Winter 2015
In this Issue
Latest News from the Device Loan Program
Art-Lime-Light
InfoSPHERE
Tech Corner
Spotlight on TTAP Demonstration Centers
What’s coming up?
Feedback from clients
Just for Laughs
Latest News from the Device Loan Program
(Image of a green arrow spelling the word growth and arrow moving upward)
Our technology loan program is growing, growing and growing! We are up by close to a 100 more loans than the previous year! We did 293 loans last year, that’s a total of 414 devices that were sent out for those 293 loans. We will be adding to our inventory next year, please let us know if you have any devices or apps you would like to see included.
Art-Lime-Light
(The Arc of the Arts Studio)
The Arc developed the studio to promote social inclusion and to increase access to non-segregated activities for youth and adults with developmental disabilities, as well as to provide an opportunity for adults with disabilities to learn job skills and to ultimately work towards making a personal income. The Arc of the Capital Area experienced some wonderful successes during this pilot period, and we are enthused and thankful that this program is moving to the next step by becoming a full service program.
This program is offered by The Arc of the Capital Area and allows artists to create their artwork in many different mediumsand to professionally show and sell their artwork. This program engages artist volunteers from the community to provide regularly scheduled art classes in a socially inclusive environment for youth and adults with developmental disabilities, ages 14 and older.
The Arc of the Arts is a place of warmth and creativity, where artists have the freedom to work at their own pace, learn new skills and come one step closer to realizing their dreams of independence.
The Arc of the Capital Area professionally exhibits and markets artwork created at the studio throughout their building in quarterly art shows and at local businesses, shops, and cafes.This allowsthe public to view the amazing outflow of creativity from the participating teams of artists as well as the opportunity to develop a customized employment program that promotes client directed goals and self-determination.
For more information on this article and contact information, please visit The Arc of the Arts Studio at:
Arc of the Arts Studio
4902 Grover Ave.
Austin, TX 78756
512.476.7044
Hours of Operation:
Tuesday through Saturday
9:30a.m. -2:30 p.m.
Cost: $25 a day
Why is this program important?
Students learn important job and life skills, such as socializing, money management and office skills, which they can use in future places of employment and as a participating members of society.
Students meet new friends, create artwork and become part of the community. The experience will give them a sense of purpose and allow them to express themselves visually and verbally.
Student artwork is sold in quarterly art shows, and artists receive a percentage of any artwork that is sold. The Arc staff ensures that all materials and training are complimentary to the learning methods and level of the client.
InfoSPHERE
Universal Designers: 10 Faces of Leadership During ADA’s 25th Anniversary
Recently, I was asked to facilitate a breakout session during a conference for community college students on the types of leadership skills and dedication that led to the passing of 1990 American Disabilities Act and other related legislation. My goal was to also create a presentation that “would be a great learning opportunity for community college students to learn to be more inclusive and to realize the potential of others because sometimes people with disabilities are overlooked as leaders.”
Eventually, I selected 10 people that I regard as social leaders in the accessibility community. I chose to highlight the contributions of local leaders in the surrounding Austin area and in Texas as much as possible. However, I had to include some advocates at the national level because of the significance of their accomplishments. My list of disability advocacy activists includes people of varying ages, genders, occupations, roles and abilities. Please continue to read to learn about these incredible people and their leadership styles.
Archer Hadley: FOR LEADERS, CHANGE IS A LIFE PURPOSE
Archer’s goal was to raise $40,000 to cover the cost of installing several automatic push button doors on campus at Austin High School. The idea came to him when he had to wait outside in the rain one day because no one was there to open the door. He raised $82,000 dollars. The Archer Hadley Story is a documentary about his successful campaign. The film was selected from more than 1,500 submissions to screen at the second annual White House Student Film Festival.
(photo of Archer Hadley smiling)
Frances West: LEADERS UNDERSTAND SERVANT LEADERSHIP
In July 2014, IBM appointed Frances West as the company's first chief accessibility officer. Frances works to establish IT accessibility standards, and to shape government policies. She works to create an inclusive workplace environment so that all people reach their highest potential in work and life. Frances has become a globally-recognized expert in enabling human ability through accessible information and communications technology (ICT). She currently sits on the Board of Directors of the World Institute on Disability.
