Together we can find the technology you need to pursue your goals
Who are we?
The Assistive Technology Unit (ATU) is a collaborative team of architects, occupational therapists, physical therapists, rehabilitation engineers, special educators, and speech language pathologists. Our staff are certified by the Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America (RESNA) as Assistive Technology Professionals (ATPs).
Who do we serve?
The ATU serves people with disabilities of all ages, from children to adults. Services for school-aged children are delivered in collaboration with the school-based special education team.
What do we do?
We help you find and acquire commercially available, modified, or custom-designed equipment to maximize your independence – anything from simple tools that make everyday living more efficient to 3D printed accessories for your wheelchair. We can also help make your home more accessible. Scroll through the chart below to learn about all the areas we cover.
Our assessments are completely individualized and focused on you. We gather information about your goals, needs and opportunities through interviews, observation, and assessments with input from family and/or team members.
As the largest mobile assistive technology program in the country, we use our fleet of nine mobile vans to bring our services directly to your home, school, worksite, or place of recreation. Try out devices where you use them while the people important to you take part and learn along with you.
We schedule appointments for a time and place that provides the best environment for natural opportunities and input from vital family and/or team members. Each appointment ranges from 1-2 hours in length.
Stats Heading link
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95 % of our services are provided in the community
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290 + people receive home accessibility services from our 9 mobile units
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25 years of service to northern Illinois' underserved communities
Our services Heading link
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Activities of daily living
Identify equipment that will help you with activities like dressing, bathing, cooking, and cleaning
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Electronic aids to daily living
Explore handheld devices and smartphone apps to help with scheduling, task cueing, and travel in the community
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Augmentative communication
Identify strategies and tools to improve communication such as books, boards, and electronic devices
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Computer access
Examine alternative computer input hardware and adaptive software to enable you to pursue your educational or work goals
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Customized equipment
Get modifications of existing equipment or custom-designed devices through our well-equipped shop
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Environmental control
Identify tools for independent control of phones, appliances, doors, and other electronics within your environment
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Environmental modification
Work with our architects, rehabilitation engineers, occupational therapists, and physical therapists to help make your home more accessible
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Specialized seating and mobility
Work with our physical therapists, occupational therapists, and rehabilitation engineers to get customized seating and wheeled mobility devices
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Worksite modification
Work alongside your team with a rehabilitation engineer to determine new equipment-or changes to existing equipment-that will improve your work environment
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AT for School-Aged Children
Get consultation and training to support the provision of AT services in public schools. Find out more.
On the frontlines of innovation Heading link
We’re part of the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) Department of Disability and Human Development (DHD) and Illinois‘ University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities—home to innovative research centers and renowned leaders in the field of disabilities.
This helps us bring you services that are based on the very latest in research and best practices.
Check out our certificate program
Contact us today Heading link
Can you or someone you know benefit from an assistive technology evaluation?
We provide AT evaluations to around 400 individuals a year of all ages with a range of disabilities. Referrals can come from a variety of sources, including consumers, family members, social services agencies, school districts, physicians and other medical staff and advocates.
Call to Action Heading link
We're here for you Heading link
We’re here for you
If you have questions about referrals, assessments, training, or your specific assistive technology needs, our team is here to help.
Contact Glenn Hedman at:
Email: atu@uic.edu
Phone: 312.413.1555
1640 W. Roosevelt Rd.
415 DHSP, MC 726
Chicago, IL 60608