G.R.E.A.T Possibilities

G.R.E.A.T Possibilities - May 2007

Consumer Spotlight

A warm spring day, the sun gently warming your skin. As much as we all enjoy that feeling, imagine that that’s all there is. You can not hear the birds singing, nor can you see the clear blue sky. Jackie Broussard has Ushers Syndrome. For her, being unable to distinguish colors and hues is a reality. Jackie was born deaf, but had vision until in her thirties. At that point her sight slowly began to deteriorate. After the birth of her second son, Jackie’s loss of sight accelerated. Now she only sees light (from ceiling or lamp). Before her vision was completely lost, she enjoyed using her CCTV for one of her favorite pastimes, reading. A text telephone helped her stay in touch with family and friends. As her vision loss continued to progress, she started using a large screen display with her text telephone. Home modifications as simple as brighter lighting helped Jackie feel comfortable in her home. She substituted soft fabric furniture for the furniture that had wood in its design so bruising was reduced when she accidentally bumped into things. Braille clothing tags now identify colors and clothing items for Jackie. One of her most useful pieces of assistive technology is the Note Teller #2. When U.S. currency is placed into the Note Teller, the denomination of the money is identified and the user is signaled by distinctive vibrations. This way, the correct denomination is communicated to the user.

Jackie feels one of the most difficult barriers for her to overcome is communication. She started out with American Sign Language and has now progressed to using tactile signing, whereby Jackie places her hands over the interpreter’s hands as the interpreter signs, then Jackie signs a response back. This type of signing is very effective for communicating with others, but she is concerned by the fact that she can no longer get the news of everyday life as others do. During the hurricane, Jackie was very afraid and really had no communication with the outside world. She didn’t know what was happening just outside her own door and was unsure when it would be safe to go back outside. She feels like she’s the last to know any news.

Jackie originally lived in Crowley, LA but moved to Baton Rouge, LA in 1994. Through the help of Vocational Rehabilitation she began attending Louisiana Career Development Center (LDLC). While she was a client, Vocational Rehabilitation provided transportation for Jackie from her home to BRVS. In 1995 she became the first deaf-blind Independent Living Skills Instructor for LDLC. LRS purchased the assistive technology equipment that would enable Jackie to continue working at LCDC. She uses a Braille computer equipped with a refreshable Braille display. This piece of assistive technology allows her to access her email, the Internet and software programs to create documents and letters necessary for her job responsibilities. She stated she has been training on the Braille computer since 2001. She works with Rose Angelocci, through UNO in New Orleans. Rose now comes to Baton Rouge to work with Jackie so her training is on the equipment she uses every day. She also uses a Braille phone but still has the text telephone with the large display in her office so clients and those with vision can still enjoying using it. A scanner is included in her office equipment that translates from print to Braille. The microwave, washer and dryer and other items in the center have been labeled with high dots and Braille for easy access. These accommodations Jackie feels one of the most difficult barriers for her to overcome is communication. She started out with American Sign Language and has now progressed to using tactile signing, whereby Jackie places her hands over the interpreter’s hands as the interpreter signs, then Jackie signs a response back. This type of signing is very effective for communicating with others, but she is concerned by the fact that she can no longer get the news of everyday life as others do. During the hurricane, Jackie was very afraid and really had no communication with the outside world. She didn’t know what was happening just outside her own door and was unsure when it would be safe to go back outside. She feels like she’s the last to know any news. Jackie originally lived in Crowley, LA but moved to Baton Rouge, LA in 1994. Through the help of Vocational Rehabilitation she began attending Louisiana Career Development Center (LDLC). While she was a client, Vocational Rehabilitation provided transportation for Jackie from her home to BRVS. In 1995 she became the first deaf-blind Independent Living Skills Instructor for LDLC. LRS purchased the assistive technology equipment that would enable Jackie to continue working at LCDC. She uses a Braille computer equipped with a refreshable Braille display. This piece of assistive technology allows her to access her email, the Internet and software programs to create documents and letters necessary for her job responsibilities. She stated she has been training on the Braille computer since 2001. She works with Rose Angelocci, through UNO in New Orleans. Rose now comes to Baton Rouge to work with Jackie so her training is on the equipment she uses every day. She also uses a Braille phone but still has the text telephone with the large display in her office so clients and those with vision can still enjoying using it. A scanner is included in her office equipment that translates from print to Braille. The microwave, washer and dryer and other items in the center have been labeled with high dots and Braille for easy access. These accommodations and modifications are some of the tools that allow Jackie to live a more independent and productive life. For 8 years Jackie has been the camp director at Mary Hill Renewal Center in Pineville. Camp is for deafblind campers over the age of 18. It is a four-day camp accommodating 30 campers, lasting from 7 a.m. till 10 p.m. This year camp was held October 26-29 and was held at the Acadiana Baptist Conference Center in Eunice, LA. Jackie’s camp was so successful a similar camp was held in 2004 in FernCliff, AR, just outside of Little Rock. The Camp is limited to 30 people since support service providers (SSP) are so difficult to find. Jackie encourages those in the state with the ability to sign to become SSPs through volunteer work. Three percent of the deaf population in the United States has Ushers Syndrome. In Louisiana, the percentage soars to 15%, with most living in Lafayette, New Orleans and Baton Rouge. Jackie is very fortunate to have an SSP come in once a week. Jamie, another SSP, comes once a month to do errands with Jackie.

