Alliance Partners
ATIA is proud to partner with the following leading organizations:
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AAC Institute is a 501c3 not-for-profit charitable organization dedicated to the highest performance communication for people who use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). Resources offered for people who use AAC, families, and professionals include an information-packed web site, clinical services, performance measurement tools, and evidence to support decisions and practice. |
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Access Technology Higher Education Network (ATHEN) exists to collect and disseminate best practices in access technology within and for the post-secondary education environment as well as present a collective voice for the professional practice of access technology in higher education. For more information, visit www.athenpro.org. |
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The ADA National Network provides information, guidance and training on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), tailored to meet the needs of business, government and individuals at local, regional and national levels. The ADA National Network consists of ten Regional ADA National Network Centers located throughout the United States that provides personalized, local assistance to ensure that the ADA is implemented wherever possible. We are not an enforcement or regulatory agency, but a helpful resource supporting the ADA’s mission to “make it possible for everyone with a disability to live a life of freedom and equality.”
The ADA Centers are funded by the National Institute on Disability Rehabilitation and Research (NIDRR), US Department of Education. For more information, visit www.adata.org |
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Alliance for Technology Access (ATA) is a national nonprofit organization that seeks to redefine human human potential by making technology a regular part of the lives of people with disabilities. The ATA provides access to technologies, related services, information, and training enabling people to achieve success and independence. For more information, visit www.ataccess.org |
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American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) is a national non-profit organization that focuses on expanding the possibilities of people with vision loss by increasing access to technology, providing professionals with tools to serve people with vision loss and promoting healthy and independent living. The AFB’s Web site, www.afb.org, is accessible and easy to use. |
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AMAC is an initiative of the Board of Regents University System of Georgia and is committed to removing barriers for individuals with disabilities by improving the human condition through technology in academic and workplace environments.
The AMAC team is charged with research and development of products and services to support individuals with disabilities and their circle of support to become more independent and productive in their academic and workplace environments. AMAC's services and products include: promoting publisher accessibility through national initiatives, accessible document conversion to electronic, audio or braille format, specialized assistive technology software, captioning and remote transcription, software development and deployment of office management, tracking and reporting. AMAC operates grants, contracts, memberships and fee for services throughout the United States. For more information, visit the AMAC website |
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Founded in 1917, the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) represents the professional interests and concerns of more than 140,000 occupational therapists, assistants and students nationwide. The Association educates the public and advances the profession of occupational therapy by providing resources, setting standards including accreditations and serving as an advocate to improve health care. Based in Bethesda, Md., AOTA’s major programs and activities are directed toward promoting the professional development of its members and assuring consumer access to quality services so patients can live life to its fullest. For more information, go to www.aota.org. |
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American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) is the professional, scientific, and credentialing association for 135,000 members and affiliates who are speech-language pathologists, audiologists, and speech, language, and hearing scientists in the United States and internationally. The Division on Augmentative and Alternative Communication of ASHA (www.asha.org ) is dedicated to improving the quality and availability of augmentative and alternative communication services. |
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The Association of Assistive Technology Act Programs (ATAP) is a national, member-based organization, comprised of state Assistive Technology Act Programs. Established in 1997, ATAP provides support and technical assistance to its members to enhance the quality and effectiveness of AT Programs at the state and local level, and facilitates the coordination of state AT Programs nationally. ATAP represents the needs and interests of the state AT Programs and is the national voice advocating on their behalf. ATAP collaborates with other nationally-based disability, service provider and advocacy groups to develop successful strategies for getting AT to people who need it. For more information, visit www.ataporg.org |
