Emily Herman, assistive technology advocate at the Superior Alliance for Independent Living, or SAIL, Disability Network, shared information about assistive technology, or AT — which can include everything from prescription label readers for those who are visually impaired, to foam grips that make grasping objects such as pencils and utensils easier — during a Jan. 15 meeting of the Marquette County Senior Providers Network.

“So what is AT? In short, I say it’s anything that can help make someone’s life easier,” Herman said. “We use cars every day to keep us independent, we use different writing aides … anything like that, that can just help your life be easier, I consider AT. Some people think it’s always shower benches and grab bars — but it’s not always the medical equipment — it’s very simple things that can help in the kitchen or the car or anything really.”

Many AT items, Herman said, can be even low-tech and relatively inexpensive — some can even be free of charge for eligible parties, such as the ScripTalk prescription reader and the iBill currency reader.

“I try to find the most low tech options that I can before exhausting those really expensive items. And then we work together to find what’s going to work best,” Herman said.

A dry erase board is used to write a list. A dry erase board can assist a with communication or can also be used for those with low vision, as writing in large, black writers on the whiteboard can be more easily visible. (Photos courtesy of LeClair Photo+Video)

AT comes in many forms, Herman said — and while it can be challenging to know exactly what form of AT could be helpful for yourself or a loved one, Herman can offer assistance with demonstrations and equipment loans through the Michigan AT Program.

“Device demonstrations are the main point of the Michigan AT program, it’s to get out into people’s homes, provide one-on-one demonstrations of devices,” Herman said.

An individual or a family member can call for an appointment on their behalf, Herman said, noting that on the call, she tries to “get an idea of what the disability is — I don’t want them to have to label it — but I want to know what barriers they’re experiencing.”

“And from that conversation, I pick devices from my 750 inventoried items to see what I have that can work for them,” Herman said.

This demonstration and trial period offers a person-centered approach to selecting AT, Herman said, as she considers a person’s goals, needs, the quality of a device, and the learning curve for using it when she recommends a particular tool.

The iBill Currency Reader, which identifies all types US bills using speech, vibration, and tone patterns for those with visual impairment, is used. (Photos courtesy of LeClair Photo+Video)

“This is about the individual, it’s never about the device, so I want to make sure that I’m meeting all of their needs,” she said.

After the demonstration, a person can borrow an item from the program for up to 90 days to see if it works for them, Herman said.

“They can borrow that device and see if it’s worth buying — does it actually work? Does it meet the need?” Herman said.

This program is helpful, Herman said, because the right AT can make a big difference in someone’s quality of life.

“I had someone in Marquette a couple months ago who borrowed a bed cane to help get in and out of her bed to help get access to her wheelchair in the morning because she can’t have it right next to the bed. So I tried the one that I have for her as a demonstration,” Herman said. “She borrowed it and then she decided to order one and kept mine until hers came in, so she was safe the entire way through. When her new one came in, I went and I set it up for her and now she’s happy as a clam that she can just do it on her own and doesn’t have to call her kids for help all the time. So little things like that, which you guys know, are really important.”

The Talking Book Player, a type of assistive technology for those who are visually impaired and/or have difficulties reading print is used by an individual. (Photos courtesy of LeClair Photo+Video)

Herman also shared examples of AT with the audience — ranging from the PenFriend 2, which can be used to create an audio-based labeling system for those with low vision; to the handy bar, which helps people get into vehicles safely; to button aides; to liquid level indicators; and an adaptor for phones that has a loud beep and a flashing light indicator to alert those with low hearing to a phone call.

Herman also shared a variety of resources to help individuals find and fund assistive technology purchase, such as the Michigan Assistive Technology Exchange, which Herman said can act as a “Craigslist” for assistive technology.

For those who may need a loan for assistive technology, Herman said the Michigan Assistive Technology Loan Fund of Michigan’s United Cerebral Palsy can help.

“This is provided through the United Cerebral Palsy of Michigan but they will cover any device that can help keep someone independent, even if it’s something as simple as a can opener .. they will even consider accessible vans, if someone’s need a lift for a van or a ramp, they will consider it too,” Herman said.

For more information on SAIL’s programming and assistive technology, call SAIL at 906-228-5744, 1-800-379-7245 or visit upsail.org.

The Michigan Assistive Technology Exchange can be accessed at: https://atxchange.org/

For information on loans for assistive technology, visit www.michiganloanfunds.org/atlf/ or https://www.ucpmichigan.org/assistivetech or call the United Cerebral Palsy of Michigan at 517-203-1200 or 800-828-2714.