Jackie’s current job is Deaf-Blind Program Manager. She currently supervises all instructors and clients at LCDC. She arranges for meetings, teaches Braille to clients who are hearing-blind, and teaches Independent Living Skills Seminar.

Jackie’s role model is Linda Annala from New York, who moved here because she wanted to help the deafblind population in Louisiana. Linda had a great impact on Jackie’s life and is credited with being the one to get Jackie to accept her disability and get more involved with life again. Because of her encouragement, Jackie now is more independent and has a job she enjoys.

Jackie encourages individuals who have a disability to accept their disability and things will be easier and their lives will be happier. Think positively and you can be successful. It sure works for her!!

BATON ROUGE, LA, DEC. 1 – The Louisiana Assistive Technology Access Network (LATAN) announced the winners of the 2006 Assistive Technology and Universal Design Award Winners at an assistive device demonstration and luncheon held at the Louisiana Municipal Association Building, December 1, 2006.

“These annual awards are designed to recognize Louisiana citizens who increase access to assistive devices and technologies that help people with disabilities to perform necessary tasks at home, school and work,” explained Julie Nesbit, LATAN President and CEO.

“This year, four state legislators were honored for their efforts in shepherding through the regular session a state appropriation for LATAN, says Nesbit. LATAN is a nonprofit agency designated by the Governor of Louisiana to perform the grant activities required by the Assistive Technology State Grant to Louisiana. “LATAN has never before received state funds to support our efforts, so this was an important step in increasing access to assistive technology for people with disabilities and age-related limitations,” Nesbit said.

Legislator Award winners include Senators Lydia Jackson, Shreveport, Francis Heitmeier, New Orleans, then Senator Jay Dardenne, Baton Rouge and Representative John Alario, Westwego.

Esther McGee, Monroe, was awarded the Citizen Award for her work in securing assistive devices for people in need. Esther also serves on the LATAN Advisory Council which is made up of agency representatives and assistive technology users and is charged with designing the State Plan for Assistive Technology Access in Louisiana.

Casey Rowden, Amite, was recognized for her advocacy work in Tangipahoa Parish schools with the Consumer Empowerment Award. Ms. Rowden’s advocacy for her daughter Hannah and all children with disabilities increased inclusion and universal design in learning in classrooms throughout the parish.

Lynda MacDonald received the 2006 Volunteer of the Year Award for her work at LATAN. Ms. MacDonald improved the data in LATAN’s database and helped LATAN keep up when it launched an emergency assistive equipment distribution program for evacuees after Hurricane Katrina struck.