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Association on Higher Education and Disability (AHEAD) is a professional membership organization for individuals involved in the development of policy and in the provision of quality services to meet the needs of persons with disabilities involved in all areas of higher education. AHEAD is actively involved in all facets of promoting full and equal participation by individuals with disabilities in higher education; and supporting the systems, institutions, professions, and professionals who attend to the fulfillment of this important mission. For more information, visit ahead.org |
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The Center for Accessible Technology provides assistive technology information, training and referrals for both adults and children with disabilities; provides business to business consulting services on website accessibility, product accessibility and user testing by people with disabilities; offers online trainings and web resources on AT related issues. For more information, visit: http://www.cforat.org/ |
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Center for Applied Special Technology (CAST) Founded in 1984 as the Center for Applied Special Technology, CAST is a nonprofit education research and development organization that works to expand learning opportunities for all individuals, including those with disabilities, through Universal Design for Learning. For more information, visit www.cast.org. |
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The Center for Socially Relevant Computing is a consortium of laboratories based in the Departments of Computer Science and Engineering and the Department of Rehabilitation Science at the University of Buffalo. It is a program that promotes community and social uses of computer technology and student creative energy; a curriculum component to provide capstone design experience to undergraduates; and an organization of students, faculty, community-based clients, and industrial and commercial sponsors who work together to improve the quality of life of any individual or group in need. For more information, visit www.cse.buffalo.edu/~mikeb. |
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The Chicago Lighthouse is one of America’s most comprehensive social service agencies assisting people who are blind or visually impaired in leading richer, more independent lives. Among its numerous programs are an assistive technology program with state of the art equipment and a national help desk to service the computer problems of people who are blind; the USA’s oldest and most prominent low vision clinic; and one of the country’s few remaining clock manufacturing facilities, which provides jobs for people who are blind or visually impaired. The Lighthouse’s Web site, www.thechicagolighthouse.org, is accessible for visually impaired and general audiences alike. |
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DAISY Consortium - The DAISY Standard (officially ANSI/NISO z39.86 Specifications for the Digital Talking Book) has revolutionized the reading experience for people with print disabilities around the globe. DAISY, the Digital Accessible Information System, is the world's most widely used assistive technology for reading. The DAISY Consortium consists of nearly 70 non-profit organizations representing 35 different countries and more than 20 for-profit companies working together to develop and promote international standards and technologies which enable equal access to information and knowledge by all people with print disabilities and the wider community. More information about the DAISY Consortium and the DAISY Standard is available at www.daisy.org |
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Easter Seals provides exceptional services to ensure that people living with autism and other disabilities have equal opportunities to live, learn, work and play. Through the provision of assistive technology service and support, Easter Seals works towards fulfilling this mission. For more information, visit www.easterseals.com. |
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Employment Resources, Inc. (ERI) provides employment and benefits counseling, assistive technology, and community outreach services to people with disabilities who are considering or pursuing employment. ERI also offers statewide consultation, training and technical assistance to employers, human service professionals, disability advocates, government agencies and the public regarding disability and employment issues. Using creativity, new technology, and practical experience, ERI has provided individualized assistive technology consultation and training services to hundreds of individuals with disabilities. For people with disabilities looking for access to and information about computer and software technologies, ERI provides practical and creative solutions. Please visit www.eri-wi.org for more information. |
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Technology & Learning Connections is the technology section of the Florida MTSS Initiative through the Problem Solving/RtI Project at the University of South Florida. Funded by the Bureau of Exceptional Education & Student Services, FLDOE, the TLC Team provides statewide coordination for accessible instructional materials, assistive technology, instructional technology, Universal Design for Learning, and virtual/emergent technologies to support all students in a universal, differentiated core curriculum within a multi-tiered system of supports. Our services include five regional AT & UDL Technology Centers and an online AT & UDL Loan Library. Staff include Regional Technology Coordinators, Regional Technology Specialists, and Regional Local Assistive Technology Specialists. Our local service partners include the Florida Diagnostic & Learning Resources System and the Local Assistive Technology Specialists Network. |
