National Assistive Technology Act Data System

Annual Progress Report - Full Report

Virginia 2019

General Information

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

State AT Program Title:
The Virginia Assistive Technology System
State AT Program Title:
State AT Program URL
www.vats.org
Mailing Address:
2001 Maywill Street
City:
Richmond
State:
Va
Zip Code:
23230
Program Email:
barclay.shepard@dars.virginia.gov
Phone:
8046629990
TTY:
8004649950

Lead Agency

Agency Name:
Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services
Mailing Address:
8004 Franklin Farms Drive
City:
Richmond
State:
Va
Zip Code:
23229
Program URL:
https//www.vadars.org

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):
Shepard, Barclay
Title:
Manager
Phone:
8046629990
E-mail:
barclay.shepard@dars.virginia.gov
Program Director at Lead Agency (last, first):
Shepard, Barclay
Title:
Manager
Phone:
8046629990
E-mail:
barclay.shepard@dars.virginia.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):
Hayfield, Kathryn
Title:
DARS Commissioner
Phone:
8046627010
E-mail:
kathryn.hayfield@dars.virginia.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 3,550
C. Total 3,550

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 3,550

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 2,815 $1,986,099 $0 $1,986,099
Daily Living 2,257 $241,263 $0 $241,263
Environmental Adaptations 00 $0 $0 $0
Vehicle Modification & Transportation 00 $0 $0 $0
Computers and Related 00 $0 $0 $0
Recreation, Sports and Leisure 28 $83,063 $0 $83,063
Total 5,100 $2,310,425 $0 $2,310,425

D. Anecdote

A family needed a gait trainer for home and school for their son. The family’s insurance denied their application to fund this needed mobility aid. The state AT Act program’s durable medical equipment (DME) provider for children provided this equipment to the family based on community donations. The family reported that with the proper equipment, their son was able to freely walk around their home/neighborhood and enjoy time with their family. They also reported that at school, their son was able to participate in physical education, walk freely throughout the school and interact with his peers. The family also reported that in addition to giving their son his independence, the gait trainer allowed him to strengthen his leg muscles and hone his walking skills. The family hopes that one day that he will be able to walk independently due to the assistance of his gait trainer and physical therapy.

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. 36 02 2,368 2,406
2. AT was only available through the AT program. 13 00 466 479
3. AT was available through other programs, but the system was too complex or the wait time too long. 17 00 350 367
4. Subtotal 66 02 3,184 3,252
5. None of the above 00 00 00 00
6. Subtotal 66 02 3,184 3,252
7. Nonrespondent 00 00 298 298
8. Total 66 02 3,482 3,550
9. Performance on this measure 100% 100% 91.44%

F. Customer Satisfaction

Satisfaction
Customer Rating of Services Number of Customers Percent
Highly satisfied 3,152 88.79%
Satisfied 100 2.82%
Satisfied somewhat 00 0%
Not at all satisfied 00 0%
Nonrespondent 298 8.39%
Total Surveyed 3,550
Response rate % 91.61%

G. Notes:

Performance measures section E and F contain 298 non respondents due to new subcontractor expanding service and having difficulty collecting data from recipients. Working with new subcontractor on this to improve performance next year.

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) 172
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 111
Conduct training, self-education or other professional development activity 03
Total 290

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 252
Family Members, Guardians, and Authorized Representatives 07
Representative of Education 02
Representative of Employment 02
Representatives of Health, Allied Health, and Rehabilitation 25
Representatives of Community Living 01
Representatives of Technology 01
Total 290

C. Length of Short-Term Device Loans

Length of Short-Term Device Loan in Days 14

D. Types of Devices Loaned

Types of Devices Loaned
Type of AT Device Number
Vision 09
Hearing 08
Speech Communication 01
Learning, Cognition and Developmental 149
Mobility, Seating and Positioning 148
Daily Living 31
Environmental Adaptations 35
Vehicle Modification and Transportation 00
Computers and Related 55
Recreation, Sports and Leisure 00
Total 436

E. Anecdote

Through its partnership with the Administration for Community Living (ACL), the state’s AT Act program received a grant from the Dana & Christopher Reeve Foundation in 2016 to fund temporary ramps and accessible pathways. An individual contacted the state’s Assistive Technology Act (AT) program for temporary ramps for ingress/egress of her home. The individual lives with her significant other in the rural western part of Virginia and was being discharged from the hospital. This individual is 60 years old with a diagnosis of Cerebrovascular accident (CVA) and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). The individual uses a manual wheelchair for mobility and her husband did not have time to build a temporary ramp prior to her discharge. The state’s AT Act program collaborated with state’s vocational rehabilitation program’s rehabilitation engineering staff to install a temporary ramp before discharge. Once discharged, the individual’s husband began building a permanent ramp (next to the temporary ramp). Within two weeks after discharged, an accident occurred. The individual was smoking and her oxygen tank exploded. Fire engulfed the home. She and her husband were able to safely exit the home due to the installation of the temporary ramp! The house was unfortunately condemned. The couple was forced to move into a new home. The same temporary ramp was removed from the condemned home and placed at their new home. The husband is currently working on a permanent ramp for their new residence as well as bathroom modifications.

