National Assistive Technology Act Data System

Annual Progress Report - Full Report

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Colorado 2023

General Information

Statewide AT Program (Information to be listed in national State AT Program Directory)

State AT Program Title:

Assistive Technology Program of Colorado

State AT Program Title:

State AT Program URL

www1.ucdenver.edu/centers/cide

Mailing Address:

1224 5th St., The Hub

City:

Denver

State:

Colorado

Zip Code:

80204

Program Email:

cide@ucdenver.edu

Phone:

3033151280

TTY:

Lead Agency

Agency Name:

Center for Inclusive Design and Engineering

Mailing Address:

1224 5th St., The Hub

City:

Denver

State:

Zip Code:

80204

Program URL:

www1.ucdenver.edu/centers/cide

Implementing Entity

Does your Lead Agency contract with an Implementing Entity to carry out the Statewide AT Program on its behalf? (Check if Yes)

Name of Implementing Agency:

Mailing Address:

City

State:

Zip Code:

Program URL:

Program Director and Other Contacts

Program Director for State AT Program (last, first):

Melonis, Maureen

Title:

Program Director

Phone:

303-315-1283

E-mail:

maureen.melonis@ucdenver.edu

Program Director at Lead Agency (last, first):

Melonis, Maureen

Title:

Program Director

Phone:

303-315-1283

E-mail:

maureen.melonis@ucdenver.edu

Primary Contact at Implementing Agency (last, first) - If applicable:

Title:

Phone:

E-mail:

Person Responsible for completing this form if other than Program Director

Name (last, first):

Beems, Julia

Title:

Outreach Coordinator

Phone:

3033151284

E-mail:

julia.beems@ucdenver.edu

Certifying Representative

Name (last, first):

Bocco, Jeanne

Title:

Senior Postaward Accountant

Phone:

303-724-1157

E-mail:

Alougbavi.Bocco@cuanschutz.edu

State Financing

Did your approved state plan for this reporting period include any State Financing?

Did your approved state plan for this reporting period include conducting a Financial Loan Program?

B. State Financing Activities that provide consumers with resources and services that result in the acquisition of AT devices and services

1. Overview of Activities Performed

How many other state financing activities that provide consumers with access to funds for the purchase of AT devices and services were included in your approved state plan?

C. State Financing Activities that Allow Consumers to Obtain AT at Reduced Cost

1. Overview of Activities Performed

How many state financing activities that allow consumers to obtain AT at a reduced cost were included in your approved state plan?

D. Anecdote

Impact Area Education Employment Community Living

E. Performance Measures

Performance Measures
Response	Primary Purpose for Which AT is Needed			Total
Response	Education	Employment	Community Living	Total
1. Could only afford the AT through the AT program.	00	00	00	00
2. AT was only available through the AT program.	00	00	00	00
3. AT was available through other programs, but the system was too complex or the wait time too long.	00	00	00	00
4. Subtotal	00	00	00	00
5. None of the above	00	00	00	00
6. Subtotal	00	00	00	00
7. Nonrespondent	00	00	00	00
8. Total	00	00	00	00
9. Performance on this measure	NaN%	NaN%	NaN%

F. Customer Satisfaction

Satisfaction
Customer Rating of Services	Number of Customers	Percent
Highly satisfied	00	NaN%
Satisfied	00	NaN%
Satisfied somewhat	00	NaN%
Not at all satisfied	00	NaN%
Nonrespondent	00	NaN%
Total Surveyed	00
Response rate %	NaN%

G. Notes:

Reutilization

Did your approved State Plan for this reporting period included conducting any device reuse activities?

A. Number of Recipients of Reused Devices

Activity	Number of Individuals Receiving a Device from Activity
A. Device Exchange	03
B. Device Refurbish/Repair - Reassign and/or Open Ended Loan	23
C. Total	26

Performance Measure
D. Excluded from Performance Measure because AT is provided to or on behalf of an entity that has an obligation to provide the AT such as schools under IDEA or VR agencies/clients.	23
E. Number of Individuals Included in Performance Measures	03

If a number is reported in D you must provide a description of the reason the individuals are excluded from the performance

Individuals belong to school districts and have an obligation to provide AT.

