Disability Topics
Assistive technology
SEE ALSO: Accessibility Braille Technical assistance
Assistive Technology Manual
Workforce Center System
Employment and Economic Development Department
Universal design requires that services and systems be equitable and flexible in use in order to accommodate a wide range of physical, perceptual, and cognitive abilities as well as diverse communication and cultural needs.
Captioning
Human Services Department
Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services Division
Captions are words displayed on a television screen that describe the audio or sound portion of a program. Captions allow viewers who are deaf or hard of hearing to follow the dialogue and the action of a program simultaneously. They can also provide information about who is speaking or about sound effects that may be important to understanding a news story, a political event or the plot of a program.
Cochlear Implants
Human Services Department
Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services Division
A cochlear implant is a surgically implanted artificial inner ear or cochlea. The implant uses a thin metal coil to electronically stimulate the hearing nerve, bypassing a damaged or deformed cochlea. In contrast, a hearing aid simply amplifies sound and sends it through the malfunctioning cochlea to the hearing nerve. In many cases an implant will provide an improvement in the use of sound far beyond what a hearing aid can provide, but implants do not restore normal hearing.
Communication Center, State Services for the Blind
Blind State Services
The Communication Center, part of State Services for the Blind, provides blind, visually impaired, learning disabled and physically disabled individuals with access to print materials to meet their educational, vocational, self-sufficiency and recreational needs.
Deaf and Hard of Hearing Assistive Technology
Human Services Department
Assistive listening devices include a large variety of devices designed to improve audibility in specific listening situations.
DeafBlind Technical Assistance Project
Education Department
The Minnesota DeafBlind Technical Assistance Project provides technical assistance which supports Minnesota children and youth, birth to 21 years, who have BOTH a vision and hearing impairment.
Directory of Funding Resources for Assistive Technology in Minnesota
STAR Program
This directory, produced by the Minnesota STAR Program, identifies statewide and national resources that provide funding for or loans of assistive technology.
Insurance Complaints
Commerce Department
If you are in a dispute with an insurance company or insurance agent in Minnesota and have been unable to resolve it to your satisfaction, the Minnesota Department of Commerce may be able to help. This includes complaints related to hearing aid devices and other assistive technologies.
Minnesota Assistive Technology Loan Network
STAR Program
Minnesota Assistive Technology Loan Network (MATLN), a program of United Cerebral Palsy of Minnesota. The MATLN mission is to empower people with speech, language and communication disabilities through the use of assistive technology education, support and equipment access.
Minnesota Assistive Technology Manual
Education Department
The Minnesota Assistive Technology Manual provides information on legal statute and best practices for consideration and evaluation of assistive technology in special education.
Minnesota Relay
Commerce Department
Minnesota Relay provides telecommunications access for Minnesotans who are deaf, hard-of-hearing, speech impaired, deafblind, or mobility impaired. With the use of specially trained communication assistants (CAs) and specialized equipment, Minnesotans who are deaf, hard-of-hearing or speech disabled can communicate with users of standard telephones. Either party can initiate calls through Minnesota Relay.
Radio Talking Book
Blind State Services
The purpose of the Radio Talking Book is to provide current newspapers, magazines and the latest best selling books at the same time that they are available to the print reading public. Materials chosen reflect the broad spectrum of interests and information currently available to all consumers. The Radio Talking Book provides these materials in an unabridged form. Programs are heard on closed-circuit radio receivers loaned, free of charge, to eligible listeners.
Sources of Aids and Devices
Blind State Services
A list of local and national sources of aids and devices for blind, low vision, and deafblind.
Special Education Assistive Technology
Education Department
The Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) supports a variety of Assistive Technology (AT) initiatives designed to help ensure students with disabilities have access to appropriate assistive technology and receive a free, appropriate public education.
Speech-Language Pathologist Complaint Form
Health Department
The Commissioner of Health has the authority to investigate complaints and discipline Speech-Language Pathologists who provide services in an incompetent or negligent manner or who are not properly licensed to practice in the State of Minnesota.
STAR Program
Administration Department
STAR Program
A System of Technology to Achieve Results (STAR) is located within the Minnesota Department of Administration. STAR's mission is to help ALL MINNESOTANS with disabilities gain access to and acquire the assistive technology they need to live, learn, work and play.
State Council on Disability
Disability, State Council
The Minnesota State Council on Disability advises, provides technical assistance, collaborates and advocates to expand opportunities, improve the quality of life, and empower all persons with disabilities.
Telephone Equipment Distribution Program
Human Services Department
The Telephone Equipment Distribution (TED) Program provides telephone equipment to people who are deaf, hard of hearing, deafblind, speech impaired or have a physical disability and need adaptive equipment in order to use the phone. The equipment is loaned out at no cost as a long-term loan.
Telephone Service Discount Programs
Public Utilities Commission
Minnesota local service providers are authorized to provide discount programs designed to promote universal service by providing low-income individuals with new telephone service installations and monthly telephone service discounts. Additional programs are available for qualifying persons on a reservation.
Vision Loss Products
Employment and Economic Development Department
Blind State Services
There are many resources and strategies that can help you make daily living easier and less frustrating.
