Illinois Assistive Technology Program - IATP

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/.

10/10/2025

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.

10/06/2025

Reminder: In-Person Event on November 4th and 5th

For more information see the post below or visit https://iltech.org/event/prc-saltillo-advanced-access-with-alp-and-mounting/

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.

10/03/2025

Happy NDEAM!

The theme for National Disability Employment Awareness Month ( ) 2025 is “Celebrating Value and Talent.” Every October, the Office of Disability Employment Policy celebrates NDEAM to recognize the many contributions of people with disabilities, including those with mental health conditions and other non-obvious disabilities, to America’s workplaces and economy. Learn more at dol.gov/NDEAM.

This NDEAM, IATP recognizes local business Heart & Flour: Equal Kneads Bakery in Lincoln, IL. Heart & Flour is “here to support individuals with disabilities and autism, providing them with a space where they can gain independence, build community, and experience the joy of meaningful work.” Follow them on Facebook Heart & Flour .

09/25/2025

D.I.Y. Writing Grips

Do you or a person you know have trouble gripping pens, pencils, or other writing utensils? Did you know that you can use items like stress balls, PVC pipes, and tennis balls to change their grip? Adding a tennis or stress ball helps build up the grip of a writing utensil, making it easier to hold while writing. Using PVC pipes to hold a utensil creates an alternative grip style. Curious about these grips, we have some examples in our Demo Center! Visit IATP in Springfield, Illinois, or explore our website at http://www.iltech.org to learn more about our Demo Center.

09/11/2025

Join IATP at the Blind Awareness Fair this Saturday, September 13th, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Southwind Park in Springfield, IL. IATP will showcase various Assistive Technologies.

For more details on the event, contact the Educational Center for the Visually Impaired at 217-303-9062, https://www.ecvispringfield.org/baf, or email info@edcentervi.org.

02/14/2025

Members of the IATP staff recently attended the 2025 Assistive Technology Industry Association (ATIA) conference where they were able to learn about some of the latest assistive technology options and programs. IATP staff shared their expertise by providing conference sessions that highlighted the very successful impact of the Illinois Care Connections Program and the Tech Kitchen program. Information on program design, implementation, impact, and growth was shared so that the programs could be replicated in other states. Contact us for more information on these programs https://iltech.org/contact/.