PROJECT WIDE NEWS 

News

The Catalyst Project Welcomes Two New Statewide Program AT Directors

The Catalyst Project welcomes Julie Martinez, Director with the New Mexico Technology Assistance Program (NMTAP), and Alan Knue, Director for the Washington Assistive Technology Act Program (WATAP). 

Julie has been in the AT field and with NMTAP for over twelve years.  She was designated the Director for NMTAP in January 2011, when Andy Winegar, past NMTAP Director, retired in December of 2010. 

Alan has had a long history with WATAP starting in 1996.  Alan transitioned into the Directorship beginning in 2011, and officially took over as Director on April 1.  Congratulations Julie and Alan!

Upcoming Events

Statewide AT Program Leaders Symposium-It's Almost Here!

The Catalyst Project is delighted to be co-hosting with the Association of AT Act Programs the Statewide AT Program Leaders Symposium, to be held May 17-18, 2011, at the Hyatt Regency Bethesda Hotel.  This year's Symposium will include workshops on data management, fee for service issues, and current policy issues related to AT.   

If you have not already made your hotel reservations, please contact the hotel directly (301) 657-1234, or you may book your reservation on line via a special link at https://resweb.passkey.com/go/RSNA . Please be sure to indicate your special needs to the hotel.  When making your reservation, identify yourself as a RESNA conference participant.  If you have problems getting a hotel reservation, please contact Nancy Meidenbauer (nmeidenbauer@resna.org) or Paul Galonsky (pgalonsky@resna.org) as we can work with the hotel to release extra rooms.   To see the latest agenda, go to http://www.resnaprojects.org/news/index.html. 

Webinar: Title II and III of the ADA - July 14, 2011- 3:00-4:00 p.m. Eastern

Wendy Wilkinson, Project Director with the DBTAC-Southwest ADA Center and

Andy Winnegar, consultant with the DBTAC-Southwest ADA Center, will present strategies for providing "effective communication" for public and private entities covered by Title II and III of the Americans with Disabilities Act.  The presenters will also review how the AT Act and Statewide AT Programs can support provision of effective communication.  This webinar is in collaboration with the RESNA Catalyst Project and the DBTAC Southwest ADA Center, a program of ILRU (Independent Living Research Utilization), at TIRR Memorial Hermann in Houston, Texas.  Details on how to connect to the webinar will be sent closer to the event.

Resources

Two GMU/ATIA Webinars now Archived and Available-

WEBED-GMU01 Accessible Instructional Materials (AIM) Overview   

WEBED-ATIA02: AIM - Products and Services from ATIA Members'

If you were not able to attend these live presentations, consider accessing the archived presentations at

http://www.resnaprojects.org/statewide/webedarchive.html.

ALTERNATIVE FINANCING AND

TELEWORK LOAN PROGRAMS

New Fact Sheet

Telework At-A-Glance

A new Catalyst fact sheet provides an overview of the Technical Assistance Circular (TAC) for Telework Programs.  This fact sheet provides some examples of business equipment that has been funded through Telework loans.  To see the new publication, go to: http://resnaprojects.org/documents/uploads/What%20can%20be%20funded%20with%20Telework%20Loans.doc.

Save the Date  

AFP/Telework Best Practice Institute - September 7-9, 2011

The Best Practice Institute for Financial Loan Programs will be conducted September 7-9, 2011 at the Ed Roberts Campus Building in Berkeley, California, hosted by the RESNA Catalyst Project.  The first two days will be designed for all loan programs.  A Telework Workshop will be conducted September 9.  To see the meeting invitation, registration forms, and draft agenda, go to http://www.resnaprojects.org/news/index.html.

Upcoming Events

New Telework Program Directors Conference Call Series: Fourth Call Tuesday, May 24^th -1:00pm Eastern

Continuing the series of conference calls for directors new to Telework Programs, the fourth scheduled call will focus on the findings of the Top Performers workgroup of the Telework Initiative in 2010.  The identified Keys to Success will be reviewed in greater detail.  To access the call, dial: 1-800-351-6810, pass code 80573760#.

RESCHEDULED - New AFP Program Directors Conference Call Series: Second call Wednesday, May 25^th -1:00pm Eastern

Continuing the series for new AFP directors, this conference call will focus on customer service.  The scope of "customer" will be explored, as well the manner in which to provide excellent customer service.  To access the call, dial:  1-800-351-6810, pass code 80573760#.

Recent Events  

New Telework Program Directors Conference Call Series: Third Call- April 5^th  

Kathy Gilman, of the Washington Access Fund, presented on Microdevelopment Organizations and discussed how these may be a beneficial aspect to Telework Loan Programs. 

The handouts and recording of the webinar are posted on the RESNA Catalyst website at http://www.resnaprojects.org/afp/teleconf/index.html.

National Telework Webinar - Exploring Entrepreneurship - April 27^th

Kathy Gilman of the Washington Access Fund presented a national webinar April 27^th, for budding entrepreneurs from around the country so that they could learn about entrepreneurship and the basics of business planning.  The handouts and recording of the webinar will be posted on the RESNA Catalyst website at http://www.resnaprojects.org/afp/teleconf/index.html.

OTHER RESOURCES 

The RESNA Catalyst Project is a project funded by the U.S. Department of Education, Rehabilitation Services Administration under the Assistive Technology Act of 1998, as amended.  The project is operated by RESNA. The information contained herein does not necessarily reflect the position or policy of RSA/ED or RESNA and no official endorsement of the materials should be inferred.

RESNA is the Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America whose purpose is to promote the health and well being of individuals with disabilities through the use of assistive technology.  RESNA is the grantee funded to provide technical assistance and training to those programs funded under the AT Act and to others.  

Contact Information:  RESNA Catalyst Project, 1700 North Moore Street, Suite 1540, Arlington, VA  22209-1903; (703) 524-6686 (voice), (866) 342-6572 (voice), (703) 524-6630 (FAX), (703) 524-6639 (TTY).  Email:  catalyst@resna.org; Website:  http://www.resnaprojects.org.