What is Assistive Technology?
Assistive Technology (AT) is any item or piece of equipment that is used to increase, maintain, or improve the abilities of people with disabilities. Some examples of AT are grab bars, wheelchairs, and magnifiers. Assistive technology provides the tools that enable many people with disabilities to have control over their own lives, to become included in the community, to enjoy the benefits of life, to have access to living, learning, working, and playing, and to have the same choices that are readily available to people without disabilities.
The Texas Technology Access Program at the Center of Disability Studies, University of Texas at Austin, is designed to meet the needs of persons not served by an existing agency loan programs. It allows persons with disabilities, their families, educators, service providers and employers in Texas to borrow AT Devices Free for up to six weeks, with opportunities to extend the time if the device has not been requested by another borrower.
Statewide Demonstration Centers
Full Demonstration Centers
- Easter Seals Fort Worth
(817) 759-7907 (V) - Paso Del Norte Children’s Development Center
(915) 544-8484 (V) - United Cerebral Palsy Dallas
(214) 351-2500 (V) - United Cerebral Palsy Houston
(713) 838-9050 (V) - Coastal Bend Center for Independent Living, Corpus Christi
(361) 833-8461 (V)
Computer Access Demonstration Centers
- RISE Center for Independent Living, Beaumont
(409) 832-2599 (V) - East Texas Center for Independent Living, Tyler
(903) 581-7542 (V/TTY) (903) 581-8289 - Brazos Valley Rehabilitation Center, Bryan
(979) 776-2872 (V) - Goodwill Industries of Central Texas, Austin
(512) 637-7520 (V) - Brazoria County Center for Independent Living, Angleton
(979) 849-7060 V/TTY; (979) 849-8465 - Palestine Center for Independent Living
(903) 729-7505 V/TTY; (903) 729-7505 - WorkFORCE Solutions, Edinburg
(956) 661-2919 (V)
Portable Computer Demonstration Centers
- REACH Center for Independent Living, Dallas
(214) 630-4796 V; (214) 630-5995 TTY - Houston Center for Independent Living
(713) 974-4621 V/TTY; (713) 974-6927 - Heart of Central Texas Independent Living Center, Belton
(254) 933-7487 V; (254) 770-2359 FAX; (800) 326-4921 Toll Free - VAIL - Valley Association for Independent Living, McAllen
(956) 668-8245 (V/TT)
Assistive Technology Trainings
Easter Seals Central Texas Services through the support from The University of Texas, Texas Technology Access Program is offering trainings for all whom are interested in hosting the Trainings to promote and increase access to and use of Assistive Technology devices and services for individuals with disabilities and their families.
Assistive Technology Trainings Offered
Home Modifications/AT in the Home:
This class gives examples of how the home can be modified for people with disabilities and shows how to think of solutions for individuals with different wants, needs, and budgets. You will see simple to complex and low to high tech ways to make your home work better for you. Also, you will learn how to get what you need and information on laws relating to accessible housing.
High School High Tech –Transition skills:
Enrichment program for high school students with disabilities; Encourages careers in science, engineering and technology; Assists in transition into life after high school; Better understanding for parents, educators and employers of AT and accommodation needs of people with disabilities.
High School High Tech –Program Development:
Training offers information about High School/High Tech and its components, the benefits provided by a program like High School/High Tech, as well as some of the beginning steps in creating a High School/High Tech program.
How to Ask for Assistive Technology in the ARD (Admission, Review, and Dismissal Committee): 2, 3 or 6 hour class
Participants will learn the definition of AT, AT services and they will develop a good understanding of how to figure out what their child might need. They will also learn how to work as a team with the school staff, which will make it more likely that the appropriate AT will be acquired and used by the student. Each participant will understand how to ask questions, how to be persistent, and how to persevere to receive the AT your child needs.
Introduction to AT: 3 hours
This session is the basics of Assistive Technology. This session covers the definition of AT, AT services, funding for AT, adapting activities for children, switches, communication, computer access, and more. The presenter asks what activities are difficult for consumers, and they will discuss possible ways to help.
