Grassroots Open Assistive Tech
Ian is featured in this video about the Open Source Accessibility Hackathon, and if you look closely you may spot Olga, Liz, and more from our GOAT research team! Plus many friends we work with from the https://a11yhood.org project.
From the more recent Open Healthware Conference hosted by OSHWA, you can see Olga and Liz’s talk here:
And here’s our slides from the Open Healthware talk as well!
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This is an interesting bill under consideration now in Congress in the U.S. It would prohibit Medicare from requiring “prior authorization” before wheelchair repair.
https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/9364/text
Currently, as I understand it, if your wheelchair breaks and it is covered under Medicare plan that is run by a private insurance company, that company can require you to go through their approval process to get any sort of repair or replacement.
Leave a CommentWe’re still unpacking and organizing Oakland’s new community workshop for wheelchairs (and other assistive tech)!
And we’re giving away seat cushions, footrests, seat backs and slings, and other gear!
Eventually, we’ll have workbench areas set up for repair and maintenance work.
We’re taking donations of wheelchairs, powerchairs, tools, and other assistive tech.
We also need some things, like more shelving units, and a couple more heavy duty extension cords. And we love to have volunteers as well! Email liz@openassistivetech.org if you have questions, or want to volunteer or donate.
Note: there are scented products in the space (we share space with other businesses that use them.)
Please come by for a visit and have a look at what we’ve unpacked so far! We’re aiming to be open 10-4 on weekdays, for now.
Friday July 3 – 10-4
Monday July 6 – 10-4
Tuesday July 7 – 10-4
Wed. July 7 – 10-4
Thurs & Fri July 7-8 (Uncertain; may be open but check back)
Here’s the directions:
We are behind the Bookmark Bookstore on 10th and Broadway.
Walk down 10th to the end of the bookstore building, and to your left will be a metal gate. Ring the doorbell marked GOAT and someone will let you in!
12th Street BART is a block or two away. There is street parking with meters, but please don’t try to park in the parking lot behind the bookstore – we don’t have access to park there!
Here’s the latest tour, from July 1, to show how far we have come in setting up our new workshop:
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