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• Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions on Searching the Network of Care Database of Assistive Technology

The following questions are from users like you. Click on a question to see its answer. If you don't find your question on this page, E-mail us! We'll answer your question by the next business day.

General

• How do I find products for children?
• Are there products specifically designed for people with use of only one hand?
• When I try to initiate a search by clicking on the "Submit" button, I get a prompt to download dbtcgi.exe. What's going on?

Architectural Elements

• I need an outdoor lift for the back of the house.
• I have an aunt who is prone to falling.  She is still in her home and I need to find a way to purchase a device that will allow her to signal us.  Is there such a device?

Blind and Low Vision

• I am looking for a braille printer.  Where can I find one?
• A friend needs a white cane.  How do I find one?

Communication

• I am searching for a published tactile communication symbol system for blind and mentally impaired individuals(beginning communication).
• I am looking for a page turner.
• My mother has multiple sclerosis, and she needs a telephone that is a headset, instead of a hand piece and maybe has a button on the headset from the "on" button and operator that she could work with her tongue.
• I am seeking software that will allow me to talk through my sound card microphone and listen through my sound card speaker, while on the phone.

Computers

• Are there adaptive keyboards for one-handed users?
• I need information on any computer/portable devices for the use of a headlight.
• Do you have a listing for a computer program that enables a person to speak and have the speech typed automatically? How much is it?
• I was wondering if there is a computer mouse that someone could operate with his/her mouth.

Controls

• I am looking for voice activated programs that will control the television, turning it on and off, changing channels, etc, for someone with very little movement.

Deaf and Hard of Hearing

• I am looking for a telephone for my father who is hard of hearing and would like to find out what is available for him.  I have a relatively "deep voice" and he has more difficulty hearing mine than others.   Also I would like information about the latest hearing-aid technology.

Home Management

• I would like to find a resource for a hospital bed for home use. Do you know if such a thing exists?
• Where can I find a recliner chair to help me stand up?

Personal Care

• I am searching for a line of apparel designed for women with disabilities, especially those with difficulty raising their arms.
• Are there any links to companies that have fully opening boots for wheelchair users?
• I am trying to find information on colostomy supplies.   If possible, I would like to get an e-mail address.
• I am a therapy assistant and am looking for information on feeding utensils or techniques for a 4-year-old child who is blind.

Recreation

• Are there mounts available that enable a camera to be attached to a wheelchair?
• I recently attended a horticulture therapy conference and was surprised that there were no vendors of accessible gardening guides and/or tools. Any ideas for sites where they might be located?

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Transportation

• Can you direct me toward firms that convert cars for hand-controlled gas and brake?
• Are you familiar with a device that can lift a manual wheelchair into the trunk of a car?

Vocational Management

• I am looking for a computer desk that I can use from my wheelchair. Are there any resources?

Wheeled Mobility

• I am looking for information on Quickie wheelchairs.  How do I find it?
• How do I find information about manual wheelchairs?
• What about powered wheelchairs?

Didn't find your question here?  E-mail us!

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General

• How do I find products for children?

Most products listed in the database intended for children have the indexing term "pediatric" assigned to them. To find all such products, simply do a Keyword Search on that word. To find a specific kind of product for children, select Boolean Search and enter "pediatric" in the first box and the type of product in the second box (e.g., powered wheelchair, game, bath chair, etc.). The database also includes a section on toys and a keyword search can be performed specifically for those records.

• Are there products specifically designed for people with use of only one hand?

Yes. Many of those types of products have the indexing term "one hand" attached to them. To find all such products, simply do a Keyword Search for that phrase.

• When I try to initiate a search by clicking on the "Submit" button, I get a prompt to download dbtcgi.exe.  What's going on?

You may be using software that intercepts downloads such as GetRight.  This software interferes with the webserver's database software.  We are working on a fix for this, but for now, we strongly recommend that you temporarily disable GetRight (or a similar program) when you want to search the database.

Architectural Elements

• I need an outdoor lift for the back of the house.

Try a Keyword Search for "exterior wheelchair lift."

• I have an aunt who is prone to falling.  She is still in her home and I need to find a way to purchase a device that will allow her to signal us.  Is there such a device?

Enter a Keyword Search for "emergency alert system."

Blind and Low Vision

• I am looking for a braille printer.  Where can I find one?

There are several ways to perform this search. To find all braille printers, enter a Keyword Search for "braille printer." For those who know of a particular brand name, a Brand Name Search on the name of the product can be performed. A Boolean Search with "braille printer" in the first box and the name of a company in the second box would yield all braille printers manufactured/distributed by that company.

• A friend needs a white cane.  How do I find one?

Perform a Keyword Search on "travel canes." This search will locate the records for the complete range of canes available for persons with visual disabilities.

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Communication

• I am searching for a published tactile communication symbol system for blind and mentally impaired individuals(beginning communication).

There are two search strategies that may assist you. First, do a Brand Name Search on "tactile symbols." It may also be helpful to do a Keyword Search for "tactile communicat*" (including the asterisk).

• I am looking for a page turner.

Enter a Keyword Search for "page turners."

• My mother has multiple sclerosis, and she needs a telephone that is a headset, instead of a hand piece and maybe has a button on the headset from the "on" button and operator that she could work with her tongue.

