Technology Tuesday

An electronic version of Imagine!’s 2015 Annual Report is available online. An overview of our year, along with stats, stories, and successes to celebrate, are just a mouse click away. Click on the image below to check it out.

Can’t see the image? Click here.

Karen's New Experience

Bob and Judy Charles SmartHome resident Karen is always looking to try new experiences. For instance, she had been hoping to try Indian food. So last week, Karen and Site Supervisor Shannon Bundy went to lunch at an Indian restaurant. Karen told Shannon she really enjoyed the flavors!

Getting Into The Holiday Spirit

The residents of Imagine!’s Bob and Judy Charles SmartHome embraced the joy of the season recently by painting some Holiday scenes. The canvases were donated by none other than Bob and Judy Charles, who embody the spirit of giving all year around. Thanks Bob and Judy! Happy Holidays everyone!

Technology Tuesday

Last week we shared some photos of Jessie, who receives services from Imagine!, meeting with University of Colorado College of Engineering and Applied Science students who created a wheelchair canopy to protect her from inclement weather.

Jessie’s Case Manager, LeAnne Woodward, shared some more information with us about the project, and we wanted to share that info with you. Here’s what LeAnne told us:

Two groups of CU engineering students met up with Jessie and myself back in September and said that they were starting a project and would like to design and create a mechanical wheelchair canopy that will serve as protection from the rain and snow. Jessie and I met with both teams and the students asked her what she would like the canopy to do, what color she preferred, how she would like to maneuver it, etc. They took pictures and measurements of her wheelchair and I provided photos of her back-up wheelchair at home. 

The first group presented their project to Jessie on Thursday, Dec. 11. 

Group 1: Connor Sanger, Toby Wu, Shane Nicoson, Dylan Muise 

The canopy is motorized and uses two 9-volt batteries. There is a hand lever that makes the top canopy go back and it attaches to the base of Jessie’s electric wheelchair. It is fastened to her chair with straps. It has a grey canopy. It took the students four hours per day for two weeks to complete the project. I asked them what was the best aspect of the project and they said, “The challenge of making it. Seeing the project come to life and helping others.” They said that they enjoyed problem solving. 

Group 2: Claire Bice, William Weeks, Steven Karl (not pictured), Alana Hardin (not pictured) 

This canopy is manual but it folds back and hangs down from the back of the chair when it is not in use. It is blue with a plastic window and panels on the side to protect from the weather. There is a rope attached to the center of the canopy on the inside that Jessie can pull to bring the canopy forward. It attaches to the handles of the wheelchair. 

This group said that they worked on the project for ten hours per day for three months. This included a presentation, an expo and workshops (I’m sure this goes for both groups). They said they had other designs before this one but this design functioned the best. When asked what the best part of the project was, they said, “giving it to Jessie.” Jessie picked the color for this canopy. 

Just a side note, when I met up with Jessie and the students she was absolutely beaming in excitement and said that she wanted to drive home with the canopy attached. It was a pretty cool moment for her and the students. I’m glad I was able to be a part of it. Jessie says that she likes it much better than having a flag on her wheelchair. Jessie feels lucky to get the canopy right as the winter season is starting.

Thanks LeAnne for that detailed account of the project, and thanks Conor, Toby, Shane, Dylan, Clair, William, Alana, and especially professor Melinda Piket-May, who taught the class and supported the students throughout the semester.

Technology Tuesday

Below are some pictures of Jessie, who receives services from Imagine!, along with students from the University of Colorado. The students gave Jessie an early Christmas present – a retractable umbrella attachment for her wheelchair.

If you know Jessie, you know she is fiercely independent, and she travels around outside in her wheelchair all the time. Colorado weather can change in an instant, and having this attachment will help keep Jessie on the move, even when the weather isn’t at its best!

The attachment was created by CU Engineering students in Professor Melinda Piket-May’s class. Learn more about the CU/Imagine! collaboration here.

Technology Tuesday

 

Pictured above is Lana waiting for the bus. Lana lives in Imagine!’s Bob and Judy Charles SmartHome, and thanks to the support of Imagine!, Lana has been making great strides toward becoming more self-reliant. Technology has played a huge role in this move toward more self-reliance. Last week we shared a video on how a computer-based prompting system was used to increase Lana’s medication self-reliance.

Then, Imagine! took the next step. In order to start scheduling her own appointments, we devised a tool to create a mock phone menu so that Lana could practice calling in to her doctor and setting up appointments in a stress-free setting, until Lana was comfortable setting up the real appointment. And starting this week, Lana has begun using the bus to get to and from the medical appointments that she sets up by herself. Way to go, Lana!

Today Is Colorado Gives Day!

Can’t see the video? Click here. 

Imagine! believes in the potential of all. We believe in babies, toddlers, families, and adults at work and at play.

Colorado Gives Day is today, and it is a great opportunity to support everyone's potential through a donation to Imagine!.

The Colorado Gives Day $1 Million Incentive Fund will boost your donation, making your dollars do more to help people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The Incentive Fund is a pool of dollars, provided by Community First Foundation and FirstBank, to boost every donation made through ColoradoGives.org on Colorado Gives Day. For example, if Imagine! receives 10% of the total donations made on Colorado Gives Day, Imagine! also receives 10% of the $1 Million Incentive Fund.

Make your donation today, and thank you in advance for your support!

Congrats, Isaac!

Congratulations are in order for Isaac Marin, Assistant Site Supervisor at the Charles Family SmartHome in Longmont, on being honored as one of Imagine!’s 2015 Employees of Distinction. Learn more about Isaac and the other recipients by watching the short video below. If you see Isaac, be sure to tell him “job well done!”
  Can’t see the video? Click here.

Technology Tuesday

We’ve shared before how Bob and Judy Charles SmartHome resident Lana has used an interactive medication administration tool created by Imagine! staffers to become more independent when it comes to her own medication administration. The short video below features some Imagine! staff members sharing the story, including how Lana’s success inspired her housemates!

Can’t see the video? Click here. 

Technology Tuesday

Here’s another example of how Imagine! uses video making tools such as GoAnimate to share information with our stakeholders in interesting and easy to understand ways – a video created by our Family Support team to explain Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), Medicare, and the Waiver system.
  Can’t see the video? Click here.

Video Thank You To Jensen Guitar Company and The Willow River Music Emporium

On Wednesday, we told you how Jensen Guitar Company and The Willow River Music Emporium made a generous donation of a guitar to Imagine!’s Charles Family SmartHome as part of their "Gift of Music" Giveaway program. Music is a staple at the Charles Family SmartHome, and the new guitar will be a great addition. The residents made a special “Thank You” video just for the good folks at Jensen Guitar Company and The Willow River Music. Enjoy!

Can’t see the video? Click here.

Guess Who's Touring The SmartHomes?

Touring Imagine!’s Charles Family SmartHome in Longmont earlier this week: representatives from Atlantis Community. Located in Denver, Colorado, Atlantis Community, Inc. has operated an Independent Living Center for over 40 years. Atlantis Community supports the right of people with disabilities to take control over their own lives with full and informed consent, primarily by providing a variety of consumer-directed services—from advocacy to education to transitioning people out of nursing homes and into their very own apartments. They are doing building some new affordable housing units, some of which will be for individuals with intellectual disabilities, and were touring the home to share ideas, ask questions, and discover lessons learned from our SmartHome experiences.

Thank You, Jensen Guitar Company and The Willow River Music Emporium

Today we’d like to offer our thanks to Jensen Guitar Company and The Willow River Music Emporium for their generous donation of a guitar to the Charles Family SmartHome as part of their "Gift of Music" Giveaway program. Music is a staple at the Charles Family SmartHome, and the new guitar will be a great addition. It's so heartwarming when a small local business gives back so generously, and we are most appreciative. Pictured below is Charles Family SmartHome Site Supervisor Russ Christiansen picking up (and picking) the guitar.

Technology Tuesday

For today’s Technology Tuesday, we’d like to offer our sincere thanks to the Safeway Foundation for a grant that will help us implement more technology into our services.

With the generous support from the Safeway Foundation’s grant of $3,100, Imagine!’s CORE/Labor Source department will purchase electronic tablets, equipment and applications to help prepare participants for work assignments and to foster their success in specific jobs. Participants will use the electronic tablets in developing general skills to facilitate job placement, including reading and basic mathematics. The electronic tablets will also benefit participants in learning specific job-related skills to facilitate independence. Examples include task prompting, video reminders of the steps involved in certain tasks, and communication with offsite job coaches of changes in job duties. Ultimately, the end result are participants who are engaged, have increased self-worth, and an enhanced quality of life.

Thank you, Safeway Foundation, for partnering with Imagine! to ensure access to technology for all!

Pictured below are (left) Susan Morris, Safeway’s Denver Division President and Michelle Conkey, Imagine!’s Grant Writer.

“Programming Hope” Premieres In Denver

You are encouraged to check out the upcoming premiere of "Programming Hope" this Wednesday, November 18, 7:30PM at the Mayan Theatre in Denver. The film deals with unemployment and independence for adults on the spectrum, and one unlikely man's mission to change the future for his son and many others with an innovative solution. The Denver screening will be one night only.

Can’t see the video? Click here.

Guess Who's Touring The SmartHomes?

Touring Imagine!’s Bob and Judy Charles SmartHome this past Monday: some extraordinary supporters of Imagine! and our SmartHomes, including Lynda and Bill Johnson, Beverly and Gene Shaw, and one of our favorite people in the whole world: Bob Charles.

Technology Tuesday

Below is an example another application for iPads used by Imagine!’s CORE/Labor Source team during its Foundations of Communication class. The app being used is called Finger Paint with Sounds. Essentially, this turns the entire screen of the iPad into a vibrant environment of color and sound. This is an excellent tool for bringing the artistic experience to life for individuals we serve.

Kara’s Own Success!

We are extremely happy to share today the note below from “Kara’s Own Voice,” a campaign to convince Apple to restore functionality to Aida Reminder, a voice reminder app. They are closing their campaign for the best of reasons – they were successful! Check out the note below, originally posted Kara’s Own Voice’s official change.org page.

Nov 9, 2015 — We are “officially” closing “Kara’s Own Voice”!!! As posted before, Apple restored Aida Reminder App to its full functionally again when Apple made changes to iOS9 in September!!! 

Now it is our turn to thank Apple for listening!!! Please take a minute to email accessibility@apple.com to say “thanks Apple!” 

In this the month of Thanksgiving we are feeling especially blessed by all of you who took time to support us, and to Apple for really hearing about why this change was so necessary! 

1104 signatures, 28 pages of comments and support from many around the world allowed us to “educate Apple” on the need for this function for Kara and so many like her with memory and scheduling challenges! 

When the app was officially updated in the Apple App store we were recognized by the Aida Reminder Developer Sergio Licea. He thanks Kara and me for voice reminders being back!!! We thank all of you. 

We are forever grateful for you taking the time to sign, share and support this important petition. Please take a moment to thank Apple either directly or if you are so inclined, mail your thanks to karasvoice@gmail.com with a photo showing you saying “Thank You Apple” We are creating a picture montage to send to Accessibility later this month as our Thanksgiving for being heard. 

Thanks you supporters, thank you Apple and thank you change.org for giving us a voice and making a difference!! 

Thanks to the readers of this blog who supported the campaign, and thanks to Apple for demonstrating their commitment to supporting apps that help give a voice to individuals who haven’t always had that luxury.

Visiting Anderson Farms

It is cold here in Colorado today, but that wasn’t the case last week when the ladies living at the Bob and Judy Charles SmartHome took advantage of some beautiful fall weather to visit Anderson Farms. Thanks to Cailin Nygren for sharing these photos.

Presentable

Imagine!’s SmartHomes guru Greg Wellems is presenting today at the Maine Association for Community Service Providers’ Conference “The Future is Now: Technology for Inclusiveness and Excellence." Greg will is presenting on: Implementing Technology – from SmartHomes to SmartSupports. Thanks for representing us so well, Greg!

