National Assistive Technology Act Data System
Annual Progress Report - Full Report
North Dakota 2023
General Information
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
State Financing
| Did your approved state plan for this reporting period include any State Financing? | Yes |
|---|---|
| Did your approved state plan for this reporting period include conducting a Financial Loan Program? | Yes |
| Area of Residence | Total | ||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Metro RUCC 1-3 |
Non-Metro RUCC 4-9 |
||
| Approved Loan made | 16 | 02 | 18 |
| Approved Not made | 00 | 00 | 00 |
| Rejected | 00 | 00 | 00 |
| Total | 16 | 02 | 18 |
2. Income of Applicants to Whom Loans Were Made
| Lowest Income: | $28,000 | Highest Income: | $222,000 |
|---|
| Sum of Incomes | Loans Made | Average Annual Income |
|---|---|---|
| $1,580,099 | 18 | $87,783 |
| Income Ranges | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $15,000 or Less |
$15,001- $30,000 |
$30,001- $45,000 |
$45,001- $60,000 |
$60,001- $75,000 |
$75,001 or More |
||
| Number of Loans | 00 | 01 | 02 | 02 | 04 | 09 | 18 |
| Percentage of Loans | 0% | 5.56% | 11.11% | 11.11% | 22.22% | 50% | 100% |
3. Loan Type
| Type of Loan | Number of Loans | Percentage of loans |
|---|---|---|
| Revolving Loans | 18 | 100% |
| Partnership Loans | ||
| Without interest buy-down or loan guarantee | 00 | 0% |
| With interest buy-down only | 00 | 0% |
| With loan guarantee only | 00 | 0% |
| With both interest buy-down and loan guarantee | 00 | 0% |
| Total | 18 | 100% |
| Type of Loan | Number of Loans | Dollar Value of Loans |
|---|---|---|
| Revolving Loans | 18 | $580,760 |
| Partnership Loans | 00 | $0 |
| Total | 18 | $580,760 |
4. Interest Rates
| Lowest | 2% |
|---|---|
| Highest | 2% |
| Sum of Interest Rates | Number of Loans Made | Average Interest Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 00 | 18 | 0% |
| Interest Rate | Number of loans |
|---|---|
| 0.0% to 2.0% | 18 |
| 2.1% to 4.0% | 00 |
| 4.1% to 6.0% | 00 |
| 6.1% to 8.0% | 00 |
| 8.1% - 10.0% | 00 |
| 10.1%-12.0% | 00 |
| 12.1%-14.0% | 00 |
| 14.1% + | 00 |
| Total | 18 |
5. Types and Dollar Amounts of AT Financed
| Type of AT | Number of Devices Financed | Dollar Value of Loans |
|---|---|---|
| Vision | 00 | $0 |
| Hearing | 00 | $0 |
| Speech communication | 00 | $0 |
| Learning, cognition, and developmental | 00 | $0 |
| Mobility, seating and positioning | 02 | $40,708 |
| Daily living | 00 | $0 |
| Environmental adaptations | 00 | $0 |
| Vehicle modification and transportation | 16 | $540,052 |
| Computers and related | 00 | $0 |
| Recreation, sports, and leisure | 00 | $0 |
| Total | 18 | $580,760 |
6. Defaults
| Number Loans in default | 01 |
|---|---|
| Net loss for loans in default | $1,554 |
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? | 1 |
|---|
Activity 1
| How would you describe this state financing activity? | Last resort - Activity |
|---|
2. Geographic Distribution, Number of Individuals Who Acquired AT Devices and Services and Number for whom Performance Measure Data are Collected
| County of Residence | Individuals Served |
|---|---|
| A. Metro (RUCC 1-3) | 13 |
| B. Non-Metro (RUCC 4-9) | 5 |
| C. Total Served | 18 |
| Performance Measure | |
|---|---|
| D. Excluded from Performance Measure | 0 |
| E. Number of Individuals Included in Performance Measures | 18 |
If a number is reported in D you must provide a description of the reason the individuals are excluded from the performance measure:
3. Types and Dollar Amounts of AT Funded
| Type of AT Device / Service | Number of Devices Funded | Value of AT Provided |
|---|---|---|
| Vision | 2 | $95 |
| Hearing | 3 | $240 |
| Speech communication | 0 | $0 |
| Learning, cognition, and developmental | 7 | $2,003 |
| Mobility, seating and positioning | 8 | $8,373 |
| Daily living | 7 | $1,560 |
| Environmental adaptations | 1 | $2,000 |
| Vehicle modification and transportation | 3 | $1,613 |
| Computers and related | 1 | $2,000 |
| Recreation, sports, and leisure | 0 | $0 |
| Total | 32 | $17,884 |
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? | 0 |
|---|
D. Anecdote
