Giving Life My All...

Consumer Spotlight

My name is Jamie Karam and I am visually impaired. I am thirty-five years old and have been happily married to Dr. Tommy Karam of LSU for almost fifteen years. We have three beautiful children: Maria, eleven; Thomas, nine; and Catherine, aged six. I received a bachelor's degree in Speech Communication from LSU in 1991. I worked in the marketing section of the private rehabilitation arena for a couple of years until my vision digressed so that I could not fulfill my work obligations and I had to "retire."

On my twenty-fifth birthday, I had to make the painful decision not to drive anymore. With a newborn at the time and two more to follow, not being able to drive was and still is one of the biggest barriers I have had to face. I also regret not being able to see my children performing on stage or seeing their facial expressions when they are excited or sad about something.

For fourteen years, I went through diagnosis after diagnosis and a year of Prednisone treatment and all of its side effects, only to have them disproved and finding myself back at square one with no physical reason for the progressive loss of my central vision. For a decade I raised babies. Luckily, I have wonderful relatives and friends who have helped out throughout the years lessening my worry and heartache of not being able to do for my own children.

However, throughout the years of the financial and emotional burdens of seeing doctors, persevering through multiple visual fields, MRIs, spinal taps, etc., my husband has never complained and our families have been very supportive emotionally and financially. I am truly blessed by having such generous relatives and friends. I am also blessed with a caring and earnest ophthalmologist, Dr. J. Curtis Creed, who has followed me for the past fourteen years and referred me to multiple specialists across the nation looking for a diagnosis. Just two months ago, my condition finally showed its true colors and he was able to declare that I have a rod-cone dystrophy variant of Retinitis Pigmentosa, as color photos of my retinas now show lots of pigmentation.

A few years ago when my youngest child went to school full-time, I decided to come out of my partially self-inflicted "hibernation" and called LRS. Over the past few years, my wonderful rehab counselor, Stacy Marbs, has informed and advised me, and obtained assistive equipment, orientation and mobility training, and Braille education at the Louisiana Career Development Center (LCDC) in downtown Baton Rouge for me. It's not as easy as before, but equally rewarding as I acknowledge the obstacles that I, with the help of my counselor, friends, teachers, and family, am learning to overcome.

With my assistive equipment and education provided by my LRS contract came my obligation to find employment. LSU's Office of Independent Study hired me almost immediately after I started looking for employment. I was hired as a parttime Online Enrollment Specialist. I am very grateful to my new coworkers for allowing me to work there and for providing me with the flexibility my continuing education and disability require.

All of the people I work with and for have bent over backwards to help me feel like a welcome contributor to the office. They have always happily helped me to connect and re-connect my CCTV, work out the kinks between my Jaws software and their databases, as well as providing me with a state-of-theart, height-adjustable monitor after learning I was having severe headaches and neck/shoulder pain. They are truly the best people with whom to work!

One day in the near future, however, I aspire to be a Braille transcriptionist as I am now enrolled in the Library of Congress' Braille certification process. With the help of my assistive technology equipment and recent education and the ADA, I plan to translate governmental agencies' printed output into Braille format for people with visual impairments. I look forward to having the flexibility of doing my work at home, while still getting out of the house to deliver the finished product and culling new clients and projects.

I am enjoying being a governor-appointed member of the Statewide Independent Living Council where I feel that I am making a difference in the lives of individuals with disabilities in Louisiana. I am hopeful for the final approval of my proposed membership on the Louisiana Rehabilitation Council as well, where I plan to provide a disabled person�fs view on the development and delivery of rehabilitation services in our state. The only house modification I needed was the Braille labeling of my appliances.

My role models are others with disabilities. They are so special to me. I draw daily inspiration from them; people I know and strangers on the street. I am Catholic and therefore I look for Jesus in everyone I see and meet and, I always find him in people with disabilities and it gives me great comfort to be around them and hopefully help them in some capacity. Advice I would give to others is to remember that God loves you and take each day at a time conquering one daily living activity at a time. A positive mental attitude and a smile go a long way in the face of trials and tribulations. I say a prayer of thanksgiving for all of my many blessings. So give life your all; it is the only one you have and it is definitely worth it!

