Author Archives: web

design & Technology! making a difference

Abigayil Tamara, M.A., M.S.W.

Good design helps make a difference in the use of a product. Some products  help increase functionality more than others. Technology has greatly increased this process, and we have seen rapid changes in many industries. Technological advances allow individuals of all ages, abilities and differences to be more productive, independent, and live happier lives.

Abigayil Tamara is an artist,  art educator, clinical social worker, and computer graphic designer. She is mobility and visually impaired, and has a bipolar disorder. Her service dog (Nathan) is from Canine Partners For Life (CPL).

Abigayil serves on the advisory board of CPL has been on the Board of Directors of NAMI SCC (National Alliance for Mental Illness) and SVILC (Silicon Valley Independent Living Center) , and has chaired NAMI SCC’s Consumer Advisory Council. She has volunteered for the Vista Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired.  Abby is passionate about making a difference and advocating for the rights of individuals with disabilities.

I am making an updated version of a game I created 12 years ago celebrating wellness that is for groups on inpatient psychiatric units. It is a fun way to deal with therapeutic issues. I enjoy the freedom of the wonderful outdoors, and want to explore more places by camping. I want to continue to build relationships and share experiences with others of all ages. It is important to me to enjoy meditative and mindful experiences to create inner peace for myself, and impart it to others.

For more information about Abby’s activities, check out these references:

Abby and her power chair (WHILL Model M)

Stanford ENGR110/210 Perspectives in Assistive Technology

The meeting will be held from 7PM to 9PM at the Palo Alto Elks Lodge, 4249 El Camino Real, Palo Alto. We will be meeting in the Library/Card Room across the hall from the Lodge Room.

For those who enjoy the schmooze, we will have the no-host pre-meeting dinner at 5:30PM in the Bistro Café on the first floor.

Elections and Computer Technology

Maurice Green, PhD

Computers have become indispensable in modern election campaigns.
Maurice Green has been involved in a number of local elections in support of grass-roots initiatives and local candidates. He will demonstrate and discuss some of the uses of computer technology in election campaigns, including:

1. Use of computer databases, voter rolls and voter histories to identify likely supporters
2. User demographics for targeting social media advertising
3. Computer mapping for campaign organization

The meeting will be held at the Palo Alto Elks Lodge, 4249 El Camino Real, Palo Alto. We will be meeting in the Library/Card Room across the hall from the Lodge Room.

For those who enjoy the schmooze, we will have the no-host pre-meeting dinner st 5:30PM in the Bistro Café on the first floor.

Drone Technology

Manie Kohn has been the center of National Media attention as the FIRST Trained, Certified and Fully Insured Drone Pilot in the USA, a pioneer in introducing SUAV technology safely and thoughtfully into the commercial space and enjoys a reputation as a trusted “Best Practices” consultant, sharing his journey including evolving regulations, risk management concerns and opportunities. His standing in the industry as an educator, instructor and an industry leading “Drone-O-Grapher” has gained him unique relationships with Emergency Services and Law Enforcement including San Mateo County Sheriff Department, San Francisco Fire Department, San Mateo County Harbor Patrol.

For more information checkout the Drone Knowledge Center on the PPA (Professional Photographers Association) website

The meeting will be held at the Palo Alto Elks Lodge, 4249 El Camino Real, Palo Alto. We will be meeting in the Library/Card Room across the hall from the Lodge Room.

For those who enjoy the schmooze, we will have our regular meeting, including coffee and cookies.. And, of course, we will still have the no-host pre-meeting dinner st 5:30PM in the Bistro café on the first floor.

For those of you who have difficulties traveling or for whatever reason can’t join us at the Elks Lodge, the meeting will be broadcast as a live video feed using ZOOM software starting at 7:15 PST.

To join the SPAUG meeting online, use the following link:

https://zoom.us/j/446757944

Or by telephone:
Dial (for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location):
US: +1 646 558 8656  or +1 669 900 6833
Meeting ID: 446 757 944