LATAN maintains an extensive list of resources for individuals with disabilities, and our staff is knowledgeable on AT topics ranging from adapted housing to ZoomText.
Additional Services
Training Activities
Purpose
The purpose of LATAN training activities is to increase participants’ knowledge, skills and competencies with regard to Assistive Technology. Each training activity offers clearly defined learning objectives and provides participants with resources related to the training delivered.
Participants
Each LATAN training event is designed to target a specific type of participant group. Some training events are specific to individuals with disabilities, older people and wounded warriors and their family members while other trainings are specific to professionals who serve them.
Fees
LATAN’s Training Events are fee-based services, and fees are dependent on the information presented, venue, number of participants, and materials provided to participants. Participants are considered to have registered for an event when LATAN receives a check, money order or online credit card payment for the full event fee. If a training event is not held, participants will receive a refund.
Training events hosted by collaborative agencies, organizations or community groups with incurring training expenses may offer events at no cost to its participants.
To Register for a Training Event:
Email sstewart@latan.org or call 1-800-270-6185
Participants pre-registering will receive an email confirming their registration for the event.
Each training event has been developed for audiences of 20 participants. Due to venue fees and other related expenses, LATAN requires a minimum of 10 pre-registered paid participants for the training to proceed as scheduled.
Transition Services
Aging in Place
LATAN provides training and a resource manual “Assistive Technology for Aging in Place” to train older individuals who want to remain in community settings, their caregivers and service providers, and individuals who want to transition out of institutions into the community. Hospital discharge planners also receive this transition training and technical assistance. For more information, please call the LATAN office.
Training for Special Educators
LATAN’s plans include collaborating with the Department of Education Louisiana Assistive Technology Initiative regional centers and the Louisiana Rehabilitation Services to develop a training module that will be used to train special educators, vocational rehabilitation counselors, parents, and students involved in transition with the skills and knowledge they need to successfully include AT in all transition planning.
Technical Assistance
In addition, LATAN provides technical assistance to the long-term service and support task forces in state agencies. This is utilized as a way to enhance the functional abilities of people transitioning to community settings from nursing homes and other institutional settings.
Support for Social Distancing
LATAN can assist with the acquisition of internet Hotspots, tablets, or other smart technology to support meaningful participation in telehealth during the COVID-19 pandemic.
As with all AT services, LATAN will train our clients in the use of the device, which also includes software.
Technical Assistance
- Barrier-free housing
- Visit-ability
- Universal design
- Long-term supports and services
- Emergency preparedness
- Transition
Information & Assistance
LATAN’s Information & Assistance services helped 582 people this year by explaining AT products and services, assisting consumers in finding funding for AT, and providing information on general disability topics and resources.
Emergency Preparedness
In addition to being personally prepared for all disasters, LATAN offers the following checklist of suggestions that users of AT can follow when faced with evacuation:
- Label all AT devices and components with owner’s name and contact info
- Post “how-to” instructions on big or complex devices for first responders and evacuation personnel
- If relying on local/state officials for evacuation, touch base with them and remind them of AT needs
- Keep devices charged
- Store chargers, extra batteries and adapters with devices
- Take a plastic zipper bag and electronic file (disc or flash drive) containing all AT info including:
- Device name Manufacturer’s name & info
- Model and Serial numbers
- Vendor (Store’s/Seller’s) name & info
- Date of purchase and copy of receipt if available
- Copy of Doctor’s or Therapist’s prescription if available & contact info
- Funder’s (i.e., Medicare, Medicaid, Insurance Co.) name, contact info, & policy numbers
Louisiana residents with access and functional needs may want to review the LATAN Emergency Preparedness Video© for tips on being prepared for disasters. This video is fully accessible through American Sign Language (ASL) and open captioning. For more information, call LATAN’s Emergency Preparedness program at 225.925.9500 or 1.800.270.6185.
©2009 LATAN Emergency Preparedness Video including “Preparedness, It’s Your Turn” presentation and “EAD Emergency Readiness Wheel”, both ©2007 EAD & Associates, LLC. All rights reserved and further reproduction prohibited without prior written permission.
Volunteer to help people with disabilities and the elderly in emergency shelters
You can read to someone who is blind, help orient someone to the shelter’s layout, assist with dressing, eating, getting in and out of his/her cot, getting to the restroom, etc. With your help, an already difficult experience can be a little less stressful. To volunteer go to http://www.lava.dhh.louisiana.gov.
Phone 225.925.9500
Toll-free 1.800.270.6185
Fax 225.925.9560
General Email info@latan.org
LATAN is a 501(c)(3) statewide nonprofit organization with the mission to help people of all ages with functional limitations or disabilities to gain greater independence at work, home, or school through the use of Assistive Technology(AT).
Payment Options: We accept Healthy Blue, LA Healthcare Connections, AmeriHealth, Caritas, Medicare, Private Pay and a Sliding Fee Scale is available.
Device Demonstrations and items available on the AT Marketplace are available at no charge. For other services, such as the availability of Hotspots and tablets, assistance via the AT Lease program or Device Loan is available.
Note: For low-income families, additional options for acquisition are available.
For these services and more, LATAN can assist with navigating or even, tailoring a program to meet individual needs as applicable to ensure access to technology.
Safety: As an accredited AT/DME provider, LATAN has PPE available and has been following OSHA, CDC, and Medicare guidelines for proper cleaning, disinfecting and sanitizing all devices on display in our Demo Center, as well as those available for borrowing and on the AT Marketplace. For individuals and families who are uncomfortable with face to face visits, services may be conducted virtually, and "some" devices may be shipped by mail.
Contact us for additional information.