B. Device Exchange Activities

Device Exchange
Type of AT Device	Number of Devices Exchanged	Total Estimated Current Purchase Price	Total Price for Which Device(s) Were Exchanged	Savings to Consumers
Vision	00	$0	$0	$0
Hearing	00	$0	$0	$0
Speech Communication	00	$0	$0	$0
Learning, Cognition and Developmental	00	$0	$0	$0
Mobility, Seating and Positioning	02	$710	$0	$710
Daily Living	01	$35	$0	$35
Environmental Adaptations	01	$50	$0	$50
Vehicle Modification & Transportation	00	$0	$0	$0
Computers and Related	00	$0	$0	$0
Recreation, Sports and Leisure	00	$0	$0	$0
Total	04	$795	$0	$795

C. Device Refurbish/Repair - Reassignment and/or Open Ended Loan Activities

Device Reassign/Repair/Refurbish and/or OEL
Type of AT Device	Number of Devices Reassigned/Refurbished and Repaired	Total Estimated Current Purchase Price	Total Price for Which Device(s) Were Sold	Savings to Consumers
Vision	01	$430	$0	$430
Hearing	00	$0	$0	$0
Speech Communication	17	$50,068	$0	$50,068
Learning, Cognition and Developmental	01	$295	$0	$295
Mobility, Seating and Positioning	04	$4,210	$0	$4,210
Daily Living	00	$0	$0	$0
Environmental Adaptations	04	$452	$0	$452
Vehicle Modification & Transportation	00	$0	$0	$0
Computers and Related	06	$5,280	$0	$5,280
Recreation, Sports and Leisure	02	$418	$0	$418
Total	35	$61,153	$0	$61,153

D. Anecdote

One of our school district's has been the recipient of the Assistive Technology Program of Colorado's open ended loan program several times in the past year. It has made a positive impact for the students by allowing them access to assistive technology on a continuous basis. They received multiple iPads, switches, lighted mirrors for students with low vision, and other miscellaneous devices. Not only has the open ended loan program been an amazing resource for them to receive equipment for their students, but it has also been huge in terms of getting technology in the hands of staff and students long term while the student's funding process starts. The open ended loan program has also enabled them to start their own tech closet at the district level.

Small boy using a BIG MAC switch with a switch activated robot toy.

Impact Area Education Employment Community Living

E. Performance Measures

Performance Measures
Response	Primary Purpose for Which AT is Needed			Total
Response	Education	Employment	Community Living	Total
1. Could only afford the AT through the AT program.	00	00	03	03
2. AT was only available through the AT program.	00	00	00	00
3. AT was available through other programs, but the system was too complex or the wait time too long.	00	00	00	00
4. Subtotal	00	00	03	03
5. None of the above	00	00	00	00
6. Subtotal	00	00	03	03
7. Nonrespondent	00	00	00	00
8. Total	00	00	03	03
9. Performance on this measure	NaN%	NaN%	100%

F. Customer Satisfaction

Satisfaction
Customer Rating of Services	Number of Customers	Percent
Highly satisfied	26	100%
Satisfied	00	0%
Satisfied somewhat	00	0%
Not at all satisfied	00	0%
Nonrespondent	00	0%
Total Surveyed	26
Response rate %	100%

G. Notes:

We initiated a new system that changed how we collect information, which reduced our numbers this year. The University also has legal guidance that limits our ability to refurbish, and repair used equipment so are only able to count equipment we can redistribute as is. We have identified the need to increase our marketing of this program and currently working with the University for assistance.

Device Loan

Did your approved State Plan for this reporting period included conducting Short-Term Device Loans?

