Missouri Assistive Technology Advisory Council

Power Up 2013 Assistive Technology Conference and Expo

Sponsor list Educators at Power Up Boy in power chair with iPad

We want to extend our appreciation to all of the conference sponsors, presenters, exhibitors and participants that attended the 2013 Power Up AT Conference and Expo.

What is New:

NEW Deaf-Blind Equipment Program

Missouri's new Deaf-Blind Equipment Program is a direct result of the 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010. The goal is to ensure that every person with combined hearing and vision loss has access to modern telecommunication tools and the training necessary to use them. For an FAQ on Missouri's program click here. For more info on the national initiative, go to iCanConnect.org.

Accessible Voting Machine Demonstration Project

One of the key features of the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) is the requirement that each polling place have at least one accessible voting system for persons with disabilities. With the requirement, one question posed by the Research Alliance for Accessible Voting (RAAV) is the extent to which voters with disabilities are able to use the accessible systems – are they comfortable, confident and able to use them to vote privately and independently?
Funded by a grant from the Election Assistance Commission, Missouri is one of three states where the Association of Assistive Technology Act Programs (ATAP) has implemented pilot demonstration projects to investigate how access to equipment demonstrations might impact use of accessible voting equipment. Missouri Assistive Technology is coordinating this project in Missouri in cooperation with Services for Independent Living in Columbia. Voting equipment has been loaned by the Boone County Clerk’s office for the project. The Columbia Daily Tribune link below features a story on a recent demonstration for residents with disabilities at a senior housing facility. http://www.columbiatribune.com/news/2012/jun/30/oak-tower-residents-test-touch-screen-voting/?news