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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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Special Events : Simon Technology Center Family Fun Day and Tech Expo
Date: Saturday, September 21, 2019 — 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM CSTLocation: PACER Center - Map and AddressFrom high-tech gadgets to technology that supports everything from play to learning to employment, there will be plenty to explore and try at the Simon Technology Center Family Fun Day and Tech Expo. Come explore the possibilities of assistive technology and enjoy interacting with a variety of devices for children, teens, and adults. Explore our Innovation Lab, learn to code robots, attend story time, and get creative with accessible art and do-it-yourself activities. This event is free but advance registration is encouraged. -
Tech for Girls Club : Mad Scientist: Chemistry Experiments
Date: Saturday, October 12, 2019 — 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM CSTLocation: PACER Center - Map and AddressJoin us to conduct experiments using common house hold 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! -
Tech for Teens Club : Intro to Coding and Video Games
Date: Saturday, October 19, 2019 — 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM CSTLocation: PACER Center - Map and AddressThis two-hour hands-on workshop will introduce teens (boys and girls) with disabilities to the fundamentals of coding. Teens will create interactive games and stories while developing basic programming skills. This workshop is designed for students with basic computer skills, but no previous coding knowledge is required. Students of all abilities are encouraged to attend. -
Tech for Girls Club : Dinosaur Mayhem with Sphero Robots
Date: Saturday, November 9, 2019 — 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM CSTLocation: PACER Center - Map and AddressIn this Tech for Girls workshop, robots and dinosaurs collide and girls need to put their coding skills to work. Sphero robots are trapped inside of a maze with dinosaurs on the loose! Help the Sphero robots escape by coding them through the maze to safety. -
Tech for Teens Club : Building Websites
Date: Saturday, November 16, 2019 — 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM CSTLocation: PACER Center - Map and AddressThis workshop will introduce teens with disabilities to the basics of coding for the internet. Students will create their own unique website and publish it online. This workshop is designed for students with basic computer skills, but no previous coding knowledge is required. Students of all abilities are encouraged to attend. -
Tech for Girls Club : Amusement Parks & Physics
Date: Saturday, December 7, 2019 — 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM CSTLocation: PACER Center - Map and AddressHave you ever wondered how a roller coaster works? It’s not magic, it’s physics! Join us in this Tech for Girls workshop to learn the physics behind amusement park rides. Girls will also make their own marble roller coaster to put their knowledge into action! -
Tech for Teens Club : Take Apart a Computer
Date: Saturday, December 14, 2019 — 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM CSTLocation: PACER Center - Map and AddressThis workshop will introduce teens with disabilities to the different components that make up a computer. Start with a completely assembled machine and take it apart piece by piece. We’ll discuss the different parts and what they do. And if you’re up to the task, try to put it back together! Use of a screwdriver and some small screws involved. No previous experience is required. -
Tech for Teens Club : Building a Robot
Date: Saturday, January 18, 2020 — 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM CSTLocation: PACER Center - Map and AddressIn this workshop, teens with disabilities will assemble a robot and program it to respond to the environment. Students will learn about the entire process of building a robot, from assembly to executing code. This workshop is designed for students with basic computer skills but no previous coding knowledge is required. 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.