What's New
Ken Knorr Retires
After 37 years of public service, Ken is retiring to pursue woodworking, volunteer work, travel and other creative explorations on a full time basis.
After serving in Vietnam, Ken joined the Virginia Department of Rehabilitative Services as a vocational rehabilitation counselor at Woodrow Wilson Rehabilitation Center. His career path quickly reflected his growing talent for program development, capacity-building and public/private partnerships.
In 1990, Ken became the founding director of the Virginia Assistive Technology System. In this role, Ken collaborated with advisory board members, colleagues and others to increase Virginians’ access to assistive technology. To date, their systems change legacies include: an alliance with other stakeholders resulting in the passage of the Virginia AT Device Warranties Act, a “lemon law” for AT devices; partnering with Virginians with disabilities and receiving funding to capitalize Virginia’s Assistive Technology Loan Fund Authority, now known as the NewWell Fund; collaborating with the Virginia Information Technology Agency to facilitate the establishment of Virginia’s Information Technology Accessibility Act; and the ongoing integration of the Commonwealth’s AT recycling programs into a more unified and responsive network.
Ken looks forward to following VATS' future endeavors, even as he departs for new frontiers.
Assistive Technology for Seniors: Aging Together-A Regional Program
Aging Together is a community partnership in the Rappahannock-Rapidan region working to improve long term care and support services for older adults. Below are some community resources for seniors and their families.
There are many different types of assistive technology, but don't let the technology part scare you. Assistive technology can be as simple as a magnifier, a large clock face so you can see the time - or any device to aid daily living. If you saw the movie "The Straight Story," you may remember that the character played by Richard Farnsworth uses a ride-on lawnmower to visit his sick brother two states away. He also uses a grabbing device to pick up items since he has trouble bending over. These are both examples of assistive technology. Like many seniors, this character uses it every day.
So what exactly is it? Assistive Technology is any item, piece of equipment, or product system that may be used by a person with a disability to improve independence in community living, education or employment. Just as there are many different types of assistive devices, there are places to buy them, test them or get them for free.
Do you have a piece of assistive technology that is not being used, such as a manual or power wheelchair, bath tub bench, shower chair, hospital bed, walker, or any other devices that might be of use to an individual with a disability or someone who is aging?
Do you need assistive technology, but cannot afford to buy what you need?
Recycling is a great solution. Recycling is a way to make assistive technology more available, especially for those who have no public or private health insurance and who don't have the resources necessary to purchase the equipment they need. Community members donate equipment no longer in use to a recycling program where items are sanitized, repaired, refurbished, and redistributed at no cost to those who can use it.
The Virginia Assistive Technology System is a part of a public/private partnership that is operating assistive technology recycling programs and building new ones so that needed devices are available statewide. These programs are available in centers throughout the state.
Some of the types and examples of devices at the centers include:
- Aids for low vision - magnifiers, magnifying pill cutter - Aids for daily living - large keypads for phone, computers, or grab bars for tubs and showers - Assistive listening devices - hearing aids, pocket talkers or talking scales - Computer access products - large print screens, talking monitors, or Braille keyboards - Seating, positioning and mobility devices - wheel chairs, ambulators, and seat lifters.
Culpeper's closest center is the Equipment Connection at the disAbility Resource Center 409 Progress St, Fredericksburg. The phone number is (540) 373-2559, dfults@cildrc.org. All equipment that the Equipment Connection donates is sterilized and refurbished. You can check out their website at cildrc.org/ or call the toll free number, 1-800-435-8490 which connects you with a professional who can answer inquiries and guide you to the best resources in your community. By the way, the disAbility Resource Center is looking for a home in the Culpeper area to expand the Equipment Connection. The space needs to be accessible and convenient for citizens to receive or donate equipment. If you know of such space please contact Debe Fults at the phone number or e-mail address shown above.
A little closer to home, the Culpeper County Library has various items that can be checked out on a two week loan. This program is made possible through grants with the state and donations made by the Mid-Day Lions Club. Borrowing assistive devices gives you time to decide if it is the right equipment for you, without spending money or extra time without assistance.
The library has five different strengths of magnifiers, two pocket talkers (sound amplification devices) and one portable visual enhancer for checkout, plus a CCTV to use or test. (This is an electronic magnifier that allows the user to see images magnified up to 60 times).
Borrowing or using the library's equipment is a great way to decide which one might work best for you. The magnifiers are particularly good for those individuals with macular degeneration. Pocket talkers are wonderful for people who may not need a hearing aid, but could use a boost in group conversations or when watching the television. You can reach the Culpeper County Public Library by calling 825-8691, sending an email to cclva@cclva.org or visiting the website at www.cclva.org.
So no matter what your needs, someone, somewhere in the state probably has something to help you.
To learn more about Aging Together contact Jenny Biche at 540-825-7615 or the Aging Together Regional Office at 540-829-6405.
Many thanks to Susan Keller of the Culpepper County Library for contributing this article.
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Employers Highlighting Jobs for People with Disabilities
Craigslist (www.craigslist.com), in partnership with EARN (www.earnworks.com) and Matthew Poland of PEP Jobs (http://www.cpmc.org/epilepsy/pepjobs.html), has recently updated their site to help support employment of persons with disabilities. Here's how it works: When employers post a job, they have an option to check permissions that will appear in the bottom of their posting. You will often see ones like "Phone calls about this job are ok" or "OK for recruiters to contact this job poster". Now, there is a permission that says "OK to highlight this job opening for persons with disabilities". Employers can also click on the permission to get more information the benefits of hiring people with disabilities.
What does this mean for you as a jobseeker or an employment service provider for people with disabilities?
It means there is a new and easy way to identify employers expressing an interest in hiring people with disabilities. While EARNM remains one source to you for job leads, this partnership adds another with one of the most popular job boards in the country. Thousands of employers post their jobs on Craigslist each day in a wide variety of areas and occupations.
How does it work?
- Simply go to the Craigslist page nearest you. Click on your city or area on the right side if your area does not already appear at the top of the page.
- Find and click on the box below "search Craigslist" on the left side of the page.
- Enter the phrase "highlight for persons with disabilities".
- Make sure that "jobs" is selected in the drop-down box below the search box and click ">".
- This will bring up a list of job postings where the employer has elected to have the permission "OK to highlight this job opening for persons with disabilities" appear in their posting. Ideally, these will be employers more open to hiring someone with a disability.
- Jobseekers, or employment service providers on their behalf, can then contact employers and let them know that you found them because of their Craigslist posting that said they would like to highlight the posting for persons with disabilities.
For more information about this new tool for employment service agencies, contact Matthew Poland from PEP Jobs in San Francisco at polandm@sutterhealth.org.
About EARN (www.earnworks.com)
The Employer Assistance & Recruiting Network (EARN) is the nation's premier provider of cost-free services to help employers recruit and hire qualified workers to meet their workforce needs. In addition, EARNM assists employers in understanding the practical business reasons for, as well as the practices that facilitate the recruitment and hiring of people with disabilities.
EARN also offers assistance to employment service providers and jobseekers with disabilities. This includes providing jobseekers and service providers with job leads from employers specifically interested in including jobseekers with disabilities in their recruiting efforts.
