National Assistive Technology Act Data System

Annual Progress Report - Full Report

Vermont 2020

General Information

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

State AT Program Title:
Vermont Assistive Technology Program
State AT Program Title:
State AT Program URL
www.atp.vt.gov
Mailing Address:
NOB 1 North, 280 State Drive
City:
Waterbury
State:
Vermont
Zip Code:
05671
Program Email:
dail.atinfo@vermont.gov
Phone:
802-241-0285
TTY:
802-241-0341

Lead Agency

Agency Name:
Vermont Vocational Rehabilitation
Mailing Address:
HC 2 South 280 State Drive
City:
Waterbury
State:
Vermont
Zip Code:
05671
Program URL:
www.vocrehab.vt.gov

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):
Phillip Seiler
Title:
Program Director
Phone:
802-241-0312
E-mail:
phillip.seiler@vermont.gov
Program Director at Lead Agency (last, first):
Title:
Phone:
E-mail:
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):
Diane Dalmasse
Title:
DVR Director
Phone:
802-241-0317
E-mail:
diane.dalmasse@vermont.gov

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 09 29 38
Approved Not made 00 00 00
Rejected 00 00 00
Total 09 29 38

2. Income of Applicants to Whom Loans Were Made

Lowest/Highest Incomes
Lowest Income: $8,370 Highest Income: $158,189

Average Income
Sum of Incomes Loans Made Average Annual Income
$2,330,219 38 $61,322

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 07 07 03 03 14 38
Percentage of Loans 10.53% 18.42% 18.42% 7.89% 7.89% 36.84% 100%

3. Loan Type

Loan Type
Type of Loan Number of Loans Percentage of loans
Revolving Loans 38 100%
Partnership Loans
Without interest buy-down or loan guarantee 00 0%
With interest buy-down only 00 0%
With loan guarantee only 00 0%
With both interest buy-down and loan guarantee 00 0%
Total 38 100%

Loan Type Summary
Type of Loan Number of Loans Dollar Value of Loans
Revolving Loans 38 $340,972
Partnership Loans 00 $0
Total 38 $340,972

4. Interest Rates

Interest Rates
Lowest 3%
Highest 3%

Interest Rate Summary
Sum of Interest Rates Number of Loans Made Average Interest Rate
114 38 3%

Number of Loans Made by Interest Rate
Interest Rate Number of loans
0.0% to 2.0% 00
2.1% to 4.0% 38
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 38

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 00 $0
Hearing 30 $123,876
Speech communication 02 $8,785
Learning, cognition, and developmental 00 $0
Mobility, seating and positioning 01 $5,548
Daily living 01 $30,600
Environmental adaptations 00 $0
Vehicle modification and transportation 05 $171,129
Computers and related 01 $1,034
Recreation, sports, and leisure 00 $0
Total 40 $340,972

6. Defaults

Defaults
Number Loans in default 00
Net loss for loans in default $0

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

Modified Vehicles- Borrower who had been having issues with getting proper transportation to appointments and doctors’ visits. They had not had a proper vehicles for transportation and were using services or friends which made timing always difficult. They were able to acquire a loan for a used modified vehicle and have not looked back since. They were delighted to have a program with a loan interest rate to acquire this vehicle

Impact Area

Dentures- borrower who worked a frontline position, who had been embarrassed to show teeth or smile at job, was able to get an IF loan for dentures, and now feels more confident at work and out in public

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 00 00
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 00 00
5. None of the above 00 00 38 38
6. Subtotal 00 00 38 38
7. Nonrespondent 00 00 00 00
8. Total 00 00 38 38
9. Performance on this measure NaN% NaN% 0%

F. Customer Satisfaction

Satisfaction
Customer Rating of Services Number of Customers Percent
Highly satisfied 13 34.21%
Satisfied 24 63.16%
Satisfied somewhat 00 0%
Not at all satisfied 00 0%
Nonrespondent 01 2.63%
Total Surveyed 38
Response rate % 97.37%

G. Notes:

Reutilization

A. Number of Recipients of Reused Devices

Activity Number of Individuals Receiving a Device from Activity
A. Device Exchange 17
B. Device Refurbish/Repair - Reassign and/or Open Ended Loan 07
C. Total 24

Performance Measure
D. Device Exchange - Excluded from Performance Measure 10
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 01
F. Number of Individuals Included in Performance Measures 13

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

VATP was unable to follow-up with consumers that did not respond to performance measures because of resources constraints as a result of COVID.

