A Digital Passport for Assistive Technology
The pilot AT Passport* is a proof-of-concept platform that helps people with disabilities record, manage and share their assistive technology needs and supports.
*Not currently available to the general public
The Challenge
Assistive technology can play a vital role in enabling people with disabilities to participate fully in everyday life, education and employment. However, information about a person’s assistive technology needs is often fragmented, difficult to share or not recorded in a consistent way. As people move between services, education settings or workplaces, they may need to repeatedly explain their technology needs and supports.
Repeating Assessments
Frequent reassessment across different agencies represents a systemic inefficiency that wastes public resources and delays support, despite clear evidence that user needs often remain consistent across contexts.
Fragmented Systems
The absence of coordinated governance between education, health, and social protection creates structural silos that undermine policy ambitions for seamless service delivery and continuity of support.
Explaining Needs
Requiring individuals to repeatedly articulate the same functional needs reflects a system that lacks integrated information flows, placing unnecessary administrative burden on citizens rather than addressing the root coordination failures.
Lack of Access
Long waiting times, inconsistent eligibility criteria and unaligned funding streams collectively create inequitable access to essential assistive technology, contradicting national commitments to fairness, inclusion and rights‑based provision.
The Solution: What is the AT Passport?
The AT Passport is a digital record that keeps track of the technology and support a person needs to live, work and learn independently. It belongs to the individual, who decides when and with whom to share it — for example with a new employer, school or support provider. The AT Passport brings everything together in one place, from the first referral and assessment through to the chosen technology, funding, training and ongoing support. It makes sure support is consistent, portable and always up to date as needs change.
How the Assistive Technology Passport Works
Below we outline how we have designed this AT Passport prototype. It is available as a demo project at present. We are actively seeking potential partners who may wish to develop it further. The AT Passport supports multiple stakeholders, creating a shared, consistent approach to understanding and responding to assistive technology needs. The AT users gets a person-centred digital platform through which they can share their AT requirements with whomever they wish, request assessment/training/support and self-assess and self-fund, where appropriate. The AT Funder gets a dashboard where trends/outcomes can be tracked, with a view to informing decision-making relating to procurement, resource planning etc. AT Support and Services get a secure single source for all AT related information and a Training and Support ticketing system. We anticipate that when complete, the Passport will be scalable nationally, with the necessary cross-departmental supports.
AT User Testimonials
Feedback gathered during the development of the AT Passport highlighted the potential value of a portable record of assistive technology needs.
“AT passport is a good idea”
“I think the AT passport is a good idea, but it took a while to work my way around it. The directions were not very clear. As it’s a new a development, I am pretty confident that within time it will evolve and become easier to use. I would be promoting the use of it as it is supporting the users to become more aware of what is on offer and this gives them more options around their AT needs.”
“AT Passport is all about what I can do, instead of what I can’t do.”
“I love that the AT Passport is all about what I can do, instead of what I can’t do. That’s a really welcome change for me.”
“AT Passport… should be involved in every step in my assistive technology journey. “
“I believe the AT Passport is great because, I think I should be involved in every step in my assistive technology journey. Afterall ‘nothing about me without me’.”
“without assistive technology I wouldn’t have been able to contribute as much as I have contributed to society.”
“The AT passport would be a valuable resource. As a full-time wheelchair user with spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy I have limited use of my limbs , without assistive technology I wouldn’t have been able to contribute as much as I have contributed to society.”
“The AT passport would be great to have a record of my AT journey in one app.”
“I excelled in primary and secondary school. Assistive technology allows me to attend online meetings to advocate for others with physical disabilities as well as enabling me to be a youth mental health advocate. The AT passport would be great to have a record of my AT journey in one app.”
AT Passport Video Walkthroughs
AT Passport 1.0
Co-designed with AT users to address the needs of adults who already have access to a disability and/or assistive technology service provider.
Secure Login & Personal Profile
Users sign in with two-factor authentication and is in control of their data.
Co‑designed with AT users and professionals
The Passport was developed collaboratively with AT users, clinicians and support staff, ensuring the process reflects real‑world needs, priorities and lived experiences.
Clear, step‑by‑step AT assessment pathway
The “My AT Plan” section outlines each stage of the assessment, when it will happen, and what to expect, helping users manage expectations and stay informed throughout the process.
