By Heather Butikofer

Disabled is not synonymous with handicapped, in fact many people living with disabilities are offended when they are referred to as handicapped, according to the article, Why We No Longer Use the 'H' Word .

People with disabilities have many of the same goals and aspirations any other person may have. People with disabilities can lead functional lives like you or me, but oftentimes require some aid from assistive technology, said Marilyn Hammond, director of the Utah Assistive Technology Center.

Assistive technology helps individuals live independently, increase their productivity and experience a higher quality of life. Without assistive devices, many individuals with disabilities could not read, write, speak or leave their homes, Hammond said. Assistive technology includes simple devices such as larger handles on silverware or an ice pick on the end of a cane. Assistive technology also includes more high-tech devices such as hearing aids, wheelchairs, Braille equipment, wheelchair-adapted vans and more.

Right here in Logan, on the Utah State University campus, is the Center for Persons with Disabilities, where the Utah Assistive Technology Program is housed for the state of Utah. The following two programs help Utah residents with disabilities fund the assistive technology they need to function as part of society.

Utah Assistive Technology Foundation:
Because of the rising costs of needed high-tech assistive technology many Utah residents cannot afford the assistance they need. The Utah Assistive Technology Foundation is a non-profit organization that provides zero- and low-interest loans to purchase assistive technology devices for children and adults with disabilities within Utah, in coordination with Zions Bank. The UATF provides zero-interest loans statewide for assistive technology devices such as hearing aids, communication systems, print enlargers and more. Other loans are used to purchase higher ticketed items such as wheelchair-adapted vans.

"The UATF's motto is 'Independence is priceless. We help make it affordable,'" Hammond said. "The UATF was founded to solve funding barriers and is often the only way for people with disabilities to obtain the assistive technology they need. These devices help children and adults learn, work, live independently and pursue opportunities to the fullest extent of their abilities."

Access to Telework Program
Computer and adaptive technologies have tremendous potential to increase the employment opportunities and independence of people with disabilities. However, even though technology has advanced, people with disabilities may face barriers to employment. Some barriers may include lack of transportation, inaccessible work environments, employer fears about accommodation costs, fatigue and the need for personal assistance services.

"These barriers can be reduced or eliminated through the availability of telework," Hammond said. "Telework is a new program that provides a method for employees to work from any place at any time while still meeting the needs of their employer."

The access to telework program makes it possible for individuals with disabilities to obtain zero-interest financing for computers and other equipment so they may work from home or other remote locations as an employee or contractor. The program will increase access to technology for individuals with disabilities and also increase employment opportunities, she said.

"Assistive technology devices eligible for telework loan funds through this program include, but are not limited to, worksite modifications, home office modifications, computer access hardware or software, office equipment (e.g., printer, home phone, fax, scanner) and telecommuting equipment such as a T1 line or DSL line," Hammond said.

She said telework provides an opportunity for employees to work from any place and any time. It also offers employees increased flexibility, improved morale and elimination of the cost and stress of commuting with increased work quality with fewer interruptions. Telework also benefits employers with employee incentives, reduced costs, increased productivity and lower environmental pressures. Offering telework may serve as an excellent employer incentive to attract and retain skilled workers while accommodating a diverse workforce.

The UATF Touching Lives
An example of a person who received a no-interest loan through UATF is Sachin Pavithran, a Training and Development Specialist for the Web Accessibility In Mind (WebAIM) project. He is a graduate of Utah State University with degrees in Business Information Systems and Marketing.

In first grade he was diagnosed with retinatis pigmentosis, a degenerative eye disorder. By the time he was 12, Pavitran was legally blind. As a student at Utah State University, he was forced to rely on others to assist him around campus and with his studies, which was time consuming and often inconvenient, Pavithran said.

Pavithran was awarded a no-interest loan to obtain a portable electronic Braille notetaker and Voice Mate. On a daily basis he uses his assistive technology device as a word processor, scheduler and book reader.

"On a day to day basis it makes me more independent both in a professional way and also on a personal level," Pavithran said.

Another example is Gordon Richins. He gets around in a motorized wheelchair. Richins was able to purchase a much-needed wheelchair-accessible van because he received a low-interest loan from Zions Bank through UATF.

"The ability to borrow the amount of money required to purchase a van with the accessibility package is out of reach for most individuals with disabilities who work," said Richins. "The difference in payment allowed me to qualify for the loan I needed, a conventional loan would have been out of reach for me."

"The UATF in coordination with the Utah Assistive Technology Program helps clients find devices that best suite their individual needs," Pavithran said. "It helps to have someone narrow the choices down."

The UATF and the Access to Telework Fund Program are programs at USU's Center for Persons with Disabilities, funded through the U.S. Department of Education. For more information about services available for people with disabilities in Utah visit Division of Services for People with Disabilities.

For more information about Access to Telework Fund Program or to find out if you or someone you know qualifies for a UATF zero- or low-interest loan, please call 1-800-524-5152 or visit www.uatf.org. If you would like to make a tax-deductible donation to the UATF please send to 6835 Old Main Hill, Logan, Utah 84322.

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