WATA
(Washington Assistive Technology Alliance) Bulletin
Fall 1997
Contents:
- Introducing the WATA Consumer Majority Advisory Board
- Calendar of Events
- Special Education Law Conference
- Technology & Persons with Disabilities
- Designing for the Twenty-First Century
- Disability Policy & the Community (REHAB 566, 3 credits)
- We invite your feedback
Introducing the WATA Consumer Majority Advisory Board
Debbie Cook
Director, WATA
Standing from left: Berl Colley, James Eccles, Theodore Medina
Seated: Tammera Mowbray, Ellen Chestnut
Not shown: Veronica Cook, Paul Wysocki
The Consumer Majority Advisory Board is appointed by the Director of the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation to assist WATA in planning and carrying out program activities designed to increase the availability of assistive technology in Washington state.
Board members include consumers with disabilities who use AT, family members of AT consumers, AT professionals, and other individuals interested in the increased availability of AT devices and services. During the past few months, WATA has been seeking candidates to fill several vacancies on the Consumer Majority Advisory Board.
We are pleased to announce the appointments of Ellen Chestnut (Seattle), Veronica Cook (Seattle), Theodore Medina (Spokane) and Tammera Mowbray (Spokane). The newly appointed members will be joining Berl Colley (Lacey), James Eccles (Vancouver) and Paul Wysocki (Seattle), who were reappointed.
The Advisory Board plays a key role in defining and shaping WATA's activities. Board members link WATA to AT consumers and professionals, they oversee and carry out the legislative agenda established each year, they represent WATA and AT issues with policy makers, and they are building a strategy for WATA's future beyond our federal grant funding. Board members volunteer their time and energy because they are committed to increasing opportunities for people with disabilities through increased access to assistive technology devices and services.
The Board has identified two major areas in which WATA is increasing the availability of AT devices and improving AT services. As a result, the Board is structuring their standing committees according to these two priorities.
First, WATA is actively working to increase the availability of AT services and providers. Activities include maintenance of WATA's online resources and the AT Information & Referral System; identification of programs to exchange, borrow and try out AT, and development of training for current and potential service providers. The Board has established an AT Services Committee which will assist WATA in improving the quality of AT services and increasing the number of providers throughout the state.
WATA's other priority, as identified by the Board, is to work closely with policy makers to increase AT funding and timeliness of service delivery. The AT for Kids Bill initiated by WATA during the last legislative session is a good example of this work. The Advisory Board has established a Systems Change Committee to assist with the implementation of WATA policy activities within Vocational Rehabilitation, Special Education, Insurance and Medicaid. The Systems Change Committee will also aid WATA in increasing access to information provided by state government and to the state's information technologies.
During the next six months WATA hopes to identify several additional candidates for the Board with specific expertise in program administration, planning, fund raising, budget, public relations, or government relations. WATA is especially interested in recruiting candidates from business or industry who can assist us to develop our future business plan. WATA is committed to maintaining Board representation from diverse backgrounds and from all regions of the state.
Future issues of the Bulletin will feature profiles of individual Board members so you can become acquainted with them and their AT interests. You may also wish to attend an upcoming meeting of the Board to learn more. The Board meets quarterly (generally in Seattle). Future meetings will be announced in the Bulletin. If you have the expertise needed by the Board and wish to apply for membership, please contact the AT Resource Center for an information packet and application.
Calendar of Events
Special Education Law Conference, January 23, 24 & 25, 1998 , Orlando, FL
A conference for attorneys representing children with disabilities, parents and lay advocates. Cost is $275. Registration deadline is December 15, 1997. Visit EDLAW's Web site at http://www.edlaw.net/edcenter/copaa/registra.htm or call (954) 966-4489.
Technology & Persons with Disabilities, March 17-21, 1998, Los Angeles CA
One of the best annual conferences on assistive technology for people with disabilities. Call the California State University at Northridge at (818) 677-2578 or visit their Web site at http://www.csun.edu/cod/
Designing for the Twenty-First Century, June 18-21, 1998, New York, NY
An international conference on universal design of information, products, and environments sponsored by the Adaptive Environments Centers in collaboration with many others. Save the dates and look for additional information in future newsletters.
Disability Policy & the Community (REHAB 566, 3
credits)-The community is invited to participate in a two quarter University of Washington
class taught by Kurt Johnson and Frances Pennell, which begins in January, 1998. The first
quarter covers the history of the Disability Rights Movement, the enactment and
implementation of the ADA and selected disability policy issues. In the second quarter,
students can prepare a disability policy paper, undertake a research project or
participate in a community service internship. Students can take one or two quarters.
People with disabilities can participate without charge.
For more information, call the AT Resource Center at (206) 685-4181.