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

G. Notes:

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

G. Notes:

I. Notes:

New Mexico is a state with many rural areas. Due to travel challenges for individuals with disabilities and a shortage of therapuetic professionals, it can be difficult to maintain regular guidance when utilizing Assistive Technology (AT). To allow for an adequate trial of the AT in the environment that it will be used, we extended our loan period to 6 weeks or 42 days. This has resulted in better decision making if a device will work or not. We have seen an increase in short term accommodations this year as well. This is possibly attributed to surgeries that were put off during the pandemic being done now, in which a wheelchair ramp is only required temporarily. We anticipate this will slow down as the majority of individuals we serve have long term disabilities.

G. Notes:

C. Description of Training Activities

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

The disability community has been noting that the court systems are less prepared to provide appropriate accommodations for persons with disabilities. To address this, NMTAP reached out to a couple of courts in the state to advocate. This opened the opportunity to present at the National Center for State Court’s Eighth Annual Conference of the Council of Language Access Coordinators. Attendees of this conference, 65 people in total, included people who work in the court system from all over the country. This was the first time NMTAP has presented at this conference. The impact was significant because we reached an audience that did not have much awareness of disabilities nor Assistive Technology experience. Devices reviewed included assistive listening devices like the Domino Pro and Pocketalker 2.0. Vision devices like the Magnilink Zip, the Visolux FHD handheld magnifier, and the built-in Magnifier app on mobile Apple devices. Reading devices including the C-Pen, OrCam Read, and apps including Microsoft Lens, and Prizmo Go. Discussions on the use of captioning for cognitive challenges and not just for hearing challenges have increased awareness.

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

NMTAP provided training related to the area of transition to the Albuquerque Public Schools Transitions Outcome Department. This is a program through the school district that assists students post-High School with an emphasis on supporting life skills and employment opportunities. The training involved showing the students and their parents assistive technology tools that can aid in those transition goals. Technology training included tools for speech communication that could be used on a standalone device or a mobile phone, tools for sensory needs that included weighted equipment like compression vests and fluorescent light filters, tools for reading assistance like scanning pens or desktop readers, and lastly tools for time management to gear students into managing their personal life tasks and those needing to be performed while on a job. The training environment fostered a hands-on, forum-like approach to the learning which made it interactive for everyone involved. Having the parents also attend was a huge benefit by having them experience the tools firsthand, especially for a select few who only spoke Spanish as their primary language. Awareness of these tools sets these students on a path to success going forward in life after High School.

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

NMTAP provided IT/Telecommunications training to the City of Santa Fe's Community Engagement Department as part of a plan to make their website and materials more accessible to the public they serve. We were contacted a few months prior to the training to look at ways they could improve their processes and how they could train the new ADA Coordinator they were planning to hire. NMTAP sat in on several meetings, including a few open meetings with the Mayor’s Committee on Disability before it was arranged to provide an in-depth training for the relevant staff. NTMAP trained on website accessibility, document accessibility, and social media accessibility during this time. This was a high engagement training provided over Zoom that featured live demonstrations, how to videos, and discussion on the laws pertaining to website accessibility. This organization was able to take this knowledge; the why and how to be accessible, and were able to go forth making their web content more accessible across the board with plans in place to keep the momentum going forward with current and new staff.

E. Notes:

B. Description of Technical Assistance

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

NMTAP was contacted by the New Mexico Legislative Council regarding a desire to make their website more accessible for the public and employees who access their website during the legislative session in the beginning of each calendar year. Initial discussion involved making disability accommodations front and center on the main web page and a conversation on possibly adding an accessible overlay to the website that could provide some better access to persons with disabilities. The NM Legislative Council initially added an accessible overlay tool, Recite Me, to their website which allows users to change font size, contrast color, and features readback ability. As of June 2023, the Recite Me tool had been used to view more than 22,000 pages on the legislative website. They also added a disability accommodation information bar to the main webpage which will allow persons with disabilities to request sign language interpreters, assistive listening devices, etc. As a result of multiple meet

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

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. NMTAP had an information booth at the Southwest International Dyslexia Association’s Parent and Student Conference. This is a non-profit organization that provides understanding, training, and professional accreditation specific to dyslexia or the reading, writing, and spelling of words. The Conference focused on trainings in advocacy, Assistive Technology (AT) and fostering empowerment for middle and high school students with dyslexia. NMTAP displayed and demonstrated AT Tools to support students with dyslexia including the several tools that turn written text to speech. AT that was shown and tried by attendees included the C-Pen Reader, a pen that scans words line by line and the OrCam Read, a device that can scan a whole page and turn it into spoken words. The Comfort Contego FM System, a two-part listening device in which the receiver allows for attention on spoken information with less distractions, and the Livescribe Smart Pen 3, that has options for writing some notes, recording as needed, and creating all text to be verbalized for understanding. Simpler AT such as Colored Page Overlays and the Pocket Chart, which organizes tasks in sequence with words or pictures, were also reviewed. This was the first time NMTAP had been invited to this conference and allowed a focus on the students and families of the students with dyslexia so that they could experience AT that is available for this specific challenge and access the services NMTAP offers. The hands-on trial of devices by all attendees allows for clearer understanding of how AT tools can make a difference.

2.

Notes:

Overview of Coordination/Collaboration Activities