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June 1999
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June 1999
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By Mary BradyExecutive Director, MDTAP, 1991-1997
Director of Special Projects, MDTAP, 1997-1999
Farewell, loyal readers...
This issue marks the last Tapping Technology that I will be editing for MDTAP, and it also marks the cutting of a rather long, frayed umbilical cord called contractual employment by which yours truly has managed to remain tied to the destiny of the MDTAP program, even after stepping down from the Executive Director position in June of 1997. Editing TT has really been a source of delight and self-expression, as well as a good part-time job! I will miss being a part of the TAP team, and coming up with new ways to explore the wonderful world of AT every month. (However, I have some exciting new projects to keep me busy; as you will see below!)I'm most proud of... Starting with our first print issue in 1991, and our first electronic issue in 1996, TT has continued to evolve and include ever more readers and authors. Today, we're seeing about 14,000 "hits" a month, and in addition to providing worldwide access via the website, we are emailing subscribers, providing five accessible formats (Braille, large print, diskette, audio cassette and email) and making the whole issue available via the telephone on the NFB's national dial-up reading service, Newsline for the Blindtm. For blind users of this service, Tapping Technology is there, right next to USA Today, The Washington Post, The New York Times, the Chicago Tribune and The Baltimore Sun. I think that's kinda cool... Thanks to the NFB!
What comes next... The last two years have given me the opportunity to act on some ideas and personal interests which had been fomenting for a number of years. I am now able to report to you, dear readers, that one or two of these entrepreneurial fantasies have started to take wing, while a few more have died on the vine! For those of you still in the 9 to 5 world, let me tell you that being your own boss is great (love those bunny slippers)! It's being your own payroll office that's a little trickier...
Happily for TT readers and for the MDTAP program, however, I am able to report that my separation from MDTAP coincides with a new era of program permanancy, stability and institutionalization within the structure of state government for users of Assistive Technology in Maryland. Paul Rasinski, Director, and Louise Calderan, Assistant Director, will become regular, not contractual, state employees very soon! Governor Glendening has committed $500,000 to the Assistive Technology Loan Progam, and additional monies to fund other TAP projects. The regional and educational AT programs are pursuing external sources of support, and many TAP-initiated projects have spun off under independent funding streams (Sensory Aids Specialist under DORS, Arts Access as an independent 501-C-3). MDTAP is very much "alive and kickin'!"
Since the initiation of the federal Tech Act Programs in 1989, Maryland has held a leadership role as one of the first nine states funded by the U.S. Department of Education. Thanks to the creative efforts of Director Paul Rasinski and his able staff, today, MDTAP is in a stronger position to continue providing services than it was at any previous time in it's 10-year history! Even as Paul is diligently working to report on MDTAP's growth and future plans to the federal government funding agency, (which is at this point still our main source of support,) we hope we may be forgiven for wishing to review some of the accomplishments of the past ten years leading to this lovely state of affairs:
A brief history...
* MDTAP was among the first of the Tech Act Programs to initiate an equipment demonstration and loan program, an Assistive Technology Lemon Law, a Low Interest Loan Program, regional service centers, and an award-winning newsletter and website.
* Working closely with the Maryland Association of the Deaf, MDTAP was instrumental in assuring that low income deaf consumers in Maryland gained access to telecommunications equipment they need to access the phone system.
* MDTAP actively participated in statewide recreational and educational technology expos and assisted the Association of Technology Act Programs (ATAP) to make sure that state and national legislators were informed of the advances available to disabled citizens with assistive technology, and the unmet needs still faced by those citizens.
* We worked with the Governor's Information Technology Board and consumer organizations such as the National Federation of the Blind to assure that accessibility and Universal Access to 21st century state information services and jobs will become a reality in Maryland.
* We funded innovative community access programs, such as Maryland Arts Access, Inc., underscoring the value of access to our cultural heritage.
Special Thanks are due to... None of the above accomplishments could have occurred without the active and dedicated involvement of MDTAP's volunteers, Advisory Committee members, dedicated staff and affiliated colleagues and contractors. I would like to recognize a few who have been a significant part of MDTAP and will always be remembered with gratitude by me:
Jay Brill, the first Director of MDTAP: a visionary technophile with a generous soul and a wicked wit. Now, purveyor of Judaic software on the internet.
