ABC co-organizes a new advocacy group for parents of children with disabilities.

"It's a way for parents to get to know other parents who have been through the same process and gain support from each other," says Rachel Weitzel, technology resource specialist with Ability Building Center. "It's a good opportunity to learn more about the special-education process and various community resources."

Click to read full Post-Bulletin article from 11/12/08

Child using assistive technology device
at PACCT lab in Rochester

"One of the growing challenges we face is the provision of transportation. We are all very aware of the rising gas costs. In fact, just recently I heard on a news show, that by as early as Memorial Day weekend we could be facing $4.00 a gallon gas prices. These skyrocketing costs are causing providers like ABC to look closely at how we are providing transportation services and making changes that will likely cause everyone involved some minor inconveniences."

Click to read more about ABC's transportation program.

-Steven Hill, Executive Director
Exerpt from ABC's April 2008 Newsletter

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Roger “Mac” McCabe retired from ABC on July 11, 2008.  He will be missed by everyone he has worked with so closely over his 13 years at Woodland Industries.

Mac arrived at ABC in November of 1995, looking for part time work "just for the winter".  He accepted the full-time position of Department Supervisor.  Mac was a supervisor for two and a half years before accepting the position of Manager, which he held until his retirement.

Mac has been part of many, many success stories during his time with Woodland Industries. He says those are the memories that will stay with him the longest.  Mac also says he will miss interacting with the participants and staying in touch with staff.  Mac is a very strong believer in the type of work we do at ABC and the results that have come from it over the years. 

What changed most for Mac in his time at Woodland? Modernization: advances in both manufacturing processes and in record-keeping have helped ABC keep up with the times.  The Woodland building itself also improved during Mac's tenure.  Although the building still floods at times, Mac says it’s nothing compared to the way it used to be before the parking lot and roof were updated.

As for the future, Mac plans to take it easy for a while.  He’ll stay busy on the farm, finishing projects that he hasn’t had time to finish yet.  He also plans to travel to Michigan and Seattle this year to catch up with friends and family. 

We here at ABC will miss you, Mac, but we know you are only a phone call away.  Thank you for your years of service and leadership, and from all of us at ABC, good luck with your retirement!

Each week John meets up with a member of the PACTT staff, and together they gear up for departure.   Where will it be this week?  Maybe a visit to a fire department in California?  Last week it was a tour of an Air Force Base in Germany.  The possibilities are virtually limitless, and John doesn’t even have to pack a bag, buy a ticket, or stand in a line. 

John has been meeting with staff from ABC's PACTT Program on a weekly basis since February of 2006. Together, John and his fellow explorers have traveled all over the world right from a computer terminal at ABC – through the World Wide Web!  John’s passion for Air Force bases, airplanes, fire trucks, and trains have provided the starting point for these weekly trips, but his experiences through these explorations have led him to expand his knowledge and interests.

These meetings with the staff from PACTT have become a highlight of John’s week.  They enable him to immerse himself in subjects he enjoys knowing and learning more about.  The excitement that John expresses when he finds a rare or new fire crash truck is remarkable.  He will clap, laugh, and even dance at the joy of the newest discovery.  “While meeting with John, I learned about new fire stations being built around the United States, when Amtrak departs Winona and arrives in Chicago, and the type of airplane he flew in when traveling from Minnesota to Arizona to visit his brother”, said PACTT Program Manager Rachel Weitzel, who has worked with John since he began his virtual journey.

John’s weekly meetings have led to an improvement of his overall ability to use the personal computer to do some of the wonderful things it was designed to do, like keep in-touch with his brother via email, view and print travel itineraries, and more. It is individuals like John who benefit tremendously from the PACTT program. John can explore the world beyond Rochester Minnesota inexpensively and safely.   The PACTT program strives to improve access to technology for people like John. PACTT offers assessments, classes, workshops, presentations, assistive-technology products and devices, and more.  If you or someone you know would benefit from one of our services or would like more information about PACTT go to www.abc-pactt.org or call 507-535-7101.

John loves learnign about the Blue Angels - right from his computer!

One of John's favorite subjects is
fire trucks, like this Crash Truck