Assistive Technology Equipment

Rehabilitation Services include:
- medical assistance as deemed appropriate
- independent living services
- vocational guidance and counseling
- vocational and academic training, including books, tuition, equipment, and supplies
- home instruction in alternative techniques of blindness
- assistance in setting up a small business
- job placement and follow-up to assure success

**ATC-Center: provides intensive instruction in alternative techniques skills. The Center's goal is to provide training which will allow the individual to perform any task, on the job or at home, as well as his/ her sighted peers. Whenever possible, the client is encouraged to participate in training at the center; however, when that is not possible, the client may learn these skills at home through the assistance of a home instructor. Instruction is available in the following areas:
- adjustment to blindness
- instruction in travel (getting to where you want to go)
- braille, typing, and computer
- techniques of daily living and homemaking
- industrial arts, including wood shop

**Sight Restoration: The best way to rehabilitate a blind person is to restore vision. When sight can be restored, ICBVI, civic organizations, and other state agencies often can provide financial assistance to qualified individuals.

**Business Enterprise Programs: Many blind individuals manage and operate vending stands located in public buildings throughout Idaho. Interested individuals may receive training in accounting and management procedures, initial ordering and maintenance of equipment, stock, and supplies. This program makes it possible for some blind individuals to earn a living and pay taxes.

**Services for Seniors: The Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired provides specially designed services for seniors who are experiencing vision loss. These services may include home counseling, instruction in alternative techniques, peer support groups, low vision services, and making communities and resources more accessible for the senior blind or visually impaired person.

**Newsline for the Blind Reading Services: ICBVI has made available to the blind of Idaho a national newspaper service via the telephone. Additionally, volunteers broadcast the reading of the Idaho Statesman and other current materials on radio (this radio service is limited to a one-hundred mile radius of Boise).

**Taping Services: The Commission along with volunteers, produce reading materials on tape for blind college students and others having special reading needs. The Idaho State Library's "Talking Book Program" provides, on loan, record players or tape players for blind persons to use to listen to books, magazines, and other recorded material. Call 334-2117 for more information.

**Employment: The ICBVI provides training and works with employers to provide opportunities. They provide employers with individual and group training on blindness and "What Blind People Can Do".

**Summer Programs for Youth: In order to help blind and visually impaired young people become self-sufficient adults, ICBVI offers the Summer Youth Program, Summer Work Experience Program, and College Days.

**Low Vision Clinic and Store: ICBVI contracts with local optometrist to perform the Low Vision Clinic one or two days each week. The ICBVI Low Vision Store offers a variety of low vision devices and products for visually impaired individuals.

Has three rehabilitation programs: Vocational Rehabilitation, Independent Living and Sight Restoration. The Vocational Rehabilitation Program provides training necessary to obtain a job or to retain a current job. Independent Living serves those who have no vocation objective, but who have experienced an impediment to their independence in their home, family, or community. Rehabilitation teachers instruct the person on independent living skills such as cooking, cleaning, self-care and communications. The Sight Restoration Program meets a variety of medical needs, especially that of prevention of blindness and sight restoration. It serves those individuals who cannot afford medical care in order to prevent blindness. Other assistance is provided with adaptive technology, low vision aids and appliances. If a person has Medicaid or Medicare, that is used to pay for any surgery needed, or if they can afford some of the cost, a cost sharing plan is worked out.

Idaho Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired - Pocatello has three rehabilitation programs: Vocational Rehabilitation, Independent Living, and State Only. The Vocational Rehabilitation Program provides training necessary to obtain a job or maintain a current job. Financial assistance and counseling is provided. Independent Living serves those who have no vocational objective, but who have experienced an impediment to their independence in their home, family, or community. Finally, the State Only program provides financial assistance for prevention of blindness and sight restoration.

Rehabilitation Services:
* Medical assistance when appropriate
* Vocational guidance and counseling
* Vocational and academic training, including books, tuition, equipment, and supplies
* Home instruction in alternate techniques
* Assistance in setting up a small business
* Job placement and follow-up to assure productive employment
* Independent living services.
Orientation and adjustment services:
* Adjustment to blindness
* Travel instruction
* Braille and keyboard
* Techniques of daily living
* Homemaking skills
* Industrial arts, including wood shop
Additional Services:
* Employment Services
* Sight restoration
* Business enterprise program
* Services for seniors
* Radio reading services
* Taping services
* Talking book program

Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired - Lewiston provides
vocational skills and training so clients may return to work in a vocation that would best fit them. Also, restoration services to prevent blindness, such as eye surgery, removal of cataracts and slowing the progression of diabetic retinopathy and other eye diseases. They provide rehabilitation for clients to improve independent living skills and to remain independent in their own home. They assist people signing up for talking books at the state library, do low vision evaluations and provide help in selecting and purchasing magnifiers and low vision equipment. They assist persons with diabetes financially who need specialized equipment or by helping locate equipment such as talking calculators and long oven mitts. They can teach them cane travel and Braille. Provides low vision evaluations, and magnifiers. Home modification Operate ICBVI store where clients and public can purchase adaptive aids such as talking clocks, games, wrist watches, contrast sheets, large print timers, oven mitts, cards, or will search out products an individual is looking for, etc.

The Durable Medical Equipment Unit approves medical equipment and/or supplies for Idaho Medicaid participants. They also assist Medicaid participants in finding local resources for purchasing the equipment and/or supplies through a Medical Supply vendor or pharmacy.

This program is administered through the Division of Medicaid/Medial Care Unit.

