What we're all about
What is the AT Act?
The State Plan for AT
The AT Advisory Council
FAQ
What is AT?
What's New
Find Your AT
Loan Information
Funding by Purpose
Medically Necessary AT
Telecommunications
Advocacy
Publications and Links
This page is under construction . . . please check back often . . .
General AT
The ABLEDATA database contains objective information on more than 22,000 currently available low-tech to high-tech devices, and includes manufacturer contacts and prices.
Alliance for Technology Access (ATA)
ATA is a national network of community-based resource centers, developers, vendors, and associates dedicated to providing information and support services to children and adults with disabilities, and increasing their use of standard, assistive, and information technologies.
Assistivetech is the national public Web site on AT. It includes a database for AT to help identify appropriate products, find vendors, and determine costs.
Atechnews.com is the creation of John Williams, a journalist to the disabilities community and person with a speech impairment. This Web site provides articles he has written on a variety of AT subjects and includes some product reviews.
Coalition of Organizations for Accessible Technology
COAT is an advocacy coalition of over 160 national, regional, state, and community-based disabilities organizations; it promotes legislative and regulatory safeguards that will ensure full access by people with disabilities to evolving high speed broadband, wireless and other Internet protocol (IP) technologies. "White Papers" at their Web site explain current federal laws and regulations and the fixes needed to ensure access for people with disabilities.
Disaboom is a stylish site working to create an online community for people with disabilities. See the "living" page for AT advice including useful articles on renting and purchasing accessible and adaptive vehicles. The site also includes product spotlights (from Web site sponsors).
Guide to Low-Cost / No-Cost Online Tools for People with Disabilities
Developed by Northern Illinois Center for Adaptive Technology in cooperation with Alliance for Technology Access.
Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North AmericaRESNA is an interdisciplinary association for the advancement of rehabilitation and assistive technologies.
Adaptive Technology Resource Centre of University of Toronto provides this glossary of AT categories. Click on each category for more information and free resources.
Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)
Augmentative Communication: A Glossary
"Augmentative and alternative communication" strategies include technology for helping people communicate who cannot speak naturally. This glossary from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association is an explanation of terms used in this field and is helpful for someone searching for an appropropriate communication system.
Augmentative and Alternative Communication Centers
This AAC Web site is designed to provide access to a wide range of information and resources related to AAC and includes vendor links, academic resources, intervention links, early intervention resources, and general AAC links. It is maintained by the Barkley AAC Center and the Munroe-Meyer Institute for Genetics and Rehabilitation at the University of Nebraska.
A not-for-profit online resource for the AAC community, this site includes pages dedicated to resources, products, services, a parents corner, self study, and continuing education for professionals, among other links.
Net Connections for Communication Disorders and Sciences--Commercial Products
Compiled by a speech and language pathologist and associate professor at Minnesota State University, Mankato, this page provides a categorical listing of commercial products and businesses serving the AAC community.
Children
Children’s Rights to Health Care under the MassHealth Program (Fact Sheet)
Provided by the Disability Law Center.
Family Guide to Assistive Technology
Created by Parents, Let's Unite for Kids (PLUK) in cooperation with the Federation for Children with Special Needs.
Funded by the Stulsaft Foundation, this Alliance for Technology Access initiative addresses the assistive technology needs of families of children with disabilities. Information on accessible toys and play, K-12 resources, FAQs, and other resources for families are available here.
DisabilityResources--Toys
This DisabilityResources.org Web page can help you locate toys that are specially developed for kids with physical, cognitive, and sensory impairments; resources to tell you how to adapt conventional toys for kids with disabilities; and resources to help you select off-the-shelf toys that are best suited for your child.
Ableplay.org
AblePlay provides independent toy reviews and detailed information to help you understand each toy's unique features, creative ways each toy can be used with children with special needs, and skills that will be enhanced as a result.
Computer Accessibility
Accessibility Guide to Community Technology Centers in Massachusetts (html)
Community Tech Centers (CTCs) are places where people can go for free access to computers. This guide (researched in 2007) includes general information about each facility including information on programs and technology provided to accommodate people with disabilities. Click here for a PDF version.
AbilityHub.com provides information on adaptive computer equipment and alternative methods available for accessing computers. It is the creation of Dan Gilman, an Assistive Technology Practitioner who has lived with a spinal cord injury since 1972.
Click-N-Type virtual keyboard
Click-N-Type is a free virtual keyboard designed for anyone with a disability that prevents him or her from typing on a physical computer keyboard.
