What an exciting time we live in! Almost every day we hear about new technologies designed to make our lives easier, our work more productive, or our communications quicker. Some of the technologies are relatively simple and seem to merge into everyday life with hardly a thought. Others just seem to come out of nowhere and make you say “WOW”! And “WOW” is how I felt after meeting Dr. Jon Mukand and hearing about the amazing BrainGate Neural Interface System. Dr. Mukand (Sargent Rehabilitation Center), Dr. John Donoghue (Brown University), Dr. Gerhardt Friehs (Rhode Island Hospital) and Cyberkinetics Inc. are beginning work on a pilot study that will hopefully enable individuals to control a computer cursor by thinking! The implications for those unable to operate a computer due to severe motor limitations are enormous. Hopefully we’ll be hearing a lot more about this exciting research in the next few months. If you would like more specific information on the study or would like to possibly participate, you can contact Dr. Mukand (886-6600) or visit the Cyberkinetics web site (www.cyberkineticsinc.com).

Two great learning opportunities are coming up. If you need certification credits or if you want to learn more about assistive technology or augmentative communication, check out the 2 classes offered by RI College and TechACCESS of RI. Both classes include hands-on experience with the newest and best technologies for learning and communication and will give participants an opportunity to network with other teachers and therapists in the state. Notice that both classes have a condensed time frame to give you lots of time for summer fun!

Before you put down this newsletter…please check out our invitation to have you join us at our first major fundraiser… Sailing Into Summer! We’re planning a wonderful evening. We’ll start the night by giving you time to review our auction items (silent and live!) – so far some great items have been donated including a week at the Samoset Resort in Maine, sports memorabilia, Newport Dinner Train Tickets, beautiful handmade jewelry and much more! Dinner will be followed by dancing to a great band and relaxing with friends while you decide which auction item you will bring home! We need your help in supporting the work of TechACCESS. Won’t you save Thursday June 10th and send in reservations for you and your friends (the more the merrier!) as soon as you can? I hope to see you there!

Enjoy the summer and I’ll catch up with you again in the fall!

Judi