ImproveAbility

This quarter's ImproveGiving donation goes to https://mlf.org/community-first/. When asked why she wanted to support this organization, our Operations Administrator Alyssa said "Homelessness is a problem in our community, and not one that can be dismissed or brushed under a rug. This organization sees our homeless population not as a blight, but as people who deserve housing, security, and a beginning. I hope that this type of neighborhood becomes commonplace in big cities with the same issues. I personally believe that the way we treat the most in need, is a direct reflection on who we are as a society and I truly believe that this organization is helping our society to be the best we can be."

Community First! Village - Mobile Loaves & Fishes A 51-acre master planned community providing affordable, permanent housing and a supportive community for men and women coming out of chronic homelessness.

As a team we traveled over 12,000 miles in the month of July seeing clients all over the state of TX, LA, MS, AL, and FL. We love coming to YOU!

Some couch potato advocacy - if you support funding to help people with disability maintain or gain employment, let your representatives know TODAY that it is important to maintain this funding. Click the link below to show your support.

www.votervoice.net

We were able to help get over 25 AAC devices from the ALS Association of Texas loan closet off to Columbia to help PALS!

So nice to be appreciated! This is a thank you note we got from the wife of an ALS veteran.

"To all the ImproveAbility Team, I can't begin to express how much both M (veteran with ALS) and I appreciated all of you. Your assistance in making his time quality and offering him some sense of independence means so much. We also enjoyed your visits. You are a terrific group!
Thank you so much,
(Wife of Veteran)"

RESNA has chosen to spotlight our founder - check out the article here: https://www.resna.org/About/RESNA-News/Member-News/member-spotlight-antoinette-verdone-msbme-atp-ret

Our MS/Gulf Coast Crew participated in the MS Project Start Conference last week - we love meeting new people and talking AT! https://www.msprojectstart.org

Had a great time at the TTAP conference - if you work in Assistive Technology in Texas this is a not to miss event! Texas Technology Access Program

Our founder, Antoinette Verdone had the honor of attending the ALS Advocacy roundtable. We are excited to advocate on the state level for PALS!!!

Our team traveled TX and the Gulf Coast a total of 3200 miles LAST WEEK! We love going to where you are to provide assistive technology!

ImproveAbility was approved as an employer that includes people with disabilities through their "We Hire Ability" program. We are proud to not only serve people with disabilities in the work we do, but we are also an organization that values hiring people who have disabilities themselves.

Just learned about a new NYC play that has lead actors who are AT users - pretty cool!

thenewgroup.org

Want a primer on Assistive Technology for ALS? Join our Founder, Antoinette Verdone, with the ALS Association for a webinar tomorrow from 12:30PM to 1:30PM.

als-org.zoom.us

Looking for a primer for Assistive Technology for ALS? Our founder, Antoinette Verdone will be sharing this info via webinar tomorrow from 12:30PM-1:30PM.

als-org.zoom.us

All of their webinars are so helpful and informative!

One of our most popular innovations, the BRIDGING VOICE TRANSLATION BUTTON, enables you to use Google Translate to communicate in multiple languages! We'll go over the ins and outs of it and also review tips for improving intonation with your synthesized voice. You'll be talking with passion and determination in no time (in any language)!

Tuesday, April 2nd, 3-4 pm ET on ZOOM.

register here for zoom invitation: https://airtable.com/appmv67LH3qRovvGt/pagLz0zzYubokGf36/form

(link in bio)

Email [email protected] with any questions
To learn more about the Maryland Initiative visit maryland.bridgingvoice.org or the
New Jersey Initiative visit newjersey.bridgingvoice.org

This session will benefit SLPs, pALS, caregivers and support staff at all skill and knowledge levels. *This training will offer professional development hours.