Closing The Gap, Inc. provides information on computer technology for people with disabilities through its bi-monthly newspaper, annual international conference and extensive web site.
Equal Access to Software and Information
EASI provides online training on adaptive technology and how institutions can provide barrier-free computer and information technology systems for people with disabilities. A non profit, EASI provides information on the latest in adaptive computer technology to colleges, universities, K-12 schools, libraries and workplaces.
IBM's Human Ability and Accessibility Center Web site.
Microsoft—Accessibility
This Microsoft Web page is dedicated to providing information on assistive technology for computer access. It includes an overview of AT, types of AT, and information for vendors of AT products. AT products can be searched by type of disability.
Peter Verhoeven's site on computer programs for large print and voice access includes downloadable versions of many screen magnifier, screen review, and alternative mouse software products.
TRACE Resource and Development Center
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."
Deaf or Hard of Hearing
A Guide For People Who Become Deaf or Hard of Hearing 
Written by Karen Rockow, Ph.D, this book is filled with invaluable information for all those who find themselves in the difficult transition from being "hearing" to becoming Deaf or Severely Hard of Hearing. Chapters 5 and 6 are dedicated to AT and Auxilliary services. Written in an informal and entertaining style, the author's first-hand experience with hearing loss shines through. Also available in Word from the Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing website.
Audiology Department of the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary
Educational Audiology Association
EAA is an international organization of Audiologists and related professionals who deliver a full spectrum of hearing services to all children, particularly those in educational settings.
"Getting Started" (Fact Sheet)
For parents of infants and toddlers who are deaf or have a hearing loss, advice from the Mass. Department of Public Health, Early Intervention Services, and Mass. Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing.
Know Your Options (Fact Sheet)
This article describes the choices parents will consider when their child is diagnosed as deaf or hard of hearing. From the Mass. Department of Public Health's Universal Newborn Hearing Screening Program.
The mission of the PEPNet-Northeast (formerly the Northeast Technical Assistance Center) is to assist secondary and postsecondary institutions to improve educational access and enhance educational opportunities for students who are deaf or hard of hearing. Based at Rochester Institute for the Deaf, PEPNet-Northeast is one of 4 regional centers funded by the US Dept. of Education.
Telecommunications for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Web site.
TDI-Online provides an explanation and overview of telecommunication and relay service options for people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or speech disabled.
Health
Children’s Rights to Health Care under the MassHealth Program (Fact Sheet)
Provided by the Disability Law Center.
Mass Behavioral Health Partnership Appeals (Fact Sheet)
Provided by the Disability Law Center.
MassSTART: MA Tech
Medical Transportation through Mass Health (Fact Sheet)
Provided by the Disability Law Center.
Housing
HomeMods.org
HomeMods offers strategies and products to help people age in their own homes. Information is provided for policy-makers, manufacturers, consumers,and researchers. The site includes a library, links, and online course information. A products section illustrates accessible designs for everyday products. From the National Resource Center on Supportive Housing and Home Modification.
IDEA Center at Buffalo
Home of the Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center on Universal Design at Buffalo. Includes sections on innovative ideas (“Bright Ideas”), publications, software, and videos on accessibility as well as universal design. The “Bright Ideas” section includes a photo slideshow of homes and products.
Inclusive Design Education Resource
From the Helen Hamlyn Research Centre Design Council, this site looks at different accessibility issues around the home and recommends solutions. It takes you each step of the way with pictures and discussion.
Massachusetts Lift and Elevator Vendors
A list of providers compiled by the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission.
Mass Rehabilitation Commission (MRC's) Adaptive Housing FAQs
Questions answered by the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission on their adaptive housing program.
Mobility
Arthur Heyer is a mechanical engineer and quadriplegic who has been creating devices and selling them through his company--Extensions for Independence--for over 30 years. Equipment is low and high tech with a vocational focus. The site is also a source for used power wheelchairs.
Senior Wheels USA is a nationalwide service program that provides power wheelchairs (from Pride Mobility and Invacare) for seniors and permanently disabled individuals who meet qualifications. Recipients must have a minimum of Medicare Part B coverage as their primary insurance coverage and a medical diagnosis or other condition that prevents them from walking or self-propelling a manual wheelchair. Patients up to 650 lbs can be served. Some individuals without Medicare Part B may be served through their donated equipment program.
WheelchairNet.org is an online community for people who have a common interest in (or in some cases a passion for) wheelchair technology and its improvement and successful application.
David Heim in Marlborough Massachusetts collects donated chairs or scooters, repairs them as needed, and makes them available to others at a very small cost. Repair service is also available at a fraction of the regular rates.
