Michigan Assistive Technology Program

09/04/2026

Ever wish there was an easier way to tackle tasks in the kitchen?
There may be an assistive technology tool that can help.

Join the Michigan Assistive Technology Program and the Illinois Assistive Technology Program for Tech Tuesday: Assistive Technology for Cooking and Eating. Cooking can be complex, time-sensitive, and physically demanding. For disabled people, preparing and eating meals may come with added challenges. The right tool or strategy can make cooking, and eating easier, safer, and less stressful. In this webinar, we’ll share examples of low- and high-tech assistive technology for the kitchen and dining, along with tools and strategies that can support your daily routines.

This Tech Tuesday take place Tuesday, October 20th from 10 a.m. to Noon. Register here: https://atforcookingandeating.eventbrite.com/
ASL and CART captioning will be provided.

[Image description: A flyer for Tech Tuesday. At the top is a large purple rounded rectangle with white text: “Tech Tuesday: Assistive Technology for Cooking and Eating”.
Below the title, on the left side, is a large block of purple text that reads:
“Daily meal preparation can be challenging for anyone. Cooking can be complex, time-sensitive, and physically demanding. For disabled people, preparing and eating meals may come with added challenges. The right tool or strategy can make cooking, eating, and mealtime easier, safer, and less stressful. In this webinar, we’ll share examples of low- and high-tech assistive technology for the kitchen and dining, along with tools and strategies that can support your daily routines.”

On the right side are three overlapping circular photographs outlined in purple and orange. The top photograph shows kitchen items including a measuring cup, bowl, and egg. The middle photograph shows a person using an adaptive cutting board to slice vegetables. The bottom photograph shows a liquid level indicator being used with a glass of water.

Below the main description is an orange rounded rectangle with white text. The heading reads:
“Presenters: Illinois Assistive Technology Program (IATP) and Aimee Sterk, LMSW
MATP Program Director.”
Near the bottom center is a calendar icon followed by:
“Tuesday, October 20
10 am- Noon”
Along the bottom are three logos: MATP (Michigan Assistive Technology Program), IATP (Illinois Assistive Technology Program), IATP TECH KITCHEN (Plan, Prep, Cook).]

09/02/2026

We had a great time recently at the Listening Ear Crisis Center's Isabella County Weekend Rec program for Game Night! Participants had the chance to try assistive technology (AT) for gaming in real time while playing the board and card games they enjoy.

Assistive Technology Specialist Caitlin brought a variety of tools to try, including card holders and dealers that can make handling cards easier, card shufflers for more accessible gameplay, tactile dice for added sensory feedback, an All-Turn-It Spinner for switch adapted dice rolling, and dice towers to make rolling easier and more consistent.

Caitlin also brought AT for self-regulation, including a variety of fidgets and fiber optic lights that can provide calming sensory input during game time.

Have you used any of this assistive technology for gaming?

[Images description: A set of two pictures: the first picture shows four people playing Uno from above. Three people are using three different types of card holders to play. The second picture shows part of the table spread of AT, including fiber optic lights, dice towers, a card shuffler, a card dealer, and a combination card dealer/shuffler, along with various card holders, an Ono roller, and Little Ouchies fidgets.]

09/01/2026

¡Acompáñanos en nuestra capacitación: Martes de tecnología (Tech Tuesday): Introducción al Programa de Tecnología Asistiva de Michigan!
En esta sesión aprenderás:
¿Qué es la tecnología asistiva?
¿Cómo puede apoyar a las personas con discapacidades en la vida diaria, la educación, el empleo y la comunidad?
Recursos y servicios disponibles a través del Programa de Tecnología Asistiva de Michigan.
Esta capacitación es ideal para personas con discapacidades, familiares, cuidadores, educadores, profesionales y cualquier persona interesada en conocer más sobre estos recursos.

09/01/2026

En esta sesión aprenderás:
¿Qué es la tecnología asistiva?
¿Cómo puede apoyar a las personas con discapacidades en la vida diaria, la educación, el empleo y la comunidad?
Recursos y servicios disponibles a través del Programa de Tecnología Asistiva de Michigan.
Esta capacitación es ideal para personas con discapacidades, familiares, cuidadores, educadores, profesionales y cualquier persona interesada en conocer más sobre estos recursos.

08/31/2026

We now have the Neater-Eater Manual (NEM) and Neater-Eater Manual Short in inventory!

The NEM provides stability and support to make eating and mealtimes more accessible while creating opportunities for social connection and choice around food. Its modular design allows it to be customized to different needs, including support for tremors, muscle weakness, or other physical challenges. The Neater Eater Manual short is a compact version of the the NEM.

Contact MATP for a Demonstration today: [email protected]

Check out the link below for more information on the Neater-Eater manual.

Want to learn more about Assistive Technology for Cooking and Eating? Sign up for our Tech Tuesday in October where we discuss Assistive Technology for Cooking and Eating with the Illinois Assistive Technology Program (IATP): https://atforcookingandeating.eventbrite.com/

A modular, fluid-dampened assistive eating device — enabling independent self-feeding for individuals with ataxia, or limited arm strength who retain some upper limb movement.

08/31/2026

¡Quedan menos de dos días, no olvides registrarte!