Policy Updates
New Assistive Technology Act Will Help Louisianians With Disabilities

More than 1 million Louisianians with disabilities who use or can benefit from assistive technology such as communication devices and wheelchairs will benefit from a newly signed law that will ensure greater access to these technologies in Louisiana for five years.

The Assistive Technology Act of 2004, which was signed by President George W. Bush October 25, supports the continuance of the previous law that established Assistive Technology Act Programs across the United States. In Louisiana the program is, of course, called Louisiana Assistive Technology Access Network (LATAN) and it brings together organizations and individuals to improve the availability of assistive technology information, devices and services for people of all ages and all disabilities who need it. LATAN is a nonprofit organization that is designated by the Governor as the implementing entity for the Act. The Department of Health and Hospitals is the lead agency.

Louisiana was originally funded under the Technology-Related Assistance Act of 1988 and has implemented strategies to raise awareness of assistive technology and resources and has helped increase access to assistive technology devices and services through the state's education, rehabilitation and health services systems. Since the inception of the state assistive technology programs, the major advancements in the field of assistive technology have made AT, along with its cousin, accessible information technology, an essential part of the solutions for the functional loss associated with most disabilities.

LATAN is grateful for the unanimous support it has received over the years from its Louisiana members of the U.S. Senate and House in helping to extend the Louisiana AT program beyond its original 10-year window. It is very heartening to see the support becoming a unanimous effort in Congress that will benefit millions of people with disabilities across the nation. Thank you to each of you who contacted your Congressional representatives and told your story. That is what made the difference.

The new Act requires a focus on activities that will put assistive technology directly in the hands of individuals, such as a lending library, financial loans for assistive technology, and recycling of used equipment, in addition to some training and public awareness activities. An advisory council is being formed to develop, implement and evaluate the programs under the new Act. Several satellite groups will be formed across the state to provide input into the process. If you are interested in volunteering to work on an advisory council, or other LATAN committee, please call us at 225.925.9500 in Baton Rouge, or 800.270.6185 in other parts of the state.

Be a Friend of LATAN
There's no doubt about it-Assistive Technology (AT) helps people with disabilities live full lives, as independently as possible.

Your gift to Friends of LATAN helps make AT accessible to many of your friends, neighbors and family members. Your support of LATAN today means an education or a job, and a fulfilling life in the future for someone you know and love . LATAN believes that Great possibilities are just around the corner.

* Good Friend: $50 * Supporter Friend: $100 * Sustainer Friend: $250 * Benefactor Friend: $500 * Angel Friend: $1,000
* GREAT possibilities Friend: Over $1,000 * Other: _______________________________
Name: ___________________________________ Telephone: _______________ Email: _________________________
Address: __________________________________________________________________________________________
City: ____________________________________ State: ________________________ Zip Code: _________________
My donation is in memory of _________________ or my donation is in honor of _________________. Please send a memorial or honor donation letter to _________________ , and mail it to __________________________________ . Please make your tax-deductible donation payable to LATAN at Post Office Box 14115/Baton Rouge, LA 70898-4115.

Classifieds
We would like to encourage everyone to use this newsletter to "swap and shop" for new and used assistive technology devices. Just send your information and label it "Classified Ads" to:
LATAN
P.O. Box 14115
Baton Rouge, LA 70898-4115

Tumbleforms bolster 48" long, $40. Sidelyer 48" long wit pads, $50. Daessy adjustable wheelchair mount $50. Contact Ken Ewing 225.925.9269 or kwewing@cox.net.

LATAN Earns Seal of Excellence

LATAN Passes Ethics and Accountability Standards Baton Rouge, La. - The Louisiana Assistive Technology Access Network (LATAN) has been awarded the Louisiana Association of Nonprofit Organizations' (LANO) Seal of Excellence for successfully completing the Louisiana Standards for Excellence Voluntary Certification Program. LATAN voluntarily opened itself up to scrutiny by a "jury of peers." A peer review team examined LATAN for compliance with the Louisiana Standards for Excellence and an independent Standards Compliance Committee approved LATAN to receive the Seal of Excellence, one of the 22 first awarded in the state of Louisiana.

