National Data Summary of State Assistive Technology Programs: FY2015​

The Center for Assistive Technology Act Data Assistance has recently published the AT Act Data Brief (PDF), a national data summary of state assistive technology programs for fiscal year 2015.

State and Territory Assistive Technology Programs (AT Programs), authorized under Sec. 4 of the Assistive Technology Act of 1998 (most recently reauthorized in 2004), focus on improving the provision of assistive technology through comprehensive, statewide programs to increase access to and acquisition of assistive technology through state-level activities and state leadership activities. Maine CITE Coordinating Center is Maine’s AT Program.

Assistive technology is any item, piece of equipment, or system, whether acquired commercially, modified, or customized, that is commonly used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities. (Source: AT Act of 1998 as amended, 29 USC §3002). Some examples of assistive technology include screen readers, magnifiers, alternative input, text-to-speech, speech recognition, braille readers, walkers, wheelchairs, and prosthetic and orthotic devices. The photo above  shows a person using a braille computer display and computer keyboard.

This publication is the eighth in a series of AT Act Data Briefs, and has been supported by the Center for Assistive Technology Act Data Assistance (CATADA). CATADA is a collaborative project of the Institute for Community Inclusion at the University of Massachusetts Boston and the Association of Assistive Technology Act Programs.