Assistive Technology Solutions
Assistive technology (AT) helps individuals with disabilities perform tasks and activities more easily, quickly, and successfully. Through DATI’s Assistive Technology Solutions equipment access program, Highmark Health Options members can access assistive technology devices that aren’t otherwise covered by insurance, such as:
- Adaptive eating utensils
- Assistive listening devices
- Amplified phones
- Ergonomic computer
equipment - Smart home technology
- Hand-held digital magnifiers
- Dressing aids
- Alerting devices
- Adaptive toys and switches
- Communication aids
- Medication management tools
This program is available at no cost to all Highmark Health Options members referred by their LTSS case manager, care coordinator or service coordinator.
For more information, contact DATI by phone at 800-870-DATI (3284) or via email dati-ud@udel.edu.
BOLD – Borrow-to-Own Low-Vision Devices
The BOLD program provides devices with a retail cost of $100 or less to individuals with vision loss or blindness. Some of the products available through BOLD include hand-held or stand magnifiers, talking watches, talking scales and other talking products, large print materials, and liquid level indicators.
To ensure that products sought through BOLD are the right ones to meet an individual’s needs, applicants are required to borrow products they’re interested in from CDS’s DATI inventory before making requests through the program.
BOLD is intended for individuals who cannot otherwise afford the devices they seek. For more information, contact Allison Berdoulay at 302-831-3632 or aberd@udel.edu. BOLD is funded by private contributions to the Tobin Fund. Interested donors to the fund can click here.
iCanConnect – National Deaf-Blind Equipment Distribution Program
Serving individuals with combined hearing and vision loss, iCanConnect provides equipment that enables access to telecommunications – telephones and the Internet – at no cost. The devices might include computers, tablets, adapted telephones, refreshable Braille devices, signaling devices, and other items.
Find examples of these assistive devices on the iCanConnect equipment page. DATI has many of the products funded through iCanConnect, enabling people to try the equipment before they request it through the program.
Applicants must provide evidence of their vision and hearing loss as well as income and other information. iCC is only available to individuals with a household income less than four times the federal poverty level. Review those guidelines here.
For more information, contact Allison Berdoulay at 302-831-3632 or aberd@udel.edu. Applications can be found here.
iCanConnect is funded by the Federal Communication Commission.
Tobin Fund
Serving individuals who are blind and have low vision, the Tobin Fund provides visual assistive technology with a retail cost over $100. Some of the products available through the Tobin Fund include closed circuit televisions, computers with specialized software (such as screen reading software), and Braille devices.
Applicants must provide evidence of vision loss, documentation from a qualified evaluator that the requested product meets their needs, and evidence of financial need. Applications can be found here. For more information, contact Allison Berdoulay at 302-831-3632 or aberd@udel.edu.
The Tobin Fund was created through the generosity of the W.E. Tobin Foundation, and continues its operation through private contributions. Interested donors to the fund can click here.
CSI Delaware – Combating Social Isolation and Promoting Community Engagement through Assistive Technology
Assistive technology can help people stay connected to family, friends and community resources. That is especially important during the pandemic because so many people are unable to leave their homes or have visitors. This program helps people with intellectual and developmental disabilities find the right devices to meet their needs.
Once the right item has been identified, the program will purchase the item.
Applicants must demonstrate financial need and must have an intellectual or developmental disability. Applications are available here, or can be mailed.
If you need help filling out the application, email Allison Berdoulay at aberd@udel.edu or call at 302-831-3632.
This program is supported in part with funding from the Delaware Developmental Disabilities Council.
U.S. Currency Readers
The Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) provides an iBill® Talking Banknote Identifier at no cost to eligible blind or visually impaired persons who request one. The device is small, compact and runs on a triple-A battery, which is included. To use the currency reader, simply insert a U.S. bill into the reader and press the button. The device will tell the note’s denomination. Its compact “key-fob” design allows it to be carried in a pocket or purse, clipped to a belt or attached to a keychain or lanyard.
DATI is authorized by the BEP to distribute these currency readers to any Delaware resident who is blind or visually impaired.
Contact your local Assistive Technology Resource Center (ATRC) to schedule an appointment to acquire an iBill®.
You can also download an application in English or Spanish from www.bep.gov and mail your application to the Washington, D.C. address provided on the application.
If you prefer, you can call BEP toll-free at 844-815-9388 and ask them to mail you an application.
Delaware Telecommunication Relay Service
Delaware Relay Service allows a person who is Deaf, Hard of Hearing, DeafBlind or who has a Speech Disability to communicate over the telephone in a way that is functionality equivalent to a traditional telephone user. Delaware Relay Service provides a variety of options, all available at no cost for users. The Relay Operator relays the messages between the user and a traditional telephone user. These services are completely confidential and open 24 hours a day – making using the telephone a better experience for thousands of citizens and visitors in the state of Delaware who are Deaf, Hard of Hearing, DeafBlind, or speech-disabled.
For more information about the Delaware Telecommunication Relay Service, and how those who are Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing can benefit, please visit the Delaware Relay website.
CapTel Phones
As of December 31, 2023, the state of Delaware no longer provides CapTel phones through the Delaware Relay service. However, the federal CapTel program still exists. The federal program covers the internet-based CapTel-like phones as they use the internet to provide captions, unlike the analog version which was through the telephone wires. Any CapTel model that ends with an ‘i’ is covered by the federal program.