National Assistive Technology Act Data System

Annual Progress Report - Full Report

Massachusetts 2019

General Information

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

State AT Program Title:
Massachusetts Maximizing Assistive Technology in Consumers' Hands (MassMATCH)
State AT Program Title:
State AT Program URL
www.massmatch.org
Mailing Address:
600 Washington Street
City:
Boston
State:
MA
Zip Code:
02111
Program Email:
info@massmatch.org
Phone:
877-508-3974
TTY:
617-204-3815

Lead Agency

Agency Name:
Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission
Mailing Address:
600 Washington Street
City:
Boston
State:
MA
Zip Code:
02111
Program URL:
www.massmatch.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):
Shor, Ann
Title:
Director, Independent Living/Assistive Technology
Phone:
617-204-3602
E-mail:
ann.shor@massmail.state.ma.us
Program Director at Lead Agency (last, first):
Bonney, Kobena
Title:
MassMATCH Program Coordinator
Phone:
617-204-3826
E-mail:
kobena.bonney@massmail.state.ma.us
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):
Bonney, Kobena
Title:
MassMATCH Program Coordinator
Phone:
617-204-3826
E-mail:
kobena.bonney@massmail.state.ma.us

Certifying Representative

Name (last, first):
Wolf, Toni
Title:
Commissioner
Phone:
617-204-3600
E-mail:
toni.wolf@massmail.state.ma.us

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
Area of Residence Total
Metro
RUCC 1-3
Non-Metro
RUCC 4-9
Approved Loan made 30 00 30
Approved Not made 00 00 00
Rejected 14 00 14
Total 44 00 44

2. Income of Applicants to Whom Loans Were Made

Lowest/Highest Incomes
Lowest Income: $6,168 Highest Income: $256,000

Average Income
Sum of Incomes Loans Made Average Annual Income
$2,292,729 30 $76,424

Number and Percentage of Loans Made to Applicants by Income Range
Income Ranges Total
$15,000
or Less
$15,001-
$30,000
$30,001-
$45,000
$45,001-
$60,000
$60,001-
$75,000
$75,001
or More
Number of Loans 04 03 06 04 03 10 30
Percentage of Loans 13.33% 10% 20% 13.33% 10% 33.33% 100%

3. Loan Type

Loan Type
Type of Loan Number of Loans Percentage of loans
Revolving Loans 05 16.67%
Partnership Loans
Without interest buy-down or loan guarantee 00 0%
With interest buy-down only 10 33.33%
With loan guarantee only 00 0%
With both interest buy-down and loan guarantee 15 50%
Total 30 100%

Loan Type Summary
Type of Loan Number of Loans Dollar Value of Loans
Revolving Loans 05 $9,841
Partnership Loans 25 $430,781
Total 30 $440,622

4. Interest Rates

Interest Rates
Lowest 0%
Highest 3.75%

Interest Rate Summary
Sum of Interest Rates Number of Loans Made Average Interest Rate
94 30 3.12166666666667%

Number of Loans Made by Interest Rate
Interest Rate Number of loans
0.0% to 2.0% 05
2.1% to 4.0% 25
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 30

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 02 $4,919
Hearing 04 $11,163
Speech communication 00 $0
Learning, cognition, and developmental 01 $8,350
Mobility, seating and positioning 05 $35,692
Daily living 00 $0
Environmental adaptations 01 $5,800
Vehicle modification and transportation 16 $372,698
Computers and related 01 $2,000
Recreation, sports, and leisure 00 $0
Total 30 $440,622

6. Defaults

Defaults
Number Loans in default 02
Net loss for loans in default $989

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

Justin is a 30 year old man with Multiple Sclerosis. It is a progressive disease, which has resulted in him losing a drastic amount of his mobility as he has gotten older. Justin is an avid traveler, but recently simply using a walker has become unsafe and Justin has fallen several times. A manual wheelchair was not a choice for him, so using an electric wheelchair is the only way that Justin would be able to travel and get around independently. Unfortunately, Justin’s insurance would not cover the cost of the chair and he was unable to pay for the entire cost of the chair on his own. Using the Mini-Loan Program, Justin was able to use the funds to cover the rest of the cost of his all-terrain wheelchair, allowing him to once again travel independently.

