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A.T. Life Reporter

A Newsletter about Assistive Technology for People with Disabilities

Spring 2000                              Volume IX, Issue 2

In This Issue:

• President Clinton Makes Technology A Priority For Native Lands
• El Presidente Clinton Hace de la Tecnología una Prioridad para las Tierras Nativas
• NMTAP Coordinates Services For Acoma and Laguna Pueblo Children
• NMTAP Develops Ambitious Plan For The Future
• Summit on Assistive Technology
• Where To Go For Help On The Internet - Parent and Family AT Sites
• Assistive Technology Personnel Wanted
• First Security Loan Program Enables Gentleman to Hear Again
• Telephone Relay System Available Free of Charge Through USWest

President Clinton Makes Technology A Priority For Native Lands

President Clinton, honoring a promise he made seven years ago to visit the Navajo Nation, spoke of the importance of technology and Native Americans on Monday, April 17, 2000, during his "digital divide tour." NMTAP Director Alan Klaus and Navajo & Pueblo ABLE Director Kathy McWhorter were invited to attend the speech in the V.I.P. section by Jonathan Young, the Associate Director of Disability Outreach for the White House Public Liaison Office.

Alan and Kathy invited several of their partners in the Navajo ABLE program to join them in welcoming President Clinton to Shiprock on Navajo Nation Sovereignty Day: Lavida Maestas Spencer, Navajo Nation Assistive Technology Coordinator, Paula Seanez, Assistant Director of Navajo Nation Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services, along with a Navajo mother and her high school daughter who is using technology assistance services coordinated by Navajo ABLE.

Alan and Kathy were honored with special passes to the reserved front section of the audience in recognition of the Navajo ABLE initiative which provides loans of assistive technology to Native American students with disabilities. President Clinton applauded the Navajo ABLE project during his 30 minute speech. Here are excerpts:

. . . But here, an astonishing 37% of the households are without electricity; about 70% are without phone service; more than half without work. I am here because I believe that new technologies like the Internet and wireless communications can have an enormously positive impact in the Navajo Nation. . . They can be the greatest equalizers our society has ever known. I know that Navajo Nation has already begun to see this potential, as President Begaye said. . . On the western side of the Navajo Nation, rural health clinics are now linked through computers to the finest medical specialists at the University of Arizona. Your new Navajo ABLE initiative, funded in part by the Department of Education, is providing technologies to help children with disabilities write and communicate on computers.

According to NMTAP staff, they were thrilled to hear their program recognized by the President. In addition, they reported that the response to President Clinton by the Navajos was `incredible' and the speech was interrupted many times with applause and cheering. Following his remarks, President Clinton spent another hour and a half shaking hands and interacting with the crowd.

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El Presidente Clinton Hace de la Tecnología una Prioridad para las Tierras Nativas

El Presidente Clinton, haciendo honor a una promesa que hizo hace siete años de haber visitado la Nación Navajó, habló de la importancia de la tecnología y de los Nativo Americanos el lunes 17 de abril del 2000, durante su "gira de repartición digital." El director de NMTAP, Alan Klaus y la directora de Navajo & Pueblo ABLE, Kathy McWhorter fueron invitados a presenciar el discurso en la sección V.I.P. por Jonathan Young, el Director Asociado de Ayuda para el discapacitado de la oficina de Relaciones Públicas de la Casa Blanca.

Alan y Kathy invitaron varios de sus socios del programa Navajo ABLE para dar la bienvenida al Presidente Clinton a Shiprock en el Día de Soberanía de la Nación Navajó: Lavida Maestas Spencer, Coordinadora Asistente de Tecnología para la Nación Navajó, Paula Seanez, Directora Asistente para la Oficina de Educación Especial y Sevicios de Rehabilitación de la Nación Navajó, junto con una madre Navajó y su hija que asiste a la escuela secundaria y quien utiliza los servicios de asistencia tecnologica coordinados por Navajo ABLE.

Alan y Kathy fueron reconocidos con pases especiales para la sección reservada en frente de la audiencia en reconocimiento de la iniciativa de Navajo ABLE que provee prestamos de asistencia tecnologica para estudiantes Nativo Americanos con incapacidades. El Presidente Clinton aplaudió el proyecto de Navajo ABLE durante su discurso de 30 minutos. Aquí hay algunos extractos:

. . . Pero aquí, un 37% de los hogares no tienen electricidad; casi 70% no tienen servicio telefónico; más de la mitad sin trabajo. Estoy aquí porque creo que tecnologías nuevas como el Internet y comunicaciones innalámbricas pueden tener un enorme impacto positivo en la Nación Navajó. Ellos pueden ser los mejores igualadores que nuestra sociedad jamás haya conocido. Sé que la Nación Navajó ha empezado a ver este potencial, como el Presidente Begaye dijo. . . En la parte oeste de la Nación Navajó, clinicas de salud rurales están ahora conectadas por medio de computadoras con los mejores médicos especialistas en la Universidad de Arizona. Su nueva iniciativa Navajo ABLE, patrocinada en parte por el Departamento de Educación, provee tecnologías que ayudan a los niños con incapacidades a escribir y comunicarse en computadoras...

