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June 2020

Alaska

May brought more virtual engagements with Assistive Technology of Alaska (ATLA) offering free live webinars on various topics entitled: "Solutions for Managing Focus and Attention", "Get Connected: Solutions for Vision & Hearing Loss", and "Solutions for Isolated Seniors". ATLA also continued offering "Coffee Chat with ATLA" where participants heard a short presentation on a topic and then were encouraged to have a dialogue with Q&A on the topics. Topics included: "Solutions for Alaskans who are Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing", "Independent Living Solutions", and one open forum session. On May 28, ATLA teamed up with Art Nash & DeShana York to offer a chat on accessible gardening. All of the chats were well attended. Since the 'hunker down' order was initiated in Alaska, like many places, there is a new interest in gardening. Also like other places, there is a new insurgence of "victory gardens". In Anchorage there is an initiative by volunteers called "Anchor Gardens" where folks are getting together to share gardening education and resources. Some folks have sold their harvests at farmer's markets but it is exciting to see others new to gardening having a newfound interest in growing their own food and having a newfound interest in food security.

Submitted by DeShana York