Impact Area

George is a 62 year old man who was recently diagnosed with significant hearing loss. George’s audiologist recommended he obtain hearing aids so that he could continue his 30+ year career in emergency medical services. The hearing aids that George required are expensive and he was unsure how he was going to be able to pay the cost upfront for the devices. He was introduced to the AT Loan program through an outside agency who provided him with the application. George was approved and was able to receive a 5 year loan to pay off the cost of the hearing aids. George expressed being thrilled that the financial loan program provided him with both longer terms and a lower interest rate than he would have received had he just applied for a personal loan from his local bank. George has since received his hearing aids and hopes to continue with his job in EMS until he is forced to retire!

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. 01 01 24 26
2. AT was only available through the AT program. 01 00 01 02
3. AT was available through other programs, but the system was too complex or the wait time too long. 00 00 02 02
4. Subtotal 02 01 27 30
5. None of the above 00 00 00 00
6. Subtotal 02 01 27 30
7. Nonrespondent 00 00 00 00
8. Total 02 01 27 30
9. Performance on this measure 100% 100% 100%

F. Customer Satisfaction

Satisfaction
Customer Rating of Services Number of Customers Percent
Highly satisfied 27 90%
Satisfied 03 10%
Satisfied somewhat 00 0%
Not at all satisfied 00 0%
Nonrespondent 00 0%
Total Surveyed 30
Response rate % 100%

G. Notes:

Reutilization

A. Number of Recipients of Reused Devices

Activity Number of Individuals Receiving a Device from Activity
A. Device Exchange 06
B. Device Refurbish/Repair - Reassign and/or Open Ended Loan 2,618
C. Total 2,624

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 2,624

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 03 $3,800 $0 $3,800
Daily Living 01 $2,000 $0 $2,000
Environmental Adaptations 02 $200 $0 $200
Vehicle Modification & Transportation 00 $0 $0 $0
Computers and Related 00 $0 $0 $0
Recreation, Sports and Leisure 00 $0 $0 $0
Total 06 $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 09 $2,913 $0 $2,913
Hearing 27 $6,510 $0 $6,510
Speech Communication 01 $476 $0 $476
Learning, Cognition and Developmental 02 $692 $0 $692
Mobility, Seating and Positioning 2,029 $2,253,539 $0 $2,253,539
Daily Living 510 $333,983 $0 $333,983
Environmental Adaptations 17 $2,926 $0 $2,926
Vehicle Modification & Transportation 00 $0 $0 $0
Computers and Related 23 $9,360 $0 $9,360
Recreation, Sports and Leisure 00 $0 $0 $0
Total 2,618 $2,610,399 $0 $2,610,399

D. Anecdote

Recently REquipment received a request from a gentleman by the name Paul who said he is at the hospital sometimes 5 days a week for dialysis and doctor’s appointments. He wanted a manual wheelchair that his wife can use to transport him in and out of their family vehicle. Previously, his wife would have to park, get out and hopefully find a wheelchair, never mind one that works. Not to mention: when was the last time it was disinfected? After receiving the wheelchair, Paul wrote to thank the program staff. He says, "Now I arrive for dialysis on time [….] and the threat of cross-contamination from a hospital wheelchair has been eliminated.” The program staff are also grateful for their interaction with Paul and his family as it raised their awareness about the risk of cross-contamination from DME serving hospital lobbies and parking lots. It has taught them that people who rely on dialysis think about the risk of infection all the time. And obtaining a wheelchair from insurance for this transport purpose is not easy.

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. 15 15 1,433 1,463
2. AT was only available through the AT program. 07 00 60 67
3. AT was available through other programs, but the system was too complex or the wait time too long. 55 04 696 755
4. Subtotal 77 19 2,189 2,285
5. None of the above 16 00 120 136
6. Subtotal 93 19 2,309 2,421
7. Nonrespondent 00 00 203 203
8. Total 93 19 2,512 2,624
9. Performance on this measure 82.8% 100% 87.14%

F. Customer Satisfaction

Satisfaction
Customer Rating of Services Number of Customers Percent
Highly satisfied 725 27.63%
Satisfied 85 3.24%
Satisfied somewhat 22 0.84%
Not at all satisfied 01 0.04%
Nonrespondent 1,791 68.25%
Total Surveyed 2,624
Response rate % 31.75%

G. Notes:

The number of recipients reported by partners is questionable, and is estimated to be about 10% less. Activity reports from program partners give an equal number of recipients and devices reassigned; whether this is due to a technical systems error, or data entry is being determined.

