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Simon Technology Center Overview
Assistive technology can be a device or service that helps children with disabilities participate more independently within their environment at home or school.
The Simon Technology Center (STC) is dedicated to making the benefits of technology more accessible to children and adults with disabilities. Through a collaborated effort involving parents, professionals, and consumers, the STC can provide numerous services for your family, as well as resources and informative answers to your questions. Since 1987, the Simon Technology Center has helped many children and adults, with a variety of disabilities, use assistive technology to enhance learning, work and independence.
Services
The Simon Technology Center provides a variety of core services to help children, families, and professionals including:
- Technology consultations
- Lending library
- Individualized Training Sessions
- Facebook Buy & Sell Group - MN Special Needs Equipment for Sale
Find equipment and assistive technology after its initial use. Items such as, communication devices, walkers, adaptive switches and toys, motorized cars (that can be adapted), adapted keyboards, etc.
- In-services and workshops
- Simon Technology Center videos
Projects
The Simon Technology Center also operates several projects with specific focuses such as:
Featured Services and Projects
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The STC Lending Library has launched a new modern online catalog of items!
With more than 1,900 items, the Lending Library lets you try out and borrow some of the newest educational and disability-specific software and devices on the market including:
- Text-to-speech software for reading accessibility
- Speech-to-text software for improved written communication
- Universally designed toys for playtime accessibility and inclusion
- Communication devices for communication freedom
- Computer access adaptations for independence
- Talking calculators for improved independence with math
The Simon Technology Center Lending Library allows you to try assistive technology before making a purchase decision and is open to Minnesota residents. Families, educators, and consumers who become library members benefit from personalized assistance, convenient hours and services. As a member, you can:
- Receive personal assistance in selecting and checking out materials.
- Try out devices and software.
- Reserve, check-out, or renew items online, by phone, email or in person.
- Schedule quick pick-up during regular business hours or library open hours.
- Have items mailed to you for free if you live in Greater Minnesota.
Upcoming STC Workshops & Events
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Tech for Girls Club : Robot Wrestling
Date: Saturday, July 20, 2019 — 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM CSTLocation: PACER Center - Map and AddressRobots collide in this Tech for Girls workshop! Girls will create their own sumo wrestler using Sphero robots. They’ll learn how to code the robots to make their sumo wrestler move and wrestle others in the ring. -
Introduction to Assistive Technology and the PACER Simon Technology Center Services
Date: Tuesday, August 13, 2019 — 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM CSTLocation: Stillwater - Map and AddressAttend this one hour session at the Stillwater Public Library with an assistive technology specialist from the PACER Simon Technology Center to learn about the number of tools available that support students with special needs at school, at home, and in the community. Attendees will also learn about services available to them from the PACER Simon Technology Center. -
Tech for Teens Club : 3D Printing Basics
Date: Saturday, August 17, 2019 — 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM CSTLocation: PACER Center - Map and AddressThis workshop will introduce teens with disabilities to the basics of 3D Printing. Teens are invited to watch a 3D print from start to finish and to experiment with the 3D design software to create their own computer general models. Students of all abilities are encouraged to attend.
The Simon Technology and its projects are generously sponsored by private donations and the following foundations: 3M, Best Buy, Boston Scientific, Donaldson Foundation, Ecolab, Fred C. & Katherine B. Andersen Foundation, Grotto Foundation, IBM, Medtronic, Minneapolis Rotary Community Service Foundation, The Minneapolis Foundation, Schulze Family Foundation, Verizon, and Xcel Energy. In kind support provided by Accenture and Target.
PACER's site offers many PDF files for download, which require