ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY LOAN PROGRAM
There are many low tech and high tech pieces of equipment that may be valuable to an individual who is deaf-blind. The Montana Deaf-Blind Project has partnered with MonTECH, that the state’s assistive technology resource program, to help you become familiar with what is available. MonTECH has operated an assistive technology loan program, for many years. They have accumulated a large inventory of equipment that can be borrowed for use by any Montanan with a disability. They also host an inventory of equipment purchased by the Deaf-Blind Project, consisting of items selected specifically with the needs of individuals who are deaf-blind in mind.
This inventory consists of items for very young children, as well as school aged individuals. CLICK HERE to view a list of current holdings. If you are looking for something specific and it is not a part of our inventory at this time, please feel free to “nominate” a piece of equipment. These suggestions will be reviewed as we make additional purchases.
Current List of Items Purchased by the Deaf-Blind Project
The list below is a subset of the MonTECH loan program inventory, consisting of items purchased by the Montana Deaf-Blind Project. The list is divided into categories based on its the primary function. As you browse through the list, please note those items marked with a video icon [
]. Click on the video icon to view a short video that demonstrates the use of this equipment. If you are watching on a PC, the movie will play in Windows Media Player.
If you are watching on a MAC, be sure to have the "Flip for MAC" plugin installed, which can be found at: Microsofts Plugin Site For Macintosh Computers.
(NOTE: This plugin is only available for the pre-Intel type Macintosh computers. Intel based Macintosh computers are currently not supported)
Finally, remember that the MonTECH program maintains an inventory of equipment in its loan program that greatly exceeds what has been purchased by the Deaf-Blind Project. Make sure to search their Deaf-Blind Project database to see what is available. If after browsing through the following list, you would like to borrow an item, go to the MonTECH Loan and Exchange Program database search page.
Equipment items are organized by category for easy browsing. Scroll down through the list or click on the following categories to go directly to each category - COMMUNICATION DEVICE, ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL, LITERACY, MATH, SWITCHES, TOYS.
COST/VENDOR (click on Vendor to purchase item) |
DEVICE DESCRIPTION |
|
4/8 Object Communicator |
$242.95 Enabling Devices |
Items placed in enclosed compartments. Scan illuminates object with 6 lights. Records 6 levels of 8 items, 5 seconds per compartment. |
7 Message Take N’ Talk Tabletop Communicator |
$219.95 Enabling Devices |
Records up to 48 6-second messages on six levels. Messages played by removing or placing icons. |
88W Communicator |
$50.00 |
One plate switch with multi-level recorder. Has jack for switch attachment. |
|
Choice Go! Board |
$72.95 Enabling Devices |
Board allows choices of one of 3 activities in any one of the 7 scheduled time slots. |
Four Compartment Communicator |
$189.95 Enabling Devices |
Pushing the colored plate below the icon holder plays pre-recorded message. Records four messages, five seconds each. |
| Happy Time Put-Em-Around |
$74.95 Enabling Devices |
Records 20 second message. Activate message by pushing icon frame. |
| Lingo Wearable Messaging Aid |
$189.00 Ablenet |
Can be worn on waist or around the neck and shoulder. The kit includes set of three progressive keyguards (2, 4, and 8-message) for picture symbols. |
Mr. Potato Head Communication |
$146.95 Enabling Devices |
Records up to 8 messages on 6 levels. Messages play when body parts are inserted. |
Phrase Maker Communicator
|
$435.95 View a short video that demonstrates this item |
Combines up to 15 pre-recorded words or short phrases. Has four modes. |
Rocking Plate |
$96.95 Enabling Devices |
Plays back two 10-second pre-recorded messages. Large activation area. |
Round Cheap Talk 4 |
$194.95 Enabling Devices |
Mounts on wheelchair tray, bedside and tabletop with 19" gooseneck and universal clamp. Records 4 messages on 12 levels. |
| Super-Sized Communicator with Levels |
$204.95 Enabling Devices |
Adjustable rate linear scanning, automatic or inverse. Each compartment has own switch for direct selection. Four 5-second messages on 12 levels., adjustable scan rate. Photograph and icon holder. |
| Symbol Communicator for the Blind |
$335.95 Enabling Devices |
Portable symbol communicator stores 6 messages on 6 levels for a total of 36 6-second messages. Six removable tactile symbols activate message and vibration. |
| Take or Place N’ Talk |
$135.95 Enabling Devices |
Records four 5-second messages. Plays message when item is removed from or placed on one of the four dishes. |
| Take or Place N’ Talk Go! Board | $122.95 Enabling Devices |
Wall mounted with four compartments. Plays recorded message when icon removed from or placed in one of the compartments. |
Talk Back 24 |
$600.00 Product Discontinued Crestwood Company - product description only |
24 message capability with total of 4 minutes recording time. Press picture for playback. Small and lightweight. Comes with a carrying case, wrist and shoulder strap.
|
Talkable TV |
$129.95 Enabling Devices |
Records four 5-second messages with four jacks to operate/activate four devices. |
Talking 4 Compartment Scanner |
$136.95 Enabling Devices |
Twelve levels and four scanning modes. Level announcer plays when changing levels. Three scan speeds. |
Talking My Way Object Communication System Note: website doesn’t go directly to product - goes to communication category listing |
$299.00 Adaptivation |
Communication system includes: objects mounted on cards; matching picture communication symbols; and message recorder with playback capabilities. |
Talking Photo Album Note: website doesn’t go directly to product - goes to communication category listing |
$29.00 |
Records 10 seconds of audio for each of 24 photos. |
| Talking Picture Card Holder |
$92.95 Enabling Devices |
Touch activates pre-recorded message. Picture card easily changed. Each unit provides 20 seconds of recording. |
Visually Impaired Communicator |
$385.95 Enabling Devices |
Records 60 5-second messages on 6 levels. . Two fluorescent tubes provide background illumination of icons. |
COST/VENDOR (click on Vendor to purchase item) |
DEVICE DESCRIPTION |
|
Ablenet Power Link 2 |
$179.00 Ablenet |
Controls electric appliance, tool or toy with a single switch. Four “modes" determine the amount of time switch remains on. |
| Black and White 60 Minute Timer | $15.00 Sunbeam |
Extra large 60 minute timer. Large black numbers on white face tracks time. Easy for all to see. |
| Jumbo Universal Remote Control | $273.95 Enabling Devices |
An all-in-one remote control. Large buttons sensitive to touch. |
| Time Tracker Visual Timer & Clock | $19.88 |
Keep kids on track with this unique, programmable lighted electronic timer. Lighted sections alert kids to time left to complete a task. |
COST/VENDOR (click on Vendor to purchase item) |
DEVICE DESCRIPTION |
|
Book Talker |
$126.95 Enabling Devices |
Flat switch positioned inside back of book plays recorded readings. |
Bookworm
|
$199 View a short video that demonstrates this item |
Records two text-rich books or four short books. Removable stickers serve as guide for playback. |
| Fridge Magnets Leap Frog | $20.99 Local toy stores (Toys ‘r Us; Amazon, etc.) |
Pushing letter activates name and sound through phonics song. Magnetic letter reader attaches to refrigerator or any metal base. |
MATH (click on DEVICE to see item at DB/MonTECH) |
COST/VENDOR (click on Vendor to purchase item) |
DEVICE DESCRIPTION |
Coinulator |
$24.95 PCI Educational Publishing |
Hand-held, coin-counting calculator. LCD screen displays dollar and decimal amounts. |
| Talking Calculator | $39.00 Spectronics |
Calculator with speech output. Says each entry, function and result. |
COST/VENDOR (click on Vendor to purchase item) |
DEVICE DESCRIPTION |
|
Battery Device Adapter
|
$12.00 View a short video that demonstrates this item |
Converts battery-operated toys or appliances into switch-activated devices. |
| Big Buddy Red Switch | $53.00 Ablenet |
Activated by pressing anywhere on the top surface. Auditory and tactile feedback. |
| Flex Switch | $175.00 Ablenet |
Activated by bending rubber tip in any direction. Attached tubing bent to facilitate positioning. Tactile and auditory feedback. |
| Floating Pillow Switch | $227.95 Enabling Devices |
Large bumpy surface. Slight pressure activates. Besides switch function, touch activates music, lights, vibration and three sounds. |
| Four Bean Holder (for jelly bean switches) | $48.95 Maxi Aids |
Holds four jelly bean switches in fixed position. |
| Grip & Puff Switch | $62.95 Enabling Devices |
