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Free iPad and Software for Families with Children who have Autism and are Limited-Verbal or Non-Verbal

The Holly Rod Foundation, founded by Rodney and Holly Robinson Peete, who themselves have a son with autism, are having a holiday giving campaign by donating iPads to families with children diagnosed with autism, who are either non-verbal or have limited verbal ability. The iPad, with its many apps, is an excellent tool for communication and can be life changing.

There is a financial requirement – single family annual income of less than $35,000 or dual family annual income of less than $50,000.

Applications are due by December 31st. To download the information and application form, click on the little round “go” button next to “Holiday 2010 iPad Application” at bottom of this Holly Rod Foundation webpage.

Vote for Peter G.! He’s a finalist for $10,000 to benefit Easter Seals’ assistive technology fund!

Peter G. is a finalist for a $10,000 prize which he has pledged to Easter Seals MA. Now he needs us to help him win. For Amway’s Positivity Contest, Peter wrote an essay highlighting the positive impact assistive technology has had on his life. Peter is a MassMATCH AT Advisory Committee member and has pledged to donate his winnings to enable the purchase of a voice-activated environmental control unit for an individual with a disability. To win, he needs everyone to vote for him and vote often (and Tweet and Like on Facebook, etc.) Last year, Peter won the ATIA video contest promoting assistive technology and also donated his grand prize to Easter Seals MA. Help him do it again! Visit Your Positivity Project and scroll to find Peter G. from Canton Ma. Supporters can vote once per day until the contest ends on November 14th, 2010. Vote now and vote often!

Department of Justice issues advance notice of proposed rulemaking on accessibility of web information and services (from Lexology website)

The United States Department of Justice (DOJ) recently reiterated its intent to enforce website accessibility standards under the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA). The DOJ is focusing on ensuring that covered entities provide ready access for the disabled to their websites. In short, the ADA accessibility rules cover anyone (governmental or private entities) that opens its doors to the public, including places of lodging, retailers, restaurants, medical facilities, banks, local governments and schools. The DOJ has consistently maintained the position that websites operated by covered entities are “public accommodations,” and recent court decisions have supported this view. The courts have reasoned that websites serve as extensions of and invitations to the physical structures that serve as more traditional public accommodations. Learn more at this ADA.gov web page

21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act Passed by House

WASHINGTON, DC – September 29, 2010 – The American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) applauds the U.S. Congress for passing the “Twenty-first Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act.” On September 28, the bill overcame its final legislative hurdle by passing in the House and is expected to be signed into law soon by President Obama.

“This legislation is a victory for civil rights in our increasingly digital world,” said Andrew Imparato, AAPD’s President and CEO. “The bill makes it clear that it’s unacceptable for people with sensory disabilities to be second-class citizens in 21st-century America.” AAPD is the nation’s largest cross-disability membership association, organizing the disability community as a strong voice for political, economic, and social change.

The legislation mandates that television programs captioned for broadcast must also be captioned when distributed over the internet. It also requires video descriptions on television for people with vision impairments. Additionally, the bill allocates $10 million annually for communication equipment used by people who are deaf-blind, ensures emergency information is accessible to individuals who are blind or visually impaired, requires accessible user interfaces on internet-enabled mobile browsers, and mandates hearing aid compatibility for smartphones, among other provisions.

The passage of the “21st Century Communications” legislation results from five years of collaborative effort by AAPD, other non-profit organizations, industry representatives, and government officials. Led in part by AAPD, the Coalition of Organizations for Accessible Technology (COAT) spearheaded the advocacy efforts behind the legislation.

COAT is an organization with more than 310 member affiliates dedicated to promoting full access to high-speed broadband, wireless, and other internet protocol (IP) technologies for people with disabilities. COAT’s other founding organizations include the National Association of the Deaf, American Council of the Blind, American Foundation for the Blind, and Communication Services for the Deaf.

“This is a major milestone in accessibility history,” said Jenifer Simpson, AAPD’s Senior Director for Government Affairs and a COAT Co-Founder and Co-Chair. “The new law will help ensure that more people with disabilities are not left behind in our digital communications world.”

For more information about AAPD, visit www.AAPD.com. For more information about COAT, visit www.coataccess.org

Hamilton CapTel(r) Launches New Captioned Telephone Services in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts

For the First Time, Captioned Telephone Services Are Now Available for Individuals who are Hard of Hearing

AURORA, Neb., July 28, 2010/PRNewswire/ — Hamilton CapTel and Hamilton Relay, a division of Hamilton Telecommunications, today announced that, starting August 1, for the first time captioned telephone services will be available to the residents of Massachusetts. Now, individuals who are hard of hearing will be able to “see what they say” on the telephone and not miss a word of their telephone conversations.

“Captioned telephone service has never before been available in the state of Massachusetts and we are thrilled to finally be able to offer this service to meet consumer demand,” said Frank Pozniak, Executive Director of the State 911 Department. “This service is unprecedented in our state and we have worked for years to make captioned telephone a reality for those who need it. As a result of legislation passed in 2008, starting today we are delivering enhanced technology options to make lives easier for those individuals in Massachusetts who are hard of hearing. This truly is an important milestone for our state and we are happy to be a part of this groundbreaking offering.”

Captioned telephone is similar to closed captioning on the television. Using a CapTel phone and a standard telephone line, users can listen and read what the other person on the telephone is saying to them on a large, bright screen. Captions are available in English or Spanish. The CapTel phone is free to Massachusetts residents who qualify, ensuring that everyone who may benefit from Hamilton CapTel will have access to the service.

“Relay services for individuals who are hard of hearing have been available in Massachusetts for years,” said Monna Wallace, Director of Programs for the State 911 Department. “We are now taking the next step forward by delivering captioned telephone services throughout the state. We are excited to add Hamilton CapTel to our list of available relay services, addressing the requests of many users throughout the State.”

For more information about how to access Hamilton CapTel and apply for a CapTel phone in the state of Massachusetts, please call toll-free,1-800-300-5658. Or you can find out more about Hamilton CapTel on-line at: www.HamiltonCapTel.com or www.MassRelayEDP.com.

“We are thrilled to offer this service in Massachusetts and to deliver freedom and greater independence for individuals who have difficulty hearing on the telephone,” said Dixie Ziegler, vice president of Hamilton Relay. “Captioned telephone exists because every call is important. Our mission is to provide users with a top quality telephone experience, eliminating the frustration of trying to understand what is being said during a call.”

About MassRelay

MassRelay is a 24/7 service that enables people using a standard telephone to communicate with people who are deaf, hard-of-hearing, or have difficulty speaking. CapTel service in Massachusetts will be funded by the E911/ Disability Access surcharge that is assessed on landline and wireless phones, and is part of the disability access program administered by the State 911 Department.

About Hamilton CapTel

Hamilton CapTel is a service of Hamilton Relay, a division of Hamilton Telecommunications, a diversified communications and technology services provider based in Aurora, Neb. Founded in 1901, HamiltonTelecommunications has grown to encompass eight primary company divisions allowing Hamilton to operate on a local, regional and national basis. For more information about Hamilton CapTel, please visit: www.hamiltoncaptel.com.

CapTel is a registered trademark of Ultratec, Inc.

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New Technology Translates Lectures into Sign Language

By Stephanie Steinberg
Michigan Daily Staff Reporter On February 3rd, 2009

For most students, a laptop or a college-ruled notebook is enough to get through most lecture classes at the University. For hearing impaired students, the process is much more challenging. They need both a translator to transcribe the lecture and then extra time to read through the notes once class is over.

Using a cell phone, two University students have a plan to completely change the way hearing impaired students attend class.

Jason Gilbert and Judy Yu, graduate students in the College of Engineering’s Department of Atmospheric, Oceanic and Space Sciences, have developed a system that translates sign language into speech using cell phone technology. They say that their invention, Mobile Sign Language Systems (MSigns), will revolutionize communication for the hearing impaired.

Read the complete story at this Michigan Daily web page.

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