National Assistive Technology Act Data System

Annual Progress Report - Full Report

Pennsylvania 2019

General Information

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

State AT Program Title:
Pennsylvania's Initiative on Assistive Technology
State AT Program Title:
State AT Program URL
https://techowlpa.org
Mailing Address:
1755 North 13th Street, Student Center Rm 411 S
City:
Philadelphia
State:
PA
Zip Code:
19122
Program Email:
ATinfo@temple.edu
Phone:
800-204-7428
TTY:
866-268-0579

Lead Agency

Agency Name:
Institute on Disabilities/UCEDD at Temple University
Mailing Address:
1755 N. 13th St., Student Center Rm 411 S
City:
Philadelphia
State:
PA
Zip Code:
19122
Program URL:
http://disabilities.temple.edu

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):
McNally, Sandra
Title:
Assistant Director
Phone:
215-204-3370
E-mail:
smcnally@temple.edu
Program Director at Lead Agency (last, first):
Feinstein, Celia
Title:
Executive Director
Phone:
215-204-6561
E-mail:
celia.feinstein@temple.edu
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):
Mitchell, Karen
Title:
Assistant Vice President, Research Administration
Phone:
215-707-7547
E-mail:
karen.mitchell@temple.edu

State Financing

Did your approved state plan for this reporting period include any State Financing? Yes
Did your approved state plan for this reporting period include conducting a Financial Loan Program? No

B. State Financing Activities that provide consumers with resources and services that result in the acquisition of AT devices and services

1. Overview of Activities Performed

How many other state financing activities that provide consumers with access to funds for the purchase of AT devices and services were included in your approved state plan? 02
Activity 1
How would you describe this state financing activity? telecommunications distribution
2. Geographic Distribution, Number of Individuals Who Acquired AT Devices and Services and Number for whom Performance Measure Data are Collected
Geographic Distribution
County of Residence Individuals Served
A. Metro (RUCC 1-3) 169
B. Non-Metro (RUCC 4-9) 49
C. Total Served 218

Performance Measure Number
Performance Measure Number
D. Excluded from Performance Measure 00
E. Number of Individuals Included in Performance Measures 218

If a number is reported in D you must provide a description of the reason the individuals are excluded from the performance measure:

3. Types and Dollar Amounts of AT Funded
Types and Dollar Amounts of AT Funded
Type of AT Device / Service Number of Devices
Funded
Value of
AT Provided
Vision 57 $68,682
Hearing 220 $42,069
Speech communication 00 $0
Learning, cognition, and developmental 00 $0
Mobility, seating and positioning 00 $0
Daily living 22 $7,016
Environmental adaptations 00 $0
Vehicle modification and transportation 00 $0
Computers and related 00 $0
Recreation, sports, and leisure 00 $0
Total 299 $117,767

Activity 2
How would you describe this state financing activity? last resort activity
2. Geographic Distribution, Number of Individuals Who Acquired AT Devices and Services and Number for whom Performance Measure Data are Collected
Geographic Distribution
County of Residence Individuals Served
A. Metro (RUCC 1-3) 06
B. Non-Metro (RUCC 4-9) 01
C. Total Served 07

Performance Measure Number
Performance Measure Number
D. Excluded from Performance Measure 00
E. Number of Individuals Included in Performance Measures 07

If a number is reported in D you must provide a description of the reason the individuals are excluded from the performance measure:

3. Types and Dollar Amounts of AT Funded
Types and Dollar Amounts of AT Funded
Type of AT Device / Service Number of Devices
Funded
Value of
AT Provided
Vision 02 $400
Hearing 02 $400
Speech communication 01 $150
Learning, cognition, and developmental 00 $0
Mobility, seating and positioning 01 $200
Daily living 01 $200
Environmental adaptations 00 $0
Vehicle modification and transportation 00 $0
Computers and related 00 $0
Recreation, sports, and leisure 00 $0
Total 07 $1,350

C. State Financing Activities that Allow Consumers to Obtain AT at Reduced Cost

1. Overview of Activities Performed

How many state financing activities that allow consumers to obtain AT at a reduced cost were included in your approved state plan? 00

D. Anecdote

A consumer had previously received an iPad and communication app, but the app really did not work for her. The consumer's support team had identified another app, but since other funding had been exhausted, she could not afford the $150 for the app. With the help of her team, she applied to our last resort fund and received full funding for the app. She can now communicate more effectively with everyone! She let us know that she was extremely happy.