Según empleados de NMTAP, ellos estaban emo-cionados al escuchar que su programa fue reconocido por el Presidente. En adición, ellos reportaron que la respuesta de los Navajós hacia el Presidente Clinton fue `increible' y que el discurso fue interrumpido en varias ocasiones por aplausos alentadores. Siguiendo sus observaciones, el Presidente Clinton permaneció por una hora y media más saludando e interactuando con la gente.

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NMTAP Coordinates Services For Acoma and Laguna Pueblo Children

NMTAP is implementing the Native American Consortium of Educational and Assistive Technologies for Indian Children Living in the Acoma and Laguna Pueblos ("The Consortium"). Special Program Services of DVR was awarded a two year grant from the U.S. Department of Education to replicate a demonstration model of its successful ABLE (Assistive Bank of Loanable Equipment) program to serve children with disabilities on the Pueblos.

The purpose of the Native American Consortium is to involve community leaders who will provide guidance and direction to pueblo schools and children's programs to ensure the educational and assistive technology needs of children are met. The mission of the Consortium is to help students with disabilities in the Laguna and Acoma Pueblos to enhance their quality of life.

NMTAP was awarded over $400,000 for a two year demonstration program that has the following program outcomes:

1. improving educational opportunities and achievements of preschool children,
2. providing Indian youth with knowledge and skills to make a successful transition from school to employment, and
3. developing a model educational and assistive technology program for children with disabilities that is adaptable for use with other minority cultures in remote settings.

At a recent meeting of the consortium, Mike Chambers, Special Education Coordinator at the Laguna Schools, said, "Assistive technology will enable these Native American kids to lead a much more productive life." Mr. Chambers is the key player in establishing the membership in the consortium including staff from the local school communities. Representatives from Laguna-Acoma High School, Acoma Head Start, Laguna Elementary, Laguna-Acoma Vocational Rehabilitation and Sky City Elementary are committed to collaborating regularly to make the program a success. Also involved are ancillary service providers from the schools including an occupational therapist, a speech-language pathologist, and a social worker. An Advisory Council is being established with representatives from each of the schools to work with Mr. Chambers, NMTAP Director Alan Klaus, and Native American Pueblo ABLE Director Kathy McWhorter on leadership of this project.

Services offered under the program include educational and assistive technology training, demonstration labs showing the range of technology options, funding sources for the various systems, along with short-term loans so students can try out different alternatives before purchasing, to make sure that the solution is the best for the student.

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NMTAP Develops Ambitious Plan For The Future

The staff of the New Mexico Assistive Technology Program outlined its ambitious plan for the next three years in its recent funding application to the National Institute of Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR), a program of the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services.

The NMTAP action plan from April 2000 through March 2003 includes the following:

Small Business Mall Business Development Center Initiative

NMTAP will provide business development resources to individuals with disabilities living in tribal communities and/or rural areas through the Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) in New Mexico. Resources such as state-of-the-art accessibility computer sites, toll-free telephone consulting by Peer Business Associates and an enterprise exchange network will be available. It is anticipated that a majority of those served through this initiative will be American Indians with disabilities.

Alternative Financing Plans for NMTAP Programs and Services

NMTAP will coordinate a Home Access Program (HAP) to meet the needs of physically challenged consumers across the state. A priority will be to identify and collaborate with state and federal agencies who might provide funding to the consumer for the costs of home access construction.

By working with local banks and through increased public awareness, NMTAP will increase the availability of loans for AT devices for consumers in New Mexico.

Regional Collaboration

NMTAP will continue to work with other states and regional initiatives to improve Assistive Technology services for New Mexico consumers. In the fall of 2000, a regional conference on AT will be presented by agencies from around the Rocky Mountain Region.

Assistive Bank of Loan Equipment (ABLE) Programming

NMTAP will expand ABLE to adults and seniors around the state.

By working with service providers and funding sources, NMTAP will expand ABLE to more preschool age children with disabilities in New Mexico.

All educational programs in the state will have access to ABLE and a larger number of students with disabilities.

Management and Resource Development Activities

By early 2001, NMTAP plans to distribute its comprehensive AT funding database system - EN@ABLE - across the internet for use by the public.

NMTAP will develop additional procedures to evaluate the effectiveness of its services and to measure consumer satisfaction.

  The Coordinating Council will include increased representation from consumers and their families.

Coordination and collaboration with the New Mexico Protection and Advocacy System will be continued.

Alan Klaus, Director of NMTAP, reflected on the importance of these new programs, "Though NMTAP has accomplished so much during the last ten years, many challenges in the delivery of assistive technology programs and services still need to be addressed in New Mexico. We want to expand our services to begin innovative initiatives to help even more people with disabilities in our state."

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Summit on Assistive Technology

The first annual New Mexico Summit on Assistive Technology, held March 1, 2000 in Albuquerque, was a huge success.

