MonTECH

03/04/2026

Terrain Hopper is an off-road, electric mobility vehicle meant to handle hills, steps, mud, sand, snow, rocks... well, you get the picture. It can be driven with handle bars or a joystick.

Our partner organization, Cutting Fences, currently has a Terrain Hopper loaned to someone in the Missoula area. If you're interested in borrowing it and live in northwestern Montana, now would be a good time to request it before it goes back home to the central part of the state.

Email Cutting Fences if you want to get in line for Terrain Hopper! cuttingfencesfoundation@gmail.com

Learn more about Terrain Hopper: https://terrainhopperusa.com/

03/02/2026

What is missing when people with disabilities need urgent help? How prepared is Montana to protect people with disabilities during disasters? What makes it hardest for people with disabilities to work? If you have a developmental disability or love someone who has a developmental disability, odds are good you have thoughts about these things. 😎

Share them! The Montana Council on Developmental Disabilities helps plan services and advocate for rights, and they're starting work on their five-year plan. Help them make a sound and meaningful one by taking their survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/XB3TFLS

02/28/2026

**UPDATED: these chairs have found a home, going to the first who emailed us. Thank you for your interest, and please continue to follow our page for more opportunities.** Not a bonded pair. 😎 MonTECH is looking for long-term homes for these two Special Tomato Soft Touch seats with rolling bases, either in a clinic or private home. Neither comes with straps or harness, but those can be purchased online from Special Tomato.

The brown Size 4 was originally purchased for $610 and fits most kids between ages 9 and 14. The seat is made of latex-free material and has built-in abductor and contoured head and lateral support. Recommended for those who are 50" - 65" in height and weigh between 50 and 110 pounds. The rolling base has swivel casters and locking brakes.

The purple seat is a Size 1 and fits users who are 20-30 pounds. Purchase cost was $360 minus the rolling base, which will come with it.

Whoever gets these seats will be able to keep them with one caveat: respond to an email from us once or twice a year. If you're interested and can pick them up in Missoula, please write shawna.hanson@mso.umt.edu

02/28/2026

Who's SO BIG? The little dude who came into MonTECH with Ya-ya and his physical therapist to check out standers. Westin is a good sport AND adorable; win-win!

02/27/2026

The Steves of Sunrise Medical stopped by, but only one Steve felt camera ready. Thank you for showing our team the Empulse M90! M90 is a power assist for a manual wheelchair. Get a powerful boost when using the hand rims, or you can drive using a joystick. Easy to stop too - just tap the top of the joystick! (Any power-assist user can tell you, stopping is IMPORTANT. 😁)

We liked the smooth, lightweight, user-friendly features of the M90. The motors are encased in the wheel hubs and total weight of each wheel is 13 pounds including the battery. They're super easy to pop on and off too, so you can use your regular tires as needed. Can MonTECH afford to buy one for Montana's loan library? Undetermined. But if YOU'RE interested in M90 let us know and we'll connect you. MT-AT.org, montech@mso.umt.edu

02/26/2026

MonTECH meeting of the minds. 😎 We are extremely proud to offer Montanans with disabilities access to SoundBeam, a super cool adaptive-music system. Stay tuned for a demo but don't hold your breath - this is going to take us a minute.

Our thanks to Adrian, the ridiculously talented SoundBeam rep who has kindly zoomed in twice from the UK to teach us the features of this astonishing system. You can learn more about SoundBeam here: https://www.soundbeam.co.uk/

02/26/2026

**GIVE AWAY** Adapted4U is giving away a primo switch-adapted bubble machine! Like and share their post ASAP for a chance to win!

02/26/2026

Shawna did a presentation today at The Springs Resource Fair and was rewarded with an introduction to Tucker, certified Good Boy, and his owner 'Elena from Helena.'

02/20/2026

"Switch adapted toys don’t make play different. They make play possible." Preach! Adapted4U is a new switch-adapted toy company based in Montana, making unique toys. Take a look at their current inventory! https://adapted4u.mayhem.my/

Switch adapted toys don’t make play different.
They make play possible.

Most people think they’re “just modified toys.”

They’re not.

They’re access.

When someone can’t press a tiny factory button but can activate a large switch with their hand, head, foot, or elbow — that moment of control changes everything.

Cause and effect.
Choice.
Independence.
Confidence.

If you’ve ever seen someone light up the first time they independently activate a toy, you know exactly what I mean.

02/20/2026

Hey Missoula peeps! BASE Missoula officially moved to Summit's new building! They've left behind their haunted warehouse on Alder for new digs at 3104 West Broadway. It's a great time to connect with BASE and get involved in the fun 😎 You can call them at (406) 215-1080 or email basemissoula@summitilc.org.

02/19/2026

"Systems advocacy in action" 🤜🤛💪