Assistive Technology Demo Loaner Program
Technological advances have made remarkable improvements in the financial, employment, educational, social, and day-to-day living aspects of all individuals, including those with disabilities. Technology increases efficiency and makes many tasks easier. It is a powerful force in the shaping of lives. Assistive technology can ensure that individuals with a wide range of abilities can have meaningful access, be productive citizens, and participate in education, activities of daily living, and recreation and leisure.
Assistive technology is defined as "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 the functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities." By law, educational teams that meet to plan a student's Individualized Education Program (IEP) must consider assistive technology.
Assistive technology includes voice recorders, personal electronic organizers, augmentative communication devices, speech recognition software, voice output software, screen readers, onscreen calculators that provide voice output, various input devices, such as adapted keyboards and switches, and specially adapted computers.
ALLTech AT in Concert program is funded in part by Maine CITE. The Maine CITE Coordinating Center is the statewide program designed to help make assistive and universally designed technology more available to Maine children and adults who have disabilities. Recognizing that assistive technology abandonment is a problem ALLTech offers consumers the opportunity to "try before they buy." AT in Concert program offers consumers onsite and offsite demonstrations and device trials at no cost.
Visit our assistive technology demonstration/loaner database. Soon to be searchable! Contact us if there is something you’d like to trial that may not be on our list. We may be able to assist!
Loaner Equipment Areas:
- Alternative Input Devices
- Alternative Output Devices
- Augmentative and Alternative Communciation (AAC)
Another great resource for assistive technology equipment is the New England online classified service for recycled Assistive Technology. Check it out at www.getATstuff.com.