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WATF NEWS WASHINGTON ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY FOUNDATION SUMMER 2006 IN THIS ISSUE
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Please call 206-328-5116 or email info@watf.org and let us know! *** Indicates the beginning of a new article
*** HOW A WATF LOAN HELPED HEATHER BUY THE WHEELCHAIR SHE WANTED  Heather Harja is fascinated with the human body. She has a large collection of anatomy books, and enjoys watching the Discovery Health channel, especially programs about the search for cures for unexplained illnesses.
Heather is 37, and has been married for 11 years to her “best friend” Dave. “We choose to do everything together,” she says. The Harjas have a ten year-old daughter. Heather worked as a Registered Nurse until she began experiencing mysterious symptoms that forced her into medical retirement. Now, she applies her extensive medical knowledge to managing her illness. In 2005, Heather began experiencing dizziness, numbness in her limbs and hands, severe headaches and fatigue, and crippling muscle spasms in her hips and legs. Ultimately she was diagnosed with both Fibromyalgia, and Multiple Sclerosis. A physical therapist recommended that Heather use a wheelchair to conserve energy when she was tired or in pain. Heather explained, “When you have MS, energy is like a bank where you make deposits. When you spend that energy to do everyday things like shower, shop, etc., you don’t get it back until you rest.” Heather started learning all she could about wheelchairs. In her work as a nurse, she had used bulky hospital wheelchairs. Heather hoped that instead, she could use an ultra light wheelchair, the kind chosen by many active people with physical disabilities. But, instead, because of weakness she was experiencing, medical professionals recommended a power chair. Insurance paid for the chair, but when Heather brought it home, it was useless to her. It was large and heavy, and their house had stairs. Plus, the Harjas couldn’t afford an adapted vehicle to transport. It was clear to Heather that she needed the ultra light wheelchair she had originally hoped for, so she began searching for a way to get it. First, she filed an insurance appeal, but they took a long time to process her claim. In the meantime, she learned of the Washington Assistive Technology Foundation from an adaptive equipment dealer. She applied for a loan to finance an ultra light wheelchair. Heather said, “We really had no choice in other financing as our credit is not that good. We were desperate for help.” She found the application process easy, and her loan was approved. Heather explained the many advantages to owning an ultra light chair. It can turn easily in store isles, and its light frame and removable wheels make it easy to move in and out of buildings and cars. “I love what you are offering in the form of assistance… When faced with this type of medical crisis, the individual and the families need help in a most caring manner. Thank you for your help.”
*** GIFT FROM THE SCHUMAN TRUST  Thanks to a generous grant of $33,745 from the Ruth Schuman Trust, WATF is expanding its CCTV rental program with the purchase of 15 new CCTV magnifiers. The trust was established by Ruth and Herman Schuman as a result of their long friendship with Arnold Sadler, an attorney who was blind and who practiced in Seattle for more than 50 years. The Trust was created to benefit blind and visually impaired individuals in Washington and throughout the United States. We are thrilled and thankful for this gift which also means that we have been able to eliminate a growing waiting list.
The program provides long term rentals of CCTV magnifiers to Washington residents with vision loss. If you or someone you know could benefit from having a CCTV, contact our office for an application. Act quickly! The new units are moving fast.
*** WHO'S WHO AT THE WATF ACCESS FUND  When you call WATF, you’ll be talking to one of four people. Frances Pennell continues to serve as Executive Director. If you’re calling about our Telework Business Loan program, ask for Andrea Dimond, Program Director.
For more information about our assistive technology loans, contact Mia Lipner Assistive Technology Program Coordinator. Mia joined WATF’s staff in October 2005 bringing with her 10 years of experience in computer related Assistive Technology. Before arriving at WATF, Mia worked for the Accessible Technologies Group at Microsoft. If you’d like WATF to do a presentation for staff or clients, talk to Erin Lauridsen, WATF’s wonderful Vista Volunteer.
