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Great Possibilities September, 2005 
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Finding Your Strengths... Consumer Spotlight Today, Damion Cummins is a 28-year-old college student successfully completing his Ph.D. in Counselor Education. Thirteen years ago he was a linebacker for the Ouachita High School Lions. As he tackled a pass receiver from the opposing team, the jarring hit shattered the fourth and fifth vertebrae in his neck and damaged his spinal cord. He remembers seeing a white flash and then slamming into the ground. The forceful tackle left him paralyzed from the shoulders down. As he lay there, in the early stages of shock, he felt a burning sensation throughout his entire body. Even though he was unaware of the severity of the injury, he did know that he was very scared and could not move. In that split second, his life was changed forever. Playing football would no longer be an option. For three weeks he lay flat on his back strapped to a hospital bed unable to move his arms or legs. After four months of rehab at Methodist Hospital in Jackson, Mississippi, he returned home to re-evaluate his life and finish high school.  Damion sees his disability as a challenge each and every day. Some days are easier than others, but he still has to deal with the fact that he is unable to walk and will be dependent upon others for certain things. He believes his disability also has a positive side. Since his accident he has had a new outlook on life. He appreciates the fact that he is alive and has the opportunity to make something of himself. He no longer takes for granted things like spending time with family. Damion believes that life is too short to stress out over everything and that a sense of humor helps a lot when dealing with a disability. He finds that one advantage to having a disability is that the parking spots improve. Damion’s family was affected in many ways. His disability has brought his family together, made them stronger and more united. At times, it was difficult for his family to deal with his disability, especially when he was so dependent on them. Damion admits that at times it can be frustrating, but his family is overwhelmingly helpful with his needs. Damion faces many financial barriers because of the expensive special equipment he requires for his daily living. A new power wheelchair can reach $15,000. To complete his activities of daily living, modifications have been done to his home. He had the doors widened and the bathroom modified to a roll-in-shower. Lever type handles were added to every doorknob for easier grip. To drive his minivan, Damion had hand controls installed and a special modification done to his van that lowers (kneeling feature) the body of the van to the ground for easier access. A ramp then deploys for Damion to use. "Louisiana Rehab Services has been a blessing for me in so many ways," says Damion. "I can not begin to express the gratitude I have for the part LRS has played in my life. LRS has helped me with the cost of school tuition and modifications to my van which have kept me independent. After my injury, I did not know what there would be that someone with my disability could do to contribute to society. Through LRS, I have been given endless opportunities to fulfill most any career path that I choose. I can truly say that without LRS I know I would not have made it this far." Damion also received resources from the Spinal Cord & Traumatic Head Injury Trust Fund. The THI/SCI Trust has been very important in his progress through school, social life and daily living. The Trust Fund provides Damion with financial assistance for medical supplies, van repairs and home modifications that he could not otherwise afford while in school and unemployed. Damion is also fortunate because he receives PCAWaiver services. Says Damion, "The Waiver has given me the opportunity to have individuals help me with the things I am unable to do for myself. The Waiver has helped me with my personal care like dressing and getting out of the bed so I can attend school." Overcoming life’s barriers is never an easy thing. Damion decided that no matter how he ended up physically he would make the most of every physical and intellectual strength he had. "I searched my soul for my strength and found the will to fight. Prayer was something else that helped me in my hard times when I was lonely and emotionally hurting," said Damion. Role models for Damion are his parents and grandparents. As a young child, Damion always remembered his dad saying, "If you’re going to do it half way then don’t do it at all." His mom instilled in him the compassion to want to help others. He feels this is the reason he’s in the counseling field. His grandparents have affected the way he looks at family life. They have worked hard to make the best for their family and it shows. Says Damion, "I feel that the combination of my parents and my grandparents has made me strive to be who I am today." The ADA laws have helped many people, including Damion. The ADA laws have made it a requirement for new businesses andestablishments to be accessible to people with disabilities. These laws have made Damion’s life much more independent and convenient. He believes the ADA has made it much easier for him to get around in public with his wheelchair by having: curb cuts, handicap parking and adequate bathrooms. When Damion is not busy with school he has many hobbies, starting with a passion for playing the harmonica. Travel is also high on his agenda. He has been to Australia where he got the opportunity to swim in the Great Barrier Reef, which he said was amazing. He has traveled to Mexico and just recently went camping in the Grand Canyon. Another hobby he has is volunteering. He enjoys visiting with the elderly in nursing homes and serenading the residents with his harmonica