A ND family wanted their son, with cerebral palsy, to thrive in his school and community. They learned about the Trexo Robotic walker and its ability to help with mobility and independent walking. With this device, he would be able to eventually walk on his own at school, home, and in the community. He would also be able to interact with his peers and everyone else at his actual eye level. The catch? The Trexo had a $38,000 price tag and the unappealing prospect of a personal loan with an interest rate that's best left unmentioned. Fortunately, the ND Assistive Financial Loan Program was available, and they were able to get a loan with a 2% fixed interest rate with flexible terms. Below are words from his mother a month after having the device: “We are thriving here. He is just meeting goal after goal. We crossed the threshold of 25,000 steps-- That’s 12 miles!... We’ve taken it to gym class at school twice and the kids are thrilled. When they first saw him upright and walking, their little 10-year-old minds were blown. This machine—it’s not only benefiting his body and mind, but socially, he can join in on more with the kids. The kids help him steer, they tag him “it” during play, they slow down just enough for him to graze past their shirts to tag them back, they cheer him on as he—the last one remaining—crosses the finish line. It’s transforming his physical skills, but also transforming the kids around him too…They are seeing a world of possibility. The kids would have never believed that Beckett would be able to walk this year, but they now see how possible life can be. It’s messy, fragile, sometimes not easy, but also so, so beautiful.”
The guardian of a gentleman with Alzheimer’s connected with ND Assistive after his robotic cat ceased to function. She emphasized that it was imperative that they find a way to purchase a replacement because it was a true companion for him, and he could no longer care for a live pet. According to the guardian, this device not only induced a sense of calmness and relaxation in him, but also contributed to improved sleep. However, funding was an issue for him, so the guardian applied to the Possibilities Grant program, ND Assistive’s Last Resort Program, and received funding. A couple of months later, she reported that he takes the cat with him everywhere and is back to being calmer and sleeping better because of it. This robotic cat reduces staff time and gives the guardian peace of mind.
E. Performance Measures
| Response | Primary Purpose for Which AT is Needed | Total | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Education | Employment | Community Living | ||
| 1. Could only afford the AT through the AT program. | 01 | 00 | 35 | 36 |
| 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 | 01 | 00 | 35 | 36 |
| 5. None of the above | 00 | 00 | 00 | 00 |
| 6. Subtotal | 01 | 00 | 35 | 36 |
| 7. Nonrespondent | 00 | 00 | 00 | 00 |
| 8. Total | 01 | 00 | 35 | 36 |
| 9. Performance on this measure | 100% | NaN% | 100% | |
F. Customer Satisfaction
| Customer Rating of Services | Number of Customers | Percent |
|---|---|---|
| Highly satisfied | 36 | 100% |
| Satisfied | 00 | 0% |
| Satisfied somewhat | 00 | 0% |
| Not at all satisfied | 00 | 0% |
| Nonrespondent | 00 | 0% |
| Total Surveyed | 36 | |
| Response rate % | 100% |
G. Notes:
Reutilization
A. Number of Recipients of Reused Devices
| Activity | Number of Individuals Receiving a Device from Activity |
|---|---|
| A. Device Exchange | 00 |
| B. Device Refurbish/Repair - Reassign and/or Open Ended Loan | 93 |
| C. Total | 93 |
| 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. | 00 |
| E. Number of Individuals Included in Performance Measures | 93 |
If a number is reported in D you must provide a description of the reason the individuals are excluded from the performance
B. Device Exchange Activities
| 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 | 00 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Daily Living | 00 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Environmental Adaptations | 00 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Vehicle Modification & Transportation | 00 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Computers and Related | 00 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Recreation, Sports and Leisure | 00 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total | 00 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
C. Device Refurbish/Repair - Reassignment and/or Open Ended Loan Activities