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 00 225 225
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 00 225 225
5. None of the above 00 00 00 00
6. Subtotal 00 00 225 225
7. Nonrespondent 00 00 00 00
8. Total 00 00 225 225
9. Performance on this measure NaN% NaN% 100%

F. Customer Satisfaction

Satisfaction
Customer Rating of Services Number of Customers Percent
Highly satisfied 35 15.56%
Satisfied 21 9.33%
Satisfied somewhat 02 0.89%
Not at all satisfied 00 0%
Nonrespondent 167 74.22%
Total Surveyed 225
Response rate % 25.78%

G. Notes:

Performance measures are obtained by a question on program applications. Satisfaction data for telecommunication distribution is challenging. Surveys are mailed with a self-addressed, stamped response envelope, but returns have been lower than normal. Satisfaction data for last resort fund is gathered by phone calls and emails because of the smaller number of participants.

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 5,167
C. Total 5,173

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 5,173

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 02 $290 $0 $290
Speech Communication 01 $99 $0 $99
Learning, Cognition and Developmental 00 $0 $0 $0
Mobility, Seating and Positioning 02 $270 $0 $270
Daily Living 01 $40 $0 $40
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 06 $699 $0 $699

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 29 $22,386 $60 $22,326
Hearing 16 $2,678 $50 $2,628
Speech Communication 16 $34,726 $0 $34,726
Learning, Cognition and Developmental 04 $245 $0 $245
Mobility, Seating and Positioning 3,111 $1,141,391 $10 $1,141,381
Daily Living 3,092 $380,442 $555 $379,887
Environmental Adaptations 74 $27,537 $0 $27,537
Vehicle Modification & Transportation 04 $995 $10 $985
Computers and Related 10 $2,480 $0 $2,480
Recreation, Sports and Leisure 12 $4,950 $0 $4,950
Total 6,368 $1,617,830 $685 $1,617,145

D. Anecdote

Matthew is a 2 year-old living in north central Pennsylvania. His physical therapist recommended a gait trainer, and his family was finding that getting this through early intervention or insurance was an extremely slow process. While navigating through that process, his family contacted the local AT regional center (ATRC) to see if they could obtain a used gait trainer that he could use until he was able to get fitted for his own. The local ATRC did not have one, but another ATRC 200 miles away did have one. A staff member was able to pick it up while on their way to a statewide conference, and was able to then deliver the gait trainer to this little guy -- he got what he needed when he needed it!

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. 17 17 4,359 4,393
2. AT was only available through the AT program. 02 06 325 333
3. AT was available through other programs, but the system was too complex or the wait time too long. 02 01 426 429
4. Subtotal 21 24 5,110 5,155
5. None of the above 00 00 12 12
6. Subtotal 21 24 5,122 5,167
7. Nonrespondent 00 00 06 06
8. Total 21 24 5,128 5,173
9. Performance on this measure 100% 100% 99.65%

F. Customer Satisfaction

Satisfaction
Customer Rating of Services Number of Customers Percent
Highly satisfied 4,861 93.97%
Satisfied 274 5.3%
Satisfied somewhat 31 0.6%
Not at all satisfied 00 0%
Nonrespondent 07 0.14%
Total Surveyed 5,173
Response rate % 99.86%

G. Notes:

Device Loan

A. Short-Term Device Loans by Type of Purpose

Loans By Purpose
Primary Purpose of Short-Term Device Loan Number
Assist in decision-making (device trial or evaluation) 1,095
Serve as loaner during service repair or while waiting for funding 12
Provide an accommodation on a short-term basis for a time-limited event/situation 03
Conduct training, self-education or other professional development activity 135
Total 1,245

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 965
Family Members, Guardians, and Authorized Representatives 08
Representative of Education 101
Representative of Employment 02
Representatives of Health, Allied Health, and Rehabilitation 08
Representatives of Community Living 159
Representatives of Technology 02
Total 1,245

