National Assistive Technology Act Data System

Annual Progress Report - Full Report

Pennsylvania 2018

General Information

Statewide AT Program (Information to be listed in national State AT Program Directory)

State AT Program Title:
Pennsylvania's Initiative on Assistive Technology
State AT Program Title:
State AT Program URL
https://techowlpa.org
Mailing Address:
1755 North 13th Street, Student Center Rm 411 S
City:
Philadelphia
State:
PA
Zip Code:
19122
Program Email:
ATinfo@temple.edu
Phone:
800-204-7428
TTY:
866-268-0579

Lead Agency

Agency Name:
Institute on Disabilities/UCEDD at Temple University
Mailing Address:
1755 N. 13th St., Student Center Rm 411 S
City:
Philadelphia
State:
PA
Zip Code:
19122
Program URL:
http://disabilities.temple.edu

Implementing Entity

Name of Implementing Agency:
Mailing Address:
City
State:
Zip Code:
Program URL:

Program Director and Other Contacts

Program Director for State AT Program (last, first):
McNally, Sandra
Title:
Assistant Director
Phone:
215-204-3370
E-mail:
smcnally@temple.edu
Program Director at Lead Agency (last, first):
Feinstein, Celia
Title:
Executive Director
Phone:
215-204-6561
E-mail:
celia.feinstein@temple.edu
Primary Contact at Implementing Agency (last, first) - If applicable:
Title:
Phone:
E-mail:

Person Responsible for completing this form if other than Program Director

Name (last, first):
Title:
Phone:
E-mail:

Certifying Representative

Name (last, first):
Mitchell, Karen
Title:
Assistant Vice President, Research Administration
Phone:
215-707-7547
E-mail:
karen.mitchell@temple.edu

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? No

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? 02
Activity 1
How would you describe this state financing activity? telecommunications distribution
2. Geographic Distribution, Number of Individuals Who Acquired AT Devices and Services and Number for whom Performance Measure Data are Collected
Geographic Distribution
County of Residence Individuals Served
A. Metro (RUCC 1-3) 160
B. Non-Metro (RUCC 4-9) 25
C. Total Served 185

Performance Measure Number
Performance Measure Number
D. Excluded from Performance Measure 00
E. Number of Individuals Included in Performance Measures 185

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
Types and Dollar Amounts of AT Funded
Type of AT Device / Service Number of Devices
Funded
Value of
AT Provided
Vision 17 $1,563
Hearing 217 $20,862
Speech communication 01 $35
Learning, cognition, and developmental 00 $0
Mobility, seating and positioning 00 $0
Daily living 10 $2,050
Environmental adaptations 00 $0
Vehicle modification and transportation 00 $0
Computers and related 00 $0
Recreation, sports, and leisure 00 $0
Total 245 $24,510

Activity 2
How would you describe this state financing activity? telecommunications distribution
2. Geographic Distribution, Number of Individuals Who Acquired AT Devices and Services and Number for whom Performance Measure Data are Collected
Geographic Distribution
County of Residence Individuals Served
A. Metro (RUCC 1-3) 17
B. Non-Metro (RUCC 4-9) 03
C. Total Served 20

Performance Measure Number
Performance Measure Number
D. Excluded from Performance Measure 00
E. Number of Individuals Included in Performance Measures 20

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
Types and Dollar Amounts of AT Funded
Type of AT Device / Service Number of Devices
Funded
Value of
AT Provided
Vision 25 $55,015
Hearing 22 $11,019
Speech communication 00 $0
Learning, cognition, and developmental 00 $0
Mobility, seating and positioning 00 $0
Daily living 00 $0
Environmental adaptations 00 $0
Vehicle modification and transportation 00 $0
Computers and related 00 $0
Recreation, sports, and leisure 00 $0
Total 47 $66,034

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? 01
Activity 1
How would you describe this state financing activity? AT Fabrication Program
2. Geographic Distribution and Number of Individuals Served
Geographic Distribution
County of Residence Individuals Served
A. Metro (RUCC 1-3) 51
B. Non-Metro (RUCC 4-9) 00
C. Total Served 51

Performance Measure Number
Performance Measure Number
D. Excluded from Performance Measure 00
E. Number of Individuals Included in Performance Measures 51

