Assistive Technology Sites

Ability Research Center: "Ability assists people with disabilities to obtain maximum benefits from modern computer technology. Our services range from national research projects to technical support and training for individuals."
Abledata is sponsored by the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research, U.S. Department of Education: "ABLEDATA is a federally funded project whose primary mission is to provide information on assistive technology and rehabilitation equipment available from domestic and international sources to consumers, organizations, professionals, and caregivers within the United States."
"Alliance for Technology Access ...connecting children and adults with disabilities to technology tools": "The Alliance for Technology Access (ATA) is comprised of networks of community-based Resource Centers, Developers and Vendors, Affiliates, Associates dedicated to providing information and support services to children and adults with disabilities, and increasing their use of standard, assistive, and information technologies. These ATA Members can be found all across the country."
Assistive Technology, Inc. - Innovation without Boundaries: "We provide innovative solutions to help people with learning, communication, and access difficulties lead more independent and productive lives."
CARF - The Rehabilitation Accreditation Commission: "The mission of CARF is to promote the quality, value, and optimal outcomes of services through a consultativeaccreditation process that centers on enhancing the lives ofthe persons served."
Closing the Gap - Computer Technology in Special Education and Rehabilitation: "Closing The Gap, Inc. is an organization that focuses on computer technology for people with special needs through its bi-monthly newspaper, annual international conference and extensive web site."
Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities: "The Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities is a coalition of approximately 100 national disability organizations working together to advocate for national public policy that ensures the self determination, independence, empowerment, integration and inclusion of children and adults with disabilities in all aspects of society."
DAIS - Disability Access, Information & Support: "Disability Access Information and Support (DAIS) is an important resource to the higher education community, providing a menu of services for those concerned with disability and access in higher education. Institutions and organizations can contract for help from DAIS, in the person of Jane Jarrow, Ph.D., for a variety of services. The growing list of DAIS publications includes resource materials to assist in interpreting legal mandates, reviewing policies and procedures, and understanding the philosophical underpinnings of providing quality service to people with disabilities in the postsecondary environment."
Disability Resources.org: "Disability Resources, inc. is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization established to promote and improve awareness, availability and accessibility of information that can help people with disabilities live, learn, love, work and play independently. "
Disabled Living Foundation (based out of UK, but may provide useful information): "We are working for freedom, empowerment and choice for disabled people and others who use equipment or technology to enhance their independence "
Discover Technology: "This site is devoted to sharing information that is pertinent to persons with disabilities and professionals who provide services for them. It features the following services- a list of links to other sites, a catalog of adaptive software and hardware, research and demo packets of products offered in the catalog (in development), a pen pal section and a Banner Exchange Program."
Enhanced Vision Systems: Enhanced Vision Systems is the pioneer behind a number of technological and design innovations that enable people to see the world in ways never before possible. Our products have helped tens of thousands of visually impaired individuals and are supported by The Braille Institute, The Lighthouse, and a vast global network of eye care professionals.
Federal Laboratory Consortium for Technology Transfer: The Federal Laboratory Consortium for Technology Transfer (FLC) was organized in 1974 and formally chartered by the Federal Technology Transfer Act of 1986 to promote and to strengthen technology transfer nationwide. Today, more than 600 major federal laboratories and centers and their parent departments and agencies are FLC members.
IDEAPractices: "The IDEA Practices Web site is developed and maintained by Education Development Center, Inc. (EDC). EDC is a nonprofit educational research and development organization located in Newton, MA, with more than 250 projects around the globe. Throughout its 40 year history, EDC has been involved in numerous projects and programs focusing on children and youth with disabilities. EDC is working closely with CEC to create a resource-rich and highly interactive web site that will provide service providers and local administrators with information and support for IDEA-related concerns, issues, and strategies that work."
Institute for Community Inclusion/UAP: "ICI supports the rights of children and adults with disabilities to participate in all aspects of the community. As practitioners, researchers, and teachers, we form partnerships with individuals, families, and communities. Together we advocate for personal choice, self-determination, and social and economic justice."
The National Information Center for Children and Youth with Disabilities: "NICHCY is the national information and referral center that provides information on disabilities and disability-related issues for families, educators, and other professionals. Our special focus is children and youth (birth to age 22)."
National Science Foundation - Biomedical Engineering/Research to Aid Persons with Disabilities: "The Biomedical Engineering and the Research to Aid Persons with Disabilities (BME/RAPD) Programs support investigations which apply engineering methods and fundamental scientific principles to address problems at the interface of engineering and modern biology/clinical medicine."
Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center on Communication Enhancement: "The NIDRR objective for the RERC on Communication Enhancement is to improve Augmentative & Alternative Communication (AAC) technologies that further the development of communication, language, natural speech, discourse skills, and literacy of persons with significant communication disorders."
Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center (RERC) on Hearing Enhancement: "The Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center (RERC) on Hearing Enhancement is a national project funded by the United States Department of Education, National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR) and the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services (OSERS). The objective of the project is to conduct research programs that promote technological solutions to problems confronting people who are deaf or hard of hearing."
RERC on Technology for Children: "The special needs of children in rehabilitation define the mission of the Rancho RERC: 'to improve the child's quality of life through innovation in design and understanding of the social, psychological, and cultural circumstances in which they live.'"
Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America: "RESNA is an interdisciplinary association of people with a common interest in technology and disability. Our purpose is to improve the potential of people with disabilities to achieve their goals through the use of technology. We serve that purpose by promoting research, development, education, advocacy, and the provision of technology and by supporting the people engaged in these activities."
The Association for Persons with Severe Handicaps: "TASH is an international association of people with disabilities, their family members, other advocates, and professionals fighting for a society in which inclusion of all people in all aspects of society is the norm."
Tartan Rehab Ltd: "Our mission is to improve the functional abilities and the community participation of people with physical disabilities, through the development of innovative mobility products that are effective and safe."
Tech Connections: "Tech Connections is a national dissemination project designed to increase the utilization of existing and emerging assistive technology by State Vocational Rehabilitation programs, Employment Specialists, Employers, and anyone interested in getting assistive technology into the hands individuals with disabilities. Tech Connections will provide current information on assistive technology via an information center, Web site, and training programs."
Tetra Society of North America: "The purpose of Tetra is to recruit skilled volunteer engineers and technicians to create assistive devices for people with disabilities. This unique program was developed in response to difficulties that people with disabilities experience in their search for greater independence and integration within their communities. The solutions are often simple but can change someone's life. Tetra recognizes that people are not handicapped by their disabilities but by obstacles or barriers in their living environment. Volunteer engineers, design technicians, and health professionals work one to one with their clients to make assistive aids or modifications to their environment so that greater independence can be achieved."
Virtual Assistive Technology Center: "Here you will find free and inexpensive software helping individuals with disabilities use computers. Software is available for Windows, Mac, and DOS operating systems."
WheelchairNet: "WheelchairNet is a community for people who have have a common interest in ( or in some cases a passion for) wheelchair technology and its improvement and successful application. WheelchairNet is a virtual community... a community that exists only in "cyber space."

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Last modified: Mar 09, 2004, 11:44 EST