Minnesota Regional Assistive Technology Collaborative (MRATC)

Minnesota Regional Assistive Technology Collaborative (MRATC)

A Regional Approach to Assistive Technology

Whether this is the first time you’ve read our New and Emerging Assistive Technology Newsletter or if you’ve read all or some of our previous issues, we refer to our partners—Minnesota Regional Assistive Technology Collaborative (MRATC) often.

So, who are they and what do they do? The Minnesota Regions Assistive Technology Collaborative (MRATC) is a statewide consortium formed in 2001 to address the problems of access to equipment, lack of awareness about Assistive Technology (AT) and to ensure services would be available throughout the state.

Assistive Technology (AT) can be overwhelming as individuals try to sort through the maze of equipment, devices and services available to make life easier and increase or maintain independence. MRATC partners are the experts in the field and can help find the right tool for the right task. Our partners can help you:

Find information and referral to resources, equipment and supports.

Provide education and awareness activities to the public on the types of equipment and services available.

Provide training for individuals, families and the professionals who serve them.

Mobile Outreach clinics bringing specialized services to locations throughout Minnesota.

Lending and demonstration projects providing the individual with direct access to equipment for short trial period.

Find funding to purchase AT.

The Minnesota Regional Assistive Technology Collaborative (MRATC) covers the entire state of Minnesota by dividing it into Regions. Each region has a lead organization and chairperson for that area of the state. Let's find out a little bit more about each of these organizations and what they can do for you!

Region One: ARC Headwaters – Bemidji Area (Upper Northwest Corner)

Cass Robinson is the Executive Director of ARC Headwaters. ARC is an organization that supports and advocates for people with intellectual and other developmental delays and their families. They promote self sufficiency, advocate for civil rights, increase public awareness and work to improve public policies. They all so provide referral and information as well as provide services to enable people to become contributing members of their communities. ARC Headwaters has an assistive technology lending library and provides training on equipment. For more information about ARC Headwaters, check out their website at or call Cass at 800-450-7338.

Region Two: Access North Center for Independent Living – Hibbing (Upper Northeast Corner)

Access North representative Pam Parson is the contact for MRATC in Region Two. They focus on assisting individuals with disabilities to live independently, pursue meaningful goals and have equal opportunities and choices. Access North provides an extensive list of services ranging from independent living skills to entrepreneurial assistance to a ramp project that helps get ramps put onto homes. They provide training in assistive technology equipment and have people that can advocate for you and assist you in finding the proper technology to make life easier and improve quality of life. If you are looking for an amazing list of service and programs in the upper northeast corner of MN, contact Pam at or call 800-390-3681.

Region Three: Freedom Resource Center – Fergus Falls (West Central MN)

Freedom Resource Center and Independent Living Advocate Tonya Stoll represent Region three in the west central part of MN. Freedom Resource Center is a disability rights organization that works towards equality and inclusion for people with disabilities through programs of empowerment and community education. They provide services free of charge to individuals of any age and disability. Their services consist of information and referral, advocacy, independent living skills, peer mentoring, disability rights and much more. Freedom Resource Center can assist with Social Security Benefits, accessing health care and employment. If you are looking for information or assistance in the Fergus Falls/West Central MN area, contact Tonya at or call 218-998-1799

Region Four: SPOT Rehabilitation and Home Health Care (East Central MN)

Kathleen Trueman chairs Region Four covering central and east central MN. SPOT Rehabilitation is a full coverage rehabilitation clinic and has expanded into the Home Health Care area. SPOT is an acronym for Speech, Physical and Occupational Therapy. They provide therapies for children and adults, feeding programs, aquatic therapy, a driver review program and much more. Kathy is very involved in the assistive technology field and SPOT Rehabilitation and Home Health Care provides specialized equipment assessments. For more information or referrals in the central and east central MN area, contact Kathy Trueman at or call 320-259-4151.

Region Five:

For information regarding the Southwestern corner of MN, contact Dan Stores at 612-518-3311.

Region Six: SMILES, PAACT and South East Center for Independent Living (South East Corner)

The southeastern corner of the state is chaired by Howard Rosten with SEMCIL. They work to assist persons with disabilities to become self directed and valued community members. They accomplish this by providing advocacy, peer mentoring, nursing home relocation services and independent living skills. They have a senior companionship program and a ramp program to help provide accessability. SEMCIL has offices in Rochester and Winona while Howard is located at the SMILES Center for Independent Living offices in Mankato. Howard can be reached in Mankato at or by calling 507-545-7139.

Region Seven: EquipALife (Metro Area)

EquipAlife is the only statewide nonprofit organization dedicated exclusively to assisting individuals with disabilities, their families and the professionals who serve them locate adaptive technology devices and services. Alternative financing programs and funding solutions provided through EquipALife are critical to Minnesotans in need of equipment / services as in many cases there are few if any payment options to cover the costs. As a consumer driven organization, EquipALife is led by community members invested in outcomes for those we collectively serve. Helping individuals find the right tool for the right task and creating a life-line to financing is how EquipALife makes a difference in the lives of Minnesotans in need.

For information in the seven county metro area, contact Carol Fury at EquipALife at or call 800-535-8239.

STAR: Minnesota STAR ProgramA System of Technology to Achieve Results

STAR's mission is to help ALL MINNESOTANS with disabilities gain access to and acquire the assistive technology they need to live, learn, work and play. The STAR Program is federally funded by the Rehabilitation Services Administration.

STAR provides a database of funding for purchase assistive technology. Additionally, STAR provides short-term (approximately 30-days) device loans which allows consumers to try a device or software program before buying. Device loans may also be used to "fill-in" for a device that is being repaired or while waiting for delivery of a newly-purchased device.
Device demonstrations allow consumers to compare features and benefits of a particular device or category of devices. Demonstrations are for individuals, or a small group of individuals, and are not the same as devices shown during an exhibit or public awareness

STAR also maintains an online device exchange known as STAR Technology Exchange (STARTE). This free device exchange site allows Minnesotans and others to donate, sell, and buy previously owned but still usable assistive technology.

To learn more about the STAR program contact Jo Erbes at 651-201-2295 or
.