Since 1991, Assistive Technology Services has been connecting individuals with disabilities to devices, resources, and trainings to help them navigate a tech-driven world as independently as possible. Whether you are facing vision loss, mobility loss, want your child to be introduced to devices to help them excel in school, or simply want to be trained on the accessibility features on your iPhone, our Assistive Technology Professionals are equipped to assess your needs, connect you to technology or training, support you through the transitional period of becoming familiar with your device, and beyond.
Signal Centers Assistive Technology Services uses a person centered approach to help individuals with disabilities locate and learn how to use technology that can help increase independence and improve quality of life. We begin with a discussion/consultation to identify specific problems they may be experiencing, then demonstrate some technology options that could helpful to resolve those problems. The individual is then able to try some of the options using a hands on approach. Many of the items are available on a free 30 day loan, other times our staff can guide an individual to the vendor or vendors where some of the items can be purchased at a reasonable price.
“We participated in camp this year because we knew it would be a great opportunity for our daughter to be around others who had similar needs, but also to be more confident with technology and herself, and we are so grateful for the experience and we thank you so much.”
Instruction and Connection
Vision loss affects just about everything we need to do in our daily lives. Signal Centers is where you’ll find people who understand.
Our Vision Services staff help identify and address personal goals at work, school and home. We provide instruction in tried-and-true skills for daily living, mobility, reading, communications, and computer use. We teach foundational skills for self-reliance. We answer questions about the many high-tech devices on the market.
Anyone experiencing functional vision loss that cannot be corrected with glasses, including blindness, qualifies for our services. “Functional vision loss” interferes with any type of task such as reading or walking around comfortably, some or all of the time.
Adjustment to Blindness: Clients are invited to participate in one of our weekly group sessions, remotely. Group members share their stories about their struggles and successes after vision loss. We use the Zoom platform and conference calling. If needed, we can call people in, so there is no requirement to be able tnX[ H ۙH܈ \HH\ ]\ [BB\\]HXH KS] ܘ[N ؏[]X] ] ܚ܈ [H[ ]\۸&]YܙH \\[] XKBB [BOXYۚYX][ۈ[]YXH XY\ X\ [[ܛX][ۏ OBOYH[YX]H][ZY OBO[ ۙ\[\ ]\ ]X\XH ܘ[\ OBO]H[\[X\XH XO OB [BBX\XH\ ]\XN ؏]\ [HYYXYۚYX][ۋ YX ]]^ [ۜ܈HX[][ۈوY\ ]H\ ]\ ٝ \KYۘ[[\ٙ\[]Y X[[ܛ\[ X[ۋH XX[^H[U
؈X\]YX
K]Y H\ۈYXY܈[[X[Hۙ\˃BB\ \Ώ ؏[\\YY[ [X\ \H\ H
SH\ ]Z[XH܈H \Y] Hو \˃BBܚY[][ۈ [ؚ[] H
ɓJH[ X[ێ ؏X\ \H [ ]YY\܈] [\[ Y[ H[YܝX K[ܜ[]ܜH [\[[ ܈ ]H\[[ۋɓH [ \H][Y XYX[ H[ [\]Y[ H܈ [H \H[܈]H \[ۋ]Y H\PՔT P\YYYܚY[][ۈ [ؚ[] HXX[\ \\HV^X\T˃BB\[ۈ] ܚΏ ؏܈ HYYX[\ۙ[و \X\ HXܘ]H ] H \[ۈ Y] \
H]]X\\\[ۈZX[]][ۈ[[\][ۘ[ \\\
H XX[^\[ \[ۈ \\ H
H]\[ZX[]][ۈ][ ^H[\H\Y[ fRW6&Rf6&V6VfRFR&W7B76&R&W67&F2f"v76W2ƖvFrBvf6FBV&r&W7BFW6RFW6RF2f"&VFrBFǒƗfrvR6V&VfW"RFFW6R&fFW'2Т У#6fFVBƗfr676W2BGVRF6fB#vRVvW"'F6G2F66Ɨ6FǒƗfrF62&VVBgV7W'FfR676W2РУVУƓ( 6rvFWB~( 673ƓУƓFr626FrFV6VW3ƓУƓFWVFVBƗfr63ƓУVТ У#Gf67BFW'fWvr63#vR&fFRf&FB66r7V6f2FF6RvFrf6rf"VVBТ ФfRR"fVBRWW&V6VBf673f"&Rf&F6F7BƗGFRBC#2cӃS#77GS&F7ƖR&6#WBS7РФf"&Rf&F&WB&VFFb&ƗGG&r6F7B&6FU2&Vc&F&6FU46v6VFW'2&r"673&667FW'5666667FW'56666Vׇw'E667FW'2֖62"FFS"#УFcУFbC'f6"673&ƗGֆFRƖvF&FWB"7GS&&6w&VC6ffc#УFb7GS'FWBƖv6VFW##673&'WGF6VFW"'WGF"&Vc"2#$TB$SFcУFc
Our Assistive Technology Professionals are equipped to assess and train individuals with communication challenges, whether you have a child that was born without the ability to speak, or you have more recently acquired speaking difficulties. We can assess your needs and provide you with a range of technology from low-tech alphabet boards to high-tech Augmentative & Alternative Communication (AAC) Devices. For more information about the kinds of services and support we can provide, visit our grant website, Tennessee Talks.
Technology has become increasingly important for seniors who want to stay connected with family members, pay bills online and take advantage of telehealth options. Signal Centers is excited to move forward and help seniors in our 10 county area to assist seniors with digital literacy skills and accessibility features. We have two certified assistive technology specialists who have served over 100 clients yearly. Our ATPs will work directly with each participant or in small like groups to explore existing technology or create modifications that can make access for those older adults much easier and efficient.
For more information call 423-362-4960.
Depending on the need, assistive devices can cost hundreds or thousands of dollars. This provides an enormous barrier for those seeking more independence. Assistive Technology Services has access to a wide range of technology available for loan. Whether you want to try before you buy, or are just exploring your options, our device loan program is an excellent, no-risk way into the world of assistive technology. We are also capable of referring you to specific vendors that offer more permanent, low cost solutions as well.
In many cases, our ATP’s can refurbish older technology to meet today’s standards. This helps us get low cost technology into the hands of the people that need it.
Our Assistive Technology Professionals are experts in assistive devices. Come in for a demonstration of a particular device and flatten the learning curve in a low pressure, casual, friendly environment. We are here to help connect you to the technology you need.
We work with a vast network of incredibly knowledgeable and talented service providers, vendors, and private donors to meet the needs of the Chattanooga community.
