Resources to Help Locate and Fund Assistive Technology

A variety of projects and agencies offer funding-related information. Some are national in scope, while others are state-specific. See the comprehensive listing of organizations that assist with locating and funding assistive technology at the end of this chapter.

State Technology Assistance Projects

Each state and territory in the U.S. has a Technology Assistance project that has up-to-date information on assistive technology resources for that state. Some projects have compiled lists of funding resources available in their states. For a complete listing of State Technology Assistance Projects see Appendix H.

State Protection and Advocacy Agencies and Client Assistance Programs

Most states also have a protection and advocacy agency (P&A) and Client Assistance Programs (CAP) that provide assistance to persons with disabilities in accessing appropriate programs and services. For a complete list of State Protection and Advocacy Agencies and Client Assistance Programs see Appendix I.

ABLEDATA
8401 Colesville Rd., Suite. 200
Silver Spring, MD 20910

Telephone and TDD: 1-800-227-0216
Fax: (301) 608-8958
E-mail: belknap@macroint.com
Web site: www.abledata.com

This organization provides comprehensive information on assistive technology, including funding.

Alliance for Technology Access
2175 East Francisco Boulevard, Suite L
San Rafael, CA 94901

Telephone: (415) 455-4575
TTY: (415) 455-0491
E-mail: ATAinfo@ATAccess.org
Web site: www.ataccess.org

The Alliance for Technology Access (ATA), a national network of community-based technology resource centers and 60 technology design and development companies. ATA Technology Resource Centers help children and adults with disabilities (as well as their parents, teachers, employers, and friends) investigate computer systems, adaptive devices, and software through hands-on exploration and consultations. The staff will help you find out the best solution for your needs, places to make purchases, and potential funding sources. The centers, which are in 27 states and the Virgin Islands, also provide information and referrals, publish newsletters, and organize special activities in response to local needs. Projects often focus on the inclusion of students with disabilities in typical classrooms, curriculum adaptation, the transition from school to work, and work site accommodations.

Some centers also support users. groups and professional development training for teachers, adult service providers, therapists, and others who wish to increase their knowledge of assistive technology. Many centers have drop-in times or lending library services for software or hardware, adapted toys, and videos.

The ATA has also published an award-winning book, Computer Resources for People with Disabilities, which combines up-to-date information about hardware, software, and how to make use of conventional, assistive, and information technologies with real-life stories about people of all ages and with all types of disabilities who are using technology successfully. You can order the book through the ATA.

Assistive Technology Funding and Systems Change Project
United Cerebral Palsy
1660 L. Street. NW, Suite 700
Washington, DC 20036

Telephone: 1-800-USA-5-UCP
TTY: (202) 973-7197
Fax: (202) 776-0414
E-mail: ucpnatl@ucpa.org
Web site: http://www.ucpa.org

This Web site provides a variety of resources on funding for assistive technology. Center on Information

Technology Accommodation
U.S. General Services Administration
1800 F. Street, NW, Rm. 1234
Washington, DC 20405

Telephone: (202) 501-4906
TTY: (202) 501-2010
Fax: (202) 501-6269
E-mail: susan.turnbull@gsa.gov, Susan Turnbill, Director
Web site: http://www.gsa.gov/coca/cocamain.html

The organization focuses on government legislation and policy concerning access to information. It also offers lists of equipment vendors and public and nonprofit resources and guidelines for technologies that enable access to information.

Edlaw
P.O. Box 81-7327
Hollywood, FL 33081-1327

Telephone: (954)-966-4489
Fax: (954) 966-8561
E-mail: edlaw@edlaw.net
Web site: http://www.edlaw.org

This organization provides information on the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and Section 504 of the U.S. Rehabilitation Act. The Web site includes links to disability law resources on the Internet.

Family Center on Technology and Disability
Telephone: 1-800-USA-5UCP
TDD: (202) 973-7197
Web site: http://www.ucpa.org

This center assists organizations and programs that serve families of children with disabilities by providing information and support on accessing and using assistive technology. It offers many resources related to assistive technology and its funding.

Federation for Children with Special Needs
1135 Tremont Street, Suite 420
Boston, MA 02120

Telephone : (617) 236-7210 or 1-800-331-0688
Fax: (617) 572-2094
E-mail: fcsninfo@fcsn.org
Web site: http://www.fcsn.org

This is a parent training and information center designed to help parents deal with schools. Call for the location of a center near you.

HEATH Resource Center/American Council on Education
One Dupont Circle, Suite 800
Washington , DC 20036

Telephone or TTY: 1-800-544-3284 or (202) 939-9320
E-mail: heath@ace.nche.edu
Web site: http://www.heath.gwu.edu

The HEATH Resource Center of the American Council on Education is the national clearinghouse on postsecondary education for individuals with disabilities. HEATH serves as an information exchange about educational support services, policies, procedures, adaptations, and opportunities at American campuses, vocational-technical schools, and other postsecondary training entities.

Job Accommodation Network (JAN)
West Virginia University
PO Box 6080
Morgantown, WV 26506-6080

Telephone and TTY: 1-800-526-7234
Fax: (304) 293-5407
E-mail: jan@jan.icdi.wvu.edu.
Web site: http://janweb.icdi.wvu.edu

JAN is an international toll-free consulting service that provides information about job accommodations and the employability of people with disabilities. JAN also provides information regarding the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

National Early Childhood Technical Assistance System
Frank Porter Graham Child Development Center
Room 500, NCNB Plaza
Chapel Hill, NC 25499

Telephone: (919) 962-2001
TDD: (919) 966-4041
Web site: www.nectas.unc.edu

This organization provides information on early intervention programs and whom to contact in your state for more information.

National Information Center for Children and Youths with Handicaps (NICHCY)
P.O. Box 1492
Washington, DC 20013

Telephone and TTY: 1-800-695-0285 or (202) 884-8200
Fax: (202) 884-8441
E-mail: nichcy@aed.org
Web site: http://www.nichcy.org

This organization provides personal responses to specific questions, referrals to other sources of help, and technical assistance to parents and professionals.

National Rehabilitation Information Center (NARIC)
1010 Wayne Avenue, Suite 800
Silver Spring, MD 20910

Telephone: 1-800-346-2742 or (301) 562-2400
TTY: (301) 495-5626
Fax: (301) 562-2401
Web site: http://www.naric.com

NARIC provides information on disability and rehabilitation, including research, organizations, publications, journal articles, and Internet resources. Neighborhood Legal Services

National Assistive Technology Project
495 Ellicott Square Building
295 Main Street
Buffalo, New York 14203

Tel: (716) 847-0650
TTY: (716) 847-1322
Fax: (716) 847-0227
Web site: http://www.nls.org/natmain.htm

This organization trains attorneys to deal with assistive technology issues and also provides technical assistance. Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Techonolgy Society of North America (RESNA )

Technical Assistance Project
1700 North Moore Street, Suite 1540
Arlington, VA 22209-1903

Telephone : (703) 524-6686
TTY: 703-524-6639
Fax: 703-524-6630
E-mail: info@resna.org
Web site: www.resna.org

This organization coordinates and provides information about the state Tech Act programs. Almost all states in the United States, the District of Columbia, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and American Samoa have a Tech Act program. Tech Act programs advise people with disabilities and their caregivers on all aspects of assistive technology, including funding. RESNA conducts an annual conference and regional assistive technology conferences, with exhibits. Trace Research & Development Center

University of Wisconsin-Madison
5901 Research Park Boulevard
Madison, WI 53719

Telephone: (608) 262-6966
TTY: (608) 263-5408
Fax: (608) 262-8848
E-mail: web@trace.wisc.edu
Web site: http://trace.wisc.edu

Trace is a research center at the University of Wisconsin - Madison which focuses on making off the shelf technologies and systems like computers, the Internet, and information kiosks more accessible for everyone through the process known as universal, or accessible design. TRACE has an excellent and comprehensive handbook on funding assistive technology at the following web site: http://trace.wisc.edu/gofr_web/fintech.html