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 165
Hearing 207
Speech Communication 487
Learning, Cognition and Developmental 37
Mobility, Seating and Positioning 24
Daily Living 102
Environmental Adaptations 248
Vehicle Modification and Transportation 00
Computers and Related 102
Recreation, Sports and Leisure 219
Total 1,591

E. Anecdote

MaryKate, is a first-year college student studying nursing in central Pennsylvania. Because of dyslexia, she struggled to take notes and listen at the same time. She borrowed a Livescribe pen and notebook from the device loan program. She found these tools very useful because they made it possible for her to take accurate notes and not miss any information. She discovered that she could listen to the lectures via audio files, and did so during her daily commute. With this additional support, she strengthened her understanding and retention of the academic materials.

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 89 13 347 449
Decided that an AT device/ service will not meet needs 15 00 17 32
Subtotal 104 13 364 481
Have not made a decision 20 01 20 41
Subtotal 124 14 384 522
Nonrespondent 146 16 411 573
Total 270 30 795 1,095
Performance on this measure 59.26% 66.67% 70.44%

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. 04 02 08 14
2. AT was only available through the AT program. 27 04 14 45
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 32 06 22 60
5. None of the above 00 00 00 00
6. Subtotal 32 06 22 60
7. Nonrespondent 21 15 54 90
8. Total 53 21 76 150
9. Performance on this measure 100% 45.11% 100%

H. Customer Satisfaction

Satisfaction
Customer Rating of Services Number of Customers Percent
Highly satisfied 456 36.63%
Satisfied 117 9.4%
Satisfied somewhat 04 0.32%
Not at all satisfied 01 0.08%
Nonrespondent 667 53.57%
Total Surveyed 1,245
Response rate % 46.43%

I. Notes:

Performance measures and satisfaction rates are affected because the majority of our device loans are delivered by a drop-ship method. While this method is more convenient for our borrowers, this means that our regional centers do not have face-to-face contact with the borrowers and therefore try to obtain data through email or telephone follow-up, and many borrowers do not readily respond to these.

Device Demonstration

A. Number of Device Demonstrations by Device Type

Type of AT Device / Service Number of Demonstrations of AT Devices / Services
Vision 57
Hearing 70
Speech Communication 41
Learning, Cognition and Developmental 12
Mobility, Seating and Positioning 05
Daily Living 14
Environmental Adaptations 12
Vehicle Modification and Transportation 00
Computers and Related 08
Recreation, Sports and Leisure 00
Total # of Devices Demonstrated 219

B. Types of Participants

Demonstrations by Participant Type
Type of Participant Number of Participants in Device Demonstrations
Individuals with Disabilities 230
Family Members, Guardians, and Authorized Representatives 149
Representatives of Education 14
Representatives of Employment 06
Health, Allied Health, Rehabilitation 24
Representative of Community Living 59
Representative of Technology 05
Total 487

C. Number of Referrals

Referrals
Type of Entity Number of Referrals
Funding Source (non-AT program) 164
Service Provider 95
Vendor 223
Repair Service 03
Others 00
Total 485

D. Anecdote

David, a 61 year-old photographer, has muscular dystrophy. For the last year and a half, David has not been able to leave his home, and has not been able to take pictures in years. A friend of his arranged for an AT demonstration. The AT staff showed David how to take pictures hands-free using the Tecla-E with switches. He also explored eye gaze and head mouse interfaces to edit photographs. David was ecstatic about this new technology! He plans to borrow items from the device loan program and ultimately intends to purchase the tools he needs to once again be able to take and edit pictures independently.

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 19 06 168 193
Decided that an AT device/ service will not meet needs 00 00 07 07
Subtotal 19 06 175 200
Have not made a decision 02 00 16 18
Subtotal 21 06 191 218
Nonrespondent 00 00 01 01
Total 21 06 192 219
Performance on this measure 90.48% 100% 91.15%

F. Customer Satisfaction

Satisfaction
Customer Rating of Services Number of Customers Percent
Highly satisfied 443 90.97%
Satisfied 38 7.8%
Satisfied somewhat 03 0.62%
Not at all satisfied 00 0%
Nonrespondent 03 0.62%
Total 487
Response rate % 99.38%

