A Day in the Life – Work, Home, and Community is part of the Pennsylvania Tech Accelerator webinar series, Assistive Technology Basics. Recorded September 2024.
This video includes captions and ASL interpretation.
TOM DIAGOSTINO: Perfect. OK, so welcome, everyone. Hi. Thank you for coming today. It's 4:00 PM. And we're here for an hour. And we're going to share so much information about assistive technology, and just talking about, through the perspective of people who use assistive technology, how we can use that to make work, home, and community engagement safe, fun, and more independent.
So we titled this A Day In Our Lives-- A Day In The Life. And it's a panel discussion. We have three amazing people that are going to be sharing their experience. And we have some really great questions to share with you, as well.
On the slide, there are two logos. The first logo is the Pennsylvania Tech Accelerator Programs logo, as well as the Institute on Disabilities at Temple University's logo, which is next to the Tech Owl logo.
For every presentation that we give virtually, we provide accessibility. Especially for our tech accelerator webinars, we are providing accessibility. So first, you might have noticed that I described the images on the first slide. I describe the logos. We will be providing verbal descriptions of every image that is on the slides today. We don't want to assume that everyone here has the ability to see the slides. And so we just verbalize that for everyone.
We also have two amazing ASL interpreters on this call. Thank you so much for your help making this accessible. And third, we have CART captioning. So we have a real-time CART captioner, who is typing. So you can enable the closed captions or the CC button on the menu, on the lower part of your screen, and then you'll be able to see the live captions.
And if you have any other accommodation or need, I'm going to have my chat open. My colleague, Lydia, is on the chat as well, is going to be helping us out. So if you have any questions as well, me and Lydia will be responding to the chat frequently.
There are four images on the slide, representing the four main accessibility features we have for all of our presentations, image descriptions, represented by a person using voice over on their phone, which is a gesture-based way to navigate your phone if you don't have the ability to see the phone. We have an image of an ASL interpreter, interpreting on a camera. We have a picture of a YouTube video with CART--
SOLOMON BENSON: And I'm a recent graduate.
TOM DIAGOSTINO: We have a picture of a YouTube video with captions on it. And we also have another picture of a person raising their hand for any other accommodations.
So to give a little background of what the Tech Accelerator Project is, The tech accelerator is a term that reflects a wide variety of different initiatives and projects that are all encompassing. So it's almost an umbrella term. So one aspect of this large project is training and resources.
So what we're doing here today, part of this project is to build capacity through different trainings and webinars for stakeholders in the Pennsylvania system, that works with disabilities, people with disabilities, as well. Everyone is welcome to come to these open-access webinars.
We also have readiness evaluation, where we're developing tools to help people adopt assistive technology and remote supports. We're doing statewide assessments, hopefully to become a tech first state. We have provider surveys, as well.
So we're going to be researching and surveying many providers. And we also are going to have tech summits in March of 2025. The Philadelphia version is going to be from March 5 through 7, March 6 being the tech version of that summit. And in Pittsburgh, it's going to be March 12 through 14, March 13 being the tech day of that summit.
On the screen, I have five different categories and five different icons representing the five different aspects of this larger Tech Accelerator Project, those being training and resources, readiness evaluation, statewide assessment, provider survey, and the tech summit.
Sorry about that. So the Tech Accelerator webinars, to give a background, this is one aspect of this large project. It is going to be monthly webinars that have been occurring since July of 2024, so July of this year. And they will occur until December of next year, 2025. This is happening every third Thursday of the month.
The sessions are 12:00 to 1:00 and they are 4:00 to 5:00. So these sessions are identical sessions. They are the same session, just happening at two different times in the day. We want to give people the flexibility to choose what time works best for them. We don't want to assume that the same time is going to work for everyone every month. So we offer two different time slots, as well.
Every single session that we do will have screen-reader accessible slides. They will also have ASL interpreters. They will have CART captions. There will be verbal descriptions of images on the slides and the ability to request any other accommodations that you might need. So this is going to happen for every webinar in this series. And we're also recording every single webinar and publishing one of the two versions after the fact.
