Spring 2007

In this issue ...

News from Lynn and Colleen

RJ Cooper's Roadtrip to Maine

New Location for TEC Outreach

New Items in our Inventory

New Office Location

TEC Assists Microsoft

Monthly Product Demos

Take a Look at Out Inventory

Telcom Equipment on Display

How Can We Help?

Calendar of Events

News from Lynn & Colleen

Spring is here and we are settling in nicely to our new location at 34 Summer Street, Suite 2A in Bangor. We have been very busy with tours of the facility, AT presentations to various groups and agencies, special events such as the “RJ Cooper Roadtrip to Maine” (see article below), and attending conferences with the dual purpose of teaching others about assistive technology and also to learn about new and innovative ways of incorporating AT into the lives of those who need or use it.

We encourage you to contact us with your thoughts and requests for educational in-services or assistance with your assistive technology needs. It is our desire to continue to be a powerful resource for our Maine community and those serving individuals with disabilities.

Enjoy the beautiful Maine summer as it unfolds and remember to think “out of the box” when it comes to using technology for your everyday activities!

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RJ Cooper’s Roadtrip to Maine

April was a busy month at TEC! We were excited to host RJ Cooper’s educational opportunity for families and professionals in two locations, Husson College in Bangor and the University of Maine at Machias. RJ Cooper is from Laguna Niguel, California and specializes in assistive technology for people with disabilities. He has been active in this field of practice for 24 years. He brought with him a variety of products he has developed and markets, but more importantly, he personally spent one-on-one time with 11 individuals with specific technology needs. With an audience observing, RJ and his learners explored technology options to facilitate areas such as communication, learning, and play. Each person brought with them an item of high personal motivation such as a toy, music, etc. He incorporated that item through digital imaging into his computer software and instantly created an interactive activity unlike any experienced by those individuals. Some children were making choices for the first time and others communicated to their family members using the computer as a communication device.

RJ’s products include computer hardware that has been adapted for easier use for people with physical limitations. An example would be the use of colored keys with the Big Keys Keyboard. This enables more visual cuing for the consumer who has difficulty locating specific keys. Another adaptation he has made is using a video game controller piece as an interface for the computer. Many children who have difficulty using a typical mouse can easily play video games. Why not adapt the controller to perform the same actions as a mouse? RJ did it! He also has several software programs designed for switch users and evaluation purposes.

A good time was had by all as shown in some of these pictures of the event. We are planning to invite RJ back to Maine next year. Only next time….no snow please!

Keep an eye on our website for more information.

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New location for TEC outreach site

TEC is now serving the DownEast area at a new location. Previously we have been scheduled at the Machias Career Center but, due to increased cost of travel and low attendance, we will be relocating our monthly outreach to the Ellsworth Career Center at the Mill Mall, 248 State Street, Suite 3A on the first Wednesday of every month from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

We invite you to take advantage of this opportunity to reduce your travel to Bangor for return or pick-up of borrowed items. You also will be able to explore many assistive technology options and devices during that time. Simply call in advance for specific items to be taken to this site.

We hope this change in location proves to be more convenient for you as well as increase the amount of visitors we receive. See you there!

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New Items in Our Inventory: Let’s Tango!

If you have ever seen or used augmentative communication devices, you want to make it a point to look at the new Tango! by Blink Twice, Inc. It is a revolutionary new AAC device with features not seen in conventional units. The Tango! uses two very different ways to speak sentences. First, you have the power to quickly speak thousands of useful, engaging, and efficient stored phrases that can take care of day-to-day communication. Second, you have the ability to build any sentence imaginable by using word-by-word construction and spelling. Phrase First Language lets you repeat necessary sentences quickly so you can increase conversation speed and create personality.

The Tango! is able to take photos and link each photo with digitized or synthesized speech.  It’s a great way to tell someone about something you did.  The six-button design is a new approach to efficiency.  This design facilitates the user’s ability to say more with less physical effort.

The Technical Exploration Center now has added the Tango! to its inventory for demonstration.  Please inquire about this new and exciting device.  We would love to show it to you.

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TEC at New Location

On December 1, 2006, TEC moved to it new location in downtown Bangor. An Open House was held on January 10, 2007 to celebrate the new location.

Here are some images of the Open House.

