National Assistive Technology Act Data System

Annual Progress Report - Full Report

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Vermont 2018

General Information

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

State AT Program Title:

Vermont Assistive Technology Program

State AT Program Title:

State AT Program URL

www.atp.vt.gov

Mailing Address:

NOB 1 North, 280 State Drive

City:

Waterbury

State:

Vermont

Zip Code:

05671

Program Email:

dail.atinfo@vermont.gov

Phone:

802-241-0285

TTY:

802-241-0341

Lead Agency

Agency Name:

Vermont Vocational Rehabilitation

Mailing Address:

HC 2 South 280 State Drive

City:

Waterbury

State:

Vermont

Zip Code:

05671

Program URL:

www.vocrehab.vt.gov

Implementing Entity

Does your Lead Agency contract with an Implementing Entity to carry out the Statewide AT Program on its behalf? (Check if Yes)

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):

Graham Dewyea

Title:

Program Director

Phone:

802-241-0312

E-mail:

graham.dewyea@vermont.gov

Program Director at Lead Agency (last, first):

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):

Diane Dalmasse

Title:

DVR Director

Phone:

802-241-0317

E-mail:

diane.dalmasse@vermont.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?

Yes

Loan Applications
	Metro RUCC 1-3	Non-Metro RUCC 4-9	Total
	Area of Residence		Total
Approved Loan made	11	24	35
Approved Not made	01	00	01
Rejected	00	00	00
Total	12	24	36

2. Income of Applicants to Whom Loans Were Made

Lowest/Highest Incomes
Lowest Income:	$8,892	Highest Income:	$171,672

Average Income
Sum of Incomes	Loans Made	Average Annual Income
$2,117,778	35	$60,508

Number and Percentage of Loans Made to Applicants by Income Range
	$15,000 or Less	$15,001- $30,000	$30,001- $45,000	$45,001- $60,000	$60,001- $75,000	$75,001 or More	Total
	Income Ranges						Total
Number of Loans	02	05	05	06	05	12	35
Percentage of Loans	5.71%	14.29%	14.29%	17.14%	14.29%	34.29%	100%

3. Loan Type

Loan Type
Type of Loan	Number of Loans	Percentage of loans
Revolving Loans	35	100%
Partnership Loans
Without interest buy-down or loan guarantee	00	0%
With interest buy-down only	00	0%
With loan guarantee only	00	0%
With both interest buy-down and loan guarantee	00	0%
Total	35	100%

Loan Type Summary
Type of Loan	Number of Loans	Dollar Value of Loans
Revolving Loans	35	$381,412
Partnership Loans	00	$0
Total	35	$381,412

4. Interest Rates

Interest Rates
Lowest	3%
Highest	3%

Interest Rate Summary
Sum of Interest Rates	Number of Loans Made	Average Interest Rate
105	35	3%

Number of Loans Made by Interest Rate
Interest Rate	Number of loans
0.0% to 2.0%	00
2.1% to 4.0%	35
4.1% to 6.0%	00
6.1% to 8.0%	00
8.1% - 10.0%	00
10.1%-12.0%	00
12.1%-14.0%	00
14.1% +	00
Total	35

5. Types and Dollar Amounts of AT Financed

Types and Dollar Amounts of AT Financed
Type of AT	Number of Devices Financed	Dollar Value of Loans
Vision	00	$0
Hearing	45	$115,252
Speech communication	00	$0
Learning, cognition, and developmental	00	$0
Mobility, seating and positioning	00	$0
Daily living	02	$33,459
Environmental adaptations	00	$0
Vehicle modification and transportation	07	$225,051
Computers and related	00	$0
Recreation, sports, and leisure	01	$7,650
Total	55	$381,412

6. Defaults

Defaults
Number Loans in default	62
Net loss for loans in default	$112,305

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?

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?

D. Anecdote

A young member that was living with her caregiver was unable to travel due to a need for a modified vehicle with a wheelchair lift. She was able to get qualified to purchase a modified vehicle to fit her needs with financing from the Independence Fund. We ended up going to their house to close because they had no way to get to the office, and there was no available notary to do the signing by mail. The young lady was so excited that she would have a vehicle because this year was the first time she would be able to go to the beach with her family.

