What is Assistive Technology?
Assistive Technology (AT) includes devices, products and services that allow people with disabilities to move freely, obtain jobs and maintain their independence. These include such items as eyeglasses, hearing aids, wheelchairs and ramps, communication devices, specialized computer software and assistance dogs.
CCCIL's Assistive Technology goals:
- Match consumers with available services, vendors, training and potential funding opportunities.
- Help consumers to identify how to acquire, fund, fit, customize, maintain and / or repair AT.
- Conduct community outreach to raise awareness of AT to people with disabilities, families, service providers, media, elected leaders and policy makers.
CCCIL addresses AT needs by providing:
- Service coordination
- Public Education
- Outreach
- Information and Referral
CCCIL's Assistive Technology Database
CCCIL has developed a database of more than 200 providers of AT products. If you want to know what products are available for any type of disability, you can come into our Salinas or Capitola office, let us know what you need, and we can print out a list of suppliers along with their websites and/or mailing addresses and phone numbers. Catalogs from some of these providers are available for viewing by our consumers.
Assistive Technology Needs Survey
Please fill out CCCIL's Assistive Technology Needs survey: Survey Form
Online AT Resources
There are searchable databases on the internet, where you may look for the type of AT products or services you need. The Alliance for Technology Access and GPK have manufacturer and service databases.
CATE: California Assistive Technology Exchange. CATE is a project under the leadership of the Center on Disabilities (COD) and the National Center on Deafness (NCOD) at the California State University, Northridge (CSUN) whose mission is to enhance the quality of life for Californians with disabilities by providing them with assistive technology (AT) devices and by innovating the loan process. They are working with 10 sites throughout California to ensure that Californians with disabilities are informed about the programs and have access to them. If you need more information or assistance in navigating the website, please contact Lindy Peters at CCCIL.