Source for independent living products - Lift chairs, scooters, bath lifts, adaptive devices, wheelchairs, oxygen tank holders, grab bars, adjustable beds, walk-in bathtubs and exercise equipment and canes and walking devices; braces; diabetic shoes. (2 certified orthotic fitters)

MDA assists with diagnostic services and follow up medical care, and helps with:

1) One speech therapy visit, physical therapy, respiratory therapy and occupational therapy visit a year.

2) One flu shot per year.

3) Monthly ALS support group.

MDA also assists with direct services such as:

1) The cost of repairing wheelchairs, scooters, or leg braces and other durable medical equipment

2) MDA has a durable medical equipment loan closet, where we repair and lend out equipment.

MDA also runs a week long summer camp for children age 6-17 who have a neuromuscular disease

Empower people with disabilities to achieve their desired level of independence.
Focus on transitioning people from institutions and prevention of institutionalization. Support services and advocacy for individuals wanting to live independently in the community. Peer support, information and referral, benefits counseling, personal assistance services, and independent living skills training. Help in applying for SSI, SSD, and PASS (Plan for Achieving Self-Support).
Provide A.D.A. site evaluations, discrimination prevention training, and education about Independent Living philosophy 2nd disability issues.

Empower people with disabilities to achieve their desired level of independence.
Focus on transitioning people from institutions and prevention of institutionalization. Support services and advocacy for individuals wanting to live independently in the community. Peer support, information and referral, benefits counseling, personal assistance services, and independent living skills training. Help in applying for SSI, SSD, and PASS (Plan for Achieving Self-Support).
Provide A.D.A. site evaluations, discrimination prevention training, and education about Independent Living philosophy and disability issues. Used assistance equipment available at little or no cost.

Empower people with disabilities to achieve their desired level of independence.
Focus on transitioning people from institutions and prevention of institutionalization. Support services and advocacy for individuals wanting to live independently in the community. Peer support, information and referral, benefits counseling, personal assistance services, and independent living skills training. Help in applying for SSI, SSD, and PASS (Plan for Achieving Self-Support).
Provide A.D.A. site evaluations, discrimination prevention training, and education about Independent Living philosophy and disability issues.

Discounted fare transportation vouchers are provided FREE to the elderly of disabled. Call for more information.

*1 month free loans- devices that amplify sound and improve understanding of speech for: telephone, personal conversations, television, and speakers at meetings. After 1 month clients may apply for a grant.

Also, provide in-home care for seniors & people with disabilities under the HCBS waiver program & private pay.

Independent Living Center - provides advocacy, peer counseling, information and referral, independent living skills and personal assistance in the home.

The Disability Action Center provides advocacy, information and referral, peer support and independent living skills training to people with disabilities and the community.

Information available on:
ADA, fair housing, access issues/discrimination, Independent living issues, transportation, personal assistants, sign language interpreters, community services, coping strategies, Social Security, vocational rehab, Medicare and Medicaid, and assistive technology for people with hearing impairments.

*1 month free loans- devices that amplify sound and improve understanding of speech for: telephone, personal conversations, television, and speakers at meetings. After 1 month clients may apply for a grant.

Specializes in video magnifiers for the visually impaired, text to speech devices, and portable video magnifiers. Free set up and training available. Braille products are also available.

Assists children with hearing loss to achieve improved communication. Provides financial assistance for hearing aids, enclosed caption converters for television, tactile units, FM units (into which a hearing aid is plugged for amplification), computers to assist deaf children in communicating, etc.

Provides financial aid to people who suffer deafness or hearing impairment and who need assistance in obtaining mechanical devices, medical or specialized treatment or specialized education as well as speech classes, note takers, interpreters, etc. and in other areas of need that are directly related to hearing impairment.

Quarterly review of applications

Dedicated to giving the gifts of hearing and speech; providing medical and surgical treatment, hearing technologies, speech and hearing rehabilitation, and educational support.

RESNA is a professional society for individuals and organizations interested in technology and disability. Provides training and resources for professionals and the public including links to finding certified professionals in states.

RESNA Catalyst Project: Provides technical assistance to AT Act entities.

Internet Resource- Locator for assistive technology professionals

Makes mobility bikes and devices for people with special needs.

• Assistive Technology Expense Assistance
• Disease/Disability Information

Starkey Hearing Foundation uses the gift of hearing to reflect caring and sharing and improve the lives of individuals, families and communities.

COVID-19 UPDATE: Following all CDC and State guidelines.

• Hearing Aids

Innovative neuroscience-based music programs. Helps children and adults improve their focus, learning, listening and communication skills.

• Books & Music
• Learning Software
• Sleep Products
• Audio Equipment

• Locator Aids
• Emergency Rescue

Offers phone caption services and help to get a caption phone at no cost. FCC certified.

Though you pay for your broadband and telephone service, ClearCaptions products and services are free as a relay cost through Title IV of the ADA.

Inclusive and adaptive resources for sport, recreation, special needs. Adapted PE, daily living, clinical furniture, learning and development, motor skills, positioning and mobility, recreation, and sensory space design.

Provides medical alert systems (with no monthly fees) and vision/hearing/mobility aids.

Services Include:

• Assistive Technology Training
• Disease/Disability Information
• Information and Referral

Vital-Link Medical Alert Systems provides peace of mind and independence through emergency response products and services to get help quickly to clients when they are unable to reach the phone.

Evaluation for Assistive Technology
Specialized Telecommunications Equipment
Voice/Audio Output Aids