The Louisiana Standards for Excellence are based on fundamental values such as honesty, integrity, fairness, respect, trust, responsibility and accountability. LATAN's governance, programs, management, fundraising and financial practices were examined in-depth before certification was awarded.

Julie Nesbit, LATAN's President and CEO, said, "Receiving the LANO Seal of Excellence is the culmination of many months of intensely scrutinizing all of LATAN's policies and procedures, and maintaining a system of governing and managing with integrity and accountability. Though a rigorous process, we feel it was well worth the time and effort because it enables us to present ourselves to the community as an ethical, accountable organization with an impact on the lives of the people we serve."

According to Melissa S. Flournoy, Ph.D., President and CEO of LANO, "Organizations that successfully complete the voluntary certification program should be commended for their commitment to excellence and integrity." She continues, "LANO encourages organizations to participate in the Louisiana Standards for Excellence program because we know it will benefit nonprofit management practices and positively impact those who benefit from the nonprofit's services."

LATAN Announces New Board Members and Officers
Elected November 30, 2004 to serve as officers for the year 2004-2005 are Jim Parks, Chair; Alma Stewart, Vice-Chair; and Craig Wadsworth, Secretary. Mr. Parks, a CPA and attorney from Baton Rouge, is President/CEO of Louisiana Public Facilities Authority. Ms. Stewart is the CEO of Disability and Aging Resource Institute in Baton Rouge. Mr. Wadsworth is a rehab counselor and Assistive Technology Practitioner with the LRS Regional Center in New Orleans.

Board Members elected for a 2nd 3-year term are Armando Corripio and Jim Parks, both of Baton Rouge. Continuing on the Board are Merilyn Crain, LeBlanc; Louis Prejean, Baton Rouge; Alma Stewart, Baton Rouge; Craig Wadsworth, New Orleans; and Meher Banajee, Kenner. Elected to their 1st 3-year term are Dr. Brian Barnes, Lafayette; Joshua Boudreaux, Ruston; Dr. Jan Bowman, W. Monroe; Alisha Bradley-Nelson, New Orleans; Brantley Cagle, Lake Charles; Margaret Daigle, Lafayette; Jan Faulkner, Baton Rouge; Michael Harrell, Columbia; Lydia Martin, Monroe; Dr. Frank Puckett, Zachary; and Casa Thomas, Franklin. A warm welcome to all!


Board of Directors Adopts New Ends for LATAN
LATAN's Board of Directors met in its annual planning retreat in October to review outcomes for the past year, requirements of the new Assistive Technology Act of 2004, and recommendations of staff, and to adopt new goals or ends for the coming years. Using the Policy Governance model for governing, LATAN uses the terms Ends and Means where others might use goals and objectives.

With LATAN'S vision in mind that "individuals who use assistive technology are independent, satisfied with their lives and have access to their communities", and in addressing LATAN's mission to "assist individuals with disabilities to achieve a higher quality of life and greater independence through increased access to assistive technology as part of their daily lives," the Board adopted three Governance Ends at its November 30, 2004 meeting which will be implemented and evaluated by the Board

• An active governing body, representative of Louisiana�fs diversity and committed to achieving LATAN's Mission and Ends
• Diversified resources essential to achieving LATAN's Mission and Ends
• Enhanced public awareness of LATAN and its Mission throughout Louisiana

The Board also adopted management and program ends that will be implemented by the Staff:

• Sufficient resources to support continued growth, development, and motivation of LATAN's human resources
• Organizational sustainability through financial resources
• An accountable, viable, and stable nonprofit organization through effective administration and support
• Individuals with disabilities, other stakeholders and the public will be aware of LATAN programs, services activities, and aware of assistive technology services available in Louisiana.
• Individuals with disabilities, service providers, and businesses will be empowered to make informed choices regarding universal design and assistive technology devices and services.
• Individuals with disabilities of all ages will have more purchasing, lease and loan options for the acquisition of assistive technology devices and services.

The means to achieve these ends, or strategies, and action steps with timelines are being developed by the Board and the Staff. The work of LATAN is being accomplished through task forces and committees, and we need you. Interested in governance, fund development, public image and awareness, training, AT recycling, AT lending library, or AT demonstrations? Please contact us at 800.270.6185.

