Blog: City Blog

ETTAC Open House Celebration: Turning Disabilities into Possibilities

From left: Mayor Madeline Rogero, Larry Austin (ETTAC volunteer and Drum Circle leader), Mary Thom Adams (ETTAC Executive Director), Jenny Newby (Development Director) and Sarah Cole (Art Therapist).

Great to see a big, enthusiastic turnout last week at East Tennessee Technology Access Center's open house at its Childress Street offices off Chapman Highway!

Touring the ETTAC offices, seeing demonstrations of available services, and meeting families helped by ETTAC are reminders of the unique service niche that this non-profit agency has filled since 1988. ETTAC connects people with disabilities with assistive technology devices to help them gain education and employment skills and lead more independent, productive lives.

"I’ve always been impressed by the passion and the commitment of the staff here at East Tennessee Technology Access Center," Mayor Madeline Rogero told ETTAC supporters at the open house. "It seems to me that ETTAC’s mantra is perfect: 'Turning disabilities into possibilities.'"

The Mayor then recounted the story of Jill McKenzie, a 72-year-old former champion show jumper of Arabian horses who now creates crafts and carves poison sumac into elaborate walking sticks. Jill suffered an eye injury and lost her vision - and her independence. But ETTAC provided Jill with a video magnifier and other equipment, and now, she's back to carving and crafting. (Read Jill's story in the ETTAC newsletter HERE.)

"ETTAC delivers satisfaction to people frustrated by not being able to perform daily functions, or enjoy ordinary pleasures – like Jill, who for awhile was not able to read a book or do the things she most enjoyed," Mayor Rogero said. "ETTAC offers empowerment and hope. ETTAC creates possibilities."

Lots of supporters dropped by the May 18 open house at East Tennessee Technology Access Center, 116 Childress St.

Issac Merkle, Creative Director with Knox Makers, which created a makerspace under ETTAC's roof.

Meet Sarah Cole, ETTAC's new Art Therapist.

ETTAC's Durable Medical Equipment program involves loans of thousands of assistive devices and pieces of equipment.

Mayor Rogero tours the ETTAC equipment storage area, next to Knox Makers' makerspace.

Posted by evreeland On 24 May, 2017 at 5:10 PM