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Charting the Cs 
Conference 2025: 

To Literacy and 
Beyond 

Cooperation 
Communication 
Collaboration

STAR Program – Assistive TechnologyResource for Minnesotans

Sunday, April 27, 2025

Amy Perron


Minnesota STAR Program Overview

•System of Technology to Achieve Results (STAR) 
•Minnesota’s federally funded Assistive Technology Act 
Program 
•Housed within the MN Department of Administration 
•Providing services to ALL MINNESOTANS 
oNo proof of disability required. 
oThere is no cost for the STAR Program services





MN STAR Program written in AAC Language - Picture of the state of Minnesota, Picture of a star and picture of a person at a desk with a question mark over their head

What is Assistive Technology

Any item that helps someone with a 
disability do something that might 
otherwise be difficult or impossible for 
them to do! 

•Assistive technology devices 
•Assistive technology services


An elderly man pushing a walker with a homemade plow attached through the snow

Assistive Technology: Live Life Your Way 

Assistive Tech: Live 
Life Your WayAssistive Tech: Live Life Your Way



Minnesota STAR Program Services

•Device Demonstrations 
•Device Equipment Loans 
oShort - Term 
oOpen - Ended (limited availability) 



•Information and Assistance 
•Training (groups) 
•Technical Assistance (agencies)


A young boy pressing an activity switch to make Elmo talk 

STAR Program Device Demonstrations

•Requested by individual, family 
member, guardian or professional 
•Compare device features 
•Demonstrate one or more devices 
•Live and interactive 
•Assist with decision making


A young child using a tablet

STAR Program Device Loans

•Short - term device loan (45 days or less) 
oProvides an opportunity to test out the 
equipment in their own environments. 
oAssist with decision making 
oProfessional Development 
oShort - term accommodation 



•Open-ended loan


Logan Tech Coach with Braille Label Maker

Loan Process

•Decide which device to be requested. 
oUnsure? Call or email STAR or a 
contract partner for consultation. 



•Call or email STAR or contract partner 
to arrange for device demonstration or 
an equipment loan. 
•Complete appropriate paperwork and 
surveys


Black shopping cart graphic 

MN.AT4All.com –Online Lending Library

Screenshot of online library user assistive technology interface

Categories of Equipment

•Vision 
•Hearing 
•Speech Communication 
•Cognition/Learning 
•Daily Living
•Environmental Adaptations 
•Computer Related 
•Mobility 
•Recreation/Leisure



Considerations

•Successful assistive technology (AT) 
selection & implementation is a 
process 
•AT recommendations are not one size 
fits all 
•Team approach is preferred 
•Consumer “Buy - In” is key 
•The process is fluid. As the individual’s 
needs change so will their AT



STAR Contracted Partners

St. Cloud State University logo
North Dakota Assistive Technology logo
Pacer Center logo
Moorhead State University logo
ALS Association logo
Southeastern Minnesota Center for Independent Living logo
Lighthouse Center for Vital Living logo
Live Life Therapy Solutions logo

Contact us

•MN STAR Program Main Website
- 
www.mn.gov/star/ 
•MN STAR Program Device Library- 
https://mn.at4all.com/ 
•MN Guide to Assistive Technology- 
https://mn.gov/admin/at/ 


Email-star.program@state.mn.us


Telephone-651-201-2640

Smiling child using laptop computer

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Thank you!