New Assistive Technology Products and Where to Get Them
The Association of Blind Citizens has established an Assistive Technology Fund to cover Assistive Technology Grants for Persons who are Blind 50% of the price of adaptive devices or software. Applicants can apply during the three grant periods (June, September, and December) each year. There are limits on the price of the device and family income. For more information, go to: http:// www.blindcitizens.org/assistive_tech.htm. Bookshare.org isn't just for books anymore! Bookshare.org is an online community that enables people in the United States with visual or other print disabilities to legally share scanned books. New books continue to be donated every day by people just like you. Email volunteer@bookshare.org for information about how to submit books. Copyrighted digital books are available only to U.S. residents who have a disability that affects print reading and have a current subscription.

Organizations such as schools can sponsor subscriptions for their students. In partnership with the National Federation of the Blind NFB-NEWSLINE(r) system, newspapers and magazines are available for download by Bookshare.org members. During their sneak peak, subscribers have access to key publications including The New Times, USA Today, The Economist and The New Yorker. More newspapers and a small limited number of magazines will become available. Institutional Access users can download periodicals at no additional cost for a limited time.

Periodicals are in the same formats as bookshare.org books (DAISY and BRF). Periodicals are available to subscribing residents of Sponsored States.

Computer ReBoot Program Attracts Corporate Donors
On August 24, 2004, Entergy awarded LATAN a Community Partnership Grant to support the Louisiana Computer ReBoot Program. The grant will allow LATAN to pay the shipping charges for computers for individuals who cannot afford the cost. Earlier in 2004, CenturyTel also made a financial contribution to LATAN to make computers available to consumers. "These corporate contributions have allowed us to pay the shipping and licensing costs for people who have been waiting for LATAN to receive a donated computer," says Melody Benton, ReBoot Secretary.

LATAN partners with Georgia Tools for Life to connect Louisiana consumers with disabilities to rebuilt computers. "Since we first announced the program the response has been terrific," says Henry Bateman, LATAN Program Developer. "We knew from consumer surveys and focus group discussions that affordable computer access was important to Louisiana consumers of assistive technology. I'm gratified the program is seen as a valuable asset to Louisiana by its corporations also," explains Bateman.

Speak out about voting!
ITTATC is conducting a survey to measure satisfaction with the voting experience, as well as the usability and accessibility of voting machines for all voters, including those with disabilities. The survey takes about 10 minutes to complete, and it covers topics such as the accessibility of information; barriers encountered when voting; voters' ability to understand or obtain information on how to operate voting machines; and satisfaction with the voting process.

The data from this survey will assist the government in designing voting machines and other technologies that are more usable and accessible for all. This survey covers elections beginning in January 2004. If you voted in any national, state, or local elections since January, you may complete a survey for each voting experience.

To participate, visit the survey's website at: http://www.gatech.edu/votersurvey. If you would prefer to take the survey by phone or by paper copy, contact Robert Roy at rob.roy@catea.org or phone 1-866-948-8282 (voice/TTY).

CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Please see LATAN's website for additional dates and events: www.latan.org

January 12, February 16, March 16; LA Quality Improvement Collaborative Forums
For Quality Improvement program managers, CEOs of mental health rehabiliation, NOW service providers, and other providers. Contact Alma Stewart, 225.766.3305 or alma@acharlesstewart.com

January 19-25; Assistive Technology Industry Association (ATIA) 2005 Conference and Exhibition Caribe Royale Resort, Orlando FL www.atia.org

January 20-25, 2005; International Seating Symposium, Seating and Mobility Conference & Workshops Orlando, Florida www.iss.pitt.edu/ISS2005/ISS_2005.html

February 28 - March 1, 2005; 21st Annual Pacific Rim Conference on Disabilities Waikiki, Hawaii http://www.pacrim.hawaii.edu/

March 1 (tentative); Accommodating People With Disabilities in the Workplace Disability and Aging Resource Institute and Everyone's Invited Consulting, Baton Rouge For employers, human resource staff, managers, trainers, corporate event planners, ADA coordinators Contact Alma Stewart, 225.766.3305 or alma@acharlesstewart.com

