Penn College News

Students to Present Assistive Technology Expo for Community

Monday, March 5, 2007

Human services students at Pennsylvania College of Technology will present an Assistive Technology Exposition on April 13 in the college's Field House.

The expo, scheduled from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., is being held in conjunction with the Mid-Atlantic Consortium for Human Services annual conference, to be hosted on campus April 13-15. The conference features a keynote address by a Winter Paralympics competitor from the 2006 U.S. Disabled Alpine Ski Team.



The Assistive Technology Expo will feature a broad range of providers and manufacturers of services and equipment to assist individuals with disabilities. The displays will focus on mobility, recreation, communication, tracking systems, home accessibility and education.

Admission is open to both those who use the technology and to providers, such as those in health care, human services and education. The expo is free to people with disabilities and to college students with a school ID. A $5 donation is requested from professionals. A drawing for door prizes is planned. Registration is not required.

"This expo provides a unique opportunity for rural health care, human services and education professionals and consumers to access a whole range of technological advances in one place, in one day, and in their own community," said Jodie L. Kilmer, of Muncy, a human services student who is helping to plan the event.

Kilmer is one of five students enrolled in a new course (Service Learning in Sociology) who are organizing the event with help from their instructor, LaRue R. Reese, assistant professor of human services/social sciences.

The course, offered for human services students, provides them an opportunity to transfer theoretical knowledge from the classroom to the community, creating a project to help them address a community issue in the role of social advocate.

The other class members are Paula C. Schreck, Jersey Shore; Holly B. Snauffer, Linden; Megan E. Yaple, Williamsport; and Kelli J. Murphy, Williamsport, all of whom are pursuing bachelor's degrees in applied human services.

For more information about the Assistive Technology Expo or the MACHS conference, visit online or e-mail Reese .

To learn more about the human services majors and other academic programs offered by the School of Integrated Studies at Penn College, call (570) 327-4521, send e-mail or visit online .