Impact Area Education Employment Commumity Living

E. Performance Measures

Performance Measures
Response	Primary Purpose for Which AT is Needed			Total
Response	Education	Employment	Community Living	Total
1. Could only afford the AT through the AT program.	00	00	01	01
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	18	18
4. Subtotal	00	00	19	19
5. None of the above	00	01	15	16
6. Subtotal	00	01	34	35
7. Nonrespondent	00	00	00	00
8. Total	00	01	34	35
9. Performance on this measure	NaN%	0%	55.88%

F. Customer Satisfaction

Satisfaction
Customer Rating of Services	Number of Customers	Percent
Highly satisfied	09	25.71%
Satisfied	25	71.43%
Satisfied somewhat	00	0%
Not at all satisfied	00	0%
Nonrespondent	01	2.86%
Total Surveyed	35
Response rate %	97.14%

G. Notes:

Reutilization

Did your approved State Plan for this reporting period included conducting any device reuse activities?

A. Number of Recipients of Reused Devices

Activity	Number of Individuals Receiving a Device from Activity
A. Device Exchange	23
B. Device Refurbish/Repair - Reassign and/or Open Ended Loan	13
C. Total	36

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	36

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	13	$8,946	$290	$8,656
Daily Living	07	$4,800	$175	$4,625
Environmental Adaptations	01	$150	$0	$150
Vehicle Modification & Transportation	00	$0	$0	$0
Computers and Related	02	$780	$0	$780
Recreation, Sports and Leisure	00	$0	$0	$0
Total	23	$14,676	$465	$14,211

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	00	$0	$0	$0
Hearing	03	$346	$0	$346
Speech Communication	00	$0	$0	$0
Learning, Cognition and Developmental	00	$0	$0	$0
Mobility, Seating and Positioning	00	$0	$0	$0
Daily Living	00	$0	$0	$0
Environmental Adaptations	00	$0	$0	$0
Vehicle Modification & Transportation	00	$0	$0	$0
Computers and Related	10	$3,217	$0	$3,217
Recreation, Sports and Leisure	00	$0	$0	$0
Total	13	$3,563	$0	$3,563

D. Anecdote

Sarah and her husband are dairy farmers. Sarah was recently diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. She did all of the bookkeeping for the farm, but as her disease progressed she couldn’t continue to do this. She couldn’t keep the days straight and she was missing payments. She would also get confused about who was calling her on the phone. Her husband needed a solution for his wife so that she could easily call him and her children because couldn’t figure out how to use her cell phone anymore. The AT Program researched a simplified WIFI based picture phone that enabled Sally to call a select number of people. This also offered games to help her stayed occupied since she no longer was able to use the computer. The AT Program worked with the Equipment Distribution Program at the Vermont Center for Independent Living to pay for the phone.

Impact Area Education Employment Commumity Living

E. Performance Measures

Performance Measures
Response	Primary Purpose for Which AT is Needed			Total
Response	Education	Employment	Community Living	Total
1. Could only afford the AT through the AT program.	00	00	01	01
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.	01	00	00	01
4. Subtotal	01	00	01	02
5. None of the above	01	00	00	01
6. Subtotal	02	00	01	03
7. Nonrespondent	00	00	33	33
8. Total	02	00	34	36
9. Performance on this measure	50%	NaN%	2.94%

F. Customer Satisfaction

Satisfaction
Customer Rating of Services	Number of Customers	Percent
Highly satisfied	32	88.89%
Satisfied	04	11.11%
Satisfied somewhat	00	0%
Not at all satisfied	00	0%
Nonrespondent	00	0%
Total Surveyed	36
Response rate %	100%

G. Notes:

Device Loan

Did your approved State Plan for this reporting period included conducting Short-Term Device Loans?

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)	393
Serve as loaner during service repair or while waiting for funding	04
Provide an accommodation on a short-term basis for a time-limited event/situation	25
Conduct training, self-education or other professional development activity	15
Total	437

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	144
Family Members, Guardians, and Authorized Representatives	97
Representative of Education	87
Representative of Employment	05
Representatives of Health, Allied Health, and Rehabilitation	90
Representatives of Community Living	07
Representatives of Technology	07
Total	437

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	25
Hearing	86
Speech Communication	55
Learning, Cognition and Developmental	106
Mobility, Seating and Positioning	21
Daily Living	103
Environmental Adaptations	25
Vehicle Modification and Transportation	00
Computers and Related	289
Recreation, Sports and Leisure	23
Total	733

E. Anecdote

A special educator contacted the AT Program because her student was going to be in the school play and he had a lot of lines to learn. This student has cerebral palsy and can talk, but it can be challenging for some to understand him. Program staff set the student up with a tablet to borrow with a communication app on it so when he had a line, he pressed a button on the tablet and the device would speak his line out loud. He also borrowed a speech amplifier for his shorter lines for lines he wanted to speak himself. Staff are also are working with the student to explore a solution for him to better participate in Spanish class.

