Free Webinars on Assistive Technology

The Accessible Technology Coalition 

compiles this listing of free webinars 

from around the Web! 

Follow the ATC Facebook page for late additions.

AT Webinars - Adults

Technology to Provide Services to People Living with Dementia and Their Caregivers during COVID-19 from NACRC

November 2, 2020 at 11am Pacific, 2pm Eastern

Wired Wednesday: AT Bits & Bytes (AT demo) with TFL and WATAP

November 4, 2020 at 11:30 Pacific, 2:30 pm Eastern (30 min. plus q&a)

Wired Wednesday: Workplace Accommodation Series from TFL and CIDI

November 11, 2020 at 1:30 Pacific, 2:30 pm Eastern

Advancing Technology Keeps Pace with Changing Seating and Mobility Needs from ALSA (ALS Assn.)

November 16, 2020 at 9am Pacific, 12:00pm Eastern

Maintaining Services and Supports for People Living with Dementia and their Caregivers during COVID-19 from NACRC

Thursday, November 19, 2020 at 11am Pacific, 2pm Eastern

AT Webinars - K-12 and AAC

Personal Narrative Writing with Low and High Tech AAC from SETC

November 2, 2020 at 3:15pm Pacific, 6:15pm Eastern

Administrators as Allies in Improving AT Services-Part 1 from AbleNet

November 3, 2020 at 10am Pacific, 1pm Eastern

Introducing Boardmaker 7 from CallScotland

November 4, 2020 at 9am Pacific, 12pm Eastern (30 min)

Testing Accommodations in the Age of eLearning from DJI

November 5, 2020 at 10am Pacific, 1pm Eastern

Reading for All, Part 3: Creating Accessible Content with EPUB from NCAEM

November 10, 2020 at 11am Pacific, 2pm Eastern

Administrators as Allies in Improving AT Services-Part 2 from AbleNet

November 17, 2020 at 10am Pacific, 1pm Eastern

Switch Access to Literacy for Emergent Readers from SETC

November 17, 2020 at 12pm Pacific, 3pm Eastern

Bookshare from SETC

November 18, 2020 at 3:15pm Pacific, 6:15pm Eastern

AAC & AT Chatter: Shared reading and AAC from SETC

November 24, 2020 at 12pm Pacific, 3pm Eastern

Free Webinar: How to Use SC's New Voting Machines and More!

South Carolina’s Paper-Based Voting System, 

Demo and Voter Registration

Date: October 29, 2020

Time: 10 a.m. – 11 a.m. ET

Cost: FREE

Speakers: Hampton Miller and John Michael Catalano

REGISTER NOW!

Target Audience: Current voters and individuals who are of age to vote. Also those who qualify to vote, but are currently 17 and will be 18 years old prior to the November 3rd General Election

Description: This Webinar is to provide all attendees the opportunity to familiarize themselves with South Carolina’s System of Voting.  We will cover use of the system and other components that are part of the election process for the upcoming November General Election.  

Participants will learn: 

• Provide South Carolina’s Paper- Based Voting System Demo, including the ADA Features for voters. – we will offer during the presentation a hands-on use of the system.
• Cover the Voter Registration Process, what to do and voter registration dates.  Information for how to register to vote and what one needs, deadline for the 2020 Election year. 
• How to utilize the scVOTES.gov website for finding your polling place and how to review your sample ballot to be ready to Vote in November. 

There will be a question and answer session at the end of the demonstration. 

Free Webinar: Lifts and Accessibility Equipment

Beyond Ramps: 

Lifts and other common accessibility equipment webinar

Date: October 27, 2020

Time: 10 a.m. – 11 a.m. 

Cost: Free!

REGISTER NOW!

Description:  In this session, we will review the ADA requirements for ramps. We will also discuss the benefits and costs of stairlifts, platform, ceiling and pool lifts. We will finish by looking at automatic door openers and portable showers. 

Participants will learn: 

• Review ADA requirements for ramps
• Introduction to Lifts: Stair, Vertical Platform, Ceiling and Pool
• Introduction to Automatic Door Openers and Portable Showers

2020 NADD Annual Conference

 Join Us for Our Virtual Conference!