A. Short-Term Device Loans by Type of Purpose

Loans By Purpose
Primary Purpose of Short-Term Device Loan	Number
Assist in decision-making (device trial or evaluation)	1,016
Serve as loaner during service repair or while waiting for funding	43
Provide an accommodation on a short-term basis for a time-limited event/situation	142
Conduct training, self-education or other professional development activity	29
Total	1,230

B. Short-Term Device Loan by Type of Borrower

LOANS BY TYPE OF BORROWER
Type of Individual or Entity	Number of Device Borrowers
Type of Individual or Entity	Desicion-making	All other Purposes	Total
Individuals with Disabilities	00	00	00
Family Members, Guardians, and Authorized Representatives	00	00	00
Representative of Education	460	163	623
Representative of Employment	06	00	06
Representatives of Health, Allied Health, and Rehabilitation	01	01	02
Representatives of Community Living	549	50	599
Representatives of Technology	00	00	00
Total	1,016	214	1,230

C. Length of Short-Term Device Loans

Length of Short-Term Device Loan in Days	42

D. Types of Devices Loaned

Types of Devices Loaned
Type of AT Device	Number of Devices
Type of AT Device	Desicion-making	All other Purposes	Total
Vision	19	12	31
Hearing	00	08	08
Speech Communication	503	56	559
Learning, Cognition and Developmental	316	85	401
Mobility, Seating and Positioning	63	23	86
Daily Living	39	29	68
Environmental Adaptations	28	22	50
Vehicle Modification and Transportation	00	06	06
Computers and Related	31	01	32
Recreation, Sports and Leisure	17	37	54
Total	1,016	279	1,295

E. Anecdote

Borrowing a communication device from the statewide loan bank, allowed this young girl to communicate with her family as she looked at her books. The Via Pro by PRC-Saltillo has the LAMP Words for Life, TouchChat with WordPower, and Dialogue AAC apps with matching keyguards, which allowed this little one to trial the apps, then do a longer trial with LAMP. The vocabulary Builder feature in LAMP made it easy to focus on learning the motor plan for specific words to build her vocabulary. After a successful trial, funding paperwork has been approved by Medicaid, and this little communicator will be receiving her own purple ViaPro soon!

$Small girl reading a book and using a communication device$

Impact Area Education Employment Community Living

F. Access Performance Measures

Access Performance Measures
Response	Primary Purpose for Which AT is Needed			Total
Response	Education	Employment	Community Living	Total
Decided that AT device/service will meet needs	225	04	176	405
Decided that an AT device/ service will not meet needs	187	03	305	495
Subtotal	412	07	481	900
Have not made a decision	00	04	00	04
Subtotal	412	11	481	904
Nonrespondent	46	00	66	112
Total	458	11	547	1,016
Performance on this measure	100%	63.64%	100%

G. Acquisition Performance Measures

Acquisition Performance Measures
Response	Primary Purpose for Which AT is Needed			Total
Response	Education	Employment	Community Living	Total
1. Could only afford the AT through the AT program.	163	00	49	212
2. AT was only available through the AT program.	00	00	02	02
3. AT was available through other programs, but the system was too complex or the wait time too long.	00	00	00	00
4. Subtotal	163	00	51	214
5. None of the above	00	00	00	00
6. Subtotal	163	00	51	214
7. Nonrespondent	00	00	00	00
8. Total	163	00	51	214
9. Performance on this measure	100%	NaN%	100%

H. Customer Satisfaction

Satisfaction
Customer Rating of Services	Number of Customers	Percent
Highly satisfied	859	69.84%
Satisfied	218	17.72%
Satisfied somewhat	18	1.46%
Not at all satisfied	02	0.16%
Nonrespondent	133	10.81%
Total Surveyed	1,230
Response rate %	89.19%

I. Notes:

Device Demonstration

A. Number of Device Demonstrations by Device Type

Type of AT Device / Service	Number of Demonstrations of AT Devices / Services
Vision	01
Hearing	05
Speech Communication	73
Learning, Cognition and Developmental	12
Mobility, Seating and Positioning	170
Daily Living	05
Environmental Adaptations	01
Vehicle Modification and Transportation	00
Computers and Related	26
Recreation, Sports and Leisure	00
Total # of Device Demonstrations	293