Technology Tuesday

Susan, who lives in Imagine!’s Manhattan Group Home, diligently makes use of any tools available to increase her independence. Here's a picture of her taking advantage of the house desktop to navigate Via's website in order to quickly and easily schedule her transportation for the week! Keep up the great work, Susan!

Mandy's Halloween Book

Mandy, who lives in Imagine!’s Bob and Judy Charles SmartHome, has published another book – this time it is about Halloween. Yes, the holiday just passed, but why not get it now to beat the rush for next year?

Check it out here.

Guess Who's Touring The SmartHomes?

Touring Imagine!’s Charles Family SmartHome in Longmont last week: representatives from TinkerMill, Longmont’s own (and Colorado’s largest) makerspace/hackerspace, “a place where like-minded people interested in art, technology, science and business can collaborate on creative projects, share tools, learn, teach, make things, prototype new ideas, products and services, start ventures, meet new people, and share knowledge.”

Technology Tuesday

Here’s a picture of Karen, who lives in Imagine!’s Bob and Judy Charles SmartHome, using a cool piece of technology – a standing lift. The lift has given her more control when she transfers out of her wheelchair, and has helped her build up her lower body strength. Looking good, Karen!

Guess Who's Touring The SmartHomes?

Touring Imagine!’s SmartHome last week: Dr. Mauro F. Cardoso Lins, a pediatric neurologist from Brazil. Dr. Lins was the chairman of the Task Force on Intellectual Disabilities at the recent National Plan for People with Disabilities at the Ministry of Health in Brazil, and was visiting the area to attend The Coleman Institute Conference and the ANCOR & AAIDD Technology Summit and Showcase. He wanted to learn more about Imagine!’s SmartHomes, because, as he told us, “The Brazilian population with a diagnosis of disability reaches almost 30 million people, according to recent estimates. We definitely need to learn new approaches.” Dr. Lins is pictured below on the left with Imagine! SmartHomes guru Greg Wellems.

Technology Tuesday

 

Last Friday, Imagine!’s Director of Information Technology Kevin Harding was among the presenters at the 2015 ANCOR & AAIDD Technology Summit & Showcase.

Kevin was part of a panel discussion titled “Assessment Tools: Matching Needs with Solutions,” and spoke specifically about a functional assessment Imagine! developed for measuring a person’s abilities across a wide range of physical and cognitive categories as well as a site based assessment in development at Imagine! for identifying necessary adaptations in a given setting.

Joining Kevin on the panel were Patrick Queenan, PhD, Director of Clinical and Behavioral Services at Ability Beyond, and Marc J. Tasse, PhD, Professor of Psychology and Psychiatry at The Ohio State University Nisonger Center.

Congratulations, Kevin, for presenting at this prestigious event and for continuing Imagine!’s legacy as a leader in the field of exploring how technology may be used to improve the lives of individuals with a variety of disabilities.

Guess Who's Touring The SmartHomes?

Scheduled to tour Imagine!’s Bob and Judy Charles SmartHome in Boulder today: students from Indiana’s Wabash College. Wabash College is SmartHome funder and Imagine! supporter extraordinaire Bob Charles’ alma mater, and he arranged the tour so students currently attending Wabash could see first-hand how technology is changing the lives of individuals with a variety of disabilities.

Guess Who's Touring The SmartHomes?

Scheduled to tour Imagine!’s Charles Family SmartHome today: Simon Lewis, coming all the way from Australia’s Onemda, which provides support options to adults with intellectual disabilities, and Megan Davisson, a Colorado Joint Budget Committee Legislative Specialist with an expertise in services for people with disabilities.

Technology Tuesday

Mike, who receives services from Imagine!, is a wiz when it comes to addition, but subtraction skills are an area that Mike has been working on improving recently. Here you see a video of him using an iPad to generate subtraction problems, and then you see him going to his worksheet to work through the problem. In the span of one class period, Mike now has no trouble with the problem 25 minus 19.

Can’t see the video? Click here.