Never attended before? This is the year to attend!

Here is Why...

• Lower registration cost 
• No travel expenses 
• All sessions will be recorded and available to view for 6 months post conference 
• International presenters discuss their challenges and share outcomes 
• Dedicated COVID sessions with moderated presenter discussion 

Why Virtual?

NADD is first and foremost committed to the health and safety of our extended community, and in keeping with these values we have decided to transition our 2020 Annual Conference into a first time ever digital event. While we would much prefer to be physically together, these times are such that we must err on the side of caution and safety.  

We are excited about the opportunities for learning and community that a virtual conference platform will afford us, and we are transforming our program and processes to ensure this year’s conference encompasses all the robust and engaging content NADD is known for. For the first time, people from all over the world will have the rare and affordable opportunity to participate in a NADD Conference in the safety and comfort of their own home or office. Attendees will also be able to engage with expert panels from Africa, China, Spain, and India as well as network with participants in chat rooms. 

Who Should Attend?

NADD is an association for persons with developmental disabilities and mental health needs. Our Annual Conference and Exhibit Show is an educational, motivational and inspiring experience and attracts a wide range of professionals from all areas of the IDD/MI community, including: 

• Administrators 
• Psychologists 
• Psychiatrists  
• Direct Support Professionals 
• Physicians 
• Educators 
• Individuals with IDD/MI 
• Individuals with Mental Health Needs 
• Family Members 
• Residential Providers 
• Social Workers 
• Students 
• Therapists 
• Criminal Justice Systems Personnel 
• Behavioral Specialists/Analysts 
• Employment Specialists 
• Case Managers 
• Client Coordinators 

REGISTRATION BROCHURE

REGISTER NOW!

Registration pricing is $150 for NADD members and $175 for non-members. 

To learn more about NADD and the Annual Conference, visit the NADD website. 

NADD | thenadd.org 

Voice-Enable Your Virtual Learning Webinar

 

Voice-Enable Your Virtual Learning 

Date: 10/22/2020

Time:  4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET

Location: Webinar

Cost: Free!

Register Now! 

Speakers: Jack Hendrickson, Account Manager- ReadSpeaker and Paul Stisser, Director Educational Institutions & LMS Partnerships- ReadSpeaker 

Target Audience: Online Education Leaders, Academic Technologists, Instructional Designers, Special Education Teachers, Assistive Technology Directors, Teachers 

Description: Pivoting away from the traditional classroom in 2020 has shown teachers, parents, and students that we have some work to do to make online learning equitable and accessible to every single student. ReadSpeaker is committed to adding a voice (or an instant audiobook) across a school’s online learning environment. ReadSpeaker’s integrations require no downloads and no passwords and have become a vital study aide for students across the country.   

Participants will learn: 

• How 1-Click listening to course content in Google Classroom or a school’s learning management system works
• Why ReadSpeaker’s usage has increased 40% since the start of the pandemic  
• How students use ReadSpeaker to study, block out online distractions, and listen to course material offline

There will be a question and answer session at the end of the demonstration. 

Presenter Name: Jack Hendrickson

Presenter Bio: Jack is an Account Manager for ReadSpeaker, a leading voice technology company delivering text-to-speech tools and integrations. Jack’s career began as a golf coach for the Colorado School for the Deaf and Blind. Moving into the classroom as a public school teacher and now as an online learning advocate for accessibility and easy to use study tools in all online course offerings.   

Wheelchair Taxi of the Future?

The magazine for active wheelchair users 

October 15, 2020

Cooking from a Wheelchair

When the pandemic turned dining out into a gamble with her health, novice cook Katie Pennick found herself with a lot to learn in the kitchen. The experience led her to start a new YouTube show, Cooking in a Wheelchair, which focuses on what she calls “low-effort” meals that minimize prep and cleanup or have built-in rest breaks. Check it out if you need new recipe ideas or tips for tackling some of the challenges of cooking while seated. 

Taxi of the Future?

