Provides augmentative and alternative communication options through assistive technology, which enables children and youth with disabilities to participate more fully in all aspects of life. Augmentative and Alternative Communication includes various communication methods that enhance or replace verbal speech or writing for individuals with communication disabilities. Check the team resource folders for additional Assistive Technology & Augmentative and Alternative Communication information for IEP teams to consider and utilize including AT Information and Tools, AAC Information and Tools, or use the form link on the website to request AAC Collaboration.

Offers a variety of rental medical equipment and supplies.

Products include:

-- Mobility aids

-- Breast pumps and accessories

-- Bandages and wound care

-- Medical instruments

-- Orthopedic products

-- Aids for daily living

-- Ostomy products

-- Hosiery and medical legwear

-- Oxygen, respiratory and CPAP machines and accessories

-- Hospital beds and accessories

-- Home safety products (grab bars, bath/shower benches, elevated toilet seats)

Offers to lend medical health equipment to individuals in Whiteside County. Also accepts donated equipment. Types of equipment available include canes, crutches, walkers, hospital beds, wheelchairs, knee walkers, bedside commodes, toilet risers, shower/bath seats, bath transfer benches, bathtub rails, shower grab bars, 30" Reach/grab, icing machines, ankle and wrist weights, bed rails, toilet rails, and gait belts, surgical boots, sock aids and more.

Employment program for people who experience a disability. Assists people with disabilities prepare for, find, and keep a job. Program is voluntary and the services provided will be specific to an individual's needs.

Helps businesses recruit, train, and retain employees with disabilities.

Employment program for people who experience a disability. Assists people with disabilities prepare for, find, and keep a job. Program is voluntary and the services provided will be specific to an individual's needs.

Helps businesses recruit, train, and retain employees with disabilities.

Provides call captioning solutions for your home phone. After sign up , a complimentary CaptionCall phone is provided as part of the service. It works like a regular phone, but has a large touchscreen that displays scrolling text of your conversation for clear caption phone calls.

Sorenson CaptionCall is a provider of IP CTS which is a federal program supporting the requirement of the American's with Disabilities Act (ADA) to allow individuals with hearing loss to use the phone in a manner that is functionally equivalent to a person without hearing loss. There is no cost for the CaptionCall phone or the captioning service.

Referrals for hearing loss issues and programs.

Advocacy for deaf and hard of hearing individuals and assist in Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) issues to secure such services. Promotes awareness and understanding of the rights of persons with a hearing loss.

Equipment loan programs (amplified phones, TTY phone equipment, amplified headsets and two hearing aid banks). Offers telephone equipment demonstrations.

Maintains an inventory of services available to meet the needs of the deaf and hard of hearing and assist them in securing these services.

Conducts a voluntary census of deaf and hard of hearing persons in Nebraska and compile a registry.

Provides reconditioned hearing aids to persons who need these instruments and meet the age and financial guidelines.

Expands programs and services available to deaf and hard of hearing persons throughout the state. Implements new programs through collaboration with consumer groups, the governor, legislature, organizations, institutions, and agencies. Broadens the collection and dissemination of information on hearing loss and deafness.

Eye care services include:

- Adult and children's eye exams.

- Cataract surgery.

- Diabetic eye care.

- Laser surgery.

- Glaucoma.

- Floaters.

- Eyelid plastic surgery.

- Pediatric eye disease.

- Macular degeneration.

Eyeglasses services include:

- Standard prescriptions.

- No-line bifocals.

- Ultra-thin/ultra-light lenses.

- OSHA-approved safety glasses.

- Sports glasses.

- Custom sunglasses.

Referrals for hearing loss issues and programs.

Advocacy for deaf and hard of hearing individuals and assist in Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) issues to secure such services. Promotes awareness and understanding of the rights of persons with a hearing loss.

Equipment loan programs (amplified phones, TTY phone equipment, amplified headsets and two hearing aid banks). Offers telephone equipment demonstrations.

Maintains an inventory of services available to meet the needs of the deaf and hard of hearing and assist them in securing these services.

Conducts a voluntary census of deaf and hard of hearing persons in Nebraska and compile a registry.

Provides reconditioned hearing aids to persons who need these instruments and meet the age and financial guidelines.

Expands programs and services available to deaf and hard of hearing persons throughout the state. Implements new programs through collaboration with consumer groups, the governor, legislature, organizations, institutions, and agencies. Broadens the collection and dissemination of information on hearing loss and deafness.

OSF Home Medical Equipment helps convalescent individuals of any age remain at home by offering the following (and more):

- Respiratory supplies and services.

