April 8, 2016
IHAT Center Receives Corporate Donation from VARIDESK
Kristin Messina, a junior Recreational Therapy major, tries out the new Varidesk in the IHAT Center.
The Irene Howell Assistive Technology [IHAT] Center (College of Education, Rivers 128) is excited and grateful for a corporate donation to the IHAT Center by VARIDESK. The VARIDESK company makes height-adjustable standing desks. Standing desks are universally designed to allow for all individuals, with or without disabilities, to benefit from them. They allow for people to sit and stand as needed in their work and/or recreation space in both home and office environments. These desks also qualify as assistive technology, whose federal definition is “any item, piece of equipment, or product system, whether acquired commercially off the shelf, modified, or customized, that is used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities. “ (Technology Related Assistance to Individuals with Disabilities Act of 1988 (Tech Act).
Standing desks can be used to “increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities” for individuals with physical disabilities which may require them to weight bear for strength for certain periods of time, for individuals with attention or behavioral concerns by allowing them to have more flexibility of movement, and even for ease of computer and technology use for individuals who may need to be in a prone stander during various times of the day, either at home or school. VARIDESK donated two standing desks for the IHAT Center to include in our professional development sessions we offer to students and faculty on assistive technology, specifically in the sessions on Introduction to AT and UDL, AT for Behavior, and Alternate Access. Please feel free to stop by the IHAT Center located in Rivers 128 to see and try this wonderful addition to our lab.
Pictured above: Alecia Castellano, a junior Special Education Major, works on the new Varisdesk in the IHAT Center.