Utah Assistive Technology Program
More Information
Project WebsiteProject Staff
- Clarissa Barnhill
- Martin E. Blair
- Alma J Burgess
- Stan Clelland
- Faye Hauser
- Amy Henningsen
- Jose Iglesias
- Sachin Dev Pavithran
- Robert Robinson
- Lois Summers
- Lois Summers
- Monica Urrutia
- Heather B Young
Project Details
Project Context
Assistive technology 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. Simply stated, AT is tools and resources used by individuals with disabilities to help improve their quality of life and increase their independence.
Project Focus
The Utah Assistive Technology Program (UATP) provides AT services to Utahns with disabilities, and training, technical assistance, and support to their service providers.
Services/Products
AT State Financing. 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
AT Reutilization Program. The UATP assists individuals with disabilities to acquire AT through reutilization efforts by implementing the statewide Citizens Reutilizing Assistive Technology Equipment (CReATE) program. This occurs at our CReATE facility in Salt Lake City, in collaboration with the Utah Center for Assistive Technology, and at the AT Lab in Logan, Utah.
AT Demonstration. The UATP provides technical assistance to AT demonstration centers located in 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.
AT Training. UATP implements a minimum of four, in person AT training activities each year and conducts online training to AT provider programs statewide in an effort to enhance expertise in providing consumer-responsive AT services.
Recent Activities.
During 2008, 47 people with disabilities participated in in-depth device demonstration activities. They reviewed technologies related to education, employment and community living. Nearly 120 people took advantage of UATP's short term equipment loan program, nearly three-quarters of this group were highly satisfied individuals with disabilities; and, 69 individuals received low interest loans totaling over $571,000 through the Utah Assistive Technology Foundation (UATF) for the purchase of assistive technology. Almost all who were served were at least satisfied and indicated that UATP services helped them to make decisions about AT or that they got AT through UATP that they would have otherwise gone without.
FY '09 Focus
The consistent focus of the UATP is to get assistive technology into the hands of those who need it. UATP will continue to support the activities of the UATF and will use distance education technologies to provide training and device demonstrations to Utahns in rural and remote areas. During the next year, UATP is focusing on expanding the CReATE program and ensuring that it is used by individuals with disabilities as a low-cost alternative for acquiring high-quality, safe mobility equipment such as wheelchairs and electric scooters
