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Witness Governor Mark Gordon sign the formal proclamation for Wyoming Assistive Technology Awareness Month, sponsored by the Wyoming Institute for Disabilities Assistive Technology Advisory Council.
Assistive Technology Awareness Month in Wyoming will bring attention to the importance of assistive technology and how residents can access services through Wyoming Assistive Technology Resources (WATR), the state AT Act Program.
Signing date and time: Tuesday, May 3 at 1:45 p.m. (MT)
Please join in a few minutes before 1:45 p.m., as this signing will begin promptly.
Join through the Google Meet video platform:
Google Meet link: meet.google.com/mtk-iucm-nji
Or join by phone: (US) +1 540-603-1131 (PIN: 971641566)
For captioning, click on this link at the time of the meeting and a new browser will open, then minimize on your screen so you can read the text and see the video at the same time:
https://www.streamtext.net/player?event=CFI-WIND-AT
Contact WATR with your questions: (307) 766-6187 | watr@uwyo.edu.
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The Power of Rural:
Forward Together
2022 Virtual Healthcare Conference
May 12 & 13 and 16 & 17, 2022
from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
each morning.
- Address rural health challenges through innovative research
- Share information on Wyoming's rural healthcare landscape
- Interact with healthcare professionals around the state
- Learn about topics impacting Wyoming
Registration is $50: https://registration.socio.events/e/por2022
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May 18-20, 2022: Rocky Mountain Alzheimer Summit - A bold Approach to Alzheimer's Disease, Little America Conference Center, Cheyenne. For healthcare professionals, direct care workers, older adults, and caregivers of individuals with dementia.
WIND and WATR will be hosting a booth on May 19th, please stop by and say "hello"!
For more information and to register, contact the Wyoming Center on Aging (WyCOA) by phone at (307) 766-2829 or email wycoa@uwyo.edu
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The Center for Inclusive Design and Engineering (CIDE) and the Colorado Department of Education have open registration for the Conference for Assistive Technology and Education. Virtual CATE 2022 dates are
June 6-7, 2022.
This 2-day virtual conference features:
- Over 30 sessions with nationally renowned trainers addressing a wide variety of assistive technology topics related to the academic support needs of students with disabilities
- Opportunity to earn graduate credit through Adams State University
- Professional networking through the virtual conference platform
- Access to recordings of all sessions for 60 days following the conference
Please contact Chelane at chelane.garcia-herrada@ucdenver.edu or 303-315-1276 with any questions or concerns about participating via Zoom or registration. Please contact Chelane by May 23rd to inform event organizers of any accessibility accommodations you may require.
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Focus Group Participants Needed
The Equality State Research Network (http://www.uwyo.edu/wind/esrn/index.html) and the Wyoming Institute for Disabilities (WIND: http://www.uwyo.edu/wind/) is conducting a project to explore COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) in Wyoming. The goal of the project is to hear from the community about the reasons that those with an IDD diagnosis do or do not get a COVID-19 vaccine. We hope to use this information to create solutions that address the needs of the community.
To collect this information, we are conducting focus groups with individuals that have an IDD diagnosis and community members that work closely with individuals with IDD (e.g., family members, direct service providers, case managers, & state agencies). Individuals participating in the focus groups will receive a $50 Amazon gift card.
If you are interested in participating, please complete the screener at the link below. This screener helps us determine if you are eligible for participation, and it should only take a couple of minutes to complete. If you choose to complete the screener, a WIND representative will contact you soon.
If you need assistance completing the screener, please contact Kyle Bares: 307-766-2766, kbares@uwyo.edu.
SCREENER:https://redcap.uwyo.edu/surveys/?s=K4PAP488EKHCTLLM
If you know other individuals who might be interested in participating, please feel free to forward this email.
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Training and Technical Assistance | |
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May 23 - August 12, 2022: American Sign Language - 1 Online Asynchronous Class
The American Sign Language (ASL) Studies certificate provides a basic or beginning understanding of ASL and an introduction to Deaf sociocultural issues. This course can fulfill a foreign language requirement for some majors. Course #: SPPA-2110-40 | CRN: 30301
Register: Communication Disorders ASL Website
Questions? Email: Esther Hartsky, Assistant Lecturer with Communication Disorders ehartsky@uwyo.edu
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UW ECHO IN ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY
MAY SESSIONS
Bi-weekly Thursdays
11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Mountain Time
**Our last ECHO in AT session for the Spring will be on May 19. Sessions will resume in September and will be published in the dispATch and on the website.
May 5: Self-Regulation and Emotional Control with Karen Janowski, MS Ed, is an Inclusive and Assistive Technology Consultant and is President and owner of EdTech Solutions, Inc. Register here for this session.
May 19: Wrap-Up and Year-End Discussion with the WATR team. Join us for our last session this spring. Let us know what topics you would like to see during the Fall 2022 and Spring 2023 sessions, as well as provide any feedback. Register here for this session.
By registering for a session, you will receive a reminder email the morning of the session that will include any materials or handouts that will be used.
