Assistive Technology Resource Page

Disability Resources

AARP (formerly known as the American Association of Retired Persons) (www.aarp.org) is an organization that addresses the needs and interests of persons 50 and older. This site includes links to a section on Universal Design: Home Modifications.

Accessible PA (www.accessiblepa.state.pa.us) combines the latest information on programs and services in one convenient site for people of all ages with disabilities, as well as their families and support providers. Information is available on a variety of programs and services for Pennsylvanians with disabilities-such as programs for education, housing, transportation, vocational rehabilitation, employment, health care, home and community-based services, and child-specific services.

American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) (http://www.aapd-dc.org) is the largest national non-profit cross disability member organization in the United States. This site offers a comprehensive resource guide for persons with disabilities as well as access to a new, on-line Mobility and Access Loan Program made available from the Digital Federal Credit Union.

Easy Access to Services for Independence (www.easiresources.org/) is an online resource (developed by the Inglis Foundation) designed to make finding programs and services for daily living activities easier for people with disabilities and seniors.

Job Accommodation Network (JAN) (http://janweb.icdi.wvu.edu) is a free consulting service that provides information about job accommodations, funding tips, the ADA and the employability of people with disabilities.

Pennsylvania’s Initiative on Assistive Technology (PIAT) (http://disabilities.temple.edu/programs/assistive/piat) can provide free demonstrations of different devices  to Pennsylvanians of all ages and disabilities to help them find the “right” device.  PIAT answers questions about devices and where to find service providers, and conducts training and outreach presentations, to help people learn about assistive technology.  PIAT has a network...

Pennsylvania’s Assistive Technology Lending Library is a resource for free trial loans of devices.  Thousands...

PA Power Port (www.state.pa.us) is the official website for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. This site has links to state agencies, the General Assembly, and legislative research.

Recycled and Exchanged Equipment Partnership (REEP) (http://piat.reep.ioddev.org) is a free listing of ads for used items available for sale or donation…

Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America (RESNA) (www.resna.org/AFTAP/index.html) provides technical assistance to the alternate financing programs (Title III of the Assistive Technology Act). This website includes links to state projects, loan program data, and a library of resources.

Telecommunication Device Distribution Program (TDDP) (http://disabilities.temple.edu/programs/assistive/tddp) is a resource for free telecommunications equipment like…

United Spinal Association (formerly known as Eastern Paralyzed Veterans Association) (www.unitedspinal.org) has links to various AT sites, including U.S.A. Tech Guide: A Web Guide to Assistive Technology Choices (www.usatechguide.org).

Assistive Technology

ABLEDATA (www.abledata.com) is a collection of useful information about assistive technology. The database contains more than 20,000 assistive technology products that are currently available. ABLEDATA is sponsored by the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research of the U.S. Department of Education.

AgrAbility (http://agexted.cas.psu.edu/agrab/) provides direct services for farmers and farm family members with a disability or long-term health condition who want to remain in production agriculture.

Assistive Technology Information (www.assistivetech.net) is an on-line resource that provides up-to-date information on assistive technology and disability-related information. The database of AT is designed to help consumers target solutions, determine costs and link to vendors that sell products.

Disabled Dealer Magazine (www.disableddealer.com) is a national resource that helps people with disabilities and older

Make-A-Wish Foundation (www.wish.org) grants wishes of children who are 2 1/2 to 18 years of age who have been diagnosed with a life-threatening medical condition. Assistive technology requests are eligible for consideration. Vehicles are not eligible, but a lift or other vehicle modification may be eligible if it is a child's wish.

New Mobility (www.newmobility.com) is a full-color monthly magazine that encourages the integration of active-lifestyle wheelchair users into mainstream society, while simultaneously reflecting the vibrant world of disability-related arts, media, advocacy and philosophy. Stories foster a sense of community and empower readers to: participate in all areas of life, including education, work, love, sex, home ownership, parenting, sports, recreation, travel and entertainment; be informed of and take charge of health concerns; obtain appropriate technology; and assert legal rights.

