DSLC Tech Expo 2008

Assistive technology is more than just wheelchairs, ramps and the various devices and pieces of equipmet used to maintain, increase and improve functional capabilities for individuals with disabilities. For many, it is a way of life, the means to full participation in our society. Each year DSLC sponsors an Assistive Technology Expo which showcases new developments and educates our community on what is available to them. Our 2008 Tech Expo was held October 24 at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds. Below are some of the highlights of that event.

Vaughn Held, DSLC Program Manager of Assistive Technologies, kicks off the festivities, welcoming all guests and exhibitors to the Tech Expo.

Our featured guest speaker was Michael Muir, great grandson of John Muir and the Director of Access Adventure, a group advocating for outdoor recreation for people with disabilities.

The audience listens as Michael Muir shares stories about his family background and his experiences having been diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis as a young adult.

Access Adventure offers wheelchair accessible rides in a horse drawn carriage. Here, Michael holds two Percheron horses.

The riders are ready to experience the thrill of taking a horse drawn carriage ride. Access Adventure has taken groups of people with disabilities into nature all around California.

A new group of riders boards the accessible horse drawn carriage with the assistance of The Access Adventure staff.

Exhibitors at the expo offer a variety of services and products. Here, the staff of Sierra Orthopedic Laboratory, Inc. showcases orthopedic supplies and prosthetics.

Sarah Lowe-Bouchard from Disability Resource Department from Santa Rosa Junior College was there to discuss the programs and services availabe to students with disabilities.

In addition to horse drawn carriage rides, Access Adventure offers many other opportunities for outdoor recreation, including special events that take place weekly at Rush Ranch located in Suisun City.

David Gaskell from NUPRODX showcases a variety of products designed for adaptive living. Their mission: “Nuprodx is committed to developing innovative products to improve the lives of millions of people with disabilities and seniors world-wide.”

In the past, items used for adaptive living had to be custom made. Today, many items can be bought off the shelf at reasonable prices. Here, The representative from Jonathan’s Son displays an overhead tracking system.

The dogs from Canine Companions for Independence were a big attraction.

Dr. Carrie J. Stewart, Occupational & Physical Medicine Specialist, educated the attendees on services offered through Kaiser Permanente.

Renaissance Healing & Learning Center's Fran Judd introduces their therapy pony. RHLC has been providing Hippotherapy ("treatment with the help of the horse") for children and adults with physical and emotional challenges since 1998.

The 2008 Tech Expo had sixty-five exhibitors who demonstrated some of the products, services and innovative thinking that is making life better for people with disabilities, and our society richer by their inclusion and participation.

Please join us this year as Disability Services & Legal Center presents North Bay’s premier exhibition. The 4th Annual Tech Expo will be held on Friday, October 16th from 12pm - 6pm in the Hall of Flowers, located at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds, 1350 Bennett Valley Rd, Santa Rosa. We expect 80 exhibitors who will display assistive technology devices and educational materials along with service information from various community-based agencies for seniors, people with disabilities, health professionals, educators and the public-at-large. Come see the new technology!