Washington Assistive Technology Act Program

WATAP—the Washington Assistive Technology Act Program—serves Washington residents of all ages with disabilities of all types, their families, employers and employment service providers, educators, health care and social service providers, and others seeking information about assistive technology (AT) and accessible information technology. WATAP is located within the UW Center on Technology & Disability Studies and is guided by a consumer-majority advisory council.

WATAP Partners

WATAP works with several partners to provide services:

• The University of Washington Center for Technology and Disability Studies (UWCTDS) is the lead agency for WATAP. UWCTDS provides hands-on demonstrations and short-term loans of assistive technology devices to help potential users make informed decisions about using such devices and related services. http://uwctds.washington.edu/

• The Washington Access Fund (WATF) provides low interest loans to help with purchase of assistive technology devices and services through the AT AccessFund and the Telework loan program. WATF also provides a low-cost rental program for closed circuit magnification systems (CCTVs). http://watf.org/

• Easter Seals Washington offers refurbished computers and related equipment for employment, education and independent living. Easter Seals Washington Computer Reuse Program

• For a list of AT reuse centers near you, visit Pass It On Center at http://passitoncenter.org/locations/search.aspx and select Washington State.

• The Microsoft Accessibility Resource Center (MARC) hosted by WATAP provides access to a series of video demonstrations and text guides/tutorials that explore accessibility solutions in Microsoft Windows, Office and Internet Explorer.

• WATAP and the King County Library System have partnered to offer to library members the opportunity to see and try a small selection of assistive devices to help with a variety of daily tasks. To see what devices are available, visit: http://kcls.watap.org/. Printed copies of the Aids for Better Living device catalog are also available for check out through the Library system. Members of the King County Library System may borrow any of the devices through the Library System catalog. A list of available devices is located in the catalog by typing "watap". Once a hold is placed, the device or catalog is delivered to a King County Library System branch.