Participants included educators, assistive and educational technology specialists, occupational & physical therapists, speech language pathologists, advocates and parents.

Kathy McWhorter, Director of NMTAP's Navajo-ABLE program, remarked, "This was the first time people across the state had the chance to meet each other and exchange ideas and resources. We may have spoken on the telephone, but we could put a face with a voice and share our enthusiasm."

Over 70 people from all over New Mexico came together to attend the day long meeting which focused on Assistive Technology needs and services across the state. Discussions focussed on the development of a statewide assistive technology implementation plan for student devices and services, and a framework for the "Universal Design of Technology" and computer stations that would meet the needs of all special needs students in a cost and time efficient manner.

According to Sandy D'Amico Nettleton, Director of the Assistive Technology Program at Albuquerque Public Schools and one of the organizers of this event, "Participants were very enthusiastic about the discussions, even passionate about their ideas. People were concerned that we continue to meet as a group and that we work together to develop a plan that works for us all."

Janet Levine, assistive technologist, reported that recommendations from the summit would be incorporated into the Department of Education's technology plan.

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Where To Go For Help On The Internet

Parent and Family AT Sites

The sheer vastness of the amount of information available on the Internet can, at times, be overwhelming to even the most experienced computer users. Besides the difficulty of navigating through the huge number of sites, there's also the process of screening the sites' contents to discover which ones are worthwhile.

To save our readers from having to surf the Web to find helpful information and resources about Assistive Technology, we are providing below a list of sites that include consumer information, links to other resources, definitions, and other valuable information. Please note that at the time of publication, these listings were accurate. However, things change so quickly in the cyberspace world that we can't guarantee 100% accuracy in the future.

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Assistive Technology Personnel Wanted:

Navajo ABLE is looking for people with AT experience to assist them with evaluations and assessments on the Navajo reservation. Specifically, physical therapists, occupational therapists and speech language pathologists are needed! If you are interested or know of someone who could provide these services, please contact Project Director Kathy McWhorter at (800) 866-2253 or via e-mail: (kathym@state.nm.us). You can reach Lavida Spencer, the Navajo Nation Assistive Technology Coordinator at (520) 871-6338 ext. 7490 or via e-mail: (oserg@dns.nncs.ihs.gov).

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First Security Loan Program Enables Gentleman to Hear Again

NMTAP administers a low interest loan program with First Security Bank which allows people with disabilities and immediate family members of a person with a disability to receive low interest loans when purchasing assistive devices. The program, managed by Caroll Cadena, Information and Referral Specialist for NMTAP, recently helped an Albuquerque area gentleman with hearing loss.

The gentleman had been prescribed the Nu-Ear model, completely-in-a-canal (CIC) which had a substantial price tag of $4,500.

Within one day of the loan application, the client received news that the loan was approved. As his daughter said, "I've already recommended this program to a lot of other people who need medical help." Hats off to Caroll Cadena and to loan officer Brian Merit of First Security for being so efficient with assisting this man.

For more information on how to obtain a loan of your own, please contact Caroll at 1-800-866-2253.

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Telephone Relay System Available Free of Charge Through USWest

The New Mexico Relay Network is a communications service that links Deaf, Hard of Hearing, Speech Impaired and Hearing people via the telephone.

To use this service, dial either (800) 659-8331 (TTD) or (800) 659-1779 (voice). Give the agent the number you would like to call and he or she will stay on-line to relay the conversation. You can talk directly with the person you are calling. All calls and information are confidential. This 24 hour relay service is provided at no cost to callers, although long distance calls will be billed accordingly.

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The A.T. Life Reporter is published by the New Mexico Technology Assistance Program, (NMTAP) State Department of Education, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR)

Terry Brigance, Director, DVR
Andy Winnegar, Deputy Director
Alan Klaus, NMTAP Director
Caroll Cadena, Information Specialist
Lorie Gulley, Administrative Secretary
Bill Newroe, ATP, Funding & Contract Specialist
Kathy McWhorter, Navajo & Pueblo ABLE Project Coordinator
Julie Roybal, Student Intern
Katie Norton, Newsletter Editor

The AT Life Reporter is currently mailed to individuals and organizations across the state. If you would like a copy of the newsletter, or want to be removed from our mailing list, please call 1-800-866-2253 (Voice) or 1-800-659-4915 (TTY).

Complete Spanish & audio versions of this newsletter are available upon request.
El periodical esta disponsible para su revision en español.
State and federal funds are used for printing.

NMTAP is funded through the State Department of Education, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR), under a grant from National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR), U.S. Department of Education. This publication does not necessarily reflect the views of DVR or NIDRR, and no official endorsement of material should be inferred. NMTAP does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, ancestry, medical condition, age, religion or handicap, and provides, on request, reasonable accomodation, including auxiliary aids and services necessary to afford an individual with a disability an equal opportunity to participate in all services, programs, and activities.

New Mexico Technology Assistance Program
435 St. Michael's Drive, Bldg., D
Santa Fe, New Mexico 87505
1-800-866-2253 (Voice)
1-800-659-4915 (TTY)