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Transition Assistance

MassMATCH is working to help bring elders and adults with disabilities home through better access to assistive technology. Many elders and adults with disabilities would prefer to live in their home communities instead of long-term care facilities, but they need assistive technology in their homes to make such a transition successful. MassMATCH created TACLE—Transition Assistance to Community Living Environment—to ensure that no one who wants to move home is unable to for lack of a wheelchair, grab bar, or other AT.

Under the auspices of and with funding from MassMATCH, TACLE began in 2007-2008 as a partnership with Easter Seals Massachusetts. That year Easter Seals collaborated with Metro West Center for Independent Living to create a simple-to-use AT "assessment tool." The tool helps case managers, social workers, healthcare providers and other related professionals determine an individual's needs for AT and AT services. It also creates an effective protocol for making referrals for AT services.

In 2009 and 2014, TACLE made the AT assessment tool available through targeted training events. The trainings were provided to staff members of Independent Living Centers and Aging Service Access Points, supported living providers, brain injury programs, and state agency personnel who provide transition assistance to individuals with disabilities (including acquired brain injury) and/or elders. Five trainings were held in 2009 and six are taking place in 2014.

TACLE's goal is to lay a foundation for system-wide access to AT where it is needed the most, helping to bring adults with disabilities and elders back to their home communities.

TACLE materials are available to download at this MassMATCH web page