The resources included here are all of a general nature. Some are professional organizations, some are assistive technology conferences, others are Web sites with assistive technology information, and still others are government agencies with information regarding assistive technologies. These resources supplement the many specific ones included in each chapter of this book.
Abledata (www.abledata.com): This Web site provides impartial information on assistive technology from the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research. The 7000-item database can be searched by key word or phrase (such as “one-handed can-opener”) to obtain product descriptions, manufacturers’ contact addresses, and handy key words for comparison shopping. More than 32,000 products are listed.
Assistive Technology Industry Association (ATIA) (www.atia.org/members.html): ATIA is a not-for-profit membership organization of manufacturers or distributors selling technology-based assistive devices for people with disabilities or providing services associated with or required by people with disabilities. An annual conference is held in Orlando, Florida, in January.
Association for the Advancement of Assistive Technology in Europe (AAATE) (http://139.91.151.134/index.asp?auto-redirect=true&accept-initial-profile=standard): The goal of AAATE is to stimulate the advancement of assistive technology for the benefit of persons with disabilities, including the elderly. With membership from countries throughout Europe, AAATE focuses on creating awareness of assistive technology, promoting research and development of assistive technologies, contributing to knowledge exchange within the field of assistive technology, and promoting information dissemination. One form of dissemination is the main conference every 2 years, with a multidisciplinary approach and a focus on scientific progress. AAATE also publishes a newsletter on assistive technology issues, meetings, and policies and publications and has special interest groups for specific areas of assistive technology application.
Australian Rehabilitation and Assistive Technology Association (ARATA) (http://e-bility.com/arata): ARATA is an association whose purpose is to serve as a forum for information sharing and liaison among people who are involved with assistive technology. The focus of ARATA is on providing opportunities for sharing ideas to ensure the advancement of rehabilitation and assistive technology in Australia through activities as diverse as conferences, special interest groups, a Web site, listserv, membership directory, and a quarterly newsletter.
Closing the Gap (CTG) (www.closingthegap.com): CTG sponsors an annual conference held in October in Minneapolis. Conference topics cover a broad spectrum of technology as it is being applied to all disabilities and age groups in education, rehabilitation, vocation, and independent living. The conference attracts people with disabilities, special educators, rehabilitation professionals, administrators, service/care providers, personnel managers, government officials, and hardware/software developers. The CTG Web site also contains many links to assistive technology information, particularly related to educational applications.
CSUN Conference (http://www.csun.edu/cod/conf/index.html): This conference is a major international exhibit and scientific program covering a broad spectrum of assistive technology applications for sensory impairment, augmentative and alternative communication, and computer access. The conference is held in March in Los Angeles. The Center on Disabilities at California State University, Northridge, sponsors the conference. The Web site contains other links and information regarding assistive technology applications.
International Society for Augmentative and Alternative Communication (ISAAC) (http://www.isaac-online.org/): ISAAC is an international organization that works to improve the life of every child and adult with speech difficulties. They publish a quarterly journal called Augmentative and Alternative Communication. ISAAC holds a conference in even-numbered years.
International Seating Symposium (http://www.iss.pitt.edu/): This annual conference features presentations covering evaluation, provision, research, and quality assurance issues in seating and mobility for persons with disabilities. Scientific and clinical papers, in-depth workshops, panel sessions, and an extensive exhibit hall are featured. Attendees include assistive technology practitioners, assistive technology suppliers, educators, manufacturers, consumers, physicians, rehabilitation engineers, and vocational rehabilitation counselors.
National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR) (http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/osers/nidrr/index.html?src=mr): The U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS), through its National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR), is the major U.S. funder of assistive technology research, including development of new devices, clinical studies of application, and outcome measures. The NIDRR-funded Rehabilitation Engineering Research Centers (RERCs) conduct research and development in specific areas of assistive technology application. NIDRR also sponsors research and related activities designed to maximize the full inclusion, social integration, employment, and independent living of disabled individuals of all ages. NIDRR’s programs are balanced between the scientific and consumer communities.
RehabCentral.com (http://www.medrehabnetwork.com/index.cfm): RehabCentral.com includes a variety of resources on rehabilitation products and assistive devices and applications notes written by clinicians.
Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America (RESNA) (www.resna.org): RESNA is an interdisciplinary association of people with a common interest in technology and disability. Their purpose is to improve the potential of people with disabilities to achieve their goals through the use of technology. RESNA serves that purpose by promoting research, development, education, advocacy, and the provision of technology and by supporting the people engaged in these activities. RESNA’s membership ranges from rehabilitation professionals to providers and consumers. All members are dedicated to promoting the exchange of ideas and information for the advancement of assistive technology. RESNA publishes the semiannual journal Assistive Technology, the bimonthly RESNA News, and RESNA Press and holds an annual national conference (held in June at various locations) and regional conferences that provide forums for the dissemination of information on the development and delivery of state-of-the-art technologies. Special interest groups and professional specialty groups provide additional forums for interaction with members who have similar interests in the various disciplines that comprise rehabilitation and assistive technologies.
Rehabilitation Engineering Society of Japan (RESJA) (http://www.resja.gr.jp/eng/): RESJA is a Japanese organization created to promote mutual understanding between rehabilitation engineers, providers, and consumers. RESJA holds an annual conference on the advancement of assistive and rehabilitative technology.
Special Needs Opportunity Windows (SNOW) (http://snow.utoronto.ca): The SNOW Project at the University of Toronto is a provider of on-line resources and professional development opportunities for educators and parents of students with special needs. SNOW’s tools and information, on-line workshops, curriculum materials, discussion forums, and other resources are available to assist assistive technology professionals in using new technologies.
Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) (http://www.w3.org/WAI/): In coordination with organizations around the world, WAI pursues accessibility of the Web through five primary areas of work: technology, guidelines, tools, education and outreach, and research and development.