The following report is for information only. It does not constitute an endorsement of any product mentioned. Do not copy or disseminate beyond RESNA SIG-11 members. LIVING AND LEARNING RESOURCE CENTRE UTILIZING TECHNOLOGY Mailing Address: 601 West Maple St. Lansing, MI 48906 517/487-0883 800/833-1996 (MI) LLRC CONFERENCE REPORT RESNA '93 ENGINEERING THE ADA: From Vision to Reality with Technology 16th Annual Conference June 12-17, 1993 Mirage Hotel Las Vegas, NV RESNA, an interdisciplinary association for the advancement of rehabilitation and assistive technologies, recently held its Sixteenth Annual Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada. The combination of RESNA '93, the Annual Meeting of All States, the Fourth Annual USSAAC Conference, and the glittery resort city of Las Vegas attracted over 1700 international attendees. The conference provided an unmatched opportunity to interact and learn from assistive technology specialists from many disciplines. Available were all- day pre-conference instructional courses, two hour morning seminars, special sessions, interactive sessions, platform presentations, product demonstrations, and the exhibit hall. Following two days of instructional courses, the conference officially began with the Sunday night Opening Ceremony highlighted by the Keynote Address by this year's E&J Distinguished Lecturer: Justin Dart, Chairman, The President's Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities. Well known for his efforts relating to the Americans with Disabilities Act, he was honored "for his outstanding contributions in advancing technology and engineering for the inclusion of all people with disabilities." In his opening address, Justin Dart stated that the Mirage was indeed an appropriate setting for this conference, and that we saw the reality here today of what was yesterday a mirage. He reminded us that, in the early years of assistive technology, manufacturers gambled on new products, therapists made their "best guess," and consumers purchased devices that had never been beta-tested. He then announced that he has asked President Clinton to replace him by December 1 as Chair of The President's Committee. After stepping down from his prestigious post, Dart plans to continue his career as an advocate, advocating for democracy for ALL in America and abroad. He plans to join his fellow persons with disabilities in the trenches of justice, to forge a 21 st century system of inclusion, and to lead a revolution for empowerment. He ended his lecture with these words: "We have earned a rest, but there must be no rest. We must unite to initiate the revolution that will empower all people to live the life that is possible in an age of technology. We shall overcome." A VISIT TO THE EXHIBITS Following is a brief listing of products which caught my attention during several visits to the exhibit hall. The listing does not include all manufacturers or products represented at the conference. InfoTouch, a new telephone communications system for braille readers who are deaf-blind, has been designed to work in an exclusively tactual environment. The 3-component system from Enabling Technologies Company (407/283-4817) consists of a Romeo Braille Printer, modified Superprint modem which can convert into a 6-key braille keyboard, and a Vibrating Data Detector. In addition to use over the telephone, it can also be used for communication between an individual who is deaf-blind and a sighted friend who does not know braille. Don Johnston Developmental Equipment (800/999-4660) has bundled several of its hardware and software programs into cost-saving "Literacy solutions." The special prices are valid through September 30, 1993. Kurzweil VOICE, a sophisticated speaker independent voice input system, requires no training of individual voices. Speech patterns are automatically recognized by the system; word recognition accuracy improves with use. VOICE comes with a built-in vocabulary of 40,000 pre-defined words and the capability for up to 50,000 words. For more information, contact Kurzweil Applied Intelligence, Inc. (617/893-5151). The DaeSSy mounting system, an upgrade of the folding system previously available from ACS as the Quick 'n Easy, is available from its designer, Daedalus Technologies, Inc. (604/270-4605). Now with an expanded range of components and assemblies, The DaeSSy system also includes a rear folding mount for power chairs. Madenta (800/661-8406) announces an update to its Macintosh word prediction program, Telepathic," and a new environmental control, PROXi. Telepathic 2.0 now features complete customization, abbreviation/expansion, speech