National Assistive Technology Act Data System

Annual Progress Report - Full Report

Rhode Island 2018

General Information

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

State AT Program Title:
Rhode Island Assistive Technnology Access Partnership
State AT Program Title:
State AT Program URL
http://www.atap.ri.gov
Mailing Address:
40 Fountain Street
City:
Providence
State:
Rhode Island
Zip Code:
02903
Program Email:
melanie.sbardella@ors.ri.gov
Phone:
401-462-7917
TTY:
401-222-1328

Lead Agency

Agency Name:
Office of Rehabilitation Services
Mailing Address:
40 Fountain Street
City:
Providence
State:
Rhode island
Zip Code:
02903
Program URL:
http://www.ors.ri.gov

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):
Melanie L. Sbardella
Title:
ATAP DIrector/Assistant Administrator
Phone:
401-462-7917
E-mail:
melanie.sbardella@ors.ri.gov
Program Director at Lead Agency (last, first):
same as above
Title:
Phone:
E-mail:
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):
Sbardella, Melanie
Title:
ATAP Director/Assistant Administrator
Phone:
401-462-7917
E-mail:
melanie.sbardella@ors.ri.gov

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? 01
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) 199
B. Non-Metro (RUCC 4-9) 00
C. Total Served 199

Performance Measure Number
Performance Measure Number
D. Excluded from Performance Measure 00
E. Number of Individuals Included in Performance Measures 199

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 00 $0
Hearing 204 $35,935
Speech communication 04 $1,770
Learning, cognition, and developmental 00 $0
Mobility, seating and positioning 01 $280
Daily living 27 $10,103
Environmental adaptations 00 $0
Vehicle modification and transportation 00 $0
Computers and related 00 $0
Recreation, sports, and leisure 00 $0
Total 236 $48,088


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? 00

D. Anecdote

A client with MS and dyslexia received an iPad from the Adaptive Telephone Equipment Phone (ATEL) Program. He decided on an iPad since he has WiFi and likes to communicate with friends and family through Facetime, he could not afford the $40/month for an iPhone plan. He is also in the process of writing a book but due to his mobility issues and dyslexia makes it difficult to type and spell. With the help of SIRI's voice command features he is able to start working on his book and also communicate with others.

Impact Area

An individual contacted the ATEL program to learn more about Caption Phones. She is a RI Resident, Hard of Hearing and been using Apps for her cell phone. Her Apps drop call too frequently and she was beginning to feel frustrated. Her job was also changing and required a desk phone with occasional conference calls. A demonstration was provide for Captel devices and she stated she liked the touch screen on the Captel 2400 and that it had Bluetooth Technology. She stated that she was able to participate in answering real time questions that she was not able to do or participate in for some time.

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 06 185 191
2. AT was only available through the AT program. 00 00 01 01
3. AT was available through other programs, but the system was too complex or the wait time too long. 00 00 07 07
4. Subtotal 00 06 193 199
5. None of the above 00 00 00 00
6. Subtotal 00 06 193 199
7. Nonrespondent 00 00 00 00
8. Total 00 06 193 199
9. Performance on this measure NaN% 100% 100%

F. Customer Satisfaction

Satisfaction
Customer Rating of Services Number of Customers Percent
Highly satisfied 191 95.98%
Satisfied 06 3.02%
Satisfied somewhat 00 0%
Not at all satisfied 00 0%
Nonrespondent 02 1.01%
Total Surveyed 199
Response rate % 98.99%

G. Notes:

Reutilization

A. Number of Recipients of Reused Devices

Activity Number of Individuals Receiving a Device from Activity
A. Device Exchange 10
B. Device Refurbish/Repair - Reassign and/or Open Ended Loan 07
C. Total 17

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 17

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 00 $0 $0 $0
Speech Communication 00 $0 $0 $0
Learning, Cognition and Developmental 00 $0 $0 $0
Mobility, Seating and Positioning 02 $400 $0 $400
Daily Living 08 $5,600 $0 $5,600
Environmental Adaptations 00 $0 $0 $0
Vehicle Modification & Transportation 00 $0 $0 $0
Computers and Related 00 $0 $0 $0
Recreation, Sports and Leisure 00 $0 $0 $0
Total 10 $6,000 $0 $6,000

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 01 $139 $0 $139
Hearing 01 $139 $0 $139
Speech Communication 00 $0 $0 $0
Learning, Cognition and Developmental 00 $0 $0 $0
Mobility, Seating and Positioning 01 $110 $0 $110
Daily Living 09 $1,040 $0 $1,040
Environmental Adaptations 00 $0 $0 $0
Vehicle Modification & Transportation 00 $0 $0 $0
Computers and Related 00 $0 $0 $0
Recreation, Sports and Leisure 00 $0 $0 $0
Total 12 $1,428 $0 $1,428

D. Anecdote

An individual that has been diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease, diabetes, and arthritis requested and received assistance with a ramp so she could get in and out of her home easier. She was requiring extensive assistance with mobility and had experienced many recent falls. This individual had transitioned to a nursing home. OSCIL was able to device exchange the ramp to an individual that had recently requested a ramp and had a rare neuromuscular disease called CMT (Charcot-Marie-Tooth) which causes severe balance impairment, muscle atrophy, and impaired mobility. OSCIL was able to fit the donated ramp onto his home to help the individual reach his goal of getting out of the house easier.