| 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 | 00 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Hearing | 73 | $7,436 | $0 | $7,436 |
| Speech Communication | 03 | $540 | $0 | $540 |
| Learning, Cognition and Developmental | 08 | $1,356 | $0 | $1,356 |
| Mobility, Seating and Positioning | 00 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Daily Living | 05 | $810 | $0 | $810 |
| Environmental Adaptations | 02 | $300 | $0 | $300 |
| Vehicle Modification & Transportation | 00 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Computers and Related | 02 | $2,300 | $0 | $2,300 |
| Recreation, Sports and Leisure | 00 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total | 93 | $12,742 | $0 | $12,742 |
D. Anecdote
A woman with low vision visited the ND Assistive Center due to a multitude of needs, such as reading, identifying items, taking notes in college, and more. During a demonstration, various assistive technology devices were introduced to address her needs. These included iPhone apps, digital magnifiers, and the LiveScribe Echo 2 Smart Pen. After the demonstration, ND Assistive referred her to ND Vocational Rehabilitation for services to help her do well in college and with future job placement. In the interim, she needed assistive technology to help her take notes in class because she was having trouble keeping up due to her vision loss. As previously mentioned, she was shown the Echo 2, a pen that simultaneously records audio while a person writes on special paper, effectively synchronizing the two. This functionality allows her to capture spoken information during lectures and later touch the pen to the paper to hear the recorded content. Beyond college notes, the pen proves versatile for tasks like managing appointments, creating to-do lists, and utilizing talking calendars. She tried the smartpen and loved it. However, she had no funding source at the time. ND Assistive was able to provide her with an open-ended loan of the older version of the Echo Smart Pen. She was delighted and sent a letter that included sentiments such as, “I want to thank you for your support…you all have made me so happy… I want to thank you for the scribe with notebook and pen… I’m still smiling!”
E. Performance Measures
| Response | Primary Purpose for Which AT is Needed | Total | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Education | Employment | Community Living | ||
| 1. Could only afford the AT through the AT program. | 00 | 01 | 78 | 79 |
| 2. AT was only available through the AT program. | 00 | 00 | 10 | 10 |
| 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 | 01 | 88 | 89 |
| 5. None of the above | 00 | 00 | 00 | 00 |
| 6. Subtotal | 00 | 01 | 88 | 89 |
| 7. Nonrespondent | 00 | 00 | 04 | 04 |
| 8. Total | 00 | 01 | 92 | 93 |
| 9. Performance on this measure | NaN% | 100% | 95.65% | |
F. Customer Satisfaction
| Customer Rating of Services | Number of Customers | Percent |
|---|---|---|
| Highly satisfied | 89 | 95.7% |
| Satisfied | 00 | 0% |
| Satisfied somewhat | 00 | 0% |
| Not at all satisfied | 00 | 0% |
| Nonrespondent | 04 | 4.3% |
| Total Surveyed | 93 | |
| Response rate % | 95.7% |
G. Notes:
Device Loan
A. Short-Term Device Loans by Type of Purpose
| Primary Purpose of Short-Term Device Loan | Number |
|---|---|
| Assist in decision-making (device trial or evaluation) | 228 |
| Serve as loaner during service repair or while waiting for funding | 07 |
| Provide an accommodation on a short-term basis for a time-limited event/situation | 05 |
| Conduct training, self-education or other professional development activity | 02 |
| Total | 242 |
B. Short-Term Device Loan by Type of Borrower
| Type of Individual or Entity | Number of Device Borrowers | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Desicion-making | All other Purposes | Total | |
| Individuals with Disabilities | 109 | 08 | 117 |
| Family Members, Guardians, and Authorized Representatives | 55 | 01 | 56 |
| Representative of Education | 17 | 01 | 18 |
| Representative of Employment | 01 | 00 | 01 |
| Representatives of Health, Allied Health, and Rehabilitation | 38 | 01 | 39 |
| Representatives of Community Living | 04 | 01 | 05 |
| Representatives of Technology | 04 | 02 | 06 |
| Total | 228 | 14 | 242 |
C. Length of Short-Term Device Loans
| Length of Short-Term Device Loan in Days | 42 |
|---|
D. Types of Devices Loaned
| Type of AT Device | Number of Devices | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Desicion-making | All other Purposes | Total | |
| Vision | 17 | 03 | 20 |
| Hearing | 47 | 03 | 50 |
| Speech Communication | 18 | 00 | 18 |
| Learning, Cognition and Developmental | 35 | 01 | 36 |
| Mobility, Seating and Positioning | 01 | 00 | 01 |
| Daily Living | 90 | 06 | 96 |
| Environmental Adaptations | 40 | 02 | 42 |
| Vehicle Modification and Transportation | 01 | 00 | 01 |
| Computers and Related | 61 | 02 | 63 |
| Recreation, Sports and Leisure | 02 | 00 | 02 |
| Total | 312 | 17 | 329 |
E. Anecdote
A western North Dakota man with cerebral palsy, limited mobility, and fine motor control received an assistive technology assessment from ND Assistive under the Traditional IID/DD Home and Community Based Services Waiver. The goal was to identify equipment that would not only support his independence but also enhance his ability to thrive. As part of the assessment process, equipment trials were conducted through the ND Assistive Equipment Loan Library, allowing him to evaluate items before purchase. These trials involved loans of an Amazon Echo Dot, Echo Show, and smart plugs. Subsequently, the assessment and equipment loans led to the acquisition of the following items for his home: an iPhone, a smart thermostat, smart light switches, an Echo Dot, an Echo Show, and smart plugs. Funding sources for these purchases included the Waiver and the ND Assistive Specialized Telephone Program. Trevor is ecstatic about his newfound independence. He can now perform various tasks independently, such as adjusting the temperature, turning lights on/off, creating shopping lists, making emergency calls without his phone, and more. He expressed his joy, stating, “I like being independent. I do not want to depend on everybody else… It’s just nice to know that I can turn them off myself. One of my goals in life is to be as independent as possible.” The local news story filmed a story on his new equipment and his impressions: https://bit.ly/45P99Rf
F. Access Performance Measures
| Response | Primary Purpose for Which AT is Needed | Total | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Education | Employment | Community Living | ||
| Decided that AT device/service will meet needs | 36 | 03 | 134 | 173 |
| Decided that an AT device/ service will not meet needs | 04 | 01 | 40 | 45 |
| Subtotal | 40 | 04 | 174 | 218 |
| Have not made a decision | 01 | 00 | 05 | 06 |
| Subtotal | 41 | 04 | 179 | 224 |
| Nonrespondent | 02 | 00 | 02 | 04 |
| Total | 43 | 04 | 181 | 228 |
| Performance on this measure | 97.56% | 100% | 97.21% | |
G. Acquisition Performance Measures
| Response | Primary Purpose for Which AT is Needed | Total | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Education | Employment | Community Living | ||
| 1. Could only afford the AT through the AT program. | 01 | 01 | 06 | 08 |
| 2. AT was only available through the AT program. | 01 | 00 | 03 | 04 |
| 3. AT was available through other programs, but the system was too complex or the wait time too long. | 00 | 01 | 00 | 01 |
| 4. Subtotal | 02 | 02 | 09 | 13 |
| 5. None of the above | 00 | 00 | 01 | 01 |
| 6. Subtotal | 02 | 02 | 10 | 14 |
| 7. Nonrespondent | 00 | 00 | 00 | 00 |
| 8. Total | 02 | 02 | 10 | 14 |
| 9. Performance on this measure | 100% | 100% | 90% | |
H. Customer Satisfaction
| Customer Rating of Services | Number of Customers | Percent |
|---|---|---|
| Highly satisfied | 200 | 82.64% |
| Satisfied | 38 | 15.7% |
| Satisfied somewhat | 04 | 1.65% |
| Not at all satisfied | 00 | 0% |
| Nonrespondent | 00 | 0% |
| Total Surveyed | 242 | |
| Response rate % | 100% |
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 | 81 |
| Hearing | 110 |
| Speech Communication | 28 |
| Learning, Cognition and Developmental | 71 |
| Mobility, Seating and Positioning | 27 |
| Daily Living | 183 |
| Environmental Adaptations | 73 |
| Vehicle Modification and Transportation | 00 |
| Computers and Related | 32 |
| Recreation, Sports and Leisure | 04 |
| Total # of Device Demonstrations | 609 |
B. Types of Participants
| Type of Participant | Decision-Makers | Other Participants | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Individuals with Disabilities | 315 | 61 | 376 |
| Family Members, Guardians, and Authorized Representatives | 238 | 307 | 545 |
| Representatives of Education | 20 | 40 | 60 |
| Representatives of Employment | 02 | 05 | 07 |
| Health, Allied Health, Rehabilitation | 22 | 40 | 62 |
| Representative of Community Living | 11 | 25 | 36 |
| Representative of Technology | 01 | 05 | 06 |
| Total | 609 | 483 | 1,092 |
C. Number of Referrals
| Type of Entity | Number of Referrals |
|---|---|
| Funding Source (non-AT program) | 88 |
| Service Provider | 40 |
| Vendor | 589 |
| Repair Service | 01 |
| Others | 49 |
| Total | 767 |
D. Anecdote
A vibrant and bright woman in her nineties with macular degeneration reached out to North Dakota Assistive for an assistive technology demonstration due to her progressive vision loss. She could no longer see well enough to dial on a standard phone, nor was she able to see the screen on her older Android phone. The woman was shown the accessibility features available for low vision on the iPhones, as well as, the benefits of the Amazon Echo Dot, including the calling features specifically for emergencies. She was elated! After the demonstration, she was able to obtain an iPhone with setup and training from the ND Assistive Specialized Telephone program and an Echo Dot from her generous son. Using voice commands to ask Siri to call people or ask it questions was something the woman learned quickly. She now has a lot more freedom to communicate with friends and family. She also now has reminders for appointments and a companion during the day to ask questions. In addition, her son now has peace of mind that she can call Alexa if she needs him and is not near her phone.
E. Performance Measures
| Response | Primary Purpose for Which AT is Needed | Total | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Education | Employment | Community Living | ||
| Decided that AT device/service will meet needs | 27 | 25 | 541 | 593 |
| Decided that an AT device/ service will not meet needs | 01 | 00 | 02 | 03 |
| Subtotal | 28 | 25 | 543 | 596 |
| Have not made a decision | 01 | 01 | 09 | 11 |
| Subtotal | 29 | 26 | 552 | 607 |
| Nonrespondent | 00 | 00 | 02 | 02 |
| Total | 29 | 26 | 554 | 609 |
| Performance on this measure | 96.55% | 96.15% | 98.01% | |
F. Customer Satisfaction
| Customer Rating of Services | Number of Customers | Percent |
|---|---|---|
| Highly satisfied | 1,072 | 98.17% |
| Satisfied | 19 | 1.74% |
| Satisfied somewhat | 01 | 0.09% |
| Not at all satisfied | 00 | 0% |
| Nonrespondent | 00 | 0% |
| Total | 1,092 | |
| Response rate % | 100% |
G. Notes:
Overall Performance Measures
Overall Acquisition Performance Measure
| Response | Primary Purpose for Which AT is Needed | Total | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Education | Employment | Community Living | ||
| 1. Could only afford the AT through the AT program. | 02 | 02 | 119 | 123 |
| 2. AT was only available through the AT program. | 01 | 00 | 13 | 14 |
| 3. AT was available through other programs, but the system was too complex or the wait time too long. | 00 | 01 | 00 | 01 |
| 4. Subtotal | 03 | 03 | 132 | 138 |
| 5. None of the above | 00 | 00 | 01 | 01 |
| 6. Subtotal | 03 | 03 | 133 | 139 |
| 7. Nonrespondent | 00 | 00 | 04 | 04 |
| 8. Total | 03 | 03 | 137 | 143 |
| 9. Performance on this measure | 100% | 66.67% | 96.35% | 95.8% |
| ACL Performance Measure | 85% | |||
| Met/Not Met | Met | |||
Overall Access Performance Measure
| Response | Primary Purpose for Which AT is Needed | Total | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Education | Employment | Community Living | ||
| Decided that AT device/service will meet needs | 63 | 28 | 675 | 766 |
| Decided that an AT device/ service will not meet needs | 05 | 01 | 42 | 48 |
| Subtotal | 68 | 29 | 717 | 814 |
| Have not made a decision | 02 | 01 | 14 | 17 |
| Subtotal | 70 | 30 | 731 | 831 |
| Nonrespondent | 02 | 00 | 04 | 06 |
| Total | 72 | 30 | 735 | 837 |
| Performance on this measure | 97.14% | 96.67% | 97.82% | 97.72% |
| 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 | 99.66% | 95% | Met |
| Response Rate | 99.73% | 90% | Met |
Training
A. Training Participants: Number and Types of Participants; Geographical Distribution
| Type of Participant | Number |
|---|---|
| Individuals with Disabilities | 13 |
| Family Members, Guardians and Authorized Representatives | 15 |
| Representatives of Education | 76 |
| Representatives of Employment | 11 |
| Rep Health, Allied Health, and Rehabilitation | 90 |
| Representatives of Community Living | 152 |
| Representatives of Technology | 82 |
| Unable to Categorize | 11 |
| TOTAL | 450 |
| Metro | Non Metro | Unknown | TOTAL |
|---|---|---|---|
| 295 | 155 | 00 | 450 |
B. Training Topics
| Primary Topic of Training | Participants |
|---|---|
| AT Products/Services | 150 |
| AT Funding/Policy/ Practice | 22 |
| Combination of any/all of the above | 108 |
| Information Technology/Telecommunication Access | 43 |
| Transition | 127 |
| Total | 450 |
C. Description of Training Activities
Describe innovative one high-impact assistance training activity conducted during the reporting period:
With funding from the Public Health Workforce grant, North Dakota Assistive and MN Star, Minnesota’s Assistive Technology Act Program, are collaborating on creating monthly webinars and short equipment videos. To date, fourteen webinars have been conducted, and thirty-six training videos created. Topics covered include smart home for home monitoring, medication management, AAC, AT for gardening, and more! Some of the webinars have been panels of experts such as the two-part AAC panel for school age professionals. All videos are located on our YouTube site: https://www.youtube.com/@ndassistive We have been receiving very good reviews from the audience, which grows with each webinar.
Briefly describe one training activity related to transition conducted during the reporting period:
In September 2023, North Dakota Assistive hosted an informative session for fifty educators within the Peace Garden Special Education Unit, comprising special education teachers, paraprofessionals, and professionals in physical, occupational, and speech therapy. The primary objective of this presentation was to familiarize educators with a spectrum of assistive technology devices tailored for learning, transitioning, and fostering social inclusion. The event featured interactive tables highlighting a diverse array of assistive technology, spanning from essential tools like pencil grips and colored overlays to advanced computer access solutions and aids for daily living activities. Educators had the opportunity to engage hands-on with these technologies, supported by on-site assistive technology experts ready to provide insights and address any queries.
Briefly describe one training activity related to Information and Communication Technology accessibility:
In May 2023, a collaborative effort between North Dakota Assistive and Minnesota STAR resulted in the hosting of a virtual training titled "Digital Accessibility 101." This session offered a comprehensive exploration of digital accessibility essentials, covering key topics such as alt-text, audio descriptions, color contrast standards, document structure, and more. Attendees were not only equipped with valuable insights during the webinar but were also provided with access to a wealth of resources, including the AT3 Center's Digital Accessibility Courses. This ensures that participants can further enhance their understanding of digital accessibility at their own pace. The webinar recording has been made accessible to the public on ND Assistive and MN STAR's YouTube channels, extending its reach and impact.
D. IT/Telecommunications Training Performance Measure
| Outcome/Result From IT/Telecommunications Training Received | Number |
|---|---|
| IT and Telecommunications Procurement or Dev Policies | 22 |
| Training or Technical Assistance will be developed or implemented | 10 |
| No known outcome at this time | 01 |
| Nonrespondent | 10 |
| Total | 43 |
| Performance Measure Percentage | 74.4% |
| ACL Target Percentage | 70% |
| Met/Not Met | Met |
E. Notes:
Technical Assistance
A. Frequency and Nature of Technical Assistance
| Education | 20% |
|---|---|
| Employment | 00% |
| Health, Allied Health, Rehabilitation | 00% |
| Community Living | 80% |
| 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:
North Dakota Assistive participated in monthly Tech Talks hosted by the North Dakota Department of Public Instruction. During these talks, special educators brainstormed AT solutions for their students with other special educators and a panel of AT experts. These solutions were for students of all ages including transition age.
