Current Projects

Assistive Technology Exchange Post

The Assistive Technology Exchange Post facilitates assistive technology device exchanges. North Carolinians may either list devices for sale on the Exchange Post or may post devices they need. Anyone may browse the Exchange Post but registration is required to access contact information for persons with listings. Once registered, individuals who are interested in an item can contact the current owner about acquiring the device. The Exchange Post is web-based and primarily available via the Internet at www.pat.org. The Assistive Technology Exchange Post offers many features making AT equipment exchange efficient for both buyers and sellers.

Assistive Technology Expo

The Expo addresses interests of people with disabilities and their family members, educators, health care professionals and other professionals providing services to persons with disabilities. This annual conference is held each Fall with events that include:

The Opening Session includes the keynote address and the presentation of the Stephen E. Sallee Award of Excellence.
Concurrent sessions on assistive technology topics are offered the afternoon of Day 1 and all of Day 2.
An Exhibit Hall is held on the first day of the Expo and includes assistive technology vendor exhibits, disability program resource tables, and information tables with printed materials on assistive technology products. Auctions, with proceeds going to the Expo Scholarship Fund are also held in the Exhibit Hall.

NC Disability Action Network

The NC Council on Developmental Disabilities sponsors the NC Disability Action Network. Partnerships in Assistive Technology serves as the fiscal agent for this project.

North Carolina ADA Network

This project is a collaborative effort of Partnerships in Assistive Technology and the NC Council on Developmental Disabilities. It is funded by both the Southeast Disability & Business Technical Assistance Center’s (DBTAC) and the NC Council on Developmental Disabilities. The project seeks to promote voluntary compliance with the ADA in local communities via dissemination of ADA materials, technical assistance, training, public awareness and capacity building activities conducted by local affiliates in the Network.

Assistive Technology Consortium

The North Carolina Assistive Technology Consortium’s mission is to establish integrated, responsive and accessible assistive technology services and supports that empower all people with disabilities and their families to achieve full community participation. The Consortium is made up of organizations that are interested in assistive technology. PAT sponsors this effort.

Check It Out Database and Equipment Loan Network

The NC Assistive Technology Program and the Assistive Technology Resource Centers (ATRCs) have common data collection needs and share a database. PAT works with the two entities to identify needed updates to the database and is then responsible for having these updates made. Database training is coordinated and provided by PAT as are other activities associated with the database.

Southeast Disability and Business Technical Assistance Center

The Southeast Disability and Business Technical Assistance Center (DBTAC) covers eight southeast states with the mission of promoting voluntary compliance with the ADA. PAT serves on the Southeast DBTAC Executive Leadership Council representing assistive technology issues.

Recent Projects

Adaptive Fishing Project

Partnerships in Assistive Technology and the NC Wildlife Resources Commission collaborate on this project. Adaptive fishing tackle is placed in existing fishing tackle loaner sites throughout the state. The Wildlife Resources Commission & the local recreation provider supply the adaptive fishing equipment. PAT provides training to recreation providers and to consumers. Adaptive fishing tackle is available for loan in the following locations:

River Park North in Greenville
Lake Rim in Fayetteville
San-Lee Park in Sanford
Big Elkin Creek in Elkin
Harris Lake in Wake County
Charlotte/Mecklenburg County

“Bridges To Employment” Conference

Partnerships in Assistive Technology and the NC Assistive Technology Program provided an assistive technology “drop-in” room for participants at this conference. The conference was organized by the World Institute on Disability's National Technical Assistance Center, Proyecto Visión, attracted more than 150 participants from around the country and was held in Raleigh on June 1-3. It was the first event in the region that joined the Latino, disability and business communities to help connect Latinos with disabilities to employment.