National Assistive Technology Act Data System

Annual Progress Report - Full Report

Maine 2019

General Information

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

State AT Program Title:
Maine CITE Program
State AT Program Title:
State AT Program URL
http:www.mainecite.org
Mailing Address:
46 University Dr
City:
Augusta
State:
Maine
Zip Code:
04330
Program Email:
iweb@maine,org
Phone:
207-621-3195
TTY:

Lead Agency

Agency Name:
Maine Department of Education
Mailing Address:
23 State House Station
City:
Augusta
State:
Maine
Zip Code:
04333
Program URL:
www.mdoe@maine.gov

Implementing Entity

Name of Implementing Agency:
Maine CITE Coordinating Center
Mailing Address:
46 Univeristy Dr
City
Augusta
State:
Maine
Zip Code:
04330
Program URL:
www.mainecite.org

Program Director and Other Contacts

Program Director for State AT Program (last, first):
Adams, Kathryn
Title:
Director
Phone:
207-621-3195
E-mail:
kadams@mainecite.org
Program Director at Lead Agency (last, first):
Frazier, Erin
Title:
State Special Services Director
Phone:
207-624-6600
E-mail:
erin.frazier@maine.gov
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):
Frazier, Erin
Title:
MDOE State Special Services Director
Phone:
207-624-6600
E-mail:
erin.frazier@maine.gov

State Financing

Did your approved state plan for this reporting period include any State Financing? No
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? 00


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

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 00 00
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 00 00
4. Subtotal 00 00 00 00
5. None of the above 00 00 00 00
6. Subtotal 00 00 00 00
7. Nonrespondent 00 00 00 00
8. Total 00 00 00 00
9. Performance on this measure NaN% NaN% NaN%

F. Customer Satisfaction

Satisfaction
Customer Rating of Services Number of Customers Percent
Highly satisfied 00 NaN%
Satisfied 00 NaN%
Satisfied somewhat 00 NaN%
Not at all satisfied 00 NaN%
Nonrespondent 00 NaN%
Total Surveyed 00
Response rate % NaN%

G. Notes:

Reutilization

A. Number of Recipients of Reused Devices

Activity Number of Individuals Receiving a Device from Activity
A. Device Exchange 00
B. Device Refurbish/Repair - Reassign and/or Open Ended Loan 40
C. Total 40

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 40

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 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 00 $0 $0 $0
Recreation, Sports and Leisure 00 $0 $0 $0
Total 00 $0 $0 $0

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 00 $0 $0 $0
Speech Communication 00 $0 $0 $0
Learning, Cognition and Developmental 00 $0 $0 $0
Mobility, Seating and Positioning 25 $5,000 $692 $4,308
Daily Living 13 $700 $214 $486
Environmental Adaptations 02 $100 $19 $81
Vehicle Modification & Transportation 00 $0 $0 $0
Computers and Related 00 $0 $0 $0
Recreation, Sports and Leisure 00 $0 $0 $0
Total 40 $5,800 $925 $4,875

D. Anecdote

A family caregiver for an elderly woman came to the ALLTECH Spurwink ReUse Store in Portland. She needed to buy a walker and a shower safety chair for her aunt who is still living in her own home. The caregiver had concerns about bathroom safety and safe mobility around the house so that prompted this visit. She found the devices that would best suit the needs of her elderly aunt and bought them at a significant discount.

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 29 29
2. AT was only available through the AT program. 00 00 04 04
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 36 36
5. None of the above 00 00 03 03
6. Subtotal 00 00 39 39
7. Nonrespondent 00 00 01 01
8. Total 00 00 40 40
9. Performance on this measure NaN% NaN% 90%

F. Customer Satisfaction

Satisfaction
Customer Rating of Services Number of Customers Percent
Highly satisfied 33 82.5%
Satisfied 06 15%
Satisfied somewhat 00 0%
Not at all satisfied 00 0%
Nonrespondent 01 2.5%
Total Surveyed 40
Response rate % 97.5%

G. Notes:

Noted the alert received about the MSRP pricing of sold devices ---- will pass this on to the AT ReUse staff at ALLTECH.

