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Assistive Technology Act

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As technology has come to play an increasingly important role in the lives of all persons in the United States, in the conduct of business, in the functioning of government, in the fostering of communication, in the conduct of commerce, and in the provision of education, its impact upon the lives of the more than 50,000,000 individuals with disabilities in the United States has been comparable to its impact upon the remainder of the citizens of the United States. Any development in mainstream technology would have profound implications for individuals with disabilities in the United States.

(Findings and Purposes, Assistive Technology Act of 1998, Finding 3)

The Assistive Technology Act was first passed by Congress and signed by the President as the Technology-Related Assistance Act of 1988. It’s often called the Tech Act for short and has been reauthorized in 1994, 1998, and 2004. The most current version of the Act is authorized through 2010.

Purpose of the Tech Act
The Tech Act is intended to promote people’s awareness of, and access to, assistive technology (AT) devices and services. The Act seeks to provide AT to persons with disabilities, so they can more fully participate in education, employment, and daily activities on a level playing field with other members of their communities. The Act covers people with disabilities of all ages, all disabilities, in all environments (early intervention, K-12, post-secondary, vocational rehabilitation, community living, aging services, etc.).


A Look at Key Definitions
The Assistive Technology Act of 2004 defines an assistive technology device in the following way:

…any item, piece of equipment, or product system, whether acquired commercially, modified, or customized, that is used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities. (29 U.S.C. Sec 2202(2))

AT devices can be “low tech,” “medium tech,” or “high tech”–as the examples below show.

  • power and manual wheelchairs, scooters, canes, walkers, and standing devices
  • augmentative communication devices (speech generating devices), voice amplifiers,and speech recognition devices
  • durable medical equipment and medical supplies, such as patient lifts and incontinence supplies
  • orthotics and prosthetics, such as hearing aids and electric larynxes
  • accessibility adaptations to the home, workplace, schools, group homes, nursing facilities, ICF/MRs, and other places (e.g., ramps, stair glides, lifts, grab bars, flashing smoke detectors, lever doorknobs, and environmental controls)
  • special equipment to help people work, study, and engage in recreation, such as enlarged computer keyboards, reachers, amplified telephones, magnifiers, voice recognition software, and adaptive sports equipment
  • accessibility modifications in the community, such as audio systems on public transportation, talking ATMs, and voting machines for the blind (Disability Rights Network of Pennsylvania, 2008)

An assistive technology service is defined as:

…any service that directly assists an individual with a disability in the selection, acquisition, or use of an assistive technology device.

Examples of AT services–taken from the law itself–include:

An evaluation of the AT needs of an individual, including a functional evaluation of how AT would help the individual

Purchasing, leasing, or otherwise providing an AT device

Selecting, designing, fitting, customizing, adapting, applying, maintaining, repairing, replacing, or donating an AT device

Coordinating and using therapies, such as occupational therapy or physical therapy, with AT devices under an educational plan or rehabilitative plan

Training or technical assistance for an individual with a disability, or his or her family members, guardians, advocates, or authorized representatives

Training or technical assistance for educational or rehabilitation professionals, manufacturers of AT devices, employers, providers of training and employment services, and others who help individuals with disabilities

A service that expands access to technology, including email and Internet, to persons with disabilities.

State AT Projects
Under the law, each U.S. state and territory receives a grant to fund an Assistive Technology Act Project (ATAP). These projects provide services to persons with disabilities for their entire life span, as well as to their families or guardians, service providers, and agencies and other entities that are involved in providing services such as education and employment to persons with disabilities.

How do you find your state’s AT project? Visit the RESNA Catalyst Project, and select your state from the list, that’s how.
http://www.resnaprojects.org/allcontacts/statewidecontacts.htm

To Read the Statute of the Act
The statute of the Tech Act is the bill that was passed by Congress into law and signed by the President. As mentioned above, the most recent reauthorization took place in 2004 as Public Law 108-364. Officially, this last reauthorization of the Act is called The Improving Access to Assistive Technology for Individuals with Disabilities Act of 2004. You can find a copy of the statute online:

Summaries of the Law

Council for Exceptional Children. (2005). Public policy update: CEC’s summary and update of PL 108-364, the Assistive Technology Reauthorization Act of 2004. Available online, at:
http://www.cec.sped.org/~/media/Files/Policy/Archives/Assistive%20Technology/Summary%20of%20Assistive%20Technology%20Law.pdf

Global Legal Information Network. (n.d.). Summary record: Assistive Technology Act of 2004. Retrieved December 15, 2009, from: http://www.glin.gov/view.action?glinID=182969

Relton, J. (2005, January). Policy issues: The Assistive Technology Act of 2004. http://www.afb.org/AFBPress/pub.asp?DocID=aw060109

U.S. Department of Education. (2006). Assistive Technology Act: Annual report to Congress: Fiscal years 2004 and 2005. Available online at: http://www.ed.gov/about/reports/annual/rsa/atsg/2004/index.html

Information about Assistive Technology
Listed in alphabetical order…

AbleData | Provides objective information about assistive technology products and rehabilitation equipment | http://www.abledata.com/

AccessIT: The National Center on Accessible Information Technology in Education | http://www.washington.edu/accessit/

Alliance for Technology Access | http://www.ataccess.org/

Assistive Technology Industry Association | http://www.atia.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=1

Assistive Technology Training Online Project (ATTO) | Provides information on AT applications that help students with disabilities learn in elementary classrooms | http://atto.buffalo.edu/