What has four legs, walks like a Gila monster and rescues wheelchair users from inaccessible buildings? No, this isn’t a joke. It’s Hyundai’s new idea for an “ultimate mobility vehicle.” This fun and freaky-looking contraption uses a combination of wheels and articulating limbs to traverse terrain that an ordinary car would never be able to. Seems like a rather far-fetched way around a concrete ramp, but Lexus made a real-deal hoverboard a few years ago, so who knows what’s next? Join the NM Facebook conversation about it here. 

Survey

The University of Michigan is conducting a study called Developing a Patient-Centered Measure of Caregiver Relationships and is conducting interviews with adults with SCI to learn about their experiences with caregivers. Participating takes around one hour. Those who complete the interview will be compensated $35. For more information, call: (734) 936-1977, send an email to: MF-Neilsen@umich.edu, or go to: https://umhealthresearch.org/#studies/HUM00125787. 

Click here to read more!

Techie Tuesday

 Learn about the features of Communication Apps

Join SCATP staff for free Techie Tuesdays. Each week we will have different equipment on hand to give virtual demonstrations. The next Techie Tuesday will be Tuesday, October 20th and will feature the equipment you tell us you are most interested in. 

To sign up for a time for your personal, 

1:1 demonstration for October 20th, 

email Carol Page at carol.page@uscmed.sc.edu. 

Check out our free archived trainings and upcoming trainings here:

https://scatp.med.sc.edu/services/at-trainings/

AAIDD's Virtual Events are Changing

AAIDD is excited to announce changes 

to its virtual educational offerings to better serve its members 

and grow its membership.

Webinars are Going "Behind the Member Wall" in January

Beginning in January 2021, AAIDD webinars will go "behind the member wall." AAIDD members will continue to register and have access to the webinar archive at no cost; however, we will begin charging non-members a small fee to register for the webinars.

Two New Professional Development Opportunities

Inspired by the informal learning and networking that takes place at our conference, AAIDD is introducing two new virtual professional development opportunities this month exclusively for AAIDD members at no cost:

Crucial Conversations and Mentorship in a Minute.

• Crucial Conversations are monthly, 45-minute small-group, highly interactive dialogues with AAIDD thought leaders on emerging issues and responses from the field. 
• Mentorship in a Minute are frank, monthly 30-minute talks with AAIDD members across the career spectrum on professional or career development issues that they've learned "the hard way" so you don't have to. 

Participation in these new professional development offerings are limited to AAIDD members only on a first come, first served basis.

Click on the links above to register for upcoming webinar, Crucial Conversations, and Mentorship in a Minute opportunities.

Click here to join or renew your AAIDD membership, 

or contact Laura Thorn at lthorn@aaidd.org for assistance.

Free Webinar: Add Voice to Virtual Learning

 

Voice-Enable Your Virtual Learning 

Date: 10/22/2020

Time:  4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET

Location: Webinar

Cost: Free!

Register Now! 

Speakers: Jack Hendrickson, Account Manager- ReadSpeaker and Paul Stisser, Director Educational Institutions & LMS Partnerships- ReadSpeaker 

Target Audience: Online Education Leaders, Academic Technologists, Instructional Designers, Special Education Teachers, Assistive Technology Directors, Teachers 

Description: Pivoting away from the traditional classroom in 2020 has shown teachers, parents, and students that we have some work to do to make online learning equitable and accessible to every single student. ReadSpeaker is committed to adding a voice (or an instant audiobook) across a school’s online learning environment. ReadSpeaker’s integrations require no downloads and no passwords and have become a vital study aide for students across the country.   

Participants will learn: 

• How 1-Click listening to course content in Google Classroom or a school’s learning management system works
• Why ReadSpeaker’s usage has increased 40% since the start of the pandemic  
• How students use ReadSpeaker to study, block out online distractions, and listen to course material offline

There will be a question and answer session at the end of the demonstration. 

How to be Career Ready - FREE Online Consumer Training

It's 2020 which means it's not only the 30th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), but this October is also the 75th anniversary of National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM)! In celebration of NDEAM, this month's virtual consumer training will be all about being career-ready. 

Register and join us on Monday, October 19, from 3-4 PM to learn about: 

• choosing the best job for you, 
• your employment rights under the ADA, 
• disclosing your disability, 
• and more! 

Register here!

For questions, contact Dori at

dtempio@able-sc.org. 

Celebrate with us from the comfort of your own home! 🏡

 You're Invited! 

This year's Fundable -- Able SC's annual fundraising gala --

will be brought to you from the comfort of your own home! 

What does this mean? We will still be bringing you the entertainment, celebration, and silent auction of former years, only this year, it will be held safely online! And don't worry, this won't be another Zoom meeting or webinar—this will be a production and celebration of the disability community that you will remember for years to come! 

But what about the food and drinks? We can't blame you if you're wondering this. Appetizers, desserts, and the open bar were a signature part of our in-person gala. As you can imagine, an online event won't exactly have catering or a bar in the same way. That being said, we are very excited about what we've worked out for you: 

When you purchase a ticket, you will receive an at-home event box filled with luxury goods to help ensure that your Fundable At Home experience is just as special (hint: charcuterie boards may be involved). We even have different levels of tickets to help customize your evening. 

Here's our cheat-sheet of what tickets you should get: 

Standard Ticket: This ticket gets you access to our event and a standard at-home event box of luxury, non-perishable goods. Only purchase one of these tickets per household. 

Additional Ticket: If you have already purchased a "Standard Ticket" (that includes an event box), but have other members in your household who will be attending, please purchase the "Additional Ticket." This ticket gives additional members of your household access to Fundable. This ticket does not include an event box, since only one box is permitted per household. 

Gourmet Ticket: Are you wanting an upgraded event box filled with non-perishable and perishable goods (like cheeses to go with your charcuterie board)? This upgraded ticket gets you access to Fundable, as well as a larger event box filled with everything you need to have a gourmet gala experience at home. Limited number available, so get yours now! 

Reserve your tickets for Fundable!

Quick Details 

Friday, December 4 

7:30 - 8:30 PM 

Online, from the comfort of your own home! 

  

The Impact of Your Ticket Purchase 

For every ticket you purchase and every dollar you donate, you are helping support Able South Carolina at a time when our services are more critical than ever.  

As a result of COVID-19, Able SC experienced a $700,000 loss. In order to continue seeing systems change and independence for all individuals with disabilities in South Carolina, we need your partnership now more than ever as we move toward a South Carolina that promotes equality and access for individuals with disabilities. 

Celebrating 75 Years of NDEAM

 

This October, the Autism Society of America celebrates the 75th-anniversary of National Disability Employment Awareness Month. Our October Toolkit offers practical resources for professionals and advocates to assist in finding employment opportunities for individuals on the autism spectrum. 

In addition, the toolkit provides non-partisan information on how the autism community can make educated decisions, and safely vote in the upcoming Election.

Check out our October toolkit! 

Click here to learn more!

The Autism Society of America is dedicated to providing the autism community with factual non-partisan resources related to the 2020 Election. Over 35 million individuals with disabilities will be eligible to vote in the 2020 election. Make sure your voice heard and register to vote. Visit our Election Center and 2020 Election Webpage for more information.

Click here for COVID resources.

Click here to visit the Autism Society website! 

Find a local affiliate

Autism Society

6110 Executive Boulevard, Suite 305

Rockville, MD 20852

United States

Medical Equipment for FREE!

SCATP offers used durable medical equipment 

and assistive technology for FREE! 

If we do not have what you need, we can add you to our waiting list and contact you when we receive the item you are looking for. 

SCATP also accepts donations of gently used durable medical equipment and assistive technology. 

Some equipment that we accept as donations are:

• Mobility equipment like walkers, wheelchairs, and canes
• Therapeutic equipment such as standers and gait trainers
• Daily living equipment including bath chairs and bedside commodes 
• Vision equipment like magnifiers and CCTVs 
• Pediatric equipment such as pediatric wheelchairs, adaptive strollers and activity and feeding chairs

Please contact Alli Upchurch at (803) 935-5273 or Alli.Upchurch@uscmed.sc.edu if you are in need of equipment or are looking to donate. 

You can also check out the AT Exchange to list items that you are looking to sell or give away, and to browse listings that others have posted. 

Buddy Walk 2020!

 Together While Apart!

