Assistive Technology 📋

Information and Referral 

Information and Referral (I+R) is the art, science, and ability to assess the AT needs of our clients and refer them to community resources, programs, services, online resources, and customized resources like products they may find helpful.

I+R enables clients to meet their disability needs.

One I+R client wanted to build a ramp at his home. Assistive Technology Coordinator Julianannah Harris sent the client the complete Lowe’s guide to building wooden wheelchair ramps. The client used this information along with hired help to build a ramp of his own.

AT Lending Library 

We have hundreds of assistive technology devices available for loan to our clients. These include high-tech items, for example scanners that turn printed text into spoken text. And low-tech items like adaptive eating utensils.

This program has given clients the ability to try AT before they buy it, and to figure out what does and doesn’t work for their needs. It enables clients to make an educated decision about what devices are best for their lives.

One client who was hard of hearing borrowed a personal amplification device called a pocket talker and for the first time since his hearing loss was able hear conversations and communicate again. 

Chromebook Lending Library 

We have an inventory of Chromebook laptops, tablets, and 2-in-1 touch screen Chromebooks.

We loan out these devices to allow clients to meet their Assistive Technology and Independent Living Goals.

A client with low vision was able to use vision enhancements on the Chromebook including the magnifier and color contrast to use a computer again.

DME Lending Library 

We recently started a Durable Medical Equipment Lending Library. We take donations from the community and loan them to clients in need. These include items like wheelchairs, walker, and rollators.

This program helps bridge the gap in insurance funding for these items and gives individuals greater mobility.

A client with COPD could not walk very far without needing to sit down. We were able to loan him a rollator (a four wheeled walker with a seat) so he could sit down when needed, enabling him to go grocery shopping and ambulate for longer distances.  

Residential Ramp Loan Progam 

We loan ADA compliant aluminum modular ramps to qualifying individuals in our service area. This program has been life changing for the individuals we have been able to serve.

For one woman it was the first time she had been able to get in and out of her house freely in years.

Voice Options Program

TCIL has had the opportunity to administer the Voice Options Program (VOP) for the Humboldt, Trinity, and Del Norte regions. Through a partnership with the California Public Utilities Commission’s (CPUC) Deaf and Disabled Telecommunications Program (DDTP) , the California Department of Rehabilitation’s (DOR) Voice Options program provides eligible Californians who are unable to speak, or who have difficulty speaking, with a free speech-generating device. The goal of this program is to ensure full and equal telephone communications access for all Californians with disabilities.

The program pairs individuals with speech difficulties with an iPad running a speech generating app that can be their voice.

This program gives a voice to someone who may not otherwise be able to communicate at all or as effectively as possible.

Clients can be any age and have any speech difficulties like aphasia after a stroke to conditions like stuttering.

We have been pleased to assist in providing devices on long term loan to several individuals who greatly benefited from the speech generating app.

One individual was able to communicate how he was feeling for the first time since his onset of disability. This had an enormous effect on the client’s quality of life and ability to express himself.

Direct Client Services 

Assistive Technology Coordinator Julianannah Harris offers direct AT training to individuals on an as needed basis. This could be demonstrating how to use an item in the AT Lending Library or to help clients learn about built-in accessibility in their computers or phones.

Assistive Technology Coordinator Julianannah Harris also assists clients in applying for services like the Braille and Talking Book library, and Paratransit.

One great success has been her ability to work with the Angel Fund Grant run by the Humboldt Area Foundation to get personal emergency response devices to Humboldt County residence in need. These devices dial 911 directly if a fall is detected or an emergency button is pressed. Angel Fund has covered the cost of the devices. And because they dial 911 directly there is no monthly cost associated with these devices unlike subscription services. This is huge as these clients are very low income and cannot afford the monthly service, but need an emergency response device as they are at risk of falling. This has given these clients a sense of safety and allowed them to stay in their own homes and communities.