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) 508
Serve as loaner during service repair or while waiting for funding 58
Provide an accommodation on a short-term basis for a time-limited event/situation 91
Conduct training, self-education or other professional development activity 147
Total 804

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 175
Family Members, Guardians, and Authorized Representatives 232
Representative of Education 135
Representative of Employment 04
Representatives of Health, Allied Health, and Rehabilitation 125
Representatives of Community Living 11
Representatives of Technology 122
Total 804

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 184
Hearing 60
Speech Communication 141
Learning, Cognition and Developmental 108
Mobility, Seating and Positioning 112
Daily Living 172
Environmental Adaptations 121
Vehicle Modification and Transportation 59
Computers and Related 364
Recreation, Sports and Leisure 04
Total 1,325

E. Anecdote

The MassMATCH Assistive Technology Regional Center in Pittsfield received a request from Jane Doe of Great Barrington, MA. She was looking to borrow a wheelchair ramp for an upcoming family gathering. An ATRC staff drove to Great Barrington to measure for the ramp and later returned and installed a portable ramp for them to use for the weekend family gathering. Jane and John Doe later wrote to thank the ATRC staff for providing them information about custom ramps in general. They were also grateful for the portable ramp that was loaned to them as it made it possible for their aunt to be part of that four generation family gathering and for their 96 year-old parents to more easily go in and out of the house with walkers.

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 113 30 137 280
Decided that an AT device/ service will not meet needs 22 06 65 93
Subtotal 135 36 202 373
Have not made a decision 14 00 18 32
Subtotal 149 36 220 405
Nonrespondent 34 16 53 103
Total 183 52 273 508
Performance on this measure 90.6% 100% 91.82%

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. 58 11 70 139
2. AT was only available through the AT program. 31 11 39 81
3. AT was available through other programs, but the system was too complex or the wait time too long. 16 01 14 31
4. Subtotal 105 23 123 251
5. None of the above 04 00 08 12
6. Subtotal 109 23 131 263
7. Nonrespondent 08 00 25 33
8. Total 117 23 156 296
9. Performance on this measure 96.33% 100% 93.89%

H. Customer Satisfaction

Satisfaction
Customer Rating of Services Number of Customers Percent
Highly satisfied 609 75.75%
Satisfied 63 7.84%
Satisfied somewhat 22 2.74%
Not at all satisfied 03 0.37%
Nonrespondent 107 13.31%
Total Surveyed 804
Response rate % 86.69%

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 30
Hearing 20
Speech Communication 92
Learning, Cognition and Developmental 30
Mobility, Seating and Positioning 11
Daily Living 36
Environmental Adaptations 27
Vehicle Modification and Transportation 00
Computers and Related 106
Recreation, Sports and Leisure 02
Total # of Devices Demonstrated 354

B. Types of Participants

Demonstrations by Participant Type
Type of Participant Number of Participants in Device Demonstrations
Individuals with Disabilities 204
Family Members, Guardians, and Authorized Representatives 86
Representatives of Education 25
Representatives of Employment 42
Health, Allied Health, Rehabilitation 89
Representative of Community Living 34
Representative of Technology 05
Total 485

C. Number of Referrals

Referrals
Type of Entity Number of Referrals
Funding Source (non-AT program) 48
Service Provider 165
Vendor 46
Repair Service 08
Others 81
Total 348

D. Anecdote

A Speech/Language pathologist came into the AT Regional Center in Pittsfield looking to trial a variety of communication apps with a student she was working with. Her student has sensory difficulties and needed a blue light filter for all touch-screen devices. She was shown how she could use the accessibility feature in the settings in the tablets to reduce the blue light that each of the tablets would emit. The SLP was very grateful to learn about this setting and that it could be used on multiple devices. The program staff also showed the SLP several different communication apps across different tablets. She learned that she could borrow any device in-person or online from the MassMATCH website anytime she wanted to trial other device/apps.