(Photo of Frances West, headshot photo smiling)
HabenGirma: LEADERS PERSIST!
MsGirma is Disability Rights Advocate and recently a White House Honoree as the nation celebrated the 25th Anniversary of the ADA at the White House. She is the first Deaf-Blind graduate of Harvard Law School. She is a voice for the civil rights of persons with disabilities who insists that self-advocacy is crucial to being an accessibility rights advocate. She also believes in creative problem-solving. For example, she managed to convince her college’s cafeteria manager to email her a copy of the various menu items each day so that she, as a Deaf-Blind student, could pre-decide what she wanted to eat. She received her J.D. in 2013 from Harvard, and her B.A., Magna Cum Laude, in 2010 from Lewis & Clark College
(Headshot photo of HabenGirma smiling)
Sean Pevsner: LEADERS MAKE WAVES!
Mr. Pevsner is a quadriplegic with severe cerebral palsy who has overcome significant physical obstacles to become a disabilities rights advocate. After successfully advocating to obtain the accommodations and resources necessary for him to prepare for and take the bar exam effectively, he gained admittance to the Texas State Bar in 2011. He helped to found Whitburn & Pevsner, PLLC where he has developed a vibrant special education practice. “All of my success was a result of hard work and perseverance.” “Depending on who you talk to about me, I was either famous or notorious for my advocacy skills.”
(Photo of Sean Pevsner smiling in his chair in a library setting)
Jim Abbott: LEADERS HAVE A CALLING!
Jim Abbott is probably the most celebrated left-handed pitcher ever. Despite being born without a right hand, he managed to pitch a no-hitter on September 4, 1993 for the New York Yankees. Jim played for 10 seasons on 4 different teams before ending his playing career in 1999. In July 2015, the White House honored Jim Abbott as one of nine disability advocates, called the “Champions of Change,” who have been leaders in accessibility and services to people with disabilities across a span of generations. He encourages players with disabilities to be strong enough to ignore the attention that being different might bring.
(Photo of Jim Abbott in his baseball uniform in a candid shot of him playing baseball)
Lex Frieden: LEADERS ARE REALISTS!
It is only appropriate to recognize the leadership and disability advocacy of Lex Frieden during the 25th Anniversary of the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act. A head-on car crash, left him then an 18-year college student, in a wheelchair. Later during his career, Frieden began to dedicate his time and efforts toward to improving the lives of disabled people through assistive technology and of course, public law and legislation. He, fellow staff, and members of the National Council on the Handicapped worked from 1984-1988 to develop what would become the first draft of the ADA.
(Photo of Lex Frieden posing and smiling in a portrait shot of him sitting)
Kenneth Seymore & Dennis Seymore: LEADERS BUILD COMMUNITIES AND ENABLE OTHERS
Kenneth Seymore claims that “passion” was a motivator behind his efforts to have park where all children could play, and especially for his son, Dennis. Dennis relies on a wheelchair for mobility because of his arthrogryposis, a condition in which joints becomes permanently fixed. “I wanted a place where my son could PLAY! Dennis could not access most playgrounds because either the equipment or the turf was a problem.” Time and effort eventually lead to the existence of the Play for All Abilities Park in Round Rock, Texas, and it contains an area named “Dennis’s Dream”. Kenny reflected, “One day after the park was finished, I drove up to it and sat in my car and watched all the children playing and thought, “I really did some BIG HERE!!”
(Photo of Kenneth Seymore and Dennis Seymore with two women standing with them and in a playground setting)
2015 Ms. Wheelchair Texas Shelly Gray: LEADERS STRETCH THEMSELVES AND OTHERS
Shelly Gray has been living with multiple sclerosis since 1999. She advises developing leaders to “be visible, approachable at the community level, to have needs, and be available to be needed.” "Life hands you a challenge and you have a choice. So every day I can get up and be sad and miserable about what's going on, or I can go ahead and do what I can to be part of the community.” She works to educates Texans on disability issues, informs the public of the achievements of people with disabilities and explains that there is a need to eliminate barriers.
