How to Contact MPAS
Call Michigan Protection Advocacy Service, Inc. at 800.288.5923 (voice), 517.374.4687 (TTY), or contact
us through our website at www.mpas.org. There is no charge for the services we offer and all contacts are confidential.
MPAS has experience in addressing problems related to discrimination in education and employment and discrimination in housing and access to public places. We may also be able to provide assistance regarding abuse and neglect, vocational rehabilitation, Medicaid and Medicare eligibility, Social Security overpayment, Community Mental Health, guardianship, institutional rights and voting accessibility.
The Protection and Advocacy for Assistive Technology program (PAAT) resides within MPAS.
Protection and Advocacy for Assistive Technology (PAAT) is a federally funded program under the Assistive Technology Act of 1998, as amended.
Total Copies: 3,000 Total Cost: $366.19 Cost per unit: $.12
Revised 6/18/15
Protection and Advocacy
for
Assistive
Technology
4095 Legacy Parkway, Suite 500
Lansing, Michigan 48911-4263
517.487.1755 or 800.288.5923
517.374.4687 (TTY)
Fax 517.487.0827
www.mpas.org
What is Assistive Technology?
Assistive technology (AT) is any device or service designed to increase, maintain, or improve the functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities.
Examples of assistive technology devices include:
· Aids for daily living: shower bench, dressing stick, weighted drinking glass, bed rail, door knob extension
· Mobility aids: wheelchair, walker, cane, patient lift, chair lift, clutch, scooter, stair elevator, van/car modifications
· Environmental aids: systems that control electronic devices through switch or voice access
· Recreational aids: closed captioning movies or TV, bowling balls with hand grips, one-handed fishing reels, lightweight sports wheelchairs
· Communication aids: augmentative and alternative communication devices, electronic and manual communication boards, speech generating devices, phone communication devices, assistive listening devices, visual/listening aids
· Seating and position aids: seats that enable control of head and limbs, while allowing for freedom and development; modifications to wheelchairs and other seating that give greater stability to the body and reduction of pressure to the skin; modular seating; seat lifts; wheelchair cushions
· Transportation aids: auto hand controls, van lifts
· Educational aids: screen readers, input/output devices, modified keyboards, computer (speech recognition) software
· Computer use and control aids: electronic pointing devices, sip and puff systems, wands and sticks, joysticks, trackballs, touch screens, TTY/TDD conversion modems
An assistive technology service is any service that directly assists an individual with a disability in the selection, acquisition, or use of an assistive technology device.
Assistive technology services include:
· Assessment and evaluation
· Informational services
· Personal assistant services
· Coordinating assistive technology with other appropriate services
· Customizing, adapting, or fitting assistive technology
· Training for using and/or maintaining assistive technology
MPAS Services and Assistive Technology
· Information on specific funding sources and legal rights
· Referrals to appropriate agencies or private attorneys
· Technical assistance on requesting assistive technology devices and services
· Direct representation provided on priority cases by an advocate or attorney