The Nevada Assistive Technology Collaborative (NATC)

The Nevada Assistive Technology Collaborative (NATC) and community partners provide a variety of Assistive Technology (AT) services to support people to live more independently and within their communities. Supported through the Administration for Community Living (ACL) grants under the Assistive Technology Act of 1998 as amended (AT Act). Current grants 2302NVATSG (2023) & 2402NVATSG (2024). The AT Act funds the Nevada’s Aging and Disability Services Division as the lead agency which coordinates with the Collaborative Partners to provide the services.

The typical flow of services begins with a conversation, or Information and Assistance: Have a conversation about your needs and explore the options available. The next step depends on you and the need. If it’s the exploration of Assistive Technology (AT) that could lead to Device Demonstration and possibly borrowing an AT device to try it out through a Device Loan. If you are a program, agency, or organization that works for people with disabilities then perhaps you could benefit from Training and/or Technical Assistance. Rather it is introducing AT to people with disabilities or to people serving people with disabilities we likely have something that can help. The NATC and partners promote and support informed consumer decision making and working to ensure the consumer is empowered to be a decision maker. Reach out and find out what your next step is.

The Assistive Technology Act Purpose is also NATC Mission:
To improve the provision of Assistive Technology (AT) to individuals with disabilities through a comprehensive statewide continuum of integrated activities, for individuals with disabilities of all ages, that are designed to:

  • increase the availability of, funding for, access to, provision of, and training about AT devices and AT services;
  • increase the ability of individuals with disabilities of all ages to secure and maintain possession of AT devices as such individuals make the transition between services offered by educational or human service agencies or between settings of daily living (for example, between home and work);
  • increase the capacity of public agencies and private entities to provide and pay for AT devices and AT services on a statewide basis for individuals with disabilities of all ages;
  • increase the involvement of individuals with disabilities and, if appropriate, their family members, guardians, advocates, and authorized representatives, in decisions related to the provision of AT devices and AT services;
  • increase and promote coordination among State agencies, between State and local agencies, among local agencies, and between State and local agencies and private entities;
  • increase the awareness and facilitate the change of laws, regulations, policies, practices, procedures, and organizational structures, that facilitate the availability or provision of AT devices and AT services; and
  • increase awareness and knowledge of the benefits of AT devices and AT services among individuals with disabilities and their families, older individuals and their families, and the general population; and

State Level Activities and State Leadership Activities defined within the Act

State Level Activities and State Leadership Activities defined within the Act:
Under the AT Act the NATC is required to provide both State Level Activities and State Leadership Activities to fulfill the above-described purpose. The NATC strives to support all the Activities under the AT Act. It is our intent that by contacting the NATC and community partners you will be able be able to make more informed decisions on the AT that you need as well as the resources and options available to you to obtain the AT. The Act also created the Protection and Advocacy for Assistive Technology (PAAT) provided through the Nevada Disability Advocacy and Law Center (NDALC).

State Level Activities:
    • State finance systems (options for purchasing AT)
         o Financial lending
         o Last resort, state funded AT purchasing.
    • Device Reutilization and Open-Ended Loan
    • Device Demonstration programs
    • Device Loan programs
State Leadership Activities:
    • Information and Assistance
    • Training
    • Technical assistance
    • Training and Technical Assistance specific to Transition.
    • Public awareness
Protection and Advocacy for Assistive Technology (PAAT):
    • Provision of protection and advocacy systems in each State for the purpose of enabling such systems to assist in the acquisition, utilization, or maintenance of assistive technology devices or assistive technology services for individuals with disabilities.

The Nevada Assistive Technology Collaborative consists of community partners that provide and support the required services in Nevada. Explore more about these services and where to find them as follows:

    • Nevada Assistive Technology Resource Centers - University of Nevada Reno’s Center for Excellence in Disabilities (NCED): Information and Assistance, Assistive Technology Device Demonstrations, Assistive Technology Device Loans, Education, Training and Technical Assistance, and Public Awareness

    • CARE Chest of Sierra Nevada: Assistive Technology Reuse and Open-Ended lending of equipment, financial lending through the CARE Loan Fund, Last resort – Assistive Technology for Independent Living Program (AT/IL), and Public Awareness

    • Protection and Advocacy for Assistive Technology (PAAT) through the Nevada Disability and Advocacy Law Center (these services are directly funded federally and not directly connected to NATC programs)

Nevada’s Assistive Technology Resource Centers (NATRCs)

Information and assistance (I&A) activities are responses to requests for information about Assistive Technology or Assistive Technology Services.  For the purpose and to provide the person with needed information on AT products, devices, services, and/or funding sources, or providing intensive assistance to individuals about AT products, devices, services, and/or funding sources.  It is our intent that by contacting the NATC and community partners you will be able to make more informed decisions on the AT that you need as well as the resources and options available to you to obtain the AT.
 
