Train visually impaired individuals how to use the latest equipment available, including computers, the Internet and other state-of-the-art technologies. Also helps individuals travel safely, take public transportation on their own, and prevent falls, and injuries.

Provides information, demonstration, and referral for assistive technology devices and services in WNY. Short term equipment loans available. Technology includes toys for children with developmental delays. Service is also available to seniors who could benefit from assistive technology to maintain their independence. Medicaid Waiver program will purchase any devices necessary.

Coordinates efforts of VA professionals from various clinics and departments including eye clinic, low vision rehab, primary care, veterans benefits and others organized by the VIST coordinator to serve veterans with legal blindness, severe visual impairment and access disability. Coordinator provides case management services, prosthetic evaluations and training, adjustment to vision loss counseling, and linkage to resources and professional counseling. ##Veteran##

Services for developmentally disabled children include education, vision therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech therapy, assistive technology, adaptive equipment, wheelchair clinic, and outpatient clinic. Early Intervention provides evaluation as well as services in the home and at the Center for Learning. School Age Program provides services at the Center for Learning and community-based experiences. Summer Work Program gives students the opportunity to strengthen their skills and confidence while providing experience in the world of employment.

Provides assistive technology (AT) services including evaluations, training, consultation, and device demonstrations for individuals with disabilities of all ages, families, counselors, therapists, teachers, agencies, and other interested consumers. Training available in assistive computer software, hardware, and AT devices for individuals, schools, and adults. Also offers work site assessments and environmental control assessments. Also offers the WNY Regional TRAID Center; see separate listing for details.

Provides independent living skills, information and referral, advocacy, peer counseling, transitional services, benefits and entitlements advisement, educational advocacy, nursing home transition into the community, individual support services, Olmsted housing subsidies, and support groups for people with disabilities. Transportation available. Loan closet provides free, gently used medical equipment including wheelchairs, walkers, canes, crutches, shower benches, raised toilet seats, portable ramps, and more, based on availability.

Administers programs and services to enhance employability, maximize independence, and assist in the development of the capacities and strengths of people who are legally blind. Programs include:

Equipment Loan Fund, which allows individuals to borrow up to $4,000 to purchase adaptive equipment.

Children's services for children who are legally blind, including early intervention rehabilitation, working with and empowering parents, arranging services to supplement educational activities, and ensuring a smooth transition to adult services.

Vocational rehabilitation programs for adults and youth ages 14 to 21 years, which provide a number of services, including assessment, information and referral, casework services, job coaching, orientation and mobility training, independent living skills training, and assistive technology assistance.

Independent living services for individuals who are not eligible for vocational rehabilitation services and who are not receiving services through another NYSCB Program. These services are provided based on individual need and may include orientation and mobility services, rehabilitation teaching, low vision services and devices, social casework, and adaptive equipment.

Provides special technology for area students with physical and learning disabilities. Includes various software, courseware, and hardware to meet the multiple learning needs of people with physical, sensory, or learning limitation and disabilities.

Provides a disability-related research center that works to develop and implement initiatives promoting the inclusion of people with disabilities.

* Offers training at affiliated centers for the blind. Services include: Comparing software and devices Show new users what technology may be helpful to them Give advice on how to comply with accessibility standards Aide employers and employees on workplace accommodations Provides information on where to get training and equipment* Offers youth programs that include: NFB Youth Slam - a four-day academy engages and inspires the next generation of blind youth to consider careers in science, technology, engineering, and math NFB Scholarship program - gives a broad array of scholarships to recognize achievement by blind scholars Braille Pals Club - an early literacy program that fosters positive attitudes about Braille for children and their families and promotes a love of reading by encouraging parents to read daily with their blind or low vision child Early Explorers- designed to introduce young blind children and their families to the long white cane

* Offers training at affiliated centers for the blind. Services include:

• Comparing software and devices.
• Show new users what technology may be helpful to them.
• Give advice on how to comply with accessibility standards.
• Aide employers and employees on workplace accommodations.
• Provides information on where to get training and equipment.

* Offers youth programs that include:

• NFB Youth Slam - a four-day academy engages and inspires the next generation of blind youth to consider careers in science, technology, engineering, and math.
• NFB Scholarship program - gives a broad array of scholarships to recognize achievement by blind scholars.
• Braille Pals Club - an early literacy program that fosters positive attitudes about Braille for children and their families and promotes a love of reading by encouraging parents to read daily with their blind or low vision child.
• Early Explorers- designed to introduce young blind children and their families to the long white cane.

Provides free loans of assistive technology. Assistive technology is any device that can be used to improve the functional abilities of people with disabilities or short-term injuries. Available items include wheelchairs, walkers, Rollators, canes, crutches, ramps, grab bars, Hoyer lifts, adaptive seating, shower chairs, commodes, wander alarms, weighted items, adaptive utensils, laptops, iPads and deaf and blind/low vision technology. We also have learning aids, toys and games for early intervention, as well as pediatric equipment. Free delivery may be available.