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 12 12
2. AT was only available through the AT program. 00 00 00 00
3. AT was available through other programs, but the system was too complex or the wait time too long. 00 00 05 05
4. Subtotal 00 00 17 17
5. None of the above 00 00 00 00
6. Subtotal 00 00 17 17
7. Nonrespondent 00 00 00 00
8. Total 00 00 17 17
9. Performance on this measure NaN% NaN% 100%

F. Customer Satisfaction

Satisfaction
Customer Rating of Services Number of Customers Percent
Highly satisfied 15 88.24%
Satisfied 02 11.76%
Satisfied somewhat 00 0%
Not at all satisfied 00 0%
Nonrespondent 00 0%
Total Surveyed 17
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) 55
Serve as loaner during service repair or while waiting for funding 05
Provide an accommodation on a short-term basis for a time-limited event/situation 10
Conduct training, self-education or other professional development activity 34
Total 104

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 49
Family Members, Guardians, and Authorized Representatives 04
Representative of Education 35
Representative of Employment 14
Representatives of Health, Allied Health, and Rehabilitation 01
Representatives of Community Living 00
Representatives of Technology 01
Total 104

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 53
Hearing 09
Speech Communication 36
Learning, Cognition and Developmental 31
Mobility, Seating and Positioning 10
Daily Living 23
Environmental Adaptations 05
Vehicle Modification and Transportation 00
Computers and Related 22
Recreation, Sports and Leisure 11
Total 200

E. Anecdote

TechACCESS of RI loaned several different types of iPad mounts to a speech and language pathologist for a student she was working with. The iPad was a AAC device. She wanted to trial 3 different types of mounts to determine the best one that met the need of the student. At the conclusion of the loan period, she had been able to determine the best mount and she was provided the ordering information so she could obtain the device for the student.

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 32 02 03 37
Decided that an AT device/ service will not meet needs 06 02 03 11
Subtotal 38 04 06 48
Have not made a decision 05 00 01 06
Subtotal 43 04 07 54
Nonrespondent 00 00 01 01
Total 43 04 08 55
Performance on this measure 88.37% 100% 85.71%

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. 03 03 06 12
2. AT was only available through the AT program. 02 04 00 06
3. AT was available through other programs, but the system was too complex or the wait time too long. 01 01 00 02
4. Subtotal 06 08 06 20
5. None of the above 15 01 01 17
6. Subtotal 21 09 07 37
7. Nonrespondent 06 01 05 12
8. Total 27 10 12 49
9. Performance on this measure 28.57% 88.89% 65.22%

H. Customer Satisfaction

Satisfaction
Customer Rating of Services Number of Customers Percent
Highly satisfied 90 86.54%
Satisfied 08 7.69%
Satisfied somewhat 01 0.96%
Not at all satisfied 02 1.92%
Nonrespondent 03 2.88%
Total Surveyed 104
Response rate % 97.12%

I. Notes:

Device Demonstration

A. Number of Device Demonstrations by Device Type

Type of AT Device / Service Number of Demonstrations of AT Devices / Services
Vision 36
Hearing 167
Speech Communication 52
Learning, Cognition and Developmental 58
Mobility, Seating and Positioning 30
Daily Living 111
Environmental Adaptations 03
Vehicle Modification and Transportation 00
Computers and Related 14
Recreation, Sports and Leisure 00
Total # of Devices Demonstrated 471

B. Types of Participants

Demonstrations by Participant Type
Type of Participant Number of Participants in Device Demonstrations
Individuals with Disabilities 591
Family Members, Guardians, and Authorized Representatives 129
Representatives of Education 309
Representatives of Employment 23
Health, Allied Health, Rehabilitation 09
Representative of Community Living 12
Representative of Technology 24
Total 1,097

C. Number of Referrals

Referrals
Type of Entity Number of Referrals
Funding Source (non-AT program) 338
Service Provider 121
Vendor 129
Repair Service 01
Others 00
Total 589

D. Anecdote

East Bay Educational Collaborative provided a demonstration to teachers assistants with multi-dimensional communicators in a practical lab setting which allows a more comfortable use, natural classroom integration, and purpose within an early childhood setting. Family support and requires classroom to be communication friendly and supported with tech tools and low tech strategic cause-effect communicators.

