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REUSE HHooww CCaann WWee IImmpprroovvee AATT RReeuussee?? BByy ssuuppppoorrttiinngg pprrooggrraammss aatt tthhee nnaattiioonnaall,, ssttaattee aanndd llooccaall lleevveellss,, OOSSEERRSS wwaannttss ttoo eennssuurree aann eeffffiicciieenntt aanndd eeffffeeccttiivvee ssyysstteemm ffoorr ggeettttiinngg YOUR uusseedd AATT iinnttoo tthhee hhaannddss ooff tthhoossee wwhhoo nneeeedd iitt.. TThhee PPaassss IItt OOnn CCeenntteerr iiss wwoorrkkiinngg aatt tthhee nnaattiioonnaall lleevveell ttoo iimmpprroovvee pprroommoottiioonn,, ccoooorrddiinnaattiioonn aanndd nneettwwoorrkkiinngg.. FFoorr mmoorree iinnffoorrmmaattiioonn aabboouutt oorr aassssiissttaannccee wwiitthh AATT rreeuussee,, ccoonnttaacctt:: AT PPaassss IItt OOnn CCeenntteerr cc//oo GGeeoorrggiiaa DDeeppaarrttmmeenntt ooff LLaabboorr,, TToooollss ffoorr LLiiffee 11770000 CCeennttuurryy CCiirrccllee,, SSuuiittee 330000 AAttllaannttaa,, GGAA 3300334455--33002200 11--880000--449977--88666655 wwwwww..ppaassssiittoonncceenntteerr..oorrgg//ccoonnttaacctt..sshhttmmll R e u s e o f a s s i s t i v e t e c h n o l o g y m a k e s c o m m o n s e n s e . NN SS RR AA TT AATTIIOONNAALL UUPPPPOORRTT FFOORR TTHHEE EEUUSSEE OOFF SSSSIISSTTIIVVEE EECCHHNNOOLLOOGGYY What Is AT Reuse? Why Reuse AT? For many people with disabilities, assistive technology (AT) is an Reuse of assistive technology makes common sense. essential support to daily living. A person may depend on a wheelchair, Many people can’t get the AT they need because they can’t afford new walker, special computer keyboard, speech generating device or other devices and can't get funding from private insurance or federal, state or AT device at home, at school or at work. Finding ways to make AT more local sources. People in need of AT may turn to AT reuse programs available is something with which few could argue. because these programs often do not have eligibility requirements. In Over many years, the U.S. Department of Education's Office of addition, used AT is generally more affordable, if not free. Others may Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) choose used AT because they do not want to invest in new has supported research in assistive technology, as devices if they will be needed for only a short time. well as making AT more available to people with AT reuse also benefits those giving away the disabilities. More recently, OSERS has supported a AT. Passing on used devices means no number of activities to encourage and support AT reuse longer needing to store them and sparing under the Assistive Technology Act. OSERS is now taking the environment the impact of throwing the lead on a national level to promote and encourage AT them away. In addition, those who donate reuse through grants to state agencies, non-profit AT know they are helping people in need. organizations and other entities to support AT reuse. OSERS also is funding a national coordination center, The Pass It On Who Is Involved in AT Reuse? Center, to provide technical assistance and networking opportunities Hundreds of organizations around the country, large and for state agencies and other entities that are awarded grants to support small, are involved in AT reuse. From state agencies, to AT reuse (see www.passitoncenter.org for more information). nonprofits, to hospitals, to churches, there are AT reuse programs Reuse of AT is emerging as one of the ways to make AT more available. in all parts of the country that meet all kinds of needs. To the extent that AT reuse is practiced today, it is generally done through: Under the Assistive Technology Act, the Rehabilitation Services (cid:52)Device exchange programs in which a “seller” and a “buyer” are Administration component of OSERS funds a statewide AT connected directly with each other, as with classified ads; or program in each of the 50 states and six territories, and the (cid:52)Device reassignment programs in which an organization majority of these programs support AT device reuse activities. To accepts, sanitizes, repairs and stores donated AT items until new find the program in your state, visit the following Web site: owners are found. www.passitoncenter.org/locations.shtml