There are a number of headsets, adapted telephones, and voice activated telephones listed in the database. To get an idea of the range of products available, enter a Boolean Search with "special transmission telephones" in the first box, click on the drop-down menu beside the second box and select OR, and enter "special dialing telephones" in the second box. Click on the drop-down menu beside the third box and select OR, and then enter "telephone headset" in the box.

• I am seeking software that will allow me to talk through my sound card microphone and listen through my sound card speaker, while on the phone.

Perform a Boolean search by entering "speakerphone" in the first box and "computers" in the second box. Leave the dropdown menu beside the second box set on AND.

Computers

• Are there adaptive keyboards for one-handed users?

Select Boolean Search. In the first box, enter "one hand" and in the second box, enter "keyboard."

• I need information on any computer/portable devices for the use of a headlight.

To focus the search, do a Boolean Search. In the first box enter "computers" and in the second box enter "optical pointer."

• Do you have a listing for a computer program that enables a person to speak and have the speech typed automatically? How much is it?

Select Boolean Search and enter "voice input program" in the first box, enter "software" in the second box, and enter "voice input" in the third box. This search will get the full range of programs of this type currently listed in the database. If pricing information has been provided, it will be included in each product record.

• I was wondering if there is a computer mouse that someone could operate with his/her mouth.

There are a wide variety of adapted mice and mouse emulator programs available. Choose Keyword Search and enter "mouse." This search will provide information about sip-and-puff operated mice, mice operated by head movements, voice-operated mice, trackballs, mouse emulator programs, and more.

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Controls

• I am looking for voice activated programs that will control the television, turning it on and off, changing channels, etc, for someone with very little movement.

It might be helpful to investigate the various environmental control units available. Enter a Keyword Search for "environmental control unit."

Deaf and Hard of Hearing

• I am looking for a telephone for my father who is hard of hearing and would like to find out what is available for him. I have a relatively "deep voice" and he has more difficulty hearing mine than others. Also I would like information about the latest hearing-aid technology.

Enter the following Boolean search: In the first box type "telephones"; in the second box type "deaf and hard of hearing."

For hearing aid information, follow the same procedure, but change the first box to "hearing aids."

TAP for Telephone provides basic voice telephone calling (both sending and receiving) and telephone alerting devices for individuals with disabilities in the state of Missouri through the delivery of adaptive telephone equipment" For additional information go to : http://www.at.mo.gov/TAP_telephone.shtm

Home Management

• I would like to find a resource for a hospital bed for home use. Do you know if such a thing exists?

To find the various beds listed in the database, select Boolean Search.  In the first box, enter "motorized bed."  Click on the menu box beside the second box and choose OR; then enter "manual adjustable bed".

• Where can I find a recliner chair to help me stand up?

Do a Boolean Search with "seat lift chair" in the first box and "reclin*" in the second box (make sure to include the asterisk).

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Personal Care

• I am searching for a line of apparel designed for women with disabilities, especially those with difficulty raising their arms.

Select Keyword Search and enter "Women's Clothing" for your search.

Note: The search can be further narrowed by doing a Boolean Search with "Women's Clothing" in the first box and "Outerwear", "Nightwear", or "Underwear."  Similar searches may also be performed for men's clothing, children's clothing, and outdoor clothing.

• Are there any links to companies that have fully opening boots for wheelchair users?

To find these products, try a keyword search on "boots."  To make the search more specific, do a Boolean Search with "boots" in the first box and "wheelchair" in the second box.

• I am trying to find information on colostomy supplies.   If possible, I would like to get an e-mail address.

Enter a Keyword Search on "colostomy" to get the records for related products.

• I am a therapy assistant and am looking for information on feeding utensils or techniques for a 4-year-old child who is blind.

There are a few manuals on eating skills included in the database. To locate these, choose Keyword Search and enter "Manual on Eating Skills for Blind". There are also many adaptive utensils and dishes listed which may be helpful. To view these records, enter separate Keyword Searches on "utensils" and "dishes."

Recreation

• Are there mounts available that enable a camera to be attached to a wheelchair?

To find the camera mounts listed in the database, do a Keyword Search on "camera mount."

• I recently attended a horticulture therapy conference and was surprised that there were no vendors of accessible gardening guides and/or tools.   Any ideas for sites where they might be located?

There are indeed adaptive gardening tools available.  To access the section of the database with those items, do a Keyword Search on "gardening." 

Transportation

• Can you direct me toward firms that convert cars for hand-controlled gas and brake?

Enter a Keyword Search on "hand controls."

• Are you familiar with a device that can lift a manual wheelchair into the trunk of a car?

Choose Keyword Search and enter "trunk mounted wheelchair loader."

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Vocational Management

• I am looking for a computer desk that I can use from my wheelchair.  Are there any resources?

There are a number of accessible computer desks, tables, and workstations.  To get the broadest overview, do a Boolean Search:
Enter "computer workcenter" in the first box.
Select OR from the dropdown menu beside the second box and enter "computer table" in the second box.

Wheeled Mobility

• I am looking for information on Quickie wheelchairs.  How do I find it?

Choose Company Search and enter "Quickie."

• How do I find information about manual wheelchairs?

Enter a Keyword Search on "adult wheelchair."

• What about powered wheelchairs?

Enter a Boolean Search with "powered wheelchair" in the first box; choose NOT from the drop-down menu beside the second box and enter "Accessories" in the second box. To find out about scooters, repeat the same search, but substitute the word "scooter" for "powered wheelchair" in the first box.