Washington Assistive Technology Act Program (WATAP)

Contact: Alan Knue (aknue@uw.edu)
Core Function: Technical Assistance and Outreach Training
Program: Center for Technology and Disability

The mission of Washington Assistive Technology Act Program (WATAP) is to provide a comprehensive continuum of services and resources to help Washingtonians with disabilities of all ages to make informed decisions about assistive technology (AT), and to provide alternative means of acquiring the AT they need. WATAP serves not only individuals with disabilities, but also their circle of support including family members, employers, employment service providers, educators, health care providers, social service providers, and others seeking AT expertise in all areas of life, but especially in education, employment, and community living. WATAP is part of the Center for Technology and Disability Studies (CTDS) and is guided by a consumer-majority advisory council. WATAP provides hands-on demonstrations and short-term loans of assistive technology devices to help potential users make informed decisions about using such devices and related services. Additional services offered include information and referral, training, and technical assistance.

WATAP, Timberland Regional Library Systems, and the San Juan Island Library have partnered to offer to library members the opportunity to see and try a small selection of assistive devices to help with a variety of daily tasks. Members of the Library Systems may borrow any of the devices through the Library System catalog. Several State Agencies, including the Special Education Technology Center, the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR), Department of Services for the Blind (DSB), and Aging and Long-term Support Administration (ALTSA) coordinate with WATAP’s Device Borrowing program to provide short-term loans of assistive technology to special education teachers, speech-language pathologists, rehabilitation counselors, occupational/ physical therapists, case managers, homecare support personnel, and other technology specialists throughout Washington State.

WATAP partners with the Northwest Access Fund to provide low-interest financial loans for the purchase of assistive technology devices and services through the Assistive Technology Loan and matched savings program (Individualized development Accounts or IDAs). WATAP provides support to local community reuse providers, Bridge Disabilities Ministries Meyer Mobility Center and the Seattle Hearing, Speech, and Deafness Center (HSDC), for the purposes of expanding capacity for their device reuse programs. The Meyer Mobility Center provides reused nobility and durable medical equipment at no cost and HSDC offers a unique hearing aid reuse program. WATAP coordinates the Evergreen Reuse Coalition, a Washington State reuse network, which seeks to make a positive impact to the environment, quality of life of consumers, and cost savings to consumers through effective reuse of assistive devices. Through partnership with the Perkins School for the Blind, WATAP provides telecommunications equipment and associated support and training to eligible applicants who have vision and hearing impairments through iCanConnect WA, Washington’s National Blind Equipment Distribution Program funded by the Federal Communication Commission.The mission of Washington Assistive Technology Act Program (WATAP) is to provide a comprehensive continuum of services and resources to help Washingtonians with disabilities of all ages to make informed decisions about assistive technology (AT), and to provide alternative means of acquiring the AT they need. WATAP serves not only individuals with disabilities, but also their circle of support including family members, employers, employment service providers, educators, health care providers, social service providers, and others seeking AT expertise in all areas of life, but especially in education, employment, and community living. WATAP is part of the Center for Technology and Disability Studies (CTDS) and is guided by a consumer-majority advisory council. WATAP provides hands-on demonstrations and short-term loans of assistive technology devices to help potential users make informed decisions about using such devices and related services. Additional services offered include information and referral, training, and technical assistance.