National Assistive Technology Act Data System

Annual Progress Report - Full Report

Texas 2019

General Information

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

State AT Program Title:
Texas Technology Access Program
State AT Program Title:
State AT Program URL
http://techaccess.edb.utexas.edu/
Mailing Address:
10100 Burnet Rd. Bldg. 137 Ste 1.154 MC L4000
City:
Austin
State:
TX
Zip Code:
78758
Program Email:
tcds@austin.utexas.edu
Phone:
512-232-0740
TTY:
512-232-0761

Lead Agency

Agency Name:
The University of Texas at Austin
Mailing Address:
10100 Burnet Rd. Bldg. 137 Ste 1.154 MC L4000
City:
Austin
State:
TX
Zip Code:
78758
Program URL:
https://disabilitystudies.utexas.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):
Angela Standridge
Title:
Director
Phone:
512-232-0751
E-mail:
astandridge@austin.utexas.edu
Program Director at Lead Agency (last, first):
Sharp, Amy Ph.D.
Title:
Executive Director
Phone:
512-232-0745
E-mail:
sharpamy@utexas.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):
Courtney Frazier Swaney
Title:
Associate Director Office of Sponsored Projects
Phone:
512-471-6231
E-mail:
c_frazier@austin.utexas.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? 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? 01
Activity 1
How would you describe this state financing activity? AT Leasing Program
2. Geographic Distribution and Number of Individuals Served
Geographic Distribution
County of Residence Individuals Served
A. Metro (RUCC 1-3) 31
B. Non-Metro (RUCC 4-9) 01
C. Total Served 32

Performance Measure Number
Performance Measure Number
D. Excluded from Performance Measure 00
E. Number of Individuals Included in Performance Measures 32

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 Provided Total Estimated
Current Retail
Purchase Price
Total Price for
Which Devices
Were Sold
Savings
to Consumers
Vision 10 $3,000 $800 $2,200
Hearing 05 $1,500 $400 $1,100
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 and transportation 00 $0 $0 $0
Computers and related 17 $5,100 $1,360 $3,740
Recreation, sports, and leisure 00 $0 $0 $0
Total 32 $9,600 $2,560 $7,040

D. Anecdote

Ms. Vonnye Rice Gardner is one of the most kind, caring and humble women, I have ever met. You wouldn’t know it from meeting her, but Ms. Gardner, was recently featured in Austin’s Juneteenth African American history month as a guest speaker about her quiet life full of achievements . Her Great Grandfather, a former slave, helped establish a school that was named for him in Houston, Texas. Her father, Professor Friendly Rice, was a principal in three different elementary schools in Austin – Rosewood, later named F. R. Rice Secondary School, St John Elementary School, and Blackshear School. During the early 1930s at Blackshear School, he started the first hot lunch program in the South using his own money to feed hungry, lower income children. Her father’s philosophy has been a guiding force in Vonnye’s life: “Leave the student better than when you found them, so they can go forth and help someone else reach their dreams.” She recently won a battle against breast cancer that left her with vison and some mobility issues which keeps her homebound. The Double Click Computer program allows Ms. Gardner to connect with the community, family and former students via social media and internet.

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. 16 11 05 32
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 16 11 05 32
5. None of the above 00 00 00 00
6. Subtotal 16 11 05 32
7. Nonrespondent 00 00 00 00
8. Total 16 11 05 32
9. Performance on this measure 100% 100% 100%

F. Customer Satisfaction

Satisfaction
Customer Rating of Services Number of Customers Percent
Highly satisfied 23 71.88%
Satisfied 09 28.13%
Satisfied somewhat 00 0%
Not at all satisfied 00 0%
Nonrespondent 00 0%
Total Surveyed 32
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 00
B. Device Refurbish/Repair - Reassign and/or Open Ended Loan 1,575
C. Total 1,575

