Maine Partners with T-Mobile to Provide Increased Internet Access to Maine Students

From the Maine Department of Education… The Maine Department of Education has partnered with T-Mobile to expand efforts to provide internet access and devices to Maine students through their Project 10Million initiative. If they choose to participate, the program provides mobile Wi-Fi hotspot devices directly to school districts for student use. “We are thrilled to […]

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Emergency Broadband Benefit Program Available to Eligible Families in April

From the Maine Department of Education… The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) recently adopted a “Report and Order” that established the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program, a $3.2 billion federal initiative to help lower the cost of high-speed internet for eligible households during the on-going COVID-19 pandemic. Benefits of the program include: Up to $50/month discount for […]

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Affordable computer equipment program in Maine

According to a news release, the National Digital Equity Center (NDEC) wants to help close Maine’s digital divide. In an effort to do so, the center is offering eligible Mainers free tablets for a year. In addition to the tablets, free one-on-one tutoring to help users connect to the internet, and interactive online classes will […]

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FCC announces new program to help households struggling during the pandemic

The Emergency Broadband Benefit The Emergency Broadband Benefit is an FCC program to help households struggling to pay for internet service during the pandemic. This new benefit will connect eligible households to jobs, critical healthcare services, and virtual classrooms. About the Emergency Broadband Benefit The Emergency Broadband Benefit will provide a discount of up to $50 per […]

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New Maine CITE Program Director Arrives

Jessi Wright, MBA, ATP has been named the new Director for the Maine CITE Program, the Assistive Technology (AT) program for the state of Maine. Jessi began her duties on February 1, 2021. Jessi was previously the Director of the West Virginia State Assistive Technology Program located at the West Virginia University Center for Excellence in Disabilities. […]

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App developed in Maine will help people with disabilities

From the VEMI Lab at the University of Maine Orono… App from VEMI Lab group will help people with visual impairments, seniors enjoy ride-sharing with self-driving cars ORONO, Maine, January 29, 2021 – Self-driving cars will offer access to ride-sharing and ride-hailing with their suite of modern conveniences. However, many people with visual impairments who […]

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Rules Proposed to Improve Access to Vehicles for People with Disabilities

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) – National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has released for public comment a proposed rule to improve access to motor vehicles, including rental cars, for people with disabilities. The rule proposes changes to NHTSA’s Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard to facilitate the use of adaptive equipment in rental cars and to simplify vehicle transport of wheelchairs and scooters. Federal law generally prohibits making a vehicle’s safety features inoperable. One proposed change would permit rental […]

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UMaine assistive technology spinout UNAR Labs receives grant

From the University of Maine News… UNAR Labs receives $300,000 NIH Small Business Innovation Research award ORONO, MAINE, August 12, 2020 – UNAR Labs, a University of Maine spinout company that develops assistive technology for blind and visually impaired (BVI) users, has been awarded $300,000 under the National Institute of Health’s Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) […]

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MDOE provides guidance on grading during emergency distance learning

The following announcement comes from the Maine Department of Education: Unified Message and Recommendation Regarding Grading Practices During Emergency Distance Learning As many School Administrative Units (SAUs) and schools move into a new phase of implementation of emergency distance learning, focusing on long term practices, many are now wading through conversations around the assessment and evaluation […]

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MaineCare now allows Telehealth to deliver pharmacy services

In a special ruling made on March 16, 2020 by the Division of Policy of MaineCare, Chapter 101 of MaineCare Benefits Manual Chapter I, Section 4, Telehealth services for Pharmacy Services are now covered by MaineCARE. In the “concise summary” the change in rules states: This emergency rulemaking will remove the MaineCare Benefits Manual (MBM), […]

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