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The Virginia Assistive Technology System (VATS) is a project committed to improving the quality of life for all Virginians by increasing awareness and accessibility to assistive technology. Through a variety of consumer driven activities and programs, information and technical assistance are provided on devices, services and funding resources. In partnership with consumers, employers, educators, public and private agencies, VATS strives to bring about change in practice, policies, and laws to improve access to assistive technology. Assistive technology includes:
Other Regional Sites In addition to the VATS-SE regional site, VATS has a central office in Richmond and two additional regional sites that provide local contact points throughout Virginia for information and resources across designated regions. These regional sites provide training, public awareness, and general technical assistance for consumers in need of assistive technology. To contact these sites: VATS Central office in Richmond: Website: www.vats.org. Phones: (804) 662-9990 (local voice and text), (800) 552-5019 or (800) 435-8490 (both lines are toll-free voice and text). VATS-North regional site in is located at the Helen A. Kellar Institute for Human disAbilities at George Mason University, Fairfax, VA: Phone: (703) 993-3670 (local voice and text telephone) or (800) 333-7958 (toll-free voice and text), by email at vatsn@gmu.edu/ VATS Southwest regional site is at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg: Phones: ((540) 231-0976 and FAX: (540) 231-9075. Website: http://www.swvats.atc.vt.edu/
Last Updated on Monday, February 27, 2012 |
VATS-SE is
operated as one of the services provided by the Education for Employment Improvement
Project, an initiative of the Department of STEM Education and Professional Studies at Old
Dominion University. Call and let us help you make with your questions about assistive technology! We are here to help you find the right “gadget” that will assist you to a more independent life. While we do not sell the items, we will guide you to appropriate technology and help you “test drive” some of our technology so you can make an informed buying decision. Services We Provide
Demonstration Lab We have an assistive technology demonstration lab with a variety of helpful computer hardware and software for different disabilities. There are adaptive keyboards, talking programs and mice to help with accessing the computer. We have lots of valuable information to assist in finding items.Visits are free. Call our office to set up an appointment. Our phone number is 757-683-3639). AT Training Under a contract issued to the VATS-SE, the Virginia Department of Rehabilitative Services has allocated funds to provide training to DRS clients for specific assistive technology devices and software. This training is provided at no coast to DRS clients if approved and recommended by their DRS counselor. Upon receiving this approval from DRS, the VATS-SE staff will contact the client and make the arrangements for the training. VATS-SE limits its training to AT devices and software listed on the Request for DRS Client Training form. Other items must be coordinated with the VATS Coordinator prior to sending in the form to ensure that our trainer can adequately provide that training. VATS-SE will only provide this free training to those recommended by DRS. Others may receive training but they will have to pay for it. Say YES to College Enrollment in
postsecondary education is steadily increasing for students with disabilities. Yet many students are not adequately prepared to
deal with the academic and social demands of this environment. Say YES to College is designed to ease the transition from
high school to college. Each summer, VATS-SE, in collaboration with the Training and
Technical Assistance Centers (T/TACs) at Old Dominion University and The College of
William and Mary, Virginia Department of Rehabilitative Services (DRS), Children’s
Hospital of the King’s Daughters, and local community colleges and universities
conduct this overnight experience. Participants
will:
Students with
disabilities who are interested in completing two- or four- year college degrees are
invited to apply. Applicants must be current high school sophomores, juniors, or seniors
pursuing Advanced Studies, Standard, or Modified Standard Diplomas, or students of high
school age seeking GEDs. |
Joann Ervin VATS CoordinatorDavid L. Netherton Director, VATS-SE Sharon Davis Office:
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