Rural Roadshow demonstrates assistance devices, more
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Jessica McKay with Accessing Potential Through Assistive Technology, left, and representatives with the Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services and UAB Regional Autism Network show some of the assistive devices available to help those with disabilities. Photo by Christa Jennings
A wide variety of assistance devices were on display and available to demo, from toys to mobility assistance and pill caddies with alerts to remind individuals when to take their medications and which ones to take. Photo by Christa Jennings
Assistive technology devices offered include a variety of mice and keyboards, such as the large-print keyboard, a left-handed mouse, curved and half-keyboards, and foot pedals for those with difficulties using their hands. Photo by Christa Jennings
Accessing Potential Through Assistive Technology’s Jessica McKay demonstrates an assistance device during Rockford’s Rural Roadshow. Photo submitted
Michael Papp, program manager with Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services, speaks to a Rural Roadshow attendee about services offered through ADRS. Photo submitted
Kristie Ford, director of UAB Regional Autism Network, attends the APTAT Rural Roadshow to provide information to guests on services offered through RAN. Photo submitted
Rural Roadshow attendees are able to learn about services and programs offered, see a vast array of assistive technology and other devices available, demonstrate some devices, and even check out devices from the lending library. Photo(s) submitted
By Christa Jennings
Senior Staff Writer
The Accessing Potential Through Assistive Technology, or APTAT, held a successful Rural Roadshow in Rockford recently as its stop in Coosa County, setting up at the county’s Extension office near the schools.
Jessica McKay with APTAT was joined by Michael Papp, program manager with the Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services, and Kristie Ford, director of the UAB Regional Autism Network, to highlight programs and services offered to Coosa County residents through their various agencies.
A wide variety of assistive technology and other devices were also on display during the Rural Roadshow stop, with attendees having the opportunity to learn more about assorted equipment offered, demo some of them and even check some devices out through APTAT’s lending library.
The free lending library allows people to borrow devices for up to 30 days, allowing them to try a device before committing to buying one, especially since some of the items offered can be rather expensive equipment. McKay was excited to share that some Coosa County residents took the opportunity to borrow items from the lending library during the April 4 Rural Roadshow.
Multiple tables were set up in the old high school to highlight devices available, from toys and mobility assistance devices, to computer and phone assistive technology devices.
APTAT, Alabama’s Assistive Technology Act program through the Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services (ADRS), takes all disabilities into account and strives to meet needs whenever possible to make life easier for users. Devices are available to help those who are nonverbal, have vision impairments, mobility issues, and more.
Additionally, ADRS will meet with families or individuals to discuss an individual’s needs, and if there is not currently something to help meet that need, then ADRS works to create a device to meet those needs. Papp had some such items on display during the Rural Roadshow, as well as a video showcasing things ADRS has made and how it has helped those with disabilities navigate everyday life, whether at school, work, or home.
McKay explained that while APTAT’s home office is located in Birmingham, they understand that it can be difficult for some people to come to them. Therefore, they began holding the roadshow events to bring their assistive technology devices to the people and communities in other areas to make them more widely available.
She said this allows them to reach more people, show what devices are available that people otherwise may not know about and bring the mobile lending library to rural areas to allow people to get their hands on the devices and see what they are like.
To learn more about APTAT visit www.rehab.alabama.gov/services/vr/star. To learn more about the UAB Regional Autism Network, which serves Coosa County, visit sites.uab.edu/cedd/programs/ran.