When I saw this client’s name come across my desk, I recognized it and wondered how he was doing. It is often that we do not see how our work affects someone, so I was so grateful to get this lovely review. “I am quadriplegic. Around 10 years ago, I had an excellent experience with Ms. Antoinette that literally changed my life. Recently, I had the opportunity to work with her again, and she remains just as dedicated, professional, amicable, and helpful as before. I highly recommend ImproveAbility!”

Come say hi to Jimmy and Alyssa at TSHA today! We don’t let Alyssa out of the office often, so now’s your chance to get to meet her in the flesh!

Well, it’s the End Of An Era! Said goodbye to old blue today - I owned her for 11 years and between me and ImproveAbility we put 220,000 miles on her. She served us well. 

All of us at ImproveAbility wish you a very happy holiday season! Our office will be closed from 12/22 through 1/1, reopening Tuesday 1/2. This will allow our staff to take a much deserved break to recharge and spend quality time with their family and friends. We are honored to serve all of our clients and referral sources! We look forward to continuing to provide excellent service in 2024!

Over the 13 year life of ImproveAbility we have had people come and go, but this crew here is the best yet! We had an amazing Christmas party getting to spend time with each other and having some good natured fun!

Wow - what a powerful visual showing the power of voice banking and AAC. Want help getting started with voice banking - see link in comments.

Personal Voice on iPhone | The Lost Voice | Apple Personal Voice samples and recreates your voice, so if you ever lose the ability to speak, you can continue to communicate through your iPhone, iPad, or Mac ...

Happy Monday! Just a heads up that our office with be closed Thursday and Friday for Thanksgiving. 🦃

Hearing how our work impacts our client's on a daily basis keeps us motivated to do the best job we can. Below please see a message from a recently deceased client's caregiver.

"ImproveAbility did so much to help my father. All of you were so patient with my father and committed to helping him regardless of the funding denials and curveballs.

My father loved and practiced on the EyeGaze every other day up until his hospitalization. He controlled the EyeGaze with his eyes perfectly. We and my mom were touched when my father would select “Grilled Cheese Sandwich” or “Im cold”. We also used the EyeGaze to work on his occupational therapy and had him also select options with his hand.

The EyeGaze was more than just another device to him, it meant the world and ImproveAbility had not given up on him so he did his part using it. We are forever thankful to you and his SLP for finding tools like the EyeGaze to help my father. We are forever thankful for ImproveAbility repairing my father’s power chair when the funding agency was forcing more doctor consults and purchase orders."

This is going to be a great session. You *might* see a familiar face if you attend. Or, just register and watch later. I highly recommend this series - it has been so informative and educational!

Thank you to everyone who's been coming to our Beyond Communication Series with questions and experiences to share, you're making this truly special for us. We're turning our attention to showing you how to navigate your environment from your communication device - from lights to TV channels, you can be in control! Hear tips and tricks from our team (and come with your own too!) sign up for this FREE WORKSHOP: http://tinyurl.com/3JZSANH4



image: bold multi-colored background, with a tv and lightbulb icon in the corners. text: what else can my communication device do? Environmental Controls: Home and TV Oct 10th, 2023 @ 3 pm ET. Take control of the channel. Set your communication device up to use the tv, a/c and more! sign up: http://tinyurl.com/3JZSANH4

We are hiring!

Assistive Technology Associate - Hattiesburg, MS - Indeed.com ImproveAbility LLC.

Can we start every day with a jazz band!

Who is going to the RESNA conference next week? Antoinette Verdone and Wendy Allen will be there! Would love to see any of our AT friends in person! You can also join Antoinette at her session on Wednesday from 10AM-11AM https://www.resna.org/Events/RESNA-2023-Annual-Conference/Program-by-Day/321-makers-and-at-professionals-a-match-made-in-heaven

Home RESNA Connect is an online community providing AT professionals with an outlet to have discussions, share resources, and gather as communities to talk about key topics and developments in assistive technology.

Had a great morning presenting info on assistive technology to seniors in Georgetown. This seminar series is a great community service. https://www.seniorslivingsmarter.com/education