Naperville’s disability fair focuses on helpful technology

People in the disability community today may find new resources to help in their everyday lives at a disability fair in Naperville.

The fair has been held annually for several years, but this year’s will have a new focus, said Peter Berg, chairman of the mayor’s advisory commission on disabilities, which sponsors the event. The Assistive Technology Resource Fair is open noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 8, at the Naperville Municipal Building, 400 S. Eagle St.

“This will be the first year it will be a digital fair,” he said.

More than 20 vendors will show technology from computer software and communication devices for the speech impaired to lifts for the home and an accessible motorcycle.

Four panel discussions will explore the use of assistive technology in an education setting; employment and technology that people with disabilities may use on their jobs; technology in the home; and the accessible features of Apple products.

Berg said past fairs have drawn upward of 300 people, with some finding resources they didn’t know about before.

“I see this as a great opportunity for the community to find out about different technologies. They’re not all high tech,” he said.

For information, contact (630) 420-6725 or manningm@naperville.il.us.