Breifly describe one technical assistance activity related to transition conducted during the reporting period:
North Dakota Assistive continues to provide assistive technology-related technical assistance on transition-related task forces and workgroups. These include the Money Follows the Person Task Force, the Money Follows the Person Supplemental Fund Workgroup, and the DOJ Settlement meetings. In addition, North Dakota Assistive provided technical assistance on several occasions to the North Dakota Assistive Technology Taskforce, whose goal it is to help people with Developmental Disabilities move out of more restrictive settings. The work on this group led to another workgroup, the Technology and Workforce Group which will start next fiscal year and is led by North Dakota Protection and Advocacy.
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. North Dakota Assistive conducted over 149 public awareness events statewide and directly to 9954 people in 25 of 53 counties, in person and virtually. These included tours of the Bismarck and Fargo Demonstration Centers for legislators, nurses, therapists, vocational rehabilitation counselors, teachers, business owners, schools, college students in therapy programs, social workers, nurses and doctors, pharmacists, the fire department, families, and individuals with disabilities, and more. In addition, ND assistive presented and exhibited at various state events in the Native Nations, statewide conferences such as the Vocational Rehabilitation Conference and the Northern Plains Aging and Disability Conference, health fairs, TV appearances on regional news channels, various residential and work activity centers for adults with developmental disabilities, nursing homes, assistive living centers, home health centers, the state virtual Lunch ‘n’ Learns for ND HHS, Special Education Units, Support Groups, Senior Centers, Schools, and Hospitals, and more! We also presented at the national 2023 engAGED and Commit to Connect Social Engagement Virtual Summit.
2. In FY2023, North Dakota Assistive hired a marketing director and contracted with a marketing firm, which helped ND Assistive develop an updated website with a new logo. It also increased its social media presence with LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok. In addition, an open house in the Bismarck Center was held for the public, marking a move to a new center. This open house included a ribbon cutting with the Bismarck Area Chamber of Commerce.
Information And Assistance
| Types of Recipients | AT Device/ Service |
AT Funding | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Individuals with Disabilities | 192 | 776 | 968 |
| Family Members, Guardians and Authorized Representatives | 454 | 11 | 465 |
| Representative of Education | 40 | 04 | 44 |
| Representative of Employment | 13 | 03 | 16 |
| Representative of Health, Allied Health, and Rehabilitation | 222 | 02 | 224 |
| Representative of Community Living | 70 | 15 | 85 |
| Representative of Technology | 04 | 01 | 05 |
| Unable to Categorize | 22 | 00 | 22 |
| Total | 1,017 | 812 | 1,829 |
Referral Types:
Our referrals come from many entities, but the majority come from social workers from around the state, which includes case managers from the HCBS and DD waivers as well as the Vulnerable Adult Protective Services. In addition, the majority of the remaining referrals came from family members, Vocational Rehabilitation counselors, ND Protection and Advocacy, teachers, Independent Living Centers, HCBS Case Managers, and therapists.
Referral Sources:
Our referrals come from many entities, but the majority come from social workers from around the state which includes case managers from the HCBS and DD waivers as well as the Vulnerable Adult Protective Services. case managers. In addition, the majority of the remaining referrals came from family members, Vocational Rehabilitation counselors, ND Protection and Advocacy, teachers, Independent Living Centers, HCBS Case Managers and therapists.
Notes:
The change in the number of information and assistance recipients denotes an increase in the number of people we served this year, but also more ND Assistive staff are now collecting data than previously. Increased training sessions for staff on this data collection helped this effort.
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? | 2 |
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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?
ND Assistive collaborated with the Assistant Director of North Dakota Aging Services to develop a strategy for providing assistive technology that promotes independence and safety to the numerous North Dakota adults benefiting from the Vulnerable Adult Protective Services (VAPS) program under her jurisdiction. The initiative utilized funds from the Assistive Technology Act.
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.
Following several meetings with the assistant director and the Vulnerable Adults Protective Services (VAPS) staff, a decision was reached to implement a pilot program aimed at supporting vulnerable adults in North Dakota to age in place. North Dakota Assistive Occupational Therapists assumed a lead role. The program was structured based on a model encompassing assessment, goal setting, equipment procurement, device installation, and training. All funding for individuals enrolled in the program, including equipment expenses, originated from the VAPS program. In addition, the VAPS staff received a presentation on assistive technology and its benefits.
3. What focus areas(s) were addressed by the initiative?
Housing / Home Automation; Community Participation and Integration; Recreation / Leisure; Health; Aging; Transition(school to work or congregate care to community); Aging and Disability Network / No Wrong Door; Veterans;
4. What AT Act authorized activity(s) were addressed?
Device Loan; Demonstration; Reuse; State Financing; Information & Assistance; Public Awareness;
A.2 Coordination/Collaboration (Entry 2)
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?
In FY 2023, ND Assistive met several times with the director of the North Dakota Alzheimer’s Association to see how our programs could work together to improve the lives of individuals with dementia as well as their caregivers. AT Act dollars were utilized in this effort as well as funding through the Money Follows the Person Supplemental Funding-Capacity Building Program.
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.
As a result of these meetings, a formal written agreement was forged between the North Dakota Alzheimer’s Association (NDAA) and North Dakota Assistive. This agreement encompasses mutual training initiatives for each organization's staff and aims to raise public awareness about the services offered by both entities. Furthermore, the NDAA committed to surveying their team and volunteers to gauge interest in becoming AT Ambassadors, equipped with kits containing assistive technology. As of this writing, five of our seventeen volunteers AT Ambassadors are staff of the ND Alzheimer’s Association! Thus, they have expanded their knowledge and appreciation of assistive technology, by highlighting and demonstrating various devices at exhibits and presentations. In fact, one NDAA employee presented and/or exhibited at eight different events last fiscal year alone.
3. What focus areas(s) were addressed by the initiative?
Housing / Home Automation; Community Participation and Integration; Recreation / Leisure; Health; Aging; Aging and Disability Network / No Wrong Door; Veterans;
4. What AT Act authorized activity(s) were addressed?
Device Loan; Demonstration; Reuse; State Financing; Training; 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? | 01 |
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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.
During this reporting period, North Dakota Assistive worked with the ND Department of Health and Human Services, Aging Services Section to enhance the Assistive Safety Device Distribution Services (ASDDS) program. Since 2003, North Dakota Assistive has managed this program under the funding of the Older Americans Act, dedicated to providing assistive technology that promotes safety and independence, facilitating seniors aged 60 and above to age in place. The changes became effective on July 1, 2023.
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.)
These changes included increasing the spending threshold per person from $300 to $400 and adding the coverage of threshold ramps to the Covered Equipment List. Due to inflation, the device costs, which had been stable over the last ten years, increased dramatically this past year. This increase reduced the ability of individuals to obtain the needed equipment. In addition, ND Assistive received increased requests over the past year for threshold ramps, which help individuals to enter/exit their homes or move from room to room. Although we were able to obtain them with special requests to the state, we added them to the program so the program referrers would know of their availability. The program link: https://ndassistive.org/asdds/
3. What was the primary area of impact for this state improvement outcome?
Community Living
Additional And Leveraged Funds
A. Leveraged Funding for State Plan Activities
| Fund Source | Amount | Use of Funds | Data Reported |
|---|---|---|---|
| State Appropriations | $50,000 | Public Awareness, I&A | True |
| State Appropriations | $20,000 | State Financing | True |
| Public/State Agency | $37,134 | Training | True |
| State Appropriations | $50,000 | Reuse | True |
| State Appropriations | $15,000 | Technical Assistance | True |
| State Appropriations | $90,000 | Device Loan | True |
| State Appropriations | $90,000 | Demonstration | True |
| State Appropriations | $15,000 | Training | True |
| Amount: $367,134 |
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 |
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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. |
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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 14:12:11 GMT-0600 (Central Standard Time)