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) 184
Serve as loaner during service repair or while waiting for funding 09
Provide an accommodation on a short-term basis for a time-limited event/situation 59
Conduct training, self-education or other professional development activity 83
Total 335

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 48
Family Members, Guardians, and Authorized Representatives 57
Representative of Education 129
Representative of Employment 05
Representatives of Health, Allied Health, and Rehabilitation 36
Representatives of Community Living 34
Representatives of Technology 26
Total 335

C. Length of Short-Term Device Loans

Length of Short-Term Device Loan in Days 21

D. Types of Devices Loaned

Types of Devices Loaned
Type of AT Device Number
Vision 61
Hearing 24
Speech Communication 49
Learning, Cognition and Developmental 50
Mobility, Seating and Positioning 74
Daily Living 91
Environmental Adaptations 42
Vehicle Modification and Transportation 05
Computers and Related 131
Recreation, Sports and Leisure 30
Total 557

E. Anecdote

TS came to the Pine Tree Society AT center to borrow a laser head pointer device. She had been using a complex heavy low tech communication board attached to her wheelchair for many years and wanted to see if she could increase her communication speed by using the pointer. She borrowed the pointer device for 3 weeks at her home and in the community. T learned over these days that the pointer was less effective given her significant motor challenges. When she returned the pointer to the AT center, they looked at an iPad with a communication app that was set up similarly to her low tech board. T was very interested in the iPad so she borrowed a Pro and took that home for a trial. This device was the answer and T. bought one for her use in the community and at home with caregivers, family and friends. She really like having voice output so she can catch peoples attention and reported that people really listen and pay attention to her with this new AT.

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 47 04 69 120
Decided that an AT device/ service will not meet needs 15 03 24 42
Subtotal 62 07 93 162
Have not made a decision 06 00 04 10
Subtotal 68 07 97 172
Nonrespondent 07 00 05 12
Total 75 07 102 184
Performance on this measure 91.18% 100% 95.88%

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. 00 03 91 94
2. AT was only available through the AT program. 00 00 27 27
3. AT was available through other programs, but the system was too complex or the wait time too long. 05 00 14 19
4. Subtotal 05 03 132 140
5. None of the above 00 00 00 00
6. Subtotal 05 03 132 140
7. Nonrespondent 00 00 11 11
8. Total 05 03 143 151
9. Performance on this measure 100% 100% 100%

H. Customer Satisfaction

Satisfaction
Customer Rating of Services Number of Customers Percent
Highly satisfied 261 77.91%
Satisfied 66 19.7%
Satisfied somewhat 00 0%
Not at all satisfied 00 0%
Nonrespondent 08 2.39%
Total Surveyed 335
Response rate % 97.61%

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 11
Hearing 07
Speech Communication 43
Learning, Cognition and Developmental 08
Mobility, Seating and Positioning 04
Daily Living 18
Environmental Adaptations 00
Vehicle Modification and Transportation 00
Computers and Related 33
Recreation, Sports and Leisure 02
Total # of Devices Demonstrated 126

B. Types of Participants

Demonstrations by Participant Type
Type of Participant Number of Participants in Device Demonstrations
Individuals with Disabilities 100
Family Members, Guardians, and Authorized Representatives 31
Representatives of Education 24
Representatives of Employment 00
Health, Allied Health, Rehabilitation 34
Representative of Community Living 08
Representative of Technology 02
Total 199

C. Number of Referrals

Referrals
Type of Entity Number of Referrals
Funding Source (non-AT program) 10
Service Provider 10
Vendor 46
Repair Service 22
Others 00
Total 88

D. Anecdote

Mrs K came to Pine Tree Society for a demo and to try a tablet device with text to speech apps. She had bulbar ALS and still had the use of her hands but was loosing her ability to speak. She was a writer and belonged to a woman's group where she needed to share a story she had written at each meeting. She wanted the device so she could continue her writing and also deliver it to the group -- she also wanted to be able to talk with her family, friends and medical providers. After the demo, Mrs K was convinced that she could use the device and borrowed it for a few weeks before she bought one.

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 28 04 67 99
Decided that an AT device/ service will not meet needs 01 00 06 07
Subtotal 29 04 73 106
Have not made a decision 09 02 09 20
Subtotal 38 06 82 126
Nonrespondent 00 00 00 00
Total 38 06 82 126
Performance on this measure 76.32% 66.67% 89.02%

F. Customer Satisfaction

Satisfaction
Customer Rating of Services Number of Customers Percent
Highly satisfied 165 82.91%
Satisfied 34 17.09%
Satisfied somewhat 00 0%
Not at all satisfied 00 0%
Nonrespondent 00 0%
Total 199
Response rate % 100%

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. 00 03 120 123
2. AT was only available through the AT program. 00 00 31 31
3. AT was available through other programs, but the system was too complex or the wait time too long. 05 00 17 22
4. Subtotal 05 03 168 176
5. None of the above 00 00 03 03
6. Subtotal 05 03 171 179
7. Nonrespondent 00 00 12 12
8. Total 05 03 183 191
9. Performance on this measure 0% 100% 87.79% 85.56%
ACL Performance Measure 85%
Met/Not 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 75 08 136 219
Decided that an AT device/ service will not meet needs 16 03 30 49
Subtotal 91 11 166 268
Have not made a decision 15 02 13 30
Subtotal 106 13 179 298
Nonrespondent 07 00 05 12
Total 113 13 184 310
Performance on this measure 85.85% 84.62% 92.74% 89.93%
ACL Performance Measure 90%
Met/Not Met Not Met

