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DRC Offers Training: Your Rights to Assistive Technology
You’ve heard all the talk about assistive technology in recent years. There are many, many devices or pieces of equipment that can help a person live more independently, work, receive a better education, and fully access their communities. Some examples of AT devices include wheelchairs, lifts, computers, switches, communication devices, alerting systems, palm pilots, TTYs, and webcams. It can also include low-tech solutions such as modifications to workstations, extension handles for tools, and simple-solution tools found in your local hardware store. AT also means services that help a person to find the technology that can work for them, and the training to learn to use it.

Many people that could benefit from AT are not accessing it, either because they do not know about the possibilities or they cannot find the funding to pay for it. Students with learning disabilities may not know about computer software that can help them benefit from education, or that school districts can provide it. Employees may not know that they have a right to modifications to their work environment so that they can perform their jobs. People with memory impairments may not know about the variety of devices available to remember errands, schedules, addresses, and when to take medications. What will Medicaid or Medicare pay for? What will Vocational Rehabilitation pay for? How about the school districts, what is their responsibility?

The Disabilities Rights Center is available to provide training about your rights to Assistive Technology. Do you have a group that would like to hear more about the possibilities? Please send an email to Julia Freeman-Woolpert or give me a call at 1-800-834-1721 to arrange a presentation to your group. Our presentations can be tailored to the needs of your constituents.

We at the DRC look forward to working together to make AT available to those who need it.

 

 

last updated: November 10, 2008

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