Making Life Accessible

What is Assistive Technology and how can it improve your ability to live independently? 

Assistive Technology (AT) is any device, system or related service that maintains or improves the functional capability of individuals with disabilities.


Assistive Technology (AT) is any device, system or related service that maintains or improves the functional capability of individuals with disabilities. AT can be beneficial to people of all ages with a variety of disabilities or special needs, both long-term and short term. AT could be considered ”tools for independence” to allow someone to live, work, learn or play more independently.


Easter Seals Resource and Technology Demonstration Center

Housed in our New Castle location, visitors can try hundreds of assistive devices on display and search through thousands of products in catalogs and DVDs that will help them maintain or improve independence and home safety. Come in for a tour! For more information, email resources@esdel.org or call (302) 221-2087. 

Click here to take a virtual tour of the center.

Click here for a downloadable flyer on the Resource and Technology Demonstration Center. (.pdf)

Low-Interest Loans for More Accessible Living

In collaboration with the state Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, our partnerships with lending institutions can help finance assistive technology for home, work, or even vehicle modifications, with lower interest loans. Our Case Manager will help guide you through the process. For more information, email resources@esdel.org or call (302) 221-2076. Click here for more information. (.pdf)

Click here for the FYI: Finance Your Independence flyer.

Workplace Accessibility
Assistive Technology

Are you someone with a disability who needs assistive technology to work more independently or more successfully? Through the Telework Program, our Case Manager will guide you through the process to apply for a lower interest loan to purchase the assistive technology you need. Check out our Telework Program here. (.pdf)

Seating Assessments: Comfort and Safety for Wheelchair Users

Proper fit of the wheelchair and seating components is essential for any mobility device. The correct wheelchair and seating system can increase independence, prevent skin breakdown and improve comfort. Easter Seals is one of only two providers who use computerized pressure mapping when skin breakdown is a concern. If you have wheelchair concerns, our seating assessment service may be the answer. Click here for more details. (.pdf) 

Communication Aids/Assessments: The ability to communicate is something we take for granted, until you no longer have it.

Speech generating devices can help someone who has a communication limitation, i.e. due to stroke, multiple sclerosis, cognitive impairments, etc. successfully communicate with others. Through our Augmentative Communications assessment service, various devices can be tried to determine what works best for the client. Click here for more details. (.pdf)

Other Resources

Accessibility means breaking down barriers to ensure that everyone can fully participate in their communities and in society at large.

If you don't have a disability, you may not think twice about the curb cuts you cross on your way to work, closed captions that appear on your favorite TV shows, or signs in braille.But for people with disabilities and their families, these are accessibility features that are vital for full inclusion in society.

Building a More Accessible World

What is accessibility?

Accessibility can be defined as whether someone with a disability can access, experience, or interact with something. This can apply to the following:

  • Employment
  • Public spaces
  • Transportation
  • Healthcare
  • Technology
  • Housing
  • Education

Notice a pattern? The items listed above are vital resources or activities we should have in our lives which is why accessibility is key to ensuring inclusion for people with disabilities.

Accessibility in public spaces, including the workplace and schools, is required by law with the passing of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. However, there are still many ways society falls short in ensuring our communities can be accessed by people with disabilities. It's on all of us to consider and advocate for full accessibility.

What is web accessibility?

Web accessibility assures that people with disabilities can access websites.

With so much information and socialization happening online, it is crucial that we ensure everyone can access content on the internet.

Web accessibility includes captions for videos, descriptions of images, high contrast and resizing for text, screen-reader friendly websites, and more.

While Title II of the ADA requires that all state and federal websites must be accessible to people with disabilities, there is still a long way to go until the internet is barrier free.

To learn more about web accessibility, visit the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) for guidelines for web designers and developers.

What does "handicap accessible" mean?

First, it's important to note that the term "handicap" is no longer used or accepted by the disability community; instead, you can simply say "accessible." Typically, the term "handicap accessible" often means a space or terrain can be traversed by someone who uses a wheelchair or other mobility aid. However, accessibility doesn't just include people with mobility aids; it encompasses those with invisible disabilities, including people with chronic physical or mental health issues, and autism.

What are the ADA accessibility guidelines?

There are hundreds of guidelines in the ADA for accessibility compliance. These guidelines pertain to building entrances, ramp inclines, elevators, bathroom access, parking spaces, alarms, table heights, and more. These rules ensure that people with disabilities have access to their community and gives them a legal recourse if they encounter unnecessary barriers. You can visit the official ADA guidelines website to learn more.

How is Easterseals making the world more accessible?

Our community-based facilities across the United States are directly responding to the needs of their communities to break down barriers in employment, community access, housing, transportation, technology and more.

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