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

Activity 2

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:

Our demonstration numbers fell this year due to the loss of one of our partner Assistive Technology and Assessment Practitioners (ATAPs) in the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR). We are working with DVR to figure out how best to meet the AT needs of VR clients and we hope to have more personnel in place to provide AT demonstrations in FY 2019.

B. Description of Training Activities

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

WATAP continues to provide intensive training statewide in collaboration with the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR), reaching 171 case managers, employment specialists, and community rehabilitation providers. Each training is designed to build competencies, promote the consideration of and proper matching of AT, and explore case studies and best practices around topics that have been identified by past participants as needed to better serve DVR clients. The topics covered this past year were Computer Access and Ergonomic Solutions, AT for Cognitive Impairments and Mental Health Issues, AT for Learning Disability, AT for the Aging Worker, AT for SelfCare and Independent Living, and AT of Communication. WATAP surveys all participants so that we are responsive to training requests and needs from the field.

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

WATAP provided a second year of halfday trainings through partnership with WA Area Agencies on Aging (AAA) / Home & Community Services (HCS), Aging & Longterm Support (ALTSA) Administration throughout the state for frontline staff from AAA, HCS, ALTSA and other DSHS and community partners serving older adults and persons with disabilities. Five trainings were provided to 126 attendees this past year. Over the 2 years of this partnership, 310 ombudsmans, case managers, family caregiver managers, or information and referral specialists, with some family caregiver and self advocates participated in these workshops. 209 of these participants provided feedback to a survey administered after each workshop. The participants overwhelmingly stated that the content presented in the workshops were relevant and useful (99% rating good to excellent). Additionally, 100% (rating good to excellent) felt the instructors were effective in teaching the subject material and the workshops were well organized. 94% felt the workshops were a good to excellent chance to practice what was learned. Most telling, the 53% participants reported that their knowledge of the topic was poor to fair with a further 35% reporting good knowledge before the workshop. After the workshop, 58% reported very good knowledge with an additional 24% reporting excellent knowledge, a dramatic shift in knowledge uptake. Overall, 88% related their satisfaction of the workshops as very good to excellent. Additionally, the participants were asked how they would use the information in the 6 months following the workshop. 74% stated specifically that they would use the knowledge gained to help their clients or residents achieve better independence and to help reduce caregiver hours. Many stated that they would share the information with colleagues and several were excited to learn of WATAP’s services and planned to utilize those services in the future. Participants were also asked whether any of the AT they learned about would benefit clients currently being served with mentioning medication management, mobility, eating, communication aids and devices, off-the shelf modifications, vision, computing and artificial intelligence, gardening, and hearing were the categories singled out, but overwhelmingly, the participants responded that AT in general would greatly benefit who they are serving. Additionally, WATAP partnered with the State’s Special Education Technology Center to provide a webinar for educators that explored assistive technology tools that can increase a student’s independence and performance in school and as they transition to post-secondary education, employment and community living. WATAP also conducted a workshop for transition students to consider and discuss their own AT needs as they move to work or college.

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

A series of trainings was provided to 96 content creators and IT managers located at various departments at the City of Seattle. The trainings covered the core steps for creating accessible new documents, best practices for addressing and prioritizing accessibility for existing hard copy and electronic documents, the process of creating accessible documents using Microsoft (MS) Word, how best to convert MS Word documents to PDF, and how to use Adobe Acrobat to check for, correct for, and enhance the accessibility of PDFs. The trainings were well received and there is further interest from the city for WATAP to provide assistance in crafting accessible ICT policies city-wide and some additional trainings, including how to create accessible content in various social media platforms.

E. Notes:

B. Description of Technical Assistance

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

Easterseals Washington was awarded a grant from Comcast to create a “Technology Achievement Center” at an Adult Day Center in Bellevue, WA. WATAP provided assistance in selecting, purchasing, and installing the technology to include in the accessible computer lab with the goal of supporting program participants in reaching their educational and vocational goals, and in turn achieve greater independence. Additionally, WATAP also provided training the center’s staff to ensure the lab is utilized to its fullest moving forward. The Easterseals’ Comcast Technology Achievement Center officially opened on Wednesday, February 28th. The lab has seen great buy-in and support from the Center staff, who were initially skeptical of its value. Already, staff have seen some positive outcomes with participants. Easterseals and WATAP plan to use this initial lab as a model for these new locations and for other future endeavors.

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. WATAP continued making a concerted effort to attend rural and agricultural focused events especially in the eastern portion of the state, both through tabling and presentations. The goal was to increase awareness and provide opportunities for in-person demonstrations outside of the greater Puget Sound region Venues included the Food and Farm Expo in Spokane, the Spokane Ag Expo, and Wenatchee Community Summit. 326 individuals attended presentations and directly experienced a wide array of gardening and daily living AT, including smart home solutions and methods of customizing off-the shelf items with simple modifications. Additionally, over 700 individuals visited our tables at these events and over 40 of these individuals received demonstrations of AT. All attendees reported they were grateful for the information and exposure, as they had not thought of the various ways AT could be of benefit.

2.

Notes: