Mandy Witnesses A Collision

This blog post was written by Mandy, who lives in the Bob and Judy Charles SmartHome, and was sent to us in an email by Ian, an instructor in Mandy’s Creative Writing class at CORE/Labor Source. In the story, Mandy references her “On The Air” class, also taught through CORE/Labor Source, where students learn details about radio production at KGNU radio in Boulder.

 

The On the Air Incident

by Mandy

We were on our way home from KGNU, driving down Iris. We were about three blocks away from my house. A lady (we suspect, but don’t know for sure) was texting while driving. We all said, “Oh my gosh!” when the lady drove onto the sidewalk and ran into a telephone pole.

We drove around her (she was right in front of us) and parked on the street. Ian ran back to see if she was O.K. Both of her airbags had deployed and her whole front bumper was in someone’s yard. Her windshield was broken.

Thank goodness we weren’t involved. Another woman on the scene called the cops. I wonder if the woman lived at the house where the bumper slept. I imagine that whoever lived there said, “What the heck?!” when they saw the bumper.

The driver stood to the side of her damaged car, holding her iPhone and wiping away her tears. We are now more aware of something that can happen if we text and drive. I’m just glad we weren’t involved in the accident, especially since Yeti (our van) is finally fixed.

Check Out The Latest SmartHomes Newsletter

The latest Imagine! SmartHomes newsletter is available online.

Click here to take a look.

CU Engineering Adaptive Equipment Project Spring 2013 -- Accessible Universal Remote

A group of University of Colorado students in Professor Melinda Piket-May's Spring 2013 Engineering class worked on adaptive equipment projects for individuals served by Imagine!. Check out this Accessible Universal Remote, which puts environmental controls in the hands of individuals with disabilities that make using standard remotes difficult, if not impossible.



Can't see the video? Click here.

AT Partners 2103 Expo Scheduled For June 2

The 2013 AT Expo: Technology for Living & Learning, sponsored by Assistive Technology Partners, is planned for June 2, 2013 from 11am to 3pm at The Conference Center at Adams 12 in Thornton, Colorado. The AT Expo will feature vendors showcasing the latest innovations in hardware, software, educational materials, Assistive Technology (AT) devices and solutions for home, school, work and play. Colorado organizations that provide services to individuals with disabilities or to those who are experiencing problems associated with aging will also be present.

The AT Expo is free and open to the public.

Donna Says Losing Weight Is Awesome

See the photo below of SmartHome resident Donna exercising? Her hard work is paying off. Here’s what she told us in an audio email recently:

“I was just wanting to let you know that I went down to Pearl Street today and had my ring resized, and I got down to a size 6 and I’m pretty happy about that. It was really an awesome thing to find out, that I’d lost the weight in my finger. And I got to cruise down Pearl Street while I was doing that, and it was fun.”

Way to go, Donna!

Guess Who's Touring The SmartHomes?

On Tuesday, Dr. Sander Orent and Lisa Coatney of Arbor Occupational Medicine took a tour of the Charles Family SmartHome in Longmont.

Here’s what Lisa had to say afterward: “Not only is the home beautiful, organized and tidy, it was amazing seeing the integration of technology into a safe, supportive family setting for your residents.”

Thanks for touring and the kind words, Lisa!

CU Engineering Adaptive Equipment Project Spring 2013 -- Interactive Puzzle

A group of University of Colorado students in Professor Melinda Piket-May's Spring 2013 Engineering class worked on adaptive equipment projects for individuals served by Imagine!. Check out this interactive puzzle, which is an accessible and fun way to reinforce cause and effect relationships.



Can’t see the video? Click here.