We’d like to give a big welcome to one of the newest Makers Making Change (new window) chapters, the Center for Assistive Technology and Communication Hawaii (CATCH).
“Our mission is to empower individuals with disabilities through the use of assistive technology (AT) while creating a sustainable support matrix between the individual, their family and the community,” says Katherine Lewis, Executive Director of CATCH and chapter leader.
“There are approximately 200 members that work with CATCH. CATCH collaborates with Hawaii DOE school districts, University of Hawaii, and the Kapiolani COTA program to provide AT consultation and evaluation. We have speech pathologists, occupational therapists and assistive technology professionals on staff who are knowledgeable of assistive technology. We’ve got various programs within our nonprofit, such as our CATCH Up Club which is a social group for those individuals that use augmentative communication devices and a parent support group.”
Already offering low-tech assistive technology workshops, it was a natural fit for CATCH to join as a Makers Making Change chapter.
“Our staff wanted to know more AT solutions we could make for our clientele with disabilities,” says Katherine. “We thought it would be a wonderful partnership and agency collaboration. We look forward to expanding our knowledge and learning from Makers Making Change to help serve our community.”
CATCH hosted their first event as a chapter on July 10th, making battery interrupters and adapting toys.
“Our battery interrupter workshop was great! It was the first time we were back in the office with an in-person workshop in three years,” she says. “We are looking forward to planning MMC events in the near future.”
This post originally appeared on the Makers Making Change (new window) website.