Assistive Technology Initiative in British Columbia

Three B.C. community foundations have joined together to create an Internet-supported "action community" on assistive technology (AT). With financial assistance from the Vancouver and Victoria Foundations, the Glendale Institute for Research and Community Support has launched a website that will support an active online network of AT users, family members, allied professionals, government and community associations.

Visitors to the BCATech website are invited to workshops, a discussion board, and links to websites that members consider to be the most useful AT resources on the Internet.

As the site evolves, participants will contribute to a shared library of technical and training materials, and a membership database that will allow them to identify and contact colleagues based on location or special interests. They will also share a database of services and supports, an equipment lending library, a pool of volunteer technical consultants, and a permanent forum that allows members to invite other participants to collaborate on specific projects.

Eventually, the BCATech project will introduce videoconferencing for online consultation and access to a distributed library of training videos and computer CDs.

The BCATech project plans to involve ordinary citizens and non-disability-related community associations in delivering and supporting AT solutions -- a strategy first developed by Tetra Society North America.

For non-Internet users, the project offers a toll-free reader service, and fax/print-on-request services. Visit www.bcatech.org.