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
Types and Dollar Amounts of AT Funded
Type of AT Device / Service Number Provided Total Estimated
Current Retail
Purchase Price
Total Price for
Which Devices
Were Sold
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 22 $4,000 $0 $4,000
Daily living 20 $1,600 $0 $1,600
Environmental adaptations 00 $0 $0 $0
Vehicle modification and transportation 00 $0 $0 $0
Computers and related 02 $100 $0 $100
Recreation, sports, and leisure 09 $700 $0 $700
Total 53 $6,400 $0 $6,400

D. Anecdote

Percy is a 98-year old man who lives alone and hours away from his nearest family. He had a difficult time understanding people on the phone - even his children. Rather than answer the phone, he relied on his neighbors to write down the messages that were left on his answering machine. Since Percy received a captioned phone, he makes and receives calls without assistance, and without waiting for someone to transcribe messages. More importantly, he feels less frustrated and confident that he can keep in contact with his family and friends.

Impact Area

Impact Area

E. Performance Measures

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 00 205 205
2. AT was only available through the AT program. 00 00 48 48
3. AT was available through other programs, but the system was too complex or the wait time too long. 00 00 03 03
4. Subtotal 00 00 256 256
5. None of the above 00 00 00 00
6. Subtotal 00 00 256 256
7. Nonrespondent 00 00 00 00
8. Total 00 00 256 256
9. Performance on this measure NaN% NaN% 100%

F. Customer Satisfaction

Satisfaction
Customer Rating of Services Number of Customers Percent
Highly satisfied 64 25%
Satisfied 46 17.97%
Satisfied somewhat 00 0%
Not at all satisfied 02 0.78%
Nonrespondent 144 56.25%
Total Surveyed 256
Response rate % 43.75%

G. Notes:

Reutilization

A. Number of Recipients of Reused Devices

Activity Number of Individuals Receiving a Device from Activity
A. Device Exchange 19
B. Device Refurbish/Repair - Reassign and/or Open Ended Loan 5,362
C. Total 5,381

Performance Measure
D. Device Exchange - Excluded from Performance Measure 00
E. Reassignment/Refurbishment and Repair and Open Ended Loans - 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
F. Number of Individuals Included in Performance Measures 5,381

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

B. Device Exchange Activities

Device Exchange
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 02 $100 $0 $100
Speech Communication 01 $7,565 $0 $7,565
Learning, Cognition and Developmental 00 $0 $0 $0
Mobility, Seating and Positioning 10 $8,430 $0 $8,430
Daily Living 03 $345 $0 $345
Environmental Adaptations 01 $50 $0 $50
Vehicle Modification & Transportation 00 $0 $0 $0
Computers and Related 02 $309 $0 $309
Recreation, Sports and Leisure 00 $0 $0 $0
Total 19 $16,799 $0 $16,799

C. Device Refurbish/Repair - Reassignment and/or Open Ended Loan Activities

Device Reassign/Repair/Refurbish and/or OEL
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 13 $13,488 $0 $13,488
Hearing 09 $917 $0 $917
Speech Communication 11 $14,871 $0 $14,871
Learning, Cognition and Developmental 04 $148 $0 $148
Mobility, Seating and Positioning 2,814 $973,127 $615 $972,512
Daily Living 3,009 $599,189 $257 $598,932
Environmental Adaptations 57 $6,988 $0 $6,988
Vehicle Modification & Transportation 00 $0 $0 $0
Computers and Related 04 $395 $0 $395
Recreation, Sports and Leisure 09 $5,185 $0 $5,185
Total 5,930 $1,614,308 $872 $1,613,436

D. Anecdote

One of our regional centers received a call from the Latino-Hispanic American Community Center to assist a family that relocated to the area because of Hurricane Irma. They had to leave everything behind, including a family member's manual wheelchair. We were able to provide her with a manual wheelchair, bedside commode, bath seat, grab bars and a threshold ramp. Because of these items, she is no longer dependent on others for most of her self-care needs and is able to get in and out of the house independently and participate in her new community.