tunes. In conclusion, Damion’s advice for living with the challenge of a disability is, "to realize that life is difficult. Not everythingis always going to run smoothly. It is at this low point when you have two choices. To give up or keep going. It’s easy to give up, but to keep going even though it’s more difficult can make you a stronger person. Find your strengths and rely on them to help you. The way I look at my disability and life is I believe I can do anything I set mind to as long as I keep a goal in focus. I set goals for myself and I work day by day to accomplish each objective. Sometimes I fail and I get disappointed, but I always try again. I heard a saying once that I always keep in the back of my mind, 'I may have broken my neck but I did not let it break me!'" LATAN’s AT Act 3-YEAR STATE PLAN APPROVED LATAN has developed a 3-Year State Plan, as required by the Assistive Technology Act of 1998, as amended. The full version of the Plan may be found at www.latan.org. This plan outlines the various activities to be developed and implemented with AT Act grant funds. Activities required to be addressed in some way by each state include state financing activities (LATAN’s AT Loan Program), device reutilization activities (LATAN’s ReBoot Program, the AT Exchange Program in development, and our response to the Hurricane Katrina—Equipment Distribution Program), device demonstrations (a pilot center is under development), device loans (to be developed in the second and third years); and training and technical assistance (PeerNet and other activities), public awareness and coordination and collaboration activities. LATAN will continue to be the implementing entity for activities required under the Assistive Technology act of 1998, as amended. The Department of Health and Hospitals (DHH) will continue to have the lead (fiscal) agency responsibility for this program for the state. This same relationship has existed since the first Tech Act award in 1991. Both entities have clear authority to oversee and coordinate all proposed activities according to their specific responsibilities outlined in a memorandum of understanding. In order to assure the valuable input of people with disabilities and older people and other stakeholders, LATAN recruited six focus groups to provide input into the development of the 3-Year State Plan required under the Act. Each focus group was represented by an AT user on the statewide Advisory Council that LATAN has convened. The Advisory Council meets the requirements of the AT Act, and has assisted in the development of the State Plan, as described in the State Plan. The State Plan for Assistive Technology will help Louisiana move forward toward the accomplishment of many of the goals outlined by Governor Kathleen Blanco, including providing access to long-term services and supports needed by individuals with disabilities and those who have functional limitations due to aging, and who want to live in community settings, and/or "age in place." We look forward to continuing our mutually beneficial relationship with DHH and the Governor’s Office in accomplishing these goals. As required by the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA), the federal agency managing the AT Act grants, LATAN will establish a baseline for each of the goals 4.1 through 4.7 during year one of the State Plan and with DHH will submit after year one an amendment identifying the long-term goal and short-term goals set to improve upon this baseline during years two and three of the State Plan. This baseline will be established by using a data collection instrument and procedures to be determined by RSA after the State plan process has been completed. Baselines will be used to determine the increase in percentage in the next two years of people accessing demonstrations and device loans who are then able to make an informed decision about assistive technology devices and services. Baselines will also be used to determine the increase in percentage in the next two years of people acquiring assistive technology devices and services through the loan program and reutilization activities who would not have been able to obtain the device otherwise. For more information about the State Plan, go to www.latan.org, or call 225.925.9500. Hurricane Katrina Distribution Program Were you forced to leave behind your wheelchair, walker, cane, or other types of medical equipment and assistive technology when you evacuated from the path of Hurricane Katrina? Through donations, LATAN is able to provide this equipment to people who have been displaced by Hurricane Katrina. For more information, please contact the location nearest you: Baton Rouge, LA - Cyndi Mabry, 225.925.9500 or 800.270.6185 Monroe, LA - Henry Bateman, 318.343.7128 or 800.638.6115 Shreveport, LA - Mack Marsh, 318.671.8331, ext. 108 Lake Charles and Lafayette, LA - Mitch Granger, 337.477.7194 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 Pronto M51 Motorized Wheelchair, used once, asking $3,500. Contact Dot Dickinson at 225-752-8049. Ford E150 modified van with transferrable extended warranty until 2006. Excellent condition. $15,000. Must sell. Horcher ceiling mounted power patient lift with 12 feet of track in 2 sections, rechargeable battery backup and 3 piece sling. Asking $3,000 or best offer. Phone 318-345- 3058. Must arrange pick-up from Monroe. 