Assistive Technology
I will be hosting three events in July for individuals who are blind or have low vision. As I’ve posted in the past, I run RCIL’s program, iKan-RCIL, which is for anyone 55 years and older who has a vision loss that affects their daily living. I will be hosting two independent living classes in…
Read ArticleI will be hosting a two-day event, for people who have vision loss, at the Riley County Senior Center on August 12th and 19th. The event will last from 1:00pm to 3:00pm both days. Come learn everything from self-care to using assistive technology to help with traveling and reading. Riley County Senior Center is located…
Read ArticleRCIL will be hosting a low vision fair at the Marion County Senior Center on July 28th starting at 12:30pm. RCIL’s Mandy Smith, Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist, along with Audio-Reader and Kansas Talking Books will be speaking about their free services and options for people with vison loss. Along with presentations,equipment will be presented…
Read ArticleKansas Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired (KABVI) will be hosting with the assistance of American Counsel of the Blind (ACB) an online convention Friday, November 20th and Saturday, November 21st. This is the ACB’s annual meeting but it is also a celebration of KABVI’s 100 year anniversary. Friday’s agenda is scheduled 10:00am-5:00pm and…
Read ArticleI get questions many times about available apps for people who have vision loss. I thought I’d write a brief description of 5 apps that have great features for people who are blind or visually impaired. LookTel Money Reader – This app uses the camera on the back of the phone/tablet and then says out…
Read ArticleRCIL’s Mandy Smith will be hosting the following events: Low vision fair April 7th at the Parsons Public Library from 1:00-3:00pm Low vision independent living classes April 23rd and 30th at the Riley County Senior Center in Manhattan from 1:00pm-3:00pm Low vision fair May 13th at the Marion Senior Center from 12:15pm-2:15pm Please look for more…
Read ArticleAssistive Technology Programs Relocated RCIL served as the Northeast Kansas access site for the Assistive Technology for Kansans (ATK), the Kansas Equipment Exchange (KEE), and more recently the Telecommunications Access Program (TAP) for the past nine years. These programs are still available, but the staff, equipment, and services have moved to a different agency within…
Read ArticleAre you, or is someone you know an individual living with a disability who is passionate about working with young people? If so, please apply! DC Design is currently recruiting Project Partners for the 2019 Design the Future program at University of Kansas (Lawrence, KS): July 29-August 3, and August 5-10! A program overview can…
Read ArticleFebruary is Low Vision Awareness month so I’d like to share some knowledge on this topic. 1.) Low vision is a vision loss that makes it difficult to accomplish visual tasks even with the best possible correction, but with the potential for use of available vision, with or without optical or non-optical compensatory visual strategies,…
Read ArticleRCIL will be hosting two low vision fairs in March. The fairs will be on March 6th in Baxter Springs and March 7th in Garnett. Both fairs will be located at the town’s library and will be from 1:00-3:00pm. During that time Mandy Smith, Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist, will present on iKan-RCIL’s program and…
Read ArticleRCIL will host two independent living classes for people with vision loss in Pittsburg next month. The first class with be November 1st and will cover self-care, transportation, cooking and shopping. November 8th is the second class and reading, writing and over all assistive technology will be covered. Both classes will run 1:00pm-3:00pm and will…
Read ArticleResource Center for Independent Living, Inc. is hiring! Transitional Living Specialists – Seeking to hire TLS to work one-on-one with individuals who has experienced a Traumatic Brain Injury to teach independent living skills in the following communities: Colony, Fort Scott, LaCygne, Eureka, Topeka, and Lawrence. These are all part-time positions. Payroll Clerk – As one…
Read ArticleKansas Equipment Exchange (KEE) in cooperation with Kansas Medicaid and other agencies accept wheelchairs, hospital beds and other durable medical equipment (DME) that are no longer being used. KEE refurbishes and makes these items available for other Kansans at NO CHARGE. KEE assists Kansans in obtaining affordable durable medical equipment. RCIL is one of the five KEE access sites and covers 13…
Read ArticleTechnology, you have to love it! Below is a link to a YouTube video from Microsoft about their new Seeing AI (artificial intelligence) app and glasses. I am truly amazed at the information this is able to give those without sight. The doors it could open are unlimited! Seeing AI Video
Read ArticleIf you are looking for something to do this month here is a list of events around our service area: September 15th – Manhattan Senior Center from 1:00pm-3:00pm Low Vision Information and Device demonstration – NanoPac, Assistive Technology for Kansans and RCIL will present on low vision devices and helpful information September 16th – Topeka/Shawnee…
Read ArticleI am starting a series of blogs that will feature low tech assistive technology devices/tools. Each blog will have a picture of the device, how it works, and how it could be beneficial to individuals with disabilities. RCIL does NOT sell items nor earn any profit off of any item. These blogs are simply informational to allow individuals to…
Read ArticleThe Resource Center for Independent Living Inc. is seeking donations of new or gently used durable medical equipment to be refurbished and given to Kansans with disabilities or health conditions through Kansas Equipment Exchange, a statewide program operated by Assistive Technology for Kansans. Types of equipment being sought include manual and powered wheelchairs, communication devices,…
Read ArticleMandy Smith, Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist, will be presenting at the Chase County Health Department on May 1st. The presentation will begin at 1:00pm and last approximately an hour. Mandy will be explaining what the iKan-RCIL program does and the services it provides along with showing pieces of assistive technology. Anyone who has a vision…
Read ArticleiKan-RCIL will be hosting a low vision fair in Fort Scott on April 2nd. The fair will consist of Dr. Mitchell and Dr. Foulk speaking about eye health, diseases and conditions along with Audio Reader, Talking Books, Assistive Technology for Kansans (ATK), and iKan-RCIL speaking about their program and services. Assistive technology equipment will be available for hands-on demonstrations.…
Read ArticleLow vision support group – a group of people who have some type of vision loss that gather and talk about strategies, stories, equipment, etc. A support group can be very beneficial especially if a person has a new vision loss or is having a hard time handling their new way of life. iKan-RCIL will…
Read ArticlePlease keep September 12-14 open to join the Assistive Technology (AT) Expo at the Topeka Expo Center. More than 20 AT sessions will be given ranging from independent living, community, employment, education and recreation. There will also be around 200 booths set up in the Expo hall. The AT Expo is free to the public! The AT…
Read ArticleAssistive Technology for Kansans, RCIL and Freedom Scientific are hosting Vision Awareness Days where individuals can learn more about living with vision loss. The event will be held on February 6th from 10:00am-4:00pm at the Topeka Public Library Aud. 101 B. This event will include free learning sessions, free lunch and hands-on demonstrations. The learning…
Read ArticleI am so pleased to be here at the Kansas Infinitec Coalition Outstanding Student Technology Awards luncheon. This award luncheon is to honor students who are using assistive technology to better their learning experiences. This luncheon is a “Celebration to the power of technology that these students are using” Paul Dulle, President and CEO UCPGC/Infinite…
Read ArticleDoes opportunity happen or do we go looking for it? According to Hubert B. Von Holton we must have our eyes and ears open to because opportunity happens but most aren’t looking for it. “The older I get the more I believe that opportunities pass everyone equal. When you are young you only think they…
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