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MILLIGAN COLLEGE, TN (November 25, 2003) – Most of us pick up our cell phones and dial a number, open the microwave and pop in a meal, or sit down at our computer and pull up our email. But a growing number of individuals throughout the region and United States have difficulties in using technologies such as these.
A workshop next week at Milligan College will help local teachers, students, parents and therapists review how different technologies can be adapted or customized to accommodate students and workers with disabilities. The workshop will focus on how assistive technology can improve the classroom, work and home environments by helping people with disabilities gain education and employment skills, perform activities of daily living and lead more independent, productive lives.
The Dec. 3 “Assistive Technology Workshop” is hosted through a partnership of the Milligan College Occupational Therapy department, the Tennessee Occupational Therapy Association (TOTA), and the East Tennessee Technology Access Center (ETTAC) of Knoxville. The workshop is next Wednesday, Dec. 3, from 2:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
The workshop will include information on off-the-shelf products for accommodations. There will be demonstrations of freeware, shareware and trial software applicable to a variety of individuals with a variety of functional limitations. Participants will learn about multiple products for use with individuals with disabilities in a variety of helping settings.
Guest speakers include ETTAC administrators Dr. Lois Symington and Ron Emrich. Symington is the ETTAC executive director and has 16 years experience in the field of assistive technology. She has been involved in beta testing and development of software and contributes to books and journals on assistive technology.
Emrich holds a master’s degree in rehabilitation counseling and is the ETTAC director of operations. He has 20 years of experience in the field of vocational rehabilitation, counseling and rehabilitation technology. He is a trained mediator and has specialized training in technology for blindness, low vision, and workplace and classroom modifications for adults with disabilities.
Teachers, students, parents, therapists or those with an interest in assistive technology are encouraged to attend. The cost for the workshop and box supper is $30 for non-TOTA Members, $20 for TOTA members and $12 for TOTA student members.
Milligan’s master of science in occupational therapy program is one of only two such programs in the state of Tennessee and prepares therapists to help aging or injured people relearn basic living skills.
To register for the Assistive Technology Workshop or request more information about Milligan’s occupational therapy program, call 423.975.8010. Early registration for the workshop is encouraged.