*** RESOURCES IN WASHINGTON WATAP CAN HELP YOU CHOOSE ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY The WA Assistive Technology Act Program (formerly WA Assistive Technology Alliance), located within the UW Center on Technology & Disability Studies, now offers a range of services to help consumers of all ages with disabilities of all types decide about and acquire the assistive technology devices that best meet their needs for work, education, independent living, and access to information technology. They offer trials, available by appointment in Seattle and other locations throughout the state, to help consumers decide which device is right for them, or whether a non-technological solution might be best. WATAP also loans AT devices to consumers, professionals and public entities for up to six weeks. 800-214-8731 http://wata.org NEW WEBSITE HELPS SELL USED ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY ATMatch.com is the EBay of the Assistive Technology world. Just like on the popular mainstream auction website, people can list items that they wish to sell or donate, search for what they want, and bid the price they want to pay. Unlike EBay however, all the categories have to do with Assistive Technology. The sixteen categories include Aids for Daily Living, Automotive, Communication, Computers and Peripherals, Environmental Controls, Positioning, Recreation Aids, and Worksite Modifications. Washington residents without computer access can still take advantage of atmatch.com, by calling the WATAP at 800-214-8731. STATEWIDE ASSOCIATION TO HELP SMALL BUSINESSES Andrea Dimond says, “Now whether we have a client who needs business assistance in Republic or Seattle, we know just where to send them.” Currently there are over 400,000 microentrepreneurs in Washington State who account for nearly 17% of all employment. The WSMA aims to continue to open up opportunities for micro-enterprise practitioners and thereby micro-entrepreneurs themselves. Contact Andrea Dimond at 206-328-5116 to learn more about the WSMA or WATF’s business equipment loans.
*** COMPUTER REPAIR LOAN KEEPS THIS ADVOCATE IN ACTION  As is true for many in this day and age, Stephanie Landaas’ computer is her lifeline. It is her connection to friends, family, household finances and most importantly her legislators. Stephanie says, “For almost 30 years I have been an advocate for the civil and legal rights of citizens of Washington State who are disabled.” Stephanie’s face is a familiar one to legislators in Olympia because she makes the 60 mile trip south from Seattle to Olympia often to advocate for people with disabilities. When she’s at home in Seattle, though, Stephanie uses her computer to voice her opinions from afar and track and review legislation proposed by the legislature. She says that without her computer this work “would be impossible,” so it was very important that Stephanie find a quick fix when her computer broke down just before last year’s legislative session. Stephanie took out her second loan from WATF to repair her computer and purchase a new printer. The loan came just in time so that she could get her systems into order before the legislative session started. Now Stephanie says, “I’m really pleased with the printer, and my computer runs very well.” Stephanie learned of WATF’s loan program through her prior advocacy work with Frances Pennell, Executive Director. When Stephanie learned that she herself could use a loan to repair and update her technology, she immediately thought of WATF. “I knew I would get a really good [interest] rate and that Social Security [income] would not be a deterrent,” says Stephanie. WATF looks at all sources of income when evaluating a loan application including SSI and SSDI. When we called last Spring to ask how things were working out Stephanie was pleased and excited. “This is my favorite time of year. Legislature is in session.”
*** WATF NUMBERS 60 # of Loans $137,347 $ Outstanding $219,939 Total $ Loaned 99% Repayment Rate $3,665 Avg. Loan Size
*** SHARE YOUR TALENTS! MARKETING & DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEES WATF is looking for volunteers. If you have experience in event planning or fundraising, join our development committee to help plan our annual wine and cheese and auction event. If you have skills in public relations and marketing, consider joining our marketing committee. Committees meet monthly, and participation by phone is an option. For more information, contact Erin at erin@watf.org.
*** WATF SUMMER WORKSHOP SERIES IS SELF-EMPLOYMENT FOR YOU? Seattle: Aug. 5th 2:00pm-4:00pm Bremerton: Aug. 30th 6:30pm-8:30pm Everett: Sep. 7th 2:00pm-4:00pm WHERE TO FIND START UP BUSINESS FUNDING Seattle: Aug. 21st 4:30pm-6:30pm HOME OWNERSHIP RESOURCES FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES Seattle: Aug. 23rd 3:00pm-5:00pm BETTER BUDGETING Seattle: Aug. 2nd 4:30pm-6:30pm Everett: Aug. 29th 3:00pm-5:00pm UNDERSTANDING CREDIT Seattle: July 26th 10:00am-12:00pm Call 206-328-5116 or email info@watf.org to sign up.
INDEPENDENCE IS PRICELESS. WE MAKE IT AFFORDABLE. The Washington Assistive Technology Foundation seeks to improve the socio-economic circumstances of people with disabilities through access to technology and by providing affordable credit to help people with disabilities live independently; to succeed at school, at work, and at play; and to participate fully in civic and community activities. WATF Access Fund
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The Washington State Microenterprise Association (WSMA) is an association of microenterprise development programs from across Washington State. WATF is one of several organizations that have joined the WSMA as a founding member and has turned to the association as a means to better serve its business loan clients.