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Assistive Technology
Equipment Loan / Demonstration Programs
Demonstration centers and device lending programs are good resources for educational entities, students, and parents to learn more about assistive and accessible information technologies. For example, through these programs you can see and/or borrow hardware and software to help identify the degree to which a product's built-ins will "work" for a student with disabilities, to see if an "add-on" provides a (compatible) solution for access, and to see how websites "appear" or work for users with disabilities who employ assistive technologies.
- Delaware Assistive Technology Lending Program is a free, short term loan and demonstration program for assistive technology devices. There is an Assistive Technology Resource Center (ATRC) in each county housing a large inventory of equipment for demonstration and trial use. This resource is available at no cost to any resident of Delaware.
[ http://www.dati.org/loan/index.html] - Maryland Assistive Technology Equipment Loan Program allows professionals and consumers to try out equipment before deciding on purchase, to fill in when adaptive equipment is in the shop for repairs, or when they are waiting for delivery of ordered equipment.
[ http://www.mdtap.org/loan.html ] - Pennsylvania's Assistive Technology Lending Library is a free service that loans assistive technology devices to people with disabilities. This enables Pennsylvanians with disabilities of all ages to try a vareity of assistive technology devices, in order to decide what device is best suited to their needs.
[ http://disabilities.temple.edu/programs/assistive/atlend/index.htm] - Virginia Assistive Technology System A.T. Equipment Exchange - this system allows users to post requests for available Assistive Technology devices, as well as list devices for sale or donation. VATS equipment exchange operates only as a resource to link equipment with prospective users.
[ http://www.vats.org/ ] - Washington DC's Assistive Technology Equipment Loan Program (ATELP): The Assistive Technology Equipment Loan Program (ATELP) was established to make it possible for individuals with disabilities to try out assistive technology devices before purchasing, to substitute for a device in for repair or on order or for other short-term needs. There is no cost for borrowing devices. Equipment can be borrowed for two to four weeks and borrowers and the person responsible for liability must complete and sign an agreement form.
[ http://www.atpdc.org/ATELP.htm ] - West Virginia's Assistive Technology Demonstration Clinics: are designed to provide assistive technology assessments to West Virginians of all ages. The clinics help people with disabilities and their families identify and obtain the assistive technology they need.
[ http://www.cedwvu.org/programs/atclinic ] - Accessibility in Distance Education The Accessibility in Distance Education (ADE) Web site focuses on helping faculty develop accessible online learning materials for people with disabilities. It is divided into five major sections, targeting common accessibility questions.
[http://www.umuc.edu/ade/]
WVATS Regional Resource Centers: The two WVATS Regional Resource Centers provide assistive technology lending libraries, toll-free information hotlines,assistive technology demonstrations, training and coordination for the WVATS' network of eight Tech Teams. The Tech Teams are community-based groups with a liaison to a non profit disability organization. The Tech Teams support the activities of individuals with disabilities through public awareness activiites, training and AT loans and demonstrations.
Alternate financing programs may help residents with disabilities of Pennsylvania, Maryland, District of Columbia and Virginia and their families obtain low-interest loans to buy assistive technology. Any person can apply in the following states:
- Pennsylvania Assistive Technology Foundation
1004 West. 9th Avenue, 1st floor,
King of Prussia, PA. 19406
Tel: (888) 744-1938 (toll free) or
(484) 674-0506
Fax: (484) 674-0510
TTY: (877) 693-7271 (toll free)
patf@assistive-technology4pa.org - Delaware - Delaware's alternative financing program is currently under development.
- Maryland Assistive Technology Guaranteed Loan Program,
2301 Argonne Drive, Rm T-17
Baltimore, MD 21218
Tel / TTY: (410) 554-9233
Tel / TTY: (800) 832-4827 (toll free)
Fax: (410) 554-9237
loans@mdtap.org - Virginia's Assistive Technology Loan Fund Authority
Tel / TTY: (804) 662-9000
Fax: (804) 662-9533
loanfund@erols.com - Washington D.C.'s Assistive Technology Financial Loan Program
Tel: (202) 547-0198
TTY: (202) 547-2657
Fax: (202) 547-2662
ATillman@uls-dc.com - West Virginia Revolving Loan Fund
Beverly Binford
Technology-Related Assistance
Revolving Loan Fund
West Virginia Division of Rehabilitation Services
P.O. Box 1004
WV 25112
Voice: (304)766-4782
BeverlyB@mail.drs.state.wv.us
Accessible Web Design - this section provides links to tutorials, checklists, software, standards and articles that can help you learn and develop accessible websites.
