Tools For Life Expo

The majority of us take the simple things in life for granted, the gift of sight, hearing, speaking or even having all our limbs. My mom is a retired rehabilitation teacher for the blind, so while growing up I would always hear stories of the blind and how they live. She taught me to be thankful for my sight, and I’m definitely thankful. I myself have learned to live with partial hearing loss due to a head injury from a past violent relationship. It’s fortunately not bad enough to require a hearing aid. I just count my blessings and realize that I’m still alive, I can see and I can mostly hear.

For those not as fortunate, the Tools for Life Expo 2006 this weekend will feature the newest devices and technology now available for disabled. It will offer a wide selection of exhibits and educational presentations regarding assistive technology, products, services and laws affecting the lives of people with disabilities. Knowledge of these new devices is important for people who are suddenly disabled in their adult years or employers and businesses who may be missing out on potentially valuable employees or customers because their worksites are not accessible.

The exhibits at the Tools For Life Expo will emphasize products and services to assist persons with disabilities in daily living with a focus on technology for use at home, the community, school or at work. A few product examples include the Dynavox Technology videophone for hearing impaired, the Amigo portable magnifier for people with low vision or the BrailleNote mPower, which is similar to a laptop computer but smaller and Braille and audio enabled. This allows a blind individual to wirelessly share files, surf the web, e-mail, stream audio, download and “read” a book and translate Braille files to regular word files so those who do have sight can read it. There will also be a GPS device that will help blind individuals find their way around in terms of “paces.”

Additionally, Microsoft will be launching a new platform upgrade to their new operating system called VISTA. This is one of the biggest advancements for people with disabilities in the workforce, as Microsoft Office is one of the most widely used programs in the workplace.

The Tools For Life Expo is open free to the public beginning Friday, June 9, noon to 6 p.m. and Saturday, June 10, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Hawaii Convention Center. Parking is $5.00 but the public is urged to use public transportation. The Handi-Van is offering eligible riders (who make reservations in advance) free transportation to and from the Expo.