Assistive Technology Device Demonstrations compare the features and benefits of a particular AT device or category of devices.  The purpose of a device demonstration is to enable an individual to make an informed choice.   Whenever possible, the participant should be shown a variety of devices.  Device demonstrations can be for an individual or groups to compare the features and benefits of AT device(s).  To the greatest extent possible providing hands-on, AT access with knowledgeable AT specialists.  Individuals with disabilities, family members and service providers can visit the centers or plan for off-site demonstrations.
 
Assistive Technology Device Loans:  The primary purpose of a device loans is to assist a person with informed decision making and providing the AT user the ability to try the AT in their environment.  It is also possible to obtain short-term device loans that serve as a accommodation.  The AT is loaned at no charge and the length of short-term device loans is 2 weeks, although multiple loans can be made.   Short term accommodations may be while a person is waiting for device repair or funding.  Devices can also be loaned to other entities for time-limited events such as self-education training or other personnel development activities.    
 
Education and Training activities are instructional events planned in advance for a specific purpose or audience.  Designed to increase participants' knowledge, skills, and competencies regarding AT.  Such events can be delivered to large or small groups, in-person or remotely. Examples of training include classes, workshops, and presentations that have a goal of increasing skills, knowledge, and competency, as opposed to training intended only to increase general awareness of AT.
 
Technical Assistance (TA) is a direct problem-solving service to assist programs and agencies in improving their services, management, policies and/or outcomes.  TA may be provided in person or remotely.  The following are examples of technical assistance:  needs assessment, program planning or development, curriculum or materials development, administrative or management consultation, program evaluation and site reviews of external organizations, and policy development.

 

Nevada Assistive Technology Resource Center (statewide offices)
Northern Nevada:  Phone (775)-455-4454 or Toll Free in Nevada (833)-427-1672; Address:  1755 E. Plumb Lane, Ste. 118, Reno, Nevada 89502  
 
Southern Nevada:  Phone (702)-780-4113; Address:  5550 W. Flamingo, Ste. A-4, Las Vegas, Nevada 89103
 
The Nevada Telecommunication Equipment Distribution Program can be found at NATRC.  The program provides access to telecommunication-related equipment, at no cost, that assists people who are deaf, hard of hearing and those with speech difficulties in communicating more effectively over the telephone. Email cas-telecom@unr.edu or check out https://www.unr.edu/nced/projects/ntedp 

Reutilization: Refurbish, Repair and Reuse of Assistive Technology CARE Chest of Sierra Nevada

Device Reutilization and open-ended lending is where gently used equipment or new equipment is accepted (usually by donation). The equipment is sanitized, and refurbished as needed, and then reassigned to a new owner via an open-ended loan. Meaning as long as the person needs the use of it.

NATC community partner CARE Chest of Sierra Nevada has maintained a robust equipment-reuse program for over 30 years in northern Nevada. Gently used durable medical equipment and other types of assistive technology are inspected, perhaps minor repairs, and sanitized before being offered to use by people in need in our community. The reuse programs provide access to wheelchairs, shower chairs, walkers, canes and much more. Equipment is sanitized using the best of equipment and care. What is available is only dependent on what has been donated and is capable of being used by someone else. CARE Chest has recently expanded statewide with a Las Vegas presence. NATC and CARE Chest are proud to be supporting the reutilizations of assistive technology statewide. CARE Chest also provides many other types of services in northern Nevada.

CARE Chest Medical Equipment Program
https://www.carechest.org/programs; https://www.facebook.com/carechest

Northern Nevada: 7910 N Virginia St., Reno, NV 89506
Phone: (775) 829-2273
Fax: (775) 829-8745

Southern Nevada: 3080 West Post Rd., Las Vegas, NV 89118
Phone: (toll free) 1-866-206-5242

Also, in the Las Vegas area and a foundation with programs that reuse and provide durable medical equipment: The Foundation Assisting Seniors in southern Nevada loans equipment to seniors such as wheelchairs, walkers, shower benches/chairs, and electrical mobility devices if they have them available. To reach them call 725-244-4200 or go to http://foundationassistingseniors.org/.

State Financing Activities CARE Chest of Sierra Nevada

 Nevada has two programs that fall under State Financing Activities:

First, Nevada offers a statewide financial loan program through the CARE Loan Fund Program which is the states alternative finance program. CARE Loan exists as a resource for people with disabilities to purchase AT. The loan program is coordination between CARE Chest of Sierra Nevada and one banking institution. The loans are offered at lower interest rates and often for more years than a typical bank loan, thus making the loans more affordable. CARE Chest is also capable of making micro loans directly for lower cost AT.

Second, the Assistive Technology for Independent Living program (AT/IL). The program provides supports for development of Independent Living goals and with state funding resources the program can provide AT to support a person’s choice to live in a community setting. AT/IL assists with defining your goals and identifying the AT options and resources. Where resources do not exist resources can be used to obtain the appropriate durable medical equipment, home, and vehicle modifications needed in support of community living and where services are not available through other funding sources such as personal resources, Medicaid/Medicare, insurance, Vocational Rehabilitation or school districts.

CARE Loan Fund Program (Statewide)
Eunice Hylin
CARE Chest of Sierra Nevada:
7910 N Virginia St.
Reno, NV 89506
Phone: (775) 829-2273
Fax: (775) 829-8745
Email: ehylin@carechest.com
https://www.facebook.com/carechest
https://www.carechest.org/

Assistive Technology for Independent Living Programs (Statewide):

Northern Nevada; CARE Chest of Sierra Nevada:
7910 N. Virginia St. Reno, NV 89506
Main Office: (775) 829-2273 Ext 105
Toll Free: (866) 206-5242
Email: mmarberry@CAREChest.com

Southern Nevada; CARE Chest of Sierra Nevada:
3080 W. Post Rd. Las Vegas, NV 89118
Toll Free: (866) 206-5242
Email: ilprogram@carechest.com

Protection and Advocacy for Assistive Technology (PAAT)

The Nevada Disability Advocacy and Law Center (NDALC) is the PAAT lead agency.  The PAAT’s were created for the protection and advocacy systems in each State for the purpose of enabling such systems to assist in the acquisition, utilization, or maintenance of assistive technology devices or assistive technology services for individuals with disabilities.  This program is for individuals with disabilities seeking Assistive Technology (devices or systems used to improve or maintain the capabilities of persons with disabilities). Designed to promote the provision of assistive technology and services through systemic reform, PAAT has the authority to negotiate compliance with federal law. Administered by Administration for Community Living and the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services.

  • Conducting consumer-responsive activities, including activities that will lead to increased access, for individuals with disabilities, to funding for assistive technology devices and assistive technology services;
  • Engaging in informal advocacy to assist in securing assistive technology devices and assistive technology services for individuals with disabilities;
  • Engaging in formal representation for individuals with disabilities to secure systems change, and in advocacy activities to secure assistive technology devices and assistive technology services for individuals with disabilities;
  • Developing and implementing strategies to enhance the long-term abilities of individuals with disabilities and their family members, guardians, advocates, and authorized representatives to advocate the provision of assistive technology devices and assistive technology services to which the individuals with disabilities are entitled under law other than this Act;
  • Coordinating activities with protection and advocacy services funded through sources other than this Act, and coordinating activities with the capacity building and advocacy activities carried out by the lead agency; and
  • To improve the awareness of individuals with disabilities about the accessibility of assistive technology and assist such individuals in the acquisition, utilization, or maintenance of assistive technology devices or assistive technology services.

Elko:
Main Office: (775) 777-1590
Toll Free: (800) 992-5715
Nevada Relay:  711
Email: elko@ndalc.org

Las Vegas:
Main Office: (702) 257-8150
Toll Free: (800) 992-5715
Nevada Relay:  711
Email: lasvegas@ndalc.org

Reno:
Main Office: (775) 333-7878
Toll Free: (800) 992-5715
Nevada Relay:  711
Email: reno@ndalc.org