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:

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:

I. Notes:

G. Notes:

B. Description of Training Activities

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

Over 600 professionals with the Office of Developmental Disabilities from all ten Louisiana state regions received training specific to the Employment First Initiative, a global movement driving the development of policies and initiatives that embrace the inclusion of individuals with disabilities throughout community and employment based settings. These high-impact trainings delivered provider agency staff and support coordinators with details specific to competitive-integrated employment, the employment first service model, planning transition from segregated to inclusive environments, and employment supports including the role of assistive technology in the workplace. Over 70% of participants agreed they gained new skills and competencies from the training. Additional feedback included the following comments: “Very informative and interactive training, I learned a lot.” “It was very helpful to know of the resources I can offer to clients, as well as, people in my life.” “I appreciated the case studies and examples.” “Great job explaining material. Focused training.”

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

LATAN provided students, parents, and teachers at Louisiana’s School for the Deaf and Visually impaired with training specific to the importance of AT in the transition process which included the importance of student involvement in IEP process, self-advocacy for students, and resources for successful transition. Several students & parents spent time at the end of training gaining hands-on experience with devices new to them allowing them to schedule appointments for more extensive formal demonstrations to help find AT to meet their hearing and vision needs.

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

ICT Training was provided to members of the Governor’s Office of Disability Affairs Council regarding the process for developing accessible documents. After receiving complaints by members and the public regarding the inaccessibility of such documents, Jamie Karam, a LATAN staff member with 12 years’ experience in assistive technology and development of accessible materials, provided training and resources to the Council. Following the training, the council chairperson agreed the group would develop and implement policies, procedures, and practices to ensure accessibility and improve access. Two other members stated they would use the information and resources to train their agency staff members in the development and dissemination of accessible materials.

E. Notes:

B. Description of Technical Assistance

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

Jamie Karam a staff member with 12 years' experience in assistive technology for emergency management and disaster response regarding assistive technology provision provided technical assistance to American Red Cross of Louisiana on vital AT devices needed in pre-staging equipment for use in regional shelters during future large scale disasters which included researching, purchasing, and verification of delivery of all AT equipment to three storage warehouses. Now, Louisiana's regional shelters have access to vital pre-staged equipment most appropriate in meeting the needs of AT users during a major disaster event.

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. LATAN staff hosted an exhibit at the Louisiana State Fair event, “Senior Day at the Fair”, to raise awareness among the fastest growing population, seniors, about the benefits of assistive technology with regard to functional limitations related to aging. Over 2500 people from across the state attended the event with over 250 people signing-in at the LATAN exhibit to receive targeted information and countless others receiving LATAN literature regarding benefits and access to AT.

2. LATAN staff hosted an exhibit at the Louisiana Society for Human Resource Management’s Diversity and Inclusion Summit to raise awareness among Human Resource Managers to the benefits of hiring individuals with disabilities and the importance of AT to support their success in the workplace. Over 165 human resource professionals from around the state attended the event and received resource information. Following the event, several human resource managers scheduled visits to LATAN’s Demonstration Center to learn more about technology to support some of their current employees AT needs.

Notes: