Illinois DHS: Assistive Technology-Related Resources - IATP

this post was updated Nov 2014; originally posted March 13, 2011 - as posted by IDHS
Illinois DHS: IATP's mission is to break down barriers that prevent people with disabilities from accessing the assertive technology.
List of agencies for assistance:

• Illinois Assistive Technology Program - The Illinois Assistive Technology Program (IATP) is a statewide, non-profit agency funded under the Technology-Related Assistance for Individuals with Disabilities Act of 1988. IATP's mission is to break down barriers that prevent people with disabilities from accessing the assistive technology.
• Illinois Telecommunications Access Corporation (ITAC) provides the Illinois Relay Service and free TTY Loan Program to citizens of Illinois who are deaf, hard-of-hearing, deaf-blind or speech-impaired.
• Division of Rehabilitation Services - DRS Assistive Technology Specialists (ATS) are available to help address the assistive technology needs of DRS customers.
• Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) - The Home and Community-Based Services Waiver for adults with developmental disabilities covers assistive technology, home modifications and vehicle adaptations for adults who are enrolled in the waiver.
• TechConnect Low Interest Loan Program - The Assistive Technology Loan Program provides loans to Illinois residents with disabilities (18 years and older) and their families to purchase assistive technology devices, services, and home modifications.
• Northern Illinois Center for Adaptive Technology (NICAT) -  is a non-profit computer and adaptive devices resource center operated by parents, consumers, volunteers, and professionals.The center provides information, seminars, and individually tailored technology to help people with disabilities reach their full potential and allowing them to more effectively interface with their environment.
• Infinitec, Inc. - is a joint effort of the United Cerebral Palsy Association of Greater Chicago and United Cerebral Palsy Associations. The UCPA Chicago program sponsors the Infinitec web site and programs that bring assistive technology to people with disabilities in Cook, DuPage, Lake and Kane counties.
• Options Center for Independent Living - assist with obtaining volunteers and materials through the United Way for home modification and provides a free equipment loan program and gives consumers the opportunity to use and/or to test a variety of adaptive equipment at home or on the job prior to purchase to ensure that the device meets their personal needs.
• Illinois Ready Access Loans program is a partnership between the Illinois Treasurer's Office and local financial institutions. The agency assists individuals with disabilities by providing funding to the borrower at a lower interest rate for accessibility modifications and adaptive equipment. The percentage rate depends on the length of the loan.
• Plan For Achieving Self-Support (PASS) program assists individuals who are receiving SSI (Supplemental Security Income) to set aside resources towards an approved plan for achieving self-support without impacting SSI benefits. This plan will cover home modifications and assistive technology through a SSI savings plan.
• Job Accommodation Network (JAN) - JAN is a service of the Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) of the U.S. Department of Labor and facilitates the employment and retention of workers with disabilities by providing employers, employment providers, and people with disabilities with information on job accommodations, self-employment and small business opportunities. 
• Assistivetech.net - This National Assistive Technology Internet Site provides information on assistive technology devices and services, adaptive environments, and community resources. Users can search for AT devices by function or activity, keyword, vendor or product type.
• ABLEDATA - ABLEDATA provides objective information about assistive technology products and rehabilitation equipment available. Although ABLEDATA does not sell any products, they can help you locate the companies that do. Search for over 20,000 specially designed tools for people with disabilities.
• AbleProject.org - Provides a database to easily find and obtain Mobility and Assistive products that support a more independent life.

Research & Education

• National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR) - Provides leadership and support for a comprehensive program of research related to the rehabilitation of individuals with disabilities. Efforts are aimed at improving the lives of individuals with disabilities from birth through adulthood.
• Center for Applied Special Technology - An educational, not-for-profit organization that uses technology to expand opportunities for people, including those with disabilities.
• Center for Universal Design - This is a national research, information and technical assistance center that evaluates, develops and promotes universal design in housing, public and commercial facilities and related products.
• EASI (Equal Access to Software and Information) - EASI provides workshops, distance learning, webcasts, and other training on information technology. EASI's mission is to serve as a resource to the education community by providing information and guidance in the area of access-to-information technologies by individuals with disabilities.
• Trace Research and Development Center - Focuses on making off the shelf technologies and systems more accessible through universal or accessible design.
• Rehabilitation Engineering Research Centers - These Centers conduct programs of advanced research of an engineering or technical nature in order to develop and test new engineering solutions.
• Rehabilitation Research and Training Centers - The purpose of these centers is to conduct research to improve rehabilitation methodology and service delivery systems, alleviate or stabilize disability conditions, and promote maximum social and economic independence. These centers also conduct training programs to disseminate and promote the utilization of research findings.
• Assistive Technology Training Online Project - This federally funded project provides information on AT applications that help students with disabilities learn in elementary classrooms.
• United States Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Access Board - The Access Board is an independent federal agency whose primary mission is the accessibility of individuals with disabilities.
• Disability and Business Technical Assistance Centers - Ten regional centers provide information, training, and technical assistance to employers, people with disabilities, and other organizations with responsibilities under the ADA.
• Center for Information Technology Accommodations (CITA) - CITA provides assistive technology solutions to eliminate barriers for people with disabilities. CITA's Assistive Technology Showcase displays state-of-the-art assistive technologies and ergonomic solutions. As the government's principal advocate and coordinator for Section 508 implementation that requires agencies to make information technology accessible for people with disabilities, CITA is recognized as the government-wide policy resource for Section 508.
• National Assistive Technology - This advocacy project, sponsored by Neighborhood Legal Services, provides an excellent clearinghouse of information on AT advocacy.
• Federal Communications Commission - Disability Rights Office - The FCC Disability Rights Office provides technical assistance to consumers, businesses and government agencies to facilitate telecommunications access by people with disabilities.
• Federal Communications Commission - Consumer Alerts and Fact Sheets - The FCC provides information on accessible communications products, programs and services, such as Telecommunications Relay and Video Relay Services.
• National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) - NTIA is the President's principal adviser on telecommunications and information policy issues, and in this role frequently works with other Executive Branch agencies to develop and present the Administration's position on these issues. As an agency within the U.S. Department of Commerce, NTIA works to provide information and spur innovation in telecommunications and information technology issues. It published a series of reports on the "digital divide," including information about computer and internet access for people with disabilities
• W3C World Wide Web Consortium - An organization whose purpose is to develop common web protocols that promote accessibility.
• RESNA - Technical Assistance Project supports and enhances the efforts of the State AT Act Projects to increase access to AT devices and services. The Web site features hot topics in current AT issues, a policy information pipeline, project management resources and an extensive information library.
• Closing the Gap - An organization that promotes computer technology for people with special needs though a bi-monthly newspaper, annual international conference, and extensive web site.
• Do-It (Disabilities, Opportunities, Internetworking and Technology) - Do-It provides resources on education, technology, accessibility, funding, and more.