VIPACE members learned a bit about Pennsylvania's Initiative on Assistive
Technology at our last meeting.  One of PIAT's activities is a short term
assistive technology loan program.  One may borrow an item for a month to
evaluate its usefulness.

This program has only a few items used by blind persons and most blind
persons have little knowledge of the program.

We now have the opportunity to provide input on how a large block of new
funds will be spent.

Should PIAT stock items like note takers, talking devices, money
identifiers, Arkenstone's talking map, speech synthesizers, etc?


You are encouraged to contact PIAT about this and if you cannot attend the
meeting next Tuesday, ask to complete their survey.

Please pass the announcement on to friends in harrisburg and Philly.

--- forwarded message ---

From: PIAT STAFF <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: stakeholder meetings on AT Lending Library



We are hosting stakeholder meetings in Pittsburgh on Tuesday, October 21,
1997 to obtain input regarding the design and implementation of a
statewide assistive technology lending library.  If you represent
consumers of assistive technology or if you are a provider of assistive
technology (especially if you operate an AT Lending Library), please let
me know if you wish to attend (and would be able to attend).  We will send
(fax; e-mail) you an invitation.  Also, if you know of others who we
should be sure to invite, please let me know ASAP.  For your information,
we are also holding meetings in Harrisburg (10/28) and Philadelphia
(10/29). Again, we are soliciting your help in identifying participants.
If folks are unable to attend but wish to provide input, we are developing
a questionnaire to help structure comments; or people can just share their
thoughts and advice in any way they wish.  Questionnaires will be
available in alternate formats, and may be completed by phone.  Thank you
so much in helping us create a statewide assistive technology lending
library for ALL Pennsylvanians with disabilities, regardless of age or
disability type.  Please feel free to e-mail or call me for more
information or to respond to this request. (215-204-3862;

800-204-7428;

800-750-7428 TTY).

Amy Goldman, Project Director

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*  Pennsylvania's Initiative on Assistive Technology  *
*  Temple University -- Institute on Disabilities/UAP *
*  423 Ritter Annex (004-00)                          *
*  Philadelphia, Pa 19122                             *
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