So a little bit about these webinar recordings because we don't want to assume that everyone can go to every one. Or maybe you found out about this later on, you just found out about this month, but you didn't see the first two. Don't worry because we're going to record every single one. And we're also going to ensure that they have ASL captions, as well as word captions, underneath the screen.
So on the screen, there are three screen captures of our most recent recording. Thank you, Amy Letson, who is on this call, for your hard work. So we have, on the screen, an image of the slide. You actually see my face in the tiny little caption, or a tiny little square on the top. That's the Zoom recording.
So that's me, presenting the information, the slide itself. And then next to that is an ASL interpreter. And underneath it is open captions. And so those are captions that you cannot turn off. So all of the webinars are going to be recorded. And they're going to be captioned in this way to ensure full access and accessibility.
For today's session, we are going to be learning firsthand from people who use assistive technology in their everyday lives to make things easier, safer, and more independent. Also, we want people to know about how people can utilize funding sources through ODP and resources through ODP and OLTL to help them access assistive technologies, and also how we can continue to support people with disabilities to acquire and learn about assistive technologies, which is so important.
I also want to share a little bit about TechOWL before we get into the content of this presentation today. So TechOWL, which is who I work for and the organization that is helping with facilitating a large part of this tech accelerator grant. TechOWL stands for Technology for Our Whole Lives. We are the Assistive Technology Act Program for the entire Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
However, if you're not located in Pennsylvania, do not worry. Every single state and territory in the nation has access to an Assistive Technology Act program. There are 56 of us total. So territories like Guam, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands all have an Assistive Tech Program, just like every state in the United States does.
And Lydia, if you could please put in the chat that link, the 83 AT3center.net/stateprogram. That is the directory in which you can find your local state program if you're outside of Pennsylvania. Also, TechOWL is a program at the Institute on Disabilities here, at Temple University.
On the slide, there's an image of a group of people with disabilities, using mobility aids on a roof deck, laughing and having a good time. I like to share this image on all of my presentations because it is from an open-source video project-- or I'm sorry, photo project-- where people with disabilities got together and they took open-source photos of just doing fun, everyday things. It's authentic disability representation.
And I highly encourage you to go through the photo project and use these images for presentations, PowerPoints, or any type of media you might want to publish. And Lydia, if you could put "disabled" in here, in the chat, that would be awesome.
Also, a little bit more about TechOWL is that we are a federally and state-funded organization, non-profit organization. We believe and we view disability through both social and holistic models. We believe that we can make our society more accessible, that assistive technology can make our society more accessible, but also that we respect that sometimes pain is pain, and sometimes limitations is limitations. And so we can do what we can. We can incorporate technology. We can make our society more accessible. But also, we respect that our disability sometimes-- maybe we don't have the spoons in the day to do what we need to do.
We also believe in a user-centered experience. We want to put people with disabilities and people who need to use assistive technology in the center of the conversation. We also are here to inform, empower, and educate Pennsylvanians on all aspects of assistive technology.
On the slide, I have an image of two people. One person is using a VR headset. They're also using a device to communicate. And we have one of our grad students here, that is modeling how to use their assistive device while also exploring a zoo through virtual reality.
On this slide, it's just an image of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, cut up into different regions with various colors. This is representing that TechOWL has nine regional centers across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. So we provide our services locally, across the state. So we have our home office, our main office in Philadelphia. But no matter where you are in the state of Pennsylvania, there is a local representative that will connect you not only to our services, but also local services in your area.
And lastly, I just want to share that no matter where you are in the country, that the Assistive Technology Act programs, across the board, share four core services. So no matter where you are, you're going to receive these services in the United States and the six territories that we have. So that is first, the device demonstrations, so we can get on a call with you and go through a few devices and a few options.
We also do equipment lending. Every state does this. In Pennsylvania, our equipment lending is through UPS. So we have a warehouse in Camp Hill, Pennsylvania. And you can request online, the devices you would like to borrow. And we ship it to your door through UPS. And inside that box, we have a prepaid return label. So when you're done with that loan, you send it right back to us, and it's all good.