Pictured is a house that sits downhill at an angle from the street.  A temporary ramp with side rails was installed to allow an invidual to access the home using a wheelchair.  The picture shows the ramp
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 95 47 28 170
Decided that an AT device/ service will not meet needs 00 00 01 01
Subtotal 95 47 29 171
Have not made a decision 00 00 01 01
Subtotal 95 47 30 172
Nonrespondent 00 00 00 00
Total 95 47 30 172
Performance on this measure 100% 100% 96.67%

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. 14 11 59 84
2. AT was only available through the AT program. 01 02 17 20
3. AT was available through other programs, but the system was too complex or the wait time too long. 00 00 13 13
4. Subtotal 15 13 89 117
5. None of the above 00 00 01 01
6. Subtotal 15 13 90 118
7. Nonrespondent 00 00 00 00
8. Total 15 13 90 118
9. Performance on this measure 100% 100% 98.89%

H. Customer Satisfaction

Satisfaction
Customer Rating of Services Number of Customers Percent
Highly satisfied 275 94.83%
Satisfied 01 0.34%
Satisfied somewhat 00 0%
Not at all satisfied 00 0%
Nonrespondent 14 4.83%
Total Surveyed 290
Response rate % 95.17%

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 01
Speech Communication 05
Learning, Cognition and Developmental 140
Mobility, Seating and Positioning 89
Daily Living 15
Environmental Adaptations 08
Vehicle Modification and Transportation 00
Computers and Related 27
Recreation, Sports and Leisure 00
Total # of Devices Demonstrated 296

B. Types of Participants

Demonstrations by Participant Type
Type of Participant Number of Participants in Device Demonstrations
Individuals with Disabilities 497
Family Members, Guardians, and Authorized Representatives 49
Representatives of Education 13
Representatives of Employment 51
Health, Allied Health, Rehabilitation 45
Representative of Community Living 10
Representative of Technology 02
Total 667

C. Number of Referrals

Referrals
Type of Entity Number of Referrals
Funding Source (non-AT program) 02
Service Provider 00
Vendor 403
Repair Service 00
Others 00
Total 405

D. Anecdote

The AT Act program shares an AT lab with the state’s vocational rehabilitation program. This is mutually beneficial for statewide community and VR clients. The AT Act program supplies and retains ownership of more off-the-shelf consumer-based products including far field voice recognition technologies such as the Amazon Echo. A VR client was seen by the Assistive Technology Specialist to determine AT to improve independence. The individual’s family had been providing significant prompting to help the individual with their morning routine. This was helpful, but not ideal if the individual is to become more independent, obtain work skills, and become successfully employed. Staff recommended the Amazon Echo Spot available in the AT Act program’s lending library. The device provided auditory and visual prompts to help the client wake up and get ready independently using the “Routines”. The auditory feedback included the individual’s favorite song (as an alarm to wake up to), and Echo Dots throughout the house provided prompt to get breakfast, brush teeth, and put on shoes. Following these prompts, the client no longer required assistance from his family in the morning, and plans to attend a training program.

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 66 141 84 291
Decided that an AT device/ service will not meet needs 00 00 02 02
Subtotal 66 141 86 293
Have not made a decision 00 00 03 03
Subtotal 66 141 89 296
Nonrespondent 00 00 00 00
Total 66 141 89 296
Performance on this measure 100% 100% 96.63%

F. Customer Satisfaction

Satisfaction
Customer Rating of Services Number of Customers Percent
Highly satisfied 665 99.7%
Satisfied 02 0.3%
Satisfied somewhat 00 0%
Not at all satisfied 00 0%
Nonrespondent 00 0%
Total 667
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. 50 13 2,427 2,490
2. AT was only available through the AT program. 14 02 483 499
3. AT was available through other programs, but the system was too complex or the wait time too long. 17 00 363 380
4. Subtotal 81 15 3,273 3,369
5. None of the above 00 00 01 01
6. Subtotal 81 15 3,274 3,370
7. Nonrespondent 00 00 298 298
8. Total 81 15 3,572 3,668
9. Performance on this measure 79.01% 100% 81.47% 81.49%
ACL Performance Measure 85%
Met/Not Met Not 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 161 188 112 461
Decided that an AT device/ service will not meet needs 00 00 03 03
Subtotal 161 188 115 464
Have not made a decision 00 00 04 04
Subtotal 161 188 119 468
Nonrespondent 00 00 00 00
Total 161 188 119 468
Performance on this measure 100% 100% 96.64% 99.15%
ACL Performance Measure 90%
Met/Not Met Met

Overall Satisfaction Rating

Customer Rating of Services Percent ACL Target Met/Not Met
Highly satisfied and satisfied 100% 95% Met
Response Rate 93.08% 90% Met

