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"Wings" Newsletter

Community Access Center Invites Community Members to the Open House of the New TEC Center

Community Access Center is celebrating the opening of its new facility that will allow individuals with disabilities to learn how to use computers with assistive technology, popular hardware and software, and navigate the Internet. The Technical Evaluation Computer (TEC) Center will not only be a unique resource for the Inland Empire, but also to the assistive technology industry, with internationally developed equipment housed in one location. Consumers will be able to sign up to work with the instructor to develop plans for their individual needs. The Center will also be utilized for assessments requested by state, county and federal agencies.

Assistive technologies available at the TEC Center include adjustable desks, specially designed computer monitors, cursors and pointers, and clocks and microwaves that talk. The Center has six adaptable workstations equipped with such devices as large-print keyboards with interchangeable interfaces, Boost Technologies Gyro Mice with headsets, Headmaster Ergonomics Tracking systems, and special software with scan and read abilities.

Notes from the Executive Director

Thanks for all the calls and letters about the Fall newsletter. It seems the community appreciated all the personal stories our consumers shared. CAC will be providing a similar issue each year, so feel free to submit your stories.

I hope to see you all at the Grand Opening of the TEC Center.It is a wonderful community investment. Many thanks to the hard work of the Assistive Technology Advisory Committee. Their vision of computer access for individuals with disabilities has become a reality.

I hope those of you with a computer and on-line-services have accessed the new CAC web site. You can brows through it by going to www.communityaccesscenter.org. It is a beginning and it really is fun reading.

Thanks for your continuous support, Lucille Walls

Community Access Center is an Independent Living Center advocating that people with disabilities live independently and become productive, fully participating members of society. The staff, most of whom have disabilities, are strongly committed to supporting others in their efforts towards self sufficiency.

Community Access Center has expanded its resources to the Internet community with the launch of its new web site. We have designed our site to be accessible in English and soon there will be a Spanish translation. We hope our services will reach even farther in the disabled community.

Please come and join us on our new web site at www.communityaccesscenter.org. Our web site will tell you what the Community Access Center is about and what resources are available. Also our links show how to secure the resources and knowledge needed to improve your quality of life.

We welcome your comments and ideas. Please send them to generalinformation@communityaccesscenter.org. in care of webmaster. We want to thank all of those who gave us permission to Link to their resources making our site invaluable.

Assistive Technology (AT) and Universal Design

AT is any equipment that helps a person overcome the effects of a disability. Wheelchairs, TDDs/TTYs, and Braillewriters are examples of AT. Special computer software, modifications and any high-or-low tech device used to accommodate a disability is Assistive Technology. AT also includes: services directly necessary for using a device including assessment, acquisition, customization, and coordination of services and training. The Assistive Technology Act (ATA) of 1998 is public law passed by congress. ATA gives grants to States to improve access to assistive technology devices and services for individuals with disabilities. This law does not provide funds to buy technology for persons with disabilities. However, it requires States to improve existing programs that are expected to provide technology and services for people with disabilities.

In California, the responsible lead agency is the California State Department of Rehabilitation. The program is called the California Assistive Technology System (CATS)/ AT network. There are various types of Assititve Technology avaliable for all types of disabilities. “Universal design focuses on designing living spaces for everyone, young or old, short or tall and the disabled.” This design standard makes life easier for everyone in the home. Level clear floor area both inside and outside of the door to provide maneuvering space, 36” wide doors with a maximum of 1/4" vertical change in level at thresholds and other areas. Lever handles on doors.

Wheelchair ramps are constructed for wheelchairs, but they are also ideal for strollers and can add resale value to your home. The Americans with Disabilities Act sets strict standards for ramps. For example, for every inch of rise, you’ll need a foot of run. The slope must not be more than 1 inch of rise for every 12 inches of run. You’ll need to build a ramp at least 20 feet long to reach a deck 20 inches in height.

New CAC Office in Perris

Community Access Center is pleased to announce the agency now has an office in the City of Perris. We are located in the Perris Valley Family Resource Center at 371 Wilkerson Avenue, Suite L. The Independent Living Coordinator is Damaris Perez. She will be available Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Please come in or call (909) 443-1158.

CRIME, OUTREACH AND PROSECUTION STRATEGIES

Crime, Outreach, and Prosecution Strategies (COPS) is a new program offered by CAC which is intended to educate people with all kinds of disabilities about their rights in the reporting and prosecution process of crimes committed against them. It is also the goal of COPS to improve the dialogue between persons with disabilities and law enforcement officials in Riverside through the Peer Assistance Program.

This program provides educational seminars through the joint efforts of Community Access Center and Coalition for Common Ground. Individuals with disabilities trained as Peer Counselors will assist both victims and police officers in protecting the rights of persons with disabilities. Counselors will be on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. By July of 2002 a manual will be generated to instruct other cities in implementing their own Peer Partnership Program.

Wayne Aiken has been selected to be the Crime Victims with Disabilities Specialist. The CVDS will provide observational and interview data that will be gathered for analysis, and will coordinate program provisions with the Special Programs Manager, Damaris Perez.

Dear Mr. Lerner,
Thank you for permitting Congressman Ken Calvert to participate in your upcoming newsletter for the Riverside County Community Access Center.  The Congressman’s thoughts are below.  If you have any questions or require any additional assistance, please do not hesitate to call me.

“Education has and always will be the key to empowerment and independence.  For people with disabilities this is all the more true.  That is why the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), a program mandating that children with special education needs have access to the same public school education that every other young American enjoys, must be fully funded.  Additionally, I am excited about President Bush’s Reading First and Early Reading First Initiatives, which reform IDEA to ensure that the program best serves those it is intended to help.  IDEA opens up the doors of education equally for all.”