March 14-19, 2005; CSUN, Technology and Persons with Disabilities Los Angeles, CA csun.edu/cod/conf/index.htm April 11-13, 2005; Multiple Perspectives on Access Inclusion and Disability 2005 Ohio State University Campus, Columbus Ohio Visit http://ada.osu.edu/conferences.htm or e-mail ADA-OSU@osu.edu

May 4-6, 2005; Solutions for Assistive Technology Conference & Training 2005 Marriott Hotel, Baton Rouge, LA www.adaptive-sol.com

June 9-11, 2005; Collaborative Assistive Technology Conference of the Rockies Westin Hotel, Westminster, Colorado, 303.315.1280 or visit www.uchsc.edu/atp September 22-23, 2005: Reading Disabilities and AD/HD, Baton Rouge. For more information, visit: http://groups.msn.com/RDADHD/_homepage.msnw?pgmarket=en-us

Vision Specialist in VR Program
The RRTC is seeking applicants for the Vision Specialist in Vocational Rehabilitation 10-week graduate certificate program being held March 21-May 27, 2005.

The purpose of the program is to provide vocational rehabilitation (VR) counselors and graduate students in VR programs with the expertise to address issues specific to vision impairments.

Students receive a stipend which includes tuition and fees, per diem for university housing and meals, and a travel allowance. Interested applicants should visit http://www.blind.msstate.edu/Vspecialist1.html for more information, or contact Stacy Butler at (662) 325-3304.

Accessible Cars
About half of the Tokyo Motor Show was devoted to "barrier-free cars" for the elderly. It's not hard to understand why: "The world population of people 65 or over will reach 472 million next year, according to United Nations forecasts." Among the cars on display: The new Nissan March (why not December?). It has swivel seats and a motorized crane to lift a walker or wheelchair into a trunk. Toyota, meanwhile, is using similar options, via a "universal design" that's intended to make cars increasingly accessible to all, from children to the aged.

LATAN Presents Assistive Technology Awards
LATAN honored Elaine Richard with Louisiana Medicaid Purchase Plan; CenturyTel, whose corporate headquarters is in Monroe, LA; Andrea Fantacci of Baton Rouge and Representative Francis Thompson of Delhi, LA at the 7th Annual Assistive Technology and Universal Design Awards, November 30, 2004.

The awards are designed to honor Louisiana agencies, businesses, citizens and legislators who have made a contribution to increased access to assistive technology and universal design for individuals with disabilities. The contributions range from a change in policy, practice or law to purchasing or donating a piece of assistive technology for an individual.

The Agency Award honored Elaine Richard who has worked tirelessly to provide the expertise and support necessary for the approval and implementation of the Louisiana Medicaid Purchase Plan for workers with disabilities. Individuals who qualify for the program are able to use Medicaid funds to purchase the assistive technology they need.

CenturyTel, headquartered in Monroe, Louisiana, received the Business Award. CenturyTel has made corporate contributions to help fund LATAN's PeerNet Program, a peer support network for users of assistive technology, and the Computer ReBoot Program which provides recycled computers for people with disabilities.

Andrea Fantacci won the Citizen Award for her volunteer advocacy for persons with disabilities. Andrea directs the I Can Exchange/Come and Help program which serves the Greater Baton Rouge area by making donated equipment available to people who need it. Andrea says, "I try to give everyone who calls some type of assistance: the equipment they need or referrals to organizations and programs that can help them."

Janice Fruge, Education Program Coordinator for the Louisiana Department of Education, Division of Special Populations, received a Citizen Honorable Mention Award for her work in coordinating AT information and training for Louisiana teachers and parents of students with disabilities. The Legislative Award went to Francis Thompson, Louisiana House of Representatives since 1974, who sponsored Concurrent Study Resolution 21, Visitability, in the 2004 Legislative session. Representative Thompson worked with LATAN on the resolution that will bring together all stakeholders to study how requiring universal design features in new home construction will affect the industry and individuals with disabilities.

The Honorable Sharon Weston Broome, Baton Rouge, received an Honorable Mention for her sponsorship of the "Money Follows the Person" legislation in the 2004 Legislative session.

