John was born with Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB), a rare disorder that affects 1 in 50,000 people and causes the skin to blister and tear at even the slightest touch, bump or fall. In particular, John has a collagen 7 deficiency in which the layers of skin actually slide off. When he wakes up each day, his family and caregivers assess the damage that he did to his fragile skin during the night, and clean and bandage the wounds which cover 50% of his body. John uses a wheelchair and blisters also affect is internal organs, hands, feet, mouth, and on difficult days, his eyes.

“We are thrilled to play a part in helping to change John’s life, as well as the lives of everyone who attends Abilities Expo,” said David Korse, president and CEO of Abilities Expo. “The Expo provides people of all ages and disabilities–whether it’s physical, learning, developmental or sensory–access to life-enhancing technologies, education, resources and fun. Most of all, it’s a celebration of what you can do, not what you can’t.”

Attendees at Abilities Expo will experience cutting-edge products and services for people with a wide range of disabilities. They will find mobility products, devices for people with developmental disabilities, medical equipment, home accessories, essential services, low-cost daily living aids, products for people with sensory impairments and much more. The Assistive Technology Pavilion, anchored by the New Jersey Assistive Technology Center AT Showcase, will feature the latest AT products for people of all abilities to experience hands-on.

A series of compelling, informative workshops which address pressing disability issues will be offered free-of-charge to all attendees on Friday, May 4th and Saturday, May 5th. Our popular travel and home modification sessions will take place on both days. Other workshops will focus on employment, PT for kids, social interactions, seating, finding the correct mobility device and that is just for starters.

Abilities Expo does not merely inform, it engages and it entertains. Attendees can learn some hip-hop and ballroom wheelchair dancing moves and play a host of different adaptive sports. And the kids will love the face painting.

On May 4th, be a part of the first annual Voices From The Net event, a free gathering of worldwide disability rights advocates, bloggers, supporters and Expo attendees sharing their experiences and fostering community. This event is brought to you by the founders of DisabledAccessDenied.com, where attendees can pre-register.

Abilities Expo participants can bring their old cell phones, iPhones, iPods or iPads to donate to the Gift a Voice Project, a program that refurbishes or recycles this equipment so that they can be used by people with communication disabilities.

Admission is free and show hours will be Friday 11 am to 5 pm, Saturday 11 am to 5 pm and Sunday 11 am to 4 pm. Complimentary loaner scooters and wheelchair repair will also be available onsite during show hours.

For more information, visit www.abilitiesexpo.com/newyork . Attendees may pre-register online, or register onsite when they arrive.

For this entire article: Eleven Year-Old Staten Island Child to Receive Free Accessible Van

• Computer Access
• Low Vision Aids

• Consultation/Advice
• Information
• Maintenance/Repair
• Sales

Cerebral Palsy of North Jersey (CPNJ): CPNJ is based in Essex County and provides assistive technology services to children and adults in New Jersey. CPNJ will conduct device demonstrations for individuals with disabilities in northern New Jersey and will utilize ATAC funding to purchase mobile touch devices and accessories for demonstration purposes.

The Family Support Center of New Jersey (FSCNJ): The FSCNJ is a statewide, comprehensive family-focused human service organization designed to meet the growing need for programs and services to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their caregivers. FSCNJ conducts a Lifespan training series for students with developmental disabilities and their families, assisting them to make informed choices during their transition years. FSCNJ will expand its workshop content to incorporate specific information on incorporating assistive technology into transition planning.

Newark Public Library (NPL): NPL has extensive services for those who are hearing impaired, deaf, visually impaired, blind, and those who speak English as their second language. NPL has provided an access technology training program for visually impaired patrons on how to use assistive technology devices to perform basic computer skills. Participants will be taught how to use these technologies to perform standard computer tasks such as the basics of typing documents; conducting an Internet search; and performing basic email functions.

New Jersey State Library Talking Book and Braille Center (TBBC): TBBC is the public library for New Jersey’s residents with print disabilities and provides library service throughout the state. TBBC will provide 1,000 flash drives to permit library patrons with visual disabilities to download and store digital books from the National Library Service. TBBC is the only organization to receive a grant from ATAC in each of the three years of the program.

Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital: The Speech and Hearing Department will create a loan library of high- and low-technology assistive communication devices for patients in its intensive and acute care units. Patients in these settings who have temporary problems with communication often experience frustration, insecurity, and anxiety. These devices will allow for uninterrupted communication among patients, medical staff, and family members. The Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Center will purchase low-cost communication devices for loan to clinic patients with ALS to use in the community so that they may continue to communicate with their families and caregivers as the disease progresses. This project includes providing communication boards in Spanish and Chinese.

Family Resource Associates (FRA): The TECHConnection program at FRA in Monmouth County serves an extremely diverse population of people with disabilities, including learning disabilities, hearing and visual impairments, MS, ALS and other conditions resulting from illness, accidents, and aging. FRA provides device demonstration and device loan services. FRA will partner with other organizations to create a satellite center in Ocean County to provide assistive technology services to isolated populations in that county.

“This is the third year we’ve provided this funding for new projects,” said Curtis Edmonds, ATAC program manager. “We’re hopeful that this year’s grantees continue the record of success of the previous grantees, and that these funds will benefit New Jersey residents with disabilities who use assistive technology.”

Disability Rights New Jersey (DRNJ) is the designated protection and advocacy system for people with disabilities in New Jersey. DRNJ is a non-profit corporation whose governing board consists of a majority of persons with disabilities or family members of persons with disabilities. DRNJ provides legal and non-legal advocacy, information and referral, outreach, training and technical assistance to advance the human, civil, and legal rights of persons with disabilities.

The Assistive Technology Advocacy Center (ATAC) of Disability Rights New Jersey (DRNJ) serves as New Jersey’s federally funded assistive technology project through a sub-contract with New Jersey’s Department of Labor and Workforce Development. Its purpose is to assist individuals in overcoming barriers in the system and making assistive technology more accessible to individuals with disabilities throughout the state.

• Aids For Activities Of Daily Living
• Computer Access
• Home / Building Accessibility
• Job Accommodation
• Low Vision Aids

• Consultation/Advice
• Sales

Mobile devices are giving new opportunities to those with conditions from autism to brain injury. The hands-on seminars at Bancroft’s campus on Kings Highway in Haddonfield are geared toward family members and caregivers of individuals with disabilities, but they’re open to all.

“The people we support here at Bancroft have varying abilities,” says Beth Greer, an assistive technology specialist at the non-profit. “We’ve been able to look at a multitude of different apps to meet the needs of these individuals.”

Participants are asked to bring their own device, if available.

“We’re really fortunate to be living in this time to see the changes that are happening in technology and how they’re benefiting people with disabilities,” Greer says.

Below is the schedule of workshops:
Workshop 1: iPad Basics
February 15, from 12 to 2 pm
February 22, from 6:30 to 8:30 pm
In this session, you will learn the basic features and functions of the iPad, including acquisition and evaluation of apps, navigation, safety and care, settings within the iPad, accessibility features and resources.

Workshop 2: Apps that Support Academics
March 14, from 12 to 2 pm
March 28, from 6:30 to 8:30 pm
In this session, you will gain an understanding of iPad apps that support such curriculum areas as reading, spelling, writing, math, fine motor skills, and productivity. The workshop will cover functional, early-education, elementary and secondary academics, including special apps for people with disabilities.

Workshop 3: Augmentative and Alternative Communication Apps
April 18, from 12 to 2 pm
April 25, from 6:30 to 8:30 pm
Participants will choose an app for augmentative and/or alternative communication, based on features and modify buttons.

Workshop 4: Apps that Support Functional Independence
May 9, from 12 to 2 pm
May 23, from 6:30 to 8:30 pm
Participants will gain an understanding of iPad apps that address increasing functional independence such as task analysis, environmental signs, video modeling for life skills, text to speech, as well as apps that address behavior and productivity.

Workshop 5: Apps that Support Individuals with Brain Injury
June 13, from 12 to 2 pm
June 14, from 6:30 to 8:30 pm
Participants will gain an understanding of apps that address behavior, time management, directionality, task lists, memory supports, video modeling and relaxation.

