Illinois Assistive Technology Program - IATP

12/21/2025

Aiden is an extraordinary young man with a passion for music. He plays a number of instruments and participated in the jazz band all four years of high school. He received several awards throughout high school for his hard work and dedication.

In December 2024, he was critically injured in a horrific car accident, sustaining facial and skull fractures, which caused a severe brain injury and swelling, causing damage to Aiden’s optic nerves.

Despite these challenges, Aiden worked hard, graduated from high school, and expressed a desire to pursue an undergraduate degree in music education or music performance. An IATP’s Assistive Technology Specialist worked with Aiden to provide him with a computer and software to allow him to read, write, and interact with his music through IATP’s Open-Ended Loan program. To read more of Aiden’s story as well as others, visit our website at https://iltech.org/services/dhs-drs-at-services/.

12/12/2025

Wanting to make the unwrapping process easier and more enjoyable? Use the ribbon wrapping method to make unwrapping gifts easier for those with motor function challenges. This makes opening presents for people with all abilities easy and fun.

Step 1: Cut the wrapping paper to fit your gift box. Take the ribbon and lay it on the inside of the wrapping paper. Position the box in the center of the wrapping paper on top of the ribbon.

Step 2: With one edge of the ribbon matching up to the edge of the wrapping paper and the other about an inch over the edge, cut and tape the ribbon to the wrapping paper. Make a loop with the long end of the ribbon and tape it down.

Step 3: Begin wrapping, starting with the side without the ribbon loop. Please note, do not tape the wrapping paper to the box. Fold the other side with the ribbon loop over the box and tape it down to the wrapping paper under it.

Step 4: Finish wrapping the gift, remembering not to tape the wrapping paper to the box. The loop should be visible on the outside of the gift. Once you are finished, the gift is wrapped.

Image descriptions are in the captions.

12/04/2025

Accessibility and Intimacy Matter!

Did you know there are products and resources available to support sexual health, intimacy, and pleasure for people with disabilities?

Assistive Technology isn’t just about mobility or daily living – it also includes adaptive tools and resources that help people explore connection, confidence, and comfort in their own bodies and relationships.

Let’s start normalizing conversations about sexuality and accessibility, because everyone deserves the right to intimacy and self-expression.

Contact IATP to talk with an Occupational Therapist today https://iltech.org/contact/

11/06/2025

Each November, we pause to recognize and honor the 63+ million family caregivers across the United States who devote their time, energy, and love to supporting a family member or friend with health needs.

National Family Caregivers Month is a time to raise awareness of the important role family caregivers play in our healthcare system, educate communities about the challenges caregivers face and the support they need, connect caregivers with trusted resources that make their journey a little easier, and honor caregivers for their commitment, resilience, and love.

Through its many programs including Illinois Care Connections, IATP supports persons with disabilities, older adults, and their caregivers by providing access to assistive technology devices, training and educational resources that enhance social connectedness, maintain health, safety, and well-being, and promote independence and community living. Visit our website to learn more about IATP: www.iltech.org

11/03/2025

Federal courts ordered the federal administration to continue paying for SNAP (food stamps) during the government shutdown. IDHS and the State of Illinois are reviewing these orders. SNAP benefits remain on hold by the federal government for November until further notice or order by the courts. Even if the courts order payment, it is uncertain how long it will take for SNAP payments to be made.

Benefits from months prior to November can still be used.

IDHS will keep customers updated on this evolving situation.

SNAP information and food resources are available here: SNAPfederalimpact.illinois.gov

10/31/2025

If you or someone you know is going to be impacted by the SNAP benefit payment halt and funding interruption, the Illinois Department of Human Services has a food resources webpage with different food connections: https://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=31245

10/29/2025

Want to make Halloween more accessible and inclusive? Here are a few tips:

1. Keep your walkways open and clear, ensuring every visitor, especially those with mobility devices, can reach your door.
2. Set your treat station where visitors can easily reach it, like a bowl on a small table at the bottom of your stairs.
3. Allow extra time for visitors to process and respond.
4. Limit treat choices to ease decision-making.
5. Be flexible by allowing non-verbal cues and other ways of communicating beyond verbalizing “Trick-Or-Treat.”
6. Include allergen-free options and offer non-food items such as stickers or glow sticks.

When you make Halloween accessible and inclusive, everyone gets to join in the fun and magic. Share any accessible, inclusive tips you practice in the comments below.

10/29/2025

Alternative Access Training starts in less than one week on Tuesday, November 4th at IATP. To register and learn more visit https://www.aaclearningjourney.com/.../prc-saltillo.... When registering, make sure you select the Springfield, IL course. This is an in-person event.

Looking to fulfills ASHA CEUs? Join PRC-Saltillo’s hands-on, interactive course that explores how people with multiple disabilities access Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) devices. Dive into eye tracking, head tracking, switch controls, and touch access. See real demos, video examples, and get practical experience! Plus, discover tips for making communication easier and learn how movement and vision challenges shape AAC design and setup.

This course also covers how tool use learning applies to powered mobility and AAC, featuring the ALP framework and real-life clinical strategies. Join the discussion and see how collaboration can boost communication success! Perfect for clinicians, educators, and professionals in the field.

Ready to get hands-on? Learn how to mount Speech Generating Devices (SGDs) on wheelchairs. The course breaks down the basics of choosing and setting up mounts, showing you all the key parts and helping you find the right clamps, tubes, and joints for specific wheelchairs. Additionally, explore how mounting impacts communication, daily activities, and safety. Don’t miss this essential course!

To register and learn more visit https://www.aaclearningjourney.com/learn/courses/521/prc-saltillo-advanced-access-with-alp-and-mounting. When registering, make sure you select the Springfield, IL course. This is an in-person event.

10/28/2025

IATP had the pleasure of hosting Governor JB Pritzker and his leadership team from the Illinois Department on Aging, the Illinois Department of Human Services, and the Division of Rehabilitation Services. The Governor met with staff members from various IATP programs to learn how IATP serves Illinoisans of all ages with disabilities and health conditions, providing them with greater access to assistive technology devices and services. To learn more about IATP and our programs, visit http://www.iltech.org

10/20/2025

Halloween is fun – dressing up in costumes, going to parties, and trick-or-treating – but it can be stressful for children with communication difficulties. A core board for communication can help, allowing children to point to symbols and words on the page to communicate their wants and needs with others. Download a free, Halloween-specific communication core board to use this Halloween season at https://iltech.org/.

10/17/2025

Visit iltech.org to learn more about us. To visit the Smart Home Demonstration Center in Springfield, Illinois, stop in, or call ahead to make an appointment.



Video Description: point of view video with an IATP employee walking through the Smart Home Demo Center showing the different areas of Smart Home technology and AT.

10/10/2025

Cooking with Confidence: How Assistive Tools Helped Reclaim a Passion

Previously employed in the cooking industry, Justin had a strong desire to return to preparing his own meals and focus on options beyond microwaved, frozen food. Justin has sensory issues in his hands due to years of construction work and had vision loss due to a seizure. For him, tasks in the kitchen are more difficult, limiting his ability to prepare meals safely. To support his goals, an IATP occupational therapist conducted an evaluation in the kitchen to identify tools and strategies that would promote safe, independent meal preparation. He then trained in the kitchen with tools and supports. And with those, Justin successfully prepared a chili recipe from start to finish. This experience marked a significant step forward in Justin’s journey toward greater independence. With the right tools and training, he is now better equipped to return to a routine he enjoys – cooking meals at home, safely and confidently.

To read more about Justin and other IATP customers, visit https://iltech.org/ to read IATP's highlight documents.