Create your own Buddy Walk celebration!

• Capture it with video or photos
• Be creative in your fundraising
• Come together with us virtually for a premier viewing of all the celebrations and the 2020 Awards on November 1st!

Family Connection is celebrating Buddy Walk in an all new virtual format! While we would prefer to celebrate with our families and sponsors in person, we are excited to offer new ways to support Buddy Walk 2020!

During Down Syndrome Awareness Month in October, we invite families and sponsors to create their own personalized Buddy Walk celebration at any time during the month! Keeping social distance and safety at the forefront of these personalized celebrations, families and businesses can be creative and tailor their activities to family, friends, and customers.

We encourage taking a walk, throwing a backyard barbecue or tailgate party, decorating houses, yards or businesses, creating a game night, or hosting a virtual party—there are many fun ways celebrate! We are asking everyone to share a brief video clip or photo of their personalized celebration. 

On November 1st, we will host a virtual “Finish Line” Ceremony to view the video premier of the celebrations, present the 2020 Awards, visit with a few special guests, and more!

T-shirts will be available for participants who register after September 30th, but we may not be able to guarantee size requests.

REGISTER NOW

BECOME A SPONSOR

DONATE 

Techie Tuesday!

Join SCATP staff for free Techie Tuesdays!

Each week we will have different equipment on hand to give virtual demonstrations. The next Techie Tuesday will be Tuesday, October 6th and will feature the equipment you tell us you are most interested in. 

To sign up for a time for your personal, 

1:1 demonstration for October 6th or 13th, 

email Carol Page at carol.page@uscmed.sc.edu . 

Check out our free archived trainings and upcoming trainings here:

https://scatp.med.sc.edu/services/at-trainings/

Learning Disabilities Awareness Month

 SC Assistive Technology Program 

celebrates Learning Disabilities Awareness Month

October was originally designated in the US as Learning Disabilities Month in 1985 through a proclamation by President Ronald Reagan. Organizations that assist individuals with learning disabilities use the month to inform the public about learning disabilities.  It is also a time to pay particular attention to children and adults with learning disabilities.  SCATP is asking you to teach one person something new about learning disabilities this month. 

Some examples would be:

• Explaining why individuals with Dyslexia use text to speech 
• Letting a person know about an App that allows you to use your voice to type, called speech to text or speech recognition
• Letting a person know how to find audio books using BookShare or Learning Ally

SCATP provides demonstrations and equipment loans to people with disabilities.  To find out more about our program and its services, call 803-935-5263 or email tammy.wallace@uscmed.sc.edu. 

 

Governor McMaster proclaims October Disability Employment Awareness Month

Governor McMaster 

Proclaims October 2020 as 

Disability Employment Awareness Month! 

How will YOU celebrate this month? 

BREAKING NEWS: South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster proclaimed this October as Disability Employment Awareness Month! By doing so, the governor is sending the message that people with disabilities are capable, contributing members of society, worthy of full access and inclusion in South Carolina's workforce. 

MORE ABOUT DISABILITY EMPLOYMENT AWARENESS MONTH: Held each October, National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), aims to educate the public about disability employment issues and celebrate the many and varied contributions of America's workers with disabilities. NDEAM is led by the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP), but its true spirit lies in the many observances held at the grassroots level across the nation every year. Learn how you can support NDEAM by visiting the ODEP website here. 

The governor's office will be reading the proclamation at Hire Me SC's fifth annual Employer Summit, which will be virtual this year. The summit will convene HR directors and employers with experts in disability, accessibility, and inclusion to talk about hiring and retaining people with disabilities. 

How can you celebrate National Disability Employment Awareness Month? 

• Sign the Employment First Pledge! If you support people with disabilities having competitive, integrated employment opportunities in the workforce, sign the pledge to show how we are a growing, strong movement in South Carolina! 

• If you are in charge of hiring for your company (you probably have a title that involves HR, operations, admin, or management), attend our 2020 Employer Summit online. PLUS, to celebrate #NDEAM, we are holding a FLASH SALE on tickets this week! Claim your tickets by Friday to take advantage of the sale. 

View the governor's official proclamation here. 

Happy NDEAM!🎉