The WAVE has been designed and implemented by Len Kasday as an on-line service that helps people judge if a web page is accessible to people with disabilities. Len wrote or collaborated in writing reply comments for Federal Legislation regarding the use of information technology by people with disabilities, including Section 255 of the Telecommunications Act, Section 508 of the Rehab Act, and e-testimony for the Web-based Education Commission. WAVE Tutorial is available to help understand the output from WAVE. work on the WAVE is currently continued through a partnership with Webaim.
[ http://wave.webaim.org ]
NCAM (National Center for Accessible Media) - Provides information on rendering Multimedia applications accessible. NCAM is "dedicated to achieve media access equality for people with disabilities".- NCAM Website. NCAM also publishes an online guide, for making educational software and websites accessible. This information could be obtained from the link to the online guide.
Microsoft Accessibility Updates - Provides information and updates on new and improved accessibility features developed by Microsoft. Also, for those who will like to subcribe to Microsoft's Accessibility Newsletter, go to the link provided: http://www.microsoft.com/enable/news/subscribe/default.asp
Delaware State Web Presentation Guidelines
[http://www.delaware.gov/agencies/egovernment/access ]
Maryland Technology Assistance Program provides information on the most current disability laws, including accessible IT procurement in the state of Maryland.
[ http://www.mdtap.org ]
Pennsylvsania's Guidelines for Internet Accessibility Design
[ http://www.oit.state.pa.us/oaoit/cwp/view.asp?a=12&q=97863 ]
Virginia's Information Accessibility Policy
[ http://www.cim.state.va.us/pubs/policies/p-92-1.htm ]
West Virginia Web Page Guidelines
[ http://www.state.wv.us/got/rWebGuidelines.asp ]
A Guide to Disability Rights Laws. This page provides a brief over view of Federal laws that protect the rights of people with disabilities and provides information about the federal agencies to contact for more information.
- Easy Access to Software Implementation (EASI) is the provider of online training on assistive technology and how institutions can provide barrier- free computer and information technology systems for persons with disabilities.
For more information on the web-based training and courses from EASI visit - Distance Learning
[ http://easi.cc/workshop.htm ] - Disabilities Opportunity Internetworking Technology Programs and Resources (DO IT) is a program of University of Washington which serves to increase the participation of individuals with disabilities in challenging academic programs and careers.
[ http://www.washington.edu/doit/ ] - Assistive Technology Training Online Project (ATTO) The Assistive Technology Training Online Project (ATTO) provides information on AT applications that help students with disabilities learn in elementary classrooms.
[http://atto.buffalo.edu/]
- Information Technology Industry Council (ITI) develops voluntary internet-based template to help government identify products with features that support accessibility. The Information Technology Industry Council (ITI) provides the Voluntary Product Accessibility Template ("Template") for your consideration.
[ http://www.itic.org/policy/vpat.html ] - Section 508 - The federal government maintains a database for Section 508 compliant products and services from vendors.
[ http://www.section508.gov ] - Panasonic's accessiblity designed products.
[ http://www.panasonic.com/accessibility/access.html ] - WinSreamer is an automated accessibility testing tool for Microsoft Windows based applications.
[ http://www.crunchy.com/tools/index.html ]
- Federal Communications Commission (FCC) provides information and guidelines on Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS), Section 255, video, closed captioning, etc. For more information log on to their disabilities issues home page.
[ http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/dro/ ] - Nokia's accessiblility solutions for mobile phones and accessories.
[ http://nokiaaccessibility.com/index.html ] - Panasonic's accessibility featured wireless phones.
[ http://www.panasonic.com/accessibility/access.html ] - Motorola's accessible wireless product solutions.
[ http://commerce.motorola.com/consumer/QWhtml/accessibility.html ] - New On-line Guideline Available on Telecommunications Products covers various means of disseminating information, including computers, software, websites, and electronic office equipment.
[http://www.access-board.gov/news/508-telecommcourse.htm]
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