Volume 12, No. 2, Spring 2004	Previous Issues Subscribe to AT Messenger Download PDF Viewer
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DATI Launches New Website

Newsletter to follow in the Website’s electronic footsteps with email availability

Over two years in development, Delaware’s most comprehensive AT Website “went live” on March 2. Found at www.dati.org, the site has something for everyone, from AT novices to those searching for a specific device, provider, or funding tip.

The most exciting part of www.dati.org is that functionality of the site is put into the hands of its visitors. Individuals will have the luxury of personalizing the Website to their own needs. For example, a woman in Sussex County, looking to purchase an adult-sized power wheelchair with right hand controls, will be able to find out immediately if there is a used chair for sale anywhere in Delaware. At the same time, a special education teacher from the Red Clay School District will be able to locate information on a Universal Design for Learning conference scheduled for April in Dover.

A section of the site that will excite many AT Messenger readers is the online version of the Delaware Recycles AT program. The online AT Exchange provides an AT classified section for people looking to acquire, sell, or trade gently used AT equipment. Via the Website, users may post an item for sale and view items that are available. Another facet of this AT classified section allows individuals, in search of a specific device, to post their needs.

The AT Funding segment of the Website provides visitors with details about AT funding through federal and state agencies. Information on non-profit groups and community organizations that offer AT funding assistance is also outlined in this segment of the site.

Making the site even more user friendly, the AT Provider section helps users find an AT professional to assist them with evaluation of their AT needs and selection and purchase of appropriate products. Search categories for AT providers include county served as well as services provided. Practitioners are able to add their information to the DATI database, as well as update their current listing.

New to the DATI Website is an events calendar. Visitors to the site are now able to search listed events by date or keyword. Information such as online registration, available CEUs, and event location will be included (when available) with listed events. Users are invited to submit upcoming workshops, conferences, exhibits, and public awareness events for inclusion on the DATI calendar at www.dati.org/events/submit_event.php.

"Funding from the Real Choice Systems Change grant enabled us to build the Website we had always dreamed of," said Beth Mineo, Director of the DATI. “But, we are not finished. We intend to add several more features over the next year.”

The next module to come online will be a statewide inventory of AT items available for loan and demonstration at the local ATRCs. Scheduled for a spring release, this feature will provide visitors with a photo and a description of all devices available for demo or loan. Visitors can then email their local ATRC to get more information or reserve the item for trial use.

Also in the works for www.dati.org are email alerts sent directly to an interested visitor's inbox. The DATI's Breaking News Alert, which is now available, provides up-to-date information on all aspects of assistive technology, while the Exchange Alert will send an email when a specific piece of equipment is posted to the AT Exchange.

Also going high-tech is the DATI’s quarterly newsletter, The AT Messenger. To make the newsletter more accessible and to help contain costs, it will now be available on the Web in pdf, large print, plain text, and HTML formats. Delaware residents will continue to have the option of receiving a print or alternate format version of the newsletter. To continue to receive the newsletter, visit www.dati.org/subscriptions/index.html. As always, there is no subscription fee for Delaware residents.