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 01 $60 $0 $60
Speech Communication 01 $45 $0 $45
Learning, Cognition and Developmental 01 $100 $0 $100
Mobility, Seating and Positioning 07 $36,994 $2,200 $34,794
Daily Living 02 $8,200 $0 $8,200
Environmental Adaptations 00 $0 $0 $0
Vehicle Modification & Transportation 00 $0 $0 $0
Computers and Related 05 $1,484 $0 $1,484
Recreation, Sports and Leisure 00 $0 $0 $0
Total 17 $46,883 $2,200 $44,683

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 00 $0 $0 $0
Hearing 04 $693 $0 $693
Speech Communication 00 $0 $0 $0
Learning, Cognition and Developmental 00 $0 $0 $0
Mobility, Seating and Positioning 00 $0 $0 $0
Daily Living 01 $725 $0 $725
Environmental Adaptations 01 $0 $0 $0
Vehicle Modification & Transportation 00 $0 $0 $0
Computers and Related 01 $199 $0 $199
Recreation, Sports and Leisure 00 $0 $0 $0
Total 07 $1,617 $0 $1,617

D. Anecdote

A user was able to pass on a Hydraulic Patient Lift to a family who needed one. The family who received it lived with an individual who had recently had a stroke. Because the stroke took away this person’s ability to move from place to place independently, the hydraulic lift allowed greater ease for the person who had the stroke and their caretakers. They did not previously own this type of equipment. Hydraulic lifts can cost from $400-$1000, or more, depending on the needed features. The person who gave the equipment to the family was very pleased that they were able to find a home for the equipment, and also that there was no cost involved. They donated the item to the family

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 00 05 06
2. AT was only available through the AT program. 01 00 04 05
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 00 11 13
5. None of the above 00 00 00 00
6. Subtotal 02 00 11 13
7. Nonrespondent 00 00 00 00
8. Total 02 00 11 13
9. Performance on this measure 100% NaN% 100%

F. Customer Satisfaction

Satisfaction
Customer Rating of Services Number of Customers Percent
Highly satisfied 19 79.17%
Satisfied 04 16.67%
Satisfied somewhat 00 0%
Not at all satisfied 00 0%
Nonrespondent 01 4.17%
Total Surveyed 24
Response rate % 95.83%

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) 234
Serve as loaner during service repair or while waiting for funding 06
Provide an accommodation on a short-term basis for a time-limited event/situation 11
Conduct training, self-education or other professional development activity 16
Total 267

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 102
Family Members, Guardians, and Authorized Representatives 25
Representative of Education 66
Representative of Employment 04
Representatives of Health, Allied Health, and Rehabilitation 54
Representatives of Community Living 11
Representatives of Technology 05
Total 267

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 10
Hearing 62
Speech Communication 29
Learning, Cognition and Developmental 58
Mobility, Seating and Positioning 20
Daily Living 69
Environmental Adaptations 06
Vehicle Modification and Transportation 00
Computers and Related 185
Recreation, Sports and Leisure 07
Total 446

E. Anecdote

A family has been borrowing an iPad since March for AAC since the school SLP could not come. (VATP has been extending loan periods during the pandemic for sanitation and logistical reasons.) The family is still using the iPad successfully, and mom sends regular updates. The client's behaviors have significantly reduced, the family is able to know what he wants to eat, and he has gone 6 days in a row without diaper or accident because he is using the device to request the bathroom.

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 60 37 56 153
Decided that an AT device/ service will not meet needs 16 12 19 47
Subtotal 76 49 75 200
Have not made a decision 13 10 06 29
Subtotal 89 59 81 229
Nonrespondent 03 02 00 05
Total 92 61 81 234
Performance on this measure 85.39% 83.05% 92.59%

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. 03 01 02 06
2. AT was only available through the AT program. 11 02 09 22
3. AT was available through other programs, but the system was too complex or the wait time too long. 01 01 01 03
4. Subtotal 15 04 12 31
5. None of the above 01 00 00 01
6. Subtotal 16 04 12 32
7. Nonrespondent 01 00 00 01
8. Total 17 04 12 33
9. Performance on this measure 93.75% 100% 100%

H. Customer Satisfaction

Satisfaction
Customer Rating of Services Number of Customers Percent
Highly satisfied 211 79.03%
Satisfied 46 17.23%
Satisfied somewhat 03 1.12%
Not at all satisfied 01 0.37%
Nonrespondent 06 2.25%
Total Surveyed 267
Response rate % 97.75%

I. Notes:

The loan program was temporarily suspended from March through June because of COVID. Access to state offices, and thus AT Inventory has been severely curtailed. We did extend outstanding loans during this period. The loan program is back functioning but at reduced capacity.

