Sharing with the group….

On Saturday, September 29, 2018, individuals devoted to creating solutions for individuals who experience disabilities participated in the first national Assistive Technology (AT) Makers' Fair: Making AT for All Conference & Expo in Concord, NH.

The AT Makers’ Fair goal was to inspire participants to become creative problem solvers, bringing together makers of all abilities to share ideas, develop new skills and enhance innovations for persons with disabilities. Participants, exhibitors, and presenters came from more than 20 states, territories, and Canadian provinces, where they learned methods, materials, and know-how needed to efficiently create everyday just-in-time devices and technologies.

Planned by a national committee of assistive technology stakeholders led by Dr. Therese Willkomm, the 2018 AT Makers’ Fair was hosted by Assistive Technology in New Hampshire (ATinNH), New Hampshire’s statewide assistive technology program.  In a conversation with Dr. Willkomm she shared with me that she really wanted to take the AT Makers’ Fair on the road. I’m thrilled to announce this year’s event will be held on September 24 & 25, 2018 at the Monroeville Convention Center just outside Pittsburgh, PA. Our goal is to double what was done last year: twice the conference length, twice as many professionals, and, at least, twice the number of consumers in need of answers that assistive technology can help provide. We are also on schedule to provide CEUs from ASHA, AOTA, RESNA and Act 48.

I work at the Center for Independent Living that serves Washington, Fayette and Greene counties in Pennsylvania. I am also the head of the Assistive Technology Resource Center that provides assistance to the state AT Act program in southwestern Pennsylvania, and have been a member of RESNA for several years. We are working with local, state and national partners to bring this event to the Pittsburgh area, but we need your help. If you would be willing to share this information with your RESNA SIG it would be greatly appreciated. You can see some of what we did at last year’s event on the Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/ATMakersNH/, and you can see the standalone website at www.atmakersfair.com The call for presenters will be going out soon, and we can’t wait to see the latest innovations!

John Flaherty, RESNA ATP
Assistive Technology Specialist
Transitional Paths to Independent Living
69 E. Beau St.
Washington, PA 15301

724-223-5115 x1371

724-223-5119 Fax
www.trpil.com
xxxxxx@trpil.com

This email message and its attachments are for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential information. If you have received this email in error, please notify our Compliance Team at xxxxxx@tripil.com and delete this message.