VT KTU Feb. 25th exhibit - Hosted by the Virginia Tech Assistive Technologies department

The Virginia Tech Assistive Technologies (VT-AT) department is proud to be demonstrating the benefits of assistive technologies (AT) for enhancing, maintaining, or increasing a person's abilities by using computers for learning, teaching, working, recreation, and maintaining independence. With a focus on tools for people with disabilities, the participants will experience:

*Computers and special-purpose video magnifiers for visual magnification, color filtering, and contrast enhancements for people with visual difficulties,

*Assistive reading and literacy tools that use text-to-speech capabilities for people with learning, visual, or print disabilities,

*Voice recognition, touch screen, tablet pc, and/or adaptive input devices to assist people with difficulties in writing due to physical or learning disabilities, and

*Note taking aides and organizational tools for anyone in the classroom.

Besides looking at specialized AT applications, the AT department will be demonstrating existing accessibility options already built-in to computer operating systems and available to everyone.

Virginia Assistive Technologies System, Southwest Region (SWVATS) Southwest VATS is one of three regional sites of the Virginia Assistive Technology System, a statewide project committed to improving the quality of life for all Virginians by increasing awareness and accessibility of assistive technology (AT). Established in 1990, VATS is administered by the Virginia Department of Rehabilitative Services (DRS). Our Southwest Region encompasses 14,000 square miles in 29 counties and 13 independent cities.

We will help staff the Assistive Technologies display and showcase some of our devices and software with a similar focus as our campus AT partners. Aside from the explanation of what SWVATS is, I'm specifically going to demonstrate "serious note taking and fun diversions" available on the Livescribe Echo smartpen.

Justin Graves, Virginia Tech Graduate Student

Undergraduate student Justin Graves, recipient of the 2011 Undergraduate Diversity Research Grant, will also display information that he has gathered using Apple's iPad2, and how kids can use this device not only for fun & leisure, but for academics & productivity as well. About a dozen apps will be demonstrated to anyone interested, with a focus on assistive technologies offered similar to those of SWVATS.