PEABODY — Northeast Arc, a nonprofit that provides disability services and support, is launching an assistive technology program that will allow individuals to privately pay for devices — either on their own or through the organization — and receive instruction on how to use them.
The program is being led by Northeast Arc Director of Assistive Technology Areeba Khan, who started the role in September. A pilot program is currently accepting participants at a discounted rate, and she hopes to launch the full program in April.
“This program was created to give people access to devices to increase their independence,” Khan said. “One of the biggest barriers out there is that there’s so much technology that can help people overcome obstacles, but not enough people know about them.”
Assistive technology encompasses a wide range of products designed to help people with disabilities in their daily lives. These products include tablets and accessibility apps, text-to-speech software, adaptive kitchen products, and communication devices.
Currently, Northeast Arc’s existing assistive technology program is limited to individuals who qualify through the Department of Developmental Services (DDS).
The new initiative, however, will expand access by allowing those who do not qualify for DDS assistance to obtain assistive technology and receive training to maximize its benefits.
“We want to give people the opportunity to learn about what’s out there,” Khan said. “There’s so much technology available that people just don’t know about, and we want to close that information gap.”
The program could be especially beneficial to older adults, as investing in assistive technology may allow them to remain in their homes instead of moving into an assisted living facility. Northeast Arc will also provide training on how to properly use these devices, making homes safer and allowing individuals to remain where they’re comfortable — while also saving them thousands of dollars.
Khan said feedback from participants in the pilot program has been overwhelmingly positive. Ultimately, her goal is to increase access to assistive technology worldwide.
“Last year, I fundraised for a man in Pakistan who just wanted tools to start building wheelchairs out of wood… the project’s goal is to essentially make access to assistive technology easier, even if it’s wood,” she said. “My goal was to raise $3,000, and we were able to raise $6,000. So, we were able to do a lot more, like purchasing land to develop workshops to teach other people how to build wheelchairs.”
Khan hopes to expand this effort further and eventually help produce steel wheelchairs, which offer better long-term support for users.
Her work reflects her passion for making assistive technology accessible and highlights the life-changing impact these devices can have.
“For individuals with disabilities, assistive technology gives them the ability to break the glass ceiling,” she said. “They can do things that they were not able to do before, and they can be more confident in their ability to maintain their independence.”
