MassMATCH Quarterly News: Spring 2015
In This Edition:
- MassMATCH Sponsors 3rd Annual EdCamp Access Boston
- The ABLE Act and other good (AT funding) news!
- Assistive Technology for Thespians
- Take the MassMATCH.org Usability Survey!
- REquipment Highlights
- Get AT Stuff Highlights
- Upcoming Events (opens the MassMATCH Events page)
MassMATCH Sponsors 3rd Annual EdCamp Access Boston!
This year MassMATCH was pleased to gold sponsor the 3rd Annual EdCamp Access Boston held March 21st at Marshall Simonds Middle School in Burlington. The "unconference" event draws special and general educators, therapists, students, parents and others who are passionate to support struggling learners in K-12 education and, often, with technology. EdCamps are different from most education or tech conferences because they are free, participant driven and non commercial. While there are end-of-the-day give aways (app downloads, books), there are no vendor tables or tech demonstrations. Indeed, this year EdCamp Access provided MassMATCH the unique opportunity, as a federally-funded AT Act program (and not a vendor with wares), to capture attendee interest at the lone outreach table opposite registration!
EdCamp is also different for having no set agenda or keynote. Instead, the day begins with a panel of students speaking about technologies that have made a difference to their learning. Attendees then break into sessions on a range of topics facilitated by participants who come ready to lead. New this year was the opportunity to propose session ideas online before the day's event using a Padlet--an online collaboration tool that digitally mimics a wall of paper notes. These helped registrants see, before hand, some of the sessions that would be proposed on the Marshall Simonds Middle School wall come Saturday morning.
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Yishai Barth explains his unique assistive technology journey during the opening panel discussion |
EdCamp Access schedule wall |
EdCamp Access organizer Patric Barbieri was surprised how eager people were to make use of the Padlet before the event and impressed with the depth of the offerings overall, "I always learn when I am there and it was nice to see a lot of discussion about curriculum and not just technology-based" he reflected afterwards. "I think it is coming to the point where people are not just using technology for the sake of technology. They are using it for the right reasons and they understand it much better." Indeed the wall included everything from "Twitter 101" to "Project-based learning in the self-contained classroom" and "From cardboard to 3D printing: connections to AT and Universal Design for Learning."
Sessions were offered not only by educators and technology specialists, but also parents and students. Many were repeat EdCamp Access attendees, clearly excited to return to this growing EdCamp community. "There is definitely more energy and excitement as the event continues to grow," noted EdCamp organizer (and MassMATCH AT Advisory Council Chair) Karen Janowski. Even still, half of this year's 100 attendees were EdCamp first-timers. "Which is great!" Barbieri observed, "And those I spoke to say they enjoyed it, that it was different. It was also great to have so many take advantage of the EdCamp 'rule of two feet,' by getting up to check out multiple sessions. It's the way it's supposed to work."
MassMATCH's sponsorship helped provide food for the day for attendees. "We will definitely be back," reported Program Coordinator Kobena Bonney. "We added close to 50 names to our AT Tips for Education mailing list and interested several schools in learning more about how to manage their AT inventory through the AT School Share. EdCamp Access is a valuable way to grow our network and ensure more educators in the Commonwealth know how to access AT."
Learn more about EdCamp Access Boston
The ABLE Act and Other Good (AT Funding!) News
Last year's Massachusetts Autism Omnibus Act moved forward two long-standing advocacy priorities important to funding AT--and critical for quality of life!
ABLE Accounts Established
Anticipating passage of the federal Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act, the Massachusetts Autism Omnibus Act makes possible tax-advantaged ABLE savings accounts for many individuals with disabilities. President Obama signed the federal ABLE Act into law December 19th, 2014, and now it is up to the states to pass enabling legislation. With the Autism Omnibus Act, however, Massachusetts was ahead of the curve--it passed months before the federal bill became law.
ABLE accounts are exciting because they can provide a ladder out of poverty. They allow individuals with qualified disabilities the capacity to save well above the $2,000 public benefits asset limit, without losing eligibility for SSI or Medicaid. Multiple individuals may contribute to a single account up to the annual federal tax-exempt gift limit (currently $14,000). As with "529 plan" education accounts, Massachusetts ABLE account growth and disbursements will be tax free up to $350,000 (although federal law suspends SSI payments after $100,000 has accrued). One ABLE account may be opened per individual, but they may be used in addition to Special Needs or Pooled Income Trusts (and they allow for significantly more consumer control compared with trusts).
Disbursements can pay for a broad range of expenses including those related to education, employment, transportation, health and wellness, primary residence (including modifications), personal support and assistive technology! Hearing aids, accessible vehicles, equipment for college are all allowable.
To qualify, individuals must have experienced the onset of their disability before age 26 and meet a disability standard similar to the SSI threshold. However, savers do not have to be receiving those benefits to open an ABLE account (parents may start one before applying for benefits for a child, adults may open one in anticipation of receiving SSI or leaving work, etc.)
ABLE Accounts won't be available until the last quarter of 2015. Massachusetts must align current law with the federal ABLE Act and all states seeking to implement are awaiting the release of federal ABLE Act regulations.
For more information about the federal ABLE Act and for advice on getting started now, visit this National Disability Institute webpage.
Augmentative and Alternative Communications (AAC) Devices now funded by MassHealth and CommonHealth!
In addition to authorizing ABLE accounts in Massachusetts, the Autism Omnibus Act also made important progress for the funding of AAC devices. The Act requires MassHealth to cover medically necessary treatments for children with autism spectrum disorders who are under 21 years of age, including coverage for AAC devices.
