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Simon Technology Center Overview
Assistive technology can be a device or service that helps children with disabilities participate more independently within their environment at home or school.
The Simon Technology Center (STC) is dedicated to making the benefits of technology more accessible to children and adults with disabilities. Through a collaborated effort involving parents, professionals, and consumers, the STC can provide numerous services for your family, as well as resources and informative answers to your questions. Since 1987, the Simon Technology Center has helped many children and adults, with a variety of disabilities, use assistive technology to enhance learning, work and independence.
Services
The Simon Technology Center provides a variety of core services to help children, families, and professionals including:
- Technology consultations
- Lending library
- Individualized Training Sessions
- Facebook Buy & Sell Group - MN Special Needs Equipment for Sale
Find equipment and assistive technology after its initial use. Items such as, communication devices, walkers, adaptive switches and toys, motorized cars (that can be adapted), adapted keyboards, etc.
- In-services and workshops
- Simon Technology Center videos
Projects
The Simon Technology Center also operates several projects with specific focuses such as:
Featured Services and Projects
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The STC Lending Library has launched a new modern online catalog of items!
With more than 1,900 items, the Lending Library lets you try out and borrow some of the newest educational and disability-specific software and devices on the market including:
- Text-to-speech software for reading accessibility
- Speech-to-text software for improved written communication
- Universally designed toys for playtime accessibility and inclusion
- Communication devices for communication freedom
- Computer access adaptations for independence
- Talking calculators for improved independence with math
The Simon Technology Center Lending Library allows you to try assistive technology before making a purchase decision and is open to Minnesota residents. Families, educators, and consumers who become library members benefit from personalized assistance, convenient hours and services. As a member, you can:
- Receive personal assistance in selecting and checking out materials.
- Try out devices and software.
- Reserve, check-out, or renew items online, by phone, email or in person.
- Schedule quick pick-up during regular business hours or library open hours.
- Have items mailed to you for free if you live in Greater Minnesota.
Upcoming STC Workshops & Events
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Tech for Teens Club : Coding robots
Date: Saturday, January 11, 2025 — 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM CTLocation: PACER CenterJoin our hands-on, in-person workshop to learn how to code mBots! Students will learn basic coding commands with block-based coding and will be able to program their mBot to navigate obstacles. This workshop is open to youth aged 12-20. -
Accessibility Series : Android
Date: Thursday, January 16, 2025 — 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM CTLocation: Online Web StreamingAndroid devices have many accessibility settings built-in to their operating systems. Join us to learn about the different ways you can modify your Android devices to make them more accessible. This workshop will cover voice access, text-to-speech features, vision features, and more. -
Tech for Teens Club : Straw rocket launching
Date: Saturday, February 8, 2025 — 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM CTLocation: PACER Center - Map and AddressDesign, build, and launch your own straw rocket in this hands-on workshop! Work with Newton's three laws of motion to customize and test your rocket for maximum flight. Participants will design their own fins, nose cones, and rocket bodies. Tech for Teens is a workshop for youth ages 12-20.
The Simon Technology and its projects are generously sponsored by private donations and the following foundations: 3M, Best Buy, Boston Scientific, Donaldson Foundation, Ecolab, Fred C. & Katherine B. Andersen Foundation, Grotto Foundation, IBM, Medtronic, Minneapolis Rotary Community Service Foundation, The Minneapolis Foundation, Schulze Family Foundation, Verizon, and Xcel Energy. In kind support provided by Accenture and Target.