About ATEL
The Rhode Island Adaptive Telephone Equipment Loan (ATEL) Program provides landline/home telephones and wireless devices on loan to qualified individuals who are Deaf, Hard of Hearing, have a speech disability, or have neuromuscular damage or disease that hinders them from using a standard telephone. You must be a RI Resident, have one of the above-mentioned disabilities, and meet one of the income qualifier criteria described on the application.
As one of theRhode Island Assistive Technology Access Partners (ATAP) we are technology focused, working together to improve access to and acquisition of assistive technology for older adults and individuals with disabilities.
Our main initiatives include:
- Device Acquisition
- Device Demonstration
- Device Loan
- Public Awareness
- Collaboration
- Information & Referral
- Training/ATEL TechTime
ATEL Tech Time is a new program focusing on helping to bridge the digital divide of older adults and individuals with disabilities. Technology has changed so much over the past few years that now instead of needing a special piece of equipment, there is an App for that, or a built in Accessibility Feature that can make smartphones or tablet benefit almost everyone. However, older adults and individuals with disabilities may need more training than their younger counterparts due to several challenges they may experience with using technology. We do trainings at Libraries, Senior Centers, Senior Housing and public spaces; if you are aware of a location that needs support, or for any other questions, please contact Denise Corson at (401)486-3325 or email denise.corson@ors.ri.gov.