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Check-It-Out (CIO) is a coordinated effort to loan assistive technology equipment to North Carolinians with disabilities, their families, and their service providers. The goal of this statewide network is to increase accessibility to adaptive devices by linking existing equipment loan programs via the World Wide Web. This site contains a database comprised of the loan inventories from participating programs. The searchable database allows users to locate loanable equipment from across North Carolina and communicate with a program's contact person about borrowing from the inventory. This site also contains information on assistive technology, a calendar of NC training events, and links to related web sites. Participating loan programs maintain local control of their equipment inventories; therefore, eligibility and other conditions of the loan agreement vary from program to program. For specific information regarding loan policies of individual programs, go to Information on Loan Programs. The database used to manage the Check-It-Out network was designed using FileMaker Pro. It was meant to serve as a basic system to track loan and equipment information. Over time, it evolved into a powerful tool used by both the NC Assistive Technology Program and the NC Assistive Technology Resource Centers to manage data collection and identify trends in center activities and equipment use. It currently tracks information on equipment inventory, equipment vendors, equipment loans, individual and group assistive technology service delivery, and consumer satisfaction. Given its demonstration as a viable system for record keeping and reporting cumulative data, the database seemed a natural choice to share with other NC agencies that loan assistive devices. In fact, North Carolina has been approached by agencies from other states who are interested in using the CIO database. Interested persons should contact (704/336-6630) or (828/586-7415). CIO is funded by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Public Health and by the North Carolina Assistive Technology Project. Collaborative partnerships have also been established with Mecklenburg County Preschool Services, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Mental Health/Developmental Disabilities/Substance Abuse Services, the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services, the Department of Administration through the Governor's Advocacy Council for Person's with Disabilities, and the North Carolina Assistive Technology Consortium. Enhancements to the Check-It-Out web site were partially funded by the Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust. For more information about the Check-It-Out network, or if you are a representative of a North Carolina agency interested in becoming a member of the CIO network, contact or email or . |
   
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