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:

G. Notes:

Our AT Exchange and Refurbishment activities were significantly reduced this year by three events: 1) The promotion of a part-time staff member who was doing the vast majority of our refurbishing activities to a full time position. 2) The cancelation of our in person conference due to COVID-19. We generally are able to market a wide variety of Reuse devices to participants at this conference. 3) The promotion of one of our ATS's to the AzTAP Program Director position. When we have hired a new ATS and and after COVID-19 when we are able to return to regular client services we are hoping to secure a volunteer to assist us with our device refurbishment activities and increase our numbers.

I. Notes:

The AzTAP general equipment loan program continued uninterrupted through COVID-19. Our ADE equipment loan program however due to COVID-19 saw a sharp decline in the number of loans due the closure of schools and the transition to online learning. As a result our overall number of devices loaned has been substantially reduced over last years total.

G. Notes:

Due to COVID-19 AzTAP experienced a significant decline from last year device demonstration services. Since March 2020 our number of demonstration referrals has declined significantly. When possible and appropriate virtual demonstration services were offered and encouraged but they were not often not accepted. Internal issues with a contracted funding source also impacted our device demonstration numbers this year.

C. Description of Training Activities

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

AzTAP was asked to provide a training for a local private school that incorporates learning about persons with disabilities and their needs into its curriculum starting in the 1st grade. They teach them about different disabilities and then have a guest speaker to discuss what it is like for them living with their disability. When they get to second grade, they learn what AT is and how it can assist a person with a disability. AzTAP & our Department of Education (ADE) program staff came together to run this training. We divided the group of fifty five second grade children into three groups. We first discussed with each group how someone with a disability may do an activity and they provided us with ideas and all sorts of possibilities. We then set up stations of AT devices from the following categories; hearing, vision, computers, speech, daily living and games/sports. We reviewed each one of the AT devices with each group and how a person with a disability could use each item. Everyone, including the teachers and the aids asked several questions about the devices. There were a few second graders that even came up with future AT possibilities to help individuals with disabilities.

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

Due to COVID-19 our full annual assistive technology conference was modified to a smaller virtual format this year. As part of that event AzTAP and our Department of Education partner hosted the following workshop “Pump the Brakes: Merging Assistive Technology & Transition Planning”. This workshop focused on strategies to support students with high incidence disabilities in understanding and prioritizing their post-secondary AT needs. Participants were able to discover or refine strategies that will prepare them with identifying appropriate AT and ways to support the instruction of the use of the tool (s) within the transition planning process. Hypothetical examples of AT will be presented, and connections will be made to the various post-secondary environments (employment, education/training, and independent living).

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

Due to COVID-19 our full annual assistive technology conference was modified to a smaller virtual format this year. As part of that event AzTAP and an Accessibility Analyst with our parent organization hosted the following workshop “ Demystifying Web Accessibility”. The workshops main focus was on taking some of the mystery or unknowns out of website accessibility. Workshop participants learned how accessibility and usability relate and if you follow universal design practices and have a good foundation that better accessibility is an attainable result. Specific information was provided on the four foundational principles of Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), the requirement for Public Education Agency (PEA’s) to provide accessible instructional materials on their website as well as the importance of “hands on testing” instead of automated accessibility testing. Workshop participants received a resource list to help them get started on the right track.

E. Notes:

Under COVID-19 AzTAP has shifted our training services when possible to a virtual format. We will continue to do this until we can return to in person training services.

B. Description of Technical Assistance

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

AzTAP was contacted by a staff member with a training services provider that provides training for Forestry Department and other government employees. They had a situation with an employee who was Deaf that worked in a rural environment. They were having a hard time finding/getting reliable ASL interpreter services for her. Unfortunately, they did not have reliable cellular or Wi-Fi coverage in the area for remote interpreting style services. Our customer was needing suggestions on AT options that their organization could explore to better accommodate her auditory communication needs in a variety of settings. Our ATS explored low and mid tech options/strategies with the organization that did not require a connection to operate such as the employee self ID’ing to with an “I’m Deaf” button; a Boogie Board and iPad/iPhone iOS AAC ASL/English interpretation, writing and typing to text iOS Apps.

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

AzTAP did not have a Technical Assistance project request that was related to transition.

C. Notes:

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. AzTAP staff was asked to do an overview presentation on our programs and services for the city of Phoenix Mayor's Commission on Disability Issues. Normally, this presentation would be done in person at one of their monthly meetings; but, due to COVID-19 we provided it virtually via Zoom. A fully accessible PowerPoint was prepared and provided to the Commission and their participants. During the Zoom presentation we reviewed the salient features of each our services for device demonstration, equipment loan (both AzTAP and ADE programs), our Reuse services, alternative financing program, training program as well as technical assistance. We were also able to give an overview of how COVID-19 was impacting the delivery of each activity and relay that our current COVID-19 operational plan was available on the homepage of our website. At the conclusion of the presentation we took questions about our program services as well as AT needs in general. Participants were provided with AzTAP's contact information as well as how to make referrals.

2.

Notes:

Due to COVID-19 AzTAP experienced a significant decline in the number of I & A contacts over last year.