Disability Resources by Category

Assistive Technology

For individuals with disabilities, assistive technology (AT) improves access to education, employment, independent living, recreation and participation in the community.

The Assistive Technology Act of 2004 states that "Technology is one of the primary engines for economic activity, education, and innovation in the Nation, and throughout the world. The commitment of the United States to the development and utilization of technology is one of the main factors underlying the strength and vibrancy of the economy of the United States."

Assistive Technology (AT) and AT services provide vital supports to individuals with disabilities. If you, or someone you know, is having difficulty getting needed assistive technology, contact us. The videos below show how two individuals who use their assistive technology.

Learn about Matthew's AT:

Learn about Victor's AT:

Definitions

The AT Act defines "AT device" and "AT service" as follows:

AT Device

AT Device is any item, piece of equipment, or product system (whether acquired commercially off the shelf, modified or customized) that is used to increase, maintain or improve functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities. Some examples are durable medical equipment such as lifts, wheelchairs, speech communication devices, devices for hearing and vision, aids for daily living or recreation, etc.

AT devices are used for:

communication
mobility
hearing
seeing
reading
writing

And to assist with:

household activities
participation in play or recreation
personal care
therapy or medical treatment
the use of public/private transportation
employment
school /learning

AT Service

AT Service is any service that directly assists an individual with a disability in the selection, acquisition, or use of an assistive technology service such as an evaluation of AT needs, customizing, maintaining, repairing, or replacing AT devices.

AT Act of 2004

The Assistive Technology Act of 2004 promotes awareness and access to assistive technology devices and services.

The AT Act envisions that assistive technology will allow individuals with disabilities to fully participate in education, employment, health coverage and access to government services and businesses.

Congress found that over 54,000,000 individuals in the United States have disabilities, with almost half experiencing severe disabilities that affect their ability to see, hear, communicate, reason, walk, or perform other basic life functions.

Congress noted that disability is a natural part of the human experience and in no way diminishes the right of individuals to live independently; enjoy self-determination and make choices; benefit from an education; pursue meaningful careers; and enjoy full inclusion and integration in the economic, political, social, cultural, and educational mainstream of society in the United States.

In passing the AT Act, Congress stated that technology is one of the primary engines for economic activity, education, and innovation in the Nation, and throughout the world.

To access the entire AT Act, see the Links section below.

Links

Visit these websites for more information and resources:

Florida and Federal Laws and Rules

The Assistive Technology Act of 2004
List of Federal Law and Regulations from the Division of Blind Services website
Florida Medicaid Durable Medical Equipment and Medical Supply Services Coverages and Limitations Handbook - published by the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration, is a crucial guide for Floridians on Medicaid as well as providers of care to learn more about covered services and devices and required documentation.

Florida Department of Education

Assistive Technology for Students with Disabilities Technical Assistive Paper - August 2013

Florida Vocational Rehabilitation and Blind Services Policies

Division of Rehabilitation Counselor Manual - Chapter 14 Rehabilitation Services: Rehabilitation Technology
Division of Blind Services Client Services Policies - 6.07 Purchase of Access and Rehabilitation Technology
Division of Blind Services Client Services Policies - 6.10 Assessing and Processing Employment Access Technology Evaluations
Division of Blind Services Client Services Policies - 60EE Accessible Electronic and Information Technology Rules

Florida Resources

The Florida Alliance for Assistive Services and Technology (FAAST) is the AT Act program in Florida, funded by Congress to increase access to and acquisition of assistive technology and services.Services include assistive technology financing for qualified borrowers, information and referral, device demonstrations and device lending, equipment reutilization, training and education and public awareness. Visit a Regional Demonstration Center or Satellite Partner location. 1-888-788-9216.
The Centers for Independent Living (CILs) are private, nonprofit corporations that provide services to maximize the independence of individuals with disabilities and the accessibility of the communities they live in. Centers provide, among other things, several core services: advocacy, independent living skills training, information and referral, peer counseling, and some may offer short term loans of equipment such as wheelchairs, walkers, and canes, as well as information on ramps and home modification.
The Bureau of Braille and Talking Book Library at the Division of Blind Services provides free services to individuals who have difficulty reading print due to a visual problem, a reading disability, or difficulty holding a book due to a physical disability. This bureau also administers the Braille and Audio Reading Download (BARD) program, which allows high speed internet download of books and magazines to a computer.
The Florida Telecommunications Relay, Inc. (FTRI) provides free equipment such as amplified phones, captioned phones to individuals who qualify due to a hearing loss. FTRI offers a variety of amplified telephones to meet the needs of people with a mild, moderate, or severe hearing loss.
The Florida Diagnostic and Learning Resource System (FDLRS) of the Florida Department of Education provides diagnostic, instructional and technology support services to district exceptional education programs and families and students with disabilities including the area of assistive technology.

National Resources

National Assistive Technology Act Technical Assistance and Training (AT3) Center
AbleData provides objective information on assistive technology and rehabilitation equipment available from domestic and international sources to consumers, organizations, professionals, and caregivers within the United States. AbleData is sponsored by the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR), part of the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) of the U.S. Department of Education.
Partnership on Employment and Accessible Technology (PEAT) Talks: Emerging Workplace Technologies and Vision Loss
Assistive Technology Basics Presentation - Job Accomodations Network
Pass It On Center (The National AT Reuse Center) functions to support individuals with disabilities by reutilizing assistive technology and coordinating dispersal of AT in the event of natural disasters.
Federal Communications Commission, Disability Rights Office "addresses disability-related matters, including access to telecommunications services and equipment; hearing aid compatibility; access to advanced communications services and equipment; access to Internet browsers built into mobile phones; telecommunications relay services; the National Deaf-Blind Equipment Distribution Program; accessible video programming and video programming apparatus (access to televised emergency information, closed captioning on television and television programs on the Internet, video description, and accessible user interfaces, text menus, and program guides)."