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:

The ever popular voice activated Google Home and Amazon Echo are known for playing music and checking the weather, but our staff trained 180 people on how a person with a disability could use them to control their environment. At our annual Assistive Technology Conference, comprehensive evaluation of both Google and Amazon products was covered. The in-depth training compared the features and covered the required attachments needed for an individual with limited mobility to independently open/close doors, activate temperature control, run security systems, control lights, activate outdoor sprinklers, control televisions and computers and open/close garage doors. Attendees were professionals working with many clients with disabilities throughout the state. They were able to understand how to set up their clients for greater independence whether living in an older home or a smart home.

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

NMTAP satellite office in Las Vegas serves the entire rural northeastern region of NM. This program partner is the Northeastern Regional Educational Cooperative #4 (NEREC). In the fall of 2018, the staff provided an innovative transition training at a high school in a nearby small town. Special education teachers and students with disabilities were provided side-by-side training on use of the C-pen, a pen that changes written text into speech heard through a set of earphones. At the start, almost all of the students denied the need for any assistance with reading. All were reading at a 4th grade level and had resisted the use of any accommodations or AT. The students were asked to read a selection written at a 5th grade level and all demonstrated significant difficulty decoding words with minimal comprehension. After in-depth training on the C-pen,the students wanted to try it. Note the students were excited that it would not be so obvious they were using an accommodation. Additional training on accessing text to speech on their smart phones was also provided. After the training, all students used both devices for reading their daily coursework. NEREC will evaluate the students’ progress using Measure of Academic Progress (MAP) testing data at the end of the school year. These students are more open to use accommodations as they enter post-secondary education.

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

NMTAP provided training in the area of IT and Telecommunications to the Chamber of Commerce in the city of Taos. This group included members from the community, people in service and tourism industries, government, healthcare, child care and the transportation industry. These individuals are directly responsible for the hospitality industry in the city of Taos and tasked with providing information and services to those who live in or plan to visit Taos. NMTAP staff provided an in-depth training on Web Accessibility and how it relates to people they each serve. The training involved the applicable laws, the most common errors found on sites, how to fix them and a list of evaluation tools that can be used to evaluate their own websites. This was immediately followed up with training on how to create accessible documents for the web. Most of these agencies custom make their own flyers and promotional materials so it was important to learn about accessibility. Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Adobe Acrobat PDF Accessibility were covered in detail. These attendees were able to learn the tools of the accessible documents and websites to make their businesses accessible for the community of Taos.

E. Notes:

B. Description of Technical Assistance

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

From January to June 2018, NMTAP provided technical assistance to the NM Department of Workforce Solutions (DWS) one-stop offices in the Southwest Region of NM. NMTAP conducted accessibility site evaluations in seven rural towns. Most offices had designated workstations for individuals with disabilities to search for jobs or submit applications. All locations had issues regarding access and lack of adequate AT equipment or software was noted. Waiting rooms and computer stations were assessed and training on AT was provided. Detailed findings reports of each location were provided with recommendations for physical access and additional or upgraded AT. AT included keyboards, screen reading software, amplified phones, computer and desks equipment to address physical, visual, auditory and cognitive challenges. The DWS used these reports to create accessible workstations/waiting rooms for individuals with disabilities.

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 satellite office in Silver City serves the Southwestern quarter of the state. The program partner in that area is through the Social Work department at Western New Mexico University (WNMU). Student interns and student employees are utilized to provide AT device demonstrations, device loans and information for that rural area. A student intern coordinated the first annual Silver City Autism Awareness Walk in April 2018. This included an NMTAP information booth alongside other local agencies. About 250 people attended from three counties to experience sensory AT devices and obtain information on accessing all NMTAP services. A handful of device demonstrations and device loans resulted shortly after the event. An additional activity at the walk involved WNMU collecting donations to purchase Medical Alert seat belt covers and home decals with Autism information for first responders. Many of these were distributed in the community to individuals with Autism and their families. Due to the success, the second annual event is planned for April 2019!

2.

Notes: