Edwards Abilities Expo Oct. 9 Published Sept. 22, 2014 By Malama Chock 412th Test Wing Civil Engineering Directorate EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Come one and come all to Edwards AFB's first Abilities Expo on Oct. 9 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Oasis Community Center for Disability Employment Awareness Month. The 412 Test Wing and NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center are hosting the expo. The EAE will be a showcase for assistive and adaptive technologies for employees with disabilities who need accommodations to work and play here at Edwards and in our surrounding communities. Manufacturers of vans that can be driven by people who use wheelchairs; computer technology, including magnification for monitors and lighted, large-letter keyboards; ruggedized outdoor wheelchairs tricked out for hunting and service dogs have been invited to participate. The EAE will feature a variety of assistive technologies and services, including information on independent living and how to acquire (free!!!) the computer tools and other technology required to hire a deaf or blind person to work at Edwards. Exhibits range from office ergonomic tools and custom-built work chairs to the golf course's adaptive golf cart and an all-terrain wheelchair. Everyone is welcome! Lt. Col. Christopher Budde, 412 Communications Squadron commander, and this year's champion of DEAM, encourages supervisors and employees with disabilities to attend and learn how assistive technologies and services help eliminate barriers for people with disabilities at work and at home. A key organization that will be participating at the expo is the Computer/Electronic Accommodations Program (CAP). This is the DOD program funded to provide supervisors the assistive technology and accommodations they need in order to hire a person who needs assistive technology in order to work. Today, CAP has expanded beyond the DOD to partner with 68 federal agencies making it the largest provider of reasonable accommodations in the world. CAP buys and ships a wide variety of assistive technology for blind and deaf people along with people with declining eyesight and folks who are hard of hearing. While CAP focuses on purchasing assistive technology for employees with disabilities, it also supports federal employees throughout their employment life, including coming to work, staying at work and returning to work (in case of a prolonged health event) to help ensure the federal government is the model employer of people with disabilities and wounded service members. Employees and supervisors can identify and request accommodations from CAP through the online request form at www.cap.mil or contact CAP at 703-614-8416, or via email at cap@mail.mil. Frequently requested accommodations include videophones, personal amplification devices, screen magnification software, screen readers, cueing/memory aids, literacy software, alternative keyboards, pointing devices and speech recognition software. In addition to the tools and equipment CAP provides, they have a number of online resources, including computer-based training to help federal employers understand how simple and beneficial hiring employees with disabilities can be; short videos to demonstrate available assistive technology; and ergonomics guide. Please see the 2014 Disability Employment Awareness Month Calendar of Events and contact any of the DEAM Team Leads listed for additional information. We look forward to seeing everyone come out and support this Edwards community event! If you have questions on the xxpo, contact Roberta Ross at 661-277-4373 or Rob Cruz at 661-275-9256.