Assistive Technology (AT) can be used to help a person with employment. Some examples of AT that can be used to support employment include:
In order to determine what type of AT is most appropriate for supporting someone with employment, you could start by reaching out to DORS for support with a person’s employment which can include AT.
Reaching out to the Maryland Technology Assistance Program to request a free consultation is another great option. MDTAP provides free consultations to Marylanders with disabilities and has an array of knowledge and technologies available to share. This is a consultative, informal process whereby you meet with one of MDTAP’s skilled AT specialists and they provide information, resources, informal recommendations, and access to devices available for loan during a trial period. You can even schedule a tour of their library of AT devices.
If you need a more formal assessment and are unable to get one through DORS, you can get an AT Evaluation through a provider such as an AT specialist. An evaluation is a more clinical approach, where the clinician chooses and tries out a few items with the person, and then the clinician decides which item will work best based on a series of documented assessments of the person with the disability. They’ll consider functional limitations, environment, tasks to be completed, and more. AT Evaluations are typically documented in a specific way and those formal evaluations can be used to leverage or access funding (such as Medicaid funding) for certain devices.
If medical insurance or DORS will not cover the cost of the AT devices or services that you need, you can request AT funding through DDA through the PCP process. The DDA requires that any request for AT over $2,500 must be supported by recommendations in a formal “AT Needs” assessment.
Reach out to DORS to determine eligibility for DORS AT assistance.
Reach out to the Maryland Technology Assistance Program to request a free AT consultation.
Try contacting the Center for Independent Living near you to see if they have an AT library you can check out.
If you need a more formal assessment, AT Discount Sales & Services maintains a list of AT Specialists in Maryland. Find one near you and ask them about an assessment. These may not be covered by insurance.
You can also check out DDA’s Provider Search to find service providers in your county for OHCDS – Assistive Technology & Services.
Need funds to cover the assessment? Contact your local Center for Independent Living to see what resources they may have available.
Read about additional AT Funding Options in Maryland here.
See if you can get it covered through DORS.
Talk to your CCS about requesting any needed AT devices and services through DDA.
Read about additional AT Funding Options in Maryland, here.
Reach out to AT Discount Sales & Services to see if you can get a discounted quote.
Check out The Assistive Technology Loan Program, which helps Maryland residents with disabilities and their families qualify for low-interest loans to buy equipment that will help them live, work, and learn more independently.
See if you can find what you need through the Maryland Technology Assistance AT Reuse program.
Don’t forget to make a plan for setup and training on your new AT for you and your team.
If you are currently receiving DDA Waiver funding, you can ask DDA for funding for training on your new Assistive Technology as part of your service request through the Person Centered Planning process.
If you or the person you are seeking AT for is involved with DORS, try asking them for an AT assessment before going to DDA.