There are many AT options available to support people who have low vision or blindness to live more independently in their own homes in inclusive communities.
Low Vision / Blind
Some examples of AT for people who have low vision or blindness may include:
Talking alarm clock or watch to tell time
Talking calendar let’s people stay organized with all their community activities
Tactile labels of important buttons on appliances using stickers or puff paint
Audio books for easy reading
Voice activated environmental controls for independent access throughout the home
Reaching out to the Maryland Technology Assistance Program to request a free consultation is a 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, 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. The clinician then 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 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. DDA requires that any request for AT over $2,500 must be supported by recommendations in a formal “AT Needs” assessment.
To Get Started:
Reach out to Maryland Technology Assistance Program to request a free AT consultation and/or try out devices through their device loan library.
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.
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.
Once you know the device(s) you need:
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.
Tips:
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.