For the entire article, see: Technology Workshops Help Caregivers

For more information about the workshops, go to www.bancroft.org or call Sherri Reid at (856) 524-7020.

Request For Proposal (RFP)

One-Time Grant for Expansion of Assistive Technology Services to People with Disabilities in New Jersey

Introduction and Description

Disability Rights New Jersey (DRNJ) is the federally-funded, independent non-profit designated as New Jersey’s protection and advocacy system for people with disabilities. It provides legal and non-legal advocacy, information and referral, technical assistance and training, outreach and education in support of the human, civil, and legal rights of people with disabilities.

The Assistive Technology Advocacy Center (ATAC) of DRNJ is the designated state program authorized by the Assistive Technology Act of 2004 (AT Act) to provide enhanced access to assistive technology products and services on a comprehensive, statewide basis through a system of device loan, demonstration, equipment reuse, training and technical assistance, and public awareness activities.

The grant(s) are available under the following activities:

State-Level Activities:

• Device reutilization programs – provide for the exchange, repair, recycling, or other reutilization of assistive technology devices, which may include redistribution through device sales, loans, rentals, or donations.
• Device loan programs – provide short-term loans of assistive technology devices to individuals, employers, public agencies, or others seeking to meet the needs of targeted individuals and entities.
• Device demonstration programs – demonstrate a variety of assistive technology devices and assistive technology services (including assisting individuals in making informed choices regarding, and providing experiences with, the devices and services), using personnel who are familiar with such devices and services and their applications.

State Leadership Activities

• Training and technical assistance – develop and disseminate training materials, conduct training, and provide technical assistance, for individuals from local settings statewide, including representatives of State and local educational agencies, other State and local agencies, early intervention programs, adult service programs, hospitals and other health care facilities, institutions of higher education, and businesses.
• Public-awareness activities – conduct public-awareness activities designed to provide information to targeted individuals and entities relating to the availability, benefits, appropriateness, and costs of assistive technology devices and assistive technology services.
• Coordination and collaboration – coordinate activities among public and private entities that are responsible for policies, procedures, or funding for the provision of assistive technology devices and assistive technology services to individuals with disabilities, service providers, and others to improve access to assistive technology devices and assistive technology services for individuals with disabilities of all ages in the State.

Background

ATAC is providing one-time funding to enhance the scope of existing assistive technology services available to people with disabilities in New Jersey. The total amount under this RFP is $46,000. This funding is contingent on availability of funds.
ATAC intends to award grants ranging in size from a minimum of $5,000 to a maximum of $10,000. In compliance with the provisions of the AT Act, ATAC expects that the majority of funding will be provided to projects that focus on the three state-level activities (device loan, device demonstration, device reutilization) rather than on the three state leadership activities (training, public awareness, and coordination and collaboration).

Scope of Work

The successful applicants will, under these one-time grants, develop and implement a plan for expanding existing assistive technology activities currently operating in New Jersey, in one or more of the six areas of device loan, device demonstration, device reutilization, training, public awareness, and coordination and collaboration. Such activities must be consistent with the ATAC state plan, which is available on the ATAC website, or by request.

Examples

Examples of possible activities that ATAC may fund through this RFP include, but are not limited to:

• Developing joint enterprises between agencies, organizations, or centers;
• Expanding services to groups that are underserved;
• Updating and purchasing state-of-the-art equipment for loan and/or demonstration;
• Expanding services to include specialized populations, particularly those that are not being served, and;
• Developing collaborations with organizations that provide services for people with disabilities related to assistive technology training or public awareness.

Qualifications of Applicant

Individuals or organizations in New Jersey with recognized expertise in the field of assistive technology, or those demonstrating an understanding of assistive technology devices and services. Organizations that serve individuals with disabilities, including centers for independent living, are specifically invited to apply. Familiarity with currently existing services within New Jersey is a definite plus. The applicant must be able to communicate well in writing and work well with DRNJ staff in order to meet the goals of the RFP.

