ABLEDATA

ABLEDATA's primary mission is to provide information on assistive technology and rehabilitation equipment available from domestic and international sources to consumers, organizations, professionals, and caregivers.
The ABLEDATA database contains information on more than 27,000 assistive technology products (over 18,000 of which are currently available), from white canes to voice output programs. The database contains detailed descriptions of each product including the price and company information. The database also contains information on commercial prototypes, customized and one-of-a-kind products, and do-it-yourself designs. To select devices most appropriate to your needs, we suggest combining ABLEDATA information with professional advice, product evaluations, and hands-on product trials.
ABLEDATA does not produce, distribute or sell any of the products listed on the database, but they do provide information on how to contact manufacturers or distributors of these products. They do not produce any type of catalogue.


User Services:

Database Searches: From the ABLEDATA website, you can search ABLEDATA free of charge for different models of a specific device, such as powered wheelchairs, or for products which address a functional need, such as eating. The web site offers 4 different methods of searching the database:

• by a key word or phrase;
• by the brand name of an assistive device;
• by the name of a manufacturer or distributor;
• by performing a Boolean search of the database.

For those not having access to the web, ABLEDATA will do searches on a cost-recovery basis e.g. a printed listing of 50 or fewer product entries is $5.00 (US).
Quick Reference and Referral: An information specialist can answer simple information requests and provide referrals immediately at no cost.
User Training Workshops: One or two-day workshops are available to groups and organizations who want to learn to use the ABLEDATA database more efficiently and effectively.
Publications: Fact Sheets provide a detailed overview of a class of devices or a topic related to assistive technology such as braille writers, adaptive sports equipment. A listing of suppliers, organizations, related readings, etc. are provided.
ABLEDATA Informed Consumer Guides include information on product selection and purchase of a particular type of devices, and offer references to product write-ups, standards, or comparative studies on that product class.
Fact Sheets and Informed Consumer Guides are available in printed format for $4.25 (US) or may be viewed, and downloaded of their web site.

Canadians can access ABLEDATA services.

Contact at:

ABLEDATA 8630 Fenton Street, Suite 930 Silver Spring, MD 20910 Telephone: (301) 608-8998 Fax: (301) 608-8958 Web site: www.abledata.com