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Adirondack AccessAbility Inc.What we do... |
Home > What we do
All consulting work is based on a collaborative consultation model, directed by the consumer. In any environment the technology is only one component, and the technology consultant is one piece in the problem solving puzzle. A consulting team is developed which may include family members, significant others, educators, employers, vocational rehabilitation counselors, medical and other professionals. This team provides information and hands-on experience to consumers to support their making informed decisions about their goals, tools, and environments. The consultation is provided in the recreational, home, educational, or vocational environment(s) in which the technology is intended to be used.
Individual consultation opportunities are still far too rare, and many consumers have not had the opportunity to become aware of options, much less have the opportunity to evaluate, acquire, or use them. Therefore priority is given to organizational consulting with various entities to develop local resources. Access to assistive technology resources should be available locally, in environments in which consumers may have access to technology and expertise in its implementation. The preferred model is a community based, consumer directed one. Activities include initial planning for a community based resource, assisting with self-evaluation and capacity-building efforts, developing and delivering curriculum materials for staff, and ongoing consulting on specific issues.
Given the need to change the societal environment in which we work to develop access and independence, efforts also include speaking, writing and presenting on the civil rights aspects of assistive technology as a tool for inclusion, successful transition, and full involvement in community and vocational life.
Training is a component of most of our work. Efforts focus on capacity building for individuals, family members and service providers — in homes and mainstream environments such as schools, community technology centers, libraries, health care facilities, businesses and agencies. Training is customized to the needs of the clients and their consumers and includes a full range from general awareness and sensitivity training to consumer and environment specific requests. We work with the client to implement a "train the trainer", hands-on model — the goal being to empower the client to be able to provide appropriate and effective assistive technology services.
