CATS’ primary service is equipment re-use.  Gently used adaptive equipment and assistive technology devices are donated to the program, cleaned and refurbished, and then provided to children with disabilities that need them at no cost.   The child must live in or receive their medical or rehabilitative care in Virginia to utilize the program.  CATS also has a GoBabyGo program in Roanoke.   There is a Communication Loan Library available at the Marion/SW Virginia, Roanoke and Hampton Roads locations.

The Communication Loan Library provides augmentative communication and assistive technology devices to a child with disabilities on a 3 month loan.  Only 1 device can be requested at a time.  The request for the device must be made with the child’s speech therapist and a loan agreement must be signed.  There is no transfer of these items between locations.  Devices on the Roanoke inventory page are only available in the greater Roanoke area.  Devices in Hampton Roads inventory are only available in Hampton Roads.   Devices in Marion inventory are only available in the greater Marion area.

Dr. Cole Galloway, of University of Delaware has generously invited all interested parties to make use of the exciting work of his mobility lab http://www.udel.edu/gobabygo/   This project involves taking off-the-shelf toy ride-on powered toy cars and modifying them to provide mobility for young children who have crawling and walking problems. CATS has teams of volunteers with experience in adapting cars for individual children, and have completed more than 25 cars. The program is currently available in Roanoke on an individual basis.   Children can be referred by their physical, occupational or speech therapist.  Contact us at info@atdevicesforkids.org for an application

There is no delivery or shipping available.  Requested equipment must be picked up at one of our location facilities or at one of our vendor partners’ offices.  We are able to transfer a piece of equipment from one location to another, but since the transporting is done by volunteers, this can take several weeks.  Requested equipment must be picked up within five business days once it reaches its destination or it will be returned to inventory.  We would appreciate a small monetary donation if you request transfer of equipment.

No.  Requests for bath equipment, umbrella-like medical strollers, some activity chairs, wedges, simple wheelchairs, do not need a therapist referral.   Custom wheelchairs, power wheelchairs, standers, gait trainers/walkers and augmentative communication devices require a therapist referral and fitting.   Communication Loan Library items must have a speech therapist referral.  Therapist contact information is required for all equipment requests.

No.   Equipment we have available is pictured on the website.  Inventory is updated generally weekly.  Families and therapists need to check the site frequently if they are looking for a specific piece.

A family many request up to three pieces of equipment for a child in a calendar year.   Please refer to the “terms of service” for details.