Impact Area

E. Performance Measures

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. 28 24 3,917 3,969
2. AT was only available through the AT program. 05 08 545 558
3. AT was available through other programs, but the system was too complex or the wait time too long. 13 09 832 854
4. Subtotal 46 41 5,294 5,381
5. None of the above 00 00 00 00
6. Subtotal 46 41 5,294 5,381
7. Nonrespondent 00 00 00 00
8. Total 46 41 5,294 5,381
9. Performance on this measure 100% 100% 100%

F. Customer Satisfaction

Satisfaction
Customer Rating of Services Number of Customers Percent
Highly satisfied 4,892 90.91%
Satisfied 469 8.72%
Satisfied somewhat 19 0.35%
Not at all satisfied 01 0.02%
Nonrespondent 00 0%
Total Surveyed 5,381
Response rate % 100%

G. Notes:

Device Loan

A. Short-Term Device Loans by Type of Purpose

Loans By Purpose
Primary Purpose of Short-Term Device Loan Number
Assist in decision-making (device trial or evaluation) 1,006
Serve as loaner during service repair or while waiting for funding 47
Provide an accommodation on a short-term basis for a time-limited event/situation 24
Conduct training, self-education or other professional development activity 191
Total 1,268

B. Short-Term Device Loan by Type of Borrower

LOANS By Borrower Type
Type of Individual or Entity Number of Device Borrowers
Individuals with Disabilities 873
Family Members, Guardians, and Authorized Representatives 04
Representative of Education 163
Representative of Employment 03
Representatives of Health, Allied Health, and Rehabilitation 04
Representatives of Community Living 221
Representatives of Technology 00
Total 1,268

C. Length of Short-Term Device Loans

Length of Short-Term Device Loan in Days 30

D. Types of Devices Loaned

Types of Devices Loaned
Type of AT Device Number
Vision 164
Hearing 260
Speech Communication 421
Learning, Cognition and Developmental 58
Mobility, Seating and Positioning 27
Daily Living 124
Environmental Adaptations 312
Vehicle Modification and Transportation 00
Computers and Related 74
Recreation, Sports and Leisure 270
Total 1,710

E. Anecdote

Esther works in an office and was having increased difficulty typing with one-hand on a regular computer keyboard. She borrowed a keyboard kit from our AT Lending Library and tried three different keyboards. She was amazed at how much faster she could type one-handed on a mini-keyboard, and said that she wished she had looked into them years ago. Once she selected the keyboard that suited her best, she gave the information to her employer, who purchased one for her.

Impact Area

F. Access Performance Measures

Access Performance Measures
Response Primary Purpose for Which AT is Needed Total
Education Employment Community Living
Decided that AT device/service will meet needs 84 22 418 524
Decided that an AT device/ service will not meet needs 00 01 27 28
Subtotal 84 23 445 552
Have not made a decision 06 01 14 21
Subtotal 90 24 459 573
Nonrespondent 68 14 351 433
Total 158 38 810 1,006
Performance on this measure 81.79% 93.12% 84.52%

G. Acquisition Performance Measures

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. 04 04 16 24
2. AT was only available through the AT program. 85 08 09 102
3. AT was available through other programs, but the system was too complex or the wait time too long. 01 00 02 03
4. Subtotal 90 12 27 129
5. None of the above 01 00 00 01
6. Subtotal 91 12 27 130
7. Nonrespondent 39 49 44 132
8. Total 130 61 71 262
9. Performance on this measure 98.9% 23.12% 100%

H. Customer Satisfaction

Satisfaction
Customer Rating of Services Number of Customers Percent
Highly satisfied 598 47.16%
Satisfied 118 9.31%
Satisfied somewhat 01 0.08%
Not at all satisfied 02 0.16%
Nonrespondent 549 43.3%
Total Surveyed 1,268
Response rate % 56.7%

I. Notes:

Performance measures and satisfaction rates are affected by our primary model of "drop ship" delivery. While this method is more convenient for our borrowers, in the absence of face-to-face contact, borrowers do not readily respond to either email or telephone follow-up surveys.