These devices and services have been covered by private insurance in Massachusetts since 2011 (under ARICA--the Act Relative to Insurance Coverage for Autism). The Autism Omnibus Act brings coverage equity to MassHealth beneficiaries. The language of the Act specifies coverage for "dedicated and non-dedicated augmentative and alternative communication devices, including, but not limited to medically necessary tablets." The law, therefore, allows coverage not only for devices specifically designed for AAC (or "locked" for that purpose), but also for devices with wider functionality so long as they are determined a medical necessity. Good news for equitable coverage of iPads and other mobile computing hardware!
Assistive Technology for Thespians
It may not have been your typical device loan, but it’s the sort of opportunity the AT Regional Centers in Boston and Pittsfield love when it comes along. This winter, the MassMATCH Short-Term Device Loan program helped Boston resident Masha Sten-Clanton take part in a staged reading of The Wheel produced by Theatre@First.
Theatre@First is an all-volunteer community company that produces plays and staged readings at Unity Church in Somerville. For Sten-Clanton, who is blind, it was her fourth Theatre@First performance and she loved it. “I enjoy working with other community members who also love theater,” she reflects. Sten-Clanton has been acting in community theater and operas since 2005. She participates, she says, whenever she is cast. “I would have started earlier, but in high school and college not all directors knew how to integrate someone who is blind into their productions.”
With staged readings, however, Sten-Clanton has found an easier inroad. “They don’t involve props and choreography; the actors are seated onstage and read directly from the script.” Theatre@First calls them their Bare Bones productions. “I enjoy them because there’s such a range. I never know what will be involved in any script.” The Wheel, by Zinnie Harris, begins in 19th Century Spain, but then travels across the history of modern warfare.
For rehearsals and the staged reading, Sten-Clanton borrowed a Humanware BrailleNote Apex notetaker from the Boston AT Regional Center’s device inventory. The Apex is a word processor that displays braille cells using tactile pins that rise and fall as they advance new lines of text. There are also buttons for writing and editing the file in braille, and search functions that allow moving quickly beyond large bodies of text. Working with the Apex and a digital file, Sten-Clanton emphasizes, is much easier than having to emboss the entire script for hard copy use. “It makes it easy to edit the script in response to cuts and changes by the director.”
Cathy Bly is Coordinator of the Boston AT Regional Center (operated by Easter Seals), and made sure she caught Sten-Clanton’s Theater@First performance. “Masha was incredible,” she reports. “She is so skilled, and she had several different roles. She would alternate with all these different voices. It was wonderful to experience and we’re so glad to have played a part in making it happen!”
Do you have a creative need for AT? Learn more about the MassMATCH Short-Term Device Loan program and browse the inventory. The program provides a range of assistive technology devices for borrowing up to 4 week at a time (free of charge!)
Learn more about the Apex Braille Notetaker
Visit Theatre@First online
Take the MassMATCH.org Usability Survey!
MassMATCH is seeking feedback on the usability and usefulness of everything on this website - MassMATCH.org. Please share your ideas and experiences by completing this website usability survey. Thank you!
REquipment Highlights
REquipment is a great way to obtain FREE, gently-used, durable medical equipment (DME) for use by individuals and families in Greater Boston and Central Massachusetts. As of this writing, the REquipment inventory includes the following available items:
- 1 adapted stroller: the Convaid Cruiser CX13 (for a child)
- 2 bath benches, including the Manatee Bathing Chair and Frame (for a child)
- 5 mechanical/sling lifts, including the Invacare Manual Lift (9805P) (for an adult)
- 1 3-wheel rollator (Envoy 380) (for a small adult/teen)
- 1 electric scooter (Lynx LX-3) (for an adult)
- 1 PVC Rolling Shower Chair (for an adult)
- 5 manual wheelchairs, including an Invacare electric tilt back wheel chair (Solara3G) (for an adult)
- 1 power wheelchair (Invacare TDX SP) (for an adult)
GetATStuff Highlights
The Assistive Technology Exchange in New England is now the Assistive Technology Exchange in New England AND New York! GetATStuff is the "Craig's List" for AT. Currently there are hundreds of items posted as for sale or free.
As of this writing, GetATStuff highlights include:
- 6 Vision-related items, including a new pocket iBill with braille and cd, no box, for FREE in Westfield, MA.
- 2 Hearing-related item: a Superprint 4425 TTY for $350 OBO in North Providence, RI.
- 2 Speech Communication-related items, including a Tobii C12 with eye tracking, never used, $10,000 OBO in Corning, NY.
- 2 Learning, Cognitive, and Development items, including a Dynavox Eyemax for $300 in Wilbraham, MA.
- 68 Mobility, Seating, and Positioning related items, including a FREE Prone Lifter Mini Lift in Amherst, MA
- 60 Daily Living related items, including a Able Universal Stand Assist for $25 in Gardner, MA.
- 12 Environmental Adaptation related items, including a RICON s2000/5000 series Wheelchair lift for vans for $500 OBO in Northampton, MA
- 7 Transportation and Vehicle Modification related items, including a 2004 GMC Savana modified van for wheelchair for Best Offer in Canton, MA.
- 3 Computer-related items, including a Footime foot mouse with programmable peddle for $95 OBO in North Providence, RI.
- 1 Recreation item: FREE child-sized protective helmets in Winooski, VT.
Go to GetATStuff to search items by category or geography or to list what you need.