- Mobility equipment (canes, crutches, walkers, wheelchairs).

- Bathroom safety equipment and commodes.

- Hospital beds.

In-home delivery, pick-up, education, emergency on-call and repair services are also offered.

Provides medical and health-related items for purchase or rent to individuals in need of continuing care at home. Offers 24/7 emergency call service, as well as training in how to safely and effectively use medical equipment at home. Mobility support and rehabilitation aids also available, along with respiratory support devices, sleep care devices, and women's health aids breast pumps and post mastectomy supplies and custom fitting consultations.

Advocacy and services for persons with all types of disabilities including skills training, peer counseling, information and referral, and technical assistance about the Americans with Disabilities Act.

- Blind Services works with individuals one-on-one to instruct persons who have lost (or are losing) their vision, on how to read Braille and organize their household and travel. Produces and replicates Braille materials. Translates materials such as menus and brochures into Braille and produces multiple copies as a service to the community. (There is a normal cost per Braille page produced, plus $25 per hour for formatting.)

- Captioning at Real Time (CART) provides the translation of spoken words into text using a stenotype machine operated by a stenographer/reporter. Real-time software is used to display the text onto a computer monitor, and a projector or other device is used to display the text on a television or larger screen. CART is especially valuable in large meetings or in communications with a person who is deaf or has hearing loss. CART can be utilized in following settings: community events and workshops, government, legal, educational, medical, theater and auditorium, and captioning of movies and videos.

- Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services provides one-on-one services for independent living skills training, information and referral, advocacy, and peer counseling. Serves as a TTY Distribution site for ITAC (Illinois Telecommunications Access Commission), which provides free TTY devices to Illinois residents. Distributes applications for Iowa TTY distributions for Iowa residents who are qualified (speech impaired or hard of hearing). Distributes amplified phones for residents of Illinois of all ages who have a difficult time hearing on the phone.

- Provides information and resources on low-tech independent living devices such as magnifiers, talking watches, etc., when funding is available.

- Housing assistance provides information and problem-solving assistance with locating and securing affordable, accessible housing, including research into public and private-sector housing markets.

- Information and Referral service provides information through Illinois/Iowa Center for Independent Living's system and library. Requests for information can be made by phone, mail, or in person, and can include loans of library materials.

- Outreach services offers presentations, brochures, media releases, public service announcements, media interviews, and video programs to inform the public of programs and services offered.

- Volunteers are utilized in programs, services, and office operations; volunteers receive training and supervision appropriate to their duties.

Hair replacement for children who have experienced hair loss due the illnesses of cancer, alopecia, trichotillomania, and other medical conditions.

See website for information on hair donation and stylists that provide services free of charge for donors.

Wigs for Kids does not charge their recipients for the custom wigs.

Monetary donations are needed to underwrite the manufacturing of the hairpieces and distribution.

Employment program for people who experience a disability. Assists people with disabilities prepare for, find, and keep a job. Program is voluntary and the services provided will be specific to an individual's needs.

Helps businesses recruit, train, and retain employees with disabilities.

If an individual has trouble hearing on the phone, he or she may be eligible for a free amplified phone. Individuals can receive an application packet, test, and select a phone they would like to order.

Equipment available includes seating/positioning devices, bathing/toileting equipment, standing devices, wheeled mobility, and electronic aids to daily living. Evaluations and fittings provided.

Specific programs include:

- "Amtryke" program provides adapted tricycles.

- "iCan Bike" program teaches children how to ride a bicycle.

- Augmentative/Alternative Communication uses high-tech devices and low-tech strategies to facilitate communication and speech development.

Vocational rehabilitation services include vocational guidance and counseling; training, tuition, and equipment; occupational equipment and supplies; assistance for establishing small businesses (NBE); job placement and follow-up services; and medical services.

Orientation and adjustment center.

Consultants for people who are blind or visually impaired.

Training in cane travel and independent living skills.

Home training.

Supportive services and transitional services for youth who are proceeding from high school to college.

Help veterans, seniors, and persons with disabilities with household items including furniture and bedding, hospital beds, walkers, wheelchairs (including motorized), shower chairs, commodes and adult hygiene items. In addition, Carol's Closet can help families with newborn baby clothes to size 6 children's clothes, diapers, new cribs and car seats, baby essentials, and household items including dishes, furniture and bedding. Carol's Closet also has a handicap accessible van and standing lift for loan with a donation.

Provides eye exams and hearing screenings to individuals in the community who need assistance. Also accepts all types of useable eyeglasses and sunglasses, prescription and non-prescription.

Purchases assistive technology devices for children with disabilities, up to $650.