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 41 37 172 250
Decided that an AT device/ service will not meet needs 09 07 07 23
Subtotal 50 44 179 273
Have not made a decision 07 11 33 51
Subtotal 57 55 212 324
Nonrespondent 08 04 18 30
Total 65 59 230 354
Performance on this measure 76.92% 74.58% 77.83%

F. Customer Satisfaction

Satisfaction
Customer Rating of Services Number of Customers Percent
Highly satisfied 360 74.23%
Satisfied 74 15.26%
Satisfied somewhat 18 3.71%
Not at all satisfied 04 0.82%
Nonrespondent 29 5.98%
Total 485
Response rate % 94.02%

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. 74 27 1,527 1,628
2. AT was only available through the AT program. 39 11 100 150
3. AT was available through other programs, but the system was too complex or the wait time too long. 71 05 712 788
4. Subtotal 184 43 2,339 2,566
5. None of the above 20 00 128 148
6. Subtotal 204 43 2,467 2,714
7. Nonrespondent 08 00 228 236
8. Total 212 43 2,695 2,950
9. Performance on this measure 55.39% 88.37% 60.94% 60.95%
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 154 67 309 530
Decided that an AT device/ service will not meet needs 31 13 72 116
Subtotal 185 80 381 646
Have not made a decision 21 11 51 83
Subtotal 206 91 432 729
Nonrespondent 42 20 71 133
Total 248 111 503 862
Performance on this measure 86.45% 84.21% 84.67% 85.11%
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 96.53% 95% Met
Response Rate 51.13% 90% Not Met

Training

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

Training by Participant Type
Type of Participant Number
Individuals with Disabilities 81
Family Members, Guardians and Authorized Representatives 13
Representatives of Education 31
Representatives of Employment 16
Rep Health, Allied Health, and Rehabilitation 179
Representatives of Community Living 300
Representatives of Technology 05
Unable to Categorize 00
TOTAL 625

Geographic Distribution of Participants
Metro Non Metro Unknown TOTAL
625 00 00 625

B. Training Topics

Trainings by Topic
Primary Topic of Training Participants
AT Products/Services 163
AT Funding/Policy/ Practice 81
Combination of any/all of the above 277
Information Technology/Telecommunication Access 56
Transition 48
Total 625

B. Description of Training Activities

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

As noted in the FY18 Annual Progress Report, MassMATCH was working on refining the content of the pressure mapping technology training we developed under the Weight and Seating Independence Project funded by the Reeves Foundation so that it can be offered online via webinar to the general public sometime in the spring of 2019. We offered the resulting training "Getting Started with Pressure Mapping” as a 60-minute webinar on 3/20/19. We chose the webinar format because it would allow a wider audience to learn about the benefits of pressure mapping. 65 individuals from a wide range of backgrounds participated. They were introduced to the causes of pressure injury and the basics of prevention, the role of pressure mapping, and how to borrow and use pressure mapping equipment. The webinar was presented by Mary Jo Wagner, OTR/L, ATP who works for the MA Dept. of Developmental Services. She has over 30 years of experience working in wheelchair clinics for people of all ages, disabilities and settings. She was assisted by Louise Colbourne who at the time was the Director of the MassMATCH AT Regional Center operated by United Cerebral Palsy of Berkshire County. In that capacity, Louise led the initiative to make pressure mapping systems available to borrow across the Commonwealth through MassMATCH.

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

In the summer of FY19, MassMATCH sponsored a series of AT workshops at the Youth Leadership Forum (YLF). YLF is a three-day conference for youth and young adults with disabilities held annually in Massachusetts. YLF participants build leadership skills and leave better prepared for future employment, higher education, and independent living. YLF is a partnership between the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission, Partners for Youth with Disabilities, Easterseals of MA, Independent Living Centers and many other organizations. The theme of the 2019 AT presentations was “AT will take you places”. Easterseals staff presented three different workshops titled Live, Learn, Work, all of which were aimed at demonstrating the degree to which AT can impact the lives of youth with disabilities, especially as they transition to adulthood. At the Learn presentation, participants learned about and tried apps they can use in school. In the Work presentation, participants were exposed to and they tried apps for the workplace.

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

MassMATCH hosted two full-day trainings on ICT Accessibility for people in Massachusetts. The trainings were held on 9/23/19 and 9/24/19 and were attended by a total of 65 unique individuals. Participants included web content managers and designers for state and private agencies, policy and legal staff, and many others who regularly use or who wanted to learn to create accessible MS Word, PowerPoint and PDF documents. Participants were introduced to a variety of topics including: Introduction to ICT Accessibility, Web Accessibility, Accessibility in Microsoft Word and PowerPoint, and Accessibility in Adobe PDF Files. Participants rated the training very highly, as reflected in their evaluations. They were very happy they had the chance to learn about web accessibility, how to make accessible documents as well as the laws and standards that help ensure information is readable and usable by a wide audience, including seniors and individuals with disabilities. The trainings were led by Rob Carr, ICT Accessibility Program Manager and Lyssa Prince ICT Accessibility Coordinator, both from Oklahoma ABLE Tech.