SmartHome Artists Share Their Work At Expo

Two weekends ago, artists from Imagine!’s CORE/Labor Source (CLS) department (including Bob and Judy Charles SmartHome residents Lana and Rae) sold their original artwork at the Handmade in Colorado Expo in Boulder. A little rain didn’t stop the enthusiasm of the crew! They sold almost $450 worth of fantastic art in total! Lana and Rae were fantastic ambassadors for Imagine! and CLS, getting community members interested in our program and what we work towards in the CLS art room. Congrats to all involved, and special thanks to Bridget Carroll for organizing the event and Cailin Belle Nygren for sharing these photos on our Faceboook page!

Guess Who's Touring The SmartHomes?

Last night, a group of students from the University of Colorado toured Imagine!’s Bob and Judy Charles SmartHome and Imagine!’s 19th St. Group Home. The students, Yiming Lin, Avery Ford, Caressie Palomino, and Thomas Dobrot (in the first picture below, with Imagine!'s SmartHomes guru Greg Wellems) are teaming up to undertake a case study about Imagine! as part of a CU Leadership Studies Capstone course.

The case study is about how Imagine! can face a new reality when it comes to recruiting a workforce. Currently Colorado’s unemployment rate is 4.2%, and Boulder County’s is 3.6% and dropping. As a result, our services are having trouble competing for the workforce to meet the needs. Compounding this challenge, aging baby boomers will be in the market for similar services, further shrinking the available workforce.

The students toured the homes to get a better understanding of our organization, the people we employ, and the duties a Direct Support Professional (DSP). We are excited to have this group of smart, talented, and engaged students provide their perspective on our organization and the challenges we face. We’ll keep you posted as the project moves forward.

Technology Tuesday

For today’s Technology Tuesday, we’d like to offer our congratulations to Meagan Little, who works for Imagine!’s CORE/Labor Source (CLS) department, on being selected as the October 2015 recipient of the Imagine! Excellence in Customer Service Award.

Below is some information from Meagan’s nomination, which demonstrates how she is using technology to improve the lives of those served by Imagine!:

Meagan is someone who consistently goes above and beyond her job requirements, and does so in a humble fashion. She recognizes the importance of quality service to CLS participants and has come up with creative methods to support this knowledge. Meagan has demonstrated an interest in communication and technology as a means of supporting individuals and has come up with and implemented creative ideas in her classes. In her iPad class, she has methodically determined everyone’s interest and ability levels, and designed a unit around "money management" that incorporates these elements. She determined which apps truly teach folks how to manage money, and used her knowledge to determine which ones each individual may potentially be adept at using. This method allows for a more individualized curriculum design and promotes learning on a scale respectful to abilities. This is just one of the amazing reasons Meagan absolutely deserves this award! 

Great work, Meagan, and congratulations on this well-deserved honor!

‘Tis The Season (For Pumpkin Spiced Lattes)

It is Fall, and the folks at Imagine! are “talking” about their favorite autumnal beverage. Check out Lindsey, Bridget, and Rebecca (who lives in Imagine!’s Bob and Judy Charles SmartHome) making the signs for the drink they are craving during an Imagine! CORE/Labor Source sign language class.

Can’t see the video? Click here.

Guess Who's Touring The SmartHomes?

Last Thursday, Shawn Criscito, from Pennsylvania’s McGuire Memorial, which provides comprehensive services to people with developmental and physical disabilities, toured Imagine!’s Charles Family SmartHome. At McGuire Memorial, almost every individual served has their own iPad, as well as their own Apple TV. They are also utilizing devices like the eye-gaze Tobii/Dynavox i15, other touch Dynavox devices, Switchamajig, Powerlink, and wired and Bluetooth switches. The tour gave Shawn, SmartHomes guru Greg Wellems, and Imagine! Technology Architect Chris Baumgart the opportunity to share ideas, lessons learned, and discuss what’s next in the world of technology and services for individuals with a variety of disabilities.

Technology Tuesday

For today’s Technology Tuesday, we thought we’d share a picture of Imagine! Charles Family SmartHome resident Toby using a button to control a YouTube video of a Denver Broncos game through a USB interface switch during an Imagine! CORE/Labor Source Communication Class. Way to go Toby!