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 1,575

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 27 $6,028 $1,320 $4,708
Hearing 46 $38,671 $960 $37,711
Speech Communication 04 $2,590 $0 $2,590
Learning, Cognition and Developmental 25 $8,957 $0 $8,957
Mobility, Seating and Positioning 1,934 $243,062 $0 $243,062
Daily Living 2,002 $127,899 $0 $127,899
Environmental Adaptations 00 $0 $0 $0
Vehicle Modification & Transportation 03 $3,000 $0 $3,000
Computers and Related 46 $9,604 $5,280 $4,324
Recreation, Sports and Leisure 01 $298 $0 $298
Total 4,088 $440,109 $7,560 $432,549

D. Anecdote

Michelle is a hard-working young woman who enjoys being with her family and active in her community. While dependent on the use of a power chair she does not allow her disability to get in the way of her life. One day her power chair just stopped working leaving her unable to be mobile, independent, and most importantly unable to work to support her family. Although Michelle does have insurance, she was told it would be 8 months to a year before she could get assistance with repairs needed. She also tried to reach out to the company who she initially received the chair from, but the repairs would be too costly. Thankfully her coworkers put out a call to action for help on United Way’s Bexar Necessities platform and Project MEND yielded the call. Project MEND was able to repair Michelle’s power chair and get her back to work and being active in her community. Her co-workers are so happy to have her back in the office. We at Project MEND are so thankful we were able to restore her mobility and independence back. As Michelle’s co-worker so brilliantly put it “It takes a village to make things happened and it was proven from the support Michelle received”.Project MEND was able to repair Michelle’s power chair due to generous equipment donations we receive from the community. Please consider donating your used medical equipment to Project MEND so that we can help others like Michelle in the community. #Donate-Reuse-Repeat.

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. 35 16 1,524 1,575
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 35 16 1,524 1,575
5. None of the above 00 00 00 00
6. Subtotal 35 16 1,524 1,575
7. Nonrespondent 00 00 00 00
8. Total 35 16 1,524 1,575
9. Performance on this measure 100% 100% 100%

F. Customer Satisfaction

Satisfaction
Customer Rating of Services Number of Customers Percent
Highly satisfied 812 51.56%
Satisfied 27 1.71%
Satisfied somewhat 00 0%
Not at all satisfied 00 0%
Nonrespondent 736 46.73%
Total Surveyed 1,575
Response rate % 53.27%

G. Notes:

Anectdote from Project Mend:“When Alex first saw the chair and sat in it, he had a big smile on his face. Thank you for all you do to support families in our community!” – Alexander’s Parents; Alexander is a 15 year old living with Autism, Tourette and Hypotonia, a combination of developmental and neurological conditions that cause Alex to struggle with irritability, impulsivity and lethargy when engaging in community activities and outings. When Alex’s caseworker noticed that he was experiencing difficulties during community outings resulting in added stress on his parents, she referred Alex to our program for assistance in acquiring a specialized chair. Through our Medical Equipment Reuse Program, Alex received a professionally refurbished and sanitized Lightweight Sport Wheelchair. Alex and his family can now visit his favorite places, like SeaWorld, San Antonio Zoo and Morgan’s Wonderland, with the comfort of knowing that Alex has a safe and reliable place to rest.

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) 217
Serve as loaner during service repair or while waiting for funding 00
Provide an accommodation on a short-term basis for a time-limited event/situation 00
Conduct training, self-education or other professional development activity 01
Total 218

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 217
Family Members, Guardians, and Authorized Representatives 00
Representative of Education 00
Representative of Employment 01
Representatives of Health, Allied Health, and Rehabilitation 00
Representatives of Community Living 00
Representatives of Technology 00
Total 218

C. Length of Short-Term Device Loans

Length of Short-Term Device Loan in Days 30

D. Types of Devices Loaned

Types of Devices Loaned
Type of AT Device Number
Vision 25
Hearing 22
Speech Communication 231
Learning, Cognition and Developmental 76
Mobility, Seating and Positioning 03
Daily Living 08
Environmental Adaptations 59
Vehicle Modification and Transportation 00
Computers and Related 21
Recreation, Sports and Leisure 00
Total 445

