West Virginia Assistive Technology System partners with WVU Speech, Language, and Hearing Clinic to offer new assistive technology loan library

Tuesday, May 26, 2026

The West Virginia Assistive Technology System (WVATS) is working with the WVU Speech, Language, and Hearing Clinic to help clients and professionals access assistive technology (AT) via a new loan library housed within the Clinic’s location at the WVU Applied Human Sciences Building in Morgantown.

This partnership comes during National Speech-Language-Hearing Month, which raises awareness about communication disorders each May. Specialists at the WVU Speech, Language, and Hearing Clinic often incorporate AT into their work with clients. AT is any product or service that makes tasks easier or possible for individuals with disabilities or limitations. These tools can be as simple as magnifiers and alternative keyboards or as complex as augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) speech devices and adaptive wheelchairs.

WVATS, part of the WVU Center for Excellence in Disabilities, is the state’s lead AT agency. They curate a virtual loan library featuring thousands of free-to-borrow AT devices, allowing West Virginians with and without disabilities to try products before buying or simply borrow a device to help them during a short-term disability. WVATS also refurbishes and rehomes AT, extending the life of devices and mobility aids while saving users money.

According to program manager Doug Cumpston, WVATS is always eager to collaborate. “We’re looking to partner with providers that utilize our services and library frequently,” said Cumpston. “WVATS has been working with the WVU Speech, Language, and Hearing Clinic for some time now. Their dedication to implementing assistive technology has really made them an asset to the people of West Virginia.”

The relationship grew from the multi-disciplinary clinic that both programs have been involved in for a couple of years along with teams from the WVU Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy programs. WVATS worked with Molly Abitbol, assistant professor with the WVU Division of Communication Sciences and Disorders, to provide the Clinic with AAC devices that are in high demand for their clients.

“A huge thank you to WVATS and the WVU Speech, Language, and Hearing Clinic for teaming up to launch our new AAC lending library, now available right here at the Clinic! This partnership is expanding access, empowering communication and helping more West Virginians find the tools they need to be heard,” said Abitbol.

The mini-loan library within the Clinic will operate the same as the larger WVATS one. People can log onto the virtual loan library, select the items they wish to borrow for up to 30 days, and arrange to pick up or get them shipped. If the items are from the new Clinic library, their team will handle the loans instead of routing through WVATS. It’s a streamlined process made possible through inter-agency partnership.

“Creating this library with the WVU Speech and Hearing Clinic has been a great collaborative experience,” said Allie Morlock, WVATS Assistive Technology Specialist. “Working with Molly over the last couple of years has really allowed the WVATS team to discern how we can best support her and her clients. This library will allow Molly and her team to trial more devices during the multidisciplinary assessments and help educate new speech therapists who are venturing into the world of communication devices for the first time.”

WVATS has previously collaborated with the Marshall University Department of Communication Disorders and the Oshel Lending Library to increase access to AT and is currently working on a partnership with Patriot Guardens, a Charleston-based agricultural education and hands-on learning program for military veterans, active duty members, and their families. They plan to continue developing partnerships to further increase AT access statewide.

 

-WVU-

CONTACT: Melina Danko
Assistant Director of Communications and Marketing
WVU Center for Excellence in Disabilities
304-293-4692; mdanko@hsc.wvu.edu