Third is equipment donations. So all of us do some type of equipment donation. We have 12 equipment donation centers in Pennsylvania, where they will take donated equipment, clean it up, fix it up, and send it out to people for free. And lastly, we do trainings and presentations just like this. Every state does this, as well.
So on the screen, there are four icons, representing the four core services that all ATA programs do. That is device demonstration represented by a tablet, equipment lending represented by a box, equipment donation represented by a heart and a hand, and presentations represented by a person holding their hands up.
All right, so now, I want us all to meet the speakers. So I have talked a lot. So I'm not going to talk much more. But my name is Tom. I've been at TechOWL for over 5 and 1/2 years. I'm very passionate about the use of assistive technology as a person who uses it in my day-to-day life, but also as someone who has supported my sibling through my whole life and her whole life, in using assistive technology.
And I have my colleague, Liam, I'm going to make as a co-host right now so that he can share his screen. And I'm going to stop sharing mine so that he can share his screen with his communication device. Liam, I believe you're a co-host, and I believe you have the ability to-- to share.
LIAM HOLLAND: Hi, everyone. I'm Liam. And I'm a recent graduate of Villanova University. I'm passionate about accessible gaming and disability advocacy. And I'm currently interning at TechOWL at Temple, where I'm working on projects related to assistive technology, more specifically, AAC devices and accessible gaming.
As someone who uses an AAC device and assistive technology in my daily life, I love to connect with others who share an interest of making the world more accessible through technology.
TOM DIAGOSTINO: Awesome. Cool. Cool. I'm going to take back control of the screen--
SUBJECT: Hey, Ms. Bungee.
TOM DIAGOSTINO: --for a second. OK And now I would like to introduce our panelists.
SUBJECT: The panel. OK. Thank you. OK, bye bye.
TOM DIAGOSTINO: So I would like to introduce the panelists. So we have three amazing panelists today. And I'm going to spotlight them in just a second. So first we have Solomon, or Sam, Benson, who is a resident at KenCrest, and will speak about utilizing ODP's services.
Second, we have Emma. And Emma is a second-year OTA student and also a TechOWL PADDC tech champion. And lastly, we have Alexa Brill. Alexa is a TechOWL PADDC tech champion. Also, Alexa is the president of the Board of Self Advocates United as 1, or SAU1, and is a Social Media Manager for the Arc of Pennsylvania.
I'm going to spotlight everyone really quickly. That's spotlight. That spotlight. OK, so we should be good on our spotlights. And we're going to get to the conversation. Also on the slide, I have three head shots of our three amazing panelists. So introductions, now, again, I'm going to stop sharing my slides. And Liam is going to take over.
LIAM HOLLAND: Could you all briefly introduce yourself to us?
SOLOMON BENSON: Yes. I'm Solomon Benson.
TOM DIAGOSTINO: And tell us a little bit more about where you are and how you got involved with ODP and KenCrest.
SOLOMON BENSON: OK, how I got with KenCrest-- simple. It gave me an opportunity to have a better living arrangement. ODP helped me with the technology that I have in my room, in my house, period. It works perfectly for my safety. And it's amazing to have.
EMMA RUSSEK: Cool.
TOM DIAGOSTINO: Thank you. Emma.
EMMA RUSSEK: My name is Emma Russek. I work with the PADCC tech champions. I am currently in school to be an OTA. I use assistive technology in my everyday life. And I also work in an autism-support classroom in an elementary school. So I'm teaching the next generation how to use assistive technology, as well.
TOM DIAGOSTINO: Awesome. And Alexa.
ALEXA BRILL: I am Alexa. I'm also a PADDC [INAUDIBLE]. And I also am president of the Board of SAU1, and also the social media manager of the local PA, which is how I got involved with [INAUDIBLE] in the first place, because I was looking for social-media posts that we could see on our page.
And I came across the flyers [INAUDIBLE]. So I decided to apply because I'm very passionate about it. It's the technology for people with disabilities because I believe it should be available to people with all disabilities so they can be independent.
TOM DIAGOSTINO: That's amazing. Thank you so much. And I put, for people to be able to follow you, I put the Arc of PA handle, Instagram handle, in the chat.
ALEXA BRILL: Yeah.
