Illinois Assistive Technology Program - IATP

Want to make Halloween more accessible and inclusive? Here are a few tips:
1. Keep your walkways open and clear, ensuring every visitor, especially those with mobility devices, can reach your door.
2. Set your treat station where visitors can easily reach it, like a bowl on a small table at the bottom of your stairs.
3. Allow extra time for visitors to process and respond.
4. Limit treat choices to ease decision-making.
5. Be flexible by allowing non-verbal cues and other ways of communicating beyond verbalizing “Trick-Or-Treat.”
6. Include allergen-free options and offer non-food items such as stickers or glow sticks.

When you make Halloween accessible and inclusive, everyone gets to join in the fun and magic. Share any accessible, inclusive tips you practice in the comments below.

During National Disability Employment Awareness Month, we’re highlighting IDHS services that help people with disabilities pursue their employment goals.

Through the IDHS Division of Rehabilitation Services’ Bureau of Blind Services, people who are blind or have low vision can access programs that support employment and greater independence.

Services include vocational rehabilitation and assistive technology to help people prepare for employment, find jobs and perform tasks on the job, along with additional training and employment opportunities.

Learn more about available services and how to apply: https://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=29974

Thank you to everyone who attended our Open House and Resource Fair! We appreciate our vendors for spending the day with us and providing so many valuable resources. If you weren't able to stop by, you can visit our website to learn more about IATP programs at www.iltech.org

Check out our interview with WANDTV news about the Open House and Resource Fair event: https://www.wandtv.com/2026/10/27/springfield-non-profit-connects-people-with-life-changing-technology/

Open House and Resource Fair is happening now until 12pm. Then again at 3 PM until 6 PM. Come out to see all the vendors and to learn about IATP.

The Open House and Resource Fair is tomorrow!

With trick-or-treating right around the corner, come by to learn some “tricks” on assistive technology from IATP and the resource vendors – and grab a sweet treat while you are here!

Halloween is a fun time to dress up in costumes and go trick-or-treating. It can also be stressful for children with communication difficulties. A core board for communication can help. It allows children to point to symbols and words on the page to communicate their wants and needs with others. Download a free, Halloween-specific communication core board to use this season at https://iltech.org/services/aac-evaluations/.

Vendor Spotlight - Sangamon County TRIAD

TRIAD is a partnership which involves Senior Citizens, Law Enforcement agencies, and Support/Protective Services who agree to work together. Their primary goals are to reduce the criminal victimization of older citizens and enhance the delivery of services to this population. TRIAD provides the opportunity for an exchange of information between law enforcement, support service, and senior citizens. It focuses on reducing unwarranted fear of crime and improving the quality of life for seniors. TRIAD is tailored to meet the needs of each community and can be an integral part of community policing.

For more information on TRIAD, visit their website at https://www.sangamoncountytriad.com/.

Stop by IATP’s Open House and Resource Fair on Monday, October 26 from 9 am to noon and 3 to 6 pm to talk with TRIAD and other vendors.

For more information on IATP’s Open House and Resource Fair, visit https://iltech.org/event/iatp-open-house-resource-fair/.

Vendor Spotlight - Business Enterprise Program for the Blind

The Business Enterprise Program for the Blind (BEPB) offers professional food services including a variety of high-tech vending machines, customized snack stands, cafeteria management and sundries/gift shops. The dedicated men and women of the BEPB are experienced small business owners/managers that believe in providing the highest-level of customer service and products at competitive pricing. Presently, the Illinois BEPB has over 90 successful entrepreneur's operating small businesses offering a variety of services.

For more information on BEPB, visit their website at https://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=46499.

Stop by IATP’s Open House and Resource Fair on Monday, October 26 from 9 am to noon and 3 to 6 pm to talk with BEPB and other vendors.

For more information on IATP’s Open House and Resource Fair, visit https://iltech.org/event/iatp-open-house-resource-fair/.

Vendor Spotlight - Illinois Comptroller: Financial Literacy and Identity Theft

The Comptroller is the chief fiscal control officer for Illinois government, charged by the Constitution with maintaining the state’s central fiscal accounts and ordering payments into and out of the appropriate funds. The topic of Identity Theft is one of the most requested presentations for the Comptroller’s office. Learn about financial literacy and identity theft at their booth.

For more information on the Illinois Comptroller, visit their website at https://illinoiscomptroller.gov/.

Stop by IATP’s Open House and Resource Fair on Monday, October 26 from 9 am to noon and 3 to 6 pm to talk with the Illinois Comptroller and other vendors.

For more information on IATP’s Open House and Resource Fair, visit https://iltech.org/event/iatp-open-house-resource-fair/.