Join Our Weekly Online Technology Training Series

Being included in the Internet is more important than ever for people with disabilities.
Don’t be left behind.

Starting October 10, 2023.

For people without disabilities, technology makes things easier.
For people with disabilities, technology makes things possible.

 IBM Training Manual, 1991

Most of us could not imagine not having our smartphones to use daily for multiple purposes from talking to our family to immediate text messages to reminders of important meetings and dates and even face timing with our family or video conferencing for work.

Weekly Online Technology Training Series

Using Zoom and Videoconferencing

10/10/2023

Staying Safe on the Internet

10/17/2023

Email, Facebook and Texting

10/24/2023

Having Fun and Recreation on the Internet

10/31/2023

How to Look for a Job or Volunteering online

11/07/2023

Building Friendships and Relationships

11/14/2023

Pennsylvania Training

1:00 – 2:30 PM ET

Tennessee Training

9:00 – 10:30 AM CT

Learn from past attendees

Like Janet, and 100 Other Philadelphia self-advocates and family members during the PhilaZoom training funded by the Visions for Equality and Philadelphia Intellectual Disability Services

Navigating the virtual seas of online technologies can sometimes be challenging, especially for individuals with disabilities. However, the rise of new technology has opened up new opportunities for accessible learning and communication, ensuring that everyone can dive into the digital realm with confidence.

Come to the training to:

Training by

A photo of Dr. Mark Friedman

Mark Friedman

Professor,
City University of New York

A photo of Dr. Ruthie-Marie Beckwith

Ruthie-Marie Beckwith

Professor,
City University of New York

A photo of David Taylor

David Taylor

Self-Advocate and
fellowship Harvard University

A photo of David Wetherow

David Wetherow

Founder StarRaft,
Microboards and
Cooperative Housing

Join our exclusive learning community to engage with colleagues and experts, dive deeper into topics, and collaborate on innovative solutions.

Webinars by Esteemed Experts

Time: 10-11:30am Eastern Time
9-10:30am Central Time

11/01/2023

Shea Tanis, Ph. D

University of Kansas

A photo of Dr. Shea Tanis

11/28/2023

Tom Keating, Ph.D.

Cognitopia

A photo of Tom Keating

01/17/2024

Alexa and Kathy Brill

Smart Houses

A photo of Alexa and Kathy Brill

02/24/2024

Tony Gentry, Ph.D.

VA University

A photo of Tony Gentry

03/13/2024

Constance Harrington

SHIFT

A photo of Constance Harrington

04/03/2024

George Myers

Ohio Tech Ambassadors

A photo of George Myers

05/01/2024

Toni Johnson and Alli Beth Freeman

Tennessee Department of Developmental Disabilities (DIDD)

A photo of Toni Johnson and Alli Beth Freeman

Registration for Webinars coming soon

Our Partners

A photo of Dr. Shea Tanis

Shea Tanis

Professor,
University of Kansas

A photo of Christina Lawley

Christina Lawley

PA District Manager,
SafeInHome

Jessica Daiger

Jessica Daiger

SafeInHome

A photo of Constance Harrington

Constance Harrington

Director of Education
TechFirst Shift

A photo of Tom Keating

Tom Keating

Cognitopia

A photo of Alexa Brill

Alexa Brill

Smart House

A photo of Kathy Brill

Kathy Brill

Smart House

A photo of Tony Gentry

Tony Gentry

Director
Virginia University

A photo of George Myers

George Myers

Grant Manager
Ohio Tech Ambassadors

A photo of Nathan Gerhard

Nathan Gerhard

Keystone Human Services

A photo of Jason Ray

Jason Ray

Simply Home

A photo of Gregg Kelinson

Gregg Kelinson

KenCrest

A photo of Sheryl Burgstahler

Sheryl Burgstahler

Professor
University of Washington

Toni Johnson

Toni Johnson

Tennessee Department
of Developmental Disabilities
(DIDD)

A photo of Alli Beth Freeman

Alli Beth Freeman

Tennessee Department
of Developmental Disabilities
(DIDD)

A photo of Jennifer White

Jennifer White

CEO
Able Opps

The Digital Divide is Generally Defined As a Lack of...

Equipment
and Devices
Broadband
internet

Affordability

Tech
Support
Computer
skills

And Self- Confidence

A man using his laptop in a loft bedroom sitting at his desk

Gear up for an electrifying tech adventure! Mark, Ruthie-Marie, and their dynamic team are launching two cutting-edge projects in Pennsylvania and Tennessee this fall. Brace yourself for weekly virtual training sessions, captivating webinars featuring national experts, and an exhilarating virtual tech summit. Plus, get ready to join the vibrant Community of Practice, where knowledge-sharing knows no boundaries. With self-advocates as co-trainers, this tech extravaganza promises to be unforgettable.

