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VA Assistive Technology Assessments

The Virginia Assistive Technology Loan Fund Authority (ATLFA) wants to help you purchase the right assistive technology device or equipment. There are assistive technology screenings and assessments available through the Woodrow Wilson Rehabilitation Center, Children's Hospital of Richmond, VATS regional sites and other locations near you. And ATFLA will pay for an assessment if your insurance won't. It can even arrange for services from a rehabilitation engineer through the Department of Rehabilitation Services (DRS).

Assistive Technology Assessments

Many pieces of adaptive technology may be obtained without an assessment or evaluation. For these items, it is the consumer's choice as to what type of device, manufacturer, model and options will be purchased. However, the more complicated a device is, the greater the need for a professional or group of professionals to be involved the process of device selection. Obviously, some equipment, such as hearing aids, prosthetic devices, or low-vision bioptic lenses can only be obtained after an appropriate licensed professional makes a recommendation or prescription.

Many insurance programs, including Medicaid and Medicare, will pay for an assessment of assistive technology even if their policies may prohibit the use of those funds for purchase of a device. The ATLFA will pay for an assistive technology assessment, if needed, for its borrowers. There are a number of local sources of assessments, depending on the type of equipment needed. Some of the partners that may be very helpful to ATLFA consumers include:

The Woodrow Wilson Rehabilitation Center (WWRC), Fishersville, Virginia

The Assistive Technology Services Division at WWRC provides comprehensive interdisciplinary technology assessments and customized technology services, which may include special and individualized computer technology, customized rehabilitation engineering and fabrication, augmentative alternative communication, mobility enhancement, and adaptive devices for daily living and recreation, in order to improve employment potential, foster independence, and promote full inclusion in society through the use of assistive technology.

Woodrow Wilson Rehabilitation Center offers state-of-the-art evaluation, consultation, and treatment programs for individuals who require assistive technology to live, work, and go to school as independently as possible. The Assistive Technology Services Division at WWRC is part of the statewide DRS Assistive Technology plan, and as such, provides services to individuals with disabilities across the Commonwealth of Virginia. Services are available to consumers of all ages, with an emphasis on work and independent living. Services are provided by interdisciplinary Assistive Rehabilitation Technology (ART) Teams.

For additional information on WWRC, see the VA DRS WWRC Services topic.

Children's Hospital, Richmond, Virginia

The vision of the Assistive Technology Program at Children's Hospital is to provide access to Assistive Technology (AT) evaluations, equipment and training to all ages, enabling children and adults with disabilities to function more independently.

AT equipment can range from low tech switches to high tech communication and wheelchair systems. This specialized technology enables people to function independently in areas where they would otherwise have difficulty, need assistance or be unable to participate. AT equipment may be used at home, school, work and community settings and can benefit those with neuromuscular and developmental disabilities, including apraxia, autism, brain and spinal cord injuries, cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy and stroke.

The AT Lab offers evaluations and training services for:

· Assistive daily living aids

· Augmentative communication

· Classroom, home, or work-related modifications

· Computer access and adaptations

· Computer software evaluations

· Electronic aids to daily living

· Environmental controls

· Independent living evaluations

· Orthotics and customized headpointers

· Positioning aids

· Wheelchairs and customized seating

Evaluations are conducted by an interdisciplinary team based on a patient's specific needs. The team may include therapists, educational consultants and other specialists, all of whom have expertise in AT.

Evaluations focus on identifying strengths and impairments of the patient so they may be introduced to a wide range of AT equipment. Follow-up sessions are arranged as needed, to ensure the patient is comfortable with the equipment. Once the AT equipment that will facilitate the largest increase in the patient's independence has been identified, therapists assist the patient/family in the process of obtaining the equipment. Therapists also work with families and caregivers during the evaluation and follow-up therapy sessions to develop individualized plans for integrating equipment into home, school, work and community settings.

Because Children's Hospital is one of the few providers of comprehensive AT services in Central Virginia, these services are available to adults as well as children.

For additional information on Children's Hospital, call (804) 321-7474 or visit their website at:
http://www.childrenshosp-richmond.org/

See also:

Consumer Service Fund (CSF)

Telework Loans

Assistive Technology Loan Fund Authority

Assistive Technology Services

WWRC Services

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Virginia Benefit Information System Welcome and Introduction

Source

Information for this topic was drawn from:
http://www.atlfa.org/atassessments.htm
http://www.childrenshosp-richmond.org/CMS/index.php/services/assistive/
http://www.vadrs.org/formscabinet/.%5Cdocuments%5CPublic%5CBrochure%20-%20Assistive%20Technology_WWRC-B003.pdf

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