B. Types of Participants

Type of Participant	Decision-Makers	Other Participants	Total
Individuals with Disabilities	171	50	221
Family Members, Guardians, and Authorized Representatives	112	86	198
Representatives of Education	06	19	25
Representatives of Employment	03	07	10
Health, Allied Health, Rehabilitation	00	124	124
Representative of Community Living	01	11	12
Representative of Technology	00	57	57
Total	293	354	647

C. Number of Referrals

Referrals
Type of Entity	Number of Referrals
Funding Source (non-AT program)	113
Service Provider	100
Vendor	123
Repair Service	80
Others	15
Total	431

D. Anecdote

Francesca V was a Sophomore in college when she was struck by a cyclist on campus that put her in the hospital where she received a preventative operation for another health condition. Due to complications during surgery Francesca was left with permanent anoxic brain damage and was completely blind. After relearning to talk, walk, and havigate the world, she decided to return to school. Francesca came to the Assistive Technology Program of Colorado Clinic for help. She had tried using Dragon Dictate and JAWS in the past but found their commands too difficult to memorize since her memory had also been affected by the brain injury. Her clinician was able find and demonstrate J-Say, a software that integrates Dragon with JAWS to make the verbal commands for more natural and easy to remember. Francesca completed her first semester of college with a high A, had one of her stories published in the school's literary magazines, and was honored for her achievement. Francesca stated that " my work with the clinic and the tools they taught me to use have made it possible to be independent again and get back to school."

Young woman sitting in front of computer

Impact Area Education Employment Community Living

E. Performance Measures

Performance Measures
Response	Primary Purpose for Which AT is Needed			Total
Response	Education	Employment	Community Living	Total
Decided that AT device/service will meet needs	26	29	142	197
Decided that an AT device/ service will not meet needs	08	03	79	90
Subtotal	34	32	221	287
Have not made a decision	04	02	00	06
Subtotal	38	34	221	293
Nonrespondent	00	00	00	00
Total	38	34	221	293
Performance on this measure	89.47%	94.12%	100%

F. Customer Satisfaction

Satisfaction
Customer Rating of Services	Number of Customers	Percent
Highly satisfied	528	81.61%
Satisfied	113	17.47%
Satisfied somewhat	04	0.62%
Not at all satisfied	02	0.31%
Nonrespondent	00	0%
Total	647
Response rate %	100%

G. Notes:

Overall Performance Measures

Overall Acquisition Performance Measure

Acquisition Performance Measures
Response	Primary Purpose for Which AT is Needed			Total
Response	Education	Employment	Community Living	Total
1. Could only afford the AT through the AT program.	163	00	52	215
2. AT was only available through the AT program.	00	00	02	02
3. AT was available through other programs, but the system was too complex or the wait time too long.	00	00	00	00
4. Subtotal	163	00	54	217
5. None of the above	00	00	00	00
6. Subtotal	163	00	54	217
7. Nonrespondent	00	00	00	00
8. Total	163	00	54	217
9. Performance on this measure	100%	NaN%	100%	100%
ACL Performance Measure				85%
Met/Not Met				Met

Overall Access Performance Measure

Access Performance Measures
Response	Primary Purpose for Which AT is Needed			Total
Response	Education	Employment	Community Living	Total
Decided that AT device/service will meet needs	251	33	318	602
Decided that an AT device/ service will not meet needs	195	06	384	585
Subtotal	446	39	702	1,187
Have not made a decision	04	06	00	10
Subtotal	450	45	702	1,197
Nonrespondent	46	00	66	112
Total	496	45	768	1,309
Performance on this measure	99.11%	86.67%	100%	99.16%
ACL Performance Measure				90%
Met/Not Met				Met

Overall Satisfaction Rating

Customer Rating of Services	Percent	ACL Target	Met/Not Met
Highly satisfied and satisfied	98.53%	95%	Met
Response Rate	93.01%	90%	Met