The new address is 34 Summer Street, Suite 2A, Bangor, Maine 04401and the phone number is (207) 992-9270 and the fax is (207) 992-9273.

TEC’s email and website address will remain the same.

The building is wheelchair accessible with ample parking and is located near the Downtown area of Bangor. Call or email TEC staff for further information.

See the Contact page for directions.

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TEC assists Microsoft in MARC Program

The Technical Exploration Center is proud to announce we have been designated one of 46 Microsoft Accessibility Resource Centers (MARC) nationwide.

What this means for you is that TEC can be your resource to showcase the numerous accessible technology options available on today’s computers. Our staff will be able to provide accessibility training to business employees, or accessibility consultation to businesses looking to create an accessibility strategy.

TEC is equipped with video demonstrations and accessibility tutorials that show how to make computing easier, more convenient, and more comfortable. Our professional staff is on hand to answer questions and help visitors learn how to adjust their personal computers. Free Microsoft Accessibility Resource CD sets are also available so visitors can take the information home with them.

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TEC Offers Monthly Product Demos

Assistive technology covers such a wide range of equipment and devices and it can be very difficult to keep up with the technology of the times.  TEC wants to help make this task a little easier and fun for you.  It is one thing to read about assistive technology and another to see the products demonstrated in the context of practical application with functional tasks of everyday life.

We are beginning our monthly demonstrations with Freedom Scientific products to aid individuals with low vision or blindness.  (See our Calendar of Events for details)

Future demonstrations will include augmentative and alternative communication systems, technologies that aid manipulation and control of the environment, mobility and positioning technologies, computer based technologies such as accessible hardware and adaptive software, aids for the deaf and people who have hearing impairments, and so much more.

We invite you to join us each month for a new product demonstration as they are posted on our website at www.tecmaine.org.   They will be FREE and open to the public.  Our goal is to offer new and exciting information to assist you in the acquisition of assistive technology.

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Take a Look at Our Inventory

The long awaited inventory database has begun to take shape on the TEC website. Please take a moment to browse through the inventory section of this site. What you will find are descriptions of some of the equipment we have for loan.

Our hope is that this added feature enhances the search for assistive technology needs. We will continually add to the database throughout the spring and summer until our inventory has been displayed.

If you should have any questions regarding specifics on any equipment, we encourage you to contact TEC staff for personal assistance. We hope you enjoy the convenience of “window shopping” from a distance.

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Telecommunications Equipment on Display

Is using the telephone a problem for you?

The Technical Exploration Center is pleased to welcome the Maine Center on Deafness (MCD) to our facility in a collaborative effort to inform the public of their telecommunication equipment lending and cost-sharing programs. MCD offers specialized equipment to telephone customers with disabilities in Maine.

Equipment such as amplified telephones, TTY’s, voice-activated speaker phones, and telephone signalers are among the items being displayed at TEC. This long-term display will allow people from the mid-Maine area and North to access the equipment without traveling to Portland.

Staff from MCD is more than willing to arrange presentations to include overviews of the features of the equipment, education on the Maine Relay Service, and more detailed information about their equipment program. Please call TEC to express your interest in arranging one of these presentations.

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How Can We Help?

Check out all the ways we can work with you

Equipment Loan: TEC houses more than 2000 pieces of assistive technology. Communication, computer software and hardware, items for hygiene, mealtime, telephones, TV control.

Evaluations: Unsure what types of assistive technology you need to be more successful at school or work? Need help keeping or increasing your independence at home? Speak with us about an evaluation.

Consultations: Need help working with the assistive technology you have? Our staff can help you or the people who work with you to create a plan to use the assistive technology equipment.

Inservices: We love to talk about our services, the inventory, creative uses for the equipment you have and many other topics. We are available for 1-hour inservices as well as full day. Call for more information.

Training: TEC staff is beginning to offer 1:1 training on computer software such as word prediction or voice input technology.

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Calendar of Events

Please go to the complete Calendar of Events for registration information

DONATIONS ACCEPTED:

If you have equipment you are no longer using, we would like to help someone else benefit from it. Equipment can be placed with the condition it would be returned if needed in the future. This works well for school systems, day programs and other service providers.

We regret we do not have room for a large amount of durable medical equipment; however we would be happy to direct you to agencies which need or lend this equipment.

Another option is to use the new GetATStuff service which allows people to buy, sell or donate assistive technology devices.

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