Device Demonstration

A. Number of Device Demonstrations by Device Type

Type of AT Device / Service Number of Demonstrations of AT Devices / Services
Vision 76
Hearing 112
Speech Communication 40
Learning, Cognition and Developmental 13
Mobility, Seating and Positioning 04
Daily Living 24
Environmental Adaptations 00
Vehicle Modification and Transportation 00
Computers and Related 10
Recreation, Sports and Leisure 01
Total # of Devices Demonstrated 280

B. Types of Participants

Demonstrations by Participant Type
Type of Participant Number of Participants in Device Demonstrations
Individuals with Disabilities 250
Family Members, Guardians, and Authorized Representatives 113
Representatives of Education 03
Representatives of Employment 00
Health, Allied Health, Rehabilitation 28
Representative of Community Living 35
Representative of Technology 02
Total 431

C. Number of Referrals

Referrals
Type of Entity Number of Referrals
Funding Source (non-AT program) 154
Service Provider 51
Vendor 234
Repair Service 01
Others 00
Total 440

D. Anecdote

Nigil is a 15-year old with low vision. He is homeschooled, and his mother didn't know what was available to help him. During a demonstration of several different desktop video magnifiers, he was overjoyed at being able to see words easily, as well as pictures. He selected a model that met his needs, and his mother reported to us the next day that she purchased the device for him.

Impact Area

E. Performance Measures

Performance Measures
Response Primary Purpose for Which AT is Needed Total
Education Employment Community Living
Decided that AT device/service will meet needs 18 05 223 246
Decided that an AT device/ service will not meet needs 00 00 16 16
Subtotal 18 05 239 262
Have not made a decision 01 00 17 18
Subtotal 19 05 256 280
Nonrespondent 00 00 00 00
Total 19 05 256 280
Performance on this measure 94.74% 100% 93.36%

F. Customer Satisfaction

Satisfaction
Customer Rating of Services Number of Customers Percent
Highly satisfied 343 79.58%
Satisfied 76 17.63%
Satisfied somewhat 08 1.86%
Not at all satisfied 01 0.23%
Nonrespondent 03 0.7%
Total 431
Response rate % 99.3%

G. Notes:

Overall Performance Measures

Overall Acquisition Performance Measure

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. 32 28 4,138 4,198
2. AT was only available through the AT program. 90 16 602 708
3. AT was available through other programs, but the system was too complex or the wait time too long. 14 09 837 860
4. Subtotal 136 53 5,577 5,766
5. None of the above 01 00 00 01
6. Subtotal 137 53 5,577 5,767
7. Nonrespondent 39 49 44 132
8. Total 176 102 5,621 5,899
9. Performance on this measure 77.27% 51.96% 99.22% 97.75%
ACL Performance Measure 75% 75% 75% 75%
Met/Not Met Met Not Met Met Met

Overall Access Performance Measure

Access Performance Measures
Response Primary Purpose for Which AT is Needed Total
Education Employment Community Living
Decided that AT device/service will meet needs 102 27 641 770
Decided that an AT device/ service will not meet needs 00 01 43 44
Subtotal 102 28 684 814
Have not made a decision 07 01 31 39
Subtotal 109 29 715 853
Nonrespondent 68 14 351 433
Total 177 43 1,066 1,286
Performance on this measure 57.63% 65.12% 64.17% 63.3%
ACL Performance Measure 70% 70% 70% 70%
Met/Not Met Not Met Not Met Not Met Not Met

Training

A. Training Participants: Number and Types of Participants; Geographical Distribution

Training by Participant Type
Type of Participant Number
Individuals with Disabilities 206
Family Members, Guardians and Authorized Representatives 33
Representatives of Education 102
Representatives of Employment 18
Rep Health, Allied Health, and Rehabilitation 37
Representatives of Community Living 87
Representatives of Technology 05
Unable to Categorize 04
TOTAL 492

Geographic Distribution of Participants
Metro Non Metro Unknown TOTAL
364 113 15 492

B. Training Topics

Trainings by Topic
Primary Topic of Training Participants
AT Products/Services 93
AT Funding/Policy/ Practice 00
Information Technology/Telecommunication Access 00
Combination of any/all of the above 146
Transition 253
Total 492

B. Description of Training Activities

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

Staff provided a series of trainings on AAC selection and implementation for a local charter school. The school sought our help so they could ensure they had the skills and knowledge to meet the needs of their students with low incidence disabilities, many of whom are non-verbal. They used what they learned to create a system-wide core vocabulary poster project, giving all students access to language modeling. The training also resulted in a number of AAC evaluations for their high school students. The school is committed to ensuring that each student that needs one will have a communication device that will transition with them upon graduation.