synthesis, and enhanced prediction. Developed by Trace Research and Development Center, the Access Utility Software Package provides access to Microsoft Windows 3.0/3.1 for people with disabilities. It is included as part of the Windows 3.0/3.1 Supplemental driver Library, and can be downloaded from Microsoft OnLine, CompuServe, and GEnie, or purchased from Microsoft (800/426-9400) The Comfort Keyboard System, compatible with Macintosh and MS-DOS computers, is an alternative to the flat keyboard. The three sections of the QWERTY keyboard can be positioned, rotated, and tilted, then locked in place. The keyboard is available through Health Care Keyboard Company, Inc. (414/253-4131). From Prentke Romich (800/262-1984), the Scanning Director ECU permits persons with disabilities to operate any device which uses a remote control. Single and dual switch access are possible. The optional Command Center gives On/Off control of household electrical appliances with standard X-10 modules. The HATIS System will enable individuals with up to a 97% hearing loss to benefit directly from telephone communication. HATIS works through hearing aids to amplify voiced sound up to 133 decibels. For further information, call Phoenix Management, Inc. (719/392-1442). The acs Controller controls all major types of remote control devices, including infrared, Ultrasonic, and X-10. The Controller operates by touch, scanning, and by voice. Available from acs Technologies, Inc. (800/227- 2922), its special features includes PC compatibility, automatic signal analyzing, and customizable sequence commands. Toys for Special Children (800/832-8697) announces Cheap Talk 4, Cheap Talk8, and Shadow Talker. Inexpensive AAC devices which utilize digitized speech, Cheap Talk can be accessed with direct selection or scanning, and Shadow Talker requires only a body movement that creates a shadow over one of the four locations. Two new switches, the "Saylt" switch plate will activate any 20-second message prerecorded on the built-in solid state tape recorder, and the Rocking Plate switch allows use of two messages. Tele- Talker allows AAC users to communicate more easily over the telephone. BEST Keys includes software disks and a 12" by 7.5" keyboard divided into 8 colorful recessed keys. Each key can be programmed to represent any key or string of keys. Best Keys allows even young children with severe disabilities to access an IBM compatible computer inexpensively. The new Mac Mini is a miniature keyboard from TASH (416/686-4129), specifically designed for the Macintosh computer. No computer interface is required. The most recent AAC device from Words+ (800/869-8521 ) is FingerFoniks, a small portable voice output device. Innoventions, Inc. (800/854-6554) introduces two new portable Magni-Cam systems for individuals with low vision. The Magni-Cam electronic magnifier, which is battery operated and weighs less than 7 pounds, utilizes a small flat screen monitor or "virtual television," head mounted eyewear with a large virtual image. RESOURCES In "Living in the State of Stuck: How Technology Affects Persons with Disabilities," available from Brookline Books (617/868-0360), Marcia Scherer discusses the implications of assistive technology in the lives of persons with disabilities. "Assistive Technology in the Classroom," from the Nebraska Assistive Technology Project (402/471-0734), is a comprehensive three-hour instructional unit designed for potential and practicing educators who will be using assistive technology in integrated classrooms. The complete set consists of curriculum guide, computer disk, videotape, slides and audiotape. The Rehabilitation Engineering Center at Children's Hospital at Stanford (415/497-8199) has developed a Preschool AAC Checklist. Designed as a tool to monitor and train AAC skills to preschool children with speech impairments and to facilitate tracking of a student's development in AAC skills, published sets include a video "Getting Ready for ABC's with AAC" and 2 checklists. The Department of Occupational Therapy at New York University has been awarded a grant to provide scholarships for Occupational Therapists who wish to earn a Master's degree in Occupational therapy with a specialization in the Application of Adaptive Computer Technology. Interested individuals may contact Dr. Dina Loebl, Project director at 212/998-5851. The National Rehabilitation Information Center (NARIC) and ABLEDATA (800/ 227-0216) offer Fact Sheets on assistive technology. Fact Sheets include topics such as: Funding Assistive Devices, Aquatic Sports and Recreation Equipment, Manual Braille Writing Aids (June, 