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Illinois Association for Education & Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired (IAER), as a state chapter of the Association for Education & Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired, IAER is committed to supporting professionals who serve persons with visual impairments. One of the largest chapters of the organization, IAER provides many services to professionals serving those who are blind and visually impaired. Support to members includes professional development options, high quality annual conferences, funding for special projects that benefit persons with visual impairments, and legislative advocacy that benefits our profession (and therefore the people we serve). Visit: http://il.aerbvi.org/ |
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Infinitec, short for Infinite Potential Through Technology, is a unique assistive technology project spearheaded by the United Cerebral Palsy of Greater Chicago. Infinitec aims to improve access to technology that advances the independence of children and adults with learning differences. Infinitec accomplishes its mission through a rich and diverse set of partnerships and programs, all focused on providing information, training, access to equipment, expertise and research to both educators and the vendor community. For more information, visit www.infinitec.org. |
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ISAAC – The International Society for Augmentative and Alternative Communication – is a membership organization working to improve the lives of children and adults with complex communication needs. ISAAC’s goal is to create worldwide awareness about how AAC can help individuals without speech. ISAAC accomplishes this by sharing information and promoting innovative approaches to research, technology and literacy through AAC. Activities include hosting the ISAAC biennial conference, sponsoring projects, and offering awards and scholarships. ISAAC was formed in 1983. ISAAC has Chapters in 14 countries and more than 3,600 members in 62 different countries. ISAAC members include people who use AAC, their families, therapists, teachers, students, doctors, researchers, organizations and companies that make communication aids. The ISAAC International office is located in Toronto, Canada. ISAAC’s Vision is that AAC will be recognized, valued and used throughout the world. ISAAC’s Mission is to promote the best possible communication for people with complex communication needs. ISAAC is a Non-Governmental Organization in consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). For more information, visit www.isaac@isaac-online.org |
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Iowa Braille School (IBS). With assistive technology, such as screen readers for the PC and Braille note takers, students can become more independent in many areas. The Iowa Braille School is able to provide consultative services on the selection and use of adaptive technology for educating early childhood children and school-age students who are blind or visually impaired in Iowa. The school’s Assistive Technology Consultant serves as liaison among local education agencies, area education agencies, and the Statewide System for Vision Services/Iowa Braille School (IBS). Instruction and consultative services for Teachers of the Visually Impaired is a focus of the IBS program. Through the Assistive Device Center, technology specific to the needs of students who are blind or visually impaired is loaned on a short-term basis for assessment and other purposes. Taking advantage of assistive technology opportunities through IBS as an Iowa state-wide system can help students to attain their highest potentials in this vital area. For more information, visit www.iowa-braille.k12.ia.us/ |
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The Iowa Center for Assistive Technology Education and Research (ICATER) located within the College of Education at the University of Iowa primarily works with Iowa's pre-service education majors to provide assistive technology awareness and training through classes, lectures and unique hands-on experiences. Through its outreach program, ICATER also extends these training opportunities to students with disabilities, parents and education professionals statewide and regionally. ICATER also conducts and collaborates on research projects resulting in innovative methods and best practices of AT usage. Through its training programs and research projects, ICATER impacts many students with disabilities by providing access to a variety of AT devices, expanding the knowledge base and comfort level of teachers, incorporating AT into more of a part of the pre-service education process, and acting as a general resource for K-12 students and their families across the state of Iowa. For more information, visit www.education.uiowa.edu/icater |
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The Job Accommodation Network (JAN) is the leading source of free, expert, and confidential technical assistance on workplace accommodations, the Americans with Disabilities Act as amended (ADAAA) and related legislation, and self-employment options for people with disabilities. Working toward practical solutions that benefit both employer and employee, JAN helps people with disabilities enhance their employability, and shows employers how to capitalize on the value and talent that people with disabilities add to the workplace. JAN customers include employers, service providers, as well as people with disabilities and their families. JAN’s professional consultants provide technical assistance on practical accommodations solutions at every stage of employment; the interactive accommodation process; disability and employment related legislation; electronic accessibility of on-line application tracking systems; assistive technologies; localized referrals, and the business case for disability inclusion. Technical assistance is available over the phone - (800) 526-7234 (voice); (877) 781-9403 (TTY); Skype – Janconsultants; Email - jan@AskJAN.org; TEXT - (304) 216-8189; online chat; or through various social networking tools. JAN also offers training, research, and a comprehensive Website of practical solution oriented materials including the Searchable Online Accommodation Resource found at: http://AskJAN.org. JAN is a service of the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy. |
