MonTECH

05/29/2026

MontCOMM '26 has come together in an extraordinary way! We've got three experts covering important communication strategies for people who are nonspeaking or struggle to speak. We've got an AAC ambassador presenting remotely about his lived experience. We've got a Family Track just for families/guardians/foster parents/caregivers. And we've got 10 reps of important companies and resources coming from around the country to be on hand for attendees to visit with and explore the latest in AAC devices and supports.

LOTS going on, folks! Go to our website for more information and links to register. Registration remains at the same low rate we've had since we started in 2019, with discounted tickets for future OTs, SLPs, and educators. CEUs approved for OPI and pending for MOTA and ASHA.

Who should come? Professionals and family members who believe everyone deserves the support needed to speak for themselves. ♥

Spread the word! montech.ruralinstitute.umt.edu/montcomm/

05/28/2026

Missoula area: a special film is coming to the Roxy this Sunday at 1 pm. It's the story of Eleanor's Project, and Eleanor. Eleanore and her family lived in Missoula. She was deaf, had cerebral palsy, and used a wheelchair. She was deeply loved and when she left this world her parents founded Eleanore's Project.

Over 70 million people are estimated to need a wheelchair worldwide but only 5-15 percent have one. Eleanore's Project travels to Peru every year, bringing wheelchairs to remote populations and fitting them for safety. It's an extraordinary project with real boots-on-the-ground impact. Go to Roxy and get the whole, beautiful story this Sunday!

05/28/2026

Check out The North Face's "Universal Collection" of more accessible camping gear! From the tent with simplified set-up and easy access for a wheelchair to the insulated sleeping bag sans zipper. Pretty, pretty, pretty cool. 😎

Learn more about The North Face FAQs within our Help section, and shop all your favourite The North Face products.

05/28/2026

Beautiful article, Kendra!

Now that we have a copy there are just so many thank you’s to be said and it still won’t be enough!! Huge thank you to Julie with Yellowstone Valley Woman Magazine for asking to feature not only a story on Cutting Fences but also the spot on the cover! We are very grateful for such an incredible opportunity for our mission! If you have followed our story you know that this cover has a VERY large “not pictured” section to truly encompass our mission! Thank you to our funders, staff, family, followers, supporters, and of course the real star of this mission the amazing people we get to serve—you are the true cover of this work!! This feature has already brought new people our way that can benefit from our mission and for that we truly can’t thank you enough!!

Huge thank you to Dan for capturing the amazing photos and spending a Saturday morning away from your family to come out for an equipment delivery and take some action shots! As they say a picture is worth 1,000 words and when you do it as well as him it’s worth even more!

And to Cyd Hoefle, thank you so much for putting our story into words so perfectly again! Thank you for riding along this journey and supporting any chance you can!!

Link to the story is included below but I encourage you to check out the countless other stories beyond ours of women doing incredible things in their communities!!

https://yellowstonevalleywoman.com/cutting-fences

05/27/2026

Michelle brought Shawna a new pin to remind her of, well, who knows. But possibly to remind her that PDFs are notoriously inaccessible. There is increasing pressure on those managing websites for programs and businesses serving the public not to use PDFs, since improperly prepared PDFs cannot be read by technology used by the blind and those with low vision.

In these days of uncertain funding and shaky commitment to the welfare of those with disabilities, it is heartening to see that prioritizing digital accessibility is increasingly mainstream.

05/26/2026

It's a short work week, peeps. Let's kick it off with Steve, who came into MonTECH to experiment with eye-gaze communication. Here you see Steve successfully navigating a screen using only his eyes. He's working on this skill in advance of needing it - very wise, and a kick-ass sense of humor too!

05/25/2026

The Rural Institute, MonTECH's umbrella organization, held an all-hands meeting last week. There were presentations, learning sessions, and lots of group work to flesh out experiences and creative ideas together. And, there was a visit to Missoula's Butterfly House.

What did we learn at the Butterfly House? That we're totally competent and able to find the entrance despite the sign pointing in the opposite direction. That butterflies don't always fly out of the jar when they're released. That sometimes they might choose to cling stubbornly to their liberator's knee. And that everyone secretly longs to hold a stick bug.

05/23/2026

Shawna spent Wednesday in Dillon at MTAC's community resource fair. MTAC knows how to put on an event! Attendees ate free pizza, salads, and sodas while they strolled among the tables learning about resources. Jen and Lisa from the Montana School for the Deaf & Blind took MonTECH's seated elliptical for a spin, and everyone scarfed chocolate ears courtesy of Emily and Comprehensive Hearing Services. 👂

Comprehensive Hearing Services is probably out of ear suckers at this point, but you can learn more about their services here: https://www.comphearing.com/

Learn more about MTAC (Montana Accessible Communications) online. MTAC loans and sets up adaptive phones for Montanans who are hard of hearing, deaf, or have vision/hearing impairment. They offer open-ended loans of iPads and communication apps for Montanans who are nonspeaking or use ASL. You must meet their income eligibility requirement to qualify. Learn more here: dphhs.mt.gov/detd/mtac/nocostassistiveequipment

05/22/2026

We celebrated Darla and Maddy's stint at MonTECH with AT Olympics and dairy-free Oreos. Michelle also discovered that a foam grip makes a mighty fine balloon vase. Thank you to Maddy and Darla for your stellar service to MonTECH and the Montanans we serve! 🎉🥇