LATAN - Louisiana Assistive Technology Access Network

Tell Us What You Think || Site Map || Contact Us

Skip Navigation

Picture of man using assistive technology

LATAN assists 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

Picture of a boy sitting in a wheelchair

Microsoft, DAISY Make Reading Easier for People With Print Disabilities
Microsoft Corp. today joined with industry and advocacy group leaders worldwide to launch new software that will make it easier for anyone to create documents and content that will be accessible for blind and print-disabled individuals.
Click here for full story

Social service groups make case for funds
Funding for a $1.5 million state program that provides home-based counseling to families at risk of losing their children has not been renewed for the next fiscal year.
Click here for full story

Louisiana Assistive Technology Initiative - Summer Institute
July 16-18
Location: The Louisiana School for Math, Science, & the Arts
Session Topics include: Assessment and Policy, Augmentative Communication, Computer Access, Integration of AT, and Literacy.
For registration information contact Sharon Edwards or Kristie Stapler.
Region III Assistive Technology Center
225-621-2538
For questions about the institute or registration contact Kristie Stapler at staplerk@apsb.org or 225-621-2538

Department of Revenue-State Sales Tax Holiday on Purchases of Hurricane Preparedness Items
Effective March 20, 2008
To view this Emergency Rule, go to
http://www.doa.louisiana.gov/osr/emr/emr.htm

UnitedHealthcare Children's Foundation to Offer Medical Assistance Grants
The UnitedHealthcare Children's Foundation is offering support to meet the needs of children across the United States with assistance grants for medical services not fully covered by health insurance. Parents and caretakers across the country will be eligible to apply for grants of up to $5,000 for healthcare services that will help improve their children's health and quality of life. Examples of the types of medical services covered by UHCCF grants include speech therapy, physical therapy, and psychotherapy sessions; medical equipment such as wheelchairs, braces, hearing aids, and eyeglasses; and orthodontia and dental treatments. The income max is based on "per individual" in the household, family Adjusted Gross can't exceed $80,000. Visit their website at http://www.uhccf.org and learn more about it.

FREE LOUISIANA DRUG CARD PROGRAM HAS SAVED STATE RESIDENTS $1,455,598!
BATON ROUGE —— As a first of its kind, Louisiana Drug Card is a free prescription drug benefit which helps consumers to access prescriptions they need at the lowest available cost. Since the mission of both non profit organizations includes teaching consumer skills and building transparency in the health care market, the Louisiana Drug Card has proven to be the ideal “consumer friendly” tool with which to accomplish these goals. Not only is this free prescription card available online for everyone in Louisiana by simply going to www.louisianadrugcard.com and printing a card, but also the card is now being given out by some doctors’ offices and clinics. Employers are also offering the Louisiana Drug Card program to their employees as an added benefit with discounts on prescription products as well as discounts on eye glasses, contacts, LASIK surgery, hearing exams, hearing aids, and many more.

To get your card and a list of participating pharmacies just go to www.louisianadrugcard.com. For anyone needing help getting a card or understanding how to use it, call 1-877-321-6755.

Cell Phone that Reads to the Blind and Dyslexic
First Cell Phone that Reads to the Blind and Dyslexic Released by Joint Venture of Kurzweil Technologies and the National Federation of the Blind. Click Here to Read More

Easy Access to Digital Books Online:
The website Bookshare.org has announced exciting news! Book scans can now be shared through a special exemption in the U.S. copyright law that permits the reproduction of publications into specialized formats for persons with print disabilities. The website now allows you to access books that are stored online as well as add books to the collection. For additional information, visit: http://www.bookshare.org

Rotary Club News
Louisiana Assistive Technology Network (LATAN) specialist Mona Miley and public information officer Maria Yiannopoulos were guest speakers at Donaldsonville Rotary Club meeting Thursday at Cafe Lafourche. LATAN assists individuals with disabilities to achieve a higher quality of life and greater independence through increased access to assistive technology. Also pictured are Rotary president Grace Garon and program director Jay Perniciaro.

Awards Luncheon Announcement
On November 30, 2007 LATAN honored 10 outstanding Champions of Assistive Technology at its annual awards for their exceptional efforts to provide Louisianan's with disabilities access to assistive devices and technologies:

Champion Legislator: State Senator Lydia P. Jackson of Shreveport, Louisiana
Champion Legislator: State Senator-Elect John A. Alario, Jr. of Westwego
Champion Legislator: State Senator Francis C. Heitmier of New Orleans
Agency Champion: Jericho Road Housing Initiative, Brad Powers, Executive Director
Assistive Technology Vendor Champion: Dynavox Technologies; Carol Civils; Sales Consultant for Louisiana and Mississippi
Business Champion: Mobility Depot; Keith Menville, Owner and I.E.
Citizen Champion: John Carpenter
Consumer Advocate Champion: Mattie Wilson
Media and Public Relations Champion: The Best of Times, Gary Calligas, Publisher
Volunteer of the Year Champion: Wynona Shelton

Baton Rouge Area Champions of Assistive Technology
Pictured left to right are: Wynona Shelton, Volunteer of Year Champion; Julie Nesbit, President & CEO of LATAN; Alma C. Stewart, Chair of the Board of Directors; John Carpenter, Citizen of the Year Champion; Keith Menville, Owner of Mobility Depot, Business Champion Award.

Not pictured: Carol Civils, Dynavox, AT Technology Vendor Champion.

Shreveport Area Champions of Assistive Technology
Pictured left to right Gary Calligas, owner and publisher of The Best of Times, Media/Public Relations Champion; State Senator Lydia P. Jackson, Legislator Champion; Alma C. Stewart, Chair of the Board of Directors; Julie Nesbit, President & CEO, LATAN.