Impact Area Education Employment Commumity Living

F. Access Performance Measures

Access Performance Measures
Response	Primary Purpose for Which AT is Needed			Total
Response	Education	Employment	Community Living	Total
Decided that AT device/service will meet needs	115	37	87	239
Decided that an AT device/ service will not meet needs	28	09	52	89
Subtotal	143	46	139	328
Have not made a decision	26	02	19	47
Subtotal	169	48	158	375
Nonrespondent	09	03	06	18
Total	178	51	164	393
Performance on this measure	84.62%	95.83%	87.97%

G. Acquisition Performance Measures

Acquisition Performance Measures
Response	Primary Purpose for Which AT is Needed			Total
Response	Education	Employment	Community Living	Total
1. Could only afford the AT through the AT program.	17	00	05	22
2. AT was only available through the AT program.	07	00	07	14
3. AT was available through other programs, but the system was too complex or the wait time too long.	01	00	04	05
4. Subtotal	25	00	16	41
5. None of the above	00	01	00	01
6. Subtotal	25	01	16	42
7. Nonrespondent	02	00	00	02
8. Total	27	01	16	44
9. Performance on this measure	100%	0%	100%

H. Customer Satisfaction

Satisfaction
Customer Rating of Services	Number of Customers	Percent
Highly satisfied	353	80.78%
Satisfied	62	14.19%
Satisfied somewhat	04	0.92%
Not at all satisfied	00	0%
Nonrespondent	18	4.12%
Total Surveyed	437
Response rate %	95.88%

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	09
Hearing	28
Speech Communication	23
Learning, Cognition and Developmental	86
Mobility, Seating and Positioning	07
Daily Living	16
Environmental Adaptations	08
Vehicle Modification and Transportation	00
Computers and Related	49
Recreation, Sports and Leisure	02
Total # of Devices Demonstrated	228

B. Types of Participants

Demonstrations by Participant Type
Type of Participant	Number of Participants in Device Demonstrations
Individuals with Disabilities	211
Family Members, Guardians, and Authorized Representatives	85
Representatives of Education	45
Representatives of Employment	51
Health, Allied Health, Rehabilitation	34
Representative of Community Living	20
Representative of Technology	06
Total	452

C. Number of Referrals

Referrals
Type of Entity	Number of Referrals
Funding Source (non-AT program)	46
Service Provider	116
Vendor	241
Repair Service	00
Others	07
Total	410

D. Anecdote

Our school team received a demonstration and borrowed an iPad with a supportive case and a communication app we had decided would be a possible option for our student. Prior to starting the trial she didn't communicate much at school and was new to both full day school and kindergarten. We trialed the communication app for about 2 months with great success. The AT Try Out Center was helpful in answering all of our questions about the case and external speaker and our student began to communicate effectively within her kindergarten classroom using the app. On the last day of the trial she used her communication IPAD to tell her mom "I love you" before getting on the bus. We are now pursing funding through the student's insurance for her to have the exact app and case we trialed from the AT Try Out Center.

Impact Area Education Employment Commumity Living

E. Performance Measures

Performance Measures
Response	Primary Purpose for Which AT is Needed			Total
Response	Education	Employment	Community Living	Total
Decided that AT device/service will meet needs	54	68	62	184
Decided that an AT device/ service will not meet needs	01	04	08	13
Subtotal	55	72	70	197
Have not made a decision	11	07	10	28
Subtotal	66	79	80	225
Nonrespondent	00	00	03	03
Total	66	79	83	228
Performance on this measure	83.33%	91.14%	84.34%

F. Customer Satisfaction

Satisfaction
Customer Rating of Services	Number of Customers	Percent
Highly satisfied	373	82.52%
Satisfied	64	14.16%
Satisfied somewhat	09	1.99%
Not at all satisfied	01	0.22%
Nonrespondent	05	1.11%
Total	452
Response rate %	98.89%

G. Notes:

Overall Performance Measures

Overall Acquisition Performance Measure

Acquisition Performance Measures
Response	Primary Purpose for Which AT is Needed			Total
Response	Education	Employment	Community Living	Total
1. Could only afford the AT through the AT program.	17	00	07	24
2. AT was only available through the AT program.	07	00	07	14
3. AT was available through other programs, but the system was too complex or the wait time too long.	02	00	22	24
4. Subtotal	26	00	36	62
5. None of the above	01	02	15	18
6. Subtotal	27	02	51	80
7. Nonrespondent	02	00	33	35
8. Total	29	02	84	115
9. Performance on this measure	89.66%	0%	42.86%	53.91%
ACL Performance Measure	75%	75%	75%	75%
Met/Not Met	Met	Not Met	Not Met	Not Met