Overall Satisfaction Rating

Customer Rating of Services Percent ACL Target Met/Not Met
Highly satisfied and satisfied 100% 95% Met
Response Rate 98.43% 90% Met

Training

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

Training by Participant Type
Type of Participant Number
Individuals with Disabilities 133
Family Members, Guardians and Authorized Representatives 16
Representatives of Education 272
Representatives of Employment 65
Rep Health, Allied Health, and Rehabilitation 428
Representatives of Community Living 234
Representatives of Technology 29
Unable to Categorize 00
TOTAL 1,177

Geographic Distribution of Participants
Metro Non Metro Unknown TOTAL
619 350 208 1,177

B. Training Topics

Trainings by Topic
Primary Topic of Training Participants
AT Products/Services 251
AT Funding/Policy/ Practice 55
Combination of any/all of the above 458
Information Technology/Telecommunication Access 398
Transition 15
Total 1,177

B. Description of Training Activities

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

Maine CITE staff presented "AT Services and Resources for Employment" to the State team of Rehab Services/Division of Blind and Visually Impaired EmploymentCounselors. More than 30 counselors attended the training event. Numerous AT devices and apps were presented in this session with emphasis on the impact of AT on their client's independent living and work productivity.

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

At the annual Autism State conference in March 2019, Maine CITE presented a workshop session on "Innovations and Emerging Assistive Technology". Providers were attending who work with transitioning students. Parents attended who have strong concerns about what comes next after the school years for their young adult. AT devices, wearable tech, apps and smart home tech was featured in this session.

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

In summer 2019, Maine CITE staff provided two, four-hour training programs to staff members of the Maine State Department of Education. Participants included department administrators, educational consulting staff, and administrative staff focusing on the topic of Accessible Digital Documents. The content covered the legal requirements for website accessibility, how to create accessible documents with “office” suite products, as well as strategies on making correspondence and social media content accessible to people with disabilities.

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 347
Training or Technique Assistance will be developed or implemented 09
No known outcome at this time 04
Nonrespondent 38
Total 398
Performance Measure Percentage 89.4%
ACL Target Percentage 70%
Met/Not Met Met

E. Notes:

Technical Assistance

A. Frequency and Nature of Technical Assistance

Technical Assistance by Recipient Type
Education 20%
Employment 15%
Health, Allied Health, Rehabilitation 15%
Community Living 30%
Technology (IT, Telecom, AT) 20%
Total 100%

B. Description of Technical Assistance

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

The Maine Office in Information Technology (OIT) has an Accessibility Advisory Committee and Maine CITE is a key member of this committee. The newly appointed OIT Chief has renewed efforts of the OIT staff to focus on ICT accessibility. Our work through the committee to promote knowledge of ICT accessibility has paid off this year. Maine CITE staff was asked to present two ICT training sessions to OIT staff and "Web Accessibility and AT" was recently featured as a workshop session at the statewide Maine Digital Summit. Over 400 IT professionals attended the Digital Summit.

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

Maine CITE staff continues to serve in a leadership role on the Southern Maine Advisory Council (SMACT) - a group that meets monthly and is made up of VR Transition Counselors, high school special educators, case managers, community service providers and parents of transitioning students. Each meeting has an outside speaker and presentation on transition issues related to Independent Living, employment and post secondary education. Networking and sharing resources is a key part of each SMACT meeting. The role of Maine CITE in this group is to provide information and resources on AT for transitioning students.

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. Each year the Maine CITE staff attends the statewide Senior Summit with more than 500 seniors, service professionals, families and caregivers at this day long conference event. Maine CITE attends to exhibit and promote AT devices that will impact the safety, independence and productivity of seniors. AT this event we are able to connect with hundreds of seniors as well as make contacts with other organizations. We often receive several training requests as a result. This year we connected with the Maine AARP. They are working with more that 60 towns across Maine to create "Age Friendly Communities". We will begin networking with those towns in the next year to assist them to learn more about AT and to develop sample AT Tool Kits for the citizens in their towns.

2.

Information And Assistance

Information And Assistance Activities by Recipient
Types of Recipients AT Device/
Service
AT Funding Total
Individuals with Disabilities 06 22 28
Family Members, Guardians and Authorized Representatives 10 29 39
Representative of Education 89 10 99
Representative of Employment 18 05 23
Representative of Health, Allied Health, and Rehabilitation 52 11 63
Representative of Community Living 77 57 134
Representative of Technology 06 35 41
Unable to Categorize 00 00 00
Total 258 169 427

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).


Center for Assistive Technology Act Data Assistance . Saved: Mon Mar 09 2020 08:42:18 GMT-0500 (Central Daylight Time)


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This FY19 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.