Cultivating a Strong Assistive Technology Program

In this webinar, The Arc of Ohio presented a summary of its popular Assistive Technology Program, including information about the program’s history and impact. Watch the video to learn more about the program and the opportunities it can create for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in their local communities.

Speaker Bio: 

David Lewis is the Vice President for The Arc of Ohio in Columbus, Ohio. He received his Cisco CCNA Certification from Columbus State Community College and is Microsoft A+ Certified. David has over 25 years of experience in the technology field having spent 15 years as a network administrator and 10 years as a technology specialist for the digital industry. After a long and successful career in the technology field, David decided to follow his passion for helping others.

Emma Kincaid is the Director of the Assistive Technology Program at The Arc of Ohio. She has worked with The Arc since August 2019. Emma has three years of experience in assistive technology at The Arc of Ohio. Emma’s favorite part of her career with The Arc of Ohio is how the assistive technology program gives individuals throughout Ohio the equipment they need in their daily lives. Emma hopes to keep helping more people with disabilities live happy and independent lives.

TIES Center

TIES Center is the national technical assistance center on inclusive practices and policies. It works with states, districts, and schools to support the movement of students with disabilities from less inclusive to more inclusive environments. They provide specialized resources on supporting students with disabilities who are participating in virtual learning.

Staying Connected During COVID-19: Tech Resources for Providing Support at a Distance

In this panel-led webinar, learn about different solutions available to chapters who look to connect and provide supports remotely to the individuals they serve. The 70-minute webinar includes information on technology platforms, best practices in virtual supports, and other vital insights.

 

Presenters

Abe Rafi, Rafi@TheArc.org
Senior Director, Technology Strategy & Programs, The Arc

Topics: Free and low-cost technology | Online Coaching Services

View The Arc’s Online Coaching Service document here.

 

Doug Meeker, doug.meeker@3rbehavioralsolutions.com

CEO, LifeSherpa

Topic: Overview of the LifeSherpa app, which uses video calling, notifications, reminders, and step by step routines that provide effective, secure solutions to managing remote teams and supporting people clients virtually

View LifeSherpa’s presentation here.

 

Maulik Trivedi, MD, maulik.trivedi@stationmd.com

Chief Strategy Officer, StationMD

Topic: Leveraging telehealth technologies to connect remotely to individuals in need of in-home medical care

View StationMD’s presentation here.

 

Byran Dai, hello@daivergent.com

Co-Founder & CEO, Daivergent, Inc.

Topic: Using remote technology to engage people, tap into remote work interfaces, hosting training and delivering curriculum for people during stay at home orders

View Daivergent’s presentation here.

 

If you have questions about these programs, please contact Stephane Leblois at Leblois@TheArc.org.

 

Alternative Day Programs During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Hear from five chapters of The Arc as they describe their steps for redesigning their in-person day programs to virtual learning platforms. This 90-minute webinar includes information on technology platforms, curriculum, staffing, and funding.

Interested in having your own copy of the presentation and documents it mentions? You can download it here.

 

Presenters

Tyler Frazee, tfrazee@stonebelt.org, Lifelong Learning Coordinator
Stone Belt Arc, Indiana
Topic: Facebook Live events

Gabrielle Szarek, gszarek@slarc.org, Director of Transition Services St.
Louis Arc, Missouri
Topic: Inspiring, Engaging and Motivating Virtually

Amber Nelson, anelson@arcofthecapitalarea.org, Director of Art and Education
The Arc of the Capital Area, Texas
Topic: Virtual Education during COVID-19

Joshua Weidenhamer, jweidenhamer@minutemanarc.org, Director of Day Habilitation
Minute Man Arc, Massachusetts
Topic: Who’s Zooming Who? Providing Remote Services Which Keep People Active and Engaged

Susannah Eaton-Ryan, Seaton-ryan@thearcofdelaware.org, Director of Employment and Outreach
The Arc of Delaware, Delaware
Topic: Supported Employment in the Time of Coronavirus

If you have questions about this program, please contact Karen Wolf-Branigin at  wolf-branigin@thearc.org

Airport Virtual Reality Video

This virtual reality video, created by Interactive Media Institute, details step-by-step the air travel process so that individuals can become acquainted with a generic airport environment prior to taking a flight to help prepare them for their trip.

En Español:

Planning for and Using Technology Across a Lifespan

Using and accessing technology is important throughout our lives. We use technology to pay our bills, to keep in touch with friends and families, to receive healthcare and medical support, and even to help us get to and from work, school, and other activities in the community.

One important part of future planning is making sure that people with disabilities have the skills and ability to access technology and the support they need to find new technologies to use throughout their lives. This webinar reviews the steps that people and their families should take to evaluate any needs that a person has that can be assisted by technology and provides tips and resources that families can use to find relevant technology.

We also describe ways that people with IDD and their families can work to make sure that people are building their technology skills throughout their lifetime.