Misc. Resources:11th Annual Accessing Higher Ground: H.B. 708: Distance Learning for Disabled Persons Accessible Assistive Technology in Eduction: New Mexico's Trailblazing Law A Very-Quick-&-Very-Dirty Overview to File Formats and Accessibility Post Secondary Assistive Technology Directory Youth Leadership Forum for Students with Disabilities (June
1-4, 2008) |
Summer 2002
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NM – S.W.A.T.T. 2002-2003 Calendar |
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| Date | Location | Site | Speakers & Format |
| October 3, 2002 | Farmington | San Juan Community College | AT Workshops |
| November 4-5, 2002 | Las Cruces | Las Cruces Hilton | Joy Zabala & AT Workshops |
| January 22-23, 2003 | Albuquerque | TBA | Caroline Musselwhite & AT Workshops |
| February 20, 2003 | Roswell | TBA | AT Workshops |
| April 10, 2003 | Las Vegas | NM Highlands University | AT Workshops |
El programa de ayuda technológica (NMTAP) estará pratrocinando
una serie de cinco conferencias atravez de todo el estado durante el año
escolar 2002-2003.Al personal de educación especial, adminis-tradores
de escuelas, terapeutas escolares, maestros, consejeros DVR, y personas
con incapasi-dades y sus familias se les invita a que participen en estos
entrenamientos para que aprendan más acerca de tecnología
de ayuda. Todas estas comferencias son completamente gratís.
Estos entrenamientos están dirigidos para la construcción
de servicios en distritos escolares y comunidades del estado con referencia
a estado-de-arte AT evaluación e implementación de prácticas.
Los entrenamientos también intentan ayudar a distritos escolares
a responder a las previsiones para los servicios de tecnología
de ayuda indicadas por IDEA ’97.
Las conferencias de entrenamiento incluiran sessiones de uno y dos días.
Los entrenamientos de un día- que se tendran en octubre 3 en Farmington,
febrero 20 en Roswell, y en abril 10 en Las Vegas- presentaran autoridades
de tecnología de ayuda de la region, quienes cubrirán un
gama de temas durante las sesiones de talleres concurrentes. Las sesiones
de dos días-que se tendran en novienbre 6-7, 2002 en Las Cruces
y enero 22-23, 2003 en Albuquerque- presentaran un día completo
de entrenamiento por por AT expertos reconocidos nacional-mente Joy Zabala
(Las Cruces) and Caroline Musselwhite (Albuqurque), seguido de un segundo
día de tallereas interrumpidos condicidos por los presentadores
regionales de tecnología de ayuda. Por favor ver articulo en página
3 para aprender más acerca de Caroline y Joy.
Patrocinado y fundado por NMTAp, todos los entrenamientos serán gratis e incluirán descansos de desayunos por la mañana y meriendas por la tarde, un complemento de NMTAP. Se aconseja la pre-registración por lo limitado de espacio en los sitios de los eventos. Un volante será enviado por correo a la lista de distribición. Ésta incluira infomación especifica en horas, lugares, presentadores de taller y más detalles acerca de los temas. Para más información en los entrenamientos, o para asegurar que su nombre está en la lista, por favor contacte a Lorie Gulley al 800-866-2253.
Caroline Musselwhite, Ph.D, and Joy Zabala, M.Ed., ATP, nationally recognized experts in assistive technology and its impact on students with disabilities, will be presenting day-long training sessions in their respective fields as part of NM-S.W.A.T.T., the 2002-2003 AT training initiative by NMTAP.
Caroline Musselwhite, Ph.D, will be the featured speaker at a full-day
training in Las Cruces, NM on November 23. Joy Zabala, M.Ed., ATP, will
be speaking on January 22 in Albuquerque.
You won’t want to miss this opportunity to learn directly from the
experts! The registration form for all of the 2002-2003 NM-S.W.A.T.T.
trainings is available online at our website: www.nmtap.com.
You may also request a form from Lorie Gulley either via e-mail at
lgulley@state.nm.us or by calling (800) 866-2253 ext. 8529.
Caroline Musselwhite, Ph.D, is an assistive technology consultant with
more than 20 years experience working with children having a wide range
of abilities. She has a doctorate in speech language pathology with a
minor in special education. She has worked in a number of settings including
Head Start, a developmental day center, public schools, university teaching,
and private practice. Caroline has written numerous articles, textbooks,
“How To” books, and a number of software programs for children.
