FREEDOM MACHINES:Cast of Characters: Melanie Sarmiento

Read the reviews (v)

An unlikely creative pair: 9-year old Melanie Sarmiento, who can neither speak nor use her hands, is helping engineer Rick Kjeldsen create a non-touch switch that will eliminate the need for a keyboard. Soon this camera-based switch will be available to the general public, many of whom will have their own specialized needs. Kjeldsen introduces the concept of universal design — the ground-breaking idea that technologies should be created with built-in flexibility to adapt to the differing needs of all users.

KEY CONFERENCES THAT INVOLVE NEW TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENTS:

Assistive Technology Industry Association (AITA) Conference

Held January 22nd, 2005, in Orlando, Florida, this conference is for the assistive technology community to participate in presentations and discussions about new technology, practical applications, and services. http://www.atia.org/conf_2005.html(1)

Computer Technology in Special Education and Rehab (CTG) Conference

To be held October 21st-23rd, 2004 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, this conference will cover a broad spectrum of technology as it is being applied to all disabilities and age groups in education, rehabilitation, vocation, and independent living http://www.closingthegap.com (2)

Technology and Persons with Disabilities Conference

California State University Northridge’s 20th international conference will be held March 14-19, 2005 in Los Angeles, California. At this conference all technologies across all ages, disabilities, levels of education and training, employment, and independent living are addressed. http://www.csun.edu/cod/conf (3)