Training

A. Training Participants: Number and Types of Participants; Geographical Distribution

Training by Participant Type
Type of Participant	Number
Individuals with Disabilities	67
Family Members, Guardians and Authorized Representatives	69
Representatives of Education	2,585
Representatives of Employment	103
Rep Health, Allied Health, and Rehabilitation	294
Representatives of Community Living	426
Representatives of Technology	110
Unable to Categorize	191
TOTAL	3,845

Geographic Distribution of Participants
Metro	Non Metro	Unknown	TOTAL
3,153	692	00	3,845

B. Training Topics

Trainings by Topic
Primary Topic of Training	Participants
AT Products/Services	1,205
AT Funding/Policy/ Practice	84
Combination of any/all of the above	1,672
Information Technology/Telecommunication Access	883
Transition	01
Total	3,845

C. Description of Training Activities

Describe innovative one high-impact assistance training activity conducted during the reporting period:

Accessing the Fun Stuff: Active (and Meaningful) Participation for All Students - All students deserve to be able to participate in the “fun stuff” like music, art, gym, assemblies, classroom parties, and field days. This webinar explored why we need to provide meaningful, active participation to students, what barriers may be preventing their access, and how to support student participation in the special classes, special days, and special activities that inspire joy and excitement. Participants discovered AT devices available in the Loan Library that could help make the fun more accessible, as well as additional resources. There were 128 participants from 12 states and Canada.

Briefly describe one training activity related to transition conducted during the reporting period:

Thinking Outside the Classroom: AAC & Social Skills in the Post-Secondary Environment - The aim of this interactive session was to plan and prepare students with AAC for life after high school. It discussed evidence-based strategies to teach socials skills applicable in their lives after they leave the structure of high school and recedived ideas to adapt, and create activities that target social skills and AAC in the classroom. A comparison of friendship and functional skills were discussed. This training is on our website to support new school-based AT Providers.

Briefly describe one training activity related to Information and Communication Technology accessibility:

CIDE delivered tailored training on Document Accessibility to Colorado Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (DHSEM) staff. The training was repeated on 4 occasions and was recorded for later viewing by DHSEM staff. Topics included Title: Inclusive by Design: A Training on Document Accessibility - Fundamental of Document Accessibility Title: Inclusive by Design: Accessible Slides and Basics of PDF Remediation - PowerPoint Accessibility and Converting Documents to PDF

D. IT/Telecommunications Training Performance Measure

IT/Telecommunications Training Performance Measure
Outcome/Result From IT/Telecommunications Training Received	Number
IT and Telecommunications Procurement or Dev Policies	18
Training or Technical Assistance will be developed or implemented	848
No known outcome at this time	17
Nonrespondent	00
Total	883
Performance Measure Percentage	98.1%
ACL Target Percentage	70%
Met/Not Met	Met

E. Notes:

Technical Assistance

A. Frequency and Nature of Technical Assistance

Technical Assistance by Recipient Type
Education	40%
Employment	10%
Health, Allied Health, Rehabilitation	00%
Community Living	50%
Technology (IT, Telecom, AT)	00%
Total	100%

B. Description of Technical Assistance

Describe Innovative one high-impact assistance activity that is not related to transition:

The Larimer County Sheriff's Office requested CIDE do an accessibility analysis of the tablet computer provided to inmate's in the county's jail. The tablet is used for communications, grievances, purchases, legal research and entertainment. CIDE reviewed the manufacturer's VPAT for the tablet and its custom software and then went onsite to test the accessibility features and primary workflows. A report was provided and according to our contact at the sheriff's office, the manufacturer is implementing several recommendations.

Breifly describe one technical assistance activity related to transition conducted during the reporting period:

Community Connections, one of the local Community Centered Boards working with children with developmental delays, requested technical assistance in developing timelines for AT assessments for children approaching age 3 and how to communicate and collaborate with school districts during the Part B to Part C transition period. CIDE assisted in the development of a timeline for when Community Connections would no longer initiate new AT assessments in relation to the proximity of the child's third birthday, and assisted in the exploration of using their organization's iPads as a temporary AT support during the transition process. It was also determined to include AT data and information in the transition report so the child and family wouldn't need to start the process over during the final transition steps.

