
Web Accessibility Gateway
The Kornreich Technology Center is a project partner with
IBM Corporate Community Relations and
SeniorNet in an exciting new project to improve access to the World Wide Web for people with special needs. With this award-winning technology, web pages are custom-formatted to suit each user’s needs before they are displayed on the user’s screen.
Learn more about the Web Accessibility Gateway.
(Updated: 3/19/2008 12:00:00 AM )