Assistive technology access program (PAAT)
The assistive technology access program (PAAT) is intended for people of all ages who have a diagnosis of a physical disability, intellectual disability or autism spectrum disorder and who require the provision of a technical or technological aid requiring specialized expertise in order to develop or maintain social participation and achieve a life project.
Services adapted to individual needs
PAAT provides expertise in techno-clinical intervention and in the areas of communication technologies, digital tools, computer and tablet access and environmental control systems. More specifically, the PAAT team becomes involved when the most appropriate way to support the development of abilities and compensate for disabilities requires the implementation of complex technological aids, as well as clinical expertise in the field of assistive technology.
What are the objectives?
The main objective of the PAAT program is to offer direct and indirect support to professionals from the referring teams of the various intellectual disability, autism spectrum disorder and physical disability (ID-ASD-PD) programs in implementing technological aids or techno-clinical interventions.
Types of technical and technological aids covered by the PAAT program
- technical and technological aids for oral communication
- technical and technological aids for non-verbal communication
- reading aids
- computer and tablet access
- environmental control systems
- adapted telephone systems and cellphone adaptations
- technological aids supporting non-academic learning and the performance of activities of daily living (ADLs) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs)
Types of services offered and intervention methods
- advisory support for care teams and referring professionals
- assessment, recommendations, programming and provision of technical and technological aids when the situation requires a specialized level of expertise
- when needed, training in the use of the technical/technological aid in collaboration with the referring team handling the request
- development of an action plan to integrate the aids into daily life, in collaboration with the referring team/professional and the individual’s environment
- support and guidance for post-provision needs (repair requests, programming adjustments), in collaboration with the technical aids service team, care teams, the referring professional or the individual’s environment
How to access services
To access the PAAT program, you must already be receiving services. Your system navigator can refer you. If you don’t have one, consult the Access to a service section to request the support of a system navigator.
Intake, analysis, guidance, and referral services (AAOR) is the main entry point to the CISSS du Bas-Saint-Laurent for CLSC service requests. This service receives your request, analyzes it, directs you to the appropriate service or refers you to the appropriate agency according to your needs. To access this service.
To obtain more information about the language impairment program, contact the AAOR or one of the physical rehabilitation centres (CRDP).