Office of Aging and Disability Services Virtual Listening Session to Access Technology for Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities 

Jul 18, 2022

The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Office of Aging and Disability Services (OADS) is hosting a virtual listening session to gather input on Supporting Access to Technology by Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD). The Department will provide grant opportunities for individuals to obtain Assistive Technology Professional (ATP) certification to increase the number of professionals who conduct Assistive Technology Assessments (waiver service) in Sections 21 and 29. 

The emergence of both generic smart home and disability-specific assistive technologies has resulted in unprecedented opportunities for individuals with IDD to live more independently and to participate more fully in their communities. Unfortunately, many individuals with IDD, their family members, and providers remain unaware of the opportunities that these technologies offer, how to obtain those technologies, and how they might be integrated to meet individual needs. Waiver funding for assistive technology is available for Maine adults with IDD, but only after individuals have received an assistive technology evaluation.   

The Department is working to create a cohort of individuals trained to provide Assistive Technology (AT) assessments. Cohort members will be able to continue providing assessments using existing Waiver funding after this project has ended. The majority of funding for the online technology resource site will be used to create and populate the website. Ongoing participation in the Maine Cite AT Consortium will allow cohort members to obtain up-to-date information on AT and assessment. The Department will be seeking funds to maintain the website after the project has ended.  

Listening Session Date and Time: 

July 20, 2022 

11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. 

All are welcome to attend. To register, please use the link below. Interpreter services are available during the listening session. Written comments may also be submitted to Scott Carter until Friday, August 5, 2022. 

Please register in advance for this meeting via Zoom. 

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.