Watertown Commission on Disability

Monthly archive for February, 2008

HumanWare chosen to design new DeafBlind Communicator

HumanWare has been chosen by Washington State ODHH (The Office of Deaf and Hard of Hearing) to design, develop and manufacture the DeafBlind Communicator.
The project is well underway. To receive regular updates on the product, including the philosophy behind it, specifications, field test results, basic functions, more advanced forms of communication, mainstream applications, and the [...]

Survey of Assistive Technology User’s Needs

Massachusetts is studying the needs of people with disabilities for assistive technology (known as AT). If you are an AT user yourself, we hope you will take the time and respond to the survey. If you work with AT users or have someone usingh AT in your family, your response is requested as well. Your [...]

The Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission sent the Watertown Commission on Disabilities information to share with our Community about Assistive Technology (AT), which may be of interest to individuals with disabilities and their families. AT can be a ‘device’ or ‘service’ that increases, maintains or improves the functional capabilities of people with disabilities. Assistive Technology devices and [...]

‘The last great struggle’ (Boston Globe 2/26/08)

One of my favorite people, fighting the good fight/keeping the faith, a few towns over in Somerville!
‘The last great struggle’
A pioneer views disability as the final frontier in civil rights
By Don Aucoin, Globe Staff | February 26, 2008
SOMERVILLE – It is a raw, bone-chilling day on the rugged streets of this rugged city, yet Keith [...]

Lecture: People Centered Design as a Tool for Change

When: Wednesday, February 27 6-8 pm
What: Social Concerns – People Centered Design as a Tool for Change
Presenter: Rama Gheerawo Innovation Leader and Research Fellow at the Helen Hamlyn Centre
Where: Institute for Human Centered Design Adaptive Environments 200 Portland Street Boston
Summary: Centering design around people can significantly increase corporate competitiveness and value, while acting [...]

Minutes of January 2008

Watertown Commission on Disability Public Meeting Minutes from January 16, 2008
In attendance: Bob Hall, Alex Liazos, Anne Doughty, Gayle Shattuck, Carol Menton, Andrea Greenwood, Arturo DeLucca
Lisa Bing (ASL), Stefanie Farrell (CART)
George Donahue and Kim Charlson were both sick.
Marilyn Devaney was at a budget meeting and joined the WCOD at 8:00
Audience/guests: Elisabeth Schaefer, Director [...]

Boston Globe 2/17/08: Confidence in a world unseen

Perkins’ employee featured in the Sunday Globe/West Weekly section:
Confidence in a world unseen
A mobility specialist, Natick resident Suzi Abu-Jaber teaches people – including infants – with visual impairments to get around life’s obstacles.
SUZANNE KREITER/GLOBE STAFF
February 17, 2008
For nearly two decades, Suzi Abu-Jaber has been helping visually impaired children gain the confidence to venture out into [...]

Springwell: more on communities of the future…

The conversation about community living in the future continues at Springwell (elder services) . . .
the CONVERSATIONS have begun
Throughout Massachusetts, boomers and non-boomers alike are talking about how to create the communities of THEIR FUTURE. Retirement communities, assisted livings and nursing homes are not part of the picture.They are focused on remaining in their home [...]

Expanded technology @ Perkins

News from Perkins:
Perkins to Expand Adaptive Technology Products and Services
Building upon [its] mission to provide services that build productive and meaningful lives for people with impaired vision, Perkins School for the Blind intends to acquire the assets of Adaptive Technology Consulting, Inc. (ATC) of Salisbury, MA. ATC is a privately-owned company whose high-technology adaptive devices, [...]

Valentine’s Day Horticulture sale @ Perkins

Horticulture Sale
Thomas and Bessie Pappas Horticulture Center, Perkins School for the Blind
Come to the Valentine’s Day Horticulture Sale at the Thomas and Bessie Pappas Horticulture Center on Wednesday February 13 from 11-12 and 2:15-4 p.m. and Thursday February 14 from 10:30-12 and 1:30-3.
Items for sale will include:

Foliage and holiday flowering plants
Cinnamon and lavender rose sachets
Herbal [...]