C. Notes:

Public Awareness

Public Awareness Activities

Public Awareness Narratives

Describe in detail at least one and no more than two innovative or high-impact public awareness activities conducted during this reporting period. Highlight the content/focus of the awareness information shared, the mechanism used to disseminate or communicate the awareness information, the numbers and/or types of individuals reached, and positive outcomes resulting from the activity. If quantative numbers are available regarding the reach of the activity, please provide those: however, quantative data is not required.

1. Ability Summit - Building for the Brain: designing for cognitive inclusion - Webinar on designing for cognitive differences for the future of work across industries. Presenters included a multidisciplinary team of designers, researchers, and leaders in the cognitive disability community on how to create experiences that are inclusive for users across the cognitive spectrum. Individuals reached included: Industry, Academia, Microsoft senior leaders including CEO Satya Nadella, and policy leaders such as Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, along with 20,000 attendees from 100 countries. Positive Outcome was the development of the Microsoft Disability Toolkit for designers.

2. The Future of Interface" Cognitive, Language and Learning Disabilities - Challenges and Approaches - a workshop presented by CU a Global Destination for Disability & Aging Innovation. CIDE, Coleman Institute, and industry partners Individuals reached included 1500 professionals across the health care disciplines and geriatric fields. Positive Outcomes included: participants leaving the presentation with practical tools to provide and optimize safe, effective, and patient-centered care.

Information And Assistance

Information And Assistance Activities by Recipient
Types of Recipients	AT Device/ Service	AT Funding	Total
Individuals with Disabilities	14,950	3,380	18,330
Family Members, Guardians and Authorized Representatives	9,724	4,576	14,300
Representative of Education	22,490	4,056	26,546
Representative of Employment	2,392	598	2,990
Representative of Health, Allied Health, and Rehabilitation	10,452	1,872	12,324
Representative of Community Living	6,864	2,574	9,438
Representative of Technology	364	00	364
Unable to Categorize	00	00	00
Total	67,236	17,056	84,292

Referral Types:

Continued collaborations with our community partners provides for the majority of our referrals. Our new collaborations with the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF) with our Digital Literacy and Surviving in Place programs have increased our referrals from the communities and agencies outside our typical reach. These programs were highlighted in HCPF newsletters and meetings along with increased social media posts from CIDE. Our newsletters have also publicized new programs and increased distribution resulting in additional referrals.

Referral Sources:

Our state-wide community partners and collaborators continue to be our primary source of referrals along with information distributed at various community events. We work with 19 Community Centered Boards (10% of referrals), with 63 AT Consultants in our Tech for Tykes program; 72 school districts (18% of referrals) with 102 team coordinators and 409 SWAAAC members in our school AT program; Colorado Commission for the Deaf, Hard of Hearing, Deaf/Blind Denver metro area (1% of referrals); Division of Vocational Rehabilitation 5 metro offices (10% of referrals); 128 Medical Professionals (50% of referrals) , 4 Equipment Vendors (3% of referrals), 9 Independent Living Centers (1% of referrals), Colorado Department of Health Care and Financing (5% of referrals) and 125 Emergency Managers and Planners (2% of referrals).

Notes:

Coordination/Collaboration and State Improvement Outcomes

Overview of Coordination/Collaboration Activities

Coordination/Collaboration activities are not required. You may report up to two MAJOR coordination/collaboration activities for this reporting period. How many will you be reporting?

A. Coordination/Collaboration

1. As concisely as possible, describe the partnership initiative. What activities/services were provided? Who are the major collaborating organizations and what is their role? Who is served/benefited? What funding was used to implement the initiative?

