National Assistive Technology Act Data System

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

Lead Agency

Implementing Entity

Program Director and Other Contacts

Person Responsible for completing this form if other than Program Director

Certifying Representative

2. Income of Applicants to Whom Loans Were Made

3. Loan Type

4. Interest Rates

5. Types and Dollar Amounts of AT Financed

6. Defaults

Activity 1

2. Geographic Distribution, Number of Individuals Who Acquired AT Devices and Services and Number for whom Performance Measure Data are Collected

3. Types and Dollar Amounts of AT Funded

G. Notes:

As mentioned in our anecdote for our ATLP, we work to find grant funding for all individuals who contact us for a financial loan. This past year we were able to assist individuals obtain a total of $74,537 in grant funding, along with $84,695 in state funding (primarily through state VR), for a total of $159,231 in cost savings to consumers. In our telecommunication distribution program although we only served 7 new consumers, we also provided services such as trainig or maintenance / troubleshooting on devices consumers received previously to 5 other individuals. We also had 8 individuals who were either not eligible, did not provide completed applicaitons or are still pending eligibility.

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

G. Notes:

The speech communication devices that were provided via Open Ended loan were very low cost items, such as accessories for a speech comm device and a talking book for AAC. As a result the total cost of in this category is low compared to typical items that fall into this category.

I. Notes:

One of the CT AT Act partner agencies, SERC AT Corner, was closed for several months during this year while their organization relocated to a new space, moved in and re-established their AT Corner in their library. They also lost their primary staff person were not able to obtain or submit performance measures or satisfaction data, resulting in a higher number of nonrespondents for both.

G. Notes:

One of the CT AT Act partner agencies, SERC AT Corner, was closed for several months during this year while their organization relocated to a new space, moved in and re-established their AT Corner in their library. As a result, numbers for AT demos from them were extremely low.

C. Description of Training Activities

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

CT AT Act Program community AT Partner NEAT at Oak Hill received sponsorship from the MENTOR Network Charitable Foundation, allowing NEAT to launch a training to first responders and mandated reporters, at no cost to them, called "Communicating with People with Disabilities in Crisis Situations." This presentation was provided to attendees from the Dept of Developmental Services Abuse Investigation Division and the Division of Investigations. NEAT continues to offer this training to first responders across the state. Description: This presentation will continue to develop mandated reporters’ skills and confidence in engaging with children and adults with communication disabilities. This presentation will include a discussion of interaction and communication strategies to use during emergency situations related to certain disability characteristics (e.g., speech/language disorders, social language challenges, sensory challenges, etc.). Also included is a brief review of the prevalence of sexual assault and incarceration rates for individuals with developmental disabilities. Attendees will be educated on use of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) and provided with customized low-tech (printable) communication boards that could be utilized in real situations. Learning Objectives: Brief Introduction to Assistive Technology (AT) and Augmentative Alternative Communication (AAC) Disabilities that may impact communication Prevalence of sexual assault and incarceration for people with developmental disabilities Implications during difficult or emergency situations Strategies for interacting with people with developmental and/or communication challenges

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

CT AT Act Program community partner agency EASTCONN provided training to the staff at the Transition Academy. This transition program serves students with disabilities 18 up to 22, providing education and training to help them transition to their adult life. The focus of this training was reviewing the use of features in Read & Write, a literacy program, to support students in reading materials including websites, applications, directions and in completing written tasks including job applications, online forms, letters, transition assessments, self-evaluations, and more. The use of speech-to-text was also included as well as features that assist with editing and revising written work. Participants were provided with a matrix of features explaining the parts of the reading and writing process each feature supports. The participants thought many of their Transition students would benefit from the text-to-speech and especially liked the bi-modal highlighting and the vocabulary list feature for students who need picture based support. Their intention was to introduce the software to their students and support their use of it.

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

The CT AT Act Program continues to sponsor free ICT training across the state, via webinar with caption and with American Sign Language Interpreters upon request. Trainings are conducted by a contracted expert in the field, Dr. Lauren Tucker. Trainings are typically conducted as a two part series and participants are encouraged to commit to both sessions, which are recorded and shared with participants. Participants are also welcomed to attend the introduction to accessibility sessions as many times as they would like. We have had some individuals take the session up to 3 times. We intend to invite all past participants to a hands on, level two, ICT training next Spring. Participants of ICT trainings have been wide ranging, including many state employees from various agencies, including Library for the Blind, State Unit on Aging, Vocational Rehabilitation, Dept of Education, Dept of Developmental Services; along with nonprofit agencies, library staff, college and university staff, employers and individuals with disabilities and their family members. The feedback has been very positive and the training very well received.

E. Notes:

B. Description of Technical Assistance

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

CT AT Act Program Director has played a significant role in the states Digital Equity Plan as a representative of the Dept of Aging and Disability Services. This 5 year plan is intended to help bring broadband connectivity and devices to identified populations in CT, which includes individuals with disabilities, aging adults, veterans, low income, and more. The Program Director has meet several times with the key team members who are writing CT's plan, has had input and influence on stakeholder surveys to ensure accessibility and participation from the above populations and agencies who serve these populations . Program Director has had the opportunity to participate in community forums and helped to shape the discussion as well as review and share feedback on the draft plan.

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

CT AT Act Partner agency, CREC, provided TA to a school district throughout the year. This involved meeting with and training district administrator, PPT stakeholders, and related service staff on the AT consideration process and identified pros and cons. A new process was developed and was implemented with review sessions throughout the school year. Check-ins occurred and adjustments made. The impact of this TA will be positive for all students with disabilities in this district, who will now have an improved AT consideration process for them of them at every IEP as they progress through school and transition out of school.

C. Notes:

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. The CT AT Act Program collaborated for the first time with the Dept of Developmental Services and the Developmental Disabilities Council to host the CT Assistive Technology Innovation conference in June of 2023. The focus of the conference was to introduce people with Intellectual Disabilities as well as all other disabilities, and their family members to Assistive Technology devices, services and programming in our state. Being one of the first in person AT conference in CT in some time, due to COVID, and because of the limited spacing at the hotel, we had to unfortunately turn attendees and exhibitors away. There was a total of 18 exhibitors, we had 5 exhibitor breakout demos and multiple breakout sessions focusing on AT for independence, remote support, AT for employment, tablet accessibility features, smart home technology and more. All of the CT AT Act Program partners participated either by having an exhibitor table or presenting. There were over 300 individuals in attendance. As a result of this success, we are planning a 2 day AT conference for Spring of 2024.

2. The CT AT Act Progrom partner, NEAT and Oak Hill hosted the 2023 Assistive Technology Summit / Open House at their location, welcoming the public to attend their first in person interactive event since the pandemic. Approximately 175 people gathered to try the various technology displayed, 15 AT Champions and a combination of 18 Oak Hill employees & students supported NEAT's 7 assistive technology specialists from adaptive gaming, smart home on wheels, low tech to high tech communication, switch access, bridging the digital divide and software applications to showcase making life more manageable regardless of age. Durable medical equipment was on display, presentations were on AT tools to make life easier and overview on AAC and real life stories from users. Some of those highlights of the day included: • Tours of the Smart Home on Wheels (SHOW) • A hands-on exploration of assistive technology and augmentative alternative communication • Presentations about technology and the unique ways it can impact and improve one’s quality of life • A special speaker session from Debbie S. who used her communication device to share her personal triumphs and struggles with assistive technology and how it enhances her independence • Adaptive Video Gaming was available for people to engage and discover all the possible solutions for better access for individuals with disabilities • Several students with disabilities participated in vocational experiences to support the preparation of this event but also to help with the lunch sale. • Our Adaptive Equipment Reuse team introduced their program to many new customers • The Bridging the Digital Divide program was available to provide on-the-spot consultation to aging adults who need access to technology to improve social connectedness, and so much more. Overall, the engagement from the community was exhilarating and demonstrated a continued need for education around the importance of technology and how it can transform people’s quality of life. Our goal is to include this as an annual event. Valerie E., an AT Summit attendee and an employee of the Greater Hartford Transit District, which provides ADA Paratransit for people with disabilities, thanked us in a follow up email for our event and wrote an article in their monthly newsletter about her experience at the event: https://www.hartfordtransit.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/STAR-Summer-2023-Newsletter.pdf Overall survey ratings were very strong, with 93% describing the AT Summit as “Extremely Valuable” or “Very Valuable.” Pictures available upon request.

Notes:

Overview of Coordination/Collaboration Activities