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Do you have a story to share? Is there something you would like to learn about? Send your ideas to info@washingtonaccessfund.org! We'll include them in our newsletter and/or on Facebook.
 Mayor Mike McGinn and the City of Seattle invite you to Financial Planning Day on October 13th from 10:00am-2:00pm at the Garfield Community Center. In today's uncertain economy, planning for your financial future is more important than ever. Don't miss this opportunity for a free, private consultation on financial issues that matter to you with experts from the Financial Planning Association and highly qualified Certified Financial Planner Professionals. In addition to one-on-one consultations, there will be workshops on a variety of financial topics throughout the day. Stay as little or as long as you'd like. It's all free. Bring a friend!
Financial topics include: budgeting, credit and debt, investing, retirement, taxes, homeownership, foreclosure, insurance, public benefits, employee benefits, education savings, small business, estate planning, and many more!
Register today for free at www.FinancialPlanningDays.org/Seattle or call 1-877-861-7826. The facility is ADA accessible. If you need any special accommodations or interpreters, please indicate that when you register.
 Register now and join us for a free webinar on Nov. 15th to learn about adaptive gizmos, gadgets and practical ideas that make great gifts for people of all ages this holiday season. The Washington Assistive Technology Act Program will be going over both low-tech, cost effective devices to more high-tech and expensive gadgets. The webinar will include a range of mainstream devices (items that may not be specifically designed as AT) and others will be actual AT products. WATAP's AT Specialists will explore devices for people with a range of functional needs and abilities that will make great small gift ideas to fabulously wrapped presents with a bow. Please join WATAP and the Washington Access Fund on November 15th, from 10:30am-noon for a gift guide webinar on assistive technology.
Do you have suggestions for AT gifts this holiday season? Visit WATAP's Facebook page to post suggestions you would like to see shared in the webinar. Or, submit your suggestions while registering for the webinar by emailing Leann at: leann@washingtonaccessfund.org, or by phone at (206) 328-5116 or TTY (888) 494-4775.
 For someone who wouldn't call herself "tech savvy," this Seattle native has been getting a lot of use out of her iPad2 and MacBook Pro - both purchased with an Access Fund loan. Meet Jerri Ingram! While exploring which technologies would best fit her needs, Jerri was naturally drawn to the multi-functional capabilities of Apple products. But, as a person with a learning disability, Apple's simple format and built-in text-to-speech components were the biggest factors in her purchase choice.
Prior to getting her loan, Jerri scheduled an appointment with the Washington Assistive Technology Act Program (WATAP) to learn more about the accessibility options available in different devices. She says that it was a great experience working with WATAP; they really knew their stuff and were rigorous in their efforts to make sure she got the right equipment. It was helpful to be able to try out different devices in one place rather than having to make the rounds to various stores.
Without the technology and Jerri's faith in SGI-USA Buddhism, she wouldn't be where she is today. "I'm just so grateful to you guys, the program is awesome. You saved me just in the nick of time!"
Read the rest of the article by visiting Jerri's online client profile here! Or visit the following link to meet other Access Fund clients.
 Oct. 9th: "Aging with a Spinal Cord Injury" is the topic of the next SCI Forum. Are there special concerns about aging with a spinal cord injury, and what can individuals with SCI do to age well and stay as healthy as possible? Learn from the “experts,” a panel of individuals who have been injured for 25, 30 and more years, who will discuss their experiences, lessons learned, and how they cope with age-related problems. For more information, please visit the SCI Forum website.
Oct. 9th: Using the WAVE Web Accessibility Toolbar Webinar featuring Jared Smith from WebAIM. This webinar will provide an overview of web accessibility evaluation and how the WAVE tool can facilitate human evaluation. The WAVE tool is a popular and powerful accessibility evaluation tool that provides easy-to-use feedback on the accessibility of web content for people with disabilities. For more information and to register, visit the ADA Online Learning site.
Oct. 16th "Apps for Employment & Community Living": is part of the webinar series put on by the Washington Initiative for Supported Employment. During this webinar you will see demonstrations of apps and hear their applications for job seekers and more. All demos will be on Apple devices. Marsha Threlkeld from WiSe will share knowledge gained from Apple Inc.; their engineers and retail store staff; as well as insights gained in providing training to employment providers, transition teachers, individuals with disabilities, and family members on using iPads, iPods, and iPhones to support independence and inclusion in the workplace and community. For more information and to register, visit Apps for Employment & Community Living.
Oct. 17th "SSDI and the Impact of Work on Benefits" Webinar: Individuals who receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) may want to return to work but are worried about the impact of work on public benefits. With good information you can make the choice to work and you may still keep some or all of your cash and health benefits. Check out the Financial Wellness Webinar Series for more information and to register. This series is hosted by the National Disability Instutite and the Multiple Sclerosis Association of America.
Oct. 17th "Right Toys at the Right Time" Webinar: Children develop in different ways and at different rates, so how do we figure out how to help them learn as they grow? Learning and understanding developmentally appropriate play can assist parents, day care providers and therapists figure out the best ways to help a child learn. The focus of this webinar will be on the birth to three population and will teach attendees how to choose toys that are appropriate for where a child is developmentally. The webinar may include some video and examples of children with and without disabilities. For more information and to register, visit Developmentally Appropriate Play.
Nov. 7th Braille Transcribing Class begins through the Washington Talking Book and Braille Library (WTBBL). This is a free course in braille transcription in 25 lessons on Wednesday evenings from November 2012 to June 2013. For more information or to register contact David Junius, WTBBL Volunteer Services Coordinator, at (206) 615-0417 or david.junius@sos.wa.gov.
 Our mission is to promote access to technology and economic opportunity for individuals with disabilities in Washington State. The Washington Access Fund is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI).
Washington Access Fund provides: Assistive Technology Loans, Business Equipment Loans, CCTV Rentals, and Matched Savings IDAs
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