Power and Potential of Power and Potential of National NetworksNational Networks

by Mary Lesterby Mary LesterExecutive DirectorExecutive Director

Alliance for Technology AccessAlliance for Technology AccessAtlanta, GAAtlanta, GAMay 9, 2006May 9, 2006

Developed by the Alliance for Technology Access

ATA is …ATA is …

• The national network ofThe national network of

– grassroots organizationsgrassroots organizations– companies companies – individualsindividuals

enhancing the lives of people with enhancing the lives of people with disabilities through technology.disabilities through technology.

Developed by the Alliance for Technology Access

MissionMission

Increase the use of technology Increase the use of technology

by children and adults by children and adults

with disabilities and with disabilities and

functional limitationsfunctional limitations

Developed by the Alliance for Technology Access

EvolutionEvolution

• From Personal NetworkFrom Personal Network

• To Local Community networkTo Local Community network

• To National Community NetworkTo National Community Network

Developed by the Alliance for Technology Access

The RootsThe Roots

• A family - the Brands - with …A family - the Brands - with …

• a problem to solvea problem to solve

• a schoola school

• a techie guy in a garagea techie guy in a garage

Developed by the Alliance for Technology Access

Then came …Then came …

• More - families, consumers, professionalsMore - families, consumers, professionals• Steering CommitteeSteering Committee• Free classroomFree classroom• 501(c)(3)501(c)(3)• The first grassroots AT Center ….. CforAT The first grassroots AT Center ….. CforAT

(DCCG)(DCCG)

Developed by the Alliance for Technology Access

ATA Assistive ATA Assistive Technology CentersTechnology Centers

• Assistive technology consultationAssistive technology consultation

• TrainingTraining

• Lending LibrariesLending Libraries

• Family AdvocacyFamily Advocacy

• Information and ResourcesInformation and Resources

Developed by the Alliance for Technology Access

ATA Assistive ATA Assistive Technology CentersTechnology Centers

• The first grassroots accessible technology The first grassroots accessible technology centerscenters– Consumer-drivenConsumer-driven– Family friendly Family friendly – Low or no costLow or no cost– All disabilities; All agesAll disabilities; All ages– All platformsAll platforms– Consumer / professional collaborationConsumer / professional collaboration

Developed by the Alliance for Technology Access

In the meantime…In the meantime…

• Apple Computer opensApple Computer opens

- Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation - Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation ServicesServices

Developed by the Alliance for Technology Access

EssentialsEssentials

VISIONARIES:VISIONARIES:

Alan Brightman & Jackie Alan Brightman & Jackie BrandBrand

VISION:VISION: Community-based AT center Community-based AT center

in every statein every state

COMPELLING NEED:COMPELLING NEED:

for information and toolsfor information and tools

Developed by the Alliance for Technology Access

RESOURCESRESOURCESApple’s K-12 Marketing Budget:Apple’s K-12 Marketing Budget:Apple staff - 4 + JackieApple staff - 4 + JackieTravel fundsTravel fundsTelecom network - AppleLinkTelecom network - AppleLinkApple’s nameApple’s namePR machineryPR machineryEquipmentEquipment

Developed by the Alliance for Technology Access

Matching NeedsMatching Needs

• AppleApple

• The CenterThe Center

• Communities nationwideCommunities nationwide

• VendorsVendors

Developed by the Alliance for Technology Access

ATA AnnouncedATA Announced

• April 1987April 1987– 11 Charter ATA Centers11 Charter ATA Centers– 40 Vendors40 Vendors

Project of AppleProject of Apple

• February 1989February 1989– ATA National officeATA National office– 501(c)(3)501(c)(3)

Developed by the Alliance for Technology Access

Starter KitStarter Kit

• EquipmentEquipment

• ListservListserv

• TrainerTrainer

Developed by the Alliance for Technology Access

Critical for SuccessCritical for Success

Members Share …Members Share …• MissionMission• ExperienceExperience

• NeedsNeeds

Developed by the Alliance for Technology Access

Critical for SuccessCritical for Success

• Communications - listservCommunications - listserv• Networking - annual meetingNetworking - annual meeting• Shared Leadership: Planning TeamShared Leadership: Planning Team• EngagementEngagement• Expectation of participationExpectation of participation

Developed by the Alliance for Technology Access

Roles & BenefitsRoles & Benefits

What role is played and who benefits?What role is played and who benefits?

National Office National Office AT CentersAT CentersVendorsVendorsAssociatesAssociatesConsumersConsumers

Developed by the Alliance for Technology Access

Learning & TeachingLearning & Teaching

• Everyone has something to learn and Everyone has something to learn and something to teachsomething to teach

Developed by the Alliance for Technology Access

Sense of Sense of communitycommunity

Developed by the Alliance for Technology Access

Joint EffortsJoint Efforts

• ATA BookATA Book

• Demonstration projectsDemonstration projects

• Collaborative projectsCollaborative projects

Developed by the Alliance for Technology Access

For continued successFor continued success

• Good communications networkGood communications network• Networking opportunities - eventsNetworking opportunities - events• Member BenefitsMember Benefits• Match needsMatch needs• Strong engaged membersStrong engaged members

Developed by the Alliance for Technology Access

For continued successFor continued success

• Strong leadership - headquartersStrong leadership - headquarters

• Financial resourcesFinancial resources

• Willingness & ability to changeWillingness & ability to change

• Shared visionShared vision

• High profileHigh profile

Developed by the Alliance for Technology Access

Lessons LearnedLessons Learned

• IMPORTANCE of…IMPORTANCE of…

• Being in touch with needs Being in touch with needs

• Continuous communicationContinuous communication

• Inclusive not exclusiveInclusive not exclusive

• Branding & marketingBranding & marketing

• Measuring impactMeasuring impact

Developed by the Alliance for Technology Access

RecommendationsRecommendations

• Avoid re-invention of wheelsAvoid re-invention of wheels• Collaborate with other networks Collaborate with other networks • Clear benefitsClear benefits• Simple membership structureSimple membership structure• Compelling reason for belongingCompelling reason for belonging

Developed by the Alliance for Technology Access

Alliance for Alliance for Technology AccessTechnology Access

• ATA is now…ATA is now…39 AT centers39 AT centers

25 Community technology programs25 Community technology programs

40 Technology vendors40 Technology vendors

22 Individual practitioners22 Individual practitioners

3 national networks3 national networks

Developed by the Alliance for Technology Access

To learn moreTo learn more

• ATA resourcesATA resources

• Information on joiningInformation on joining

• Information on membersInformation on members

• www.ATAccess.orgwww.ATAccess.org• 707-778-3011707-778-3011• 707-778-3015 TTY707-778-3015 TTY