A Truly "Touching" Story

This is Jennifer.

While the internet is a buzz with the recent news of Apple's latest iPhones being released, Jennifer is just as excited to be able to use her handy ole iPod touch.  Jennifer is one of the many deaf individuals Avenues to Independence serves. Jennifer usually communicates using sign language but not every person she encounters is fluent in ASL.  

 It was a major breakthrough when it was discovered  that  Jennifer loved using the touch screen on one of her staff's iPads. Jennifer was then given an iPod touch of her own with the hope this technology could greatly impact her life and expand her ability to communicate. 

Jennifer was asked how she liked using her iPod touch and what kind of things she likes using it for.  She typed her answers directly onto her iPod touch for you to see.

Jennifer's response

She now uses this technology to communicate with her staff and to play some of her favorite games.  Before having access to this kind of technology Jennifer would go through word search books and math worksheets faster than her staff could keep up. Now she has instant access to all these games and applications right at her fingertips:

Jennifer's apps and games

This is just one of the many ways having access to technology can “touch” the lives of our clients.

 

Wizard World 2013: Chicago Comic Con

This summer John went to Wizard World, Chicago's Comic Con, for the third year in a row. For those of you who aren't familiar, Wizard World is a HUGE comic book convention. People come from all over the country to attend this event. At Wizard World you can buy comic books, memorabilia, meet the creators of your favorite comics, and connect with other fans. Many comic book fans come dressed as their favorite characters. John was able to find some great comic books and get some pictures with some of the super fans that came dressed in character.

As comic books have gained a bigger share of pop culture through the popularity of super hero movies and TV shows like The Walking Dead, conventions like Wizard World have expanded to include opportunities to meet celebrities and get autographs. John got to meet and shake the hands of lots of celebrities this year. A few of his favorites were Ralph Macchio (The Karate Kid), Lou Ferrigno (The Hulk), and Will Wheaton (Star Trek and The Big Bang Theory).

We had a great time this year. John hopes to go every year and says he'd recommend it to anyone.