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 79 19 321 419
Decided that an AT device/ service will not meet needs 03 06 08 17
Subtotal 82 25 329 436
Have not made a decision 30 00 03 33
Subtotal 112 25 332 469
Nonrespondent 00 00 02 02
Total 112 25 334 471
Performance on this measure 73.21% 100% 98.5%

F. Customer Satisfaction

Satisfaction
Customer Rating of Services Number of Customers Percent
Highly satisfied 808 73.66%
Satisfied 282 25.71%
Satisfied somewhat 02 0.18%
Not at all satisfied 01 0.09%
Nonrespondent 04 0.36%
Total 1,097
Response rate % 99.64%

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. 03 09 203 215
2. AT was only available through the AT program. 02 04 01 07
3. AT was available through other programs, but the system was too complex or the wait time too long. 01 01 12 14
4. Subtotal 06 14 216 236
5. None of the above 15 01 01 17
6. Subtotal 21 15 217 253
7. Nonrespondent 06 01 05 12
8. Total 27 16 222 265
9. Performance on this measure 22.22% 87.5% 97.3% 89.06%
ACL Performance Measure 75% 75% 75% 75%
Met/Not Met Not Met 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 111 21 324 456
Decided that an AT device/ service will not meet needs 09 08 11 28
Subtotal 120 29 335 484
Have not made a decision 35 00 04 39
Subtotal 155 29 339 523
Nonrespondent 00 00 03 03
Total 155 29 342 526
Performance on this measure 77.42% 100% 97.95% 92.02%
ACL Performance Measure 70% 70% 70% 70%
Met/Not Met Met Met Met Met

Training

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

Training by Participant Type
Type of Participant Number
Individuals with Disabilities 92
Family Members, Guardians and Authorized Representatives 25
Representatives of Education 663
Representatives of Employment 54
Rep Health, Allied Health, and Rehabilitation 17
Representatives of Community Living 05
Representatives of Technology 01
Unable to Categorize 03
TOTAL 860

Geographic Distribution of Participants
Metro Non Metro Unknown TOTAL
645 215 00 860

B. Training Topics

Trainings by Topic
Primary Topic of Training Participants
AT Products/Services 707
AT Funding/Policy/ Practice 42
Information Technology/Telecommunication Access 01
Combination of any/all of the above 05
Transition 105
Total 860

B. Description of Training Activities

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

TechACCESS of RI presented hands-on AT Overview trainings to Occupational Therapy Assistant students at NEIT. They were able to try out a wide range of AT devices and learn to how use them within a therapeutic setting. The students were also able to make low tech Assistive Technology tools. The participants reported that the information and activities were very informational and provided them with information that they can use in clinical or educational settings.

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

EBEC supported summer on-line classes are required for some personalized learning situations. Several Students diagnosed with Autism have been able to complete online educational components of classroom modules, however still greatly struggle with people driven instruction. This format and platform learning or online access learning of materials demonstrates allowable achievements and module session completion for academic and social emotional skills connections. They also felt extremely confident in their learning abilities.

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

TechACCESS of RI staff had discussions with a Sales Executive from Voyager Publishing and Sales Representative from A-Z Learning. The Information and Communication was about accessibility of book materials online. It was explained to them the W3C Laws and the new requirements that have been put in place for materials online that they need to be accessible not for students but Braille Transcriptionists. As some of the materials are PDF's and locked there is no way of downloading materials and making them into Braille materials. The materials are also upside-down so that it can be made into books for the student. They indicated that CAMBIO Publisher, the parent publisher is aware of the problem and at the moment do not have a solution. TechACCESS of RI team went through the process of Brailling with both company reps. They had no idea all the steps that are involved nor that the materials are also made using tactile graphics. The information that was provided to the companies was useful and they explained that no one had sat down with them and explained accessibility for individuals with visual impairments or other disabilities. They were taking back the information to their technology people to work on making materials they publish more accessible.

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 01
Training or Technique Assistance will be developed or implemented 00
No known outcome at this time 00
Nonrespondent 00
Total 01
Performance Measure Percentage 100%
RSA Target Percentage 70%
Met/Not Met Met

E. Notes:

Technical Assistance

A. Frequency and Nature of Technical Assistance

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

B. Description of Technical Assistance

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

Collaborating and devolving a new website with the Rhode Island Department of Education, Office Of Student Community and Academic Supports. The purpose of the website is to allow past and future participants in AT training cohorts to maintain a community of practice. The website also features public access to resources in a variety of areas of AT.

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

The website features several resources related to transition that can be accessed by parents and professionals.

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. TechACCESS of RI holds the Assistive Technology Conference of New England. It was held November 30, 2017 and December 1, 2017. Had over 500 attendees, 44 sessions over two days as well as a vendor hall and BRINGING ACCESS TO LIFE Expo was full.

2. TechACCESS of RI exhibited at RI Speech and Hearing Association's annual state conference. Provided handouts, information, devices, and sign up for information.

Information And Assistance

Information And Assistance Activities by Recipient
Types of Recipients AT Device/
Service
AT Funding Total
Individuals with Disabilities 510 116 626
Family Members, Guardians and Authorized Representatives 300 64 364
Representative of Education 549 07 556
Representative of Employment 83 04 87
Representative of Health, Allied Health, and Rehabilitation 50 04 54
Representative of Community Living 120 34 154
Representative of Technology 107 00 107
Unable to Categorize 00 00 00
Total 1,719 229 1,948

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? No

A. Leveraged Funding for State Plan Activities

State Plan Activities
Fund Source Amount Use of Funds

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).


Association of Assistive Technology Act Programs . Saved: Wed Mar 13 2019 13:59:47 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.