Partners

In order to make certain that assistive technology is more widely available and known for New Jersey residents we have partnered with other organizations to make certain that the community is aware of assistive technology and resources that are available to them to obtain the piece of equipment that is needed.

We currently are collaborating with:

• Advancing Opportunities Technology Lending Center(TLC) – offers free TLC tours and equipment demonstrations. The TLC also allows members to try out equipment in their home, for up to six weeks, before deciding whether to buy.
• Adam Krass Consulting, LLC – offers a wide range of demos for software and equipment for a diverse audiences.
• Goodwill Home Medical Warehouse– offers gently used assistive technology for free or low cost.
• NJ CART – non-profit organization established in 1987 to promote the appropriate applications of technology for individuals with disabilities, assure access to resources and provide continuing education to its members and the community at large.

In addition to our partners, ATAC awarded funding in previous years to the following programs:

Penns Grove – Carneys Point Regional School District
The Penns Grove-Carneys Point Regional School District will build a collaborative device reutilization program for AT devices that have been purchased by public, charter, and private school districts in Cumberland and Salem Counties in New Jersey. This program will provide for reutilization of assistive technology devices that are currently not being used or being kept in storage. These devices were previously purchased for students who are no longer attending or utilizing the assistive technology. This program will also provide short term borrowing or loans of available and unused assistive technology devices to other school districts (Public, Private, or Charter) within Cumberland and Salem County.

AssistiveTek, LLC
The purpose of the AT For Independence 2017 project will be to expand existing AT capacity of the partner CILs, DAWN Center for Independent Living (serving Sussex, Morris and Warren counties), especially as they relate to supporting under-served populations. Capacity will be expanded by creating partnerships between AssistiveTek, LLC and the above-listed CIL, increasing staff and consumer knowledge of available AT as it relates to “smart home” technology and how it can be used to support individuals with cognitive, TBI, motor, learning and communication disabilities, increasing staff knowledge of available off the shelf assistive technology, and supporting the CIL’s goals of updating and upgrading of their existing AT.

The Center for Assistive Technology & Inclusive Education Studies (CATIES), located at The College of New Jersey
The goal of this project is to provide Assistive Technology training to expand Transition Services. CATIES will educate transition personnel, teachers, high school and college students with disabilities, and parents on how to prepare youth for transition to college and/or employment through the use of iPad technology and instruction in self-advocacy. A series of 15 on-site trainings will be delivered to expand community knowledge and a resource website will be developed to contain up to date transition related assistive technology information.

Goodwill Industries of Greater New York and Northern New Jersey, Inc.
Goodwill Industries of Greater New York and Northern New Jersey, Inc. will provide greater local access to assistive technology and information through public awareness activities, product demonstration and training in the focus area of Pre-Employment Transition Services. These services will assist students transitioning from school to career, to become more independent at home and in the community. In addition to working with various school districts to provide transition services to high school students, staff at Goodwill also works collaboratively with funding partners such as the NJ Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services (DVRS) and the Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) to meet the needs of program participants. We will work with DVRS and DDD referrals as well as staff to demonstrate how specific devices assist transitioning students in completing needed tasks.

Atlantic Cape Community College
Atlantic Cape will enhance the scope of existing assistive technology services available to people with disabilities in Atlantic County and Cape May County, New Jersey. Many college students with disabilities in this region and across the state lack access to assistive technologies, do not even know they exist, or are not properly trained on their use. The aim of this project is to close these gaps. Workshops and trainings for students, staff and faculty will demonstrate a variety of assistive technology devices and assistive technology services, with a focus on innovative uses of technology to support individuals with disabilities. Transition training will be provided on assistive technology services for individuals transitioning from school to career.

Alternatives, Inc. – Bridges to Employment
The Bridges to Employment program mission is to provide an outstanding level of career related services, supporting individuals who are seeking to obtain and maintain competitive employment; and employers seeking qualified candidates to fill their employment needs. The Career Development Center will create a device demonstration lab focused on equipment available to meet the needs of all types of hearing loss for the consumers they serve, employers and the community. This lab will be outfitted with modifications, accommodations, resources available, so that employers can hire qualified candidates.

Kingsway Learning Center
KLC is a highly respected recognized center of excellence for the provision of special education programming for students with disabilities. Providing services from birth through age 21, KLC has recently expanded its mission and will soon be providing services to the post-graduation population of individuals over the age of 21 so as to better meet the needs of adults and the community as a whole. KLC will develop a community based AT demonstration center showcasing technology supports to meet an array of needs. Monthly trainings will be provided to interested community members on various AT topics.

Advancing Opportunities
The Technology Enhanced Transition project will focus on three NJ regions by partnering with Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services offices in Camden, Somerset and Morris counties. By collaborating with the DVR staff, a set of trainings will be developed that will help each county make use of assistive technology in support of Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) outlined in the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA).