Their library gained nonprofit status, went through several name and site changes, and, in 2002, merged with Goodwill Easter Seals Miami Valley, although they were housed at the Dayton Job Center.
When the new Goodwill Easter Seals Miami Valley building was completed at 660 S. Main St. in 2014, the Assistive Technology Center moved into that building.
“Now, we have a large sensory room and more than 1,000 items in the lending library, and we’ve grown with grants found through Goodwill,” says Diana Leonard, who, with her husband Kevin, a quadraplegic, took over as assistant technology specialists in 2001, when the two original founders retired.
“We had a Technology Fair in September — our first big event in the new building — with of individuals, families and representatives of school districts and boards of disabilities attending,” Diana Leonard said.
Got-Autism co-sponsored the fair, and vendors shared equipment and services developed to benefit people with cognitive, hearing, vision, speech and physical disabilities. The fair was held in the large conference space, with tours of the Assistive Technology Lab and workshops to help visitors learn about available services.
Monique Marrable is familiar with the center’s facilities and services. Her 15-year-old son, Montel, is autistic, and Monique discovered the Assistive Technology Center through her son’s developmental doctor.
“Montel talks very little, but the Leonards let us take home an iPad with a special application for a trial,” Marrable said.
“He couldn’t put it down. It has pictures he can put his fingers on to communicate. It speaks and can form sentences, and the user can change the voices. Now, he can tell me how he feels and communicate through that iPad app,” Marrable said. “I couldn’t afford to buy it, but was able to get one through Diana. Thank God for Goodwill Easter Seals.”
Kristi Pritchard heard about the center through her daughter’s therapist. In addition to furthering her communication skills with the same iPad application used by Montel, Sophie loves the Vibro Rocker with roving stereo at the center.
“Sofie’s autistic, with epilepsy and Mitochondrial disease, and is easily overstimulated,” Pritchard said.
“She hadn’t slept in three days, which made it a rough time for us, but, when she got into that Vibro Rocker — a rocking chair with music vibrating simultaneously with the chair — she fell asleep within minutes. It calms her when she’s overstimulated and helps her to sleep better,” Pritchard said.
In addition to the chair and iPad, which also helps Sophie with her fine motor skills, Kristi has learned about numerous techniques and simple tools to help overcome Sophie’s tactile issues.
The Leonards, Montel and Sophie all live in Huber Heights, although Goodwill Easter Seals of Greater Dayton has a service area of 23 counties.
Hours for the Assistive Technology Center are 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays except Wednesday, but appointments are recommended by calling 937-528-6440, 937-528-6446 or 937-528-6442, or go online to www.assistivetechservices.org for more information.
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