Frequently Asked Questions
- Who can use the Equipment Link?
- What type of equipment can be listed on the Equipment Link?
- What type of equipment will not be listed on the Equipment Link?
- How can I access the Equipment Link if I do not have Internet access?
- How can I browse the listed items?
- How do I become a registered user?
- Why should I register with the Equipment Link?
- Why does the Equipment Link need to contact me if I receive equipment?
- How can I add an item to the Equipment Link?
- How can I add an item that I am looking to acquire?
- What happens when I submit my item?
- How can I edit my listing?
- How can I remove my listing?
- How can I update my contact information?
- Who maintains the Equipment Link?
- Can I use the Equipment Link to advertise my commercial products and services?
- Who should I contact if I am looking for an item not listed on the Equipment Link?
- Is there some way for me to identify items just recently added to the Equipment Link?
- What happens if I do not update my equipment listing?
- How can I contact the Equipment Link?
- I don't see my question in this list of frequently asked questions. Who should I contact?
1. Who can use the Equipment Link?
The Equipment Link is primarily for Marylanders, although we do accept entries from neighboring states. The program is for use by private individuals, not vendors or distributors; however, agencies may list equipment they wish to donate or lend for free, not sell.
2. What type of equipment can be listed?
Any device that assists a person with a disability to live more independently or safely (“assistive technology”) may be submitted.
3. What type of equipment will not be listed on the Equipment Link?
Supplies and equipment such as ventilators, oxygen equipment and catheters will not be accepted. Items posing hygiene or safety risks will not be listed.
4. How can I access the Equipment Link if I do not have Internet access?
If you do not have Internet access, you may request a paper copy or a computer diskette of the Link. The Maryland Technology Assistance Program’s quarterly newsletter, Tapping Technology, may also periodically list items on the Link. Please feel free to contact MD TAP at 1-800-832-4827 (voice) or 1-866-881-7488 (TTY) and a staff member will be happy to post an item for you. Responses to your posting will be collected by MD TAP and communicated to you via phone or mail.
5. How can I browse the listed items?
You can view all available items by clicking on the View Items Available button. If you are interested in viewing items sought by others, click on View Items Needed. Both of the resulting lists can be filtered/searched by AT category, by length of time posted on the Equipment Link, by type, by zip code proximity and by keyword.
6. How do I become a registered user?
To become a registered user of the Equipment Link, click on Register. You will be prompted to fill out a form with your contact information. You will also be asked to choose a unique Username and Password, both of which are case sensitive, which means that you have to use the same arrangement of capital and lower case letters each time you login. For example, if you set your username as JohnSmith, the system will not recognize you if you then login as johnsmith. Once you have registered, you will be asked to login by supplying your Username and Password. You will also receive an email with your Username and Password (if an email address was supplied); please keep this email for your records.
7. Why should I register with the Equipment Link?
Only those who have registered are granted full access to all of the features of the Equipment Link. If you do not register, you only have limited access to the listing of items available. Registered and logged in users get access to the contact information associated with those items, enabling them to get in touch with the person who listed the item. Also, only registered and logged in users can post listings on the Equipment Link.
8. Why does the Equipment Link need to contact me if I receive equipment?
The Equipment Link is funded by the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) in the U. S. Department of Education. RSA requires programs like the Link to report on how many people have used the program to get equipment they would not have received otherwise. If you receive equipment through the Link, MD TAP staff will contact you and verify that you received the product you needed, but will NOT give your name or identifying information to the federal government or anyone else.
9. How can I add an item to the Equipment Link that I wish to sell, lend or donate??
If you have an item you would like to offer for sale, loan or donation and you are a registered user, click Login. If you are not a registered user and you would like to post an item for sale/loan/donation, click on Register to sign up for an online account. Once you are logged in, click on Post an Item for Sale. You will then be prompted to fill out a form with information about the item you would like to list on the Equipment Link. Once the form is completed click Submit Listing for Preview. You will then be shown a preview of what your listing will look like so you can confirm that all the information is correct. At this time, you can add up to four (4) photos to be included with your listing. The system will automatically resize the photos appropriately. If all is correct click on Confirm Submission and your listing will be submitted to the Equipment Link. If you need to change something about your listing click Edit Before Submitting and make the necessary edits.
10. How can I add an item that I am looking to acquire?
To add an item for which you are looking to acquire, click Login or Register (if you have an account). Once registered and logged in, click on Post an Item Needed. You will then be prompted to complete a form with information about the item you are looking to acquire. Once the form is completed click Submit Listing for Preview. You will then be shown a preview of what your listing will look like so you can confirm that all the information is correct. If all is correct click on Confirm Submission and your listing will be submitted to the Equipment Link. If you need to change something about your listing click Edit Before Submitting and make the necessary edits.
11. What happens when I submit my item?
After you submit an item, whether you are looking to sell/lend/donate or looking to acquire, a staff member reviews the listing for approval. You are then sent an email message (if an email address was supplied) informing you if your item will be listed. You can also see the status of your listings at anytime under My Account.
12. How can I edit my listing?
In order to edit a listing, you must be logged in. Under the My Account heading, find your item and click the edit icon (
) next to the item. You will then be given the opportunity to make any edits to the information currently associated with that item. You must update your listing at least once every 90 days in order for your listing to remain active on the Equipment Link. If you need to add photos associated with your listing please email your request to admin@equipmentlink.org. Attach the photo file(s) and be sure to include the ItemId in your email message. If you need to delete photo(s) associated with your listing please email your request to admin@equipmentlink.org and be sure to include the ItemID in your message.
13. How can I remove my listing?
In order to remove a listing, you must be logged in. Under the My Account heading, click on the remove icon (
) next to the item. Complete a short form.
14. How can I update my contact information in my account?
In order to update your contact information, you must be logged in. Under the My Account heading, click on Update My Contact Information. The information currently associated with your account will be listed in the form; to change any information simply delete the current information and type in the new information. Remember to click the Save Changes button before exiting the page.
15. Who maintains the Equipment Link?
The Equipment Link is maintained by the Maryland Technology Assistance Program. If you have questions regarding the Equipment Link, please contact the MD TAP via email at admin@equipmentlink.org or by phone at 1-800-832-4827 (voice) or 1-866-881-7488 (TTY).
16. Can I use the Equipment Link to advertise my commercial products and services?
No, the Equipment Link is designed for use by individuals, not businesses, seeking products and those who have items to donate, lend or sell. However, agencies or companies may use the site to list items they wish to donate or lend for free, not sell.
17. Who should I contact if I am looking for an item not listed on the Equipment Link?
If you are looking for an item that is not listed on the Equipment Link, please contact the the Equipment Link via email at admin@equipmentlink.org or by phone at 1-800-832-4827 (voice) or 1-866-881-7488 (TTY).
18. Is there some way for me to identify items just recently added to the Equipment Link?
Yes. Items posted within the last 7 days are identified with a new symbol (
). Also, the search feature allows you to filter the list of all items added within the past 7, 14, or 30 days.
19. What happens if I do not update my equipment listing?
If an item has been listed on the Equipment Link for 90 days and is not updated prior to the end of that time period, it will be removed.
20. How can I contact the Equipment Link?
The Equipment Link can be contacted via email at admin@equipmentlink.org or by phone at 1-800-832-4827 (voice) or 1-866-881-7488 (TTY).
21. I don't see my question in this list of frequently asked questions. Who should I contact?
For any questions not addressed in this list, please contact the Equipment Link via email at admin@equipmentlink.org or by phone at 1-800-832-4827 (voice) or 1-866-881-7488 (TTY).