West Virginia Assistive Technology - WVATS

15/08/2025

These are some steps on how employers should handle accommodations that they receive from their employers!
💙Understand legal rights for accommodations: recognize the ADA and that it requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations
💛Clarify if needed through communication: if the employer is unsure about how to help with a request, ask the employee to clarify and to understand nature of disability
💙Document all conversations: record all details of the discussion and all of the information given
💛Explore all solutions and involve HR: brainstorm all possible accommodations and make sure that HR is involved
💙Determine appropriate accommodation: consider the employee’s preferences, evaluate if accommodation is reasonable by consulting with experts, and consider if accommodation would be unreasonable
💛Application and monitoring: communicate all decisions on the accommodation, document the whole process and any changes made, provide adequate training, maintain confidentiality, and check-in with the employee to make sure the accommodation is effective

13/08/2025

☕ Deaf Coffee Chat – Hosted by WV Deaf Service Center
📍 West Huntington Branch Public Library
901 14th St W, Huntington, WV

📅 Date & Time: August 16, 2025 10 AM - 1 PM (3 hours)
👥 Public Event – Everyone Welcome

Come join us for a fun and welcoming Deaf Coffee Chat! Enjoy ASL activities, Deaf culture, games, snacks, and great conversations. All ages and ASL skill levels are encouraged to attend!

Special guest: Erik Essington, Director of WVCDHH, will be joining.

💡 While you’re here, check out the West Huntington Library! Sign up for a free library card and explore books, audiobooks, DVDs, public computers, Wi-Fi, a children’s iPad station, and more.

📞 Info: (304) 528-5697

@topfansWest Virginia Department of EducationWest Virginia Hands & VoicesWest Virginia Schools for the Deaf and the BlindASL Connect

12/08/2025

Happy Tech Tuesday! This week we’re doing a “back to school special” dedicated to items that are perfect in the classroom! Items that are described in this video are the C-Pen Reader 2, the Livescribe Smartpen, Thick Line Paper, Bouncy Bands, and the Pocketalker 2.0!


39m

11/08/2025

The WVATS Team had a blast introducing students to all kinds of assistive technology!🎉 We loved showing them tools they can use not just in their daily lives, but also during clinic time—and long after graduation. We’re here as a resource whenever they need us! ✅
Thank you to WVU CSAD for inviting us and making this event happen!

07/08/2025

Here are some steps on how employees can request accommodations from their employer!
💙Disclose your disability and identify needs: let your employer know what you have trouble with and how it affects your ability to do your job effectively
💛Suggest solutions if an accommodation doesn’t get approved: be flexible and open regarding accommodations
💙Be engaged in the process: work with your employer to discuss possible accommodations and find a solution that works for everyone
💛Document the request: keep a written record of each request and all communication with your employer
💙Application and monitoring: once the accommodation is agreed, make sure that it is applied correctly and monitor if it works for you
💛Seek further assistance if needed: if you have any difficulties, consider finding guidance from HR or the Job Accommodation Network (JAN)

05/08/2025

This week we’re talking about the Big Keys LX Keyboard⌨️ and the BIGtrack Trackball! 🖱️ Both of these items are a great alternative for people with physical, cognitive, and visual limitations that want to use a computer on their own!

04/08/2025

31/07/2025

29/07/2025

This week we’re talking about a 28-Day Electronic Medication Organizer! This helps people remain independent by managing their medication routine over 28 days.

24/07/2025

WVATS currently has 3 manual patient lifts available in our Pay It Forward program. We have taken these items as donations, cleaned them, purchased any parts needed, and now they are available for someone in need to have it for free. If you are interested in one of these lifts, please send us an email: wvats@hsc.wvu.edu or give us a call: 304-293-4692 option 1.

23/07/2025

As the federal budget appropriations process gets under way, we want to share some impactful stories directly from those who have benefitted from the Family to Family and Paths for Parents program. These services make a difference in the lives of families with children with special healthcare needs and/or disabilities.

Our Protect Disability Network Digital Toolkit features facts, sample emails and phone scripts, social media graphics and more that you can use to show your support for the WVU CED and all University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDDs) if you so choose. If the current budget proposal remains unchanged, all UCEDDs, including the WVU CED, would be eliminated.

View the toolkit: https://cedwvu.org/protect-disability-network-digital-toolkit/

“A mother came to the Paths for Parents program in desperate need of a device for her six-year-old daughter who was losing her vision. She was struggling in school and mom was seeking navigation for funding to get a device for her daughter to help with school and daily living. After I did some digging and research, I was able to help mom get connected with the Disability Rights of WV where we partnered up to find the best device for the family. While we were waiting for the funding and the device to come in, I guided her to our resource lending library where we found a device she could borrow until hers came in. It was a fast turn around and the family was thrilled.” – Parent Network Specialist



West Virginia Assistive Technology - WVATS
Center for Excellence in Disabilities at WVU

23/07/2025

As the federal budget appropriations process gets under way, here is another impactful story from the IMPACT WV program. These services make a difference in the lives of families with babies born with neonatal abstinence syndrome and/or exposed to substances in utero.

Our Protect Disability Network Digital Toolkit features facts, sample emails and phone scripts, social media graphics and more that you can use to show your support for the WVU CED and all University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDDs) if you so choose. If the current budget proposal remains unchanged, all UCEDDs, including the WVU CED, would be eliminated. View the toolkit: https://cedwvu.org/protect-disability-network-digital-toolkit/

Through the partnership between the IMPACT WV program and the Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) Follow-Up Clinic, a client was successfully enrolled in the program. With the support of the IMPACT WV Patient Navigator (PN), behavioral health needs and service gaps were identified, resulting in timely referrals to key resources at the CED, including Positive Behavior Support (PBS) and the Family to Family Health Information Center. The PN also secured three MamaRoo infant swings donated by 4moms, one of which was loaned to the family through the West Virginia Assistive Technology System (WVATS) to help promote infant sleep and soothing. Additionally, the PN facilitated ongoing collaboration with Change Inc. to address critical home repairs aimed at improving living conditions and reducing persistent respiratory issues affecting the children. This comprehensive, coordinated support illustrates the program’s impact in addressing both immediate needs and long-term family well-being.

Center for Excellence in Disabilities at WVU
West Virginia Assistive Technology - WVATS
Association of University Centers on Disabilities
WV F2F and P4P Programs