This Wisconsin based program offers low cost, refurbished mobility and medical equipment to those who lack the resources to acquire new equipment. They can sometimes ship out-of-state.
Wheelchair Vendors (MassHealth Approved)
A list compiled by the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission of vendors that are approved DME providers under MassHealth.
Whirlwind Wheelchair International (WWI)
WWI grew out of the work of paraplegic engineer Ralf Hotchkiss who travels the globe designing wheelchairs that can be built in developing countries from available materials. WWIs primary goal is to develop a worldwide network of wheelchair inventors/designers, users, and manufacturers to address the need for wheelchairs in developing nations. WWI relies on wheelchair riders themselves to play the central role. Whirlwind offers consulting services to private wheelchair manufacturers and individual designers and inventors.
School
Accommodating Students with Cerebral Palsy (Fact Sheet)
Provided by the Job Accommodation Network.
Accommodating Students with Hearing Impairments (Fact Sheet)
Provided by the Job Accommodation Network.
Accommodating Students with Vision Impairments (Fact Sheet)
Provided by the Job Accommodation Network.
Assistive Technology Guide for Massachusetts Schools
The Mass. Department of Education offers this guide to school districts for how to provide assistive technology devices and services to students with disabilities.
Assistive Technology Training Online Project (ATTO)
This site from the University of Buffalo
provides information on AT applications that help students with disabilities learn in elementary classrooms; it includes online tutorials, planning tools, and links.
Boston Public Schools Access Technology Center
This site offers a wealth of information on tools, strategies, activities, and technologies that can address barriers to student learning in various areas.
Center for Applied Special Technology (CAST)
CAST is at the forefront of implementing concepts of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) to create technology and strategies that help all abilities learn. CAST staff include specialists in education research and policy, neuropsychology, clinical/school psychology, technology, engineering, curriculum development, and K-12 professional development.
Center for Implementing Technology in Education (CITEd)
CITEd offers links to classroom resources, professional development tools, research, and more. It also offers free "Webinars" (Web-based seminars) on a variety of topics related to implementing technology in education.
Collaborative Center for Assistive Technology and Training (CCATT)
CCATT in Northampton, MA, is a program of the nonprofit and multi-service Hampshire Educational Collaborative. CCATT offers a range of AT services including product demonstration, evaluation, and training opportunities for students (preK-age 22), families, and educators. There is a free "professional learning community" AT group that meets monthly. Consulting services to schools is available.
Early Childhood Technology Integrated Instructional System (EC-TIIS)
EC-TIIS provides free online workshops that focus on how technology can assist young children with disabilities in accessing the general education curriculum.
Useful links related to assistive technology from emTech, a Web site with over 15,000 resources organized by topics for teachers, students and parents.
Learning Through Listening
Created by CAST and Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic, this site provides strategies for teaching listening skills, applying these skills to literacy instruction, and using technology (such as audio books) for learning.
Many good articles about the use of technology for people with learning disabilities. Included are general information, technology reviews, classroom applications, and making the right decisions when integrating technology.
Massachusetts Vision Resources Library
This state library distributes specialized instructional materials, including Braille and large print, to provide visually impaired students with an appropriate education and equal access to the general curriculum.
National Assistive Technology Research Institute (NATRI)
NATRI conducts research on assistive technology services in schools, identifies promising practices, and disseminates research findings and information. It provides resources for schools and families about assistive technology planning.
National Instructional Materials Accessibility Standard (NIMAS)
NIMAS is a technical standard that curriculum publishers began using in 2006. NIMAS files can be used to produce alternate formats, such as Braille and audiobooks, for eligible students with disabilities.
The mission of the PEPNet-Northeast (formerly the Northeast Technical Assistance Center) is to assist secondary and postsecondary institutions to improve educational access and enhance educational opportunities for students who are deaf or hard of hearing. Based at Rochester Institute for the Deaf, PEPNet-Northeast is one of 4 regional centers funded by the US Dept. of Education.
Quality Indicators for Assistive Technology Services (QIAT)
QIAT is a national, grassroots group that provides input into the ongoing process of developing, disseminating and implementing a set of quality indicators for assistive technology services. These indicators offer guidelines for districts wishing to improve their services.
Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic (RFB&D)-Boston Unit
For the 2007-2008 school year, the state has funded district-level memberships for all Massachusetts school districts, allowing districts to order up to 25 books for students who are blind or have print disabilities. (Districts can order additional books for a small fee.) In addition, the state is offering school-level memberships to a limited number of high-need districts. If not used by December 1, 2007, these memberships will be offered to other districts on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information, contact RFB&D directly.
