VATP Announcements
April 17, 2024 is officially National Assistive Technology (AT) Awareness Day! All 50 states plus the territories have Assistive Technology programs, funded primarily by the Federal AT Act Grant and administered through the Administration of Community Living, that are designed to enhance public awareness of the vital role assistive technology has in living, working, and recreating for individuals with disabilities and age-related conditions. We accomplish this through individualized demonstrations of devices and strategies as well as the physical loaning of items to see if they will work for someone in their own environment.
Last year, the Vermont Assistive Technology Program, in partnership with the University of Vermont's Center on Disability and Inclusion (CDCI), demonstrated how to use over 200 devices and loaned over 700 different devices to over 450 Vermonters. Our partner organization, Opportunities Credit Union, provided low interest, variable term financial loans to almost 60 people to make AT more affordable including a significant number of modified vehicle loans. Our peer-to-peer reuse program on https://vt.at4all.com/ also allowed gently used but no longer required AT to find new homes. There are even a few modified vehicles listed right now! Finally, we did a large number of events to educate and train about our program and have many more planned in the coming year. Keep an eye out for us!
So please join us this Wednesday in celebrating the everyday impact that AT can have in allowing individuals to live more independently. Do you use your phone to magnify small type? An extra long shoehorn to make putting on shoes easier? Carry around a fidget, squishy ball, or mala necklace for comfort and distraction in times of stress? Tell someone! Post on social media and add the hashtag #ATAwarenessDay. Let's celebrate these things, big or small, simple or complex, that make life better and make us unique in our personal journey through this life. And let's celebrate the innovation and dedication of researchers, educators, and AT specialists who make this possible.
If you have questions or need more assistance, The Vermont Assistive Technology Program can be contacted by phone at 1-800-750-6355, or by email at dail.atinfo@vermont.gov. More information about our program can be found at www.atp.vermont.gov
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The Vermont Assistive Technology Program is part of the Vermont State Government’s Department of Disabilities, Aging, and Independent Living. The Vermont Assistive Technology Program partners with the University of Vermont’s Center on Disability and Community Inclusion to provide assistive technology services.
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