Requirements

The application is limited to five pages, single-spaced, plus a one-page budget. The application must be delivered in an accessible, electronic format such as Microsoft Word. The application must include:

• Relevant information about the applicant, including contact name, organization name, address, telephone, fax, and e-mail;
• Description of the applicant or organization and the relevant personnel, experience, expertise, and technical abilities that make it possible to carry out the research activity;
• Description of the work plan, rationale, and means to accomplish the plan.
• Details of specific sub-tasks and schedules to accomplish the tasks, and
• Detailed proposed budget, as described below.

Budget

The applicant will include a proposed one-page budget appropriate for meeting the goals of the proposal. All requests for specific AT devices or equipment should be itemized where possible.

Assurances

The applicant will include assurances of compliance with all federal mandates and requirements applicable to recipients of federal funding and assurances that the applicant has no conflict of interest that bars the applicant from completing the proposal.

Evaluation Criteria

DRNJ staff, in collaboration with the ATAC Advisory Council, will evaluate all applicants based on their expertise, knowledge, familiarity with New Jersey service providers, and ability to complete the activity in the given amount of time. Criteria include:

• Contribution to expansion of AT network in New Jersey
• Ability to successfully execute the activity on time
• Relevant experience in the assistive technology field
• Expertise and ability of the applicant
• Quality of services provided
• Budget
• Ability to meet deadlines

Application Due Date

The deadline for submitting applications under this RFP is April 1, 2012. DRNJ prefers e-mail submissions, sent to cedmonds@drnj.org. DRNJ will accept mail and overnight mail submissions provided that an accessible electronic copy is submitted as well.

Date of Award

The contract for this RFP will be submitted to the winning applicants on or before April 15, 2012, with work to begin immediately.

Date of Completion of Project

The project will end on September 30, 2012.

There are two grant periods each year. The deadlines are June 30th and December 31st. Applicants may submit one request per calendar year.

How to Apply for an Assistive Technology Fund Grant
To apply for an ATF grant, see: www.blindcitizens.org/assistive_tech.htm. ATF grantees are required to submit documents verifying income and financial need, such as state and federal tax returns and bank statements.

All applications must be submitted in the body of email (i.e. not as an attachment) and sent to the ATF committee at: atf@blindcitizens.org

For more information on ABC: www.blindcitizens.org

1. Check your medical benefits for your “Durable Medical Coverage.” (Mine covered 50%, but since we had already met our out-of-pocket max, they covered at 100%)

2. Phone your insurance company and ask, “Please assign me to a case manager that is experienced with special needs children.”

3. After you are provided a case manager, explain that you need the iPad as an augmentative communication device INCLUDING the Proloquo2go App (or TouchChat, OneVoice, TapToTalk, etc.) Provide comparison costs to a more expensive system such as the Dynavox, and remind them that you are opting for a more cost-effective device. Focus on Proloquo2go (or your chosen Aug Comm app) and that it is being introduced by Speech Therapists and OT’s in public schools for special needs kids, as well as in private therapy. Be sure to ask the case manager for all the necessary approval codes and coverage information so you are aware and comfortable with any out-of-pocket expenses you may incur. They may tell you “NO” at this point. If they do, ask them to email or fax you a letter of denial immediately.

4. Find supporting documentation and case studies to include with your claim. Google articles on “iPads for children with special needs” or “benefits for children with [your child’s specific condition] and iPads,” etc.

5. Copy your most recent speech evaluation and IEP if it indicates anything helpful. And, have every doctor, therapist, school personnel or anyone else write a letter supporting your child’s need for an “Augmentative Communication device such as the iPad with Proloquo2go.”

The more information you can provide, the less likely they will argue against the need. My personal insurance required that I pay for the device and then submit a claim form for reimbursement.

When submitting your Claim for Reimbursement:

1) What you purchased,

2) What is was for

3) How it should be coded and

4) That it should be treated as an IN NETWORK provider.

Include the notes (Name and Dates/Time of phone calls) from your conversation with your case manager.

Supporting Documents from Google, etc.

Letters from Doctors, Speech Therapists, etc.

Receipt of the Device and the AugCom App

For more information about this topic: 5 Tips for Getting iPad Covered by Insurance

• Seating And Mobility

• Construction
• Consultation/Advice
• Demonstration
• Information
• Installation
• Maintenance/Repair
• Rentals
• Sales