Device Loan

The Computer Center for Citizens with Disabilities (CCCD) is Utah’s statewide AT demonstration and evaluation center for AT in schools. It is also the primary equipment lending library for the K-12 public education system. The CCCD is funded with federal discretionary funds provided through the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and with state funding through the Utah State Office of Education. The CCCD provides administrative support to Utah’s Alternative, Augmentative, and Assistive Communication Team (UAAACT) network. The network is made up of 22 regional teams comprised of 80-90 education professionals with specialty in speech/language pathology, audiology, physical and occupational therapy, and special education. These professionals conduct education-related AT assessment and evaluation for all school age children, age 3-22 years in Utah’s schools. Based on the evaluation results, the UAAACT network members access the central equipment lending library enabling students to try out adaptive hardware and software prior to a school district purchasing needed AT. Often times, the trial is part of the evaluation process whereby students, families and educators learn what specific technologies will and will not work for a student. UATP advises the UAAACT Leadership team and participates as a lead presenter and co-planner in the biannual UAAACT network conference. In these roles, UATP learns the specific training needs of UAAACT staff, provides technical assistance updates regarding new technologies, and connects UAAACT staff and leadership with other community based AT resources that may be of use for AT device loan, funding, assessment, etc.