New Albany event will showcase technology for people with low vision

By MATT THACKER
Matt.Thacker@newsandtribune.com

August 27, 2008 10:08 am

— People with vision impairment will be able to learn about and try out low-vision devices for free Thursday.
As part of the INDiana Assistive Technology Act, or INDATA, Easter Seals Crossroads will host its first “Demo Day.”
“Assistive technology is there to help people gain freedom,” said Emily Abel, education and outreach coordinator for the INDATA division of Easter Seals Crossroads.
Abel said the devices can help visually impaired people with work, school or recreational activities.
Some of the technology being demonstrated will include CCTV’s, MaxTV glasses, which help with viewing television, MaxDetail glasses for reading, large-print checkbooks and large-print playing cards.
The event will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday at Rauch Inc. at 1200 Bono Road in New Albany.
In order to attend, people must register by calling Carol Girt at 888-466-1314.
Easter Seals Crossroads, a company in Indianapolis, was awarded the INDATA grant in October. With the grant, state and federal funding will go toward increasing the availability of assistive technology to Hoosiers with disabilities.
It will be hosting “Demo Days” statewide and Abel said Thursday’s event in New Albany will be their first since receiving the INDATA grant.
The group will return to New Albany Oct. 23. That event will focus on assistive technology for the hearing impaired.
For more information about INDATA and for a complete schedule of events, go to eastersealstech.com.