Glen Ashlock, Chair
Once again it is time to elect a new vice-chair for SIG 11. Our current vice-chair, John Goldthwaite, will be moving into the role of chair at the Orlando conference. Following the new plan voted on last year, the new vice-chair will work with John during the next year and move into the chair position at the 2001 conference. The elections will be conducted by e-mail this spring so that we are ready to make the switch in Orlando. Please send me nominations for the new vice chair as soon as possible. I will confirm that they are interested/available and get the elections started. If you know if a good but reluctant candidate, let me know and I will help apply gentle arm-twisting if necessary.
Plans for the Developers Forum should be underway by the time this issue of the newsletter is published. We still need volunteers to contact companies requesting their participation in the Developers Forum so if you are interested, please let me know. If there are companies that you would like to see there who have not attended recently, please get me that information and I will make sure they are contacted.
The SIG-11 Computer Applications Show & Tell Session is coming back to RESNA! In response to requests for a forum to share unique computer-related cases, adaptations, tips, and techniques, this session was started last year and was a big success. This year`s session will be an opportunity for SIG-11 members and non-members to present useful information that may not yet be developed enough for a full paper. Sessions will be short and informal, in order to allow as many presenters as possible. Possible topics could include (but are not limited to):
Interesting case studies.
Unique adaptations for computers.
Computer hardware or software created from scratch for a consumer.
Creative setups for existing hardware or software.
Valuable tips and techniques that you have found for evaluations or working with a particular technology (e.g. ways to get better recognition with voice-input software, or little-known Windows 95/98 features)
Training or setup techniques for computer input devices.
Little-known products (e.g. hard-to-find mainstream commercial equipment or software that has been or could be useful for persons with disabilities)
Unusual combinations of different devices or programs.
Unique combinations of computer-access with AAC or other technologies
Unique ways to use computers as assistive technology (e.g. computerization of a task not normally performed on computer).
Using computers as aids in learning for people with learning disabilities.
If you are interested in participating, please contact John Goldthwaite for full guidelines at john.goldthwaite@arch.gatech.edu or 404/894-9320. Participants will be taken on a first-come, first-serve basis, so don`t wait!
Glen Ashlock, MS, ATP
734/971-0277 x33
gha@aacil.org