"This year's winners have made a tremendous difference in the lives of persons with disabilities," says Julie Nesbit, President/CEO of LATAN. "We are proud to honor them for their contributions to assistive technology access and universal design principles," says Nesbit.

Spitzer Agreement to Make Web Sites Accessible to the Blind and Visually Impaired
New York Attorney General Eliot Spitzer announced settlements with two major travel web sites that will make the sites far more accessible to blind and visually impaired users. The web sites, Ramada.com and Priceline.com, have agreed to implement a variety of accessibility standards that will permit users of assistive technology, such as screen reader software, to more easily navigate these web sites. Spitzer said. "We urge all companies who have not done so to follow their lead." The Attorney General opined that the Americans With Disabilities Act requires that private web sites be accessible to blind and visually impaired Internet users.

During investigations conducted in 2003 and earlier this year, the Attorney General found that portions of the Ramada.com and Priceline.com web sites were not accessible to this type of assistive technology. Under the terms of the agreements, the companies will implement a range of accessibility standards authored by the Web Accessibility Initiative ("WAI") of the World Wide Web Consortium ("W3C"), an organization that recommends Internet standards. Advocates for the visually impaired applauded the settlements. "By implementing design standards that allow screen reader software and other assistive technology to function effectively with interactive web sites, companies will make tremendous strides in closing the 'digital divide' for visually impaired users," said Carl Augusto, president and CEO of the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB).

All inPlay Announces Expansion of Free Educational Pilot Program
Opportunity for Schools and Vocational Rehabilitation Centers to Participate Free of Charge All inPlay has announced the expansion of its Free Educational Pilot Program. The overwhelmingly positive response to All inPlay's initial efforts has precipitated this expansion. All inPlay is now pleased to offer this free, three-month program to eight additional blindness institutions and vocational rehabilitation centers interested in participating.

All inPlay's Free Educational Pilot Program lets organizations that teach computer skills to blind and visually impaired students include All inPlay games in addition to their current curriculum. All inPlay believes, and the first trials have shown, that All inPlay's games serve not only to give students additional motivation, but indeed to further their typing, web browsing, and screen-reading skills. Vicky Essner, an itinerant teacher of the blind in Nevada: "I have found that when I show my students how to play All inPlay games, they are much more motivated to practice using a computer even when I'm not there - AND - they are finally having fun!"

"Probably the best part about All inPlay's Educational Pilot Program is that everybody wins," says Jeremie Spitzer, All inPlay's co-founder and president. "All inPlay gains valuable feedback as to the educational value and feasibility of our products, educators are given another tool that motivates their students while enhancing their skills, and of course the students are able to enjoy an online game where they can socialize with blind and sighted players from around the world, while at the same time furthering their education."

To learn how to sign up your organization as one of the eight new Pilot Program Sites, contact Jeremie Spitzer by phone at (413) 585-9691, or by e-mail at 'jspitzer@allinplay.com. A free trial of All inPlay software is available at: http://www.allinplay.com


G.R.E.A.T. possibilities is published quarterly and mailed to any one requesting it. We hope the newsletter will be a forum for information exchange among all people interested in assistive technology. LATAN welcomes any and all input from others. Please address correspondence, with permission to print or request not to print, to the Editor, Clara Pourciau.

Please copy and share the contents of this newsletter. We ask only that you credit the author, or if none is indicated, "Louisiana Assistive Technology Access Network," as the source of the information.

Individuals requiring an alternate format of G.R.E.A.T. possibilities and individuals requesting address changes, additions, or deletions to the LATAN mailing list should contact LATAN, PO Box 14115, Baton Rouge, LA 70898, 225-925-9500 or 800-270-6185. You can also communicate electronically with us by fax at 225-925-9560, email at rspence@latan.org, or visit our website at: www.latan.org.

LATAN receives funds from the Assistive Technology Act of 1998 through the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research, U.S. Department of Education, Grant #H224A10028. This publication does not necessarily reflect the position or policy of any of these federal agencies, and no official endorsement of the material should be inferred.
Julie Nesbit, President and CEO