The Enabling and Assistive Technology to Promote Non-Certified Housing Initiative

Initiative Description

With funding from the Developmental Disabilities Planning Council (DDPC), the Westchester Institute for Human Development (WIHD) has initiated a three-year project (4/1/2021 – 3/31/2024) that ensures the availability of enabling and/or assistive technology (ET/AT) for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The project will collaborate with four Technology-Related Assistance for Individuals with Disabilities (TRAID) Centers across New York State to support and provide ET/AT to identified project participants. These TRAID Centers include WIHD, the Center for Assistive Technology at the University at Buffalo, the Suffolk Independent Living Organization, and Southern Adirondack Independent Living Center. The TRAID Centers will be working with 3-4 individuals each after putting together an assessment tool. WIHD has also partnered with the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities to administer their SIS-A assessment tool on all the participants. The TRAID Centers will focus on identifying and providing assistive and enabling technology that can help the individuals transition into alternative housing options. This will serve as a case study that could potentially impact innumerable others in similar situations across New York State.

Lessons Learned/Replication

The Enabling and Assistive Technology to Promote Non-Certified Housing Initiative is in the beginning phases but will continue over a three-year period. A link to the project can be found below.

Year of Implementation

2021

State

New York

Initiative contact information

Melinda Dolezal
melinda.dolezal@justicecenter.ny.gov