LIFT Services - Assistive Technology (PIAT)

Assistive Technology Resource Center

Pennsylvania's Initiative on Assistive Technology (PIAT) has designated LIFT as an Assistive Technology Resource Center (ATRC). As such, LIFT provides assistive technology services to area consumers in Cameron, Clearfield, Elk, Jefferson, McKean, and Potter counties.

What is Assistive Technology?

Assistive Technology is any device or service that increases, maintains, or improves the functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities.
As assistive technology device is any item, piece of equipment, or product system, whether acquired commercially or off-the-shelf, custom made, or modified that is used to enable people with disabilities to communicate, learn, play, achieve, work and be independent.
An assistive technology service is any service that directly assists an individual with a disability to select, obtain, use an assistive device.
Assistive technology devices and services make it possible for children and adults with disabilities to work, play, attend school, and be more independent within their communities.

What does an ATRC provide?

A - Advocacy to help identify and pursue funding sources for assistive technology and to overcome other barriers encountered by people with disabilities.

T - Training and demonstrations of assistive devices. Access to Pennsylvania's Assistive Technology Lending Library short-term equipment loan program so you can try a device at home, school or work.

R - Referral and information about assistive technology devices, services and funding.

C - Community awareness activities to help people with disabilities and the public to understand the benefits and potential of assistive technology devices and services.

Device Demonstrations

As an Assistive Technology Resource Center (ATRC), LIFT can provide or arrange for “hands-on” opportunities for individuals with disabilities and family members to explore specific AT devices and improve their knowledge of the kind of AT that may assist them. Device demonstrations are available by request, and can be scheduled at a mutually agreed upon time and location. LIFT’s ATRC contact person will provide demonstrations in Cameron, Clearfield, Elk, Jefferson, McKean and/or Potter Counties.

Pennsylvania’s Assistive Technology Lending Library

This is a free, state supported program that loans AT devices to Pennsylvanians of all ages. Pennsylvania’s Assistive Technology Lending Library allows you to try a device for a limited time (typically 2-8 weeks) to be sure it meets your needs at home, on the job, at school or in your community before you buy it. If you find that the device isn’t right for you, you can borrow another one.

Funding Assistance

LIFT provides individualized assistance to individuals with disabilities and their families who are looking for funding for AT devices and services. LIFT can help navigate the maze of health insurances, public programs, and non-governmental funding sources to help determine which ones might help you acquire the AT you need. LIFT is a Funding Assistance Center for the Pennsylvania Assistive Technology Foundation (PATF), www.patf.us. The PATF is a non-profit, state wide organization that offers low-interest and 0 % interest cash loans for the purchase of AT devices and services as well as information about other potential funding sources and free consumer credit counseling.

Equipment Recycling and Reuse

LIFT promotes four programs that may be a source for “Previously-owned” devices, usually available at lower cost than buying new.

The Recycled Equipment Exchange Program (REEP) is a classified listing of used devices to be sold or donated.

The REEP Extensi o n.

This is a new program that is funded by Pennsylvania’s Initiative on Assistive Technology (PIAT) and implemented by Life and Independence For Today. Individuals who need home medical equipment and who have limited insurance coverage and/or financial resources are able to obtain the necessary devices through a recycling program called “The REEP Extension.” The REEP Extension is funded by PIAT and implemented by staff and volunteers at LIFT. The goal of this program is to recycle equipment from those who have it and are no longer using it and give it to individuals who could use it free of charge.

If you are interested in donating equipment to our program or would like to receive any of the items in the program, you may contact the LIFT office at (800) 341-5438 or (814) 781-3050. Arrangements may be made for the pick up or drop off an item.

Types of equipment distributed through our program include (but are not limited to):

Walkers

Reachers

Elevated Toilet Seats

Wheel Chairs

Over-the-Bed Tables

Grab Bars

Hoyer LIFTs

Bedside Commodes

Communication Devices

Into New Hands accepts and refurbishes equipment for reuse.

www.ATMATCH.com is an on-line auction site for the sale of new or used AT devices, as well as a place to learn about Pennsylvania vendors of new AT.

Training and Technical Assistance

LIFT offers training to service providers in order to increase their AT-related knowledge and skills to better support individuals with disabilities. LIFT provides technical assistance to public and private agencies to develop and improve policies related to access to AT devices and services, including AT and transition from school to work or from nursing facilities to community living.

Public Awareness

LIFT provides information and referral to help educate consumers about their choices of AT devices and service providers. Consumers can call, write or email LIFT for AT assistance. LIFT conducts public awareness events to introduce the scope and potential of AT devices and services. LIFT can come to your agency or organization, attend your group meeting, or participate in your conference or exhibit hall to provide a program overview of the Commonwealth’s AT ACT Program and other resources for AT in Pennsylvania.

Collaboration

LIFT collaborates and coordinates with Pennsylvania’s Initiative On Assistive Technology (http://disabilities.temple.edu/programs/assistive/piat) 800-204-7428 (voice) or 215-204-1356 (voice/TTY) and the Pennsylvania Assistive Technology Foundation (www.patf.us) 888-744-1938 (voice) and 877-693-7271 (TTY)

For questions regarding these services or programs, call 800-341-5438 or contact Dawn Park at liftinr@liftcil.org.

PIAT is the Commonwealth’s Assistive Technology Act Program, funded through a grant from Rehabilitation Services Administration, US Department of Education.

Assistive Technology Links.

Assistivetech.net

ATMATCH

Into New Hands

Pennsylvania Assistive Technology Foundation (PATF)

Pennsylvania's Assistive Technology Lending Library

Pennsylvania's Initiative on Assistive Technology (PIAT)

Recycled Equipment Exchange Program (REEP)

Telecommunication Device Distribution Program (TDDP)

The Institute on Disabilities

Pennsylvania Assistive Technology Resource Centers.

Community Resources for Independence, Inc.

CIL of Northcentral PA

Life and Independence for Today (LIFT)

Pennsylvania's Initiative on Assistive Technology (PIAT)

Three Rivers Center for Independent Living

Tri-County Patriots for Independent Living

United Cerebral Palsy Central Pennsylvania

United Cerebral Palsy of Northeastern PA

United Disabilities Services

Click Here. for more detailed information about the nine Pennsylvania Assistive Technology Resource Centers.

For more information about assistive technology, please contact your local center, or contact PIAT directly at:

Pennsylvania's Initiative on Assistive Technology
Institute on Disabilities/University Affiliated Program
Temple University (004-00)
Ritter Hall Annex Room 423
13th Street & Cecil B. Moore Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19122
Voice: (800) 204-PIAT (7428)
TTY: (800) 750-PIAT (7428)
Fax: (215) 204-9371
Email: piat@astro.ocis.temple.edu
Web Site: http://www.temple.edu/instituteondisabilities/

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