Illinois Early Learning Visits the Illinois Assistive Technology Program

Staff members from Illinois Early Learning (IEL) regularly attend early childhood conferences throughout the state of Illinois to exhibit materials and resources.  During those events, we get a chance to meet other exhibitors. At recent conferences, the Illinois Assistive Technology Program (IATP) caught our attention, and we wanted to learn more about their mission and services.  On February 4, 2026, IEL staff members Emily Dorsey (Principal Investigator and Project Director) and Natalie Danner (Visiting Early Childhood Content and Engagement Coordinator) took a field trip to their headquarters.  Robin Richard, IATP’s Demonstration Center Coordinator, gave us a tour. IATP’s scope of work is too broad to capture here, but in this blog, we’ll highlight a few key aspects of their program. 

Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)

IATP has an impressive collection of Augmentative and Alternative (AAC) devices, with Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs) facilitating their use.  There are many different forms of AAC available for young children. One of those includes iPads that can be programmed with voice output to provide communication options for all individuals, regardless of age.  IATP staff work with early intervention and early childhood special education programs on:

• assessing a child for communication needs
• selecting an appropriate device for the child to trial
• facilitating communication between the treating Speech-Language Pathologist and regional device representative for further funding options if the device trialed is deemed appropriate for long-term use.
• ensuring that the child and caregivers know how to use the device correctly

During our tour, we saw a variety of AAC options, ranging from Lite-tech (e.g., inexpensive, no mechanics involved) to High-tech (e.g., expensive language processors with a variety of voice output options).  Chrissy Harth, one of IATP’s Speech-Language Pathologist/AAC Evaluators, addressed all of our questions. She was knowledgeable, patient, and provided easy-to-understand explanations of different AAC options. 

Exploring Devices

IATP has many ways for people to explore assistive technology options to find what works for them. 

Demonstration Center

There is a large demonstration center at the IATP office. Visitors can explore a variety of devices and learn how they work.  Just a few of the many examples are bed-shaking alarms for individuals with hearing loss, eye gaze tracking devices for communication, board game adapted with Braille or tactile elements, clothing adapted for medical equipment, and noise cancelling headphones. If an Illinois resident is unable to travel to IATP, demonstrations can occur in their home. 

Device Loan and Reuse

Individuals in need of a device can borrow one from IATP’s extensive library.  These loans are ideal for trying out a device to see if it is good fit for a person’s needs.  Loans are also helpful when a person’s regular equipment is out for repair. IATP’s device loan program is free and easy to use. All device loans are for 6 weeks unless otherwise specified. The only cost the borrower will incur is the return shipment.

IATP also has a reuse program.  It accepts gently used and new assistive technology and durable medical equipment from donors, such as a family whose child has outgrown an adapted chair or brace. Individuals can borrow this equipment for as long as they are able to use it, before returning it to IATP. 

Smart Home

A highlight of our IATP tour was the smart home.  We could have spent hours exploring it! It includes several rooms that would be found in a typical home (e.g., living room, kitchen, bathroom, and bedroom). Each room includes numerous devices that would make a home more accessible to a person with specific needs.  Here are just few examples. 

• Living room – voice controlled lights and television 
• Kitchen – appliances and utensils that can be operated with one hand or a switch 
• Bathroom – automated toothpaste and soap dispensers
• Bedroom –Hospital bed with an overhead lift and dressing aids

Makers

As described in the first sections of this blog, IATP keeps a large collection of devices for demonstration and/or loaning out to users.  Sometimes, the best way to meet a person’s needs is to create an item for them.  This is where the IATP Makers initiative comes into play.  Nic Birky, one of the engineers on staff, gave us a guided tour of the Makers area.  We learned that Illinois residents can make a request for a specific item (such as a 3D printed handle to fit a device they use), or they can describe a problem to IATP, who will help think of the solution and build what is needed (such as long handled cooking utensils for a person with limb differences).  

The Illinois Assistive Technology Program is a tremendous asset to Illinois residents. We encourage IEL readers to learn more by exploring their website and offerings.