Practical AT trial and selection tools
Users can explore possible AT options, view tutorial videos, compare “good fit” versus “bad fit,” and select their preferred technology with clear links to goals and supporting documents.
Transparency in funding, training, and technical support
The Passport tracks funding applications and responses, and allows users to request training or tech support directly—ensuring the right help is accessible at the right time.
Note: The AT Passport is currently a pilot project and is not yet available for general access.
AT Passport 2.0
This version of the pilot AT Passport is designed for adults who have AT needs but do not currently have access to any disability or AT service. It includes pathways to access AT support and advice.
Secure Login & Personal Profile
Users sign in with two-factor authentication and is in control of their data.
Get the support you need, your way
Browse AT options, compare products. Request training or tech support directly through the app, choosing how and when you’d like help.
AT History & Document Management
View, download, share, upload, or delete assessment reports and support documents directly from the History section.
Track your progress and share your feedback
See a summary of all the technology you’re using, access helpful how-to videos, and rate your experience to help shape the future of the AT Passport.
Note: The AT Passport is currently a pilot project and is not yet available for general access.
AT Passport Admin Dashboard
The AT Passport Administrator Dashboard is the central workspace where support staff manage assessments, contacts, training, and support activities for both self‑directed and service‑supported AT Passports. It brings all key information, documentation, and workflow steps into one place to ensure a transparent, person‑centred assistive technology journey.
Unified View of All Activities
The dashboard brings together assessments, training requests, support provisions, and active cases in one location.
This helps support staff quickly understand what they’re involved in and keep track of the AT journeys they’re supporting.
Comprehensive Contact & Consent Management
Admins can create and manage different AT Passport roles—owners, supporters, funders, and providers—while capturing essential personal, consent, and decision‑making information.
This ensures the right people have access to the right parts of the passport and that all legal/decision‑making requirements are documented.
Full Assessment & Planning Workflow
The platform supports the complete assessment process: gathering background information, using the PET framework, planning trials, recording trial outcomes, and managing funding applications.
This structured workflow ensures assessments are person‑centred, goal‑oriented, and fully documented from initial need to final funding decision.
Rich AT & Descriptor Libraries
Admins can access and expand libraries of assistive technologies, feature sets, and reusable descriptors relating to a person’s strengths, needs, environments, tasks, and tools.
This makes assessments more efficient, supports consistent terminology, and helps match individuals to the most suitable AT options.
AT Funder Dashboard
The AT Passport Funder Dashboard allows funders to securely review Assistive Technology (AT) funding requests submitted and decide whether to approve or deny them. Their decisions and comments flow directly back to the AT Passport owner and relevant supporters, keeping everyone up to date on progress in the funding process.
Centralised Access to Funding Requests
Funders can log into the AT Passport and immediately see all AT funding applications awaiting their review. This gives them one organised dashboard to manage decisions efficiently.
Simple Approve/Deny Workflow
Each funding request includes a dedicated area where the funder can record their decision and reasoning. This keeps the approval process streamlined and consistent across users.
Transparent Communication Across Stakeholders
Any information a funder adds—such as comments, clarifications, or conditions—is automatically shared with the AT Passport owner, their supporters, and administrators. This ensures that updates are communicated clearly without additional emails or manual follow‑ups.
Integrated Workflow Within the AT Passport System
The funder’s actions are built directly into the overall AT Passport workflow, ensuring that assessments, funding decisions, and next steps remain connected. This helps maintain a smooth, end‑to‑end process for everyone involved.
Funded through the HSE CREATE Project
Thanks to the support of the HSE’s CREATE 1 and 2 grant streams, we have been able to develop these two AT Passport Prototypes. This project has been led by Enable Ireland’s National AT Training Service in partnership with the Disability Federation of Ireland, St John of God Community Services, MS Ireland and Headway Ireland. The AT Passport project would not have been possible without the early and ongoing support of Microsoft Ireland. Tekenable, our technical partner, developed the AT Passport prototype, informed by the co-design approach adopted by all project partners.
Project Partners
Let’s start the conversation
If you believe the AT Passport can transform assistive technology provision—making it more efficient, cost‑effective, and person‑centred—we’d welcome your partnership. Connect with us to support this national initiative through funding, advocacy, or collaboration, and help deliver lasting value for every stakeholder in Ireland’s AT ecosystem.