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The Mid America Conference of Rehabilitation Teachers (MACRT)is a professional organization of rehabilitation teachers of the blind from both private and public sectors across the nation. MACRT conducts annual professional development conferences for practitioners and other personnel in the field of blind rehabilitation, publishes a quarterly newsletter and awards scholarships annually to students in university degree programs in rehabilitation teaching. Visit: www.macrt.20m.com |
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The National Aphasia Association (NAA), founded in 1987 , is the first National organization dedicated to advocating on behalf of persons with aphasia and their families.The NAA is at the forefront of promoting public education, research, rehabilitation and support services to assist people with aphasia and their families. Our mission is to educate the public to know that the word “aphasia” describes an impairment of the ability to communicate, not an impairment of intellect, and to make people with aphasia, their families, support systems, and health care professionals aware of resources to recover lost skills to the extent possible, to compensate for skills that will not be recovered and to minimize the psychosocial impact of the language impairment. Visit www.aphasia.org for more information. |
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The National Technical Institute for the Deaf (NTID), a college of Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), was created by Congress in 1965 to offer post-secondary technical education to students with hearing loss. Today, more than 1,350 deaf, hard-of-hearing and interpreting students study, live and socialize on the RIT campus with more than 14,000 hearing students, making NTID truly a college like no other. More than 125 sign language interpreters also work at RIT; and 90,000 hours of note taking, captioning and tutoring each year make it one of the most accessible colleges for students with hearing loss anywhere. NTID’s Center on Access Technology investigates, evaluates and reports on the most effective and efficient use of access technologies and trains individuals in their use to benefit students with hearing loss in college. It is the first and only organization in the world dedicated to advancing access technologies for deaf and hard-of-hearing students. Visit www.ntid.rit.edu/ |
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The Pass It On Center (PIOC), the premier National Assistive Technology Device Reutilization and Coordination Technical Assistance Center, focuses on expanding the options of people with disabilities by increasing access to appropriate, reutilized assistive technology in a manner that supports the interests of users, manufacturers, and suppliers. The Pass It On Center is funded under a grant from the Rehabilitation Services Administration and is administered by Tools for Life, the Georgia Assistive Technology Program of the Georgia Department of Labor. Visit www.passitoncenter.org for more information. |
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The PATINS Project is a state-wide technical assistance network for the provision of assistive/accessible technology for assisting local educational agencies in the utilization and creation of accessible learning environments and instructional materials. As a sole source provider for the Indiana Department of Administration and the Indiana Department of Education, the PATINS Project provides a complete state NIMAS delivery process, inclusive of assistive and accessible technologies, designed to support the Indiana Department of Education and local educational agencies in addressing the statutory and final regulatory requirements of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 2004. For more information, visit: www.patinsproject.com |
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Quality Indicators in Assistive Technology (QIAT) - The QIAT Community is a nationwide grassroots group that includes hundreds of individuals who provide input into the ongoing process of identifying, disseminating, and implementing a set of widely-applicable Quality Indicators for Assistive Technology Services in School Settings that can be used as a tool to support: * school districts as they strive to develop and provide quality assistive technology services aligned to federal, state and local mandates * assistive technology service providers as they evaluate and constantly improve their services * consumers of assistive technology services as they seek adequate assistive technology services which meet their needs * universities and professional developers as they conduct research and deliver programs that promote the development of the competencies needed to provide quality assistive technology services * policy makers as they attempt to develop judicious and equitable policies related to assistive technology services. For more information, visit www.qiat.org. |