Caroline has presented hundreds of workshops regionally, nationally, and
internationally, and will share low-cost, low-tech solutions that you
can implement in your programs immediately.
Joy Zabala s the developer of the SETT Framework, a tool which supports
collaborative problem-identification and solving by students, parents,
and multi-disciplinary professionals. SETT is an acronym which stands
for the following: S=Student, E=Environment, T=Tasks, T=Tools.
The goal of the framework is to guide teachers, specialists, clinicians,
and parents to work together collaboratively to select assistive technology
for an individual student who has disabilities.
The SETT Framework is a way of thinking about assistive technology devices
and services. The SETT Framework is used before trying to determine what
devices would be appropriate for a student. Information gathering is centered
on the Student, the Environments in which the student is expected to function,
and the Tasks which are a part of living and learning in those environments.
Then, using the S-E-T-T information, it is possible to move toward the
development of a system of Tools (devices, services, supports, and strategies)
that enable the Student to address the Tasks in customary Environments.
The result is a system of Tools that are Student-centered, Environmentally
useful (or compatible), and Task-focused.
For more on the SETT Framework, go to: www.joyzabala.com
Caroll Cadena, NMTAP’s Public Relations Specialist, participated in the Mobility Fair 2002 sponsored by Wheelchair Getaways and Bob Turner’s Ford Country this summer in Albuquerque. The Mobility Fair provided an opportunity for persons with disabilities to learn more about adapted transportation alternatives. During the two-day event, Caroll spoke with many people interested in learning more about NMTAP and its low interest, long term financial loan program with Wells Fargo Bank for persons with disabilities. NMTAP’s loan program make it possible for families and persons with disabilities to purchase adaptive vehicles through a loan at lower monthly payment rates. About half a dozen people from the Mobility Fair have since contacted Caroll for assistance with the loan application process. If you are interested in applying for a loan, please contact Caroll at (800) 866-2253. You may also fill out the loan application form and return it to us immediately by going to our website at www.nmtap.com.
Finding a job can be hard work, and if you are visually impaired, the
task presents additional challenges. That’s where Jobline comes in.
The voice-driven Jobline provides information about jobs available in
New Mexico, that can be used by the blind and visually impaired.
The Jobline Service may also be useful for persons with reading problems,
to persons who do not have easy access to computers, or to anyone seeking
work who may prefer to access employment information by using a touch-tone
phone.
To access Jobline, call toll-free (800) 414-5748. The service is available
24 hours a day, seven days a week. All you need is a touch-tone telephone
to establish a personalized job search profile. The voice prompts will
help you through the process and soon you will hear about jobs that are
available in your area. Information on how to apply for jobs is provided
along with a description of the work.
And, additional help is available to get the most out of Jobline: One-Stop
career centers are located across New Mexico to help job-seekers, and
you may be able access Jobline using their free telephone services.
The New Mexico Commission for the Blind and the National Federation of the Blind are sponsors of Jobline in New Mexico and the U.S. If you have questions, contact the Bill Newroe of the NMONE Project with the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation at 800-866-2253. You may also contact Bill via e-mail at wnewroe@state.nm.us regarding Jobline and other resources to help you find a job.
There’s a free online, self-paced Internet course on how persons with disabilities can be served by One-Stop Career Resource Centers. To learn more about “At Your Service: Welcoming Customers with Disabilities”, go to: www.wiawebcourse.org.
In July, former AT Life Reporter Editor and disability activist Gene Rodgers provided a course on Assistive Technology in Special Education for students at Western New Mexico University’s College of Education. During the month-long course, Mr. Rodgers invited NMTAP’s Lorie Gulley and Bill Newroe to be guest speakers.
Lorie conducted a session for students that provided hands-on training related to specific assistive technology, and explained how the ABLE Loan program works for schools in New Mexico. Bill led a discussion session related to pertinent aspects of the current disability laws such as IDEA, Rehabilitation Act, and ADA and the schools.
