An older white woman with short brown hair and a light green shirt is using a black and yellow reacher to grab a glass jar from a white countertop. She is sitting in an electric wheelchair in front of an L-shaped arrangment of cabinets in a kitchen. A white ceramic mixing bowl sits in the corner of the counter atop a wooden cutting board and beside a pair of adaptive forks with bulky black plastic handles. Another woman is standing between her wheelchair and the stove with her right arm resting on the seat back. In the background, a counter-height oven is set into a taller bank of cabinets.

Assistive Technology & Equipment

OSCIL works with individuals with disability to provide devices that will help them to live independently.

What is Assistive Technology?

Many people with disabilities face barriers in their home or daily life that prevent them from living independently, but there are often tools or devices that will help them overcome these barriers. These types of tools and devices are called assistive technology.

Some common kinds of assistive technology and equipment—like walkers, wheelchairs, and eyeglasses—are often covered by health insurance, but many other useful devices are not. A shower bench may make it safe for someone with poor balance to bathe without assistance, or a reacher can allow someone in a wheelchair to pick items up off the floor. A person with Parkinson's disease can use a special spoon that stays level to prevent spills even while their hand shakes. All of these could be important tools for independence in the home, but health insurance may not cover any of them.

Various adaptive tools and pieces of assistive technology are arranged on a table that is covered with a blue tablecloth. Multiple operate displays of brochures and flyers are arranged along the back edge of the table.

Assistive technology also includes more sophisticated devices and software, like a refreshable braille device to display digital content to people who are blind or deafblind, and special software that allows a person to control their computer with their voice or eyes.

How Can I Get Assistive Technology?

Contact OSCIL to learn more about our many assistive technology programs, including Smart Home Technology and the Equipment Loan Program. We can also help you determine if insurance or another source will pay for the equipment or device you need, and provide resources or assistance to start that process.

For some types of assistive technology we may refer you to one of our ATAP partners that has more experience with the type of solution you need.

Please be aware that some assistive technology programs have income limits and/or financial criteria to qualify.

ATAP: Assistive Technology Access Partnership

OSCIL is one of four members of the Assistive Technology Access Partnership (ATAP) program in Rhode Island. Each member has a targeted assistive technology focus, working together to improve access to and the variety of assistive technology for individuals with disabilities. ATAP's mission revolves around device demonstration and training, public awareness, and providing information and assistance to obtain assistive devices. ATAP also facilitates device reutilization and loan programs through all four partner organizations.

Our three partners in ATAP are:

Request Assistive Technology Services!

Contact the Ocean State Center for Independent Living (OSCIL) for more information about our Assistive Technology programs. You can also complete our contact form.

Warwick, RI 02889

Pawtucket, RI 02860