Kansas: Staying Connected

Young woman wearing glasses and a black T-shirt talking on a blue smartphone in a room decorated with dark walls and various wall hangings.

June 4 is World Day for Assistive Technology! Assistive Technology (AT) plays a very important role in supporting independence for people with disabilities. AT includes any device, equipment, or system that is used to enhance functional abilities of people with disabilities.

Across 56 US states and territories, AT programs transform access to life-changing technology. These statewide, comprehensive, consumer-driven programs help people of all ages and abilities test and get access to the AT tools they need to live, learn, work, and thrive—wherever life takes them.

Check out this story from Assistive Technology for Kansans (ATK)

Staying Connected: Accessible Technology Helps L Thrive at Work

L is a determined young woman with both hearing and vision impairments, and staying connected with others has always been important to her. Her old phone couldn’t connect to her cochlear implant, and the screen did not magnify enough, making everyday tasks, especially at work, difficult.

Her mother, who has the same genetic condition and was familiar with Assistive Technology for Kansans (ATK) and the Kansas Telecommunications Access Program (TAP), encouraged L to seek support. Through TAP, L received an iPhone 16e designed to support people with hearing and vision loss.

With powerful amplification and magnification features, the phone has helped L succeed both at home and on the job. She works full-time at Walmart, recently earned Employee of the Month, and uses the phone to communicate with coworkers when walkie-talkies are unavailable. “The phone works wonders,” L says. “It helps me so much at work and at home. Staying in touch is easier and fun!”

Want to learn more about what State and Territory Assistive Technology programs do to improve access, expand the availability, and raise awareness of AT for people with disabilities and older adults? Visit CATADA, the Institute for Community Inclusion’s central hub for data, best practices, consumer stories, and resources focused on improving access to AT as reported by State and Territory Assistive Technology Programs.