Bill Lee, Advisory Committee member since 1989; he hung in there through thick, thin and always spoke his mind, no matter who didn't want to hear it! Bill is the master of the K.I.S.S. principle, and knows how to start at the top to get things done.
Ed Duggan, Advisory Committee member since 1989, world traveler, intellectual, fellow alumnus and irrepressible spirit. (Wherever he goes, questions are asked.) No AT voyeur could have a more adventuresome or enjoyable companion.
Jeff Silverman, Advisory Committee member since 1989, also lightened the load of otherwise stiff situations with levity and grace. Jeff continues to be a personal friend, blues traveler, confidante and advocate.
Kali Mallik, Advisory Committee member since 1989, endlessly energetic, enthusiastic and willing to help, he was one of the first AC members to welcome me to my new home town in 1990. Since that time, Kali was always accessible, helpful, innovative, generous and supportive.
Mark Sardella, Advisory Committee member 1989-1995, taught us all about having fun with adaptive recreational riding. (I still have your black leather coat, wherever you are, Mark!)
Michael Esserman, Advisory Committee member 1989-1997; no one more willing to delve into the fine art of pop culture, Mike is now in Western Maryland making adaptive recreation history at Frostburg. We certainly haven't heard the last of him...
Peter Moore, Contributor to MDTAP, Historian and Writer: Peter, you helped me remember why we're all here. I love your reminiscences and your drive to communicate with the world.
Don Rabush, MDTAP consultant and mentor, taught us all about PLANNING for success and remembering to say "thanks!". THANK YOU, DON - you helped me change my life!
Yvonne Theodore, MDTAP Advisory Committee member since 1989, provided ideas, encouragement, and a wealth of information, all the way from Duke Ellington to Disabled Student Services. She'll always be a cherished friend.
Barbara Fishlowicz-Leong, Tech Act Director from Hawaii, beautiful lady and a fine, fine human being. You showed me the forest when I was seeing only trees. Aloha, Shalom and Erin Go Braugh, Barbara!
And let us not forget... Personal thanks are due to many other individuals who have made TAP percolate and dance throughout it's history... David Poehlman, poet and truly THE master of cyberspace; Jim Corey, master of information, organization and fine Thai food; Bruce Bailey, master of neonatology, Greek festivals, and assistive technology; Bud Rizer, innovator, student and teacher extraordinaire; Bob Burns, persistent purveyor of better living through better rehabilitation service delivery; Pat Ourand,M.S., CCC-SLP, a tireless professional constantly improving the bottom line for her clients, Patrick McCurdy, handling the consumer inquiry hotline with aplomb, Taylor McConnaughhay, for becoming a sharing expert in a field that badly needs him, Janet Parke, for carrying the technology torch on the Eastern Shore, and last but not least, the many people too numerous to name who have made my job interesting, educating, and FUN through the past eight years.
I'll be seeing you in all the old familiar places...
On the Internet: in museums, here and abroad, Integral Design is working to promote the idea that accessibility is an INTEGRAL part of building an excellent program : Check out www.IDimpact.com for more information on that...
In the ballpark: Yes, that's Camden Yards, and I'm riding high on the first Orioles Orange public access personal mobility device pilot program in the world! A new relationship with OrthoKineticstm, one of the largest and oldest global operations offering personal mobility devices in the world has contracted with Integral Design to open new markets in the public arena.
At the NFB convention: As a consultant for the International Braille Research Center, I'll be attending the National Convention of the National Federation of the Blind in Atlanta this year. (We're working on funding a Tactile Image Printer to assure that blind students and professionals have full access to graphic information in the 21st century!)
At ASHA (American Speech, Language and Hearing Association), for the next three years I'll be representing the National Spasmodic Dysphonia Association as a consumer member of the Clinical Specialty Board.
In those exciting monthly meetings of the Mayor's Commission on Disabilities... where we strive to improve the quality of city living in Charm City for those of us with disabilities.
It's really been an education, a pleasure and a privilege to work and play with all of you... so let the game continue, the show go on and LET'S PLAY BALL!
Peace and Plenty to ALL in the new millennium.
Love,
Mary
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