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TextDisability Services Beacon - Winter 2005
Assistive Technology - What Can It Do for You?
To many of us, technological changes seem to happen at the speed of light. In the past, significant technological developments happened every twenty years or so, but now they seem to happen every twenty minutes. People with disabilities often have the most to gain from such rapid technological development.
Technology that enables persons with a disability to maintain or improve their ability to function in daily life is called assistive technology. Assistive technology can run the gamut from simple low-cost items that help many people do something better (such as vegetable peelers with big rubber handles) to expensive, high-tech equipment useful to a select few (such as voice synthesizers on lap top communication boards). Other examples of assistive technology include:
• Hand controls in vehicles that control the brakes and gas
• Power wheelchairs
• Cochlear implants
• Switches that turn something on or off
• Voice recognition software
• Remotes that control devices such as televisions, stereos, and
doors
• Sticky plastic that can hold items in place
No matter how significant the impairment caused by a disability, assistive technology can do much to mitigate that impairment. Through assistive technology, people with disabilities both hidden and significant can lead fulfilling lives in their communities. There are assistive technology devices and services for people in every walk of life.
Assistive technology works best when it meets the individual needs of the person using it. While low-tech low-cost technology options can be tried often with little cost but high-tech, expensive options sometime require substantial training to use successfully. Getting an assistive technology assessment is an important first step towards getting the right assistive technology.
Assessments are available from different sources. Children enrolled in public schools and receiving special education services can get assistive technology assessments through the individualized education program (IEP) process. Fairfax County Public Schools’ Integrated Technology Services (ITS) provides assessments as well as equipment and training. For adults, assistive technology assessments are routinely performed at rehabilitation centers, centers for independent living, universities, and disability advocacy organizations. Often, in order for insurance to pay for an assistive technology product, an assessment by a professional such as an occupational therapist is needed. Local organizations that provide assessments and opportunities to try out equipment are the Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind, the Endependence Center of Northern Virginia, the Northern Virginia Resource Center for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Persons, and United Cerebral Palsy. Contact information for all is available below.
Access Services of the Fairfax County Public Library provides resources for patrons with disabilities, including those who cannot leave their homes, are deaf or hard of hearing, blind or visually impaired, or have a physical disability. They have a variety of equipment that can help patrons use computers, including the Internet, and enjoy books and other media. In addition, each branch library has an assistive workstation equipped with 21 inch screens and a large print software program that can magnify printed material up to 16 times. They offer various “zoom window” and screen-panning options, as well as built-in text-to-speech software. Several branches have meeting rooms that contain assistive listening systems which amplify sound for persons who are hearing impaired. Contact information is below.
In addition to helping with daily activities, assistive technology can make the difference between a successful work environment and one that isn’t. Local centers for independent living, such as the Endependence Center of Northern Virginia, and the Department of Rehabilitative Services, provide employment help that includes finding the right assistive technology. In addition, the Job Accommodation Network provides information to callers and Web site visitors about job-related assistive technology.
The commonwealth of Virginia believes strongly in the need for assistive technology and its benefits. In response to that need, the state established the Virginia Assistive Technology System (VATS) to provide access to assistive technology information, devices, services, and funding for all Virginians. In addition to the central office, five regional sites provide local technical assistance throughout the state. The local office for Northern Virginia, called VATS North, is housed at the Center for Human disAbilities at George Mason University. They provide information on assistive technology as well as screenings, demonstrations, and trainings. There is a cost involved with many of their services.
Contact Information
Access Services, Fairfax
County Public Library,703-324-8380, TTY 703-324-8365, e-mail
access@fairfaxcounty.gov, www.fairfaxcounty.gov/library/branches/as.
The Assistive Technology Loan Fund Authority, 1-866-835-5976, TTY 1-804-662-9000, www.atlfa.org.
Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind, 202-454-6400 or 1-877-324-5252, TTY 711, e-mail info@clb.org, www.clb.org.
Endependence Center of Northern Virginia, 703-525-3268, TTY 703-525-3553, www.ecnv.org.
Job Accommodation Network (JAN), Voice/TTY 1-800-526-7234, http://janweb.icdi.wvu.edu.
