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 E you must provide a description of the reason the individuals are excluded from the performance measure:

G. Notes:

MATP staff were able to follow-up with the person who reported being "Not at all Satisfied" for the nine items he exchanged and have worked with him to address his concerns.

I. Notes:

G. Notes:

B. Description of Training Activities

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

MATP staff completed 2 presentations for a total of 47 people as part of a panel on climate change and its impact on health. MATP’s role was to describe the impact of climate change on people with disabilities (PWD) and the steps that PWD and policy makers can take to support effective response. The audience in both cases were media and policy staff from state government. The presentation included discussion of the health and Durable Medical Equipment (DME ) impacts of ongoing climate change and an overview of how AT can support involvement of PWD in planning. It also included discussion of efficient and effective access to AT during first response and the use of models of rapid access to DME and AT after a disaster has occurred. In both events, the information provided by the MATP staff person was the first time the audience had heard climate change framed as an issue for PWD and the role inclusive planning, DME, and AT played in the successful response to natural disaster and overall climate change.

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

MATP staff members Laura Hall, MSW, and Aimee Sterk, LMSW provided a training on AT for mental health and developmental disabilities at the Michigan Association of Community Mental Health Boards' fall conference to 66 people with disabilities, mental health staff members, and board members. Entitled "Supporting Your Consumers with AT," the training included information on the benefits of AT for community living including transition out of nursing facilities and group homes and covered devices for safety, anxiety, depression, substance use, communication, and executive function.The feedback from this training was very positive. Attendees asked questions after the training, and were particularly interested in the wide range of apps available. Participants were also very appreciative of the extensive resource handout provided.

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

MATP staff and a staff member from the Disability Network Capital Area program presented two refresher/train the trainer session on how to create accessible MS Word document to 23 staff members from Michigan's Centers for Independent Living. The sessions were very well received with several members very exciting about practicing and honing their new skills. Following the training, many have reported on training their co-workers and members of their communities. MATP also moderate an email list with all of this year's and last year's participants and send regular tips on how to create accessible documents. MATP have additionally complete the training with six staff at Michigan Disability Rights Coalition by breaking down the material into 20-minute "quick" training sessions.

E. Notes:

B. Description of Technical Assistance

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

MATP staff worked with people in the mental health community, specifically peers in the recovery community, to provide technical assistance on how to include assistive technology in their recovery work. MATP staff assisted in the videotaping of a short piece on the importance of AT and other supports in the peer recovery community. MATP staff also engaged in discussion of the importance of AT in the Clubhouse Community as part of a general discussion about threats to funding of supports for non-Medicaid eligible persons with severe mental illness and substance abuse issues.

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. MATP disseminated AT information through a number of social media tools.Through postings on MDRC's Facebook page about AT, we reached 24,449 people. MATP provides regular blog posts on topics related to using AT to enhance everyday life. Topics included a series on AT for cooking, the use of Audio Description, AT to hep with sleeping, reminders, domestic violence, and more reaching 860 people. Through the use of Twitter, MDRC reached 31,041 people. A subcontractor produced a video about the services they provide through MATP which is captioned and described: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gGtglqD-0bc.

2. A subcontractor participated in four Bronson Healthcare Systems block parties in Battle Creek, Paw Paw, South Haven and Kalamazoo. They displayed AT devices and information at their booth to build awareness, reaching approximately 400 people.

Notes: