Rhode
Island Council on Assistive Technology (RICAT)
"Promoting
and supporting availability of assistive technology for people with
disabilities"
Application
| Directions | Meeting
Dates | Members |
Minutes |
Resource Links | ATAP Vision & Mission
The
Rhode Island Council on Assistive Technology (RICAT) is a group
of citizens that give advice to the Rhode Island Assistive Technology
Access Partnership (ATAP). Assistive Technology (AT) is any item,
piece of equipment or system that is used to make things easier
to do for people with disabilities. The Partnership is a group of
agencies that work together to help people get information about
AT. This information might be: what kinds of AT there are, where
to get it, how to use it and how to pay for it.
Federal money is given to each state and the District of Columbia
to run the Partner agencies. The Councils on Assistive Technology
work to make sure that the services of the partner agencies truly
helps the people in their own state. The Councils are also actively
involved in making laws that keep Assistive Technology available
and affordable.
Assistive technology is any tool, equipment or service designed
to help you develop, maintain, or improve your ability to function
in all aspects of your life. Assistive technology helps people of
all ages who may have a broad range of disabilities or limitations.
For
someone who does not have full use of his hands, assistive technology
may mean a no-worry dinner thanks to a special fork grip or plate
guard. To a child or adult who cannot use her own voice, assistive
technology may mean a communication device to chat with a friend.
To a person who is visually impaired, assistive technology may mean
a specially adapted computer to use at school or work. With assistive
technology, people can find freedom, independence, and fully participate
in their home, community, and workplace.
Please
use the resources on this website to find out more about assistive
technology and RICAT's role in helping Rhode Islanders.
2008
Member Recruitment - Are you interested in becoming a
member?
2008
Meeting Dates
In
accordance with the Open Meetings Law, the following is the list
of dates for the meetings of the RI Council on Assistive Technology.
Meetings, which will be held at the Office of Rehabilitation Services,
40 Fountain Street, 5th Floor Large Conference Room, Providence,
RI 02903, run from 2:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. unless otherwise noted.
February
21, 2008 @ TechACCESS of RI, 110 Jefferson Boulevard, Warwick, RI
April 3, 2008 @ TechACCESS
of RI, 110 Jefferson Boulevard, Warwick, RI
June 12, 2008 @ TechACCESS
of RI, 110 Jefferson Boulevard, Warwick, RI
August 14, 2008 @ TechACCESS
of RI, 110 Jefferson Boulevard, Warwick, RI
October 9, 2008
December 11, 2008
Click
here for directions to ORS. Contact 401.421.7005 ext. 318 if
you will be attending and need materials in an alternate accessible
format.
For
further information, contact Kathleen Grygiel at 401.421.7005 ext.
373, or if you are interested in becoming a member of RICAT, please
click here to fill out our application form.
Members
Charles
Pollock, Chair
Florence Adeni-Awosika
John Benevides,
Vice Chair
Jill Blaney
Gary Brandyberry
Kerri Cicione
Carol Folan-Dusablon
Kathleen Fresher-Samways
Susan Gnirke
Margaret Hoye
Thomas Karweh
James Litvack
Phyllis Lynch
Joseph Murphy
Teresa O'Brien
Jeanne Panarace
Robert Perrello
Colleen
Polselli
William Robinson
Ying Sun
Kim Wennermark
Kathleen
Grygiel,
Program Director
Stephen
Brunero,
ORS Acting Administrator