Assistive Technology in New Hampshire (ATinNH) is the state’s federally funded Assistive Technology Act Program, housed at the Institute on Disability (IOD) under the College of Health and Human Services at the University of New Hampshire. Our mission is to ensure that individuals with disabilities and aging populations across New Hampshire have access to the assistive technology (AT) they need to live independently, participate fully in their communities, and pursue meaningful goals in education, employment, and daily life.
Origins of ATinNH
ATinNH was established under the 1988 Technology-Related Assistance for Individuals with Disabilities Act (Tech Act), which provided federal funding for statewide assistive technology (AT) programs. New Hampshire joined this initiative with significant contributions from Therese Willkomm, who worked alongside Senator Tom Harkin to shape the legislation.
The NH Assistive Technology Program officially launched in 1992 under Jan Nisbet at the Institute on Disability. In 1997, Willkomm became director and renamed the program ATinNH. Under her leadership, the program gained national recognition for AT reuse, refurbishing, repair, and innovative funding models, including Medicaid partnerships and the creation of thousands of custom AT solutions. A pioneer in the AT makers movement.
ATinNH evolved alongside amendments to the AT Act, including the Assistive Technology Act of 1998 and the 2004 reauthorization. These changes formalized direct services such as device demonstrations, short-term loans, equipment reuse, and state financing activities. In 2014, administration of AT Act programs shifted to the Administration for Community Living (ACL), aligning AT services with broader community living goals.
Willkomm retires after 28 years of service, continuing her advocacy as an “AT Nomad,” traveling the U.S. to create devices for people with disabilities.
ATinNH expands operations across three major areas:
- Assistive Technology Services:
Offering device demonstrations, short-term equipment loans, and device reuse programs to help individuals find and access the tools they need. - Training, Education, and Outreach:
Providing professional development, public awareness campaigns, and community-based training to promote understanding and use of AT across sectors. - Innovation and Access Expansion:
Driving innovation through 3D printing of custom assistive technology solutions via the MakerAbility Hub, offering no- or low-cost personalized devices. The program also supports a discount purchasing initiative, helping individuals and organizations access AT devices affordably—making independence more achievable for all.
History of the Assistive Technology Act
- States received competitive grants to conduct needs assessments and build infrastructure for AT services.
- Early activities included public awareness, training, technical assistance, and model service delivery.
- The 1994 amendments introduced systems change and advocacy activities, requiring states to collaborate with Protection and Advocacy (P&A) agencies.
- Congress passed the Assistive Technology Act (P.L. 105-394), creating a permanent statewide program model.
- Required activities included public awareness, interagency coordination, and technical assistance.
- Alternative financing systems were authorized to help individuals acquire AT devices.
- The Act shifted to a formula grant model, ensuring funding for all states and territories.
- States were required to provide four core activities: device demonstrations, short-term loans, device reutilization, and state financing.
- States also conducted State Leadership activities such as training, public awareness, and collaboration.
- Administration moved from the Department of Education’s Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) to the Administration for Community Living (ACL), aligning AT programs with broader community living goals.
- The AT Act continues to support inclusive access to technology across education, employment, independent living, and aging services. It remains a cornerstone of disability rights, empowerment, and meaningful participation.
Now that you've learned about our history, help us shape the future...
Assistive technology continues to evolve—shaped by people who design, test, study, and support tools that expand access and independence. Across the University of New Hampshire and beyond, students, researchers, clinicians, and engineers are helping move this work forward. If you’re interested in being part of the future of assistive technology, there are many pathways to explore.
Hands-on learning and innovation
Health Sciences Simulation Center (CHHS)
The College of Health and Human Services' new Center for Digital Health Innovation brings together faculty, staff and students from across the University of New Hampshire with the shared goal of engaging cutting edge technologies to enhance the health and well-being of individuals across the lifespan. The Center serves as a hub providing support and coordination advancing research, practice, outreach and teaching activities.
Advanced study in assistive technology
Occupational Therapy Department's Graduate Certificate in Assistive Technology
The Assistive Technology Certificate program at UNH introduces students to cutting-edge tools and techniques that connect individuals with the applications of assistive technology to provide them with greater independence at home, school, work, or play. Online students will be encouraged to learn by doing, exploring, creating and applying clinical reasoning skills throughout guided online instruction.
Engineering and design
Bioengineering
The Bioengineering program is tailored to students who want to use engineering principles to analyze problems and design solutions in the fields of healthcare, medicine and biology and biotechnology all of which play a key roll in assistive technology development.
Communication, access, and participation
Communication Sciences & Disorders
A degree in speech and language pathology includes learning about assistive technology for communication and cognition.
ATinNH is funded by the Administration for Community Living (ACL), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
