Iowa's Program for Assistive Technology Grows through Innovation and Collaboration

March 30, 2012

The Iowa Program for Assistive Technology (IPAT) just completed its first year of sending weekly tips to hundreds of webmasters throughout the state. These web tips detail how to make websites more accessible and more usable for individuals with disabilities, and how to assure sites are 508 compliant. IPAT will re-offer the initial series of tips and begin work on a second, more advanced round.

The Iowa Program for Assistive Technology is a good example of how much a program can grow from an initial investment of seed money. In 1989 Iowa's UCEDD, the Center for Disabilities and Development (CDD) at the University of Iowa, received funding through the Technology Related Assistance for Individuals with Disabilities Act-the "Tech Act"-to pursue the mission of increasing access to all types of assistive technology for Iowans with disabilities, of all ages and in all service settings. Like Tech Act projects created at other UCEDDs, IPAT was established, and more than twenty years later, the IPAT mission remains steady and the program continues to flourish. IPAT has been able to increase access to and acquisition of assistive technology (AT), maximizing the influence and impact of limited resources through its collaboration with other organizations and programs.

IPAT contracts with Easter Seals Iowa and provides some support to Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services to offer device demonstrations that allow individuals to try out products before purchasing them. Since 2006, IPAT has funded more than 4,500 device demonstrations. In addition, equipment loans are available through a short-term loan program run by Easter Seals Iowa. IPAT works with the Easter Seals Iowa Assistive Technology Center, which fixes and cleans used devices and medical equipment, and provides these products to individuals with disabilities for a small service fee. Last year, this program saved Iowa consumers $470,110 for the purchase of used AT devices.

IPAT also makes short-term loans of devices through the Disability Resource Library at CDD, including software and communication devices, and recently, iPads and iPhones.

IPAT supports the Used Equipment Referral Service (UERS) maintained by Iowa COMPASS, the state's information and referral service for disability-related programs. UERS provides a free online listing of AT devices people want to buy or sell. Last year, this program saved $576,460 for consumers who were able to purchase used rather than new AT devices. In the 2009-10 grant year, the Association of Assistive Technology Act Programs recognized UERS as the number one device exchange program for customer savings out of 36 similar programs in other states.

IPAT also funds Iowa COMPASS's assistive technology information and referral services. Thanks to IPAT, Iowans call COMPASS to find out what AT is, where to buy it, who installs it and how to fund it. Last year, Iowa COMPASS took 1,148 calls about AT devices, services or funding options.

To help Iowans meet their needs to purchase assistive technology, IPAT contracts with the Iowa Able Foundation to offer three services through an alternative financing program (AFP). The AFP provides low-interest loans with flexible terms to purchase AT equipment, and home and vehicle modifications or repair. IPAT's AFP also supports the Access to Telework Fund and the Credit Builder Loan programs.

AUCD network members who would like to learn more about the Iowa Program for Assistive Technology may get in touch with Jane Gay at [email protected].

Find out about AT programs in other states at: http://www.resnaprojects.org/allcontacts/statewidecontacts.html.

Explore the Iowa Program for Assistive Technology website at: http://www.iowaat.org/home.

Learn more about the Iowa Used Equipment Referral Service at: http://www.iowacompass.org/uersdisclaimer.htm.