Michigan's Assistive Technology Program
About Michigan's Assistive Technology Program:
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New Tech Act | Demonstrations | Reuse | State Leadership Activities | Assistive Technology News | Assistive Technology and Persons with Cognitive Disabilities | Assistive Technology at Work | Resources | Archives and previous local projects
To learn more about what Assistive Technology is please visit:
What is Assistive Technology?.
Assistive Technology Act of 2004:
Michigan submitted a three year State Plan for Assistive Technology to the Rehabilitation Services Administration in late August 2005. Funding through the state for this plan began in December 2005. Highlights of the plan are below:
Device Reutilization:
Michigan administers the AT Xchange (ATX) for individuals with an AT device wishing to either sell it or give it away. You can also post items you are looking for and receive an e-mail when something is available in your category! Vendors are welcome to list used equipment too. Visit the AT Xchange!
Device Demonstration:
Michigan has several independent AT device demo centers. Over the next three years, Michigan will increase the number of people reached through demonstrations of AT in the state through local device demonstrations in unserved and underserved regions. For a list of local projects providing device demonstration through subcontracts with the AT Program, see: http://www.copower.org/At/demo.htm.
State Financing Activities:
Michigan operates the Michigan AT Loan Fund to provide low interest loans to people with disabilities so they can purchase AT. Michigan Disability Rights Coalition has now transfered ownership of this fund to United Cerebral Palsy of Michigan. MDRC also transfered ownership of the Michigan Telework Loan Fund which provides loans for the purchase of equipment for people with disabilities to work at home or operate home businesses. For more information about the loan funds please visit: http://www.michiganloanfunds.org/.
State Leadership Activities:
Michigan's program subcontracts with consumer-directed organizations to provide training statewide. Michigan also provides, in partnership with local groups; toll-free information and referral services, information through presentations at conferences; and collaboration on publications and training materials about AT.
The program provides AT Connections, an email-based newsletter published 10 times a year on Michigan AT activities, coordination and collaboration on statewide issues, and a website.
Local projects providing Public Awareness and Training.
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Assistive Technology and Persons with Cognitive Disabilities:
MDRC had received a grant from the Department of Community Health to educate people involved in long term care and support of people with disabilities in the community about AT for people with cognitive disabilities. Links from this training are still available! For more information, please contact MDRC or e-mail Kathryn Wyeth or Norm Delisle at mdrc@match.org.
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Assistive Technology at Work:
This training was originally designed for Michigan Rehabilitation Services counselors the summer of 2004. The agenda includes an introduction to AT , hands on examples of a variety of AT devices, how to get the best assessment, and AT funding resources. For further information see the AT at Work resource section.
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Assistive Technology Resources on the Web:
MDRC's AT project has collected informational links to resources on the web sorted by topics such as work, school, travel and more:
Assistive Technology Links .
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Archives and previous local projects: (These pages will not be updated on a regular basis.)
Over the years of 1997 - 2002, the Assistive Technology Project supported local projects throughout the state. MDRC provided funding, technical assistance and training to these local projects. Many of these local groups, some called Community Assistive Technology Councils (CATCs), had been previously supported by the Tech 2000 project. The Tech 2000 project existed during the first 5 of 10 years of funding to Michigan from the Assistive Technology Act. For more information about these projects, please visit: Local Projects.
When Michigan's ten years of funding ended in August of 2002, MDRC started the Grass Roots Education and Empowerment Network (GREEN), as a vehicle of support to local groups to carry out the three years of continuation funding under the previous Federal Assistive Technology Act. Funding for the this initiative ended in November of 2005. During this time, many short term projects to increase access to Assistive Technology and Universal Design were supported. Grass Roots Education and Empowerment Network .
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"The contents of this web page were developed under a grant from the Department of Education. However those contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the Department of Education, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal government."
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