Training

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

Training by Participant Type
Type of Participant Number
Individuals with Disabilities 519
Family Members, Guardians and Authorized Representatives 60
Representatives of Education 81
Representatives of Employment 579
Rep Health, Allied Health, and Rehabilitation 234
Representatives of Community Living 294
Representatives of Technology 04
Unable to Categorize 20
TOTAL 1,791

Geographic Distribution of Participants
Metro Non Metro Unknown TOTAL
1,303 488 00 1,791

B. Training Topics

Trainings by Topic
Primary Topic of Training Participants
AT Products/Services 778
AT Funding/Policy/ Practice 56
Combination of any/all of the above 871
Information Technology/Telecommunication Access 40
Transition 46
Total 1,791

B. Description of Training Activities

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

More than 30 conference participants interacted with assistive technology professionals in the Assistive Technoloy (AT) Training Room at the 2019 Collaborations Conference at the Norfolk Sheraton Waterside. Participants included VR and Employment Service Organization staff, as well as family members and individuals with disabilities. Conference participants were able to “drop-in” to the AT Room learn about AT for specific functional limitations and personally try out some of the latest and greatest assistive technology AT devices and gadgets available to accommodate individuals with disabilities at home, work or play. AT professionals from the states Alternative Financing, VR, Deaf & Hard of Hearing and AT Act program presented two 1 ½ hour training sessions. In addition to the training, staff provided resources and 1:1 demonstrations of new and emerging technologies in order to increase participants’ knowledge, skills, and competencies regarding AT as well has help individuals make informed decisions regarding appropriate and affordable AT solutions.

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

The state AT Act program partnered with seven (7) Virginia Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) to provide an assistive technology (AT) training/demonstration/short-term equipment loan program for seniors and caregivers to promote functional independence. Accordingly, staff from one of these targeted AAAs provided an assistive technology training to thirty-two (32) seniors. After the presentation, an attendee approached the trainer. This individual lost function on the right side of his body due to a stroke. The individual was interested in a suction cup scrubber available in the “Oldies but Goodies” Kit for seniors. The trainer explained that the device could assist someone who only had the use of one hand to wash the functional hand. This device only cost $7.00. The individual smiled and reported that ever since he lost function on his right side, he had not been able to wash his working hand or arm adequately. He explained that this bothered him a lot since he knew that his hand was never really clean. He reported that this was a life-changing event for him. Within five minutes of the presentation, he arranged to purchase the item. The AAA reported that this is just one example of a local training initiative that is “making it possible for seniors to age in place better and longer.”

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

State AT Act program staff conducted a training for the department of corrections for ten staff members. The purpose of the training was to improve awareness of and ways to make documents accessible for offender requests. The training has helped the department of corrections staff better identify and process offender requests for accessible documents. This training has led to further collaboration between the state AT Act program and the department of corrections and is helping to improve offender access to assistive technology devices, strategies, and services.

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 40
Training or Technique Assistance will be developed or implemented 00
No known outcome at this time 00
Nonrespondent 00
Total 40
Performance Measure Percentage 100%
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 0%
Employment 0%
Health, Allied Health, Rehabilitation 0%
Community Living 100%
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:

The state’s AT Act program has been providing technical assistance and working collaboratively with the Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM) and the state’s adult community durable medical equipment reuse partner to address the functional mobility needs of Virginians with disabilities in response to natural disasters. Efforts include maintaining a cache of sanitized, used durable medical equipment (DME) readily available to Virginians with disabilities in state shelters. The AT Act program convened several meetings over the past year to coordinate disaster preparation and response efforts among the AT Act program, state emergency managers and Virginia’s DME reuse program. This resulted in the development of a program of ready-to-deploy “DME Shelter Kits” now available during disasters. Each kit includes crutches, walkers, bedside commodes, and manual wheelchairs. One kit will be readily available at Virginia state shelters during natural disasters. A memorandum of a

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

N/A

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. State AT Act program staff participated in a symposium at Liberty University’s School of Business hosted by the Virginia Manufacturing Association and the Manufacturing Skills Institute. The symposium included participants from the national MSI academic partner network featuring workforce development and educational best practices from industry, non-governmental organizations and academic institutions from across the United States. VATS staff co-presented on accommodating individuals with hidden disabilities in a manufacturing environment as well as staffed a hands-on assistive technology demonstration table.

2.

Information And Assistance

Information And Assistance Activities by Recipient
Types of Recipients AT Device/
Service
AT Funding Total
Individuals with Disabilities 104 59 163
Family Members, Guardians and Authorized Representatives 70 34 104
Representative of Education 02 00 02
Representative of Employment 20 00 20
Representative of Health, Allied Health, and Rehabilitation 36 07 43
Representative of Community Living 37 03 40
Representative of Technology 01 00 01
Unable to Categorize 00 00 00
Total 270 103 373

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$85,000Demonstration
Public/State Agency$10,000Device Loan
Public/State Agency$10,000Reuse
Amount: $105,000

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 08:50:31 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.