Editor’s Note: The federal grants funding NMTAP’s Navajo & Pueblo Loan Projects ended on June 30, 2002. Fortunately, the loan banks and other AT programs continue on the Navajo Nation and at the Laguna & Acoma Pueblos. For assistance with AT on the Navajo Nation, contact Marilynn Freeland at: (928) 871-7935 or mfreeland@navajo.org and at the Laguna Acoma Project, please contact Barbara Alvarez, Sky City Community School, (505) 552-6671.
The following are some reflections from Kathy McWhorter on the need
and impact of the projects during the three years they were in operation.
For years while working in Florida, I realized the benefits of assistive
technology for children with disabilities. When I relocated to New Mexico,
I was struck by a couple of issues:
1) There was no AT human resource network on Native Lands, with little
contact between persons serving children’s needs, and, 2) There were
minimal opportunities for AT training; multiple bureaucracies existed
with numerous care systems and no single unifying element.
The Navajo-ABLE project opened the door to establishing a system of human
resources, trainings and opportunities to explore AT, to acquire AT and
to put existing AT to use.
I realize that assistive technology is not a priority for most people,
but Navajo and Pueblo ABLE have made a substantial impact on the quality
of life for many Native families of individuals with disabilities.
I continue to be astounded, amazed, and intrigued by the practicality
of Native families. Where others might first see an obstacle for a person
with a disability, Native families are likely to see a solution, using
common objects. Something as simple as reaching a light switch using a
back scratcher and duct tape attached to a light plate is one ingenious
example of a homemade assistive device that I’ve seen here in New
Mexico.
I have observed that the family unit in Native Americans is substantially
more cohesive than in the Anglo community. The cultural commitment of
responsibility is so great here; it’s truly inspiring. Families take
their responsibilities for future generations very seriously. No matter
how involved a child’s disability is, she remains an integral part
of her family’s activities - joining the family in shopping, attending
powwows and attending other family celebrations. A disability does not
hold children back here.
I have great respect for the Native families who have been willing to
open their homes to me. There is no shame, no embarrassment over their
children’s condition. I found people to be grateful, appreciative
and to love their child deeply.
The use of assistive technology can support and enhance an entire family’s
quality of life. That’s why it’s been so rewarding for me to
see changes taking place through activities of the Navajo and Pueblo ABLE
projects. It is my sincere hope that the AT programs we began will continue
to have an impact on the Navajo and Pueblo lands and people long after
our program’s federal funding ends in June 2002.
Finally, I’d like to acknowledge the commitment of the teachers,
therapists and other personnel who remain year after year working with
these children and their families, often under difficult circumstances.
Because you have the best interest of your children at heart, there will
always be a pathway to a better life and a brighter future.
As director of the NMTAP for the past 5 years I have had the honor to
hear from many appreciative folks thanking NMTAP for our services. My
hope is that all New Mexicans with disabilities can get what they need
through timely services and professional assistance. If you agree that
our programs are valuable and continue to be needed, please also let your
representative in Congress know.
There is a provision in Senate Bill 2766, 107th Congress that “shall
not limit the award of an extension Technology Assistance grant to three
years.” If this provision in the appropriation bill were approved
by the House of Representatives and signed by the President, NMTAP could
have the opportunity to apply for continued funding. If not, our last
federal funding will be received in April, 2003. A simple phone call,
e-mail or letter to your Congressperson indicating you wish to see Senate
Bill 2766 approved would show your support for NMTAP.
For more information on this, or if you have any questions, please contact me, Alan Klaus, at (800) 866-2253 or via e-mail at aklaus@state.nm.us.
Representative Heather Wilson (R- District 1)
318 Cannon Building, Washington, DC 20515
Phone (202) 225-6316 FAX (202) 225-4975
E-mail: ask.heather@mail.house
625 Silver SW, 3rd Floor, Albuquerque, NM 87102
(505) 346-6781
Representative Joe Skeen (R-District 2)
2302 Rayburn Building, Washington, DC 20515
Phone (202) 225-2365 FAX (202) 225-9599
E-mail: joe.skeen@mail.house.gov
1717 West Second Street #100, Roswell, NM 88201
(505) 622-0055
Representative Tom Udall (D-District 3)
502 Cannon Building, Washington, DC 20515
Phone (202) 225-6190 FAX (202) 226-1331
E-mail: tom.udall@mail.house.gov
811 St. Michael’s Drive #104, Santa Fe, NM 87505
(505) 984-8950