What is Assistive Technology?

       Assistive technology removes barriers, creates solutions and assists people with disabilities in realizing their potential at home, school, work and recreation.  AT makes the vital activities of speaking, communicating, seeing, reading, mobility, recreating, hearing, writing, and learning possible.  Currently, there is a large information gap between available AT and access to this information.  TACT is committed to closing that gap.        

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       The initial steering committee worked together for two years prior to opening, providing service to the community primarily as a network of volunteers, resources and area expertise.  From its steering committee, TACT formed a Board of Directors and became a member center in the Alliance for Technology Access.  TACT was donated space for operations by the State of Arizona, Division of Developmental Disabilities.  Volunteers have donated thousands of hours to this community resource as they carry forth TACT's mission.

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    TACT provides the following services by appointment for individuals with disabilities, family members and professionals:

∆ The Guided Exploration - click on link for more in-depth detail.

Guided Explorations focus on the individual's or small group's questions, goals or issues concerning AT.  Within the Guided Exploration TACT's staff gathers product and funding information and prepares equipment for hands-on trial and training. TACT's staff performs individualized research and advocacy as needed.

∆ Assistive technology preservice and inservice on a variety of topics.

   For example:

• employment readiness - exploration or tutorial of hardware and software
• no cost, low cost, light tech AT
• workplace AT accommodations
• training for educators on specific products or AT strategies in the classroom     

∆ Internet tutorial and training for all ages

∆ AT Assessments

∆ Community presentations

• AT Overview
• AT Awareness 

∆ Center orientations - 30 min. tour of TACT

∆ Loan of AT equipment: hardware, videos, books

∆ Conventional technology and assistive technology hardware or software training for groups and individuals

∆ Independent browsing of resource files and independent access to AT learning lab

∆ Information and referral by phone and e-mail

∆ Individualized resource packets

∆ AT demonstrations 

∆ Adapted toy lending library

∆ AT advocacy and self-advocacy strategy information

∆ Connections to state and national networks of AT resources and expertise

∆ Equipment recycle and refurbish

∆ AT Vendors Show and Tell forums on a wide variety of AT topics and products

Call or contact us for information regarding fee for service. Click here for contact information

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TACT Guided Exploration

    It should be emphasized that THE GUIDED EXPLORATION IS NOT A FORMAL ASSESSMENT, EVALUATION OR THERAPY.  The GE is simply an information sharing process with TACT staff and others that may have expertise regarding your area of interest.  You and your goals for home, recreation, school, and/or work direct the GE process. Our job is to provide you with objective, timely, up-to-date AT information that will assist you in achieving your goals or is of interest to you.  We do not prescribe or recommend during the GE; the eventual equipment choice is up to you.

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The Learning Lab

    The Learning Lab also offers opportunities for speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, rehabilitation engineers, physical therapists, teachers and other professionals or paraprofessionals working with people with disabilities to remain up-to-date with the state-of-the-art of assistive technology. Professionals can then incorporate assistive technology into their practices and professional development for best practices service delivery.

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Lending Library

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AT Resource Links

Apple Computer, Inc.
Disability Solutions Group
One Infinite Loop
Mailstop 38-DS
Cupertino, CA  95014
1-800-767-2775
Web Site: http://www.apple.com/accessibility/

California State University, Northridge (CSUN) Center on Disabilities
18111 Nordhoff St.
Northridge, CA  91330-8340
Voice/TTY/message 1-818-677-2578
Fax: 818-677-4929
E-mail: ctrdis@csun.edu
Web Site: http://www.csun.edu/cod

Closing The Gap
526 Main St.
P.O. Box 68
Henderson, MN  56044
507-248-3294
Fax: 507-248-3810
E-mail: info@closingthegap.com
Web Site: http://www.closingthegap.com/

Family Center on Technology and Disability (UCP)
1660 L Street, NW
Washington, DC 20036
1-800-872-5827 (UCP)
TDD: 1-202-973-7197
Fax: 202-776-0414
E-mail: Sgoodman@ucpa.org
Web Site: www.fctd.info

Trace Research and Development Center
University of Wisconsin-Madison
5901 Research Park Blvd.
Madison, WI  53719-1252
608-262-6966       
TTY: 608-263-5408
Fax: 608-262-8848
Web Site: http://www.trace.wisc.edu/

E-mail: web@trace.wisc.edu

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Donate To TACT

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Contact Us

Technology Access Center of Tucson, Inc.

Write to us at:  

4710 E. 29th Street

Tucson, AZ  85711

Or

P.O. Box 13178

Tucson, AZ 85732

Call, fax or e-mail us at:

Phone: (520) 745-5588 x1265

 E-mail:  tact1@qwestoffice.net

Web Site: http://www.uacoe.arizona.edu/tact/

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