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UCP of New York City Takes Technology to New York (10/12/04)

TechWorksExpo2004 Conference a Success

New York, NY, October 12, 2004 — United Cerebral Palsy of New York City (UCP/NYC) held its TechWorksExpo2004 last week to highlight innovative technology that is helping people with disabilities live without limits.

However, organizers noted that about 80% of Americans with disabilities who could benefit from assistive technology don’t have access to it.

Edward R. Matthews, UCP/NYC Executive Director said, "Assistive technology (AT) provides opportunities and choice for people with special needs. It helps them focus on their abilities, and gives them the power to control their environment: To communicate, to perform everyday tasks, to learn, work and to be productive."

The exhibits in the expo hall offered consumers the opportunity to see and test an amazing variety of products for a wide range of special needs.

For people with mobility impairment, there were wheelchairs and walking aids, systems to lift and transport a person in his or her home, and specialized chairs and beds. Among the many items for people with low vision were talking watches and calculators, giant button phones, Braille games and reading aids, and computer software to transfer the spoken word to the screen.

Exhibits for consumers who are non-verbal presented augmentative communications devices which ranged from simple picture display boards to electronic talking devices, some of which speak in multiple languages.

An adapted pinball machine with its bright lights flashing was displayed between the motorized wheelchairs and lifting devices. Fully accessible for a person who uses a wheelchair, it was operated by two large touch-pads on extension cords that could be placed on the tray of the wheelchair or in the lap of the player.

TechWorksExpo2004 was presented by UCP/NYC and Communication Aid Manufacturers Association, in conjunction with the New York City Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities. Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz proclaimed October 5, UCP/NYC TechWorksExpo2004 Day.

For more information about the UCP/NYC TechWorksExpo2004, contact Vicki Pollack.

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