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People with disabilities have a new ally in their pursuit of independence and inclusion – the Larry Allen Technology Suite (LATS), located on the Deepwood campus at the Lake County Board of Developmental Disabilities (LCBDD) in Mentor, Ohio. This groundbreaking initiative offers a hands-on experience with assistive technology to provide individuals, families, employers, and caregivers with the tools they need to enhance quality of life and promote active participation within their communities._x000D_
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“The Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities promotes Technology First Initiatives aimed at expanding the utilization of supportive technology for individuals with developmental disabilities,” said Elfie Roman, LCBDD Superintendent. “Embracing this perspective, we initiated discussions for a technology suite to complement the resources we already provide, with the goal that it would serve as a hub of innovation, driving advancements in assistive technology and promoting awareness and understanding of disability-related issues within the broader community.”_x000D_
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In Lake County, there are currently no other facilities offering the opportunity for individuals to stay for a weekend and trial assistive technology. In fact, there are very limited options nationwide for short-term stays focused on technology trials. The majority of technology homes across the country are custom-built for specific individuals and serve as their primary residences._x000D_
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