National Assistive Technology Act Data System

This consumer is an 8-year-old boy diagnosed with Autism, ADHD, and Generalized Anxiety Disorder. His conditions limited his ability to verbally communicate and express emotions, often leading to frustration and social isolation. His family sought an Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) device to help him communicate and connect with others more effectively. Disability Resource Center (DRC) staff provided him with a tablet equipped with seven different speech generating applications tailored for communication support. The AAC device allowed him to express his needs and interact with others using visual symbols and text-to-speech output. The device also supported his learning and social engagement by giving him a consistent, reliable communication tool. The young boy’s reaction was heartwarming—his eyes lit up as he typed his first words and heard them spoken aloud. He was filled with excitement and pride as he began to express himself using the device. His family was equally thrilled, expressing deep gratitude to DRC and the Ability Tools program for helping him find his voice and confidence.

This anecdote was shared by a Voice Options consumer, a 24-year-old woman: “I have Down Syndrome and a developmental disability, and for most of my life, communicating was very hard for me. I didn’t have an AAC device when I was younger, so I had to rely on pointing and simple gestures to tell people what I needed. Many times, my family and friends didn’t understand me, and that made me feel frustrated and alone. My parents couldn’t afford to buy a device, and even though we tried for over a year to get one through my insurance, it didn’t work out. They connected me with a Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) , but I still didn’t have a way to communicate. Then my SLP told us about the Disabled Resources Center and the Voice Options Program. That’s when everything changed. Through the Voice Options Program, I finally got my own AAC device. Now, I can express my feelings, needs, and wants clearly. My family understands me better, and we feel closer than ever. My friends talk to me more, and I can join conversations instead of feeling left out. Having a voice has given me confidence and independence. For the first time, people really hear me. I feel happy because I can tell them what I think and how I feel. Thanks to this program, I feel heard, understood, included, and that means everything to me.”

This consumer, an adult woman, needed an electric wheelchair to walk her emotional support animal and move around her apartment complex. She could not afford a suitable device through her insurance in a timely manner. She needed a reliable mobility solution to maintain her independence in the community. The AT Coordinator and Pearls Coach collaborated to provide a refurbished electric wheelchair from the Resources for Independent Living’s (RIL) reuse program. They used the Keep the Wheels Rolling Fund (KWRF) grant to refurbish the chair and replace the battery. The wheelchair was delivered to the consumer so she could start using it immediately. She was highly satisfied with the wheelchair and the support received from RIL. She expressed her gratitude for being able to exercise her emotional support animal and navigate her apartment complex independently. She was delighted to regain her mobility and engage more actively in community living.

This consumer, a bright and social woman with Cerebral Palsy, depends on her speech-generating device to communicate. She accesses her device using a single switch positioned near her right wrist, but her current switch stopped functioning. Without it, she was unable to use her communication device, leaving her temporarily without her primary means of interaction. Staff from the Center for Advanced Research and Technology (CART) evaluated her equipment and determined the switch was no longer operational. Fortunately, a replacement switch from Freedom Switch was available through the Ability Tools lending library. CART’s rehabilitation engineer installed and positioned the loaner switch so this consumer could immediately resume communicating while awaiting her new device through insurance. She was extremely happy to regain her ability to communicate independently. She expressed her gratitude for the prompt support from CART and the Ability Tools program, noting how much it meant to have a backup while waiting for her replacement. The consumer left the appointment smiling and relieved, knowing she could continue to express herself freely and without interruption.

This consumer is an adult woman who experienced an unexpected fall, leaving her unable to bear weight on her lower body. The hospital provided her with a wheelchair, but it was too bulky and difficult to maneuver in her small home. She needed another mobility option that was lighter and easier to use. Assistive Technology Exchange Center (ATEC) staff provided demonstrations of both a quad cane and a folding walker. After trying both devices, the consumer decided to borrow them during her 12-week recovery. She was provided with both demonstration and loan services to meet her mobility needs. The consumer was relieved and grateful for the quick support. She found the walker and cane easy to use and especially helpful for regaining independence. She noted that the walker helped her transition more comfortably back to walking.