TOM DIAGOSTINO: Absolutely. I'm so glad that you found us also, because both and Emma are amazing tech champs. So, so happy to have you here. And Izzy Kaufman's on the call. So that's such a proud tech champion mentor. Great. So let's get to the first question. I'll copy and paste it, as well, into the comment-- or in the chat.
[DOG BARKS]
LIAM HOLLAND: What assistive tech do you use on a daily basis?
SOLOMON BENSON: I use Echo. I use Akari. And I use Blink, Alexa Blink cameras.
TOM DIAGOSTINO: Great. How does that-- and how do you use them? What are they used for?
SOLOMON BENSON: They're basically used for my protection, my safety, to make sure that I'm safe. The people that work with me at KenCrest have the opportunity to make sure that I'm safe, also. They watch me, make sure-- well, not watch me, but make sure that I don't have intruders and stuff like that, trying to destroy what I have.
SUBJECT: What does your--
SOLOMON BENSON: Oh, so my Echo reminds me and tells me everything. It tells me the weather. It reminds me to take my medicine. It reminds me to drink water. It reminds me to wake up in the morning when I ask what-- set an alarm for a certain time to wake up.
It actually lets me drop in. If I'm not home, I can watch everything from off my Alexa, on my phone, inside my house, to make sure-- well, everything be locked anyway. But still, it's always good to check. And like I said, I can control my TV from my Echo also.
TOM DIAGOSTINO: Awesome. Great. That's like an incredible system you have there. Emma, what about you?
EMMA RUSSEK: Yeah, so I use mobility devices and braces as my main assistive tech. Fidgets are, I feel like, a very overlooked part of assistive technology. I have Thinking Putty, right here. It's the only way I can sit through this without having to get up and walk around.
I have medicine organizers. And recently, I've begun using an app called Guava Health, so I can track my symptoms. And it reminds me to take my medication, reminds me to conserve my energy. I also use Loop earplugs for over stimulation.
And my Google Calendar is a vital part of my life. That's a great example of how everyday things can also be used as assistive technology.
TOM DIAGOSTINO: Awesome. I just put some links in the chat. I love that Guava Health, that you mentioned. So I put that there. I also, for anyone who doesn't Loop earplugs, I put that in the chat as well. Such great devices. I actually looked up the Guava after last session. And it's actually really cool. And Alexa, I see you turned your camera around to show us your [INAUDIBLE] arm. Can you tell us a little bit about That?
ALEXA BRILL: Well, I've only had it since August 28. It's a hand that helps me pick out clothes so if I want to drink, I can pick it up from a table. And it also can tilt it so it's not like a regular cup holder, where it just sits there and then you can't get out the straw.
You can't tilt it towards you. And you can't raise it up or do whatever you need to do, just like a human hand, to reach that stuff. And it also helps me pick things up, off the floor or through a case or things that I didn't used to be able to do independently.
And also live in my house. I've been living here for about nine years, nine years now. And I can open doors, the vertical blinds, the lights. And I have an incident like that, which I renamed to a different name because it would be complicated if I left it at the default constant.
Like my name, it would always be going off. But when I think about this, when I'm in bed, I don't' have to worry so much because I can drop in to the other Echos in my house, to get my helper's attention so that I don't have to scream throughout the house.
TOM DIAGOSTINO: Yeah. I also love that you've renamed your Alexa because your name is Alexa.
ALEXA BRILL: Yeah. Yeah.
TOM DIAGOSTINO: I've always wondered if that's something that people named Alexa have to do.
ALEXA BRILL: Yeah.
TOM DIAGOSTINO: Oh, cool. That's awesome. So it seems like a lot of us have some smart technology in our house. That's seems like a common thread. It's so interesting how all of us use it a little differently too. I think we're switching interpreters real quick. Great. Awesome. So yeah, and then now we have our third-- our second question. Sorry.
LIAM HOLLAND: What assistive tech do you use on a daily basis?
SOLOMON BENSON: I use my echo all the time for my [INAUDIBLE].
TOM DIAGOSTINO: I think we're on--
LIAM HOLLAND: How has using assistive tech made your life easier, safer, and more independent.