E. Anecdote

I work in an inner city school district in San Antonio, Texas. It is hard for me to explain how much the Texas Technology Access Program has helped our students. I borrow equipment to help me determine the student needs. Our school district cannot afford to keep an AT library in stock for me to evaluate our non-verbal and limited verbal students. There are so many different devices and different sizes of devices that to keep that much equipment for me just to evaluate would be a disservice to our students. The Texas Technology Access Program has provided equipment on a loaner basis to me to evaluate numerous students on a variety of types of equipment to ensure that I find the best solution for each individual student. The Texas Technology Access Program helps me to change lives and help our students to function at their highest capacity. We have borrowed equipment from the program for several students, evaluated, and then either asked the district to provide the correct equipment for them or used the information from my evaluation to seek outside funding for their own personal equipment. I have been seen students go from being non-verbal and unable to speak to being able to communicate effectively to get their wants and needs met. I am grateful for the Texas Technology Access Program and to the staff that run it. It not only helps me with my job, but it helps me obtain what I need to enable students to communicate, and fulfill their highest potential.

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 129 07 67 203
Decided that an AT device/ service will not meet needs 00 00 00 00
Subtotal 129 07 67 203
Have not made a decision 00 00 00 00
Subtotal 129 07 67 203
Nonrespondent 12 00 02 14
Total 141 07 69 217
Performance on this measure 100% 100% 100%

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 00 00 00
2. AT was only available through the AT program. 00 01 00 01
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 01 00 01
5. None of the above 00 00 00 00
6. Subtotal 00 01 00 01
7. Nonrespondent 00 00 00 00
8. Total 00 01 00 01
9. Performance on this measure NaN% 100% NaN%

H. Customer Satisfaction

Satisfaction
Customer Rating of Services Number of Customers Percent
Highly satisfied 198 90.83%
Satisfied 04 1.83%
Satisfied somewhat 00 0%
Not at all satisfied 00 0%
Nonrespondent 16 7.34%
Total Surveyed 218
Response rate % 92.66%

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 205
Hearing 112
Speech Communication 75
Learning, Cognition and Developmental 23
Mobility, Seating and Positioning 07
Daily Living 88
Environmental Adaptations 07
Vehicle Modification and Transportation 12
Computers and Related 91
Recreation, Sports and Leisure 00
Total # of Devices Demonstrated 620

B. Types of Participants

Demonstrations by Participant Type
Type of Participant Number of Participants in Device Demonstrations
Individuals with Disabilities 309
Family Members, Guardians, and Authorized Representatives 38
Representatives of Education 41
Representatives of Employment 15
Health, Allied Health, Rehabilitation 07
Representative of Community Living 208
Representative of Technology 02
Total 620

C. Number of Referrals

Referrals
Type of Entity Number of Referrals
Funding Source (non-AT program) 108
Service Provider 30
Vendor 07
Repair Service 00
Others 00
Total 145

D. Anecdote

Client has complete blindness and some hearing loss from an accident. His needs for AT from us were to try hearing devices to see what would assist him best. I showed him the Pocket Talker 2.0 as well as the Comfort Contego FM System. After trying them both he felt they both could help him and has borrowed the devices to use in his day to day in order to compare and determine which will be the best choice for his situation.

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 47 57 429 533
Decided that an AT device/ service will not meet needs 15 17 55 87
Subtotal 62 74 484 620
Have not made a decision 00 00 00 00
Subtotal 62 74 484 620
Nonrespondent 00 00 00 00
Total 62 74 484 620
Performance on this measure 100% 100% 100%

F. Customer Satisfaction

Satisfaction
Customer Rating of Services Number of Customers Percent
Highly satisfied 415 66.94%
Satisfied 195 31.45%
Satisfied somewhat 00 0%
Not at all satisfied 00 0%
Nonrespondent 10 1.61%
Total 620
Response rate % 98.39%

