The past couple weeks on KOFO’s Community Perspective, we talked with Brian Jones, who is blind, about how technology can assist those with disabilities have better access to the world. Now, a one million dollar grant to the University of Kansas will look at technology and improving quality of life for Kansans with disabilities. The grant is for projects that support Kansans with Disabilities across not only technology use and access, but also employment and health care navigation. The goal is to assure technology means transforming the systems to ensure people with disabilities have access to the technologies they need and want to support meaningful participation, social inclusion, self-determination and quality of life.
Efforts across the U. S. have been scaling up, since the covid-19 pandemic forced the world to think differently about the ways in which services and supports were provided to people with disabilities and their families. An in-person, assistive technology fair will be held at the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Libraries, September 9th from 10:00 to 2:00, to allow individuals with disabilities, professionals, service providers and advocacy groups from across the state to explore and discover assistive technology.
