National Assistive Technology Act Data System

Jose is twelve years old, has a physical disability, uses an augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) device to communicate, and relies on a family propelled manual wheelchair for his mobility. He was seen at AzTAP in our adaptive gaming clinic for a consultation and device demonstration for adaptive gaming equipment. After discussing options with his parents and having Jose trial different options, it was determined he could benefit from the following adaptive equipment: Microsoft XAC, Joystix joystick, two Jelly Bean switches, and two Locline mounts for the switches. The family was not able to afford the adaptive equipment, so our clinical coordinator assisted the family through another acquisition service to connect with Believe Beyond Ability (BBA). BBA is a local charitable service organization that can fund assistive technology (AT) for kids with complex needs. BBA was able to cover the $320.00 cost of the adaptive equipment for Jose. Within a month, the adaptive equipment was received and delivered to the family. Our adaptive gaming clinical coordinator arranged a home visit to set up and implement the equipment with Jose and his family.

Elizabeth is a manual wheelchair user and wanted to be able to drive independently. AzTAP was able to direct her to a local Certified Driving Rehabilitation Specialist (CDRS) and they scheduled her for an adaptive driving evaluation. Elizabeth applied for the AzLAT financial loan program in December of 2022. AzTAP and our loan review committee were able to process her AzLAT application for $5,000.00, which was an estimated amount that Elizabeth would need to fund the services she needed to be able to drive. This amount included the cost of the adaptive driving evaluation, purchase and installation of hand controls and other related adaptive driving equipment, the cost of the behind-the wheel training on the hand controls, and the costs associated with the final relicensing process with the Department of Motor Vehicle. Both Elizabeth and her spouse were employed, and they had excellent credit, so the AzLAT loan review committee approved her loan in the estimated amount of $5,000.00. Once approved Elizabeth chose a 24-month loan term with a monthly payment of $218.22. Elizabeth was able to access the funds from our lending partner, as she needed them to cover each part of the process. The final cost of her return to driving services was $5,610.67. Elizabeth and her spouse were able to cover the additional $610.67 from their own resources. Elizabeth successfully completed the adaptive driving process and was able to drive independently. AzLAT was proud to be able to give her access to funds at a low interest rate to accomplish that goal.

Roy is a veteran who served in the Navy during World War II. He contacted AzTAP requesting assistance with finding a used Hoyer style lift. Roy explained to our reuse service coordinator that he and his wife, Sally, had just celebrated their 75th wedding anniversary. She was 95 and he was approaching 96. Seven years earlier, Sally had been diagnosed with dementia and she had limited mobility. Roy explained during this time he had learned, the hard way, to cope with her dementia, incontinence, and sundowning syndrome, and now he was no longer able to lift Sally to move her from the bed to her wheelchair. Roy said he was advised to enroll Sally in hospice, but he refused this suggestion. He stated, “I promised her, over 75 years ago, ‘to care for her through sickness and in health, ‘til death,’ and I am certain she would do no less for me.” AzTAP’s assistive technology specialist (ATS) and reuse services coordinator worked with Roy to review his options for medical equipment Reuse/loan closet programs. Roy was a veteran, so one of the referrals was to connect him with the Arizona chapter of the Paralyzed Veterans of America (AzPVA) medical equipment loan program here in Phoenix. Fortunately, the AzPVA had a gently used Reliant 450 electric Hoyer lift with two slings in inventory. When the AzPVA found out that Roy lived in southern Arizona and that he would need to rent a U-Haul truck to pick up the lift, they coordinated with one of their volunteers to deliver the lift to Roy and provide him support instruction on how to use it. At follow-up, Roy said, “The lift works wonderfully, and to have received it free of charge and to have it delivered was unbelievable. Thank you, thank you, thank you.”

Joe is a 62-year-old man who was diagnosed with Guillain Barre syndrome. Because of this condition he was not able to use his upper extremities to access and use his computer. Joe wanted to be able to use his computer to continue his work as a financial investor. Joe’s spouse contacted AzTAP to see if there was something available for him to be able to operate his computer so that he could maintain his employment. Our ATS met with Joe and his spouse and during his consultation he relayed the functions that he needed to do on the computer. Our ATS was able to trial/demonstrate several AT options with Joe. Of the AT options that he trialed, Joe found the HeadMouse Nano head controller worked the best for him for mouse movement and control. Using the Nano, he was able to accurately move the mouse pointer all around the screen, and with an on-screen dwell software, he was able to perform all the mouse operations to navigate webpages and to make selections. Joe was also able to make use of a virtual on-screen keyboard to type into text and number fields. Even though it took a little longer than a traditional mouse and keyboard, Joe was delighted that these devices were giving him back his independence and ability to use his computer. He wanted to purchase them on the spot, but since AzTAP does not sell AT devices, our ATS provided information about where he could purchase the equipment, and he went ahead and ordered his own equipment. Until it was received, AzTAP provided him a short-term loan of the adaptive equipment so that he could get up and running with it. Once he received his order, he returned the loaned equipment, and our ATS assisted him with setting up and configuring the devices to make sure they would work on his computer.

An employment service agency contacted AzTAP about trialing the Kinova Robotic Arm with Christopher, one of their clients. Christopher had spinal muscle atrophy (SMA). AzTAP did not currently have this device in inventory, so our ATS contacted the company and coordinated to get a demo unit of the device. The Kinova Robotic Arm is a fairly involved device and requires either a representative and/or a durable medical equipment supplier support for configuration on the user’s power wheelchair. Our ATS arranged for the regional representative to meet with Christopher, his family, and several other members of his rehabilitation team to set up the arm on his power wheelchair so that he could trial it at the trade school he was planning on attending. In the hands-on trial, Christopher was able to demonstrate the ability use the robotic arm to open and close doors at the school as well as grasp and hold items such as cups and bottles to drink and to press elevator buttons in the school’s dormitory. It was also determined that with a 3D printed adaptation he should be able to hold and insert a security passcard for building access with the robotic arm. Christopher was also in the process of being fitted to drive an accessible vehicle. Through this trial the Certified Driving Rehabilitation Specialist (CDRS) was able to determine that the Kinova Arm, when installed on his power wheelchair, would not interfere with his adapted driving equipment, or affect his ability to drive with it on his power wheelchair. The team left the demonstration trial much more confident that this device would meet his needs and that it would allow him to complete daily tasks in school, daily life, and eventually employment. Based on his trial, the state RSA – VR agency was going to fund the device.