National Assistive Technology Act Data System

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

Lead Agency

Implementing Entity

Program Director and Other Contacts

Person Responsible for completing this form if other than Program Director

Certifying Representative

2. Income of Applicants to Whom Loans Were Made

3. Loan Type

4. Interest Rates

5. Types and Dollar Amounts of AT Financed

6. Defaults

G. Notes:

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

39 items are not included in the performance measure because 30 walkers went to a hospital in Huntsville, 4 canes to First Stop homeless shelter in Huntsville, and 5 walkers to a long-term care facility. These items were grouped together under a single entry for each entity (hospital, homeless shelter, and long-term care facility), and not listed as 39 separate items.

G. Notes:

I. Notes:

Although the Short-term Loan activity is included in our approved State Plan, there were no numbers to report as the subcontract conducting this activity was terminated. STAR continued to seek another partner/entity to carry out the activities, but was unsuccessful during this fiscal year reporting period.

G. Notes:

Although the AT Demonstration activity is included in our approved State Plan, there were no numbers to report as the subcontract conducting this activity was terminated. STAR continued to seek another partner/entity to carry out the activities, but was unsuccessful during this fiscal year reporting period.

C. Description of Training Activities

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

SLPs in all work environments across the State of Alabama will come face-to-face with non-verbal communicators who either utilize augmentative/alternative communication devices (ACDs) or are in need of an ACD. SLPs who work with current device users may need to submit requests for repair to payer sources, but without the correct information, they cannot obtain the needed repair. Most SLPs are unfamiliar with the evaluation requirements and process for obtaining a funded ACD. In August, 2020, training via a webinar was conducted with 23 SLPS took a broad look at all available payer sources, requirements for qualified evaluators, and determining medical necessity. Next, in-depth instruction on specific requirements for obtaining funding through the Alabama Medicaid Agency for an augmentative communication device was provided, including addressing each report section. During this, ACDs as defined by Alabama Medicaid, along with specific Medicaid requirements and forms were explained and reviewed. Finally, compliance and liability issues, avoiding fraud, and a discussion of the leading causes of claims errors and denials were addressed.

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

In August, 2020, Smart Home Automation for Independent Living virtual training was provided to 32 participants (Representatives of Health/Allied Health and Rehabilitation, Community Living, University/Education). The training objectives were to: 1) Learn more about emerging home automation technologies and how they can help facilitate independent living and provide caregiver support; 2) Understand how commercially available/off-the-shelf home automation devices are not always accessible for persons with disabilities; and 3) How emerging state-of-the-art home automation technologies designed for person with disabilities can help fix that - Not a one size fits all! The training also included the following: 1) Overview of Home Automation as an Assistive Technology; 2) What a person with a disability could use home automation to control; 3) Access methods for home automation systems and why they are important; 4) How caregivers can use technology to support their loved ones remotely / virtually; 5) Funding sources for assistive technology. Off-the-shelf home automation devices are not designed for persons with disabilities. Persons with disabilities have trouble toggling between multiple “apps” for home automation. Amazon Echo and Google Home, while serving a subset of our users, have limited capabilities, are not available on all platforms, and do not support all access methods. Service providers and installers specializing in home tech for persons with disabilities are virtually non-existent. This information is vital to individuals with disabilities and their caregivers when transitioning to live independently in their homes and communities. Information was also shared about different funding streams including Medicaid Waiver programs.

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

A total of 90 individuals accessed and completed StarTrainin.org online training modules that included the following: ALS, Voice Banking/Speech Amplification; Alternative Computer Access; Apple; Apple Accessibility; Communication Devices; Read and Write Google; TherapyMouse from Mobility Research Demo; Top iPad Applications for Autism; Windows 8; and Windows Accessibility. Due to limited staff and time dedicated to this activity, no additional information was presented regarding specific outcomes. However, STAR will be updating the information and developing new training modules as well as monitoring future access for additional training needs.

E. Notes:

It is highly likely that trainings opportunities and numbers, especially onsite, were greatly impacted by COVID-19.

B. Description of Technical Assistance

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

N/A

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

In August, 2020, Smart Home Automation for Independent Living virtual training was provided to 32 participants (Representatives of Health/Allied Health/Rehabilitation, Community Living and Education). The training objectives were to: 1) Learn more about emerging home automation technologies and how they can help facilitate independent living and provide caregiver support; 2) Understand how commercially available/off-the-shelf home automation devices are not always accessible for persons with disabilities; 3) Emerging state-of-the-art home automation technologies designed for person with disabilities can help fix that - Not a one size fits all! As a result of the training, several participants/support coordinators in the training requested more detailed information, additional training and documentation in order to start the process for the persons they serve. In addition to mass market access methods involving touch and voice, alternative access methods such as switch scanning and ey

C. Notes:

Technical Assistance activities (especially in-person, hands on) were significantly, negatively impacted by COVID-19.

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. The Montgomery VA Regional Office held a Veterans Experience Action Center (VEAC) at the Cramton Bowl Multiplex in Montgomery, Alabama, on Wednesday, February 5, 2020. Congressional representatives from Senator Doug Jones, Senator Richard Shelby, Congressman Mike Rogers, Congressman Robert Aderholt and Congresswoman Terri Sewell’s offices were in attendance to support the event. In total, more than 1,100 people attended the event. This year there was a total of 82 Community Partners that collaborated with the VEAC. STAR was invited to attend to share information and resources about the program and additional /alternative services that are available to veterans with regards to assistive technology devices and services. As a result of attending this event, STAR was invited to speak on two (2) occasions to the VA staff (OTs, PTs and Social Workers) about its programs and services and entertain entering into a MOU to assist veterans and collect durable medical equipment that is returned by veterans and/or their family members. This event also presented and opportunity for STAR to meet and network with old and new organizations. This event continues to be a tremendous success for the Montgomery VA Regional Office and community partners to provide needed services to Veterans and their families. The opportunity to serve many Veterans and their families in this capacity is not a daily occurrence and being able to network and provide on-site assistance and information was a very rewarding aspect of this event. .

2. STAR attended its second invitation tot the Successful Aging Initiative (SAI), an annual event that join forces with other local organizations to deliver educational outreach to address issues relevant to the aging which include, but not limited to, health care, leisure time, family relationships, housing, societal and economic considerations. SAI is a FREE one-day event designed to address the needs and concerns of the older adults by providing information and resources to help them make informed decisions, maintain independence, play active roles in society, and to improve the quality of life for themselves, their families and caregivers. STAR was invited to join the Advisory and Planning Committee in an effort to explore and identify future needs/issues and AT related to older adults which was halted to COVID-19. STAR, along with vendors and community partners, provided information and resources to 600+ older adults, caregivers, practitioners, family members, and volunteers. STAR anticipates an increase in referrals for the reutilization and alternative finance programs. As a result of networking with many old and new organizations, STAR also anticipates an increase in invitations to conduct presentations to various organizations across the state that serve the aging population.

Notes:

As reflected in previous reports, most requests were made by family members, individuals with disabilities, and representatives of health, allied health and rehabilitation respectively. The number of requests are lower this year due to two factors: 1) The COVID-19 pandemic and; 2) Having no designated staff for five (5) months to man the 800# where the majority of the requests are generated. It is speculative that the number of requests would have been higher under ordinary or normal circumstances. Historically, requests from representatives of Education and Employment have been low.