Teaching A Therapy Dog New Tricks

Bob and Judy Charles SmartHome residents have a volunteer therapy dog named Piper come once a week on Thursdays to visit. The residents love teaching Piper the Therapy Dog new tricks. Lana recently taught Piper how to dance! Thanks to Site Supervisor Shannon Bundy for sharing the picture below.

Support The Innovations Fall Formal

Imagine!’s Innovations department (which oversees Imagine!'s SmartHomes) is hosting a crowdfunding campaign for its Second Annual Innovations Fall Formal! The Innovations team hopes to raise $1,500.00 to create a festive event that is as spectacular and memorable as the individuals served by Imagine!.

The Fall Formal, scheduled for October 23, is a celebration for all of the individuals who receive services from Innovations. It promises to be a fun and social atmosphere full of dancing, friends, and community, and YOU can make it happen!

Your gifts will pay for a live band, a photo booth, nutritious snacks, and masquerade-themed decorations. Check out the video below to learn more, and then please consider clicking here to donate. Please feel free to share with your friends and loved ones!

Can’t see the video? Click here.

Thank you for helping us make this the best formal event ever!

Technology Tuesday

Imagine! is participating in a pilot project testing WaiverMarket.com to see if it offers a way for individuals and families to research provider agencies and the services they provide.

Rather than write a long description of the project, I thought I’d use technology and create a short video explaining what we’re doing, and what we hope to achieve. Enjoy!

Can’t see the video? Click here.

Mandy and Stacy Show Off Their Acting Chops

Yesterday Mandy, who lives in the Bob and Judy Charles SmartHome, and Stacy, who lives in the Charles Family SmartHome, participated in the filming of a video for the Longmont Department of Public Safety. The video will be about accessible parking spaces and the importance of citizens respecting those spaces and leaving them open for those who really need to use them.

You can see them in the pictures below with Brian, who is directing the video.

We’re not sure if there is a category in the Academy Awards for local Public Service Videos, but if so, we’re voting for Mandy and Stacy for “Best Actresses.”

Technology Tuesday

Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper has proclaimed the week of September 14-18 as Direct Support Professionals (DSP) Week. DSPs are the heart and soul of Imagine!, and we are so grateful for their dedication to our mission and the people we serve.

So for today’s Technology Tuesday post, we’d like to invite you to revisit some previous Technology Tuesdays featuring DSPs associated with Imagine! who have used technology in ways that improve the lives of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Below is a short video featuring Imagine! Bob and Judy Charles SmartHome resident Johnny and Site Supervisor Shannon Bundy sharing how they are using an iPad app to overcome language barriers and communicate effectively.

Can’t see the video? Click here. 

Check out another video about using technology to improve communication, featuring Alicia Nelson and her friend Tommy.
  Can’t see the video? Click here. 

Kelly Faus used technology in a variety of ways to open the doors to musical expression for individuals in Imagine! CORE/labor Source classes. Below, enjoy an original video the students created for a song they wrote themselves.

Can’t see the video? Click here. 

These are just a few examples of how Imagine! DSPs have embraced technology as a way to enhance services. There are plenty more - every day DSPs are making a huge difference in the lives of those withe cognitive challenges. So if you see an Imagine! DSP this week (or any DSP, for that matter), please pat them on the back, give them a high five, or just say “thanks.”

Celebrating DSPs

Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper has proclaimed the week of September 14-18 as Direct Support Professionals (DSP) Week. DSPs are the heart and soul of Imagine! and our SmartHomes, and we are so grateful for their dedication to our mission and the people we serve. If you see an Imagine! DSP this week, please pat them on the back, give them a high five, or just say “thanks.”

John Enjoys Sunshine On His Shoulders

Last Saturday, Bob and Judy Charles SmartHome resident John and staff member Margaret Kuwata took a trip to Estes Park to see a John Denver Tribute concert. John said his favorite part was when they sang the song, "Sunshine on My Shoulders.” The pictures seem to indicate that John and Margaret were on a Rocky Mountain High the whole time!