LATAN is Honored at 2006 Governor’s Disability Community Action and Leadership Awards Ceremony
On Tuesday, December 5, 2006, LATAN was honored to receive the Distinguished Merit Award for public recognition of extraordinary service by an individual, or organization working in the disability field that had substantially advanced opportunities in Louisiana for persons with disabilities to utilize their capabilities in achieving full participation in society. LATAN was nominated by consumer, Helen McIntyre, for its work in responding to the assistive technology needs of hurricanes Katrina and Rita survivors. President and CEO of LATAN, Julie Nesbit, accepted the award from “Coach” Raymond S. Blanco in the awards ceremony. Several LATAN board members, staff and LATAN Advisory Council members attended the ceremony. Board members attending included Chair, Alma Stewart, Ron Blereau, Katherine Hoover, Phil Templet and Mark Ford. Staff attending with President and CEO, Julie Nesbit, included Jamie Karam, Clara Pourciau, Andrea Fantacci, Orasetta Brown, Cyndi Mabry and Monique Hebert. Advisory Council members attending were Mattie Wilson and June Street.

In Memory of:

George and Louise Acosta
Carolyn David
Diane Bannister
Cyndi Mabry & Julie Nesbit
Jeanette Burkstaller
June Smith
Chad Ferrand
Melanie Palmer
Charles Mahlon Gould
Henry Bateman & Julie Nesbit
Mary Prosser Heroman
Louis Prejean
James N. Kayser
Meredith & Frank Truesdale
John Noble
Ronald Blereau
Erwin Thomas
Cyndi Mabry, Julie Nesbit, Clara Pourciau

In Honor of:

Lionel Abshire
Anne Abshire
Henry Bateman
Families Helping Families of NE La.
Consuela Corripio
Margarita and David Wetzel
Christie Marie Dragon
Mr. and Mrs. Barry Allen
Mr. and Mrs. David Dragon
Troy Ewing
Rudi Lanehart, Madeline Nesbit, Carmilitte and Jim Venurello
Todd Hawkins
Alma Stewart George Heake for Two Successful Equipment Drives for Louisiana
Amy Goldman and Friends
Jason S. Hebert
Katherine Nichols
Jamie Karam
Mr. and Mrs. George Karam
Byron and Linda Landry
The Rev. P. J. Madden
Gayle and Frank Muscarello
Louisiana Developmental Disabilities Nurse’s Association
Northern Illinois Developmental Disabilities Nurse’s Network
Crystal Lea Cormier
Mr. and Mrs. Nolan Cormier

Individual Donors:

Meher Banajee
Bruce Baer, M.D.
Henry & Liz Bateman
Ronald Blereau
Mary France Bruner
Valerie Bradley
Louise Bryson
Mr. and Mrs. Reggio Coco
Dr. and Mrs. Armando Corripio
Merilyn Crane
The Honorable William Daniel
Cassandra Dunbar
John Moreland Dunford, M.D.
Ruth Estorage
Mrs. Esther R. Ewing
Ken Ewing
Families Helping Families of Greater Baton Rouge
Glenda Faucheux
Joseph A. Fischetti
Mary Fiser
Mark Ford
John and Peggy Forester
Rene Niven Fort
Friend of LATAN, Iowa
Bruce Fries
Aline Gardner
Amy S. Goldman
Mr. and Mrs. Luis J. Gonzales
Marjorie Green
Kelli Chavez Greene
Friend of LATAN, Baton Rouge
James M. Harrington
Charlotte Hollins
Sherion J. Hollingsworth, Adaptive Solutions
Katherine Hoover
Dr. and Mrs. Adraine E. Johnson
Friend of LATAN, Arkansas
Jamie Karam
Joyce and Bill Kilshaw
Knights of Columbus, 969
Whitney “Chuck” Langlois
Friend of LATAN, Metairie
Knight of Columbus, Council 969
James L. Maas
Cyndi Mabry
Kay Marcel
Roy and Adale Martin
Kristen and Dave Maxfield
Carol Mayeux
Barbara McCurdy
Richard D. Moore
The Honorable Willie L. Mount
Julie Nesbit
Joyce and Bob Nicolle
Mr. and Mrs. Fred Nodier
Mandy Nunnery
Suzanne Perry
Philadelphia Rowing Program for the Disabled
Cecil Phillips
Clara Pouciau
Louis Prejean
Frank Puckett
James W. Quiggle
Dr. and Mrs. Michael L. Rolfsen
Ulbert Carl Roeth, III
Jenny Santoro
Sarelene and Roger Seals
Monty and Rhetta Sellers
Jonathan Shaw
Renee Shelburne
Gloria Taillon
Phil Templet
The Potomac Club, Washington, DC
Anne Thorne
Meredith and Frank Truesdale
Mr. and Mrs. Bert Turner
Carmelitte and Jim Venturella