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

An AT regional center conducted trainings for three county Transition Councils, with an emphasis on adaptive design solutions. These professionals are aware of AT services provided through the Pennsylvania public school system, but were not aware of the statewide AT programs and services and the benefit to students transitioning to life after high school.

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

D. IT/Telecommunications Training Performance Measure

IT/Telecommunications Training Performance Measure
Outcome/Result From IT/Telecommunications Training Received Number
IT and Telecommunications Procurement or Dev Policies 00
Training or Technique Assistance will be developed or implemented 00
No known outcome at this time 00
Nonrespondent 00
Total 00
Performance Measure Percentage NaN%
RSA Target Percentage 70%
Met/Not Met Not Met

E. Notes:

Despite continued statewide efforts to promote of ATAP's ICT webinars, only 4 people registered to attend webinars and none of these completed a webinar, performance measures, or satisfaction. AT staff is building content and capacity to implement in-person trainings and webinars.

Technical Assistance

A. Frequency and Nature of Technical Assistance

Technical Assistance by Recipient Type
Education 51%
Employment 1%
Health, Allied Health, Rehabilitation 0%
Community Living 29%
Technology (IT, Telecom, AT) 19%
Total 100%

B. Description of Technical Assistance

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

Staff from our program were invited to provide technical assistance to Senator Bob Casey's office to provide direction on a potential vision care bill.

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

Staff provided technical assistance during the ACES (Augmentative Communication Empowerment Supports) program. ACES is for young adult AAC users who are transitioning to school, community or employment. Participants spend two weeks on campus at Temple University, living in a dorm, taking classes and experiencing college life. The program helps them develop and refine their skills for effective communication and self-advocacy at home, school, work and in the community.

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. One of our assistive technology regional centers (ATRC) has two correctional facilities within its service area that are specifically designated to house individuals with medical conditions. The ATRC has been trying for years to reach this underserved population, and was finally invited to attend a transition event for 110 formerly incarcerated individuals, friends and family, to share information about our assistive technology services and programs.

2.

Information And Assistance

Information And Assistance Activities by Recipient
Types of Recipients AT Device/
Service
AT Funding Total
Individuals with Disabilities 1,141 640 1,781
Family Members, Guardians and Authorized Representatives 875 382 1,257
Representative of Education 133 51 184
Representative of Employment 31 19 50
Representative of Health, Allied Health, and Rehabilitation 209 410 619
Representative of Community Living 450 504 954
Representative of Technology 29 03 32
Unable to Categorize 29 15 44
Total 2,897 2,024 4,921

Notes:

State Improvement Outcomes

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? 00

A. 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.


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.)


3. What was the primary area of impact for this state improvement outcome?


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.


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.)


3. What was the primary area of impact for this state improvement outcome?

Additional And Leveraged Funds

Additional and Leveraged Funds

Did you have Additional and Leveraged Funding to Report? Yes

A. Leveraged Funding for State Plan Activities

State Plan Activities
Fund Source Amount Use of Funds
Public/State Agency$80,078State Financing
State Appropriations$388,027Device Loan
Public/State Agency$47,800State Financing
Public/State Agency$169,137State Financing
Public/State Agency$38,500Technical Assistance
Federal$317,875State Financing
Private$15,000State Financing
Amount: $1,056,417

B. Leveraged Funding for Activities Not in State Plan (data not previously reported in other activity sections)

Non-State Plan Activities
Fund Source Amount Use of Funds Individuals Served Other Outcome

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).

Technical Assistance: Developed content for the PA Department of Health to ensure persons who use DME and AT are not turned away from general population shelters and inappropriately placed in more restrictive environments, when their shelter needs may be met through the deployment of DME and AT. This content was incorporated as part of trainings for first responders, emergency shelter staff, and others. This is system, not individually-focused assistance.


Association of Assistive Technology Act Programs . Saved: Wed Mar 13 2019 13:59:32 GMT-0500 (Central Daylight Time)


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This FY18 State AT Program Annual Progress Report was exported from the National Assistive Technology Act Data System (NATADS). NATADS was developed with partial support from the Center for Assistive Technology Act Data Assistance.