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The Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America (RESNA) is a multidisciplinary organization that promotes research and development, education, advocacy and the provision of assistive technology to support people with a common interest in technology and disability RESNA (www.resna.org) has over 17 Special Interest Groups (SIGs) and 6 Professional Specialty Groups (PSGs) focused on various topical areas and professions related to AT. For more information, visit www.resna.org. |
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The RESNA Catalyst Project provides technical assistance to programs funded under the Assistive Technology Act of 1998, as amended. These programs include 56 statewide Assistive Technology Programs (AT Programs), 33 Alternative Financing Programs (AFPs) and 57 Protection and Advocacy for Assistive Technology (PAAT) Programs. RESNA Catalyst also provides technical assistance to the 19 Access to Telework financial Loan Programs. For specific information about the statewide AT Programs, AFPs or PAATs, go to www.resnaprojects.org |
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The Special Education Assistive Technology (SEAT) Center at Illinois State University is a leader in preparing teachers and other education professionals to use technology that supports students with disabilities in Pre-K – 12 classrooms. Visit: http://www.seat.ilstu.org |
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Spectrios Institute for Low Vision’s mission is to provide people with vision loss with professional examinations, assistive devices and the training necessary to maximize their vision enabling them to function independently at home, school, work and within the community. For more information, visit www.spectrios.org |
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Stand Among Friends is a nonprofit organization located on the campus of Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, Florida. The organization promotes opportunities for people with disabilities to live a life without limits and experience the highest degree of independence and success in their communities. Stand Among Friends executes its mission through practical research, education, technology, and employment services for college students and adults with disabilities. Find out more at their Web Site: www.standamongfriends.org |
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State Leaders in Assistive Technology in Education (SLATE)exists to develop, support and maintain collaborative work among assistive technology leaders designated by state departments of education in a way that increases awareness, understanding and use of assistive technology and Universal Design for Learning as a tool for educational participation and achievement. SLATE seeks to promote alignment and common understanding, ensures accountability for services, and explores issues of importance through Committees of Common Interest. Find out more at their Web site: www.slatenetwork.org. |
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The Technology and Media Division (TAM) ia an official division of the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC). The purpose of TAM is to support educational participation and improved results for individuals with disabilities and diverse learning needs through the selection, acquisition, and use of technology. Please visit www.tamcec.org for more information. |
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Touch the Future, Inc. (TTF) is a 501(c) 3 nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing knowledge about, access to, and acquisition of Assistive Technology (AT) Services, making it possible for individuals who are disabled, seniors, Veterans or from disadvantaged communities to live independently and productively throughout their lifespan. TTF supports the global evergreen policies of reusing, recycling and limiting landfill usage. TTF is located in Georgia and South Carolina and offers computer refurbishment services, AT reuse and new product services, training and consulting for both locations and across the Southeast. TTF is an industry leader and is home of the national benchmark ReBoot™ program. Other programs include A LINK, Regained Mobility, PAW Center, Donor Project, End of Life Technology and the AT ReUse & Recycling Partnership programs. TTF is committed to produce and market the highest quality AT Services and products. TTF’s vision is to expand its geographical presence in order to increase capacity for equipment and donations which will produce and deliver high quality products and services. This expansion will increase awareness, direct service delivery, quality assurance and allow us to share best practices with our network of partners. We are A LINK to independent living and Touch the Future of lives each day. For more information, visit www.touchthefuture.us |
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USSAAC is an organization dedicated to supporting the needs and desires of people who use AAC, as well as the family members, professionals, and manufacturers making up this community. Augmentative and Alternative Communication refers to methods of communication that enhance (augment) or replace (alternative) conventional forms of expression. USSAAC members join forces to improve the services, resources and products used by children and adults who use and optimize AAC methods in order to communicate. USSAAC strives to enhance the communication effectiveness and, ultimately, the independence of persons desiring access to an alternative communication system. In fact, USSAAC is the only national association specifically designed to address the needs of persons who are experience significant difficulty speaking and/or writing (communicating). We are also dedicated to answering the needs of individuals who support the AAC community through therapy, special education or the creation and manufacturing of technology. For more information, visit www.ussaac.org. |
