Our Mission
C4AT's focus is on access to computers and technology for people with disabilities. We do this so children with disabilities can succeed in school, adults with disabilities can find (and keep) jobs and all people with disabilities can use their phones, personal computers, the internet, and email and benefit from the digital revolution.
C4AT also provides business consulting services to nonprofit organizations, businesses, and government entities. We provide assistance on creating accessible websites and have a test bank of users with disabilities to test websites, apps, products and services.
C4AT supports use of technology to promote independent living for people with disabilities, providing information via online resources, and engaging in advocacy work to support policies that expand access to technology, energy, and telecommunications for people with disabilities, including the many people with disabilities.
C4AT is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.
Mission Statement
We believe that people with disabilities should be able to participate fully in work, school, recreation, and the community, and that technology is one important tool toward that end. Our mission includes:
- Providing information and services supporting technology use that respect individual differences;
- Advocating for policies on the state and federal level that support the ability of people with disabilities to live independently with the assistance of technology;
- Encouraging each person’s right to make informed choices; and
- Building the community’s capacity to support the assistive technology user.
Our History
- In 1983, a group of visionary parents came together to found an agency that assisted families and individuals in determining how people with disabilities could access computers. One of those parents, Jackie Brand, became the first Executive Director of what was then called "The Disabled Children's Computer Group". DCCG was started to enable information on Assistive Technology, then a brand new field, to be distributed to people who were trying to see if personal computers could be usable by people with disabilities. DCCG quickly enlarged its scope, and began working with both children and adults. The name was changed to the Center for Accessible Technology to reflect this broader range of clients. C4AT also inspired other similar organizations to start across the country, and at one time there was a network of almost 40 AT Centers.
- In 2001, the focus of the organization began shifting. Although direct service to children and adults with disabilities was still a major focus, we began offering consulting services to different entities. Those services included website accessibility consultation, the development of a Test Bank of users with disabilities, and providing product testing for both online services as well as handheld electronics.
- In 2010, C4AT developed a national/international project, the AT Coalition that continues to provide both an online resources on accessible technology as well as webinars on various AT-related topics.
- In 2011, C4AT began its policy work and became involved in statewide policy that affects people with disabilities by representing the disability community in proceedings at the California Public Utilities Commission. C4AT's input is also used in various proceedings of the Federal Communications Commission.
Awards
The California Speech-Language-Hearing Association awarded C4AT their “2019 Celebration of Excellence Public Service Award”. They produced a short video about C4AT and what we do.