Assistive Technology Device Websites

1. Iowa Compass
http://www.uiowa.edu/infotech/ATDevice.htm
This website covers the categories of assistive technology and has a comprehensive list of products in each category. The categories are alphabetical from Ambulation which lists products such as canes, crutches, walkers and their accessories to Working Animals for blind/low vision, hearing impaired, and physically disabled. The variety of devices in each category is such that it would be of great assistance to anyone researching products for their students. I found this website very helpful in understanding the variety of choices of assistive devices in each category.

2. RJ Cooper and Associates Software and Hardware for Persons with Special Needs http://www.rjcooper.com/
This website makes software and hardware as it relates to everyday technology such as IPods, MP3 players, game players such as Xbox and more complex items like adaptive vehicles. The game controllers which have been adapted for persons with special needs are Xbox, Game cube, and PS3. There is an adaptive vehicle called the Cooper car which is for the most seriously challenged and works with four switches. I found this to be a very unique website in that it takes everyday technology and adapts it for use by special needs persons.

3. Section 508
http://www.section508.gov/index.cfm?FuseAction=Content&ID=87
This website covers the law in relation to section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act to end barriers in information technology. There is a tab which show cases assistive technology devices for hearing, blind, low vision, musculoskeletal, deaf, and any combination of disability. This website has pictures of products such as assistive listening devices, Braille devices, portable closed circuit TV, and ergonomic chairs. I think it is excellent source for specific computer related assistive technology products that can be used by disabled persons.

4. World-class Assistive Technology
http://www.rehabtool.com/at.html
This website covers news, events, forums, and lists many categories of Assistive Technology devices. There are communication aids, computer access aids, daily living aids and many other categories. I especially like the products offered in the daily living aids category such as the toilet and bathing aids to be of interest. The devices at this website improve the functional capabilities of people with disabilities for an increase in the standard of living. I really like this website because it is set up with color coded tabs for the categories of their assistive technology devices.

5. National Assistive Technology Technical Assistance Partnership http://69.89.27.238/~resnaorg/taproject/activities/reutilization.html
This website has links to various Assistive Technology programs in 56 state and territory programs, device loan programs, training, public awareness and device reutilization. The Device reutilization tab is interesting in that it supports the reuse of Assistive Technology devices through exchanges, refurbishing and recycling of AT devices. I would highly recommend this website as a source of low cost AT devices.

6. Learning, Sight and Sound made easier
http://www.lssproducts.com/category/assistive_technology
This website is one which caters to the visually impaired and hard of hearing through products designed to satisfy their needs. There is AT software, Braille AT, low vision keyboards, reading machines and screen enlargers. I found the clock and watch products to be very useful in that they are large number for better viewing for the visually impaired person. The low vision telephones are well designed for the person with low vision impairments. I feel that this website is very specialized but worth a visit as it satisfies an important daily need for some.
Wheel Chair Disabilities

7. Products and Services
http://www.wheelchairnet.org/WCN_ProdServ/Products/OtherATprod.html
This website is about links to other websites related to assistive technology devices. People who are interested in products and manufactures will be helped by the information at this website. For example, there is a link to sites which provide computer access for physically disabled persons by providing compact keyboards.

8. Ability Hub
http://www.abilityhub.com/general/about.htm
This website is dedicated to helping in finding information about adaptive equipment that is out there to access computers. The website can help disabled individuals who need Assistive Technology in accessing computers. There are also listings for websites of organizations from A to W which offer various Assistive Technology services available to persons with disabilities. There is an area of the website that links to wheelchairs and seating devices for disabled persons who need a variety of accessories for their wheelchairs. I did not find this to be the best site but it is worth looking at for sources of wheelchairs.





9. Institute on Disabilities
http://disabilities.temple.edu/programs/assistive/piat/index.htm
This website believes that Assistive Technology strives to enhance the lives of disabled people by access to and acquisition of Assistive Technology. This allows a choice, control and independence for disabled people at home, work, and school. This website also provides for searching of information, programs, training, news, and publications on Assistive Technology. I found that the publication tab to be of the most use. You can get brochures, literature, manuals, and reports on Assistive Technology as it relates to disabilities. This kind of information is very useful to the research person.

10. Assistive Technology Resources and Links
http://www.aea10.k12.ia.us/divlearn/Assist/atresource.html - AT%20Vendor%20Websites
This website is set up with tabs that include Assistive Technology resources, AT vendor website links, online resources, news, and software. The Assistive Technology Resources tab takes you to various links such as Learning Disabilities on-line which feature LFD topics. The AT vendor is of much use in that it lists a good selection of vendors such as Nuance which is the leading supplier of speech recognition software. I recommend this website to persons who are interested in the latest software in voice recognition.