MD TAP

Welcome
Welcometo
tothe
the
Maryland
MarylandTechnology
TechnologyAssistance
Assistance
Program
Program

An
Anagency
agencyof
ofthe
theMaryland
MarylandDepartment
Departmentof
of
Disabilities
Disabilities

MCIE October 22, 2010

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 ABOUT US

Maryland TAP makes disability-related

technology more available, affordable,and
usable for Maryland residents with disabilities.

“To build a better life,

you need the right tools.”

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 Goals for Today: Assistive
Technology and Least Restrictive
Environment

 What is assistive technology?

 Is assistive technology always expensive?

 What impact does assistive technology have

on students and individuals in learning and
community environments?

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 Activity

 You will see a variety of items on the tables

before you.
 Break into groups of three to four
 Choose a few items and be prepared to share
how you think each item might be utilized.
 There are no wrong answers!

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 Low, Mid and High
Assistive Technology Devices

 Low: Inexpensive, easily made, easy to learn, readily

available, easy to replace/maintain

 Mid: May cost more, require some training, have

special design, often need power source,

 High: Higher cost, need specific training to learn, often

customized

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 Assistive Technology – What Does
It Look Like?

Overview of Assistive Technology

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 Assistive Technology and Inclusive
Environments - Advantages

 Promotes understanding of classroom

essential to classroom environment –low to
high tech (visual schedules, photos, pictures)
 Facilitates Participation
 Facilitates Cooperative Learning in the
Classroom
 Promotes Communication and Interaction

Inclusive and Supportive Education Congress August 2005

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 WHAT IS ASSISTIVE
TECHNOLOGY?

Adaptive computer access devices

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 Computer Access in the Classrom

 IntelliKeys-Hannah Montana

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 Mainstream and Specialized
Technology

 Flip Camera

 iPod Touch

 iPad Touch

 Software-Kurzweil 3000

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 What is Assistive Technology?

 Cognitive/memory/learning aids

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 WHAT IS ASSISTIVE
TECHNOLOGY?

Augmentative communication and speech aids

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 Communication in the Community

 Ryan collecting for Cub Scouts

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 WHAT IS ASSISTIVE
TECHNOLOGY?
Voice
Amplification

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 WHAT IS ASSISTIVE
TECHNOLOGY?

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 WHAT IS ASSISTIVE
TECHNOLOGY?

Vision aids

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 WHAT IS ASSISTIVE
TECHNOLOGY?

Environmental controls

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 WHAT IS ASSISTIVE
TECHNOLOGY?

Recreational adaptations

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 WHAT IS ASSISTIVE
TECHNOLOGY?

Work accommodations

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 Head Mouse Options

 Head Mouse Extreme

 Smart Nav

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 MS Accessibility Features

21 www.microsoft.com/enable
 Eye Gaze System

 Alternative access/communication

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 THE LAW AND ASSISTIVE
TECHNOLOGY

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 PROGRAMS

Maryland TAP operates and supports programs

including:

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 INFORMATION &
REFERRAL

 Helps identify potential products and solutions

 Links with sources for assessment or
evaluation
 Refers to vendors
 Connects with funding sources

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 EQUIPMENT LOAN AND
DEMONSTRATION

 Lets people observe and try out devices before

buying
 Lends devices to individuals or professionals
for 4 weeks to try out or cover short-term gaps
(e.g., when devices are being repaired)
 Centers in Baltimore, Western Maryland and
the Eastern Shore

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 AT GUARANTEED
LOAN PROGRAM
 Provides low-interest loans to Maryland residents
with disabilities or their families to buy assistive
technology
 Covers all types of AT, including vehicles,
computers, home modifications
 Loan amounts - $500 - $50,000
 Interest rates usually one point below prime
 Approves many loans that would be turned down
by conventional lenders

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 NEW PROJECTS

Used Equipment Exchange

 Free on-line classified ads for people seeking

to donate, sell or acquire used assistive
technology
 http://www.matcoop.org/v3/

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 MARYLAND AT CO-OP
 Provides discounts on assistive technology
purchase from a wide variety of vendors and
manufacturers
 Free membership to agencies and individuals
 No obligation to purchase through the Co-op

For more information, contact:

(410) 792-9901 (voice/fax)

www.matcoop.org
29 email: info@matcoop.org
 WESTERN MARYLAND
TAP

AT:LAST, Inc.

d.b.a. Maryland A.T. Co-op

P.O. Box 428
Savage, MD 20763
410-792-9901 (voice/fax)
Info@matcoop.org (e-mail)
www.matcoop.org (web)

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 EASTERN SHORE TAP

Holly Community, Inc.

408 Coles Circle

P. O. Box 1489
Salisbury, MD 21802
(877) 511-0744 (voice)
(443) 260-0833 (fax)
info@hollycommunity.org (e-mail)
www.hollycommunity.org (web)

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 TELEWORK LOAN PROGRAM

 Provides low-interest loans to enable people

with disabilities to buy equipment needed to
telecommute or start small businesses
 Loan amounts - $500 - $50,000
 Interest rates usually one point below prime
 Approves many loans that would be turned
down by conventional lenders

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 CONTACT US
Central Office
Maryland Technology Assistance Program
2301 Argonne Drive, T-17
Baltimore, MD 21218
(800) 832-4827 (voice)
(866) 881-7488 (TTY)
(410) 554-9237 (fax)
mdtap@mdtap.org (e-mail)
www.mdtap.org (web)

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