Device Demonstration

A. Number of Device Demonstrations by Device Type

Type of AT Device / Service Number of Demonstrations of AT Devices / Services
Vision 07
Hearing 25
Speech Communication 19
Learning, Cognition and Developmental 74
Mobility, Seating and Positioning 02
Daily Living 13
Environmental Adaptations 14
Vehicle Modification and Transportation 00
Computers and Related 36
Recreation, Sports and Leisure 01
Total # of Devices Demonstrated 191

B. Types of Participants

Demonstrations by Participant Type
Type of Participant Number of Participants in Device Demonstrations
Individuals with Disabilities 159
Family Members, Guardians, and Authorized Representatives 53
Representatives of Education 32
Representatives of Employment 51
Health, Allied Health, Rehabilitation 21
Representative of Community Living 12
Representative of Technology 08
Total 336

C. Number of Referrals

Referrals
Type of Entity Number of Referrals
Funding Source (non-AT program) 29
Service Provider 25
Vendor 109
Repair Service 00
Others 03
Total 166

D. Anecdote

A client who had been sent to the VATP to try out equipment for students ended up having bone conduction headphones demoed for their own use. In their own words, they say that they "...discovered a whole new way to listen to music, ( a first in my whole life). This is huge for me, as I feel, with my being deaf, and having to hear with a bone conduction hearing aid, I’ve listened to music in “2D”. I am blown away by how I can hear music now with the headphones.. I was in tears the other day bc it was the first time in my life I could hear that depth of music .. it was like surround sound to me."

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 43 75 44 162
Decided that an AT device/ service will not meet needs 00 04 01 05
Subtotal 43 79 45 167
Have not made a decision 04 17 02 23
Subtotal 47 96 47 190
Nonrespondent 00 00 01 01
Total 47 96 48 191
Performance on this measure 91.49% 82.29% 93.75%

F. Customer Satisfaction

Satisfaction
Customer Rating of Services Number of Customers Percent
Highly satisfied 281 83.63%
Satisfied 53 15.77%
Satisfied somewhat 00 0%
Not at all satisfied 01 0.3%
Nonrespondent 01 0.3%
Total 336
Response rate % 99.7%

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. 04 01 07 12
2. AT was only available through the AT program. 12 02 13 27
3. AT was available through other programs, but the system was too complex or the wait time too long. 01 01 03 05
4. Subtotal 17 04 23 44
5. None of the above 01 00 38 39
6. Subtotal 18 04 61 83
7. Nonrespondent 01 00 00 01
8. Total 19 04 61 84
9. Performance on this measure 88.89% 75% 32.79% 46.99%
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 103 112 100 315
Decided that an AT device/ service will not meet needs 16 16 20 52
Subtotal 119 128 120 367
Have not made a decision 17 27 08 52
Subtotal 136 155 128 419
Nonrespondent 03 02 01 06
Total 139 157 129 425
Performance on this measure 87.5% 82.58% 93.02% 87.38%
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 99.24% 95% Met
Response Rate 98.65% 90% Met

Training

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

Training by Participant Type
Type of Participant Number
Individuals with Disabilities 00
Family Members, Guardians and Authorized Representatives 00
Representatives of Education 01
Representatives of Employment 00
Rep Health, Allied Health, and Rehabilitation 02
Representatives of Community Living 00
Representatives of Technology 01
Unable to Categorize 00
TOTAL 04

Geographic Distribution of Participants
Metro Non Metro Unknown TOTAL
01 03 00 04

B. Training Topics

Trainings by Topic
Primary Topic of Training Participants
AT Products/Services 04
AT Funding/Policy/ Practice 00
Combination of any/all of the above 00
Information Technology/Telecommunication Access 00
Transition 00
Total 04

C. Description of Training Activities

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

VATP provided a training on Switch access to a small group of providers and interested parties.

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

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

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 Technical Assistance will be developed or implemented 00
No known outcome at this time 00
Nonrespondent 00
Total 00
Performance Measure Percentage NaN%
ACL Target Percentage 70%
Met/Not Met Not Met

E. Notes:

Other training activities for the year were postponed because of COVID.

Technical Assistance

A. Frequency and Nature of Technical Assistance

Technical Assistance by Recipient Type
Education 0%
Employment 0%
Health, Allied Health, Rehabilitation 100%
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:

VATP worked in conjunction with a cross section of state entities and delegates to deploy an inventory of iPads to facilities being repurposed for COVID overflow. The devices would specifically support accessible telehealth with our state health providers. State policies on masks, lockdowns, and other activities managed to keep numbers low enough in the state that ultimately these facilities were not needed.

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. The Vermont Assistive Technology Program launched a weekly assistive technology newsletter in 2020 to replace some monthly open house events that we had been holding that were impactful but very labor intensive. The newsletter has proven to be a better solution to reaching new audiences and covering topics that we don't always explore. We have tried to explore thematic months such as back to school or recreation. One recent newsletter focused on adaptive hunting and was shared by the state's Fish and Wildlife unit to their community and generated multiple additional Information and Assistances requests.

2.

Information And Assistance

Information And Assistance Activities by Recipient
Types of Recipients AT Device/
Service
AT Funding Total
Individuals with Disabilities 106 56 162
Family Members, Guardians and Authorized Representatives 174 73 247
Representative of Education 106 31 137
Representative of Employment 104 33 137
Representative of Health, Allied Health, and Rehabilitation 181 33 214
Representative of Community Living 72 22 94
Representative of Technology 08 00 08
Unable to Categorize 00 00 00
Total 751 248 999

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: Thu Feb 04 2021 13:34:05 GMT-0600 (Central Standard Time)


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This FY20 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.