More than 800 people traveled to Brooklyn on October 5th to attend TechWorksExpo2004. UCP/NYC’s first conference on Assistive Technology (AT) focused on advances in the field, and combined hands-on testing with workshops on use, training, and funding options.

A combination of seminars and exhibits, TechWorksExpo2004 attracted education and health professionals, private businesses, government agencies, and people with disabilities and their families. Some sessions offered Continuing Education (CEU) credits, while others were designed to be question and answer workshops for both consumers and professionals.

Edward R. Matthews, Executive Director of UCP/NYC welcomed participants and introduced Jerome Belson, Chairman of the Board of UCP/NYC, Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz, and Matthew Sapolin, Executive Director of the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities. Mr. Matthews called attention to the underlying need for TechWorksExpo2004: "Assistive technology provides opportunities and choice for people with special needs: It helps them focus on their abilities and gives them the power to control their environment: To communicate, to perform everyday tasks, to learn, work and be productive. Assistive technology opens the door for them to be fully participating members of our community.”

Recognizing the importance of this conference, New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg proclaimed Tuesday, October 5, 2004 to be “United Cerebral Palsy of New York City Assistive Technology Day,” and Borough President Markowitz proclaimed the day to be “United Cerebral Palsy of New York City 2004 TechWorksExpo Day in Brooklyn, USA.”

An extensive variety of devices and aids were on display in the Expo Hall, and allowed for hands-on exploration of the benefits of AT innovations. Exhibits included: Customized adapted wheelchairs to help students participate in school activities; keyboards and monitors to enable a person with motor impairment or low vision to use a computer; complex devices that provide a voice to people unable to speak; and a broad spectrum of other cutting-edge technologies that have been developed by industry to fill specific needs in this field.

AT experts including Lewis Golinker, a prominent attorney and disability advocate, and Karen Luxton Gourgey, Director of the Computer Center for Visually Impaired at Baruch College, were among the more than 30 workshop presenters who helped professionals, parents and students understand AT options and available funding.

UCP/NYC is expanding this year’s conference, TechWorksExpo2005, which will be held November 29 and 30 at the New York Marriott at the Brooklyn Bridge. Look for updates on the program on our Web site, www.ucpnyc.org.

TechWorksExpo2004 was presented by UCP/NYC and Communication Aid Manufacturers Association (CAMA), in conjunction with the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities, and in affiliation with The Center for Independence of the Disabled (CIDNY), Disabilities Network of NYC (DNNYC), Resources for Children with Special Needs, and VISIONS/Services for the Blind & Visually Impaired. The conference was made possible by the generosity of the following sponsors:

Premier
CAMA
EP Exceptional Parent
Platinum
DynaVox Technologies
Prentke Romich Company
Gold
The TRAID Project
VTA Management Services

“TechWorksExpo2004 was an overwhelming success!” said Marjorie Bissainthe, Director of the NYC Regional TRAID Centers and SHARE Lending Libraries at UCP/NYC. “We were able to educate people with disabilities about the power of assistive technology to transform their lives. But even more important, we were able to reach a wide cross-section of people in our community - people with disabilities, their families, employers, and the professionals that serve them, as well as educators, parent advocacy groups, and college students.”