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.
Case Presentations:
Interested in troubleshooting an issue with the assistive technology community? Case presentations offer an opportunity to brainstorm evidence-based solutions or share successes with colleagues and other professionals around the state and nation.
To complete a case presentation form visit the Case Presentation page. Select “PowerPoint Template for Assistive Technology.” The first two slides are case presenter instructions. We’ll contact you to schedule your case presentation and answer any questions you may have.
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University of Wyoming ECHO Networks provide ongoing support for educators, healthcare providers, and families in a rural state where specialized knowledge is not always locally available. By removing these barriers to specialized knowledge, outcomes for students, patients, and families are improved.
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AT Asynchronous Learning Course
Open Through August 31, 2022
The AT Asynchronous Learning Course provides online training and best practices for the consideration, implementation, and evaluation of Assistive Technology. The course allows Wyoming residents to earn one contact hour of continuing education for each completed module. This is a free course.
Contact WATR for more information. (307) 766-2932 or watr@uwyo.edu
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Weekly Open Lab
Device Demonstrations
Join Open Labs through
Zoom distance technology or
in-person by appointment on
Wednesdays and Thursdays, anytime between 2 and 4 p.m.
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Join through Zoom video conferencing technology from your PC, Mac, iOS, or Android device using this link: https://bit.ly/watr-open-lab or contact WATR staff to set up an in-person appointment to have devices demonstrated.
Contact WATR: (307) 766-6187 or watr@uwyo.edu.
Open Lab themes are created to feature technology. Questions about other WATR devices or services are welcome!
May 4 & 5: Wyoming Assistive Technology (AT) Awareness Month, Proclamation Signing May 3, 2022 – Join Open Lab and help WATR celebrate AT Awareness Month by viewing the recording of Governor Mark Gordon signing the official proclamation! WATR is Wyoming’s designated state AT Act Program, learn about the free services we offer! Also consider joining ECHO in AT on Thursday, May 5 at 11 a.m. for Self-Regulation and Emotional Control with Karen Janowski, MS Ed., who is an Inclusive and Assistive Technology Consultant and is President and owner of EdTech Solutions, Inc.
May 11 & 12: Daily Living and Home Monitoring Devices – Learn about the newly acquired devices WATR has for short-term loans that aid in daily living and home monitoring, like the GrandCare Telehealth Monitoring system or the MedReady Medication Dispenser.
May 18 & 19: What are the Benefits of Joining ECHO in AT? - Join Open Lab and learn about ECHO in Assistive Technology (AT), which is held virtually bi-weekly through Zoom in the fall and spring providing training and the sharing of best practices for educators and service providers. Also consider joining our last spring session ECHO in AT Wrap-Up on Thursday, May 19 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Join in and let us know what topics you would like to see during our Fall 2022 and Spring 2023 sessions, we welcome your feedback!
May 25 & 26: Smartpens for Note Taking - Join Open Lab and find out what is new in the world of digital writing! WATR has acquired some new Smartpens for our short-term loan program.
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Device Loans and Reuse Equipment | |
Welcome to Wyoming Assistive Technology for All!
Promoting Independence Through Assistive Technology
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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.
Please contact WATR for more information on these services
by phone (307) 766-6187 or email watr@uwyo.edu.
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Featured Equipment for Loan and Reuse | |
- The cube is only 2" x 2" x 2" and has a small (but pretty loud) speaker built-in. It has a rechargeable LiON battery which lasts about 6 hours.
- Plays MP3s, the most common music format (songs/stories from audio CDs must be downloaded through Media Player or iTunes as MP3; songs in iTunes or Media Player can be converted to MP3). THIS INCLUDES E-BOOKS!
- Drag and drop the songs/stories from your computer without any special software (although iTunes can be used also) to the included mini-SD card.
- It holds *hundreds* of songs/files.
- Sequential playback of songs
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This PRC Vantage Lite AAC communication device is used and in good working condition.
This is an English-speaking model with Unity software, which has icons that are similar to LAMP.
The Vantage Lite is a discontinued model by PRC, so no service is available.
Has a guide, case, and power cord.
**Shipping and taxes will apply.
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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.
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Join the WATR
AT Advisory Council Today!
If you are a user of assistive technology (AT), a self-advocate, a family member, or a professional who serves individuals with disabilities, consider joining our AT Advisory Council.
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The Council meets in the Spring and Fall
- Lodging and transportation reimbursements
- Advise WATR staff about strategies to reach and serve individuals with disabilities, families, and professionals.
Contact WATR for more information: (307) 766-6187 | watr@uwyo.edu
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The WyRAMP Project provides access to a person's home through the use of temporary ramps, increasing both safety and access. It is a collaboration between the Wyoming Assistive Technology Resources, Wyoming Life Resource Center, and Goshen County Senior Friendship Center, covering Lander, Laramie, and Torrington areas.
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 a weekly feature about loans, reuse, and Open Labs on WIND's Facebook page.
Collaborating Projects
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