The Assistive Technology Program of Colorado received $1.4 million from the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF), the state Medicaid office, to provide emergency battery backup power systems, 1,000 emergency go kits, and four different trainings on emergency preparedness to Medicaid providers, Medicaid members/consumers, family members and caregivers. HCPF was responsible for marketing to providers and members, developing a tracking spreadsheet, and providing initial approvals. CIDE was responsible for the initial research and testing of three different power backup battery systems, development of the backup battery application, final approvals, and determination of the size of battery, distribution of acceptance letter and setup instructions, development of the go kit application, final approvals, and distribution of go kits. We were also responsible for the content develop of all four trainings (Plan, Prepare, and Respond for Medicaid providers; Train-the-Trainer for providers; Backup Battery Systems for providers, members, family members and caregivers; and Be Your Own First Responder for Medicaid members, family members, caregivers, and staff).

2. As concisely as possible, describe the measurable results of the initiative and any lessons learned. How did access to AT change as a result of the coordination/collaboration/partnership? How did awareness of AT change as a result of the partnership? How did the reach of the state AT program change as a result of the partnership? What made the partnership successful? What would you change or wish you had done differently? Provided funding/resources are available, will the initiative continue or is this a one-time event? What advice would you give for replication of the initiative? Please include URL for initiative if available.

To date, we have received 758 applications and disseminated 565 emergency battery backup power units, received 168 applications, and disseminated 138 emergency go kits and have provided trainings in 4 locations across the state, with dates set for two more locations, plans for additional virtual trainings, and just-in-time online trainings.

3. What focus areas(s) were addressed by the initiative?

Community Participation and Integration; Health; Aging; Aging and Disability Network / No Wrong Door; Veterans;

4. What AT Act authorized activity(s) were addressed?

Training; Information & Assistance; Public Awareness; Technical Assistance;

A.2 Coordination/Collaboration (Entry 2)

The Assistive Technology Program of Colorado houses a University of Colorado Medicine Community Practice Clinic. We serve the disability community by providing wheelchair seating and mobility and augmentative alternative communication services as well as other assistive technology services. We serve a large percentage of Medicaid clients at our clinic thanks in large part to the recognition from the Upper Payment Limit support and Health First Colorado (Colorado's Medicaid Program). This collaboration provides leveraged funding for our efforts to increase our outreach efforts to the Medicaid community.

With this support, we experienced over a 40% increase in Medicaid visits YOY from FY21-FY22. FY23 experienced another 7.2% increase in Medicaid visits, and we expect this trend to continue as we provide necessary services which improve quality of life for this community.

3. What focus areas(s) were addressed by the initiative?

Health; Aging; Aging and Disability Network / No Wrong Door; Veterans;

4. What AT Act authorized activity(s) were addressed?

Device Loan; Demonstration; Reuse; Information & Assistance; Public Awareness;

Overview of State Improvement Activities

State improvement outcomes are not required. You may report up to two MAJOR state improvement outcomes for this reporting period. How many will you be reporting?

B. State Improvements

1. In one or two sentences, describe the outcome. Be as specific as possible about exactly what changed during this reporting period as a result of the AT program's initiative.

The Assistive Technology Program of Colorado has worked closely this past year with the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE), for the benefit of the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) to rewrite a Memorandum of Understanding in order to improve collaborations between the two agencies and increase the assistive technology services and support individuals with disabilities receive. As a part of the new agreement, the two programs are expanding working relationships and entering into agreements for the coordination of activities, including the referral of individuals with disabilities to programs and activities such as device demonstrations, loans, and reuse.

2. In one or two sentences, describe the written policies, practices, and procedures that have been developed and implemented as a result of the AT program's initiative. Include information about how to obtain the full documents, such as a Web site address or e-mail address of a contact person, but do not include the full documents here. (If there are no written polices, practices and procedures, explain why.)

The new 5-year agreement was signed and became effective 7/1/23 and includes commitments by both parties to support the assistive technology employment needs of individuals with disabilities in Colorado.

3. What was the primary area of impact for this state improvement outcome?

Employment

B.2 State Improvements

1. In one or two sentences, describe the outcome. Be as specific as possible about exactly what changed during this reporting period as a result of the AT program's initiative.