Seated: Mattie Wilson, Consumer Champion.

New Orleans Area Champions of Assistive Technology
Pictured l-r: Alma C. Stewart; Holly Heine, Jericho Road Episcopal Housing Initiative Agency Champion; and Julie Nesbit.

Not pictured: State Senator John Alario, Jr. and State Senator Francis Heitmeier and Bradford Powers.

LATAN Receives National Award
LATAN was honored at the Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America (RESNA) National Conference in Phoenix, Arizona in June with their Leadership Award.

The RESNA Leadership Award is given to an agency, company, association, or university that significantly contributes to the advancement of the field of assistive technology. LATAN received the prestigious award in recognition of its efforts in responding to the assistive technology needs of people with disabilities and older people with functional limitations in the aftermath of hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

LATAN and two partners, New Horizons Independent Living Center in Shreveport, Alexandria and Monroe and Southwest Independence Center in Lake Charles and Lafayette, accepted donated assistive equipment and funding from other AT Act programs, independent living centers, and individuals from across the country after the storms hit and then delivered the assistive devices to evacuees living in shelters and temporary housing all over Louisiana.

Grants from the Baton Rouge Area Foundation, Disability Funders Network and Louisiana Disaster Recovery Foundation allowed LATAN to answer the needs of people with disabilities and older people who were forced to leave wheelchairs, hospital beds, walkers, canes, and other types of medical equipment and assistive technology behind when they evacuated.

Pictured Above: LATAN Board of Directors Vice Chairman, Dr. Frank Puckett, accepted the RESNA Leadership Award from Glen Hendren, RESNA President.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

G.R.E.A.T. Possibilities Newsletter

LATAN E-Newsletter

Assistive Technology for Aging in Place: Resource Guide for Louisiana Residents Beyond 50

Assistive Technology (AT) Information Sheets

Medicaid/AAC Policy Training Handbook

"Overview of Assistive Technology in the School Setting"

National Council on Disability Report, "Creating Livable Communities"

G.R.E.A.T. possibilities Newsletter
Current Issue - June 2007 (pdf)
Current Issue - June 2007 (html)
Newsletter Archives

The LATAN newsletter, G.R.E.A.T possibilities, is mailed quarterly to over 6,000 individuals with disabilities, family members, caregivers, vendors and providers. It includes a consumer spotlight, policy issues, new assistive technology, calendar of events, and assistive technology resources. We have built an e-database so that we can email the newsletter to those who have access to the Internet. To subscribe to the LATAN newsletter, click here.
Cost: FREE

LATAN E-Newsletter
Current Issue
E-Newsletter Archives

The LATAN E-Newsletter is emailed monthly to individuals with disabilities, family members, caregivers, vendors and providers. It includes a consumer spotlight, policy issues, new assistive technology, calendar of events, and assistive technology resources. We have built an e-database so that we can email the E-Newsletter to those who have access to the Internet. To subscribe to the LATAN E-Newsletter, click here.
Cost: FREE

Assistive Technology for Aging in Place: Resource Guide for Louisiana Residents Beyond 50
This user-friendly resource manual is designed as a guide for Louisiana¹s older citizens who, as they age, wish to preserve their independence, autonomy, productivity and dignity. This manual provides information about assistive technology, home modifications and service options available to older people in communities across Louisiana. It also identifies agencies, supportive services, funding options, resources pertaining to assistive technology and daily living aids that will help elders maintain a high quality of life as their health care and daily living needs change. This guide is available for only $25.00 plus $3.00 shipping and handling. Order here, or call the LATAN office to order yours today! 800-270-6185 (in-state) or 225-925-9500 You may also email info@latan.org.
Cost: $25.00 plus $3.00 Shipping and Handling

Assistive Technology (AT) Information Sheets
Information sheets that provide AT information are available for all types of audiences across the life span on a broad array of AT related issues. Others are being developed. If you have need of a specific type of information sheet that you don't see listed, please contact us. For a list of the available information sheets, click here.
Cost: FREE

Medicaid/AAC Policy Training Handbook
A must-have guide! An all-inclusive how-to kit! Includes a Compliance Checkoff sample and blank form for Medicaid prior approval/authorization of augmentative and alternative (AAC) devices and services, a sample letter, an Augmentative and Alternative Communication Evaluation, and Medicaid's policy on AAC devices. This is the handbook given out at LATAN's Medicaid/AAC Policy Training -- available now for only $25 -- while limited quantities last. Order here, or call the LATAN office to order yours today! 800-270-6185 (in-state) or 225-925-9500 You may also email info@latan.org.
Cost: $25.00

"Overview of Assistive Technology in the School Setting"
This 250-page guide was originally prepared for the 2001 LSU Summer Institute attended by special education teachers, guidance counselors, therapists, and assistive technology teams. The guide, presented in a 3-ring binder format, introduces participants to assistive technology, identifying some benefits and issues in the school setting. Several instruments that could be used to assess whether a student could benefit from assistive technology are included. Available now for only $50 -- while limited quantities last. Available now at half-price for only $25 plus $5.00 shipping and handling -- while limited quantities last. Order here, or call the LATAN office to order yours today! 800-270-6185 (in-state) or 225-925-9500 You may also email info@latan.org.
Cost: $25.00 plus $5.00 Shipping and Handling

National Council on Disability Releases New Report
On Tuesday, the National Council on Disability (NCD) held a news conference to release its report “Creating Livable Communities.” Given the increasing disability rate among people under the age of 65, communities are facing significantly more and new kinds of challenges as they attempt to address consumer needs. The report, which includes six specific recommended strategies, suggests, “collaboration and coordination among federal agencies and the states can support communities as they build and sustain key elements of livability.”

For more information on this report, visit the National Council on Disability at www.ncd.gov