| Assistive Technology helps people with disabilities lead more productive and independent lives by helping them communicate with others, learn more effectively, get where they want to go, take care of themselves and their homes and increase their ability to have fun. The following resources can help you find out more about how assistive technology can help you or your family member with a disability achieve goals and lead more fulfilling lives.
Pennsylvania's Initiative on Assistive Technology (PIAT) –
Provides information and referral activities to help people find assistive technology devices and advocacy activities to help individuals and their families gain access to the assistive technology they need. PIAT also provides training on a variety of assistive technology issues.
Recycled Equipment Exchange Program (REEP)
Provides a classified listing of assistive technology to sell, buy, or donate.
PA Assistive Technology Lending Library
A free service that loans assistive technology devices to people with disabilities of all ages.
ACES (Augmentative Communication and Empowerment Supports). ACES is an intensive learning program for adults with significant speech and physical disabilities and their allies who wish to learn to become effective communicators using voice output communication devices. Also provided through ACES is an Empowerment Course taught by leaders from the disability community, and a computer class where we learn about interfacing our devices with computers, using e-mail, the web, etc.
Contact: Kevin J. Cohen, kcohen@nimbus.ocis.temple.edu
PIAT: PIAT is Pennsylvania’s Initiative on Assistive Technology. PIAT is the Commonwealth’s statewide, cross-age and cross-disability program under the Technology-related Assistance for Individuals with Disabilities Act, as Amended (P.L. 103-218). As specified in the "Tech Act", PIAT’s priority activities include the development, implementation, and monitoring of laws, policies, practices, and organizational structures to improve access to assistive technology for all Pennsylvanians with disabilities and older Pennsylvanians. PIAT’s efforts are focused in the areas of public awareness, information and referral, advocacy and training.
Phone: (800) 204-PIAT (7428) (voice)
(800) 750-PIAT (7428) (TTY)
email: piat@astro.temple.edu
AccessAble Vehicles for People with Disabilities
Adaptive vehicle site includes The Disability Link Barn with links to ADA, products, news, funding, chat and vocational DisAbility sites.
Abledata
ABLEDATA is a federally funded project whose primary mission is to provide information on assistive technology and rehabilitation equipment available from domestic and international sources. At their site you can find information about assistive technology in general and about assistive technology for specific types of products in their database.
Adrian's Closet 1-800-831-2577
A nonprofit group that makes clothes adapted for people who use wheel chairs. They make shirts, jackets and sweatshirts for people who have difficulty raising their arms. The shirts slide on from the front without arm raising or drawing the shirt across the back. They also make pants, capes, and boot slides. They are a nonprofit group that sees its mission as helping people with disabilities look, dress and feel well.
Assistivetech.net
assistivetech.net is an online information resource providing up-to-date, thorough information on assistive technologies, adaptive environments and community resources. At the assistivetech.net Web site you can search for assistive technology, explore an extensive list of related links, join a discussion group on assistive technology, and more.
Eastern Paralyzed Veterans Association
Eastern Paralyzed Veterans Association (EPVA) is dedicated to enhancing the lives of veterans with a spinal cord injury or disease by assuring quality health care, promoting research, and advocating for civil rights and independence. EPVA is a chapter of the congressionally chartered Paralyzed Veterans of America and has over 2,000 members residing in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Connecticut.
Assistive Technology at EPVA.
Bobby tool for assessing Web page accessibility
Bobby is a Web tool to quickly help Web page authors identify and repair significant barriers to access by individuals with disabilities. It was created by the Center for Applied Special Technology (CASP).
Wave tool for assessing Web page accessibility
Wave is a new tool for quickly determining Web page accessibility along with suggestions. Wave was created by Temple University, Institute on Disabilities, Pennsylvania Initiative on Assistive Technology.
Office of Vocational Rehabilitation Assistive Technology
Provides Assistive Technology devices and services to eligible individuals with disabilities, if needed to get or keep a job.
WeMedia is a magazine and comprehensive online resource providing targeting information and resources in news, sports, technology, advocacy, shopping, employment, education, politics, finance, and real estate.
WebABLE - a company of Web accessibility technology, consulting, and training. They help make Web sites fully accessible to people with disabilities and in compliance with the World Wide Consortium standards and Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act. Free accessibility test of your Web site offered.
Young Opportunities, Ltd. - Access Technology Learning Center
Blind and low vision access technology training, instruction and consulting. Individual and group instruction at the worksite or in the office. Equipment sales of screen readers, speech synthesizers, and other computer peripherals.
Contact: Morgan Henderson and Ed Staudt
Telephone 610-622-0728 610-622-1903 FAX
6 East Wayne Avenue
Aldan, PA 19018-4024
Phone: (610) 622-0728 E-mail: customerservice@youngopp.com
Technology for Advocacy - Resources for using emerging technologies for advocacy work.
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