Family Center on Technology and Disability (FCTD) | http://www.fctd.info

NICHCY’s Pinterest board on AT | http://pinterest.com/elaineindc/assistive-technology/

National Public Website on Assistive Technology | http://www.assistivetech.net/

Protection and Advocacy for Assistive Technology (PAAT) Program | Provides protection and advocacy services to help individuals with disabilities of all ages acquire, utilize, and maintain AT services or devices | To identify your state’s program, visit: http://www.adap.net/palist/pas.html

RehabTool | http://www.rehabtool.com/at.html

References
Assistive technology for persons with disabilities: An overview. Retrieved December 15, 2009, from: http://drnpa.org/File/publications/assistive-technology-for-persons-with-disabilities—an-overview.pdf

Funding Your Wheelchair Van with a Grant

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Mobility beyond the wheelchair is out there, but so often, it’s out of reach financially for individuals with disabilities who have spent thousands on medical care. There are several avenues that lead to funds for a wheelchair accessible vehicle or adaptive equipment for driving, like loans, government assistance, mobility rebates and grants. So what’s great about grants?

Grant money doesn’t need to be repaid, which makes it especially attractive. What’s more, grant opportunities are plentiful; relevant grant-making organizations and foundations will supply partial or complete funding on wheelchair accessible vans for sale or assistive equipment; and you can combine funds from several sources to purchase the freedom and independence an accessible vehicle provides. Obtaining a grant to fund an accessible vehicle requires patience, perseverance and a detailed application process. Though it sounds daunting, these tips will help you navigate the process:

  • Be Patient

Grant providers don’t work in your time frame. They process thousands of applications just like yours, so you may wait longer than you’d like for a response. Expressing your aggravation to the grant provider might be counterproductive. Lowering your expectations will also lower your level of frustration during your quest for grant money. If you’re prepared for progress to move slowly, you’ll be thrilled if it takes less time than you expect.

  • Be Prepared with Necessary Information

With the likelihood you’ll want to apply to several granting institutions, it simply makes sense to have your basic information gathered and quickly accessible, so you can begin filling out an application as soon as you’ve identified another potential grant opportunity. Though the requirements on grant applications vary, you’ll need personal information on all of them, such as your Social Security Number, driver’s license number (if you have one), marital status, financial information and personal background details. It’s all about expediting the application process on your end. Keep in mind that funding organizations have different policies and requirements, so you’ll need to be flexible.

  • Line up Medical Records and References

Granting institutions will want to see your medical records. Your physician can provide you with a copy. Some physicians prefer to send your records directly to the granting institution. Either way, be sure your physician understands why you need your medical records. While you’re at it, ask your physician to write a letter of recommendation. It’s not necessary, but a letter from your physician, written on letterhead stationery, can often be helpful when applying for a grant. Ask that the letter be addressed to a generic individual (“Dear Sir or Madam” or “To Whom It May Concern”), so you can include a copy with each application.

Now’s the time to get references to support your efforts – ask close friends, neighbors, colleagues, church members and anyone who you believe will provide convincing, compelling input about your character and disability. Funding organizations want their personal perspective about your accomplishments, your attitude and how you manage your disability on a daily basis. Your references can also comment on how grant money to buy a wheelchair accessible vehicle would improve your present lifestyle.

  • Make Your Case

Your mission is to help the funding organization understand your personal history, your challenges and the impact any hardships have had on your life. Be honest and persuasive in telling your story to the grant provider (including an articulate, straightforward narrative, 1-2 pages in length), describing your plans for the funding and its potential positive effect on your future. Focus on setting yourself apart from other applicants with an emotional, inspiring account. You’re in competition for a limited amount of money, so this is important.

  • Research and Identify Appropriate Granting Institutions

You now have the necessary documents and backing to begin applying for grants. Start your research with these handicap van grants, sorted by location, medical need, veterans, special needs children and others to find one or more grants for your specific situation. If you search the Internet, use “disability grant providers,” “disability grants” and other relevant keyword phrases to find foundations and organizations. If you’re a disabled veteran, check with the Veterans Administration. Remember, you can combine sources to amass as much money as possible for your wheelchair van or adaptive equipment.

Organizations that support specific conditions often provide grants to people living with that disorder. Examples include United Cerebral Palsy, the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA).

When you’ve identified a potential granting organization, read their mission statement and get an application form. Craft a cover letter in which you align your needs with the organization’s goals to demonstrate how you can help achieve the provider’s objectives. This is essential information for the funding organization.

  • Contact the Grant Providers

If at all possible, speak or write to the person in charge when you begin the application process to fund your handicap van. Typically, assistance programs will assign a project officer or contact person to help you through the details. Always be polite and thank them for their time. Through this direct line of communication, you can have your questions and concerns addressed. Get a contact name, phone number and email address for every organization to obtain status updates on your application. Request information on their timeline for choosing a candidate for the funding opportunity.

  • Stay Organized and Aware

With multiple applications at different stages in the process, it’s essential to keep track of your documents and deadlines. You should be able to put your hands on documents and paperwork at any given moment. Devise a system to remind yourself of important dates and deadlines, and be sure everything is submitted on time. Stand out from other applicants by demonstrating your desire to earn their financial assistance – meet all deadlines and stay up-to-date on the status of your applications.

Keep copies of all of your applications (electronic or paper copies, or both), and save any confirmation numbers or application numbers you may receive in a safe, readily accessible place. You may be asked for them at some point.

It may take time and effort to get the funding you need for a wheelchair van or adaptive equipment, but it’s absolutely worth it to gain the freedom and independence that can change your life.