Northern Virginia Resource Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, 703-352-9055, TTY 703-352-9056, www.nvrc.org
United Cerebral Palsy of the Washington DC and Northern Virginia Area, 202-526-1652, TTY 711, www.ucpdc.org.
Virginia Assistive Technology System in Richmond, 1-800-552-5019, Web: www.vats.org. VATS North, the Center for Human disAbilities, George Mason University, Voice/TTY 703-993-3670, Voice/TTY 1-800-333-7958 (V/T); www.kihd.gmu.edu/vatsnorth/index.htm.
Virginia Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired, Voice/TTY 1-800-622-2155, Voice/TTY 1-804-371-3140, www.vdbvi.org.
Virginia Department for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Voice/TTY 1-800-552-7917, 804-662-9502, www.vddhh.org.
Virginia Department of Rehabilitative Services, 1-800-552-5019, TTY 1-800-464-9950, www.vadrs.org.
Funding Assistive Tech
Assistive technology devices and services can often be funded by
insurance plans, including Medicare and Medicaid, vocational
rehabilitation programs, and work incentive programs. Depending on the
nature of the assistive technology and its uses, work-related devices may
be paid by employers. Technology that is needed in the classroom and is
identified on a student’s Individualized Education Plan will be provided
by the school system. For both education and employment related
technology, the school or employer may put restrictions on whether and
how the technology may be used at home.
However, there are times when assistive technology isn’t covered. In those cases, the Virginia Assitive Technology System provides a resource guide to help readers find funding. VATS also maintains an equipment exchange that can be a lower cost option for some. The Assistive Technology Loan Fund Authority, a program of the Virginia Department of Rehabilitative Services in conjunction with SunTrust Bank, offers a program of statewide affordable loans to Virginians with disabilities. A special feature of ATLFA is the Consumer Service Fund, a “fund of last resort” for persons with disabilities who have been unable to obtain needed funding from all other sources. ATLFA has also begun a new program that provides loans for equipment that would allow people with disabilities to telework. For contact information on the ATLFA, see above.
AT Web Sites
The Internet remains one of the most comprehensive sources of
information on assistive technology. Some Web sites worth exploring are:
• www.abledata.com. The Web site features a database of over 17,000 assistive technology products for persons with a disability, including product reviews, conference listings, classified ads, etc. Most products are sold through catalogues or by mail order.
• www.assistivetech.net. This informative site contains resources on products, statistics, and research projects related to assistive technology.
• www.enablemart.com. One-stop shopping for assistive technology products.
• www.ittatc.org. The Information Technology Technical Assistance and Training Center’s Web site is devoted to making the Internet and all telecommunications accessible to people with disabilities.
• www.ldonline.org. This site is specifically dedicated to the use of assistive technology for persons with learning disabilities.
• www.workrerc.org. Like the Job Accommodation Network, this Web site is devoted to employment related accommodations and assistive technology.
Virginia Caregivers Grant Program is now open! It
provides up to $500.00 for caregivers of a relative with a disability.
Applications for the year 2004 must be submitted no earlier than Feb 1,
2005, and not later than May 1, 2005. To download the application, go to
www.dss.virginia.gov/family/as/caregivegrant.html or call 703-324-5485,
TTY 703-449-1186.
Fairfax Area Disability Services Board
At-Large: Kim Callahan
At-Large: Tom Choman, Chair
At-Large: Robert Rudney
At-Large: Vacant
Braddock District: Pam Barrett
City of Fairfax: Woody Witt
City of Falls Church: Anne Rohall, Secretary
Dranesville District: Lisa Fagan
Hunter Mill District: Vacant
Lee District: Kevin Hyde
Mason District: Stephanie Mensh
Mount Vernon District: David Norcross
Providence District: Vacant
Springfield District: Vacant
Sully District: Ann Pimley, Vice-Chair
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Fairfax County is committed to nondiscrimination on the basis of disability in all county programs, services, and activities. This document is available in alternative formats upon request. Please call 703-324-5421 or TTY 703-449-1186, or send an e-mail. Allow 7 working days for preparation of the material.
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Government Center
12000 Government Center Parkway
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Meetings are open to the public; public comment, no more than 3 minutes in length, is welcome during the public comment period. For information or to request accommodations, please call 703-324-5421, TTY 703-449-1186, or send an e-mail 5 working days prior to the meeting.
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