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 09
No known outcome at this time 36
Nonrespondent 11
Total 56
Performance Measure Percentage 16.1%
ACL 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 0%
Health, Allied Health, Rehabilitation 40%
Community Living 45.71%
Technology (IT, Telecom, AT) 14.29%
Total 100%

B. Description of Technical Assistance

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

In early September 2019, MassMATCH participated in a focus group organized by the Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority MBTA's System-Wide Accessibility Department which was aimed at soliciting in-person feedback from MBTA customers who are blind or have low vision. The purpose of the focus group was to share information about ongoing projects designed to improve access for blind and low-vision customers. At the session, the MBTA staff discussed key policies & projects, ongoing initiatives, reviewed what works well and what does not, as well as current mobile applications under development/review. As a direct result of the participation in the focus group, Kobena Bonney, the MassMATCH Program Coordinator, who is himself blind began to work with staff from the MBTA's Customer Technology Unit on a mobile application they are developing. The app, which is still in the testing and development stages, is an iPhone application that makes it easier for travelers who are blind or visually i

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

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. In the lead-up to the first ICT accessibility training in MA, MassMATCH and our partner agency Easterseals of MA mounted a very extensive public awareness campaign to promote the upcoming training to a very wide audience. We employed some of the channels we have used in the past as well as new ones. We produced a series of electronic documents that we distributed to our respective mailing lists. We also created and disseminated announcements about the training via direct mail, blog posts and other social media channels. Furthermore, we promoted the training at most of the conferences and events we attended such as the statewide Disability Summit hosted by the Mass Office on Disability, the 3-day Abilities Expo Boston, the annual Human Service Providers Conference, and the annual statewide Independent Living Conference. The success of the campaign is reflected in the large number of people who registered to attend the two-day training, given the amount of time commitment that required.

2. In FY19, The Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission (MRC) applied for and received funding from ACL to carry out the Empowering Choices project. This was in partnership with two other partner agencies, Easterseals of MA and Southeast Center for Independent Living (SCIL). One unique feature of the project was the introduction of the concept of Community Ambassadors as an innovative way to conduct public awareness or outreach for the project. SCIL recruited two individuals – one from the Fall River area and another from New Bedford - to be the Community Ambassadors. Their job was to promote the financial literacy trainings, assistive technology and other disability or elder service resources to the targeted communities. The Community Ambassadors distributed materials and spoke with people at over 218 local community agencies, neighborhood meetings, shelters, libraries, housing authorities, and apartments in New Bedford and Fall River. The Community Ambassadors also hosted resource tables and spoke with participants about the project at eight community resource fairs. Another feature of the Empowering Choices initiative was the set-up of the Outreach Innovations Working Group. the group organized two focus groups, one in New Bedford and one in Fall River, to discuss how to effectively reach members of target communities. Participants discussed the importance of being part of the community that they serve, of going to community events, being a part of where the people go. Participants engage with multiple forms of outreach such as, fliers, social media, newsletters, and being present at community events. Through the outreach efforts of the Community Ambassadors, many individuals as well as local community organizations in the targeted region became more aware of assistive technology along with the other programs. Furthermore, project partners identified the importance of personal involvement and connections with specific community members and leaders in order to engage with members of the underserved populations.

Information And Assistance

Information And Assistance Activities by Recipient
Types of Recipients AT Device/
Service
AT Funding Total
Individuals with Disabilities 2,415 109 2,524
Family Members, Guardians and Authorized Representatives 2,849 57 2,906
Representative of Education 113 33 146
Representative of Employment 171 45 216
Representative of Health, Allied Health, and Rehabilitation 1,494 22 1,516
Representative of Community Living 196 95 291
Representative of Technology 49 09 58
Unable to Categorize 1,300 346 1,646
Total 8,587 716 9,303

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
State Appropriations$51,377Device Loan
Private$2,027Device Loan
State Appropriations$669,226Reuse
Federal$626,103State Financing
State Appropriations$270,000State Financing
Amount: $1,618,733

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 08:42:52 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.