Washington Assistive Technology Act Program
Project Description:
The mission of Washington Assistive Technology Act Program (WATAP) is to increase the provision of, access to, and funding for assistive technology (AT) for Washingtonians of all ages and all disabilities through a variety of comprehensive activities and services available statewide. WATAP provides Washingtonians with access to expertise that addresses AT needs in all areas of life, with particular emphasis on education, employment, and community living. We offer information to family members, employers, employment service providers, educators, health care providers, social service providers and others seeking assistive technology services and knowledge. WATAP is part of the Center for Technology and Disability Studies (CTDS) and is guided by a consumer-majority advisory council. WATAP provides hands-on demonstrations and short-term loans of assistive technology devices to help potential users make informed decisions about using such devices and related services. Additional services offered include information and referral, training, and technical assistance. WATAP partners with the Washington Access Fund to provide low-interest financial loans for the purchase of assistive technology devices and services through the Assistive Technology Loan and the Business Equipment Loan programs. The Washington Access Fund also provides a matched savings program (Individualized development Accounts or IDAs) for the purchase of AT. WATAP provides support to local community reuse providers, Bridge Disabilities Ministries- Meyer Mobility Center and the Seattle Hearing, Speech, and Deafness Center (HSDC), for the purposes of expanding capacity for their device reuse programs. The Meyer Mobility Center provides reused nobility and durable medical equipment at no cost and HSDC offers a unique hearing aid reuse program. WATAP coordinates the Evergreen Reuse Coalition, a Washington State reuse network, which seeks to make a positive impact to the environment, quality of life of consumers, and cost savings to consumers through effective reuse of assistive devices. The Microsoft Accessibility Resource Center is hosted by WATAP and provides information on accessibility solutions in Microsoft Windows, Office and Internet Explorer. WATAP and Timberland Regional Library Systems have partnered to offer to library members the opportunity to see and try a small selection of assistive devices to help with a variety of daily tasks. Members of the Library Systems may borrow any of the devices through the Library System catalog. Several State Agencies, including the Special Education Technology Center (SETC-located at Central Washington University and funded through the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction), the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR), and Department of Services for the Blind (DSB), coordinate with WATAP's Device Borrowing program to provide short-term loans of assistive technology to special education teachers, speech-language pathologists, rehabilitation counselors, occupational/ physical therapists, and other technology specialists throughout Washington State. WATAP supports the National Deaf-Blind Equipment Distribution Program (NDBEDP) in Washington State funded through the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The NDBEDP provides technology to low-income individuals who have combined hearing and vision loss for the purposes of accessing telecommunication and internet services. WATAP provides individualized assessments to determine appropriate equipment to meet a consumers needs and coordinates appropriate set-up and training.
Keyword(s):
Assistive Technology
Core Function(s):
Training Trainees, Developing & Disseminating Information, Demonstration Services
Area of Emphasis
Education & Early Intervention, Health-Related Activities, Employment-Related Activities, Housing-Related Activities, Recreation-Related Activities, Quality of Life, Other - Assistive Technology
Target Audience:
Students/Trainees (long or intermediate trainees), Community Trainees / Short term trainees, Professionals and Para-Professionals, Family Members/Caregivers, Adults with Disabilities, Children/Adolescents with Disabilities/SHCN, General Public
Unserved or Under-served Populations:
Geographic Areas, Reservation, Rural/Remote
Primary Target Audience Geographic Descriptor:
State
COVID-19 Related Data:
N/A
