WATAP Brochure
Washington Assistive Technology Act Program
WATAP —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 University of Washington Center for Technology and Disability Studies and is guided by a consumer majority advisory council.
WHAT IS ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY? Assistive technology (AT) includes both devices and services. A device is any item or piece of equipment used to maintain or improve the functional capabilities of a person with a disability. Many high-tech and low-tech devices are now available to assist people with disabilities with daily living tasks, education, work, and recreation. Categories of AT devices include vision; hearing; speech communication; learning, cognition, and development; mobility, seating, and positioning; daily living; environmental adaptations; vehicle modification and transportation; computers and related devices; and recreation, sports, and leisure. AT services support people with disabilities or their caregivers to help them select, acquire and use AT devices.
WATAP SERVICES
DEMONSTRATIONS OF AT DEVICES. By offering free hands-on trials of assistive technology devices, WATAP and Easter Seals Washington provides guidance and consultation to help people with disabilities make informed decisions about the AT devices and services they need for employment, education, independent living and use of information technology. The devices support activities such as daily living, augmentative and alternative communication, seeing, hearing, learning, mobility, computer access, environmental control, transportation, and recreation. The demonstrations give individuals with disabilities, their families, and professionals the opportunity to try out and compare devices. The trials, available by appointment in Seattle and other locations throughout the state, and at community events, help consumers decide which device is right for them, or whether a non-technological solution might be best.
LOANS OF ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY DEVICES. WATAP offers short-term loans of AT devices for up to six weeks, to give individuals with disabilities the opportunity to determine which devices meet their needs and help them decide what and whether to purchase. WATAP also loans AT devices to public entities for short-term accommodation, and, based on availability, to individuals whose AT device is being repaired. A fee, based on the value of the item, may be charged to cover maintenance costs. An equipment loan application along with policies and procedures is available in hard copy and on the WATAP web site, watap.org.
LOANS FOR ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY. The Washington Assistive Technology Foundation is particularly interested in helping low-income individuals find ways to pay for technologies needed to be independent and to succeed at school, at work, at play and in the community. It provides two types of low-interest loans. Assistive Technology Loans are given for assistive technology and access modifications to homes and vehicles. Telework Loans are available for equipment needed by employees and entrepreneurs with disabilities who choose to work from home or other "Telework" locations on a full- or part-time basis. Washington residents of all ages with disabilities of all types, including age-related functional limitations, as well as family members and employers, are eligible for WATF loans. Applicants for Telework loans must be engaged in paid employment or self-employment or have a realistic plan to do so. Interest rates range from the prime rate to prime rate + 2%. Loan terms are from one to five years. Loans of up to $10,000 are available. There are no income restrictions. For information and applications visit watf.org.
COMPUTER REULITIZATION PROGRAM. Easter Seals Washington runs a computer reutilization program to support the education, employment, and enhancement of personal independence of people with disabilities through the use of computers. Washington state residents with disabilities are eligible. Applications must include a letter from a professional such as a doctor, teacher, or other qualified person describing the applicant's need and qualification for a computer loan. The application must also identify a mentor available to the applicant to set up the computer and provide assistance.
CCTV RENTALS. The Washington Assistive Technology Foundation offers long-term rentals of closed circuit TV magnifiers. Black and white models rent for $25 per month; color models for $35 per month; and portables for $30 per month. For information and applications visit watf.org.
OTHER WATAP SERVICES
INFORMATION AND REFERRAL. Call WATAP or use its online resources to locate AT devices and local services. Web site: watap.org or 800-214-8731 V; 866-866-0162 TTY.
THE WATAP WEBSITE, watap.org, includes publications, an events calendar, AT resources and more.
THE ONLINE AT DISCUSSION FORUM is an email list where people discuss assistive technology with emphasis on local services and resources. Visit the WATAP web site, watap.org, to subscribe.
WATAP PARTNERS
UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON CENTER FOR TECHNOLOGY AND DISABILITY STUDIES (UWCTDS) is the lead agency for WATAP. It 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. UWCTDS also provides training to government agencies, service providers and others on the selection and use of assistive technology; technical assistance on accessibility of information technology; and online information resources. Web site: uwctds.washington.edu.
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. For more information visit the WATAP website, watap.org.
WASHINGTON ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY FOUNDATION (WATF) provides low interest loans to help with purchase of assistive technology devices and services through the AT Access Fund and the Telework loan program. WATF also provides a low-cost rental program for closed circuit magnification systems (CCTVs). Web site: watf.org; 206-328-5116 V; 877-428-5116 (Toll-Free Voice); 888-808-8942 (TTY); email info@watf.org.
EASTER SEALS WASHINGTON offers long term loans of recycled computers and related equipment for employment, education and independent living. Web site: wa.easterseals.com.
The KING COUNTY LIBRARY SYSTEM has partnered with WATAP 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. For more information about the collaboration and to see what devices are available, visit: http://kcls.watap.org/.
Washington Assistive Technology Act Program Box 357920 Seattle WA 98195-7920 800-214-8731 V; 866-866-0162 TTY watap@u.washington.edu; http://watap.org.
©2009 University of Washington The contents of this brochure were developed under a grant from the Department of Education. However, the contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the Department of Education, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal government.