In the Spring of 2002, the RI Disability and Health Program at the RI Department of Health was pleased to be the recipient of a three-year project grant from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/ National Center for Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities. In applying, we planned to continue the emphasis on assistive technology for persons with communication impairments from our prior four years.

This new project, in partnership with TechACCESS, will go beyond information, referral, and technical assistance. Our premise is that health and wellness of persons with disabilities, especially communication impairments, can improve with the use of appropriate technology. To this end, participants from specially chosen sites will be given an assistive device. They will be evaluated both prior to, and following, use of the device.

During the coming year, RI Meals-on-Wheels and Providence Community Health Centers, Inc. will provide participants. Support service staff and health providers of their participants will also have the opportunity to receive training on assistive technology benefits and resources. Technical, research, and coordination support will be provided to the Assistive Technology Intervention Project by PARI Independent Living Center, and Brown University Population Studies Center.

Readers seeking further information on this project may call Donald Churnick at the Disability and Health Program (401-222 - 4615) or Judi Carlson at TechACCESS (401-463 - 0202). Updates of the Assistive Technology Intervention Project will be provided in future issues of TechACCESSory.

TechACCESS of RI
Phone: 401-463-0202 (v/tdd)
FAX: 401-463-3433
In-State: 800-916-(TECH)8324
Contact: TechACCESS of RI | techaccess@techaccess-ri.org|

Last Revised: January 5, 2003