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. 21 19 4,592 4,632
2. AT was only available through the AT program. 29 10 339 378
3. AT was available through other programs, but the system was too complex or the wait time too long. 03 01 426 430
4. Subtotal 53 30 5,357 5,440
5. None of the above 00 00 12 12
6. Subtotal 53 30 5,369 5,452
7. Nonrespondent 21 15 60 96
8. Total 74 45 5,429 5,548
9. Performance on this measure 90.91% 76.32% 91.28% 91.17%
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 108 19 515 642
Decided that an AT device/ service will not meet needs 15 00 24 39
Subtotal 123 19 539 681
Have not made a decision 22 01 36 59
Subtotal 145 20 575 740
Nonrespondent 146 16 412 574
Total 291 36 987 1,314
Performance on this measure 62.76% 76% 76.02% 73.23%
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 99.35% 95% Met
Response Rate 88.16% 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 218
Family Members, Guardians and Authorized Representatives 211
Representatives of Education 408
Representatives of Employment 46
Rep Health, Allied Health, and Rehabilitation 76
Representatives of Community Living 365
Representatives of Technology 24
Unable to Categorize 468
TOTAL 1,816

Geographic Distribution of Participants
Metro Non Metro Unknown TOTAL
927 403 486 1,816

B. Training Topics

Trainings by Topic
Primary Topic of Training Participants
AT Products/Services 572
AT Funding/Policy/ Practice 74
Combination of any/all of the above 1,086
Information Technology/Telecommunication Access 48
Transition 36
Total 1,816

B. Description of Training Activities

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

"Consider Communication" was a successful statewide training project. Speech-language pathologists from TechOWL conducted day-long trainings at 5 locations across the commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The primary audience was service providers who are working with people who have difficulty communicating. The central theme was the use of technology, especially tablet-based AAC. Using principles of adult engagement, we covered 48 concepts in 5 modules. The content continues to be available online at aaccommunity.net. Follow-up video chat sessions provided individual support for training attendees.

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

Staff conducted a training on the topic of smartphones and wireless devices and how they can be tools for students' independence as they are transitioning from school into secondary education, employment and the community. This training was a session at the yearly statewide Community of Practice Transition Conference, and coincided with the roll-out of the addition of wireless devices to our statewide Telecommunication Device Distribution Program.

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

AT staff provided a "Keys to Accessible Materials" training for the Pennsylvania Functional Needs Committee. All participants were from health or community-based agencies. Training content included how to create accessible documents and PowerPoint presentations, pointing out the important message that making materials accessible makes their information available to everyone.

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 10
Training or Technique Assistance will be developed or implemented 04
No known outcome at this time 06
Nonrespondent 28
Total 48
Performance Measure Percentage 29.2%
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 7%
Employment 0%
Health, Allied Health, Rehabilitation 0%
Community Living 93%
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:

Staff person who is a speech-language pathologist provided ongoing support to law enforcement and adult protective services in Clarion county regarding a person with complex communication needs and possible abuse. Technical assistance included working with the person, the community staff (including educators, counselors, and investigators) to determine potential AAC use to be used in an interview process with law enforcement. A report was provided to the investigators and a follow-up call was held with the entire investigative team.

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. A national AT Maker's Fair Conference and Expo was organized by one of our regional centers housed in a Center for Independent Living in Southwestern Pennsylvania. This two-day event brought together participants from 20 states as well as two Canadian provinces. Attendees were able to take part in 24 different workshops focused on fabrication of AT for people with disabilities.

2.

Information And Assistance

Information And Assistance Activities by Recipient
Types of Recipients AT Device/
Service
AT Funding Total
Individuals with Disabilities 1,361 952 2,313
Family Members, Guardians and Authorized Representatives 1,001 715 1,716
Representative of Education 160 60 220
Representative of Employment 99 53 152
Representative of Health, Allied Health, and Rehabilitation 486 466 952
Representative of Community Living 573 495 1,068
Representative of Technology 19 09 28
Unable to Categorize 100 14 114
Total 3,799 2,764 6,563

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$187,910Training
Public/State Agency$186,517State Financing
Public/State Agency$80,078State Financing
Federal$316,271State Financing
State Appropriations$388,028Device Loan
Amount: $1,158,804

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 08:48:27 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.