School Situations and Solutions (Fact Sheet)
Provided by the Job Accommodation Network.
The Learning Centre
This site from Special Education Technology British Columbia (SET-BC) offers a wealth of resources and training materials on assistive technology, including online videos, audios, demos and print materials.
The TechMatrix is an online tool for finding assistive and learning technology products for students with special needs. It was created by the National Center for Technology Innovation (NCTI) and the Center for Implementing Technology in Education (CITEd).
Transition
Access Transition: Alliance for Technology Access
The Access Transition page of ATAccess.org provides information and resources for students with disabilities who are facing the transition from public school to the next stage in life.
Healthy and Ready to Work National Resource Center
Links to over a dozen publications and resources on transition planning are available for families and professionals at this federally funded Web site. The site is focused on helping young people with disabilities stay healthy and make the transition to employment.
National Assistive Technology Technical Assistance Partnerships
Information from RESNA (Rehabilitaton and Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America) on Transition Assistance programs funded by the AT Act of 2004.
Universal Design
This Boston-based international non-profit promotes design that works for everyone across the spectrum of ability and age and enhances human experience. Visit this site to learn how AE’s work balances expertise in legally required accessibility with promotion of best practices in human-centered or universal design.
IDEA Center at Buffalo
Home of the Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center on Universal Design at Buffalo. Includes sections on innovative ideas (“Bright Ideas”), publications, software, and videos on accessibility as well as universal design. The “Bright Ideas” section includes a photo slideshow of homes and products.
Universal Design Education Materials Online
This site supports educators and students in their teaching and study of universal design.
Vehicle Modification
Mass Rehabilitation Commission (MRC's) Vehicle Modification Program FAQs
Questions answered by the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission on their Vehicle Modification Program.
Vendor List: Auto Manufacturer's Mobility Programs
Visually Impaired
American Foundation for the Blind--Technology
The technology page of the AFB Web site provides a side bar of links of relevance for people who are legally blind or have low vision. Categories of information include: cell phone access, assistive technology, Web accessibility, electronic books, buying a computer, screen reader tips, and tips for computer users with low vision.
Massachusetts Vision Resources Library
This state library provides specialized instructional materials, including Braille and large print, to visually impaired students.
Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic (RFB&D)- Boston Unit
RFB&D, a nonprofit volunteer organization, is a national educational library serving people who cannot effectively read standard print because of visual impairment, dyslexia or other physical disability.
Free services to Massachusetts residents of any age who are unable to read traditional print materials due to a visual or physical disability.
National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped
NLS administers a free library program of braille and recorded materials circulated to eligible borrowers through a network of cooperating libraries.
Web Accessibility
Accessibar - Firefox Add-on
This is a free Web browser toolbar from the Mozilla Foundation for Firefox users (the Web browser is also free from Mozilla). The accessibar enables easy manipulation of Web page display and text-to-speech output, among other features.
Web Content Accessibility Guidelines from the W3C
The international World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) has developed Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (also known as Web Accessibility Initiative [WAI] standards) to explain how to make Web content accessible to people with disabilities. These are now the standard for Web developers and are available here.
Section 508 of the federal Rehabilitation Act (as amended in 1998) requires that Federal agencies' electronic and information technology be accessible to people with disabilities. Standards for compliance are available at this goverment Web site.
Work
Asking for Reasonable Accommodation in Employment (Fact Sheet)
Provided by the Disability Law Center.
Computer/Electronic Accommodations Program (CAP)
Department of Defense and other federal employees with disabilities as well as war wounded active duty service members are served by this reasonable accommodations program for assistive technology run by Tricare. The program provides technology that can keep federal workers with disabilities employed.
Funding Tips for Employers and Individuals (Fact Sheet)
Advice on funding accommodations provided by the Job Accommodation Network.
JAN provides free consulting services to employers and employees, including individualized worksite accommodations solutions, technical assistance regarding the ADA and other disability related legislation, tax incentives, and information about self-employment options for people with disabilities. Visit this site for numerous resources including the job accommodations toolbox.
Universal Design and Assistive Technology in the Workplace (Fact Sheet)
Provided by the Job Accommodation Network.
Workplace Accommodations: Low Cost, High Impact (Fact Sheet)
Provided by the Job Accommodation Network.
Your Guide to the MA Workers’ Compensation System
Provided by the Massachusetts Department of Industrial Accidents.