This week, Chloe Mason-Mann became the second recipient of an iPad from UCP's Bellows Fund and Disability Support Program.  Chloe is a three year-old girl with Down Syndrome who is non-verbal.  Chloe shows promise that the iPad may be a good match as an augmentative communication device, as she already communicates using sign language and has a rather broad vocabulary.  The hope is that the iPad will open-up a whole new world for Chloe -one where she can fully communicate with her family and peers.  Congratulations Chloe!

The iPad has changed the lives of many people with disabilities.  It has opened doors to communication that for years were closed.  Communication is key to the human experience; when cut-off, many children and adults become frustrated, isolated, and depressed.  The iPad is starting to turn that around and offer hope.  It should also be noted that iPads have been used to help children with diverse disabilities develop other skills as well, such as social skills, learning about cause and effect, developing fine and gross motor skills, behavior modification, skills in adaptive behavior, reading, writing, spelling, math, etc. 

Though the iPad is showing much promise, it can be difficult to acquire one for a child with disabilities.  Here are some tips to try and get an iPad:

1.) Contact your insurance company first.  Though not all insurances cover iPads, some may if you can make the case that it's a cost-effective augmentative communication device.  For instance, a DynaVox would cost them several thousand dollars, while an iPad would cost $500-$700+ (depending on features and if you also request they cover some Apps).  For further reference, please read itaalk.org/fundingsources/medicalinsurancecoverage.html.

2.) Ask your child's school to cover one.  The challenge is your child may be provided with one only at school or if allowed to take home, it may be the sole property of the school district and have to be returned at some point.  Since school districts vary greatly, it is important not to jump to any conclusions about what your school will do and work with them directly.  For further reference, please read http://blog.friendshipcircle.org/2011/03/31/6-steps-to-get-the-ipad-into-your-childs-special-education-classroom/.

3.) Have a fundraiser.  You can ask friends and family to donate through Facebook, Twitter, and emails by using FundRazr http://fundrazr.com/ .  You can also use chipin http://www.chipin.com/ or GiveForward http://www.giveforward.com/.

4.) Apply for a giveaway.  Realizing the many benefits of iPads for children with disabilities, many programs have been popping-up throughout the country to give them away.  Try: 

www.A4cwsn.com

http://differentizgood.org/gift-a-voice/

www.ihelpforspecialneeds.com

www.babieswithipads.blogspot.com

www.lilliespad.com

www.loudmommy.com

www.marissasbunny.com

5.) Apply for a grant.  Some non-profit agencies and foundations may provide a grant to help your child get an iPad, just as UCP did for Chloe.  Some grants to check-out:

https://applications.cerner.com/firsthand/

http://www.itaalk.org/

http://maggiewelby.org/Grants.html

http://differentizgood.org/gift-a-voice/

http://conovercompany.com/grants/

http://www.smallstepsinspeech.org/

http://www.parkerspurpose.net/

6.) Apply for a loan.  The CT Tech Act offers an assistive technology loan program and provides loans ranging from $500-$30,000 for a diverse array of assistive technology devices.  To learn more, visit: http://www.cttechact.com/loan/

7.) Borrow an iPad.  Southern Connecticut State University's Center for Adaptive Technology loans iPads (and computers) to all Connecticut schools for up to four months (can be renewed after that point in some cases).  This may be a good option to see if an iPad is an appropriate device for your child before purchasing one.  To learn more, go to: http://www.cttechact.com/device_loan/computer.php

Good Luck!  For more resources on funding for iPads, please see http://itaalk.org/fundingsources.html from which this article was adapted.

UCP’s Disability Support Program is funded by:

United Way

Chelsea Groton Foundation

Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut

Eastern Federal Bank Foundation

People’s United Community Foundation

RS Gernon Trust

UCP fundraisers and individual contributions

Thank you!

     On Saturday, November 12th, UCP's disability support group, a group of the Disability Support Program, enjoyed an afternoon living the high life at Big Night Entertainment Group's High Rollers bowling alley located in Foxwoods Resort and Casino.  Big Night Entertainment Group was generous enough to donate two hours of bowling, as well as bowling shoes, to our group.  High Rollers provides a luxury experience where bowlers lounge on comfy couches and are waited on by a personal waitress while they play using state of the art bowling technology.  Each alley has a wide-screen TV just above the pins where bowlers may watch sports and music videos.  The alley is also lit by several chandeliers providing for an extravagant, once in a lifetime experience.  

