Linking Consumers with AT

A grant to the New Mexico Technology Assistance Program has resulted in the formation of the Consumer Assistive Technology Transfer Network. The network facilitates connections between consumers with AT needs and the technologies or services that might address those needs. For example, let's say you are looking for a device that would allow you to control a vacuum cleaner remotely. After you have shared your needs with CATN, your request will be broadcast widely: to the DATI's counterpart projects in the other states and territories, to the federal Rehabilitation Engineering Research Centers, to product manufacturers and vendors, and to the federal labs operated by NASA, the Veterans Administration, and many other federal agencies. When potential solutions have been located, these will be communicated back to you.

Obviously, this is a tremendously powerful approach to the location of needed technologies. It has another benefit as well: if there are repeated requests for AT that simply does not yet exist, the market interest may entice product developers to respond to the demand.

The use of the Internet is central to the CATN particularly because of Internet's accessibility capabilities for persons with disabilities. The coordination of communication through CATN's Internet activities is expected to facilitate the effective and efficient turn-around of information. For more information, contact:

Bill Newroe
Consumer Assistive Technology Transfer
Network
E-mail: CATN@rt66.com
URL: http://www.rt66.com/catn.org
Mail: 211 W. Water St. #209; Sante Fe,
NM 87505
Phone: New Mexico Technology Assistance
Program 800-866-2253 (v/tdd) or
505-989-9408 (v); 989-9409 (fax)