1993), Braille Writers and Electronic Notetakers (June, 1993), and Winter Sports and Recreation Equipment. All 16 Fact Sheets can be ordered as a Resource Packet for $5, one or two Fact Sheets are free. Its development led by the UCPA of Greater Chicago, Infinitec (Infinite Potential Through Assistive Technology), will act as a living laboratory dealing with all aspects of disability. Dedicated to unlocking the infinite and unused potential of millions of disabled Americans through assistive technology, technology transfer, research, training and education, Infinitec will be housed in the Chicago Technology Park. For more information, contact UCPA of Greater Chicago (321/368-0389). The training module "Jane's Day." written and produced through Infinitec is available from Universal Management Systems, Inc. (215/353-1321). The module consists of a 17 minute video of Jane, a persons with extensive paralysis, and a training manual to help in considering when and how to use technology. The 1993-94 edition of the Trace Resourcebook: Assistive Technologies for Communication, Control, and Computer Access is an up-to-date comprehensive guide for special educators and rehabilitation professionals. Available from Trace R&D, S-151 Waisman Center, 1500 Highland Avenue, Madison, WI 53705. ABLE INFORM, operated by Macro International, Inc. is an electronic bulletin board of assistive technology, disability, and rehabilitation information. Allowing on-line access to REHABDATA and ABLEDATA, ABLE INFORM can be accessed by calling 301/589-3563 (1200-9600 baud, 8,N,1). A new video dealing with reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities in the workplace, "Knowing Your Options," from Electronic Industries Foundation (919 18th Street, N.W., Suite #900, Washington, DC, 20006) provides an overview of assistive technology and its practical application in the workplace. MICHIGAN PRESENTERS AT RESNA 1993 Michigan special educators were well represented at the RESNA Conference. John Smallwood, Wayne County RESNA, held an interactive session on "The Lynx Digital Voice Recorder/Toy Controller." Speaking during the Special Education sessions were Ruby Frazier, Lansing School District and Donna Heiner, Living and Learning Resource Centre, on "Projects with Industry: Transitioning Students with Severe Disabilities into the Workplace." "A Partnership: University Electrical and Computer Engineering and Special Education" was presented by Judy Phelps, Wayne County RESA. Michigan University participation included presentations by faculty and students from Michigan State University, the University of Michigan, Central Michigan University, Grand Valley State University, and Wayne State University. QUOTES TO REMEMBER "We of the disability community must lead the revolution for empowerment." Justin Dart, Chairman, The President's Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities "When the demands of the environment pose a barrier to personal capabilities, disability is the result." Infinitec brochure "We use the 'Virtual Warm Body' Approach" Gary Moulton, Apple Computer, Inc. "It's not enough to give the handicapped a life ... they must be given a life worth living." Joan Bergland, quoting Helen Keller "People with Disabilities Do It Better with Assistive Technology!" Utah Assistive Technology Project (bumper sticker) Attitudes are the Real Disability" KATS Network (pin) "The information got out through word of modem." Unknown LISTEN TO THE MUSIC AT RESNA '94 RESNA '94 "Tuning in to the 21 st Century Through Assistive Technology: Listen to the Music," is planned for June 17-22, 1994, at the Stouffer Hotel/Convention Center, Nashville, TN. For more information about membership in RESNA or the 1994 Conference, contact RESNA at 202/857-1199. Donna Heiner, Ed.S. Director Living and Learning Resource Centre 7/93 This document has been made available through an IDEA State Initiated Grant for the Living and Learning Technology Resource Centre awarded by the Michigan State Board of Education. The opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the position or policy of the Michigan State Board of Education or the U.S. Department of Education, and no endorsement is inferred. This document is in the public domain and may be copied for further distribution when proper credit is given. For further information or inquiries about this project, contact the Michigan Department of Education, P.O. Box 30008, Lansing, MI 48909. The LLRC is a State - Initiated Project awarded to the Physically Impaired Association of Michigan by the Michigan Board of Education and is a member of the Alliance For Technology Access.