Countdown to National Nonprofit Day

Welcome to the first edition of our special spotlight series! Instead of our usual monthly newsletter, we’ll be sending out shorter, weekly editions leading up to National Nonprofit Day on August 17. Each issue will spotlight the work of one or two of our programs, giving you a closer look at the important work we’re doing across DC. We are kicking things off with the DC Assistive Technology Program!

The DC Assistive Technology Program Year in Review

The DC Assistive Technology Program (DCATP) works to connect Washingtonians with disabilities and seniors to needed Assistive Technology (AT).

This has been a busy year for DCATP! In 2025, DCATP has made strides in all 3 of our priority areas. Here are some of the highlights!

Education:

• Trained seniors and individuals with disabilities to use their smartphones, tablets, and computers.
• Provided internships to young adults with disabilities to learn about assistive technology products and advocacy.
• Educated consumers about assistive technology for transitioning from high school to college or work and using AT to maintain one's ability to live in the community and avoid institutionalization.
• Trained DCPS occupational therapists and Washington Trinity University occupational therapy students about assistive technology topics.

AT Resource Center:

• Provided donated desktop computers to seven seniors and individuals with disabilities.
• Provided hundreds of consumers with referrals, information, and assistance related to assistive technology.
• Provided assistive technology device demonstrations and device loans to individuals with disabilities, therapists, family members, service providers and others allowing them to try equipment before purchasing or to use for evaluation and training.
• Provided information and communications digital accessibility training to individuals and groups.
• Assisted clients with applying for grants to obtain assistive technology products and services to increase their function and independence with daily activities.

Outreach:

• Provided technical assistance to local schools and agencies related to assistive technology.
• Collaborated with DC Public Libraries to hold the Annual Smart Home Exhibit to educate visitors about the benefits of various smart home products for health, communication, home environmental controls, organization, and recreation.
• New Program Director Davette created a new outreach event, the Cane and Walker Clinics. The clinics provide devices to seniors and individuals with disabilities to reduce their risk of falling.
• Davette also created a medication management demonstration event to enable seniors and individuals with disabilities to identify the best pillbox or medication dispenser to manage their medication more efficiently.

Meet Davette Rucker, the Program Director of DCATP

Davette has been working in disability and rehabilitation since 1998. She joined the DCATP team in February 2022, and this winter, she became the Program Director! Since joining DCATP, Davette has helped countless clients discover and access AT devices to support their independent daily lives.

Davette graduated from Howard University with a BS in occupational therapy. After graduating, Davette first worked in sub-acute rehabilitation in nursing homes. Later, she worked with infants and toddlers in an early intervention program. She also worked in the field of home modifications as an occupational therapist for the DC Department of Aging and Community Living’s Safe at Home program and home health.

Davette discovered DCATP at Mayor Bowser’s 2021 senior holiday celebration, where she met our previous Program Director Alicia Johns. Working at DCATP presented as a perfect opportunity for Davette to utilize her previous knowledge and skills while exploring new aspects of AT.  Davette demonstrates and instructs people to use low and high-tech products, such as smart home technology, adaptive keyboards, and more!

Another crucial aspect of Davette’s work with DCATP involves community outreach and education, which she does alongside Outreach Specialist Deborah Kale and AT Specialist Leonard McPherson. They host monthly events to promote awareness about DCATPs many services.

Since becoming the Program Director, Davette has been busy improving DCATP's programs. In January, she revamped the DC Shares office and streamlined the donation and application process. After doing a huge office cleanout and sprucing up the space, Davette worked to update the list of acceptable donation items and improve the systems to increase donations, services, and staff efficiency. She also spearheaded both the cane and walker clinics, and medication management demonstrations. These events are new as of this summer, created to increase DCATP's community outreach and help make Washington DC a safer place for seniors and people with disabilities.

ULS is grateful for Davette’s wonderful skills and looks forward to seeing all that she will do for District residents who can benefit from AT. In her free time, Davette loves to cook, make jewelry, and expose her cat, Buddy, to the wonders of technology. She even taught him to press a button to announce when he wants a treat!

Featured AT Device: Safewave Band

Safewave is the first portable vibration-based alert system designed specifically for the Deaf+ community. This innovative watch band integrates seamlessly with smart home devices like cameras, sensors, and door locks, ensuring that users stay informed about their home security system.

The Safewave band enhances notifications from devices like Google Nest, Ring, and ATD. It can also boost notifications from alarms, timers, and texts with its strong vibrations.

Users can customize the strength of vibrations for each notification, ensuring accessibility for the Deaf community and easy communication across systems.

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