October marks the kickoff of the action-packed weekly training sessions, spanning 6 sessions of high-octane learning, each lasting around 1 1/2 hours. But that’s not all! Prepare to be blown away by a series of 10 webinars delivered by renowned tech gurus, recorded and available online for your convenience.

Don’t miss out on this mind-blowing opportunity! Visit www.mytechforall.com to dive into the future of technology, or sign up at http://eepurl.com/ilsF0H to stay in the loop about upcoming training events. Get charged up and be a part of the tech revolution!

The Purpose of The Technology For All Project

For people with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities to have and use the same amount of technology the average American does to enhance their independence and self-determination.

Over the past two and a half years of the COVID Pandemic we have trained 5,000 people

0
People With Disabilities
500
Family Members
0
Support Coordinators
500
Professionals

Listen to Their Experience

Like Janet, and 100 Other Philadelphia self-advocates and family members during the PhilaZoom training funded by the Visions for Equality and Philadelphia Intellectual Disability Services

Or the 3,000 people and advocates trained at the Nebraska Person Centered Planning Initiative, funded by the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services and the Nebraska Council on Developmental Disabilities

Their experiences are just a few of the thousands we have trained.

And with a world increasingly reliant on digital means, the divide will keep growing… Unless we stop it.

Who Are We?

Blue Fire, Inc. is a small consulting company co-owned by Dr. Mark Friedman and Dr. Ruthie-Marie Beckwith. Both have 40 years’ experience teaching and training people with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities in advocacy and technology. Dr. Beckwith is the former ED of TASH and State Advisor to People First of Tennessee. Dr. Friedman is the former State Advisor to Speaking For Ourselves, Vice Chairperson of the Pennsylvania DD Council, technology researcher at Temple University. Both are currently Adjunct Professors at the City University of New York.

Over the past two and a half years of the COVID Pandemic we have trained 5,000 people with disabilities, family members, Service Coordinators, educators and professionals online through projects with the DD Councils in Nebraska, Michigan, Vermont and the City of Philadelphia using a virtual video conferencing platform.

Based on our experience in social change and advocacy, we have found training to be a critical element to create systemic change.

In order to address it, we will...

Train a critical mass of people to create a tipping point.

Conduct the training over multiple times to allow deep learning to occur.

How Our Training Works:

A total of 25 Weekly online training sessions targeted to people with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, family members, Service Coordinators, educators and professionals on topics such as: Using Zoom, Staying Safe on the Internet, How to obtain Low cost Internet services through the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) and the LifeLine program, Using an Internet Browser, and more.

Weekly training sessions will focus on the known best practices and methods to most effectively teach and support people with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities to use technology to enhance their independence and lives. The training will focus on off the shelf technology that is widely available, used by the general public and less expensive than specialized technology. Two self-advocates will serve as co-trainers in all the sessions.

Tech Supporters will be recruited, nurtured and trained to help people with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities use tech to enhance their independence and self-directions.

A Community of Practice will meet monthly to share stories, collaborate together and learn how to overcome issues and problems.

People identified from the Tech Supporters group will serve as paid presenters to tell their stories of success and challenges at conferences and disability gatherings.

Ten Webinars by national experts in the field of Technology First and Enabling Technology from other states successfully implementing technology for people with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.

Virtual Technology Summit will promote the use of tech for independence and self-direction. It will feature experts in the field, share success stories in Pennsylvania and nationally including providers, families and people with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.

Project Advisory Committee (PAC) – 25 people with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, family members, Service Coordinators, AT experts, educators and professionals will serve on the PAC.

Tech Host Agencies will support people with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities to participate fully in the training sessions.

Get A Sneak Peak At What It's Like. Join an Upcoming LIVE Webinar Training

Constance Harrington, SHIFT

Shea Tanis, Professor, U. Kansas

Jordan Allen, Assoc. Comm TN Dept of DD

Gerald Bernard, Charles Lea Center

Jason Ray, Simply Home

Doug Meeker, Life Sherpa

Sheryl Burgstahler, Professor, U. Washington

Jessica Daiger, Safe In Home

Ken Smith, AbilityTech

Tech Host Agencies

Each agency is supporting at least five people with disabilities to fully participate in the Tech Summit.

  • Achieva (Steve Suroviec)
  • Networks for Training and Development (Shauna Roman)
  • Pennsylvania Developmental Disabilities (Lisa Tesler)
  • Values into Action (Marian Frattarola-Saulino)
  • Families CCAN (Sara Crimm)
  • Center at the Hampton House (Karen Velocci)
  • KenCrest Services (Gregg Kelinson)
  • Keystone Human Services
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