The Assistive Technology Program of Colorado worked in close collaboration with the Colorado Office of Employment First to improve access to digital health care resources provided by the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF) and to promote increased self-determination and personal choice in health care decision making.

A digital literacy curriculum was researched, designed, and developed for people who receive long term Medicaid services and support from HCPF. The curriculum is stored on Moodle but is not available to the public.

3. What was the primary area of impact for this state improvement outcome?

Health, Allied Health, Rehabilitation

Additional And Leveraged Funds

A. Leveraged Funding for State Plan Activities

Fund Source	Amount	Use of Funds	Data Reported
Public/State Agency	$98,832	Training	True
Public/State Agency	$45,886	Technical Assistance	True
Private	$9,000	Technical Assistance	True
Public/State Agency	$10,250	Technical Assistance	True
Public/State Agency	$358,000	Training	True
Public/State Agency	$121,459	Technical Assistance	True
Public/State Agency	$135,244	Technical Assistance	True
Public/State Agency	$2,454	Training	True
Private	$5,900	Technical Assistance	True
Public/State Agency	$55,819	Technical Assistance	True
Private	$6,500	Technical Assistance	True
Public/State Agency	$299,600	Device Loan	True
Public/State Agency	$3,250	Training	True
Public/State Agency	$816,781	Technical Assistance	True
Private	$14,750	Technical Assistance	True
Public/State Agency	$388,671	Training	True
Public/State Agency	$35,397	Device Loan	True
Public/State Agency	$133,107	Device Loan	True
Public/State Agency	$286,093	Device Loan	True
Public/State Agency	$49,820	Training	True
Public/State Agency	$25,762	Training	True
Private	$30,000	Technical Assistance	True
Public/State Agency	$1,750	Technical Assistance	True
Private	$100,000	Training	True
	Amount: $3,034,325

For any leveraged funding reported above for which data could not be reported, please describe the extenuating circumstances that precluded data from being reported and efforts to remediate the situation in future reporting periods.

B. Public Health Workforce Grant Award

All Section 4 AT Act grantees were awarded $80,000.00 in supplimental Public Health Workforce grant funding to increase the full-time equivalent (FTE) of staff withing the disability and aging network for public health professionals. Please document the status of these funds below.

The status of these funds at the end of the FY23 (9/30/2023) is as follows: (Check one) We did not utilize this funding in FY23 and wish to decline the funds in the future
We did not expend any of this funding in FY23, but plan to expend funding in FY24 and/or FY25
We expended some of all of this funding in FY23 (please complete the section below)

Please report the amount expended (drawn down and liquidated) in this reporting period, FY23:

$19,012.00

Please report the number of Full Time Equivalent (FTE) positions this funding supported by type. This can be a direct employee FTE or contractual FTE.

Type of FTE Position	FTE Positions (0.01 to 9.99)
Assistive Technology Specialist	0.00
Information and Assistance Specialist	0.00
Outreach and Awareness Specialist	0.00
Training Specialist	0.00
Health Care Professional (includes PT, OT, SLP)	0.00
Accessibility Expert	0.00
Policy Expert	0.00
Technology Expert (Digital Divide, Mobile Tech)	0.12
Program Manager	0.00
Other positions needed to advance public health and prevent, prepare for, and respond to COVid-19 (describe with narrative field required)	0.00

Please describe the activities of the above FTE and how such activities advance public health.

This position focused on activities to expand on a public health concern identified during the pandemic to support older adults in learning to use technology to reduce social isolation and loneliness in Colorado. A key component was to develop online teaching and support modules for local communities of mentors to help older persons in their community learn to use tablets/computers/phones, etc. for telehealth visits, social connection, banking, shopping, and other important community activities. By expanding digital literacy, this position addressed the need to access public health care, including COVID-19 treatments needed to stay healthy and safe in the community.

C. Describe any unique issues with your data in this section (e.g., the reason why you were unable to report the number of individuals served with additional or leveraged funds).

Center for Assistive Technology Act Data Assistance . Saved: Tue Feb 13 2024 14:01:21 GMT-0600 (Central Standard Time)