FAAST Gulf Coast Regional Center located at the CIL Disability Resource Center 
Contact at Gulf Coast RDC:  Anjie Pinkham
3600 N Pace Blvd, Pensacola, FL 32505
Voice and TDD: (850) 595-5566 or (877)245-2457
Fax: (850) 595-5560
E-Mail: anjiep@cil-drc.org

 

Project 10 Disability and Community Expo

Gulf Coast Regional Demonstration Center attended the Project 10 Disability and Community Expo.  This event was well attended.  It was sponsored by AmeriCorps and Office of Careet and Technical Education.  We were able to demonstrate and train on many different pieces of Assistive Technology as well as present to a group about the FAAST Program.  Some of the AT we demonstrated was:  The L*E*O, Talking RX, Talking Photo Album, Maggie, Pocket Talker and much more.

                         

 

Volunteering is a great opportunity to learn

Has someone recently asked for your help or support or maybe suggested that you get involved with either a local or even a global cause? If you are like a lot of people there are areas of interest that you have that are near and dear to your heart that may be competing for your attention but like most people in these difficult times we have to pick and choose as we juggle busy schedules while still trying to make a difference in the lives of others. Volunteering is a great way to change lives including your own and if you are like most people I know who simply can’t afford to donate money, you can donate you time instead.

When considering volunteer opportunities, you should pick something that fits you and what you are interested in. If you are seeking employment, a good way to get into an organization is through volunteer opportunities. What better way for a future employer to see your abilities! Other suggestions for volunteering are: become a Big Brother or Big Sister, volunteer in a local sports program or church and of course there are many others to consider. The next thing you should do when considering volunteer opportunities is to find what fits your schedule i.e. how much time you want to spend or devote to the activity as organizations like volunteers to provide a set amount of time each week or month.

Volunteering can be a great way to learn new skills and it is a great way to feel like one person has the power to change things and make them better and depending on what phase of life you are in volunteering looks impressive on either a college or job application. Here are some questions you may want to consider asking when talking to the volunteer coordinator once you have found the organization to offer your time

• Why do you want to volunteer for our organization?
• What do you know about our organization?
• How many hours a week will you be able to volunteer?
• What are your interests?
• Do you have any special skills?
• Do you have a way to get here?

It’s always good to have some questions ready during your conversation or interview with the volunteer coordinator for example how many hours per week/month will be expected and what kind of training you will receive? You can usually tell pretty quickly if you have made the right decision and if the volunteer activity that you have chosen will be a good fit for you as well as the organization. What are you waiting for? Go out there and take a chance and make a difference in the lives of others and even your own.
   

Visitors from Belarus Visit the Gulf Coast Regional Demonstration Center 

These visitors are invited to the United States under the auspices of the Department of State's International Visitor Leadership Program. Their national program is arranged by Meridian International Center and their local program is arranged by the Gulf Coast Citizen Diplomacy Council.

The Department of State gave certain objectives for this project. Several of these objectives are specific to the mission of FAAST and the Gulf Coast Regional Demonstration Center. These are:

·         To explore disability rights in the United States, including civil rights protections and equal opportunity laws (i.e. Americans with Disabilities Act) that improve access to employment, housing and education, and healthcare for people with disabilities.

·         To introduce participants to policies, strategies, and advocacy campaigns for the integration of people with disabilities; and

·         To familiarize visitors with scientific, technological and administrative capacity needed to develop rehabilitation centers.  

 

Why We Do What We Do - Another Great Success Story!

  

The Gulf Coast Regional Demonstration Center assisted a consumer that was severely hard of hearing. 

He came to the office because he wanted an amplified telephone.  However, once he arrived he found that we had an emporium of demonstration products that he was anxious to try.   He is able to read lips, but his hearing has progressed to severe loss and he can’t hear alarm clocks, fire alarms, and couldn’t communicate with sales in his business without his wife’s assistance.   We showed him the Pocket Talker.  He was able to hear everything we said.   He was so happy and his wife was even happier.  His wife immediately started to tear. He said he wanted to buy one immediately.  We showed him where and how much one would cost.  We loaned the one we have to him on short term until his arrives.  He also loaned the vibrating alarm clock and the flashing smoke detector.  He is very excited about finding the GCRDC, but moreover that there is so much product out there that can allow him to remain independent.   He runs a small business and has to deal with customers face to face.  He was struggling on a daily basis and his wife always had to be there as back up.  A few weeks ago, we were told that he was finally able to run the business without his wife there.  He could hear customers and he finally felt like he was back on track. Him and his wife are so excited that everything is coming together because they were worried about how many hours they had to work together, and other things were not getting accomplished.  It was wearing them down both mentally and physically.  They said last week “it was an honor to meet us” but, in reality it was our honor to meet them.