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the REACHER e-Newsletter 
 Assistive Technology Resource Centers of Hawaii
In This Issue
Welcome Back Barbara!
"Making Life Accessible Through Technology" Wrap-Up
July 2009 AT Workshops at ATRC
Camp Cool
AT Depot
Quick Links
ATRC
ATRC logo 
 
Join our list
Join Our Mailing List
Donation 
July 2009
Welcome Back Barbara!
 
ATRC logoWe welcome back our "retired" Executive Director Barbara Fischlowitz- Leong.  She returned to her position on January 1, 2009 and has eagerly been at work with the Board of Directors and the staff to continue to provide services and implement the goals and objectives of ATRC. 
 
Barbara brings us her enthusiasm, leadership and creativity and offers to staff members opportunities for participation and creativity. 
 
Fund raising and continued development of long term financial security are also priorities for us and we believe she has the skills to make that a reality.  "We have become a partner with Aloha United Way, received a substantial check from Friends of Hawaii Charities in June and are busying writing other requests to ensure our services continue to be strong, innovative and meet community needs", says Barbara. 
 
We wish you success as we work together to ensure that all individuals are linked to the technology they want and need.    
"Making Life Accessible Through Technology" Tech Fair Wrap-up
 
The Assistive Technology and Resource Centers (ATRC) of Hawaii and Disability and Communication Access Board (DCAB) would like to thank all who attended the "Making Life Accessible Through Technology" Tech Fair on June 2, 2009 at the Neal S. Blaisdell Center.

The conference was well attended with 300+ attendees and kicked off with a warm welcome from our keynote speaker Senator Jill Tokuda, Hawaii State Legislature, 24th Senatorial District (Kaneohe).  She's a former ATRC employee and shared her knowledge on Assistive Technology (AT) and other disability issues. 
 
The morning session speakers focused their sessions on the use and benefits of AT in workplace and in the educational environment.  The morning speakers were:
 
Dinah Cohen, Director, Computer/Electronic Accommodations Program (CAP), U.S. Department of Defense
Dr. Larry Scadden, Ph.D., scientist and researcher
Ann Ito, Director, KOKUA Program at UH Manoa  
  
The afternoon Home Modification workshop presenters spoke on universal design, aging in place, assistive technology, and discussed how these principles and concepts were applied to homes in Hawaii. Presenters for the home modification workshops were:

Joan Riggs, Interior Design Program Coordinator at Chaminade University
Bonnie Osaki, Director of Client Care at Graham Builders
Don Keliinoi, Owner of Island Plumbing
Karen Oshiro, Instructor at Kapiolani Community College Occupational Therapy Assistant Program
Barbara Fischlowitz-Leong, Executive Director of the ATRC of Hawaii
  
In addition to the morning sessions and afternoon workshops, ATRC and DCAB entered into an exciting project with the students of Chaminade University's Interior Design Program.  Each of the 12 senior students were given an assignment to re-design a muti-generational house to make it more accessible and useable to the occupants, including a person with a disability and an aging parent.

ATRC logo

 Chaminade University Student Award Presentations
July 2009 AT Workshops at ATRC
 
"ATRC Demonstration Workshop - Tobii AT"
July 8, 2009 (9:00 am - 4:00 pm) 
 
Kristine Bengen of Tobii AT will demonstrate the new advances of communication devices and eye gaze technology. This will be a hands-on workshop with an opportunity to try each device.

Please come and you are welcome to bring others who are interested. 
 
Go to our website for further information:  AT Workshop 7/8/09
 
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"ATRC Demonstration Workshop - Technology for the Blind and Visually Impaired"
July 22, 2009 (9:00 am - 4:00 pm)
 
We will provide hands-on demonstrations of technology for the blind and visually impaired. Technology includes CCTVs, Portable CCTVs Screen Readers for all Operating Systems, Video magnification for all Operating Systems, Enhancements on other Operating Systems including Windows, Mac, and Linux.
 
Register as seating is limited. Go to our website for further information:  AT Workshop 7/22/09
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Additional workshops planned for 2009 include demonstrations from companies such as Dynavox, Next Level AT, Prentke Romich and disability area specific technologies such as AT for education.
Camp Cool at ATRC Tech Center - May 2009
 

Camp Cool 2009 Labwork

Camp Cool has always been a wonderful day of computer exploration and learning for kids of all abilities, and the May Session Camp proved to be no less.  Seven campers participated and engaged in digital photography, photo editing, slideshow production, 3D animation and programming.  It was a fast paced day in which the campers quickly learned computer skills that were both fun and challenging.
 
We had a great volunteer group and would like to thank Dr. Brenda Cartwright for the participation of her students at our three Camp Cool events this year.  Volunteers Cassandra Kam, Randi Barretto, Gisella Tomita, Clint Munoz, Haruto Nitta and Michael Leong were key to the success of Camp Cool and had just as much fun as our campers.  We all learned a lot!

As is often the case, the campers were so engrossed in their animations, movies and photos, they hardly noticed their parents returning to pick them up.  All our campers left with their work on CD and great memories of Camp Cool.
AT Depot 
New AT available at ATRC
 
Touchscreen mobile phones and computers, HD flat-screen monitors and TVs are few of the buzz words floating around everywhere as proof of our technological advancement.  Technology is moving forward and Assistive Technology (AT) is not one to be left behind.  More and more innovations are being incorporated into these equipments and the community needs to be aware of this. 
 
Part of ATRC's mission is linking individuals with technology and we're glad to let everyone know about our newly acquired AT equipments available for demonstration.
 
ATRC logoVision impairment is one of the most common case that many of us will encounter sooner or later. 
 
We would like to thank the following companies for demo equipment.
 
New AT includes:
Optelec ClearView+
Optelec FarViewTOPAZ� Desktop Video
Topaz Desktop Video Magnifier
ONYX™ Deskset
Kindle DX