Maine CITE - News and Information

News and Information

This is the location of our new on-line news feature called Maine CITE Update. Four times each year we will dispatch the Update via e-mail to our constituents. You can always come to this location to read the latest issue, but make sure you check out News and Information articles in the following categories which will be updated more regularly:

General News - of interest to most people.
Partner News - information about what our Maine CITE Partners are up to.
Events and Demonstrations - information about events and demonstrations in Maine, in the region and on-line.

Maine CITE Spring 2013 Newsletter

Maine CITE distributes this short newsletter highlighting information about Assistive Technology (AT) and Accessible Instructional Materials (AIM). Feel free to forward this to your friends and encourage them to sign up by using the link at the bottom of the page.

Employment News

Upcoming webinar

Maine CITE is co-sponsoring a webinar event with the Employment for ME Workforce Development System. Entitled, "The Apple Edge: Information Technology as Supports in the Workplace" the two-part program runs on May 29 and May 31, 2013.

The program is described as follows:

Apple iOS devices are used in promoting, supporting, and connecting individuals with intellectual disabilities. The iPad, iPod Touch, and iPhone offer possibilities for video cueing and modeling, picture exchange systems, voice output, timers, schedulers, checklists, reminders, face-to-face coaching, portfolios, and more. Learn about accessibility features, apps people are finding helpful and iPad Learning Cohorts with employment organizations. View devices and demos that help job seekers land a job, know what to do, and optimize productivity and inclusion.

Education News

Foundation raises money to help students

In an event that took place this February, Maine children living with disabilities were awarded equipment and treatments that will make their lives easier. The Robbie Foundation raises money to help provide kids across the state with items that are not covered by insurance, but greatly improve their quality of life.

The award ceremony was reported by Portland area TV station, WCSH-6 NEWS CENTER who have a video segment available for viewing.

NEWS CENTER's Jackie Ward presented awards to seventeen children. They received adaptive equipment like iPads and specialized wheelchairs, as well as treatments like the therapeutic horseback riding lessons. The children and their parents were thrilled to find out they were selected.

"I was excited and I wanted to scream!" said 16 year-old Courtney Houde, after receiving therapeutic horseback riding sessions.

"He's been waiting for almost a year to find out whether or not he was going to be eligible," Mom Michelle Kennie said through tears, after her son Adam received an iPad. "We had all of his specialists write letters and it's been a long wait for him."

View the video associated with this news story on WCSH-6 Portland External link

For more information on the Robbie Foundation

Community Living News

New program for adults with disabilities and seniors

Maine has a new program to help seniors and adults with disabilities to move out of nursing homes back into the community. Homeward Bound is a demonstration project funded by the federal Centers for Medicaid & Medicare Services (CMS). Participation in Homeward Bound is voluntary and individuals are given their choice of available community housing options. In order to qualify for Homeward Bound services, the participant must move to a home that is owned or leased by themself or a family member, an apartment, or a residence in a community with no more than four unrelated people.

To qualify for Homeward Bound, individuals must be 18 or older at the time of transition and have lived in a nursing facility and/ or Hospital for at least 90 days (not including any short term rehabilitative stay). Homeward Bound services will be paid by Medicaid funds.

People who enroll in Homeward Bound are eligible to receive an individualized package of services and supports including working with a Transition Coordinator to identify their needs, develop a transition plan and provide intensive help with moving back into the community. Additional services may include specialized clinical assessments, independent living assistance, household start-up, enhanced care coordination, assistive technology (AT) devices and services, planning consultation and peer supports.

Read the rest of the story about this community living news...

Information Technology News

National Deaf-Blind Equipment Distribution Program

The Maine Center on Deafness has been selected by the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) to be the sole administrator of the National Deaf-Blind Equipment Distribution Program (NDBEDP) in Maine.

The goal of the NDBEDP is to ensure that every person with combined hearing and vision loss has access to modern telecommunication tools and the training necessary to use them. Examples of specialized equipment that may be distributed under the program include: laptop or desktop computers (and computer software that can zoom text or read text aloud), iPads or other tablets, amplified telephones and Braille communicators.

Eligibility for the program is determined through an application process that requires proof of annual income and verification of hearing and vision loss by a qualified professional. Once eligibility is established, the equipment is distributed at no cost.

The Deaf-Blind Equipment Distribution Program is an addition to the current Telecommunications Equipment Program (TEP) administered by the Maine Center on Deafness which can provide qualified Maine residents with telecommunications equipment such as an amplified or captioned telephone or flashing devices designed to alert deaf or hard of hearing individuals that the telephone is ringing. The equipment included in TEP is often distributed at no or low cost.

Maine Center on Deafness also provides advocacy, education, training and support for Mainers as they navigate the world of hearing loss.

To learn more about the Maine's Deaf-Blind Equipment Distribution Program, the Telecommunications Equipment Program or Maine Center on Deafness, call toll free 800.639.3884; email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit www.mcdmaine.org.

Upcoming Webinars and Events

Success Stories about Students with Physical Disabilities Accessing AIM

April 10, 2013, 3:15 - 4:15 pm ET.

Students with physical disabilities can experience significant barriers to accessing curriculum materials. Whether curricular content is provided in standard print or presented digitally, innovative and adaptive uses of technology support students with physical disabilities in having meaningful access. This webinar presents the stories of Maine students who are successfully using technology for Accessible Instructional Materials (AIM).

Topics will include:

How physical disabilities impact student access to curriculum materials.
Technologies that support student success.
Built-in accessibility features of frequently used technologies.
How students are appropriately matched to the right technologies.

Presenters

Deb Dimmick, M.S. Ed., ATP of ALLTECH.
Deb has worked with students who have difficulty accessing the curriculum and technology to support the students for 16 years. Link to ALLTECH.

Shannon McFarland, M.A., CCC-SLP/ATP, of Pine Tree Society.
Shannon is a speech-language pathologist and assistive technology professional who provides therapy, evaluation, and consultation services to people with disabilities who use assistive technology for learning and communication. Link to Pine Tree Society.

This issue of Maine CITE Update was posted April 1, 2013. To make sure you are on our mailing list - fill out this form and you will be added.