watr july 2021 dispatch news and information bulleting on at for indiviudals caregivers and professionals. A young boy and girl fish at a lake in lawnchairs.
Research Study Opportunity!

Looking for adults with developmental disabilities who use or may need augmentative and alternative communication (AAC).
Who can participate in the research?

  • Adults with developmental disabilities who use or need AAC.
  • Caregivers OR Service Providers who support adults with developmental disabilities who use or need AAC.

What do I get?

Participants will receive $20.00 upon completion of an interview. 

How do I participate?

For more details, contact Terri Wofford at:

307-766-2932 or email at twofford@uwyo.edu
Training and Technical Assistance
UW ECHO IN
ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY

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

UW ECHO in Assistive Technology will resume bi-weekly sessions in September. Please check the September dispATch or the
ECHO in AT website for the Fall schedule.

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: This course is offered through August to Wyoming residents and 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).
lady with dark hair standing and smiling modeling communication apron by table with other communication devices available for trial in Open Lab
Weekly Open Lab
Device Demonstrations

Join Open Labs for 15 minutes or as long as your time allows, through Zoom distance technology or in person by appointment on
Wednesdays and Thursdays between and 2-4 p.m.
Join through Zoom video conferencing technology from your PC, Mac, iOS, or Android using this link: https://bit.ly/watr-open-lab or contact WATR staff to set up an appointment to visit the WATR demo lab and trial devices in person.
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!

July 7 & 8: Wyoming Technology Access Program (WyTAP): Learn about this Wyoming-specific financial loan program for aiding individuals in purchasing assistive technology or durable medical equipment. Borrow from $500 to $25,000 with extended payback periods of up to 70 months and low-interest rates!

July 14 & 15: Join WATR’s AT Advisory Council: We are looking for users of assistive technology/self-advocates, family members, and professionals who serve individuals with disabilities to join our Assistive Technology (AT) Advisory Council to advise WATR staff about strategies to reach and service Wyoming residents with disabilities. Join Open Lab with your questions. Read more and submit form: WATR AT Advisory Council website.

July 21 & 22: Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Devices: Find out what types of communication devices WATR has available for a short-term loan for all ages, from the AbleNet BIGmack Single Message Communication Aid to the Skyle Eye Tracker for iPad Pro.

July 28 & 29: Accessible Educational Materials (AEM) – Find out how the AEM program can help a student with a print disability, visual impairment, physical impairment, or a reading disability, such as dyslexia, disabilities that can impair their ability to read and learn from standard education materials.

To view the up-to-date schedule and read more about Open Labs visit:
Device Loans 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
Boogie Board Jot blue and white small tablet and pen
Pocket-size write-and-erase communication tool that writes like pen on paper.
Easy-to-use, reusable write-and-erase screen enables the speech-impaired to communicate.
Staples 7 port usb hub
Staples 7-port hub. Hi-speed USB 2.0. Connect up to 7 hi-speed USB 2.0 or 1.1 devices. Two top-loading parts for easy access. Includes desk mounting kit and two reusable cable ties. 
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