412 Ability Tech closes year by featuring local disability services and bolstering innovation
With CLASS tour and meetup, organization strives to make Pittsburgh 'most accommodating and empowering city for individuals with disabilities'
A gathering of engineers, therapists, researchers and administrators demonstrated Pittsburgh’s commitment to furthering assistive technology. During a morning of mingling and presentations, attendees discovered technological advances and local offerings for individuals with various abilities.
The Dec. 6 program, hosted by 412 Ability Tech and CLASS, in partnership with TechOwl, yielded new insights and enabled connections among those working within the disability and tech industries.
Alex Geht, founder of Testa-Seat and a 412 Ability Tech board member, told the Chronicle that along with featuring TechOwl (Pennsylvania’s designated Assistive Technology Act Program) and learning about accessible items available through the state-wide program, the Dec. 6 event was an opportunity to showcase CLASS, a 73-year-old Regent Square-based organization serving people with disabilities.
Promoting this organization is essential, he said.
As demonstrated by a show of hands Friday morning, few of the 40 attendees were familiar with CLASS.
And these are people who “work in the disability space,” Geht said.
Despite earlier ignorance, attendees quickly learned about the organization, as a tour of its Regent Square facility demonstrated adult learners using adaptive keyboards, socializing and enjoying various elements of CLASS’ structured day program.
Initiated last year, the day program helps individuals with brain injuries achieve “independence and fulfillment,” according to Shannon McCarty, CLASS’ Chief Development Officer.
McCarty touted CLASS’ work with local residents and said the organization’s mission aligns with goals espoused by numerous individuals at the Dec. 6 program.
People affiliated with 412 Ability Tech have a “vested interest” in serving people through programs and assistive technology; the problem, however, is that no one is able to “do everything,” McCarty said. “We really need different people in the community to really help us all meet our missions.”
Creating those connections is a key driver for attending 412 Ability Tech events, explained Carolyn Slayton, program director at the Ryan Shazier Fund for Spinal Rehabilitation. Slayton was already familiar with CLASS prior to Friday’s meetup, but when Geht told her about the other organizations and individuals participating, Slayton said she quickly accepted the invitation: This is a chance to further “our
resource networks.”
During the past two years, 412 Ability Tech has mapped more than 140 local organizations and 1200 contacts within Pittsburgh’s related tech ecosystem.
Hundreds of individuals have attended various 412 Ability Tech in-person events, and though relationships have developed, the challenge moving forward, Geht told the Chronicle, is quantifying these connections.
“We know that people are collaborating,” he said. “We just need to make the metrics.”
Dror Yaron, director of strategic partnerships at 412×972 and a 412 Ability Tech volunteer, attended Friday’s program with multiple purposes.
The first was to introduce local professionals to Wide Therapy, an Israeli-developed online platform allowing users to create personalized simulations aimed at helping children overcome challenges and master life skills.
“We’re trying to help them find clients here,” Yaron said.
The second purpose for attending the Dec. 6 program was to foster 412 Ability Tech’s growth.
Two years of in-person events have enabled partnerships to emerge, but “it’s hard for us to track how much impact we’re making,” he said.
As the new year begins, the organization will revisit its mission and efforts to date. It’s currently seeking a “community leader” to cultivate new connections, coordinate events and help make Pittsburgh “the most accommodating and empowering city for individuals with disabilities,” according to representatives.
Enhancing the organization won’t negate one of its finest elements, as 412 Ability Tech will continue promoting a “welcoming and open environment,” Yaron said.
There’s a certain joy that comes from attending an event and putting “a face to a name,” he continued. 412 Ability Tech will remain a place for connecting “people that provide solutions with people that have needs. It’s a no brainer.” PJC
Adam Reinherz can be reached at areinherz@pittsburghjewishchronicle.org.
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