Using Switches: 3 hours
In this session different types of switches will be talked about. You will examine what toys are good for adapting to use with a switch, and you will see how to put a battery interrupter into the battery compartment of a battery-operated item. You will go over computer programs that work well with a switch, mobility and communication with a switch, and how to access a computer with a switch.
Making a Battery Interrupter: 3 hours
In this session, you will make battery interrupters with parts from Radio Shack. The battery interrupter can be used to adapt anything that works with batteries to turn on and off with a switch. We spend any time we have left talking about what toys are good for interrupting, positioning, mounting, control units, switch latch timers, and how to troubleshoot any problems.
Funding for AT: 3 hours
This is a session about how to get funding for AT through Medicaid waiver programs and other possible funding sources. You will be given a tool which is very helpful for anyone needing funding for AT.
Using Tools for Stress Management: 3 hours
This class is directed toward parents or others that work with persons with disabilities, but also goes over low and high tech helps for those with disabilities. We will go over many different techniques to reduce stress. It will go over many organizing strategies which could eliminate stress and help someone with a disability to be more independent.
Adapted Outside Activities: 3 hours
This class will go over ideas for parents to keep their kids occupied over the summer. You will see adapted activities for those with disabilities; see how to adapt your backyard, and lots of other ideas. The presenter will also answer questions about particular interests.
Supports for Reading: 3 hours
This session covers high and low tech solutions for reading, including many different types of devices and software. It will inform you of the laws that make different formats available, and how to access help. You will also go over how to improve reading for those who do not read, pre-literacy helps, how to be a cheerleader for those who struggle, and how to improve homework output if reading is a problem. This class is for parents and people that work with persons needing reading help.
Reading Tips for Parents: 1 or 2 hours
This class goes over what a parent can do to improve their child’s reading. This is about AT, but mostly about how to support and encourage your child in conjunction with their teacher. Some software and free websites will be talked about, but empowering the parent to help the child is the focus. This class is for parents of small children, Day Care Providers, Head Start Staff, or Early Childhood Staff.
Story time and Beginning Communication: 3 or 4 hours
Participants learn how to use a book and activities to increase communication from small children who do not talk. We will incorporate different techniques to increase engagement and encourage communication. Each participant gets to keep a copy of the book along with the activities used for the training. This class is for parents of small children, Day Care Providers, Head Start Staff, or Early Childhood Staff.
Art Adaptations: 3 hours
This class presents a variety of hands-on arts and crafts adapted activities directed at kids. This class is for parents of small children, Day Care Providers, Head Start Staff, or Early Childhood Staff. Art adapted to a switch will be shown and possibly computer adapted art. You will be shown how to make clean-up easy, but this session does need to be in a room where it is alright to paint. This is fun and can be therapeutic for the care givers.
Game Adaptations: 3 hours
This class goes over low tech and high tech game adaptations for board games, computer games and for video game systems. This class goes over alternate ways of throw the dice, draw a card, and spin a spinner. It also goes over ways to use a switch, a computer, or simple household materials.
Computer Access: 3 hours
This class covers alternate ways to access a computer for people who cannot use a mouse or keyboard. You will discuss many different types of adaptations, software solutions, helps that are in the operating system, and so much more.
Adapted Toys: 3 hours
This class will go over switches and switch toys, puzzles, games, and manipulatives. Sensory input and grasping helps are discussed. You will examine early communication as it relates to toys. Many ideas use materials that parents will have in the home. This session is designed to help children who have trouble playing which effects children’s ability to learn. This class is for parents of small children, day care providers, Head Start Staff, or Early Childhood Staff.
AT Trainings Schedule
March 31st - Paso Del Norte Children's Development Center, El Paso - TBD
For more information regarding attending or scheduling an AT Training, please contact
Nicole Fisher
Phone: 512-472-8696
Email: nfisher@eastersealstx.com