Corporate Donors

Albertson’s Community Partner Program
CenturyTel
Neurotherapy Specialists,
Susan Ducote, Terri Wilton Two Men and a Truck, Omaha, Nebraska

Equipment Donations:

Betty Bergeron
Janet Boswell
Christina Broussard
Diane Burtone
Claire Burger
Yolanda Butler
Capital Area Corporate Recycling Council
Catholic Community Services
Alva Clark
Armando Corripio
Cougar Mountain Marketing Corp
Bobbye Corbitt
Melynda Devillier
Kevin Faucheux
FEMA – Cathy Edmons, Glenda Williams
Katherine Grigsby
Desiree Guth
Jeannette Harris
Iberia Bank, Ken Cumbus
Jefferson Parish School System
Raymond Jetson
Michael Jimenez
Gail Kelly, Denham Springs
Michael Lemoine
Evan Long
Charles Lossette
Louisiana Public Facilities Authority
Kristie Loupe
MedCare
Brent McArthur
Terry Mills
Debbie Moran
Diane Morgan
Tom Morgan
New Horizons Independent Living Center
Northshore Families Helping Families
Amy Norwood
Edward O’Connor
Sandra Onellion
James Parks, II
Clarissa Penny
Patty Pitre
Robert Ryan
St. Vincent de Paul
Wynona Shelton
Ethel Smith
J. W. Roland Spano, Sr.
John Stiegman
JoAnn Stewart
Latisha Sullivan
Yvonne Thomas
Ron Wells

The Comm Lite, provides a long-awaited, telecommunications solution that turns a Freedom Scientific notetaker into a teletypewriter/telecommunication device (TTY/TDD). Users who are deaf and blind type their telephone messages into their notetaker. The Comm Lite then translates the Braille message and sends it to the person who is using a standard TTY/TDD device. The person receiving the message sees it in printed form on the LCD display of the TTY/TDD. When responding, Comm Lite translates the TTY/TDD language back into Braille that can be read by the original sender’s notetaker Braille display. Available through Freedom Scientific, 1.800.444.4443 Price: $650.00

The FSTTY package, which includes a TTY modem and a new software application that can be used with a PAC Mate BX or QX and a 20-cell or 40-cell braille display to place and receive telephone calls. FSTTY contains several features that make TTY calls more efficient than ever before: Easily copy text from PAC Mate files or from the Contacts list into an active TTY conversation. Easily copy text from a call into other PAC Mate files. Save a record of your TTY call to a file for later reference. The FSTTY package is available now from Freedom Scientific for $1,200. When combined with a PAC Mate BX or QX with a 20-cell braille display, this yields a total price of $4,995 for a TTY solution for the deaf-blind. The total solution, including 40 cells of braille, is priced at $6,795. Available through Freedom Scientific, 1.800.444.4443.

Thanks to funding from Louisiana Lions Eye Foundation and Lions Club International Foundation, Dr. Steve Gill, Assistant Professor of Clinical Opthalmology at LSU Health Sciences Center in New Orleans, has been able to expand the services of the Low Vision Program. He is providing a full scope of low vision services in Slidell, New Orleans, and in Houma. He has a low vision clinical coordinator to assist him and an occupational therapist to provide vision training, device training and ADL. The occupational therapist will also provide home visits and environmental adaptations when indicated. Their goal is to provide patients who are visually impaired the tools and skills they need to continue to maintain an independent lifestyle. For those patients qualifying for Lions sponsorship, funds are available to provide the low vision devices that they prescribe. This program is particularly important since so many patients lost their low vision equipment in the hurricane.

