University of Delaware
Office of Public Relations
UpDate - Vol. 16, No. 20, Feb. 20, 1997

Workshop on tools for those with learning disabilities

  Equalizing Opportunity: Tools for People with Learning
Disabilities" is the topic of a half-day workshop scheduled 
from 8:30
a.m.-12:30 p.m., Saturday, March 1, at the Christiana Hilton, 
Newark.
  Christopher Lee, an eloquent proponent of assistive 
technology
applications, will be the featured speaker. He is the 
marketing and
training coordinator for Tools for Life, which matches 
individuals
with disabilities with helpful assistive technology.
  Lee has experienced firsthand the frustrating consequences 
of
living with learning disabilities. He describes the creative 
ways in
which technology was employed to circumvent or accommodate 
his
particular learning difficulties and underscores the valuable
contribution of assistive technology in his educational and 
career
successes.
  Examples of assistive technology particularly useful for 
people
with learning disabilities will be on display.
  Along with Rosemary Jackson, Lee is the author of Faking 
It: A Look
into the Mind of a Creative Learner, which includes many of 
his
personal experiences.
  The March 1 workshop is sponsored by the Delaware Assistive
Technologies Initiative (DATI) at UD and the Network for 
Educational
and Assistive Technology (NEAT) and the Science, Engineering 
and Math
(SEM) program of the Applied Science and Engineering Labs 
(ASEL).
  Technology has made considerable advances in helping 
individuals
with learning disabilities become productive and independent
participants in work, classroom and leisure settings. 
Technology
applications can range from common "low-tech" tools such as 
tape
recorders to sophisticated "high-tech" electronics such as 
voice
input/output equipment. The key is to determine how the 
disability
hinders the individual's performance within a setting and 
then
identify an appropriate accommodation.
  Seating for this workshop is limited and pre-registration 
is
necessary. Registration fee is $5. For more information, 
contact the
DATI central site at 651-6790 or at 1-800-870-DATI (in 
Delaware). The
TDD number is 651-6794.