STORIES

STORIES2025-01-11T17:30:49-06:00

OCI Therapy 5K benefitting IATP

OCI 5k FlyerCome join OCI Therapy and experience the thrill of a 5K race while supporting the Illinois Assistive Technology Program at the Rochester Community Park! Dust off your running shoes and mark your calendars for a remarkable event that combines fitness, community, and a noble cause.

On race day, join a vibrant community of participants, united in their commitment to make a positive impact on the lives of others. Exchange smiles and words of encouragement with fellow runners as you all approach the 8:00 am start time. Check-in will begin at 7:00 am by the Snack Bar/Pavilion.

Giveaways include a one of a kind OCI Therapy 5K t-shirt that commemorates your participation and support.

Overall and Age Bracket awards will be in 10-year brackets for both men and women participants. First place overall female and male runners will also receive a $25 gift card to the Springfield Running Center!

IATP at the Abilities Expo

IATP at the Abilities ExpoIATP participated in the Abilities EXPO at the Chicago Renaissance in Schaumberg, Illinois in June. IATP staff members shared information on the many services and programs we offer. Thank you to everyone who visited with us at our booth!

IATP Makers at the Rochester STEM Fair

STEM FairThe IATP Maker team exhibited at the 7th Annual Central Illinois STEM Fair hosted at the Rochester High School on April 10, 2024.

We were thrilled to be one of the 84 organizations that participated in this incredible educational event and encourage other STEM programs across Illinois to help us provide greater access to assistive technology.

Our exhibit featured several of our most popular 3D-printed devices for every day use, a 3D-printed prosthetic arm, and one of our 3D printers. Students were able to try devices and experimented with the prosthetic arm that was a prototype fabricated and customized for an Illinois student.

Design files are available at IATPmakers.org and Illinois residents can request customized devices free of charge.

Visit the IATPmakers.org for more information!

Exciting New Assistive Technology at CES

James, an IATP Smart Home Program Coordinator, recently attended the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, Nevada. This international conference is the premier showcase for new and emerging technologies representing a vast array of product categories. For James, the primary objective was to find new innovative assistive technology (AT) devices that could enhance independence for IATP clients.

Contact the Smart Home staff to learn more about our smart home and assistive technology options, or to schedule a visit.

Susy Woods

Pic of Susy WoodsIt is with great sadness that IATP must share that our dear friend and colleague, Susy Woods, has passed.

Susy worked as a Public Policy and Education Liaison with the Illinois Assistive Technology Program helping numerous families throughout the state. She was a phenomenally skilled advocate and a mentor to many. With her work for the advocacy of individuals with special needs, she was involved with many state groups including IMPACT CIL, NAMI, IATC, ISAC, Arc of Illinois, UCP, and Partners in Policy Making.

A Celebration of Life has been planned for January 27th at Erin’s Pavilion in Springfield. Details are included in her obituary which is available at Legacy.com (New Page). The service will also be live streamed starting at 1:00 PM CST. You can join via Zoom or by visiting IATP’s YouTube channel using the following links which will open in a new page.

ZOOM –  https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82019046758?pwd=NnBmMnd4SEVtczZ0RnI2SWRMMmJwUT09

IATP YouTube Channel –  https://www.youtube.com/@IATP-a11y

If Susy was in the process of helping you, please contact us for assistance.

Click here to read more about Susy in the Illinois Times.

AgrAbility and Assistive Technology

AgrAbility works to enhance the quality of life quality of life for farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural workers with disabilities, so that they, their families, and their communities continue to succeed in rural America. Illinois AgrAbility is a program within the University of Illinois Extension and has been providing services for over 30 years. They partner with the Illinois Assistive Technology Program and the Community Health Partnership of Illinois to deliver a variety of services to keep people farming. One of these services includes identifying Assistive Technology (AT) options and devices that can help with safe equipment operation and a variety of other work tasks. To learn more about their services and/or to request Assistive Technology Assistance, visit their website:

Illinois Extension AgrAbility

You can also browse and search the National AgrAbility Program AT Toolbox and Database for ideas, possible solutions, and product resources:

The Toolbox Assistive Technology Database