ACL has released a new brief, Leveraging Innovation, Collaboration, and Data with Assistive Technology to Reduce Social Isolation and Loneliness: Success Story from Illinois. This brief highlights a model and innovative partnership at both the federal and state levels that successfully purchased and distributed technology devices to older adults and people with disabilities served by local agencies in order to reduce social isolation and loneliness.
Multiple entities worked together to lead the Illinois CARE Connections (ICC) program effort including the Illinois Assistive Technology Program (IATP), Illinois Department on Aging (IDoA), and Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS). From the federal end, this partnership was made possible through funds from Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding and support from ACL's Assistive Technology program, Aging and Disability Resource Centers (ADRCs), No Wrong Door (NWD) system, and Older Americans Act programs.
This effort is significant because Assistive Technology Act funds cannot be used for the direct purchase of technology for consumers.