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. Credit Card Donations LATAN is happy to announce that making gifts to LATAN just got easier. Want frequent flyer miles and a tax donation, all at the same time? You can donate using the credit card of your choice at the LATAN website, www.latan.org or by calling 800.270.6185 or 225.925.9500 (in Baton Rouge) . We will provide a tax receipt for you, but you can use your credit card statement, if you prefer, at tax time when you make donations through the use of your credit card. Want to make a donation, but you don’t have all the cash at one time? We now have a monthly giving program so you can spread your gifts out over time. Call the LATAN office today and speak to Cyndi Mabry to make arrangements for charitable giving. Your donations are appreciated. Job Fairs for People with Disabilities Will Be Conducted Across Louisiana "Louisiana Job Fairs 2005" will be held in October to help people with disabilities find employment. These 2nd annual statewide job fairs are being coordinated by Louisiana Business Leadership Network and sponsored by the Medicaid Purchase Plan for workers with disabilities through its federal Medicaid Infrastructure Grant. Events are scheduled in Lafayette on October 4; in Houma-Thibodaux and Shreveport on October 5; and in Alexandria, Baton Rouge, Covington, Lake Charles, and Monroe on October 6. People with disabilities are our largest minority and are also our largest number of unemployed. According to Census records, there are more than 376,000 working age people in our state with disabilities. Studies show that nationwide 70% of adults with disabilities are unemployed and want to work. The job fairs are designed to give these individuals full access to employers in one location. At the 2004 job fairs almost 2000 job seekers were linked with more than 135 businesses statewide. It is expected that the 2005 events will bring more jobs and job seekers together. For more information about the 2005 job fairs, including information about the local events, visit Louisiana Business Leadership Network online at www.lbln.org or Medicaid Purchase Plan at www.LaMPP.org. ReBoot Program Receives Grants and Donations The Louisiana Assistive Technology Access Network has received a $500 Community Partnership Grant from Entergy and a $1,000 donation from CenturyTel to help people purchase computers. The LATAN Computer Re- Boot Program provides recycled computers to people with disabilities at a very low cost. Computers are shipped directly to the consumer’s door and come with licensed software."This program is the best system we have found to provide access to computers for persons with disabilities," says Melody Benton, LATAN Computer ReBoot Program Coordinator. "We are grateful to Entergy and CenturyTel for their interest in helping people purchase low cost computers. For information about the ReBoot Program, contact Melody Benton at 925.9500 or 800.270.6185. New Assistive Technology Products and Where to Get Them Large Print Keyboard Easy to See, Easy to Read! One in twenty Americans experiences some level of visual impairment due to low vision, eye disease, or advancing age. For these people, using a computer is just one of the many activities that can become frustrating, because the print of a standard keyboard is usually too small to be easily seen. One solution is a keyboard with larger print. Keys-U-See large print keyboards have beendesigned specifically for those with conditions that cause visual impairment or low vision, such as: macular degeneration, glaucoma, cataracts or age. These large print keyboards are also perfect for those who simply have a hard time seeing the existing commands on their keyboards. With a bigger and bolder typeface, the keys are easier to see. Keys-U-See features the largest print available on keycaps, one-touch Internet and email buttons, one-touch media control buttons and three power management keys. USB and PS2 adaptors included. Price: $34.95. Talking Maps and Diagrams Make Learning More Fun and Inclusive ViewPlus Technologies announced the release of IVEO® software to add audio labels to digital images to make learning more interesting and accessible. Websites and textbooks are loaded with images and diagrams that can be difficult to interpret by people with learning and visual disabilities. IVEO® allows pictures to be labeled with audio tags, making them more interactive and inclusive for the reader. Different components of an image can be individually labeled with speaking tags. By navigating with a mouse or keyboard, one can hear the labels assigned to each part of a diagram or image, enhancing comprehension beyond use of vision alone. For blind people, as well as sighted tactile/kinesthetic (touch) learners, IVEO® has an optional hardware component, called the IVEO® Touchpad. Tactile printouts can be placed on the IVEO® Touchpad to provide an alternative display of images on the computer screen. Users can then read printouts through a combination of sight and touch, receiving audio feedback as they explore the image. IVEO® incorporates all three learning modalities - tactile/kinesthetic, auditory and visual. Now teachers can easily create lessons that are effective for students with special needs. Price: IVEO® Complete (includes all software and touchpad): $945. Contact ViewPlus directly (info@viewplus.com, 541.754.4002) or visit the ViewPlus website (http://www.viewplus.com) for more details. CALENDAR OF EVENTS Please see LATAN's website for additional dates and events: www.latan.org October 18-22, 2005: 23rd Annual Closing the Gap Conference. For more information November 8-11, 2005: 8th Annual Accessing Higher Ground: Accessible Media, Web and Technology Conference for Education, Businesses, for Web and Media Designers, University of Colorado, Boulder Campus. For more information visit: www.colorado.edu/ATconference November 9-12, 2005: 2005 TASH Annual Conference, Milwaukee, Wisc. Headquarter Hotels, Hilton Milwaukee City Center & Hyatt Regency Milwaukee. Please see LATAN’s website for additional dates and events: November 14-15, 2005: New Orleans, LA. People on the Move: Using All Transportation Options (ADA and Beyond). A FREE “train-the-trainer” initiative to increase accessible transportation in your community. Visit http:// projectaction.easterseals.com for more information. November 17, 2005: 2005 Health and Wellness Expo