Persons with disabilities have the right to participate in their lives independently including staying in their own home and the ability to utilize services in their community. To be able to achieve this independence, a variety of accommodations can be made including modifications to your home or the use of assistive technology. Our AT and Home Modification programs work with you to find out what your needs are and the best ways to accommodate them.
**Please note: With the current health situation surrounding COVID-19, we are following CDC Guidance with social distancing and reduced face-to-face interactions. We are offering our services Virtually through phone, email and video calls. For more information about any of our services, please call your local office: 706-724-6262 (Augusta), 803-279-9611 (North Augusta) or 843-538-1600 (Walterboro).**
Home Modifications
Being able to stay in your own home is a challenge that many persons with disabilities face. It is not unreasonable for someone to want to gain or maintain their independence at home. Many times the only way to do this is through home modifications. Walton Options is able to assist with some of these modifications through our programs.
Operation Independence
Through various grant funders and other alternative funding options, Walton Options offers a home modification program that removes architectural barriers in the home and provides bathroom safety equipment.
Examples of the modifications and bathroom safety equipment include:
- Ramps
- Door Widen
- Handrails
- Grab Bars
- Shower chairs
- Handheld shower sprayer
Meals on Wheels America also has provided small grants in the past to support home mods for veterans. We are proud to be a member of the 2023 Meals on Wheels Team.
Housing
While Walton Options is not a residential facility, nor does it provide financial assistance for housing, we do provide resources for housing options and we offer a quarterly Housing and Advocacy class. In this class, we cover several key components such as:
- Considering Rent versus Purchase
- Information on applying for housing assistance
- Budgeting for housing
- Local emergency resources for varying situations
- Simple modifications for access
More details on the dates of classes are listed on our Events Calendar.
Assistive Technology
An assistive technology device is defined as any item or piece of equipment that is used to increase, maintain or improve the functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities in all aspects of life, including at school, at work, at home and in the community. Assistive Technology ranges from low tech to high tech devices or equipment. In today’s ever-evolving technological world, there is much that can be used as assistive technology or AT.
AT can be classified into three categories – Low Tech, AT Devices/equipment and High Tech AT. Low tech options include magnifiers, canes, walkers, or specialized grabber/grippers. Equipment or AT Devices include manual wheelchairs, closed caption televisions, books on ED and alternative mouse/keyboards for computers. High Tech AT includes power wheelchairs, communication devices with voice, digital hearing aids, digi-drive technology and computers/tablets with specialized software.
Walton Options works with a variety of partners to provide programs and services that can aid in the understanding, obtaining, training and using AT that is right for you.
Blind Rehabilitation Services
Are you or is someone you know experiencing vision loss or a combined vision and hearing loss? The blind rehabilitation services program can help you regain independence and remain in your home. Through funding from the Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency, we are able to offer a variety of services that can help you maintain your independence. The services include:
- Skills training in your home or community by certified rehabilitation specialists so you can keep on doing the daily tasks you like and stay active
- Mobility training by certified instructors so you can travel safely
- Support groups that offer opportunities so you can learn from and interact with peers who also have visual loss
- Comprehensive low vision evaluations by qualified professionals to assess practical and useful ways to access information with magnification
- Assistive aids/devices such as talking watches and clocks, lighting, big button phones, various household and kitchen aids
- Computer and communication technology training
Our Blind Rehabilitation Services are available for persons with low vision or blindness. If a consumer is over the age of 55 they would qualify for the Georgia Vision Program for Adults 55+. You can find out more about this program by clicking here.
The Tools for Life Program & Technology Demonstration Center
Are you interested in learning more about Assistive Technology and how it could increase your independence? Through funding from the Georgia Assistive Technology Act Program, Tools for Life, we are able to assist with access and acquisition of assistive technology for persons with disabilities of all ages. The Tools for Life technology demonstration program offers:
- A hands-on learning experience through tours and demonstrations
- AT assessments
- Assistance with searching funding options
- AT training (individual and group)
- AT and DME Reuse program
- Try before you buy program – two-week loan
STAR Program Hub
The Augusta Office is a hub for the Southeastern Technology Access and Reuse (STAR) Network which offers the opportunity for persons with disabilities to receive durable medical equipment that they may not otherwise be able to afford. The equipment is generally used equipment that has been donated to the program which is then cleaned, inspected and made available. The STAR Program provides equipment for a minimal contribution fee as well as takes donations of old equipment. Visit our STAR Program Hub page to find out more about the program and days of operation.
If you are interested in learning more about Assistive Technology or Home Modifications, please contact Walton Options on 706-724-6262 to speak with an Information and Referral Specialist. Or complete the Self-Referral Form online by clicking here.
Looking for more resources? Click on the links below to find out more about each of our Programs.
Employment Services
GA Vision Program
Nursing Home Transitions
STAR Program Hub
Work Incentives Planning &
Assistance (WIPA) Projects
Youth & Young Adult Programs