     UCP and its clients and staff would like to thank Big Night Entertainment Group for their generous donation to our support group members.  All who participated in High Rollers bowling are appreciative of your support and had a fabulous time.  It is an experience we will all remember and cherish for years to come.  Thank you for supporting your community and helping people with disabilities enjoy full citizenship and participation.  Your contribution is much appreciated and will always be thankfully remembered. 

UCP’s Disability Support Program is funded by:

United Way

Chelsea Groton Foundation

Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut

Eastern Federal Bank Foundation

People’s United Community Foundation

RS Gernon Trust

UCP fundraisers and individual contributions

Thank you!

Pictured is Michelle Bussolotti, Disability Support Coordinator for UCP of Eastern Connecticut with five-year-old Sam.

Sam is a five-year-old boy with Down Syndrome and Verbal Apraxia.  Children with Verbal Apraxia have challenges with preparing and producing highly refined movements of the lips, tongue, jaws, and palate necessary for precise language and children with Down Syndrome usually learn best visually, making the iPad a perfect educational tool.  The iPad was integrated into Sam's therapy at school, where he was able to communicate with peers and come-out with words on his own.  At home, his family was using sign language, but really wanted to continue Sam's iPad therapy out of school.  Sam's Mother was able to get an iPad for Sam with the help of UCP's Disability Support Program and Bellows Fund.  

The iPad was never intended to help children with disabilities, but awareness of its usefulness for this purpose has skyrocketed in recent years.  The iPad has been used in therapy with children and adults with a spectrum of disabilities, including sensory, developmental, and acquired.  Applications can be purchased (and in some cases are offered free) to help people with disabilities communicate or develop skills.  Sam uses Alt-Chat software to communicate, for example.  The iPad truly gives a voice to those who have disabilities and helps them to develop one of their own.  

For more information on Apps available for people with diverse disabilities, please visit:

http://www.sccoe.k12.ca.us/programs/inclusion-collaborative/docs/Iphone_Ipod_Ipad.pdf

UCP’s Disability Support Program is funded by:

United Way

Chelsea Groton Foundation

Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut

Eastern Federal Bank Foundation

People’s United Community Foundation

RS Gernon Trust

UCP fundraisers and individual contributions

Thank you!

On Sunday, August 21st, UCP of Eastern Connecticut's support group,a group of the Disability Support Program, enjoyed a day of fun at Dodd Stadium watching the CT Tigers achieve an overwhelming victory of 5 to 1!  The support group serves as a recreation group for individuals over 16 with a physical disability.  The group typically meets one to two times a month and members participate in activities such as art projects, bowling, sailing, baseball games, dining out, games, and movies.  This group is not only designed to increase interactions with peers, but is also a forum for the members to discuss governmental policies that relate to them, to offer advice to each other on how to navigate through systems and services, and to learn about advocacy.  For more information about the support group, or to become a member, please contact Michelle Bussolotti, Disability Support Coordinator at (860) 443-3800 ext.11 or email at mbussolotti@ucpect.org.

UCP’s Disability Support Program is funded by:

United Way

Chelsea Groton Foundation

Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut

Eastern Federal Bank Foundation

People’s United Community Foundation

RS Gernon Trust

UCP fundraisers and individual contributions

Thank you!

Clayton is a three year old boy with Coffin-Lowry Sydrome, a rare condition that affects about 1 in 45,000 children.  His family contacted our Disability Support Program for help with getting toys to aid in Clayton's development.  With our support, he was able to receive an activity table, water table, and exercise ball through the Bellows Fund.  All of these items were carefully selected to help Clayton develop fine motor skills, improved dexterity, the ability to walk and stand, and to develop an understanding of cause and effect.  

Before contacting the Disability Support Program, the family had no idea UCP helps people with disabilities other than Cerebral Palsy.  In fact, approximately 65% of people we serve have other disabilities.  Our Disability Support Program provides clients of all ages and diverse disabilities with case management, advocacy, information and research, referrals, financial assistance, support group activities, and an adaptive toy library to help children with disabilities reach developmental goals.  For more information on our Disability Support Program, please visit:

http://www.ucpect.org/services/community-services 

or contact Michelle Bussolotti, Disability Support Coordinator at (860) 443-3800 ext.11 or email at mbussolotti@ucpect.org.

For more information on Coffin-Lowry Syndrome, visit the Coffin-Lowry Syndrome Foundation at:

http://clsf.info/