TECHNOLOGY

Reused and Exchanged Equipment Partnership (REEP)

Pennsylvania's Initiative on Assistive Technology (PIAT) supports a variety of programs that may be a source for "previously-owned" assistive devices, usually available at a lower cost than buying new. These efforts help get used assistive technology devices such as wheelchairs, walkers, commodes, lifts, portable ramps, and other devices out of attics and garages and into the hands of people with disabilities who need them. These programs include "exchange" programs such as PIAT's Reused and Exchanged Equipment Partnership Online Classifieds ("REEP Classified").

The Partner Programs

REEP programs include those that actually accept donations of equipment, clean them up, store them and donate them to others who are in need, such as Into New Hands, Changing Hands, and the newly expanded reuse programs at the Center for Independent Living of North Central PA and Life and Independence for Today. These programs are available to all Pennsylvanians with disabilities.

In addition to the programs listed here, the PIAT Assistive Technology Resource Center serving your county is likely to be familiar with other resources for used equipment in your region. If you are interested in locating programs in other states that exchange or refurbish equipment, check out the national listing compiled by the National Assistive Technology Technical Assistance Program. You can also learn more about reutilization of assistive technology through the Pass It On Center.

Pennsylvania's Reused & Exchanged Equipment Partnership Online Classifieds Listing ("REEP Classifieds")

The REEP Classifieds is a free statewide service for people with disabilities, their families, friends, service providers, and other interested individuals who want to find, buy, sell, or donate previously owned assistive technology. Equipment in the REEP Classifieds includes stair glides, adapted vehicles, wheelchairs, vision aids, communication devices and much more.

The REEP Classifieds is now an interactive online service, providing up-to-date listings that change frequently! From this site, sellers can post their own listings, including photos. Buyers can peruse the listings and, after registering, can obtain contact information about the sellers. For individuals who do not have internet access or who are not skilled users of the web, PIAT's Assistive Technology Resource Center (ATRC) Information and Assistance staff can post and search the listings. PIAT and its ATRCs do not accept responsibility for the devices that are listed on the REEP Classifieds.

Related Contacts

PIAT's REEP Classifieds Coordinator at Three Rivers Center for Independent Living:
800-633-4588 voice
412-371-7700 voice
412-371-6230 TTY
412-731-9430 Fax
Email: REEP@temple.edu or nlederman@trcil.org

Locate your regional Assistive Technology Resource Center:
800-204-7428 voice
866-268-0579 TTY
Email: ATinfo@temple.edu
Website: http://disabilities.temple.edu/programs/assistive/atlend/atrc.htm

Reuse Programs:

Donate your equipment, or find equipment you need from one of these centers. Although it may be more practical for you to contact the center nearest you, please note that equipment through these programs is not restricted by where you live in Pennsylvania.

Into New Hands

accepts and refurbishes equipment for reuse and is maintained by the Three Rivers Center for Independent Living. For more information go to www.trcil.org/intonewhands.htm, or for details on donating or receiving equipment, call Thom: 800-633-4588, ext. 166 (voice), or email tgressman@trcil.org.

Changing Hands

accepts and refurbishes equipment for reuse and is maintained by United Cerebral Palsy of Central PA. For details on donating or receiving equipment, call Jackie: 888-790-3925 (voice), 717-737-3477 (voice/TTY), email jwardle@ucpcentralpa.org, or visit www.changinghandscentralpa.org.

REEP Extension

accepts and refurbishes equipment for reuse and is maintained Life and Independence for Today (LIFT). For more information, call Tami: 800-341-4538(voice), 814-781-3050(voice), 814-781-1917 (Fax/TTY), or email liftinr@liftcil.org

A New Start

accepts and refurbishes equipment for reuse and is maintained by Roads to Freedom Center for Independent Living of North Central Pennsylvania. For more information, call Julie: 800-984-7492 (voice), 866-842-5426 (tty), or email jbair@cilncp.org

TRIPIL Warehouse

is a reuse program administered by Tri-County Patriots for Independent Living. For more information, call Donya: 724-223-5115 (voice), 724-228-4028 (tty), or email donya@tripil.com.

Pass AT On

is a reuse program administered by United Cerebral Palsy of Northeastern Pennsylvania. For more information, call Linda: 877-827-8324(voice), 570-347-3117 (tty), or email ucptech@yahoo.com.

Liberty Retreads

refurbishes and loans mobility devices (e.g. wheelchairs, walkers) and is administered by Liberty Resources, Philadelphia's Center for Independent Living. For more information, call Gretchen: 215-634-2000 (voice), or email GretchenBell@libertyresources.org.

Widow's Mite

is a faith-based program of Interfaith Specialty Services which accepts donations of devices and redistributes them to anyone in need in the greater Philadelphia region. For more information, call Angela: 215-324-2539(voice), email consult_iss@hotmail.com, or visit www.ISSINC.org.

Additional Resources to Consider

To expand your search for devices, consider the web sites craigslist and Sell Stuff Local. These sites are designed much like the local newspaper classified section. Keep in mind that there is always a risk when purchasing used equipment, no matter how reliable the source.

For more options, visit useitagainpa.org, a directory of organizations and companies that support recycling in Pennsylvania. Useitagainpa.org is a project of the Clean Air Council. The Pass It On Center, http://passitoncenter.org, is a resource for individuals looking for assistive technology reuse programs nationally.

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