Please call Dr. Steve Gill at 985.264.7534 if you have any questions or would like more information on his expanded low vision services.

Pac Mate and braille display shown, but not included in basic package FaceToFace applies mobile technology and Bluetooth™ connectivity to deliver a powerful new way for the deafblind to initiate two-way conversation with sighted individuals almost anywhere at any time. The application works much like a TTY call without a phone line. The deaf-blind party uses the PAC Mate’s QWERTY or Perkins- style keyboard to write messages, and the sighted party types on an iPAQ Pocket PC. The entire conversation displays on both devices – visually on the iPAQ and in braille on the PAC Mate. Each party is individually identified, so it’s easy to keep contextual track of conversations. Conversations can be saved to text files, and text can be pasted right into a conversation for increased speed and accuracy. The two parties communicate wirelessly and can be up to 30 feet apart – virtually anywhere in the same room. The deaf-blind user can also converse with another blind user running the application on another PAC Mate FaceToFace costs $1,400 and includes the application, an iPAQ with thumb keyboard, and a CompactFlash™ Bluetooth card. It can be run on a PAC Mate BX or QX accessible Pocket PC, available with either a 20-cell or 40-cell refreshable braille display. Freedom Scientific Price: $1,400.00

LATAN now has the newest and the best way to recycle used assistive technology (AT)! Through its new program, The AT Marketplace: Louisiana’s Assistive Technology Classifieds, LATAN hopes to connect users of AT with each other through this online and telephone accessible recycling database. Those who have equipment they no longer need can list it for sale or donation on the database where others who are looking for devices can acquire them for free or at more affordable prices than brand new. An AT user can also list an item on the database as “being needed” and can sign up for alerts when an item matching the description of the device they need is listed for sale or donation. This is a wonderful new and free way to recycle all that equipment that is gathering dust in your garage or attic! There are people out there who can benefit from your recycling efforts! Using The AT Marketplace is simple and free. You can visit LATAN’s website, www.latan.org/atmarketplace. You will need to read and accept the disclaimer that will appear so that you can enter the database. For those who do not have the internet, please call 225-925-9500 (V/TT) or 1-800-270-6185 (V/TT) and ask for The AT Marketplace. The Program Director, Jamie Karam, will be happy to assist you in searching for or listing a device. If you do not have a computer, she can tell you about LATAN’s Computer ReUse program which helps Louisiana citizens with disabilities gain access to refurbished computers at low cost. Agencies and organizations can list devices as well and can even put restrictions or eligibility requirements on who can acquire the devices they list.

Moreover, vendors and distributors can list previous years’ models or returned items at no more than half of their original prices with the signing of a simple Memorandum of Understanding with LATAN. Please visit The AT Marketplace soon and see how easy it is to recycle devices and equipment that can benefit all parties involved!

LATAN has been very fortunate to add five new board members, Mandy Nunnery, Phil Templet, Katherine Hoover, Mark Ford and Everrett Parker.

Mandy Nunnery has been working as a rehabilitation technology specialist for Louisiana Tech University’s Center for Biomedical Engineering and Rehabilitation Science for over 8 years now. As part of her job responsibilities, she conducts assistive technology assessments for people with various disabilities. She has seen firsthand how technology can not only improve a person’s independence, but also, positively affect their mood and outlook on life Realizing the mission of LATAN, Mandy wanted to become involved because she, too, shares that drive to help individuals with disabilities achieve a higher quality of life. As a board member, Mandy brings a positive and effective influence in the area of assistive technology for LATAN consumers. Phil Templet brings many skills to the board including business management, computer technology, program support and evaluation, personnel and human resource knowledge, marketing and public relations, finances and accounting, planning, assistive technology and previous nonprofit board experience. Phil is a member of the National Federation of the Blind, a member of the Statewide Independent Living Council, and a former Senior Olympics Volunteer. He is a working blind person and aware of limitations and challenges facing persons with disabilities. He is very familiar with assistive technology through training he received at the Louisiana Center for the Blind and as a user. As a constituent relations manager for former Lt. Governor, Melinda Schweggman, he is familiar with state programs available to persons with disabilities and their limitations.