(Photo of Shelly Gray in a red gown and crown, smiling)
Talila A. Lewis: LEADERS SEE NEEDS AND ENVISION SOLUTIONS
Talila A. Lewis is an activist-attorney who founded and directs Helping Educate to Advance the Rights of the Deaf (HEARD), an organization that works to correct and prevent wrongful conviction of deaf people. She advises developing leaders to “be critical of commonly held notions of normalcy and [im]possibility. Commit yourself to creating a new world that is driven by love and radical inclusion.” Talila is a Women of the Year: Readers' Choice Award 2011 Nominee. Education: Juris Doctor, 2014, American University Washington College of Law.
(Headshot of Talila Lewis smiling)
Garrett Scott: LEADERS ARE FIGHTERS!
Garrett Scott is the first DEAF North American Grappling Association (NAGA champion belt in history! The only language Garrett Scott is fluent in is American Sign Language (ASL) because he is 100% deaf. Garrett shares, “People depend on me and rely on me to lead. I am really just working. That’s my philosophy. And, this draws people to me.” “I have to think for myself. I have a coach for inspiration but when I am in the ring, I cannot hear him. I have to figure it out on my own.” Garrett has over 60 different medals. He has won 9 gold medals and multiple silver and bronze medals in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu tournaments throughout the state of Texas. He attended the Southwest Collegiate Institute for the Deaf and the Texas School for the Deaf.
(Photo of Garrett Scott posing in his gappling uniform holding his purple belt at his waist)
Tech Corner
We now have the new UbiDuo-2 for loan! The UbiDuo won’t interfere with other wireless signals. The new UbiDuo package is a face-to-face communication device. This package also includes an HDMI port for connection to TVs and projectors.
(Below is a picture of the UbiDuo2 with the screen facing and keyboard)
Spotlight on TTAP Demonstration Centers
(Photo of a stage spotlight aiming light above the information)
East Texas Center for Independent Living –Tyler
Phone-(903) 581-7542
Fax-(903) 581-8289
Toll Free-(877) 581-7542
Video Phone-(903) 705-7677
4713 Troup Hwy
Tyler, TX 75703
ETCIL’s mission is to help people with disabilities achieve greater independence, self-sufficiency, and full participation in their communities. Their Four Core Services include Independent Living Skills Training, Advocacy, Peer Mentoring, Information and Referral.
Additional projects extending to even more counties in East Texas:
Home by Choice– Assists Medicaid-eligible adults and children in relocating from nursing facilities or institutionalized settings in order for them to live independently.
Deaf Services– Various communication tools for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing including a Certified Sign Language Interpreting Service.
Representative Payee Program– A benefits program for people with disabilities requesting assistance in managing their finances.
Hearing Loss Resource Specialist Program- Assists individuals who have a hearing loss in obtaining services from service providers, facilitating accommodations by employers, and seeking to remove communication barriers through education and advocacy.
What’s coming up?
Time is flying! Are you ready for ATIA 2016?!
Image of the ATIA 2016 dates reading: ATiA 2016 Orlando Exhibit Dates: Feb. 2 – Feb. 6, 2016.
The ATIA conference is the largest international conference showcasing the best in assistive technology tools and services. Attendees gather from across the world to hear from the biggest names in AT about the latest trends and methods, as well as view state-of-the-art AT tools and services in the ATIA Exhibit Hall. They also network with and learn from fellow professionals and peers.
Feedback from Clients, from Satisfaction Surveys for Loan Program:
“Thought this service was outstanding. The device opened up a new world of independence.”
“With the assistance of Olivia Rains, I successfully used the Comfort Contego (FM System)!”
“Thanks for providing these services. Thanks also for your patience.”
“School installed similar software on my daughter’s district issued laptop, thank you!”
Just for Laughs:
Image of cassette tape as if it’s an elderly person and an iPod as a young person both sitting side by side on a bench, the cassette tape older man with a word bubble saying, “Back in MY day…” and his left hand in the air pointing his index finger straight up, the iPod responding, “Ugh”.