Technical Exploration Center

In this issue ...

News From Lynn

Come see Wii Fit at TEC

The DynaVox EyeMax

Take a Look at Our Inventory

Telcom Equipment on Display

How Can We Help?

Calendar of Events

News from Lynn:

Happy New Year, from all of us at TEC. This is the time of year when we are all making our New Year's resolutions. How about one resolution being to make your life easier? TEC offers all sorts of solutions to enable you and your family members do just that; "Make life easier."

For example, did you know that in your Microsoft computer operating system, especially if you have Vista or the new Windows 7 system, you have the ability to interact with your computer using only your voice? You can dictate documents and e-mail, browse the Web, and command programs by saying what you see. There is no need to buy special software anymore. It is right in your computer's operating system. Come into TEC and let us show you how to get started with this feature and others that you have at your fingertips. 

Other things that might make you life easier are our great phones. If you have problems hitting or seeing those small buttons we have all kinds of phones like these that you can try.

Would you like to hear or see you television more easily?

Here are two devices that you can try out and see if they make it easier to enjoy your favorite show.

Finally how about getting something to help you open jars? Try this out. 

It may be just the thing to make your cooking experience more fun.
So if one of your resolutions for the New Year is to make your life easier, come on over to TEC and check out the numerous options we have to do just that. We are open from 9-5, Monday through Friday, and would love to show you around. 

Exploring the fun, creativity, and gains with Nintendo Wii Fit at TEC!

Written By: Lacey Guiou, OTS

With the winter season approaching, why not find out some interesting facts about a product we offer at TEC for, that may improve you overall functioning and performance during those cold, dreary days...

Common to the general public, the original Nintendo Wii format is fun, exploratory, and creative. It offers the user to engage in activities that allow you to virtually box, golf, bowl, and even play tennis in the confines of your own living environment! How fun is that!

Great for stress management, physical engagement, and interpersonal collaboration, the Nintendo Wii is a unique invention that offers an array of options when it comes to promoting health, rehabilitation, and client-centered interest.

TEC adopted the Wii system in July 2009, not only offering it as a tool for use and exploration, but introducing Nintendo Wii's latest birth, the Nintendo Wii Fit! This new program offers health and wellness promotion, as well as greater rehabilitative benefits than what was offered already before. With the innovation of Wii fit, one can now enhance their health benefits through options of engaging in new activities such as: Yoga, Strength Training, Balance Games, and Aerobics. 

Rehabilitative gains include: motor skills, hand-eye coordination, balance and posture, endurance, strengthening, cognitive skills, and more.

Come into TEC and explore the benefits and concepts involved with Nintendo Wii's different programs. It's a great invention, with promising results!

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Say it with your eyes

One of our latest additions to the Susan Collins AT Lending library is the DynaVox EyeMax System. This incredible communication device is a must see for all who desire to see technology at its peak yet not impossible to utilize. Be sure to come and see this fabulous creation from DynaVox.

The DynaVox EyeMax System is the newest, most advanced access method available to communicators who use the DynaVox Vmax. It is comprised of two parts: a DynaVox Vmax and a DynaVox EyeMax Accessory. The EyeMax System allows augmented communicators to access their Vmax with a simple blink, or by dwelling on a desired area of the screen. 

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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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