TOWN MEETING NOV. 19 FOCUSES ON TECHNOLOGY NEEDS OF DISABLED

Local residents with disabilities, their families and service providers will have an opportunity to share problems and identify possible solutions to assistive technology at a town meeting Nov. 19.

The meeting will be held from 7-9 p.m. at the University Center at Southeast Missouri State University. Registration begins at 6:30 p.m.

The meeting is sponsored by the Missouri Assistive Technology Project, a federally funded program based at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. The project provides referral and distribution of information on assistive technology devices and services available to Missouri residents with disabilities.

The town meeting will include a one-hour overview of the more than 17,000 adaptive devices available. The second hour will allow participants an opportunity to discuss funding and policy issues.

Assistive technology includes any piece of equipment used to increase, maintain or improve the capabilities of a person with a disability, such as a hearing aid, modified door handle or voice-controlled personal computer.

The meeting is free, but registration is required. To register or for more information, call 1-800-392-0032 for voice or TDD 1-800-647-8558.