from 8 am to 3 pm at the Bossier Civic Center on 820 Benton Road in Bossier City, Louisiana. For more information, contact the Community Healthcare Education Network at 318.226.1142 or online at www.chen-nwla.com. December 1-3, 2005: World Congress & Exposition on Disabilities, Pennsylvania Convention Center, Philadelphia, PA. Over 100 sessions presented by the disability community’s leading experts. Five in depth tracks including CEU & CME Accreditation. For more information visit www.wcdexpo.com. January 18-21, 2006: Orlando, FL. ATIA 2006 Conference, Showcasing Excellence in Assistive Technology. Visit February 1-4, 2006: St. Petersburg, FL. ICADI, International Conference on Aging, Disability, and Independence. Visit www.icadi.phhp.ufl.edu for more information. March 20-25, 2006: Los Angeles, CA. California State University, Northridge Center on Disabilities’ 21st Annual International Conference “Technology and Persons with Disabilities.” This is a comprehensive, international conference, where all technologies across all ages, disabilities, levels of education and training, employment, and independent living are addressed. It is the largest conference of its kind! Visit www.csun.edu/cod/conf/ for more information. 2005 Nomination Packets are Available We are now accepting nominations for the 8th Annual Assistive Technology and Universal Design Awards for 2005. We’ve added new award categories, so please go to www.latan.org or call 225.925.9500 for a packet and nominate someone today! Our new categories include Mayor’s Committee, Media/Public Relations and LATAN Volunteer of the Year. We will recognize the entities for their work in increasing access to environments for individuals who use assistive technology and/or for expanding the awareness and implementation of universal design to improve access for all. Deadline for nominations is October 15th. Awards will be presented November 15th. Architectural/Transportation Tax Deduction: IRS Code Section 190, Barrier Removal (Part 3 of a 3-part series) Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) What is it? The Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) http://www.uses.doleta.gov/wotcdata.asp, which replaced the Targeted Jobs Tax Credit (TJTC) program, provides a tax credit for employers who hire certain targeted low-income groups, including vocational rehabilitation referrals, veterans, summer youth employees, and SSI recipients. How does it apply to persons with disabilities? Employers who hire SSI recipients or certified vocational rehabilitation (VR) referrals and who meet all of the criteria described below may claim the WOTC. Vocational rehabilitation referrals: a disabled person who completed or is completing rehabilitative services approved by a state or the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. SSI recipients: received Supplemental Security Income benefits for any month during the 60 days before date of hire. What is the amount? An employer may take a tax credit of up to 40 percent of the first $6,000, or up to $2,400, in wages paid during the first 12 months for each new hire. What are the effective dates? January 1, 2002 through December 31, 2005. This program is subject to yearly Congressional renewal.(Reauthorization pending.) What are the Minimum Employment Requirements? Eligible employees must work 180 days or 400 hours; summer youth must work 20 days or 120 hours. A partial credit of 25 percent for certified employees who worked at least 120, but less than 400 hours may be claimed by the employer. What agency provides the WOTC certification? Department of Labor, Louisiana Works, http://www.ldol.state.la.us/bus_wtwtaxcredit.asp. How do I file for this credit? Complete and submit IRS Form 8850, WOTC Pre-Screening Notice and Certification Request for the Work Opportunity and Welfare-to-Work Credits, which can be obtained from the Louisiana Department of Labor’s Web site, www.LAWORKS.net, select "Forms" from the Quick Menu on the left. Instructions are also available via "Forms," call the IRS directly at 1-800-829-3676 or visit the IRS Website at http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-fill/f8850.pdf. How does it work? Employers must apply for and receive certification from their state employment agency that their new hire is a member of one of the WOTC target groups before they can claim the WOTC on their federal tax return. To apply forcertification, employers must: (1) Complete the IRS Form 8850 mentioned by the date of the job offer; (2) Complete either the one-page U.S. Department of Labor ETA Form 9061, "Individual Characteristics Form," if the new hire has not been given a conditional certification, or ETA Form 9062, "Conditional Certification Form," if provided to the job seeker by a participating agency, such as Job Corps; and (3) Mail the signed IRS and ETA form to their state employment agency's WOTC Coordinator NO LATER than 21 days after the new hire's start date. Where can I obtain additional information? www.LAWORKS.net, U.S. Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration, contact Karin Loverud, Senior Advisor, Internal Revenue Service, Office of the Division Counsel/Associate Chief Council, Tax Exempt and Government Entities, phone: (202) 622-6080. ATLAS Toolkit Training The Region II AT staff is hosting an ATLAS Toolkit training on Friday, November 4, 2005. Each participant receives an ATLAS Toolkit containing over $2,300 worth of Laureate software along with a full day of training for only $495 per participant. Limited space available. To register, fax (802.655.4757) or mail (110 East Spring Street, Winooski, VT 05404) a purchase order to Karen Germaine at Laureate Learning Systems and include code: 110405-ATLAS. For more information, contact Region II AT Lab at 225.356.1147. 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 |
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