Other states may have a similar program and you should contact your
state's Tech Act program.  Those interested should contact PIAT at 800
204-7428 as the application deadline is January 8th.




PIAT Partners

Partners in Accessing
               Technology
Leadership and Advocacy
               Training in Assistive
               Technology for People
               With Disabilities and
               Family Members








    What is PIAT Partners?

    PIAT Partners: Partners in Accessing Technology teaches people to be
    community leaders.  PIAT Partners provides information, training,
resources,
    and skills to people with disabilities and family members of people
with
    disabilities.

    The program is open to a limited number of interested people with
disabilities
    and/or family members at no cost.

    What will PIAT Partners give you?

    PIAT Partners will give you
            1.  An opportunity to meet and talk with local and national
leaders in the
                              field of assistive technology.
             2.  An understanding of and tools to change public policy
related to
                    assistive technology.
                             3.  Connections with organizations,
opportunities, and possibilities.
                  4.  An education about current issues and up-to-date
practices in
               assistive technology.
                             5.  A productive partnership between people
who are not
                                   connected to the system and those
individuals who make public
                                        policy.


The Difference You Can Make

    PIAT Partners will teach you how to advocate for change so you may
help to
    create an improved, consumer-driven system of access to assistive
technology
    in Pennsylvania.

    The Details
            6.  4 two-day sessions in Western Pennsylvania.  Sessions will
begin at 1:00
                    PM on Fridays, and will end by 3:00 PM on Saturdays.
                             7.  A maximum number of 20 participants will
be selected to attend PIAT
                    Partners.
                             8.  A screening process will be used to
select participants, in order to ensure
                    a diverse group.
                                                       Practical
assignments will be
                              given to participants between
                         sessions.
                                     Participants will be reimbursed for
travel,
                              personal assistance services (PAS), respite
care,
                         and child care costs, if needed.
            9.  Lodging may be provided.
                             10.  Sessions are free, but participants must
agree to
                            attend all sessions.
    Why Should You Fill Out the Application for Participation?

    If you want to develop or improve your leadership skills; If you want
to develop and
    share a collective vision about assistive technology for the year 2000
and
    beyond; If you want to meet and discuss issues with leading experts in
the field
    of assistive technology; If you want the opportunity to develop
grassroots efforts
    to affect public policy about assistive technology; if you want the
chance to see
    and experience the newest technologies and services available; If you
want to
    understand the various social service systems and how to access needed
    support; if you want to be as effective as possible so that you can
influence
    government processes and policies...You Should Apply now!

    PIAT Partners will Train and Educate You In The Following:

            1.  The history of the disability movement.
                             2.  Best practices in assistive technology.
                             3.  Legislation, policy, and funding issues
in assistive technology.
                             4.      The importance of assistive technology in your home, at work,
at school,
                    or in the community.
                             5.                Assistive Technology and a vision for the future in
Pennsylvania.
                             6.                Critical Federal/State issues and the process by which
you can channel
                    your concerns
                             7.      Necessary skills for providing testimony or meeting with public
officials.
                             8.      Successful techniques for advocating for supports and
services.

    Applications are due on or before January 8, 1999

    Training dates are:
    February 26th & 27th 1999
    March 26th & 27th, 1999
    April 23rd and 24th, 1999
    May 21st and 22nd, 1999












    Please send or fax your completed application to:
    Kevin Huwe
    Center for Independent Living of Southwestern Pennsylvania
    (CILSWPA)
    7110 Penn Avenue
    Pittsburgh, PA 15208-2434
    Tel. (412) 371-7700 voice
    TTY. (412) 371-6230
    Fax. (412) 371-9430
    In PA 800-633-4588

    This Activity is funded through
    Pennsylvania's Initiative on Assistive Technology (PIAT) a Program of the Institute
on
    Disabilities, Pennsylvania's University Affiliated Program at Temple University.
    Pennsylvania's Initiative on Assistive Technology is funded through a grant from the
    National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research, U. S. Department of
    Education, under P. L. 103-218, the Technology Related Assistance for Individuals
with
    Disabilities Act, as Amended.  H224A200006-98.

    Pennsylvania's Initiative on Assistive Technology
    Institute on Disabilities/UAP
    Temple University
    Ritter Annex Room 423
    Philadelphia, PA 19122



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