Projects

The Technology Related Assistance for Individuals with Disabilities (TRAID) project helps people with disabilities access and acquire Assistive Technology (AT).

There are 13 regional TRAID centers in New York State and the Center for Assistive Technology (CAT) serves the Western New York Region including Erie, Genesee, Niagara, Orleans and Wyoming Counties. The federally funded TRAID Project is administered by the New York State Justice Center for the Protection of People with Special Needs.

Our AT device demonstration and short-term loan program — which allows qualified individuals to use devices on a trial basis to determine the usefulness and need prior to purchase — is coordinated through the TRAID center and WNY Independent Living Center, Inc.

We operate the Buffalo Assistive Technology Center which provides Assistive Technology (AT) services for people with vision impairments who are receiving vocational rehabilitation services through the New York State Commission for the Blind (NYSCB).   

Through this project, we serve consumers and counselors of NYSCB in Western New York. We provide services to employers and job coaches, and assist with college and student needs related to education and internships. We provide:

• Readiness assessments
• AT evaluations
• Individualized AT trainings
• Job site evaluations
• Technical support

Referrals for services are made through NYSCB vocational rehabilitation counselors to the Buffalo Assistive Technology Center.

We work with the New York State Commission for the Blind (NYSCB) to support their consumers who are in need of Assistive Technology (AT) devices on a short-term basis.

The program, available to NYSCB consumers for employment or educational purposes, is also coordinated with the NYS Technology Related Assistance for Individuals with Disabilities (TRAID) project.

The Center for Assistive Technology (CAT) Client Services office maintains and manages an inventory of assistive devices used to assist people with vision impairments. We help NYSCB consumers select the appropriate devices to use on a short-term basis.

Requests for loans are made through NYSCB consumers vocational rehabilitation counselors.

We offer Assistive Technology (AT) services for consumers receiving vocational rehabilitation services through Adult Career and Continuing Education Services-Vocational Rehabilitation (ACCES-VR).

Services include:

• AT assessments
• Individualized trainings
• Worksite evaluations
• On-site training

Referrals for consumers are made through vocational rehabilitation counselors.

The Center for Assistive Technology (CAT) Client Services provides Assistive Technology (AT) services for children in the elementary and secondary school systems. We house an extensive collection of AT and computers that are beneficial to assist with education.

We offer:

• AT evaluation
• Individual and group training
• AT consultation
• Professional development
• Individual student and or teacher training
• School team training

The Center for Assistive Technology (CAT) Client Services provides Assistive Technology (AT) evaluations and training for persons of all ages to assist with education, work, daily activities, and recreation.

These services include:

• ergonomic assessments
• assessment for computer access and use of other portable technology devices
• evaluation for environmental control
• use of devices to prevent injury
• professional development

The Center for Assistive Technology (CAT) Client Services provides Assistive Technology (AT) evaluations and training for persons of all ages to assist with education, work, daily activities, and recreation.

These services include:

• ergonomic assessments
• assessment for computer access and use of other portable technology devices
• evaluation for environmental control
• use of devices to prevent injury
• professional development

The Center for Assistive Technology (CAT) Client Services participates in both campus-wide and community grants and collaborations. Some of these have included UB Tech Day, Developmental Disability Day, UB Partners Day, Accessible Electronic Information Technology Working Group, student research projects and independent study classes.