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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 : Coding a Story
Date: Saturday, December 5, 2020 — 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM CSTLocation: Online Web StreamingIn this virtual workshop, middle school girls of all abilities will create their own story and use Scratch, an online coding program, to code scenes and animate characters. Zoom access links for this workshop will be emailed to participants the week of the virtual meeting. -
Tech for Girls Club : Mad Scientist: Chemistry Experiments
Date: Saturday, January 30, 2021 — 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM CSTLocation: Online Web StreamingJoin us to conduct experiments using common household items! In this workshop, girls will learn about the scientific method and make hypotheses about what happens when you mix certain items together. Girls will also make a rainbow using milk and create their own slime! Zoom access links for this workshop will be emailed to participants the week of the virtual meeting. -
Tech for Girls Club : Code a Ping Pong Game
Date: Saturday, February 20, 2021 — 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM CSTLocation: Online Web StreamingIn this virtual Tech for Girls workshop, participants will use Scratch to code their own ping pong game. Girls will learn how to code sounds, movement and point scoring to their game. No coding experience required. Zoom access links for this workshop will be emailed to participants the week of the virtual meeting. -
Tech for Girls Club : Koding with Kodu
Date: Saturday, March 20, 2021 — 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM CSTLocation: Online Web StreamingCome learn how to code with Kodu, a visual programming language created by Microsoft. Middle school girls with disabilities will use their coding skills to create their own game! Kodu is designed to be accessible for children and enjoyable for anyone. Zoom access links for this workshop will be emailed to participants the week of the virtual meeting.
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.