ASSIST: State Grant for Assistive Technology (UATP) FY 25
Project Description:
The Utah Assistive Technology Program is an initiative of the Center for Persons with Disabilities (CPD) at Utah State University. The UATP puts assistive technology (AT) into the hands of people in Utah who need it.
AT is any item, piece of equipment or product system, whether acquired commercially off the shelf, modified or customized, that is used to increase, maintain or improve functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities. AT is tools and resources used by individuals with disabilities to help improve their quality of life and increase their independence in education, employment and in community settings.
UATP serves individuals with disabilities of all ages in Utah and the intermountain region. It trains university students, parents, children with disabilities and professional service providers about AT and provides AT devices and services. UATP coordinates its services with community organizations and others who provide independence-related support to individuals with disabilities. It maintains a website, http://wwwuatp.org/ that offers resources and information about AT devices.
Services provided by the AT Lab include:
- Device demonstration and equipment lending
- Training on construction of simple, low-cost assistive devices
- Maintenance and repair of assistive technologies
- Training on adaptive computer technologies
- Development of prototype devices
- Wheelchair evaluation
- Communication device evaluation and training
Through the community-based Utah Assistive Technology Foundation (http://www.uatf.org), UATP supports two different state financing activities: (1) low interest loan and loan guarantee programs in conjunction with Zion's Bank and (2) an Access to Telework program in coordination with the same partners.
The UATP also assists individuals with disabilities to acquire AT through reutilization efforts. This occurs at the UATP Salt Lake facility, located in Salt Lake City, in collaboration with the Utah Center for Assistive Technology, and at the AT Lab at USU.
UATP provides technical assistance to AT demonstration centers located in Centers on Independent Living (CILs) statewide and maintains a virtual network of these demonstration centers so consumers have a single point of contact to access AT devices and services in Utah. UATP also provides individuals with disabilities and service providers statewide with direct and indirect device demonstrations using a variety of distance education technologies.
Keyword(s):
Assistive Technology
Core Function(s):
Training Trainees, Performing Research or Evaluation, Developing & Disseminating Information
Area of Emphasis
Education & Early Intervention, Health-Related Activities, Employment-Related Activities, Transportation-Related Activities, Recreation-Related Activities, Quality of Life, Other - Assistive Technology, Other - Leadership
Target Audience:
Students/Trainees (long or intermediate trainees), Professionals and Para-Professionals, Family Members/Caregivers, Adults with Disabilities, Children/Adolescents with Disabilities/SHCN, Legislators/Policy Makers, General Public
Unserved or Under-served Populations:
Racial or Ethnic Minorities, Disadvantaged Circumstances, Limited English, Geographic Areas, Reservation, Rural/Remote, Specific Groups
Primary Target Audience Geographic Descriptor:
State, Regional
COVID-19 Related Data:
N/A
