WATR dispatch April 2021 information newsletter with pink flowering trees and gardne walk pictured
ATAP LOGO

National Assistive Technology Awareness Day
April 14, 2021

On April 14, 2021, National Assistive Technology Awareness Day will celebrate and bring attention to the critical role that assistive technology (AT) plays in the lives of people with disabilities. The day will also recognize and commemorate AT specialists and program coordinators for their hard work and dedication to serving individuals with disabilities seeking proper AT to meet their individual needs, along with professional organizations and researchers dedicated to facilitating the access and acquisition of AT for individuals with disabilities and older adults.
 
Assistive technology, defined in the Assistive Technology Act (P.L. 105-394), is any item, piece of equipment, or product system that is used to increase, maintain, or improve the functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities and older adults. Assistive technology provides people with disabilities the option to access education and the workplace, to live within their communities, and enjoy recreational activities.
 
Please contact your Member of Congress and ask that they support funding for assistive technology through supporting the Assistive Technology Act and share with them how AT plays a role in your own life!  

Call them today at 202-224-3121! #ATAwarenessDay
Don't forget to join Open Lab and bring your questions on
Wed. April 14 or Thurs. April 15 anytime between 2 and 4 p.m.
WATR is Wyoming's designated state AT Act Program!
Keith A. Miller standing by stone fireplace in black suite with white shirt and black and white flowered tie.

Accepting Nominations for the 2021
In support and recognition of those who are committed to enhancing the lives of people with disabilities!

Is there an unsung hero or tireless advocate in your Wyoming community who dedicates time and energy to improving the opportunities and experiences of people with disabilities? If so, please consider nominating them for this award.


If you nominated someone in the past who was not selected, please consider resubmitting the nomination this year!
College of Health Sciences, Communication Disorders Telepractice Speech-Language Services available in the Summer, Fall, and Spring Semesters. To request an appointment, please call (307) 766-6426 or SHClinic@uwyo.edu.
ASL Summer 2021 Com Dis class
Summer 2021
American Sign Language (ASL)
SPPA 2110 Online Asynchronous Class
May 24 - August 13, 2021
For more information about this ASL course, visit the Division of Communication Disorders website:

Training and Technical Assistance
UW ECHO IN
ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY

Bi-weekly Thursdays
11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. MT

April 8: AT Assessment Considerations for Individuals with Autism with Terri Wofford, M.S., CCC-SLP, Speech-Language Pathologist and Rachel Freedman, M.A., M.S., BCBA, LABA, Board Certified Behavior Analyst, Wyoming Institute for Disabilities. Join this session to learn about team considerations when completing an assistive technology assessment for individuals with autism. 

April 22: Virtual AT Supports for Adapted Living Skills with Terri Wofford, M.S., CCC-SLP, Speech-Language Pathologist, Wyoming Institute for Disabilities, and Anna Moyer, Developer, Accessible Chef website. Join this session and learn how you can provide visual supports for adapted living skills using the Accessible Chef website.

The University of Wyoming ECHO in Assistive Technology (UW ECHO in AT) provides training and the sharing of best practices for educators and service providers to consider, implement and evaluate the use of assistive technology to improve outcomes for students.

Network participants include assistive technology professionals, specialists and teams, school administrators, general and special education teachers, para-educators, case managers, school counselors, school psychologists, state agency staff, and special education service providers, including OTs, PTs, SLPs, etc.

Credits offered:
PTSB and STARS. Graduate credit is offered at an additional expense to the participant. A certificate of attendance will be provided at the end of the Fall and Spring sessions. 

Certificate Offered for Viewing Previously Recorded Sessions:
ECHO AT Asynchronous Learning: A new course offered to Wyoming residents provides participants an opportunity to view previously recorded UW ECHO in Assistive Technology didactic sessions from Fall 2020 through Spring 2021. Participants who complete activities per module will be awarded a Certificate of Completion for one contact hour for continuing education units (CEUs).


woman providing device demo to man at table
Weekly Virtual Open Lab
Device Demonstrations

Open Labs will continue to be provided through Zoom distance technology on
Wednesdays and Thursdays between and 2-4 p.m. until further notice. Ongoing device sanitization procedures will continue.
Join Open Lab for 15 minutes or as long as your time allows between 2 and 4 p.m. on the following Wednesdays or Thursdays through Zoom video conferencing technology from your PC, Mac, iOS, or Android using this link: https://bit.ly/watr-open-lab

Open Lab themes are created to feature technology. Questions about other WATR devices or services are welcome!

