Regional Assistive Technology (AT) Service
We are a specialist Enable Ireland team. Team members can include; Occupational therapists, Speech and language therapists, Clinical engineering technicians & support assistants.
• We work in community settings (e.g. clinics, homes, places of employment or education) across three counties - Galway, Mayo & Roscommon - with children and adults with a disability.
• We provide assessments looking at a person’s A.T. needs. This may involve;
- Looking at ways to adapt technology appropriate for your personal needs.
- Figuring out where the best place to use it from is and,
- Trying out different ways A.T. can be used to improve your quality of life
• We work with and provide training to local health care professionals around their use of A.T.
• We advise carers, family members and people who support children and adults with a disability about relevant assistive technologies.
• We customise or combine different types of assistive technologies. For example, this could involve the control of lights in a home from the joystick on a wheelchair.
• We look at the best position to have technology in so it’s comfortable to use and easy to get too.
• We support an individual in their use of A.T. in the workplace.
For more information please contact a member of the Assistive Technology team at (091) 545 800.
FAQs
For children / young adults under the care of a Children’s Disability Network Team (C.D.N.T.) or Primary Care, referrals can be submitted by a clinician (e.g. Occupational Therapist, Physiotherapist, Speech & Language Therapist, Psychologist) involved with the child / young adult either through their C.D.N.T or through Primary Care.
For Adults (up to the age of 65) with a primary physical disability, acquired injury or a neurological condition, referrals may be submitted by a clinician working either in the health care system or through private practice – once they’re available to support throughout the episode of care.
As an Adult, yes. Self-referrals are considered. However, having assistance from a clinician familiar with an individual’s needs throughout their episode of care is more common in referrals we receive.
The A.T. service operates under an "episode of care" model. The episode is the period when the individual is working with an A.T. team member on the goals identified at the time of referral.
Yes. After an initial evaluation, we may recommend that a trial is required. On occasions, we will borrow items from private companies for trial. These products have their own loan procedures, and these trials typically last for about 10 days.
Referrals, in general, are supported by reports from other disciplines. At times we may recommend onward referral to other support services if the information on the A.T. referral is not sufficient e.g. if a visual assessment is required. If this is the case, we will discuss this before any such onward referral takes place.
• Individuals who are availing of assistive technology supports through their current service provider or through another service or team.
• Referrals for assessments for standard computer technology (e.g. computers without the need for alternative access methods), requests for training in developing general information technology (I.T.) skills and / or general I.T. supports (e.g. setting up printers, setting up home networks or cable systems).
• Referrals seeking direct funding for the purchase of assistive technology.
• Individuals who have no identified lead clinician to support their referral or any subsequent recommendations.