¿Te interesa conocer cómo la tecnología puede promover la independencia, la accesibilidad y la inclusión?
📱 ¡Acompáñanos en nuestra capacitación: Martes de tecnología (Tech Tuesday): Introducción al Programa de Tecnología Asistiva de Michigan!
En esta sesión aprenderás:
¿Qué es la tecnología asistiva?
¿Cómo puede apoyar a las personas con discapacidades en la vida diaria, la educación, el empleo y la comunidad?
Recursos y servicios disponibles a través del Programa de Tecnología Asistiva de Michigan.
Esta capacitación es ideal para personas con discapacidades, familiares, cuidadores, educadores, profesionales y cualquier persona interesada en conocer más sobre estos recursos.
🤟 Se ofrecerán interpretación en ASL (Lengua de Señas Americana) y subtítulos en tiempo real (CART).
📅 Fecha: 1 de septiembre de 2026
🕒 Hora: 12:00 p. m. – 1:30 p. m.
📍 Lugar: virtual
📝 Regístrese aquí: https://introduccion-al-programa-de-tecnologia-Asistiva-d...
¡Esperamos contar con su participación! Comparta esta invitación con familiares, amigos y colegas que puedan beneficiarse de esta información.
[Descripción de la imagen: Folleto para Tech Tuesday con 2 fotos, una de nuestro especialista en tecnología de asistencia con un participante que usa una caña de pescar adaptada y una segunda foto de un participante recibiendo un loro adaptado con interruptor. Aparecen el logotipo de Michigan Disability Rights Coalition y el logotipo de MATP. Texto: "Martes de tecnología (Tech Tuesday): Introducción al Programa de Tecnología Asistiva de Michigan. ¿Te interesa conocer cómo la tecnología puede promover la independencia, la accesibilidad y la inclusión?
¡Acompáñanos en nuestra capacitación: Martes de tecnología (Tech Tuesday): Introducción al Programa de Tecnología Asistiva de Michigan!
En esta sesión aprenderás:
¿Qué es la tecnología asistiva?
¿Cómo puede apoyar a las personas con discapacidades en la vida diaria, la educación, el empleo y la comunidad?
Recursos y servicios disponibles a través del Programa de Tecnología Asistiva de Michigan.
Esta capacitación es ideal para personas con discapacidades, familiares, cuidadores, educadores, profesionales y cualquier persona interesada en conocer más sobre estos recursos.
Se ofrecerán interpretación en ASL (Lengua de Señas Americana) y subtítulos en tiempo real (CART).
echa: 1 de septiembre de 2026
Hora: 12:00 p. m. – 1:30 p. m.
Lugar: virtual."]

08/28/2026

It’s that time again: back to school!

The stores are full of crayons, markers, notebooks, and all the fresh-school-year supplies. But for disabled students and their families, getting ready for a new school year can also mean connecting with schools about assistive technology (AT) and accommodations.

What does back-to-school preparation look like when AT is part of the plan? And what can families think about as they prepare for a new school year?

Read more from MATP Program Director Aimee Sterk, in the August issue of MATP Tech Connect:

It’s that time again, back to school! The stores are full of crayons and markers and notebooks–wow, do I love office supplies and the back-to-school smell of a fresh college-ruled notebook. Welcome and introduction emails are going out to families preparing for the new school year. And, as peopl...

08/28/2026

Mark your calendars! Assistive Technology Specialists Abby and Jileesa will be presenting this fall at the Michigan Alliance for Environmental & Outdoor Education (MAEOE) Annual Conference!

They will be presenting on Outdoor Recreation For Everyone the morning of Saturday, October 3rd at the University of Michigan-Flint Conference Center. The MAEOE conference runs from October 2-4 in Flint. For more details and to register, check out the link below:

Welcome to the Michigan Alliance for Environmental and Outdoor Education

08/27/2026

Jileesa Irwin, our Outdoor and Recreation AT Specialist, is already hard at work in her role on the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Accessibility Advisory Council!

Recently, Jileesa traveled to Saginaw for a Saginaw River Headwaters field tour, where she shared recommendations for making outdoor spaces more accessible, including adding shade and adjusting sign heights so they are easier to see and reach for children and wheelchair users.

She then joined the Accessibility Advisory Council for its meeting, continuing to bring an assistive technology and disability access perspective to conversations about Michigan’s outdoor spaces.

We’re excited to see the impact Jileesa is already making and the accessibility improvements ahead!

[Images description: A series of 3 photos: 1. Jileesa smiling with sunglasses in front of the Saginaw Bay Visitor Center Sign. 2. A gravel path on the Saginaw River Headwaters, the sky is blue and there are no clouds. 3. Jileesa's paper Itinerary for the DNR meeting on a table with a nameplate next to it in dark green with white writing and a gold border that says "Jileesa Irwin".]

08/25/2026

Come join MATP at the Village Arts Warehouse in Canton this Saturday, August 29, for the A.C.E. and Canton Therapeutic Recreation Back to School Bash! From 2–4 p.m., this free event will feature resource tents, a silent disco, snacks, fidget toys, and sensory tools. We hope to see you there!

[Image description: A playful, colorful back-to-school event flyer with a white background featuring faint, hand-drawn horizontal notebook-paper lines. The design has a cheerful school and sensory-themed illustrations, like pencils, a disco ball, headphones, a paper airplane, a speaker and a fidget.

At the very top center is a colorful Canton Therapeutic Recreation logo featuring illustrated children and the words “CANTON TR” and “THERAPEUTIC RECREATION.”

The main title text: “BACK TO SCHOOL BASH!”

On the right side beneath the title is large bright-green text: “August 29th,
2:00–4:00 pm
Resource Tents
Silent Disco
Snacks
Fidget toys
sensory tools."

At the very bottom, centered in small black text, is the contact and website information: Text: “https://villageartsfactory.com [email protected] | 734-765-7061”.]