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THE ISSUE AT
HAND:
State and/or federal legislation should be implemented which require health facilities to send in a social worker (or other qualified professional) to visit competent seriously injured/disabled, hospitalized in-patients or nursing home residents, with the intent of clarifying that:
1. assistive technology input/output devices replace standard keyboards, monitors, or mice so that people with quadriplegia, blindness, or other serious conditions can effectively operate a computer
2. aid in obtaining and setting up of these computers and devices will be provided; thus cutting through the red tape
3. a bed top is sufficient space for an adaptive assembly
4. an adapted computer with access to the Internet (which could include attending online university courses and/or becoming employable) can improve life considerably
5. organizations exist to help provide computers; adaptive devices; and training.
Back Click here for more information about adaptive
computer devices
Keep
scrolling, and find why this is important to you!
Reasons
why YOU should participate
My experiences:
When the computer I’d owned for years suddenly
broke down, the Social Services department at the nursing home where
I now reside refused to help me contact several organizations that
help the disabled obtain new or refurbished computers – citing
they were too busy. They also denied me access to an outside social
worker. Because I had no family or friends in this part of the
country, to obtain a new computer I was forced to save my
"personal needs allowance" ($52 a month) for two years. (For
further clarification of my plight, see "my cold slap in the
face")
The facts:
Fifty-four million Americans – roughly 1 in 6
– personally experience some form of disability.* Many of these
individuals will enter a heath facility with a serious, debilitating
condition for at least a short period of time in their lives. Help
make sure you, your family, friends, and descendants have the
opportunity to gain employment and/or attend online university
courses through the use of an adapted computer, instead of having to
survive on Social Security and taxpayer dollars. It takes a
few minutes of your time and costs nothing .
Writing
letters to your congresspersons can be completed online in just a few
minutes. Logon to the following congressional website www.congress.org/;
type-in your zip code; locate your local congresspersons (two senators and
a representative); click on their photo; choose the "contact"
tab; then choose "email" or "web form"; next, type in
"Computers for the disabled" as the subject; copy/paste your
letter in the space provided and supply your personal information;
finally, click "send message." Repeat this process for
each congressperson. If you
have problems with this site, follow the instructions on one of these
alternate sites www.visi.com/juan/congress/
http://www.congressmerge.com/onlinedb/index.htm
(It takes a few minutes of your time
and costs nothing)
Back
If using the online web form, please do not put your
address or any
other personal information in the body of the message -- all text
entered in the body of the message will appear on public sites.
Copy/paste
the below form-letter to a
text editor
(such as MS Notepad) Fill-in the blanks,
then copy/paste completed letter to your congressperson's form
"body" area --
how
to find your congresspersons
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The Honorable (full name)
Dear Senator: (or Dear Representative:)
(place Washington DC address here)
Washington, DC (zip code)
Dear Senator: (or Dear Representative:)
My name is (your name) (introduce yourself and the issue; tell how this could affect you).
(When the computer I'd owned for years suddenly broke down, the Social Services department at the nursing home where I now reside refused to help me contact several organizations that help the disabled obtain new or refurbished computers - citing they were too busy. They also denied me access to an outside social worker. Because I had no family or friends in this part of the country, to obtain a new computer I was forced to save my "personal needs allowance" ($52 a month) for two years.)
Health facilities' complacency toward "Computers for the disabled" must stop. Intelligent disabled individuals lie around watching TV instead of developing their minds for the future. Many have no possibility of gaining employment or starting their own business by attending online university courses. Instead, many are left to survive on Social Security and taxpayer dollars.
Please draft state and/or federal legislation which require health facilities to send in a social worker (or other qualified professional) to visit competent seriously injured/disabled, hospitalized in-patients or nursing home residents, with the intent of clarifying that:
1. assistive technology input/output devices replace standard keyboards, monitors, or mice so that people with quadriplegia, blindness, or other serious conditions can effectively operate a computer
2. aid in obtaining and setting up of these computers and devices will be provided; thus, cutting through the red tape
3. a bed top is sufficient space for an adaptive assembly
4. an adapted computer with access to the Internet (which could include attending online university courses and/or becoming employable) can improve life considerably
5. organizations exist to help provide computers; adaptive devices; and training.
Thank you for taking the time to read my letter. Please reply.
Sincerely, (your name)
www.equalitytechnology.org - Computers for those with disabilities
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Sample
letter to congress:
The Honorable (full name)
(place Washington DC address here)
Washington, DC (zip code)
Dear Senator: or Dear Representative:
My name is Robert H. Clay. Now at age 53, I've lived my life with a genetic, progressive disorder known as "Friedreich's Ataxia" (which deteriorates my balance and physical coordination). I've benefited tremendously from the healing properties of an adapted computer since 1993. I'm the Webmaster and founder of the website www.equalitytechnology.org which promotes uniting the disabled with computers using assistive technology devices. As a result of my personal experiences, I want to help other disabled individuals live fuller, more productive lives.
When the computer I'd owned for years suddenly broke down, the Social Services department at the nursing home where I now reside refused to help me contact several organizations that help the disabled obtain new or refurbished computers - citing they were too busy. They also denied me access to an outside social worker. Because I had no family or friends in this part of the country, to obtain a new computer I was forced to save my "personal needs allowance" ($52 a month) for two years.
Health facilities' complacency toward "Computers for the disabled" must stop. Intelligent disabled individuals lie around watching TV instead of developing their minds for the future. Many have no possibility of gaining employment or starting their own business by attending online university courses. Instead, many are left to survive on Social Security and taxpayer dollars.
Please draft state and/or federal legislation which require health facilities to send in a social worker (or other qualified professional) to visit competent seriously injured/disabled, hospitalized in-patients or nursing home residents, with the intent of clarifying that:
1. assistive technology input/output devices replace standard keyboards, monitors, or mice so that people with quadriplegia, blindness, or other serious conditions can effectively operate a computer
2. aid in obtaining and setting up of these computers and devices will be provided; thus, cutting through the red tape
3. a bed top is sufficient space for an adaptive assembly
4. an adapted computer with access to the Internet (which could include attending online university courses and/or becoming employable) can improve life considerably
5. organizations exist to help provide computers; adaptive devices; and training.
Thank you for taking the time to read my letter.
Robert Harvey Clay
Valpo Care & Rehab Center 230-1
606 Wall Street Valparaiso, IN 46383
email: rhc16@verizon.net
Equality Technology is an informational site whose mission is to promote uniting the disabled with adapted computers through the use of assistive technology devices. Disability information consists of articles, short stories, and link exchange; links to assistive technology computer furniture, software, and input/output devices; device reviews; computer therapy; nursing home realities; message board; news; links; and resources.
www.equalitytechnology.org
* BARACK OBAMA AND JOE BIDEN'S PLAN TO EMPOWER AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES -
www.barackobama.com/pdf/DisabilityPlanFactSheet.pdf
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