April 7 & 8: Assistive Technology Considerations for Individuals with Autism: Learn about the devices WATR has available for short-term loan that can assist an individual of any age with Autism in their daily lives. Also, consider registering for our ECHO in AT session on Thursday, April 8 at 11 a.m. for Assessment Considerations for Individuals with Autism. Terri Wofford, M.S., CCC-SLP, Speech-Language Pathologist and Rachel Freedman, M.A., M.S., BCBA, LABA, Board Certified Behavior Analyst, Wyoming Institute for Disabilities.

April 14 & 15: National Assistive Technology (AT) Awareness Day-April 14, 2021: Visit Open Lab and help WATR celebrate AT Awareness Day! Learn about WATR, which is Wyoming’s designated state AT Act Program, and what services we offer such as our device loan program or our device reutilization program. We are here to serve the state!

April 21 & 22: Virtual AT Supports for Adapted Living Skills: Learn about the technology that can provide visual supports for adaptive living skills to aid individuals with Autism, such as the Accessible Chef website. Also, consider registering for our ECHO AT session on Thursday, April 22 at 11 a.m. for Virtual AT Supports for Adapted Living Skills with Terri Wofford, M.S., CCC-SLP, Speech-Language Pathologist, Wyoming Institute for Disabilities, and Anna Moyer, Developer, Accessible Chef website.

April 28 & 29: Accessible Educational Materials (AEM) and Fall 2021 School Year Considerations: As the current school year comes to a close, it’s already time to start thinking about next year! Will you have students with print disabilities in your classes? How do you know if a student could benefit from alternate format materials? Join us this week in Open Lab to learn about assessment strategies and tools that could help your struggling readers.


To view the up-to-date schedule and read more about Open Labs visit:
Device Loans and Reuse Equipment
Wyoming AT4ALL
Loan and Reuse Equipment
WATR' s assistive technology (AT) device loan library and reuse listings are available through the Wyoming AT4ALL website. To read more about WATR's device loan library, visit: http://www.uwyo.edu/wind/watr/loans.html

Apps Available for Trial: WATR has various apps related to speech communication, learning, reading, vision, and daily living activities to trial on a loaner iPad or iPod or on your own personal Apple device through our Volume Purchase Program (VPP).

Please contact WATR for more information on these services
by phone (307) 766-6187 or email watr@uwyo.edu.
Featured Equipment for Loan and Reuse
woman in wheelchair using eyeon device on mount
EyeOn Eye Tracking Device
EyeOn, an all-in-one, hands-free screen control with predictive eye-tracking technology. Removes the most common obstacles to achieve independent and reliable communication. EyeOn is the slimmest, fastest, most accurate, and lightest-weight tablet with a fully integrated eye tracker on the market.

EyeOn is an FDA-registered AAC device. It's covered by Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurance plans.
These sunglasses provide excellent glare protection, with their large side shields and top lip. These filters have 100% UV protection, they relieve indoor glare and help minimize the effects of glare from fluorescent lights.
NoIR UV Shield Sunglasses - 32 percent Medium Gray For Sale $5
Accepting Lightly-Used Assistive Technology

The WATR Reuse Program is looking for lightly-used assistive technology to make available to others who could benefit from the use of those devices or technologies in their daily lives. Donated devices will be sanitized prior to sale.
 
Visit the WATR reuse website to complete the online donation form and provide more information about what lightly-used assistive technology you are wanting to donate. If you have any questions, please give us a call at (307) 766-6187.


Need financial assistance in purchasing assistive technology and live in Wyoming? Consider a WyTAP loan!


Explore options for funding AT through this WATR publication. A great resource to review prior to purchasing assistive technology.


WATR posts weekly features about loans, reuse and Open Labs on WIND's Facebook page.

Collaborating Projects

WIND WATR and AEM logos