Children’s Assistive Technology Services (CATS) is a Virginia charity that serves young people with physical disabilities across Virginia who need assistive technology to help with mobility and positioning. Virginia Beach City Public Schools has collaborated with CATS for many years to support the needs of students with disabilities.

The nonprofit organization redistributes gently used pediatric rehabilitation equipment and assistive technology devices to children with neurological issues, orthopedic conditions and communication limitations. Equipment may include walkers, standing frames, wheelchairs, activity chairs or other adaptive seating, toilet chairs, shower chairs, positioning wedges and adaptive recreation equipment.

“We take in donated equipment,” said Melissa Rose, CATS clinical director. “We clean it, refurbish it. We share it with students whose families have no insurance, or their insurance claim may have been denied or is in process.”

CATS serves as a no-cost resource for children with disabilities who need adaptive equipment and whose families have limited resources.

VBCPS recently reserved a wheelchair through CATS for a family who relocated to Virginia Beach with limited means to secure equipment for their child, said Lucy Leyden, chair of the school division’s physical therapy department.

“The wheelchair donated by CATS allowed the student to be transported on the school bus,” Leyden said.  VBCPS also donates used equipment to CATS, which benefits children locally and outside our area.

“We are grateful to work with the CATS program and to spread the word to families about this wonderful resource.”

For more information about CATS, visit http://atdevicesforkids.org or call 757-763-8905.