Dual purpose sensitive switch. Pneumatic switch activated by slightly grasping vinyl grip. |
| Intention Module | $55.95 Enabling Devices |
Can be preset for a 1-12 second delay. |
| Jelly Beamer Wireless Switch | $135.00 View a short video that demonstrates this item |
Includes receiver and large button transmitter/switch. Plugs into any switch-adapted device, electric appliance, or computer. |
| Jumbo Plate Momentary Switch | $40.00 Crestwood |
Twenty-four square inch switch. Requires only two ounces of pressure. |
| Leaf Switch | $39.95 Enabling Devices |
Six and one-half inch switch bends easily. |
| On Off Module | $34.95 Product Discontinued |
Enables one switch to turn the device on and the second to turn the device off. |
| Plate Switch | $39.95 Enabling Devices |
Activates by touching plate. |
| Soft Switch | $84.00 Ablenet |
Large, round momentary head position or touch switch with soft surface and foam padding. |
| Square Pad Switch | $99.00 Ablenet |
Large surface area. Tactile and auditory feedback. |
| Sunny Sunshine Switch | $97.95 Enabling Devices |
Besides switch function, touch activates colored lights, vibration and three tunes in sync with 8 different colored blinking lights. |
| Timer Module | $50.00 Product Discontinued |
Switch adapter sets time switch-operated device remains on after switch activated. Adjustable from 0 to 30 seconds. |
| Tip Switch | $69.00 Ablenet |
Requires small range of motion. Mercury switch activated by tilting 5 degrees from horizontal. Mounts on hand or head band. |
| Touch/Latch Switch | $95.00 Product Discontinued |
First touch turns it on continuously. Second touch turns it off. |
| Twin Plate Momentary Switch | $50.00 Crestwood |
Controls 2 items from one spot. Light touch. |
| Ultimate Switch | $65.95 Enabling Devices |
Requires slight touch for activation Position with gooseneck and clamp. |
COST/VENDOR (click on Vendor to purchase item) |
DEVICE DESCRIPTION |
|
| Baby Pterodactyl Switch Toy | This switch toy was discontinued. Many other switch toys are available through Enabling Devices | Baby pterodactyl flaps its wings and makes dinosaur noises when hooked to a switch. |
| Climbing Koalas Switch Toy | This switch toy was discontinued. Many other switch toys are available through Enabling Devices | The koalas climb up the tree and slide down, over and over and over again. |
| Leo the Lion Switch Toy | $39.95 Enabling Devices |
Lion walks and roars when hooked to a switch. |
| Pull Ball | $92.95 Enabling Devices |
Tug on multifaceted spring ball activates music and lights. |
| Puzzlepillar | $95.95 Enabling Devices |
Four piece puzzle in primary colors with textures. Lights, music or vibration activated when each piece put in place. All three stimuli activated when puzzle completed. |
| Star-Shaped Ring Stacker (Fisher Price) | $13.99 Local toy stores (Toys 'r Us; Amazon, etc.) |
Five-piece stacker. Ring placement activates lights and music. |
| Uncle Joey Clown Switch Toy | This switch toy was discontinued. Many other switch toys are available through Enabling Devices | Clown rolls barrel with his feet, twirls a ring on each arm and balances a ball on his nose. |
The video demonstration links below are examples of communication devices included in the other loan and exchange programs hosted by MonTECH.
Click on the name to go to the vendor's demonstration video for each item:
Please explore more resources we have put together on this website. We encourage you to contact us if we can help you in any way.
Mtdeafblind@ruralinstitute.umt.edu
(406) 243-2348
