Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Funding Your Tiger Embosser

Finding funding for assistive technology can be difficult. For this reason we have put together a little information on ways that you can find funding for your needs. Getting a Tiger embosser may be easier than you thought after all!

To begin, we would like to mention that visionaware.com is a great online resource for those with vision loss. Their site includes a state by state list of resources, national organizations that serve the visually impaired, and international resources for those who live outside of the U.S.

In the U.S. the three primary funding sources for people with disabilities are Medicaid, special education, and vocational rehabilitation programs. Medicaid programs differ by state which can make it difficult to understand what they might cover. To know more about your local program, connect with a Medicaid representative in your area. Special education and Section 504 are programs open to children with disabilities usually up to the age of 21. It is good to acquire equipment when a child is young so that they know what assistive technology will work best for them in adulthood. Vocational rehabilitation programs are designed to help adults with disabilities become employed and offer funding for resources necessary in the work environment. For further information about these three programs please read this article.

Once you've narrowed down who in your area to contact, then you can begin the process of figuring out what the best funding source will be.

We wish you luck on your funding search and hope this post pointed you in the right direction!

Tuesday, August 4, 2009

The Fun Times at Sight Village 2009

Each year, QAC hosts Sight Village in Birmingham, England. This is one of the premier events in Europe for the blind, visually impaired, and the people who work with them. The event features vendors from around the world showcasing products and services important to this population. This year's new venue at the New Bingley Hall provided more space for exhibitors and brought in a larger group of attendees.

This year's ViewPlus team included Kayleen Hagen, Jeff Gardner, Emily Axelsson, Alex Axelsson, and Dorine in 't Veld. Some highlights for the team this year included: showing teachers and other professionals how easy it is to use IVEO Hands-on-Learning System, showing how high-resolution tactile graphics can be brought to life for the blind with the Tiger embossers, reconnecting with customers, and handing out our signature stuffed baby tigers.

As a co-sponsor of the conference, ViewPlus helps vendors have fun. The exhibitor reception and infamous Sight Village party are great ways for members of the assistive technology industry to get to know each other and spend time together. This year the party was Hawaiian themed, complete with leis, island decorations, and of course plenty of stickers!

To see photos and participate in the discussion about Sight Village, please visit our Facebook
What was your favorite experience at Sight Village?