WATA Bulletin

Winter 1997

Meet the New WATA Director

Debbie Cook
WATA Project Director

I am the new WATA project director as of August 26. I am taking this opportunity to introduce myself, and to let you know where WATA is headed in the next few months.

My employment background is in vocational rehabilitation; I worked for the Department of Services for the Blind for 16 years and managed that department's assistive technology (AT) program for the past 12 years. I use many AT devices in my work and personal life, and have an insatiable curiosity for both high and low tech products. Currently, my favorite assistive technology is my guide dog Felicity.

Working for WATA is not new for me. Since 1993, I have been working with the WATA team through a contract with Services for the Blind. I have primarily been involved in ensuring that our state will be in compliance with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act which deals with their procurement or development of information technology, which includes hardware, software and support services, to ensure they are accessible to people with disabilities. I am also involved in national access issues as a member of the National Council on Disability Tech Watch Task Force and as a member of the American Council of the Blind Information Access sub-committee. I am also active in the Washington Council of the Blind.

As the WATA director, I work for the project lead agency Division of Vocational Rehabilitation but am housed at the UW AT Resource Center in Seattle. Felicity and I look forward to walking to work during the summer. She plans to become personally acquainted with the numerous squirrels and pigeons who roam the campus.

As project Director, I will oversee all project activities and will coordinate initiatives for systems change within State government. I look forward to meeting many of you as I seek input from the community regarding the success of project activities and plans for future initiatives.

During the next few months WATA staff and Advisory Board members face the challenge of evaluating all project activities to ensure that everything we do leads to increased funding for and access to assistive technology for people with disabilities in Washington State. We want our products (this newsletter, information and referral, on-line services, policy review, legal advocacy and many other activities) to be responsive and flexible in meeting the changing needs of consumers. WATA will be doing more with less due to a recent reduction in federal funds for all Tech Act projects.

There are many ways to become involved with WATA activities. You will soon be receiving notice regarding the expansion of our consumer advisory board. The WATA board plays an important role in planning and implementation of all project activities. We also coordinate many systems change activities and need consumer involvement in all areas.

I can be reached at the AT Resource Center in Seattle or via e-mail at debcook@u.washington.edu . Please share your thoughts, ideas and concerns with me so we can improve access to AT for all of us.

Eastern WA AT Center Update

Brian Malcolm Patchett
Director of AT, Eastern AT Center

The Eastern Washington Regional Assistive Technology Resource Center recently hired me as Director of its Assistive Technology Center. The Center is a collaboration of the Washington Assistive Technology Alliance (WATA) and the Easter Seal Society of Washington. Providing world class services to people with disabilities and promoting systems change is our goal, specifically in regards to assistive technology devices or services.

I became legally blind at age seven when weak blood vessels in both my eyes broke, clouding my vision and making me non-correctively legally blind. Using assistive devices and processes in home, education, recreation and work has been very valuable to me as a person with a disability. Often too many people, including myself, are prescribed technology by professionals that mean well but have forgotten to include the client as the expert. Thus, our goal is to provide information about and demonstration of assistive technology for persons with disabilities, their families, and professionals. Then the person with a disability becomes the expert on his or her assistive technology needs. Becoming the expert on one's own assistive technology needs means the individual understands the resources available for getting information leading to a truly informed choice for assistive technology.

You may come into our office. Use as much time as you like researching databases and catalogs, as well as working with Glenn LeDuc, Dorothy Hanley, and myself. "Play" with our various computers and adaptive technologies in our center. We can help you to become an informed you choose to use.

Available to all persons with disabilities is our computer loan program. This is a resource in obtaining a donated computer at little or no cost, and as a side note, we have recently become part of the National Cristina Foundation, a world wide foundation committed to the acquisition of used computers from industry. As you use reutilized computer to gain computer skills, you will then be in a position to make more informed decisions as you upgrade.

Meeting with people, both professionals and individuals with disabilities has been and will continue to be an important part of what I do. Involving as many people as possible in the promotion of person-centered, quality assistive technology services is our goal.

I am confident that there are many of us who have experiences which can lead to improving the way people's needs are met in this community. I also know that when we work together, as professionals and person with disabilities, we can change the system to provide higher quality consumer driven services for people with disabilities.

Please call me if you would like to be involved.

Eastern WA AT Resource Center
West 606 Sharp
Spokane, Washington 99201
509-328-9350 (voice/TTY)
800-214-8731 (voice/TTY)
509-326-2261 (fax)
ewaratrc@ns.poweramp.net

A Message to Our Readers

The WA Assistive Technology Alliance has received a two-year extension grant to continue our activities in WA State. Unfortunately, Congress voted to significantly reduce federal funding for all AT projects. This means WATA will have to cut back or eliminate some activities.

We are now publishing a shorter version of the newsletter. We plan to continue those features that -- according to input received -- our readers appreciate most: the calendar of events; updates on the latest AT devices and issues; and a feature discussing the efforts and achievements of WATA.

You can help reduce printing and mailing costs by receiving the newsletter via e©mail or accessing it on the Web. Also, if you no longer wish to receive the newsletter, please let us know.

You can now conveniently reach our statewide information and referral staff with any questions about assistive technology devices or services at: 1-800-214-8731 (voice/TTY)

Protection and Advocacy for AT
Washington Protection and Advocacy System
1401 East Jefferson, Suite 506
Seattle, WA 98122
206-324-1521 (V/TTY) in Seattle
800-562-2702 (V/TTY) outside Seattle

Calendar of Events

WATA 1997 Legislative Forum, Saturday, January 11, 1997, 1:00 - 5:00 PM
University Unitarian Church, 6556 35th Avenue NE, Seattle,WA

This forum will focus on anticipated AT issues for the 1997 legislative session and review proven legislative advocacy strategies so you can be an effective participant in the process. For more information, contact WATA by telephone, fax or e-mail (see contact information below.)