Office of Public Relations — Newsroom
News Release
UCDHSC's Assistive Technology Partners Program Designated the Only Microsoft Accessibility Resource Center in the Region
DENVER (Aug. 7, 2006) - For a person that has lost the use of a hand or an arm, using a computer can prove to be an obstacle. It can be even more difficult when trying to utilize functions that require using more than one key at once. Now there is an option for people with a range of disabilities to learn about free, built-in components already present in Microsoft products that simply need to be activated for use.
Assistive Technology Partners (ATP) at the University of Colorado at Denver and Health Sciences Center has recently been designated one of 46 Microsoft Accessibility Resource Centers (MARC) in the nation and will now offer four such trainings per year at no cost to the public.
"This program and the training it offers helps individuals with disabilities in the region by teaching accessibility options such as "sticky" keys for typing with one hand, built-in magnifiers that can double the size of text and icons, and even a speech output for the blind," said Cathy Bodine, PhD, project director for ATP and professor of physical medicine and rehabilitation at the CU School of Medicine at UCDHSC.
Assistive Technology Partners' mission is for people with cognitive, sensory, and/or physical disabilities to reach their highest potential at home, school, work and play through the addition of appropriate assistive technology to their lives.
The ATP center is comprised of numerous services, projects, activities, and research that enhance the quality of life for those with disabilities. Services available at the center range from training, technical assistance and consultations, to open labs and outreach services. ATP also provides comprehensive clinical evaluations and treatment addressing the assistive technology needs of individuals in the Rocky Mountain region.
The upcoming MARC programs in 2006 take place on Friday, Sept. 22, and Friday, Dec. 15. Scheduled programs are also available in 2007 on Friday, March 23, and Friday, June 29. An RSVP is required to attend the program.Contact Miya Adams at (303) 315-1280 to register for a MARC class, or visit www.AssistiveTechnologyPartners.org for more information.
The University of Colorado at Denver and Health Sciences Center is one of three campuses in the University of Colorado system. Located in Denver and Aurora, Colo., the center includes schools of medicine, nursing, pharmacy, and dentistry, a graduate school and a teaching hospital. For more information, visit the Web site at www.uchsc.edu or the UCDHSC Newsroom at http://www.uchsc.edu/news.