Pennsylvania Training and Technical Assistance Network (PaTTAN) (www.pattan.net) is an initiative of the Pennsylvania Department of Education working in partnership with families and local education agencies to support programs and services to improve student learning and achievement. Among PaTTAN’s many services is Short Term Loan, a lending collection of assistive technology and other resources, available to teams working with students in PA schools and early interventions programs.

Hearing Loss

Hearing Discovery Center (http://www.scs-delco.org/programs/hearing-discovery) located in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, provides support, education and counseling about hearing loss and assistive technology devices for hearing loss and tinnitus. The Center also lends out assistive devices free-of-charge to consumers who live in the five-county, southeastern region of Pennsylvania.

Hearing Loss Association of America (www.hearingloss.org) provides information about hearing assistive technology and hearing loss. Information and links to the Pennsylvania affiliate, PA SHHH, www.pa-shhh.org, can also be found on this website.

The PA Office for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt?open=514&objID=552269&mode=2) provides information, referral services and advocacy to people who are Deaf or hard of hearing. The ODHH can advocate for people with hearing loss who are not receiving the proper services from government or private agencies.

Healthcare Professionals

American Academy of Audiology (www.audiology.org) has a directory that can help you find an audiologist near your home. Audiologists are professionals who diagnose and treat people who have a hearing loss or balance problems. Based upon a diagnosis, audiologists can dispense and fit hearing aids as part of a comprehensive program.

Home Modifications and Universal Design

Home Modifications in Pennsylvania (http://homemods.jevs.org) is a new and comprehensive website that provides information and resources that can help consumers make their homes more accessible. The site also includes information about various funding resources that are available for Pennsylvania residents.

The Trace Center (www.trace.wisc.edu), College of Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison has made a compilation of resources about assistive technology, including product databases, training courses, research and development centers, and AT-related organizations.

The University of California, San Francisco (www.homemods.org) is a university-based and non-profit effort, is dedicated to promoting aging in place and independent living for persons of all ages and abilities.

NC State University The Center for Universal Design (www.design.ncsu.edu)

National Association of Remodelers Industries (www.nari.org) Core Purpose is to advance and promote the remodeling industry's professionalism, product & vital public purpose.

International Code Council (www.iccsafe.org) is a membership association dedicated to building safety and fire prevention. ICC develops the codes and standards used to construct residential and commercial buildings, including homes and schools.

Center for Inclusive Design & Environmental Access School of Architecture and Planning, University at Buffalo — (www.ap.buffalo.edu)

ADA (www.ada.govcom) provides information and technical assistance on the Americans with Disability Act

AARP (www.aarp.org/life/homedesign/Articles/Universal Design)

National Kitchen & Bath Association (www.nkba.org) is a source for design ideas, expert remodeling tips, and advice.

Housing Resources

PA Housing Finance Administration and the Self-Determination Housing Project (http://www.phfa.org/applications/housing_services_resources.aspx) have compiled information about specific social service and housing resource agencies throughout the Commonwealth. This page is designed to help you identify where to start in inquiries about local service and housing related resources. The Agency does not represent that the information contains all agencies and related organizations in the service areas.

Visitability (http://www.visitability.org/) "Visitability" is a growing trend nationwide. The term refers to single-family or owner-occupied housing designed in such a way that it can be lived in or visited by people who have trouble with steps or who use wheelchairs or walkers.

The Self-Determination Housing Project of Pennsylvania (www.sdhp.org) provides information and resources that empower people with disabilities in Pennsylvania to have control over their housing choices.

Low Vision

American Foundation for the Blind (www.afb.org) provides information, resources and links for services, skills and assistive technology to help people who have low vision or who are blind.

Reuse (recycling)

Pass IT ON Center (www.passitoncenter.org) provides information about reuse/recycling programs in Pennsylvania and around the country.

Into New Hands (www.trcil.org/intonewhands.htm) provides medical equipment to individuals who have limited insurance coverage and/or financial resources.

Changing Hands (www.changinghandscentralpa.org) is a program of UCP Central PA that provides restored and refurbished home medical equipment and assistive technology devices and aids to Pennsylvania residents who are unable to obtain the necessary equipment through any other means.