Overall Access Performance Measure

Access Performance Measures
Response	Primary Purpose for Which AT is Needed			Total
Response	Education	Employment	Community Living	Total
Decided that AT device/service will meet needs	169	105	149	423
Decided that an AT device/ service will not meet needs	29	13	60	102
Subtotal	198	118	209	525
Have not made a decision	37	09	29	75
Subtotal	235	127	238	600
Nonrespondent	09	03	09	21
Total	244	130	247	621
Performance on this measure	81.15%	90.77%	84.62%	84.54%
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	00
Family Members, Guardians and Authorized Representatives	08
Representatives of Education	81
Representatives of Employment	00
Rep Health, Allied Health, and Rehabilitation	52
Representatives of Community Living	76
Representatives of Technology	06
Unable to Categorize	25
TOTAL	248

Geographic Distribution of Participants
Metro	Non Metro	Unknown	TOTAL
84	139	25	248

B. Training Topics

Trainings by Topic
Primary Topic of Training	Participants
AT Products/Services	246
AT Funding/Policy/ Practice	00
Information Technology/Telecommunication Access	00
Combination of any/all of the above	00
Transition	02
Total	248

B. Description of Training Activities

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

Staff helped coordinate a Language Acquisition through Motor Planning (LAMP) training for area SLP's

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

Staff provided training to AT staff of the Learning Linking to Careers (LLC) grant program through VocRehab to learn about conducting and writing assessments. Staff also provided training to LLC AT staff at monthly professional development meetings. Enhanced AT services are incorporated into the study to see how comprehensive AT services affect successful transition of High School students into post-secondary ed or the workforce.

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:

Technical Assistance

A. Frequency and Nature of Technical Assistance

Technical Assistance by Recipient Type
Education	0%
Employment	41%
Health, Allied Health, Rehabilitation	1%
Community Living	51%
Technology (IT, Telecom, AT)	7%
Total	100%

B. Description of Technical Assistance

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

TA was provided on a variety of devices to SLPs, PTs and OTs at the University of Vermont Medical Center, to VocRehab senior counselors on hearing devices, the Agency of Digital Services on VOIP phones and conferencing equipment, and to general VocRehab counselors at monthly Jobsville team meetings.

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

TA was provided to VocRehab AT staff to develop enhanced AT Services as part of their Linking Learning to Careers grant. This included development of a consultation model, procurement of AT for demonstration, and training AT staff on devices, which has included a new monthly professional development meeting. Enhanced assistive technology services are incorporated into the grant program to see how comprehensive AT services affect successful transition of High School students to post-secondary ed or the workforce.

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. The AT program worked with our local UCEDD, The University of Vermont, to create three videos to better educate Vermonters about our services: A program promotional video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yeng8NSh31A&list=PL4Fd5wHSz9eX5sy0oN-SXFnvmkBgkbB7b An AT informational video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZVuOIEtU1nU An informational video about the CETT process: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wzn069sd_58&index=4&list=PL4Fd5wHSz9eX5sy0oN-SXFnvmkBgkbB7b

Information And Assistance

Information And Assistance Activities by Recipient
Types of Recipients	AT Device/ Service	AT Funding	Total
Individuals with Disabilities	117	55	172
Family Members, Guardians and Authorized Representatives	99	59	158
Representative of Education	77	05	82
Representative of Employment	97	10	107
Representative of Health, Allied Health, and Rehabilitation	160	27	187
Representative of Community Living	89	18	107
Representative of Technology	09	00	09
Unable to Categorize	01	00	01
Total	649	174	823

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?

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.

Program staff worked with the State's No Wrong Door Grant program and Vermont’s Area Agencies on Aging (AAA) programs to launch an initiative to train AAA case managers on AT equipment in an effort to expose more older Vermonters to AT. This is an example of strengthening partnerships within State government and with community partners to expose more Vermonters to AT.

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.)

This project is still underway. Staff have conducted four presentations training 76 AAA case managers. Trainings include an overview of required forms and surveys and written instructions, along with reference information including training videos for each device and a device catalog, all of which are provided on our program website: https://atp.vermont.gov/org-services/no-wrong-door-partnership

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

Community Living

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.

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
Federal	$24,911	Training
Public/State Agency	$55,000	Demonstration
Private	$500	Public Awareness, I&A
Public/State Agency	$750	Training
Public/State Agency	$4,651	Demonstration
Private	$2,900	Training
Federal	$9,061	Training
	Amount: $97,773

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 14:01:27 GMT-0500 (Central Daylight Time)