Offers Assistive Technology Assessments for students with physical, orthopedic, communication, or learning disabilities who attend local district schools. Either individual assessments or a combination of assessments are provided. Alternative Augmentative Communication Evaluations are provided by speech language pathologists who determine the most appropriate communication method for the student. During the evaluation, the speech language pathologist identifies one or more appropriate devices that might be used. Technology Access Evaluations are provided by occupational and/or physical therapists working collaboratively with a special education teacher. The evaluation states the student's cognitive ability, readiness for computer use, and provides recommendations for the purchase of equipment and for the initial training of staff in its use. Call for more detailed information.

Assists in the identification of students in need of augmentative communication intervention services. They will conduct comprehensive augmentative communication evaluations on students presenting with severe communication impairments, provide consultation/support services for all staff working with students who utilize augmentative communication aids, techniques and strategies and conduct individual and/or small group trainings related to the use of specific augmentative communication aids, technique and strategies. The Assistive program evaluates a student's ability to access the curriculum depending on his/her disability. Evaluators collaborate with the educational team to identify software programs and/or adaptive equipment to enable the student to access the curriculum as independently as possible. They will provide training/consultations to students, staff and family in the use and implementations of the recommended adaptive equipment and/or software. Also equipment orders are placed for the component school districts upon request.

Provides assistance to older adults with computers, mobile phones and other hi-tech devices. Also keeps track of developments of in-home assisted living technology and report to members periodically.

Provides assistive technology evaluations and training for individuals, training and education for professionals, demonstrations and an on-site library. Serves people with disabilities of all ages and all ranges of disabilities with special education related services and vocation-related professionals. Serves Nassau and Suffolk Counties and the statewide area.

Provides evaluation and training of assistive technology to students and educational teams in school environments. Also offers information, referrals, device demonstrations and training to individuals with disabilities and their families, along with loaning out assistive technology equipment to children and adults.

Access and instruction on assistive technologies such as low vision reading systems, computer access software, speech recognition and voice controlled systems.

Provides multidisciplinary teams to develop a course of treatment that includes physical, occupational and speech therapy, complimented with animal-assisted therapy, chronic pain management cognitive evaluation, therapy and neurodevelopmental treatment integrated with augmentative communications and assistive technology.

Offers a broad spectrum of programs and services that are highly specialized to meet the diverse needs of students with disabilities, ages 5-21. Classes are offered in Academic and Learning Centers, as well as in a number of component district buildings. Eastern Suffolk BOCES students in included settings are provided opportunities for inclusion in general education academic classes, special subject classes, and building-wide activities while receiving support from Eastern Suffolk BOCES staff. All programs are dedicated to the ongoing enhancement of service to students with the goal of maximizing each student’s potential to achieve a productive and rewarding life. Programs are continually refined to improve our services, and new programs and services are developed based on identified need in the region. Call for detailed information regarding services and programs offered.

Train visually impaired individuals how to use the latest equipment available, including computers, the Internet and other state-of-the-art technologies. Also helps individuals travel safely, take public transportation on their own, and prevent falls, and injuries.

Offers Vision Services, including Assistive Technology and Orientation and Mobility Assessment and Training, for students attending district programs. Vision Assistive Technology Evaluations identify assistive technology devices and services that will help the student access the general curriculum and achieve academic success. Some of the technologies include screen reading software, speech output, scan-and-read systems, computer screen magnification, electronic note takers, and magnifying Closed-Circuit Televisions (CCTVs). Orientation and Mobility (O&M) is an important and integral part of the curriculum in the comprehensive delivery of services to children with visual impairments. Orientation is the process of using sensory information to establish and maintain one's position in the environment; mobility is the process of moving safely, efficiently, and gracefully within one's environment. The ultimate goal of O&M instruction is for visually impaired persons to be able to travel in any environment as independently as possible. To reach this goal, O&M instruction must begin at the earliest possible age. Call for more detailed information.

FCA's SMART Van is equipped with 4 computer stations and visits senior programs and health fairs within the Town of Hempstead with the goal of bringing technology education and access to resources to older adults within the Town of Hempstead. In partnership with local Universities, students and volunteers help seniors improve their skills and feel more comfortable with using technology. The computer stations can also be used to help seniors connect with resources and entitlement programs.

Provides clinical services to children and adults with disabilities. Provides evaluations, therapeutic intervention, and primary medical care, including audiology, dental services, nursing, mental health services, occupational, physical, and speech therapy, and assistive technology training.

Offers guidance and counseling to assist consumers who are legally blind find or retain employment. Vocational counselors work with the consumer to develop an Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE). The IPE acts as a road map to guide the consumer toward their employment goals. Goals vary, and include preparing for and finding a job, continuing at a current workplace or maintaining a household independently.