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. 51 27 1,529 1,607
2. AT was only available through the AT program. 00 01 00 01
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 51 28 1,529 1,608
5. None of the above 00 00 00 00
6. Subtotal 51 28 1,529 1,608
7. Nonrespondent 00 00 00 00
8. Total 51 28 1,529 1,608
9. Performance on this measure 100% 100% 100% 100%
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 176 64 496 736
Decided that an AT device/ service will not meet needs 15 17 55 87
Subtotal 191 81 551 823
Have not made a decision 00 00 00 00
Subtotal 191 81 551 823
Nonrespondent 12 00 02 14
Total 203 81 553 837
Performance on this measure 100% 100% 100% 100%
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 68.83% 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 263
Family Members, Guardians and Authorized Representatives 217
Representatives of Education 385
Representatives of Employment 10
Rep Health, Allied Health, and Rehabilitation 362
Representatives of Community Living 00
Representatives of Technology 60
Unable to Categorize 01
TOTAL 1,298

Geographic Distribution of Participants
Metro Non Metro Unknown TOTAL
950 82 266 1,298

B. Training Topics

Trainings by Topic
Primary Topic of Training Participants
AT Products/Services 120
AT Funding/Policy/ Practice 00
Combination of any/all of the above 766
Information Technology/Telecommunication Access 407
Transition 05
Total 1,298

B. Description of Training Activities

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

TTAP has been providing the Texas Workforce Commission AT specialists with monthly webinars. Additionally, TTAP provided training sessions on augmentative and alternative communicaton at the Inclusion Works Conference in April 2019, and the Downs Syndrom Conference in September 2019.

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

TTAP fiscally sponsored national presenters at the Texas AT Network Conference June 19-20, 2019. There were over 700 public school and rehabilaition AT profesisoanls at the conference. These presetners offered robust, extended full day presentations. TTAP also provided sessions at the Greater Houston Disability Chanber of Commerce Job Fair on AT and Transition, and AT in the Job Setting.

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

TTAP provided training sessions for college students in the School of Nursing on creating accessible surveys for doctoral reasearch.

D. IT/Telecommunications Training Performance Measure

IT/Telecommunications Training Performance Measure
Outcome/Result From IT/Telecommunications Training Received Number
IT and Telecommunications Procurement or Dev Policies 00
Training or Technique Assistance will be developed or implemented 00
No known outcome at this time 00
Nonrespondent 407
Total 407
Performance Measure Percentage 0%
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 100%
Health, Allied Health, Rehabilitation 0%
Community Living 0%
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:

I could find no records from time before I took the Director position in July 2019. I did initiate a long term technical assistance project with the TX Workforce Commission to provide monthly webinar based training for their 29 AT Specialists. The first of these webinars occurred in Sept 2019.

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

The first webinar for TWC addressed accessability features built into MS Windows 10. In addition to the webinar, screen casts of how to set up some of the more powerful accessability tools (on-screen keyboard, text to speech, and speeh to text) were uploaded to a cloud folder where participants could view on demand. A handout of additional links and resources was also provided. Subsequent monthly webinar topcs will be: Chrome/Google Docs biult in tools, Apple IOS built ion tools, AAC apps on iPads, Mangification software and hardware, etc.

C. Notes:

I could not find data prior to my emplyment July 2019

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. Abilities Expo Houston: 7713 adults, 2000 children

2. Distribution of TTAP brochures to a variety of agencies, non profits, consumers: 2490 Various presentations and "vendor" tables at local conference, job fiars etc. by demo centers: 3104

Information And Assistance

Information And Assistance Activities by Recipient
Types of Recipients AT Device/
Service
AT Funding Total
Individuals with Disabilities 264 586 850
Family Members, Guardians and Authorized Representatives 86 110 196
Representative of Education 370 160 530
Representative of Employment 284 254 538
Representative of Health, Allied Health, and Rehabilitation 42 58 100
Representative of Community Living 34 60 94
Representative of Technology 14 04 18
Unable to Categorize 00 00 00
Total 1,094 1,232 2,326

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 08:49:43 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.