Katherine Hoover is a former LRS Counselor and original member of the ADA Training and Implementation Network in New Orleans. She’s also co-chair of the Mayor’s Advisory Board for Citizens with Disabilities and Chair of the Legislative Advocacy Committee. She is a former president of the Louisiana Rehabilitation Association. She is also on the New Orleans Agency on Aging Transportation Committee and has testified in Federal and District Court on ADA issues and in the LA Senate Committee on the Mobility Scooter bill.

Mark Ford is Assistant Director of the Governor’s Office of Disability Affairs and an advocate for persons with disabilities. His special skills include fund raising, program support and evaluation and intercultural relations and communication. His many community efforts include volunteering at St. Vincent DePaul society, participating on the Louisiana Inclusion and Education Association committee and being a co-founder of “God’s Special Children” ministry in New Orleans. He served various communities throughout south Louisiana as an ordained Catholic priest for 14 years.

Our newest board member is Everrett Parker. He has former board experience through the Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge. He was formerly an AT Coordinator and Education Specialist at the Department of Education. He is a member of the Louisiana Music Educators Association, several faternities and has worked with Interfaith Network and the Greater Baton Rouge Federation of Churches & Synagogues. Special skills he brings to the board are fundraising, computer technology, nonprofit board experience, finances and accounting, planning and his knowledge of assistive technology.

LATAN is happy to announce the opening of our Assistive Technology Resource Center on April 18th with a Ribbon Cutting celebration conducted by Baton Rouge celebrity, Smiley Anders. The occasion attracted consumers, vendors, agency personnel and the general public who enjoyed a multitude of equipment demonstrations and delicious food prepared by LATAN’s Financial Loan Program Director, Kurt Hellmann. Assistive equipment vendors, Tommy Sissons with SureHands Lifts, Carol Civils, Dynavox Representative for Louisiana and Mississippi, staff from Catholic Charities’ Deaf Action Center, and Access Vans of Grosse Tete and New Orleans were on hand to demonstrate devices and to help interested consumers identify assistive technology appropriate for their use. LATAN Board Vice-Chair, Frank Puckett started the celebration by welcoming the many friends in attendance. He explained how Louisiana consumers statewide had requested increased equipment demonstration activities and LATAN’s efforts to honor that request. Assistive Technology Resource Center Director, Mona Miley, outlined LATAN’s mission of helping people with disabilities or those experiencing age or illness related limitations to make a more informed equipment decision. Her vision is to help individuals choose the right device before they make costly purchases. Mona is an Occupational Therapist and Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America (RESNA) certified Assistive Technology Practitioner with twenty years of experience in the field. Ms. Miley shared how often she has witnessed families purchase equipment without ever seeing, touching or trying it out, ending in costly mistakes. For those who depend on public funding to purchase such equipment, a mistake can be devastating as they may have to wait a long time to make another purchase. The technology available at the demonstration center ranges from low-tech and inexpensive drinking cups and eating utensils for individuals with athritis to high tech and often expensive speech generating devices for children with autism or those who have suffered a stroke or have a progressive illness such as Lou Gehrig’s Disease. LATAN plans to use this demonstration center pilot program to document consumer benefit statistics to attract the funding necessary to open similar centers across the state. Until that time, Mona will be scheduling demonstrations throughout the state so watch LATAN’s website, www.latan.org, for demonstrations coming to an area near you. You may also sponsor a demonstration activity in your community by scheduling an event with Mona and locating space and interested participants.

Louisiana Assistive Technology Access Network

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