SOLOMON BENSON: It made my life very easy and very independent, having my cameras, having my Echo make sure everything is OK here. Like I said, I can control it. Listening to music, watching TV, I can control it from-- I can drop in any time I want, when I'm not home, make sure--
I can look at my Blink cameras, my detectors. I can look also, on them too, to see what's moving around in my house. But other than that, everything works. And it makes my life very, very easy.
TOM DIAGOSTINO: Awesome. Emma, how about you?
EMMA RUSSEK: Yeah, so I have a dynamic condition. So I never know, one day to the next, what I'm going to be able to do. So having all of these resources, I just have a little cart in my house, I call my flare-up cart, full of my mobility devices and assistive technology.
It's a big peace of mind thing for me, knowing that even if I can't physically do these things the next day, I have things there that will help me do them. It allows for mobility during my flare ups and just better self management.
Growing up, I never pictured myself being able to handle all these things on my own, like medications and doctor's appointments and all that. It all seemed very scary. But having these resources makes it all much more manageable.
TOM DIAGOSTINO: Awesome. Thank you so much. I'm actually really-- it's interesting how you have a cart that's almost like-- because of those dynamic conditions, you have to almost over prepare.
EMMA RUSSEK: Prepare for whatever may come.
TOM DIAGOSTINO: Yeah, and Alexa, how about you? What tech do you use to-- or has tech helped make life easier, simpler or more independent?
ALEXA BRILL: Safety, for me, it would be, because like I said, once I'm in bed, I don't really have access to anything because everything that I can access is in my [INAUDIBLE], iPad.
It works through my [INAUDIBLE] through Bluetooth and a cursor pops up on my iPad screen so I can use it like a computer mouse. And so when I'm in bed, it's very important to me that I be able to [INAUDIBLE].
TOM DIAGOSTINO: Absolutely. I think too, like you saying when you're in bed, you have different access-- When you're in your chair, it's one system of technology. But when you're in bed, also having that access is so important.
ALEXA BRILL: Yeah.
TOM DIAGOSTINO: Yeah. I can imagine. And that's the great thing about using your voice with the Alexa, the Echos and all of that. It just gives you that same dynamicism. That's awesome.
ALEXA BRILL: Yeah, it got easier once technology started evolving and mainstream my own style, making its way out because when I moved in here, there was no such thing as the mainstream smart-home technology.
So I had this big unit code URC. It was Universal Remote Control systems. But my dad found, and it was hooked up by an electrician. And it was at least going offline. So once I found that [INAUDIBLE], it made me feel so much safer because these don't go outside very often at all.
TOM DIAGOSTINO: Yeah. And not to mention how much cheaper the Echo systems is, compared to the older smart-home systems, like the Ree or-- yeah.
ALEXA BRILL: When I first got them, my dad thought it was a toy. And he was like, what are you doing with this? Until I started telling him how I could turn on and off lights and the different things I could do with it.
TOM DIAGOSTINO: Wow, that's awesome. But it's weird. It does look like-- could look like a toy, like especially, those older remotes. I'm glad now, that Alexas are just everywhere.
ALEXA BRILL: Yeah.
TOM DIAGOSTINO: I think that brings us into our next question really well, also.
LIAM HOLLAND: What resources helped you get your assistive tech?
ALEXA BRILL: What helped me get my research-- my DOC? DOP? ODP, sorry. I don't know why I keep-- I don't know why it sounds different than me, but yeah, ODP gave me-- They worked with KenCrest for me to get my technology built in my house.
Well, not built, but secure my home, my safe living, my safe environment. Thanks to ODP and KenCrest for, like I said before, the opportunity to have this awesome technology in my house, for my safety.
TOM DIAGOSTINO: Yeah, and the fact that you didn't have to pay for it, that those funds, that program was there for you--
SOLOMON BENSON: Yeah. And I'm very grateful for that, for that opportunity and having amazing technology in my house.
TOM DIAGOSTINO: Yeah. Awesome. And Emma, how about you? Because you're here. You're a TechOWL. You're our TechOWL rep, right? So what resources have helped you acquire assistive tech or maybe even not helped?
