The U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) has an agreement with the Department of Defense (DOD) Computer/Electronic Accommodations Program (CAP) to provide free assistive technology hardware, software, associated upgrades or related training to DOI employees.  In order to qualify for computer assistive technology, employees should have a medical condition that can be accommodated by one or more of the technologies that CAP covers.  If employees are not familiar with a technology that may suit their needs, they must have a needs assessment performed by the DOI Accessible Technology Center, or an outside organization hired by CAP, to evaluate the appropriate equipment needed to help perform their jobs.  Once the assessment phase has been completed, CAP may provide the accessible accommodation at no cost to DOI or the employee.

The following is a list of some of the available assistive technology accommodations and services.

Blind/Low Vision

• Screen readers
  
• Closed Circuit Television Cameras (CCTV) and text enlargement software
  
• Scanners
  
• Braille displays and embossers
  
• Portable note takers

Deaf and Hard of Hearing

• Teletypewriters (TTYs), PC-TTYs, networked TTYs
  
• Closed captioning decoders for TVs
  
• Closed captioning encoders to provide captioning
  
• Video communication devices for video relay services
  
• Amplified telephone equipment and assistive listening devices
  
• Telephone signaling devices

Dexterity (a doctor's note with medical diagnosis is required)

• Speech recognition software
  
• Ergonomic equipment such as alternative mice and keyboards for individuals
  with repetitive strain injuries (a doctor's note with a diagnosis is required)
  
• Alternative keyboards and pointing devices
  
• Headsets and microphones

Cognitive

• Word prediction software
  
• Software for individuals with learning disabilities

Additional CAP Services

• A computer or laptop to those employees with disabilities with a teleworking agreement Installation of hardware/software
  
• Upgrades of existing hardware/software/equipment to the most recent version; provide serial number for upgrades
  
• Training on how to use assistive technologies (hardware and software)

CAP does not provide:

• furniture including chairs
  
• building accessibility
  
• pagers for the deaf
  
• large screen monitors

Assistive technologies are also available to accommodate Human Resources, training, security, libraries, and Equal Employment Opportunity Offices, respectively, for members of the public to contact the agency.  DOD CAP approved accommodations are only for federal employees. 

To learn more about CAP services, you may contact Jennifer Meltz, Disability Resource Analyst, in the Accessible Technology Center.  Ms. Meltz can be reached via telephone (202) 208-5481, TTY (202) 208-6248, and email jennifer_meltz@ios.doi.gov.  You can also visit the Accessible Technology Center website http://www.doi.gov/atc and the DOD CAP website http://www.tricare.osd.mil/cap for more information.