Each day, the world becomes more and more complex and technology expands exponentially offering everyone an ever-growing array of choices. Increased variety comes with the challenge of having to evaluate those choices qualitatively before making selections. Years ago, people with disabilities were often put in the demeaning position of having their choices made for them by well-meaning (though often unwittingly patronizing) family, friends, or healthcare professionals.

As many of TechACCESS' conferences and programs have proven, people with disabilities are quite able to speak for - and choose - for themselves. The trick is to be able to collect enough information to make an informed choice. This is one of the many reasons why assistive technology centers and disability-related agencies are so important. On a daily basis, such agencies provide the information that people need to make informed choices about the technology solutions that work best for them. With a combination of information, demonstration hardware and software, and trained AT staff, people with disabilities have been able to explore and select what they need for themselves.

TechACCESS has been providing these services for ten years, helping people to help themselves; but providing such services is expensive. We just recently completed our fourth annual Phonathon and received lots of solid support from people who value who we are and what we do. Special thanks goes to Beverly Andrade for coordinating this year's event. I'd also like to thank all of the Board and staff volunteers who manned the phones during our two-night Phonathon. There is no way that we could have done this without such dedicated volunteers. At press time, we were still short of this year's fundraising goal, so...

*To all of you who have donated - thank you! We are pleased that you see the value of what TechACCESS does by proving it with your financial support.

*To all of you who have pledged support during the Phonathon - thank you, too! We will be sending you a pledge confirmation and pre-addressed return envelope in which to return your donation.

*To those of you who have not yet donated - there's still time. Checks can be made out to TechACCESS of RI, 110 Jefferson Boulevard, Suite I, Warwick, RI 02888-3854.

TechACCESS of RI
Phone: 401-463-0202 (v/tdd)
FAX: 401-463-3433
In-State: 800-916-(TECH)8324
Contact: TechACCESS of RI | techaccess@techaccess-ri.org|

Last Revised: May 30 , 2002