EMMA RUSSEK: Yeah, so TechOWL was a real game changer for me because due to the dynamic nature of my disability, it's really difficult to get funding just because I don't need it every day. So they don't deem it medically necessary, even though it may be medically necessary on Tuesday, but not Friday.
But free programs like the free 3D printed devices from TechOWL have been huge, as well as going to school for occupational therapy, I learned how to make a lot of my own low-tech devices. I love-- Dollar-store assistive tech is so close to my heart. And yeah, but unfortunately, a lot of my stuff has to be self-funded.
TOM DIAGOSTINO: Totally. And that's sometimes the reality, and why I think fabrication has been such a great, such a fun aspect of my work. And so I put the link for the 3D printing program in the chat for anyone, if you're curious. Also, I think you've used the lending library a few times.
EMMA RUSSEK: Yes, I have. I borrowed a bed shaker from there, initially for a project. But as someone who-- it's made for people with hearing difficulties. But I found it works a lot better than an alarm for me because I have a lot of trouble getting up. And also, I always forget the name of the medication management system I borrowed. but it's--
TOM DIAGOSTINO: Medready.
EMMA RUSSEK: What was that? I'm sorry.
TOM DIAGOSTINO: The Medready.
EMMA RUSSEK: Medready. It's a more complex system. But it helps you really keep track, and will not leave you alone if you forget to take your meds, which is what I need. So the lending library has been very helpful because it lets you test out these more expensive equipments before buying them, to make sure they work for you and to make sure it's going to be worth your money.
TOM DIAGOSTINO: Awesome. Yeah, we are always encouraging people to borrow, which is why it's one of the tech champions projects. And then the last thing that I just want to throw out there too, because self-funding is so difficult sometimes, that TechOWL does have a $400 mini grant, called the Del Sordo Fund.
And I just put the link in the chat. And everyone, you're welcome, if you know someone that you support or you, yourself would need funding for some type of assistive device, this is a program that we offer through us. And you can see if you're eligible. There is a income limit. And you do have to apply and justify why something is an assistive device.
But we're not as strict as some of these other public fundings would be. If you can justify why something is so important, we're most likely going to say yes. And then Alexa, yeah so can you share a little bit about the resources that have helped you get some of your tech?
ALEXA BRILL: Well, when I moved in, there was a bunch of different funding streams, like OVR, the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, will help you pay for things that are necessary for you to get to work. So they paid for-- I don't know.
It's hard to remember, now that I have a bathroom and a ceiling. So they paid for that so that I could-- it's necessary for me to get ready for work. And then I know when I got involved in take over [INAUDIBLE],
I actually borrowed a Furbo treat dispenser, which my dog loves. And so go straight to the Furbo every time she comes in from outside because she knows I can either buy it on my iPad or I can say, give Chloe a treat, and it'll-- because it interfaces with the internet Echo.
So I can use my voice too. So the funny thing is, she loves it so much that she knocked it over a couple times when I was trialing it. So when I got my own, I put a piece of wood underneath it so she wouldn't be able to knock it over, and it would just slide, instead of her knocking it over to get all the treats.
TOM DIAGOSTINO: I love that story. I just put the Furbo dog-treat dispenser in the chat. And the thing that I love about it too is, there's a camera attached to it so you can command it. Then you can also monitor, if you're out outside the house. That's so funny that your dog was so into it that they were knocking it over, to try to get the treats out.
ALEXA BRILL: Yeah. Yeah.
TOM DIAGOSTINO: I love it. And it's kind of an expensive device. And so I'm glad that you trialed it before you bought it, so you knew that it worked. I mean, clearly your dog loved it. Awesome.
And then I have a million tabs. But I'm going to get to the next question. We have two questions to go.
LIAM HOLLAND: Was it difficult to get assistive tech? How did you overcome the barriers?
SOLOMON BENSON: It was very hard to get the tech. Like I said earlier, it was very hard for DOP to put the technology in my house. The first time, they were having difficulties for the size of the camera, the device where, on the wall and everything, it was hard to put it up there and figure out where they were going to put it at. And it was difficult. But they got it done. And it works perfectly.
TOM DIAGOSTINO: So when you were in the system, it was easier, but getting in the system was a little hard?
