California Telephone Access Program (CTAP) offers specialized telephone equipment and network services at no cost to qualified California residents who have difficulty using a standard telephone.

Equipment is available for people who have difficulty:

• hearing
• seeing
• moving
• speaking
• learning or remembering

California Relay Service can connect TTY users to non-TTY users.

There are free trainings on how to make a smartphone work better for people with disabilities.

To be eligible, you must be certified as having a permanent or temporary disability and you also must:

• Live in California
• Have access to telephone service
  • You must have access to either cell phone or land line service to participate in the program. 

Find Equipment 
CTAP products are geared to meet many needs, and they include:

• Telephones
• Amplifiers
• Ring-signal and speech devices
• Headsets
• Switches
• and accessories

You can find equipment listed by disability type with pictures, descriptions, and operation manuals where avai… [read more]

Ability Tools, formerly the AT Network, is California’s Assistive Technology Act Program. We provide a variety of services for Californians with disabilities of all ages.
Services include:

• NATADS Assistive Technology Portal (National Assistive Technology Act Data System)
• Device Lending and Demo Centers
• Financial loan program for AT
• Information & Referral
• Reuse program in affiliation with organizational partners

FreedomTech Financial Loan Program assists people in receiving low interest financial loans to help pay for assistive technology.

Web pages 

• Ability Tools - https://abilitytools.org/
• FreedomTech - https://freedomtech.org/
• Device Lending and Demo Centers - https://abilitytools.org/services/device-lending-library.php
• NATADS Assistive Technology Portal (National Assistive Technology Act Data System) - testing.myatprogram.org/home/6

Society for the Blind provides programs and services for people who are blind or visually impaired.

Services include

• Classes & services
• Programs for 55+ including the Senior IMPACT project
• Youth programs
• Low vision clinic
• Store with assistive technology

Web pages from above with visible url links

• Classes & services - https://societyfortheblind.org/programs-services/classes-services/
• Programs for 55+ including the Senior IMPACT project - https://societyfortheblind.org/programs-services/programs-for-55/
• Youth programs - https://societyfortheblind.org/programs-services/youth-programs/
• Low vision clinic - https://societyfortheblind.org/low-vision-clinic/about-our-clinic/
• Store with assistive technology - https://societyfortheblind.org/store/

 

MedicAlert devices are medical identification devices available as a bracelet, necklace, shoe tag, wallet card, or Smart Medical ID card. What is a medical ID? A medical ID is an identification tag that is custom engraved with your vital medical information. Also known as medical ID jewelry, an ID is often worn by those living with chronic medical conditions such as asthma, allergies, autism, diabetes, epilepsy, heart disease, hypertension, Parkinson, etc.; individuals who lead an active lifestyle, or with mobility challenges wear an ID for daily peace of mind and protection. An emergency ID can be worn on your wrist, around your neck, on your shoe or in the form of a wallet card. If you experience a medical emergency or are in an accident, a medical ID will speak for you when you cannot. What does a medical ID look like? A medical ID can be a bracelet, necklace, shoe tag or the form of a wallet card, or Smart Medical I…

[read more]

The Pacific ADA Center to builds partnerships between the disability community and the general public by enhancing understanding of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) through education and technical assistance.
The Pacific ADA Center is one of ten Regional Centers in the ADA National Network set up across the United States to provide information and referral, training, consultation, and technical assistance to the business, state and local government, and disability communities about their responsibilities and rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act.
The Center includes numerous consultants, a small staff, and subcontracts with more than 20 entities regionwide. The Center participates in nationwide training projects and the development of materials for broad based distribution. Pacific ADA Center receives direct and current information from the Departments of Justice, Transportation, Education, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and the Federal Communications C… [read more]

The Ear of the Lion hearing aids program is dedicated to assist qualified low-income persons with their hearing problems, who are not eligible for any government-assisted programs, but are diagnosed as needing hearing aids.

Annual Household income must be less than the following: Family of 1, $22,540; Family of 2, $30,485; Family of 3, $38,430; Family of 4, 46,375; Family of 5, $54,300, and going up in increments of approximately $8,500 per additional dependent. If annual income is more than the amount previously listed, the foundation may provide assistance depending on circumstances. Potential clients over the limit are asked to include a hardship letter, which is then reviewed by the Board of Directors.
The client must also be a U.S. citizen or legally reside in the U.S.

Websites:

• Main website - https://earofthelion.org/
• Hearing aids info - https://earofthelion.org/services

The American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) is a national nonprofit that expands possibilities for people with vision loss.

Web pages

• Home - https://www.afb.org/

People enrolled in Project Lifesaver wear a small transmitter on the wrist or ankle that emits an individualized frequency signal. If an enrolled client goes missing, the caregiver notifies their local Project Lifesaver agency, and a trained emergency team responds to the wanderer’s area. The first responders will then use the client’s individualized frequency to locate the position of the individual. First responders have had training for how to best approach the client once found, and allow them to be brought back to safety.

Rocklin Police Department
Call or E-mail to learn more:
E-mail: Project.lifesaver@rcocklin.ca.us
Phone: 916 - 625 - 5283(Inquiry line - messages only)

Lincoln Police Department
Call or E-mail to learn more:
E-mail: projectlifesaver@lincolnca.gov
Phone: 916 - 434 - 3285
Website:https://www.lincolnca.gov/en/living-here/project-life-saver.aspx

Auburn Police Department
Call or visit the website to learn more:
Phone: 530 - 823 - 4237, ex.317
Website: https://www.auburn.ca.gov/600… [read more]