Assistive Technology (AT) Resources
What is Assistive Technology?
Assistive Technology (AT), including assistive equipment, are adaptive and assistive items that increase a person’s independence with activities of daily living tasks, or the item replaces the need for another person to help with an activity of daily living task. Daily living tasks are things like eating, dressing, bathing, and taking medications.
Here is a video that shows some examples of AT items that can be used to help with dressing.
Other examples of AT items could include adaptive utensils, visual alert systems if you have hearing impairments, voice activated systems if you have visual impairments, electronic reminders, and electronic devices to automatically shut-off appliances like a stove if it is left on.
How can I get access to AT items?
There are multiple Washington State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) Medicaid programs (such as Community First Choice, New Freedom, Roads to Community Living, etc.) that may cover assistive technology in their service package. Speak with your Home and Community Services (HCS) or Area Agency on Aging (AAA) case manager to see if the Medicaid program you are eligible for includes the Assistive Technology service.
Other non-Medicaid Assistive Technology resources include:
- The Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) under Washington State DSHS offers Assistive Technology Services to those they serve.
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Washington Assistive Technology Act Program (WATAP) – their work is supported by a grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Community Living, and other funding sources.
- The National Assistive Technology Act Technical Assistance and Training (AT3) Center has a website, Explore AT from AT3 Center, which provides information on AT items and solutions.
Please note that not all AT items listed on these websites may be available as an AT item paid for by one of the DSHS Medicaid programs.