SOLOMON BENSON: Exactly. I had to come up-- the technology guy, he had to figure out what to put, asking for different types of what I want my password to be, how I want this. And it was difficult and confusing. So that was that. And it works now, so--
TOM DIAGOSTINO: And how you overcame-- now, was it the people helping you, you think, at KenCrest?
SOLOMON BENSON: It was KenCrest who did it, who helped me with the tech.
TOM DIAGOSTINO: That's awesome. I'm glad that you have people KenCrest and that work through ODP, that were able to support you through that whole process.
SOLOMON BENSON: Yes. And I'm very grateful for it.
TOM DIAGOSTINO: Great. Cool. Emma, what about you?
EMMA RUSSEK: Yeah, like I said earlier, it's really not been supported by any public funding or insurance for me, just because of that "deemed medically necessary all the time" aspect. But-- wow, another brain zap. I am so sorry.
Through TechOWL and everything and learning how to make my own stuff, I suppose that was how I overcame that barrier. But as my diagnostic journey continues and I get a little more documentation, hopefully, I will be able to reach out to the public-funding place because it is quite a process.
TOM DIAGOSTINO: Absolutely, especially with-- I think you mentioned EDS--
EMMA RUSSEK: I have Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome.
TOM DIAGOSTINO: --especially because that's one of those, I would say disabilities, that are not newer-- it's been around. People have had it Ehlers-Danlos forever. But it's catching wind as being something where accommodations are needed.
EMMA RUSSEK: Yes.
TOM DIAGOSTINO: It's one of those transitional dynamic disabilities that we're running into.
EMMA RUSSEK: Exactly.
TOM DIAGOSTINO: Yeah. So I'm so glad that you're going on that journey, and you're using your resources and the makers movement to fill in some gaps. Yeah, also the barrier of the diagnostic process and the paperwork process, absolutely. Alexa, was there any difficulties that you found in getting assistive technology?
ALEXA BRILL: Well, like Emma said, you run into the "medically necessary" thing all the time. And they go, that's not medically necessary. But I do hope-- enable like how, as well, with things like a savings account for people with disabilities, that does not count against your SSI benefits, which are very important.
And so that's how I pay for my iPad. And then they come here and actually went through my internet, which was a surprise. I didn't think it were going to go through, that I wasn't going to get it if it didn't go through. But it ended up going through.
But I haven't told many people that I have also many people because not everyone has access to this kind of technology and knows how to get it. So you don't really, necessarily make them say like, saying, look what I can do.
And I don't want them to be like, well, that's great for you, but I can't do that. I want to change that so that every person with a disability has access to the technology they need.
TOM DIAGOSTINO: Absolutely. I can't agree more with your statements around-- people have such different responses to applying to insurance. Sometimes people just get it covered and get it passed the first time, whereas other people have to just constantly reapply. It's that weird-- almost like you're self-conscious to celebrate the fact that you've got something covered.
And it's just such a unfortunate reality. But I'm so happy, personally, that you did receive your [INAUDIBLE] arm because what an amazing device, truly, because we're running out of time. We were a chatty group this time around. I love it. So let's go to our final question, which need to pull up, as well.
LIAM HOLLAND: And finally, how can we continue to improve supports for assistive technology?
SOLOMON BENSON: How y'all can improve on your technology? By keep supporting us, like DOP, is it?
TOM DIAGOSTINO: ODP.
SOLOMON BENSON: ODP, sorry, ODP. It sounds funny, but yeah, ODP helping me with my technology and the rest of the folks that's on here, helping them with their technology is amazing. Listening to their stories and understanding where they're coming from with their technology that they have, it's amazing, probably even better than mine. But I'm getting there. Don't worry. It's going to come.
TOM DIAGOSTINO: Good.
SOLOMON BENSON: I don't see it here.
TOM DIAGOSTINO: Awesome.
SOLOMON BENSON: Don't worry. You might beat me to the punch, but I'm getting used to all the technology now.
TOM DIAGOSTINO: Awesome. Yeah, so continue supporting and just having those people in resources, whether family or otherwise, just help out. I love that. I will do my job. Emma, how about you? How can we continue to improve supporting assistive tech?
