FAQ: Adaptive Technology
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Communication
Adaptive Technology
Adaptive Technology/Computers
- Where can we locate either a trackball or pressure pad?
- I would like to have a personal computer at home for my use, are there any organizations or corporations that offer quality, inexpensive or free computer equipment to individuals with disabilities?
My son is blind and he will attend a private college this next year. Do you offer Apple computers?
- Where can I find information for a special keyboard for my computer or other adaptive computer peripheral equipment or software?
- I cannot afford my ISP service. Do you know of free internet services for people with disabilities?
Computer Technology Training
Financial Asistance / Funding
- Are there any assistance programs offered on a federal or state level that offer funding for assistive technology (AT)?
- I need special equipment to use the telephone, but I do not have the money to buy the equipment. Do you know where I can get financial assistance to purchase this type of equipment?
General
Legislation
Communication
Q: Are there any telephone services available for individuals with speech disabilities that do not require TTY (text telephone) devices?
- A: Yes there is! The service is called Speech-to-Speech (STS). The Federal Communication Commission has mandated that as of March 1, 2001, all states must have a STS system in place. This service will eliminate the need for expensive TTY (text telephone) devices by allowing callers to use their own voice, voice synthesizer, or voice enhancer. Specially trained Communication Assistants will then revoice what the caller has said to the listener. STS is an excellent service for individuals with Parkinson's Disease, Cerebral Palsy, Multiple Sclerosis, Muscular Dystrophy or any other disability that makes it difficult to communicate via speech. This service is free of charge and is offered 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For more information about this service or to find the service's number in your state, click on the link provided above or visit the Speech-To-Speech Relay Service Guide (pdf)
Adaptive Technology
Q: I am looking for second hand or refurbished Braille Display, with low price compared to new ones. Preferably, I am looking for a Hims Edge 40 or VarioUltra.
- A: To begin:
- You may want to check with your local Independent Living Center. See NHU's guide to Centers for Independent Living to find the center nearest you. CIL's can direct you to local resources as well as have loan options for adaptive equipment.
- Contact your local Center for the Blind.
- You can post a classified on our NHU Community Forum after emailing us first so we can accept your request to post.
- Contact your state Assistive Technology Center: to find your AT program. There are many directories and a device exchange on the websites that may help you get started.
- You may want to check with your local Independent Living Center. See NHU's guide to Centers for Independent Living to find the center nearest you. CIL's can direct you to local resources as well as have loan options for adaptive equipment.
Adaptive Technology/Computers
Q: My son used a trackball and more recently a pressure pad to interface with his computer. He is a quadripeligic and holds a pencil with an eraser tipped end to work the trackball or pressure pad. We have looked at other types of computer adaptive equipment such as head devices and speech recognition, however, he found his method easier to use. Recently, we needed to replace the pressure pad and found that it had been taken off the market. We have searched everywhere for either a trackball or pressure pad but have not been able to find one that will work for him. The new trackballs on the market are mounted on the the side and no manufacturer is making a stand alone pressure pad. Where can we locate either a trackball or pressure pad?
- A: To begin:
- You may want to check with organizations or schools in your area who offer computer training to people with disabilities and see if they have used equipment that would be available to you.
- You may want to check with your local Independent Living Center to see if they can reassess your sons needs for adaptive technology for the computer and see if there is something new on the market that he may find satisfactory. See NHU's guide to Centers for Independent Living to find the center nearest you.
- We were able to find a couple of resources that offer center located trackballs or custom trackballs but you will have to check with the retailer to determine if they are in your financial range.
- Cursor Controls LTD. lists trackballs that are centrally located on the device. For main distributors or stocklists or their on-line store, see their site.
- Access Technology - A Review of Computer Adaptive Technology> offers a review of trackballs.
Q: I would like to have a personal computer at home for my use, are there any organizations or corporations that offer quality, inexpensive or free computer equipment to individuals with disabilities?
- A: If you live in the state of Wisconsin or in the Southeastern Area of Wisconsin you can apply for a computer workstation grant from us at New Horizons Un-Limited. We offer used, quality, inexpensive, free, personal computers for use in your own home for people with disabilities, see NHU’s Computer Grant Application.
- A: For a listing of National, State and International organizations that offer used, quality, inexpensive, free, personal computers for use in your own home for people with disabilities, see NHU's Community and Internet Resources: Adaptive Technology: Computers: Hardware/Software Donations and Refurbishers page.
Q: My son is blind and he will attend a private college this next year. Do you offer Apple computers?
- Apple does a better job with screen reading and so he is smart to pursue an Apple laptop. If you want to go ahead and apply to our program he can, just we wouldn’t know when an Apple laptop would come in as a donation but we do have HP Windows 10 laptops while supplies last. Our application is at NHU Computer Grant Program Application
- If you haven’t done so yet, do ask at his college. They may offer this kind of grant, some schools offer computers or discounted computers for starting students or they may have a used computer or equipment loan services for students. Check with the campus accessibility office and IT department.
- Have your son write to Apple too, they may have a very good idea about a resource or be willing to assist him directly. If you are a student, visit the Apple Store for Education or call 1-800-692-7753, 7 days a week from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Central time. In addition Apple offers discounted computers at this location: https://www.apple.com/shop/browse/home/specialdeals
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- Contact the Blind and Visually Impaired Services of the state in which he lives now or will attend college. This service may be able to identify computer resources for people who are blind.
- You could also contact the Center for Independent Living by his school or at his permanent residence. CIL’s may have a computer refurbish program or they have a technical product program or low interest loan program. You can find your local CIL at http://www.new-horizons.org/indcil.htm
- Check out our pages on financial assistance for more ideas at Financial Resources
Q: Where can I find information for a special keyboard for my computer or other adaptive computer peripheral equipment or software?
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A: For a review of computer adaptive hardware, software and related technologies designed for the specific needs of people with disabilities, see our page, Access Technology - A Review of Computer Adaptive Technology.
- The following resources offer large directories of adaptive equipment and software for the computer.
- A: Low cost Internet access continues to be a problem for people with disabilities on low income.
We will start with fairly free solutions and work toward finding financial resources. If you have a laptop outfitted with a wireless device one could visit any public library or public university library, coffee shop or restaurant with WiFi and access the Internet. Though not recommended for home use as riding on other people's connection without their expressed consent is illegal and also detectable. If you live in an apartment complex, however, sometimes WiFi is available through the cooperative of the apartment living.
If you are a student and on the Federal Free lunch program, there is a program called Connect 2 Compete. For more information, go to Connect 2 compete. This program is not available everywhere and other restrictions may apply.
All Free ISP offers a directory by area code of free Internet Service Providers. To find free Internet Service Providers in your area, choose the state and then your area code. This will give you a complete directory of free ISP's in your area code. The directory also offers information on each provider, costs (if any), ratings, and commentary by people who have used the ISP. Free Internet Service Providers such as Bluelight, Dot Now, Juno, NetZero, and American Express are included. These providers will have the disadvantage of constant pop-up windows and banner advertisements while online which can be annoying and cause difficulty to work. They are also mostly dial-up Internet access which means that they are considerably slower. Nevertheless they are free or very low cost.
Be aware that companies that offer free or discounted ISP for a few months or 6 months will charge and bill you at the end of the free time. You have to cancel to avoid being billed. Be sure to find out when you need to cancel your account as releasing yourself from these programs can sometimes be difficult
The local phone company here in Wisconsin which happens to be AT&T offers the lowest price for a fairly good service for people in our area, around $14 to $20 a month. Contact your home telephone company to see if they offer a discount through the Universal Service fund to people with disabilities or low income.
Contact your local Center for Independent Living to see if their Assistive Technology program has any solutions for him. This organization would be the best resource for financial resources in your community for people with disabilities. To find your local Center for Independent Living, visit NHU's page on Centers for Independent Living.
Contact other local organizations for developmental disabilities such as the Life Navigators (formerly the ARC). They have expanded their services to include those with other disabilities.
Local charitable organizations such as the Kiwanis or local churches may be willing to give a grant for a one year Internet access for this special student through their student scholarship programs.
Visit the Assistive Technology Project resources at AT Community Centers and Programs although they may not have a better solution for ISP service but usually offer funding for hardware, perhaps they know of a financial resource in your area for ISP.
Visit our page on AT Financial Assistance Some of the programs allow you to apply with your particular situation with national based funding. Modest Needs is one of these programs.
Computer Technology Training
Q: I am interested in learning more about computer and Internet technology, where may I go to learn about basic computer and Internet skills? Are there training programs available that incorporate adaptive technology?National
- A: Your local Center for Independent Living (CIL) may offer an accessible computer and Internet Training Program. If they do not offer such a program they should certainly be able to refer you to an organization that does. To find a CIL in your area, visit New Horizons Un-Limited's page on Centers for Independent Living.
Wisconsin
- A: New Horizons Un-Limited offers accessible computer and Internet training for people who recieve computers from our Computer Grant Program and our Employment Skills Training Program. If you need assistance using your computer, please contact us if you would like to learn of the training programs. You may e-mail us at horizons@new-horizons.org.
Financial Assistance / Funding
Q: Are there any assistance programs offered on a federal or state level that offer funding for assistive technology (AT)?
- A: Abledata has authored Informed Consumer's Guide to Funding Assistive Technology. The guide offers an in depth discussion of how one goes about finding and applying for funding and also lists Federal and local sources of AT funding.
- A: Are you looking for funding for a non-profit organization, a particular research project or service purpose. Contact the manufacturer to see if they would donate the AT device in exchange for a reference in/from your project.
- A: Apply to your local Center for Independent Living for an Assistive Technology grant or loan, or any other organization that might fund Assistive Technology in your location. To find your local CIL, visit our NHU page at Centers for Independent Living.
- Look through the resources at our NHU page Adaptive Technology: Financial Assistance to see if you would be eligible for any of these financial assistance resources.
Q: I need special equipment to use the telephone, but I do not have the money to buy the equipment. Do you know where I can get financial assistance to purchase this type of equipment?
or other specialized equipment to use basic telephone services in your home or when traveling
because of your disability and if you are a Wisconsin resident, you may be able to receive a voucher
(check) for the amount of money to purchase the equipment.
To apply for this assistance:
Choose the equipment and where you want to buy it. Voucher amounts for equipment purchases depend on your disability:
However, you may qualify for a co-pay waiver if you cannot afford the $100.
Fill out the TAP (Telecommunication Assistance Program) portion on the voucher TEPP application form.
The TEPP is one of several different programs paid for by the Wisconsin Universal Service Fund
established by the Public Service Commission. To get an application form or if you have questions, contact the,
Public Service Commission, at pscrecs@psc.state.wi.us or send mail to P.O. Box 7854, Madison, Wisconsin 53707-7854, or call
TTY (608) 267-1479, Voice (608) 231-3305, or Fax (608)266-3957.
Use the voucher (like a check) to pay the vendor for your qualifying special equipment..
You are required to pay the first $100 at the time of purchase and any amount over the voucher amount.
Applicants for vouchers cannot receive a voucher for equipment for the same disability more
than once every three years.
Announcements for changed and disconnected telephone numbers
will be available in voice and TTY readable format.
Or contact one of the following:
General
Q: I am interested in learning more about products and technologies that will allow me to live more independently; where can I go to get this information?
Legislation
Q: What can I do if the wheelchair I bought this year stops working?
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