Interdependence

By Paul Miller, Community Inclusion Specialist, MDRC Independence is something we strive for as we grow up, but as an adult I have grown to understand that interdependence is a more accurate view of life. Interdependence is a concept explained best by saying that our independence relies on the help of others. My Dad passed…

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Assistive Technology for Kids who Experienced Trauma

By Aimee Sterk, LMSW, MATP Staff I’m working on a trauma certificate and recently attended a symposium on Somatic Experience therapy for children who have experienced trauma. The presenter,  Maggie Kline, LMFT,  explained that for young children (birth to 18 months) who experience trauma, the body holds the memory and that therapy needs to focus…

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Veterans and AT for PTSD

By Aimee Sterk, LMSW, MATP Program Staff In June I was paging through my copy of Woman’s Day Magazine and was impressed with an article on Veterans and AT use: How My Veteran Husband Copes with His War Injuries . The focus is on caregivers/family/friends of veterans’ views and support, but the AT used is…

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Critical Connections

Grace Lee Boggs with quote you cannot change any society unless you take responsibility for it, unless you see yourself as belonging to it and take responsibility for changing it

“We never know how our small activities will affect others through the invisible fabric of our connectedness. In this exquisitely connected world, it’s never a question of ‘critical mass.’ It’s always about critical connections.” Grace Lee Boggs   This quote came up in my Facebook memories this week, posted by a friend and colleague some…

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Rolling into Home Automation

by MATP Staff Member Laura Hall The number of items in your home that can now be controlled remotely, by smartphone, or by voice is staggering and growing every day.  I’ve been slow to upgrade my home to “smart home”, but now that I’ve been bitten by the bug there may be no stopping me.Over…

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Taking Steps Towards Access in Footwear!

By Jen Mullins, BS, CTRS, MATP Staff While some designers are focusing on creating more accessible clothing, other companies are zeroing on footwear!  For people who have limited mobility & dexterity and decreased stamina & balance, putting on traditional, lace up shoes can be difficult.  Velcro laces have been popular and useful to many, but…

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CAPABLE Program to Roll Out Across Michigan

By Aimee Sterk, LMSW, MATP Program Staff People with barriers to community living who use supports through the Mi Choice Waiver Program (which provides services in the community instead of nursing homes) participated in a study that showed that accessing assistive technology, instruction, and home modifications decreased falls and hospitalizations and increased their ability to…

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Access Moves Fashion Forward!

In her 2017 TedTalk, ‘Why Design Should Include Everyone’, Sinéad Burke (writer, educator, and little person) asks, “who are we not designing for? Design impinges on the clothes that I want to wear. I want garments that reflect my personality. It’s difficult to find in the children’s wear department. And often women’s wear requires far…

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AT for Caring for Our Furry Friends

By Guest Blogger, RoAnne Chaney I have always liked cats, my own and friends’ pets. Dogs are OK, but cats are my favorite fur babies. They are soft, cuddly, and usually, have unique character features. When I started using a wheelchair and my last cat died from illness causing me a lot of pain and…

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All I Want for Christmas is these Two AT

Chef'N Veggie chopper with a clear bowl with blade assembly and a top with a pull cord to cause the chopping motion of the blades.

My colleagues and I are coming up with holiday wishlists of AT (assisitive technology). Since one of my favorite hobbies is cooking, of course, I want some things to help me out in the kitchen.  I have chronic upper back pain that usually flares up if I have to do a lot of chopping or…

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