SOLOMON BENSON: I think a huge part of it is unlearning the shame and normalizing assistive technology. My favorite example of that is all the infomercials for assistive tech that have been rebranded as a handy device. So that universal design, curb cuts, are great for people with strollers, but they are great for people with wheelchairs.
The more we embed these things in their society, honestly, the cheaper they will get, more towards the low-tech side of things, but yeah, just embracing that there's no right way to use assistive technology. You don't have to be a certain amount of disabled. If it's something that can help you, you should use it.
TOM DIAGOSTINO: I love that. And you're right. Tools are tools. They'll help us no matter what. And yeah, I believe a huge motivation of TechOWL is to lessen the stigma of assistive technology through social media and otherwise. So I love that. And Alexa, final word.
ALEXA BRILL: The funding and making sure people know that they're there, and that it could be easy to make it easier to get, because society gives us this false idea that it's our bodies that need to change, when it's actually the environment, the world technology developed for the world.
I'm understanding that it's not the disability that needs to change. Its the environment, so people with disabilities have the same right as other groups [INAUDIBLE] to access things.
TOM DIAGOSTINO: Absolutely. We're getting some reactions to your last statement. I could not agree more. We need to make things clearer. We need to make funding sources clearer. We need to understand, why is funding and getting things paid for so difficult? And more so, we all just need to collectively come together and understand this. I love everything that you said. And Liam's typing a statement.
ALEXA BRILL: Yeah. Yeah. Uh-huh.
LIAM HOLLAND: It's a human right.
TOM DIAGOSTINO: Absolutely. Technology is a human, right. Awesome. So we are five minutes till, so I'm going to take back control of the slides-- and finish up the presentation. Whoopsies. All right.
And thank you, everyone. Thank you, Sam. Thank you, Emma. Thank you, Alexa. This is the second time we did this today. And I continue to learn through you guys. So I really appreciate all of-- everything that you shared.
SOLOMON BENSON: You're very welcome.
TOM DIAGOSTINO: Exceptional.
SOLOMON BENSON: Thank you.
TOM DIAGOSTINO: So--
SOLOMON BENSON: Everybody on here.
TOM DIAGOSTINO: Absolutely. So to end things off, I just want to say, TechOWL is a resource for you. We are here. The Institute on Disabilities is here. You can contact us via phone, by email, on TechOWL's website. You can also live chat us during our office hours. We have a community space at 1392 Cecil B. Moore Avenue, which is right off the Broad Street line, Cecil B. Moore stop.
Please, as we mentioned, TechOWL loves sharing about assistive technology on social media. We really try to reduce the stigma of assistive technology through putting it online and showing people how amazing devices can be and how much independence it can bring us.
So please follow along. Join our 600,000-plus followers on our social media. So you can follow us at TechOWLpa, on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, or LinkedIn. Those are the four icons that I have on the screen. Or you can follow the Institute on Disabilities at-- [? IOD@temple.edu ?] is their handle on Facebook and Instagram.
So right now, I would love for people to please take the survey. If you could take out your phone and scan the QR code to take the survey, we really take your recommendations and feedback seriously for this presentation and for all the presentations we do. I also put-- oh, whoopsies. I also put the link in the chat. So you can also click the link in the chat, as well.
Thank you so much. If anyone has any questions, I'm happy to take any questions right now and monitor the chat. But please take two minutes to complete that survey for us.
Awesome. Well, I appreciate everyone on this call. I want to say a special thank you to our ASL interpreters, Jesse and Sarah, for being here for the second time today. Thank you so much. I want to thank our captioner, as well, for providing live captions and accurate captions for us. I want to thank our panelists again, Emma, Sam, and Alexa for sharing your knowledge.
I want to thank our TechOWL intern, Liam. Thank you so much for co-facilitating. You're wonderful. I really appreciate your help here. It's so much easier to do this with another person. And I want to thank everyone for your engagement, your kindness, and for opening your hearts and your minds today to learn with us. So on that note, have a wonderful afternoon. It's 5 o'clock. Enjoy your evenings.
