How to Try AT for Free Before Spending a Dollar

A communication device costs $300. A GPS tracker runs $150. A speech-generating app is $300 or more. Nobody wants to spend that kind of money and find out it doesn't work for their family member. The good news: you don't have to. Both Pennsylvania and Maryland run free AT lending programs that let you borrow real devices and try them at home, at school, or at work before you commit a dollar.

What are AT lending programs?

Every state has an assistive technology program funded through the federal AT Act. In PA, it's called TechOWL. In MD, it's called MDTAP. Both maintain libraries of real AT devices that anyone can borrow for free. No referral, no waiver, no income requirements. You request a device, they ship it (or you pick it up), you use it for a few weeks, and you send it back. That's it.

Think of it like a public library, but instead of books, the shelves are stocked with communication tablets, GPS trackers, adaptive switches, and smart home kits.

TechOWL (Pennsylvania)

TechOWL is run by Temple University and has over 1,500 devices available for loan. Any Pennsylvania resident can borrow, regardless of age, disability type, or waiver status. There is no cost for any of their services.

How to request a TechOWL loan

1. Go to myatprogram.org and create a free account (first-time users only).
2. Browse the device catalog and add what you want to try to your cart.
3. Submit the request. TechOWL staff will review it and reach out if they have questions or suggestions.
4. The device ships to you at no charge. Use it for up to 5 weeks in real daily situations.
5. Ship it back with the prepaid label when you're done.

If you're not sure what to borrow, call TechOWL at 800-204-7428. They offer free consultations and can recommend devices based on what you describe. They also have 10 regional AT Resource Centers across PA where you can see devices in person.

MDTAP (Maryland)

MDTAP is run by the Maryland Department of Disabilities. Their lending library has over 500 devices, and loans are available to any Maryland resident at no cost.

How to request an MDTAP loan

1. Call MDTAP at 800-832-4827 or 410-554-9230 to describe what you're looking for.
2. Schedule an appointment to visit their office in Baltimore, or ask about shipping options.
3. An MDTAP staff member will help you identify the right device to try and set up the loan.
4. Use the device for 1 to 4 weeks, then return it.

MDTAP also has an AT Reuse Center with free refurbished equipment (wheelchairs, walkers, hearing aids, communication devices) and a 3D printing lab that can create custom AT solutions. Worth asking about when you call.

What can you borrow?

The lending libraries cover a wide range of AT. Here are some of the most common items families borrow:

• AAC devices: Dedicated speech-generating devices from companies like Tobii Dynavox and PRC-Saltillo
• Tablets with communication apps: iPads loaded with Proloquo2Go, TouchChat, or TD Snap
• GPS and location trackers: Devices like AngelSense for people who may wander
• Smart home demos: Amazon Echo setups, smart plugs, and voice-controlled lights
• Switches and access tools: Adapted switches, joysticks, and alternative keyboards
• Daily living aids: Visual timers, weighted utensils, medication reminders, and adapted tools

Tips for a good trial

Borrowing the device is the easy part. Getting useful information from the trial takes a little planning:

1. Involve the person who'll actually use it. This sounds obvious, but it matters. AT that works great in a demo can fall flat if the person wasn't part of choosing it.
2. Try it in real settings.Don't just test it at the kitchen table. Bring it to the grocery store, to work, to the day program, to the park. AT needs to hold up in daily life, not just controlled environments.
3. Take notes on what works and what doesn't. Even quick observations help. “She figured out the buttons in 10 minutes” or “too heavy to carry in his backpack” are exactly the kind of details that guide your next step.
4. Ask a therapist to observe a session. If the person works with an OT or SLP, invite them to watch the device in action. Their clinical eye catches things families might miss, and their notes strengthen any funding request later.
5. Test more than one option if you can. Both programs let you borrow multiple devices. Trying two similar products side by side makes the differences obvious fast.

What happens after the trial?

If the device works well, the next question is how to get your own. You have several options depending on your state:

• Waiver funding:If the person has a Medicaid IDD waiver, AT is a covered service. PA's Consolidated Waiver covers up to $3,000/year. MD's Community Pathways Waiver covers up to $12,000/year. Your supports coordinator or CCS can build it into the service plan. PA funding details / MD funding details
• Low-interest loans: PA has PATF, which offers mini-loans from $100 to $2,000 at 0% interest. MD has MDTAP loans up to $70,000 at below-market rates. Neither requires waiver enrollment.
• Refurbished equipment: TechOWL runs a Refurbished Equipment Exchange Program (REEP) in PA. MDTAP has an AT Reuse Center in MD. Both provide free or reduced-cost gently-used equipment.
• School funding:If the person is age 3 to 21 with an IEP, the school district must provide AT at no cost if it's needed for education.

The trial notes you took become valuable here. When you can say “we tested this specific device for five weeks and here is what happened,” funding requests get approved faster. Real evidence beats a brochure every time.