National Assistive Technology Act Data System

Annual Progress Report - Full Report

California 2020

General Information

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

State AT Program Title:
Ability Tools
State AT Program Title:
State AT Program URL
http://www.abilitytools.org/
Mailing Address:
1000 G Street, Suite #100
City:
Sacramento
State:
CA
Zip Code:
95814
Program Email:
info@abilitytools.org
Phone:
916-390-2690
TTY:
800-900-0706 (TTY)

Lead Agency

Agency Name:
Department of Rehabilitation
Mailing Address:
721 Capitol Mall
City:
Sacramento
State:
CA
Zip Code:
95814
Program URL:
http://www.dor.ca.gov/AT/index.html

Implementing Entity

Name of Implementing Agency:
California Foundation for Independent Living Centers
Mailing Address:
1000 G Street, Suite 100
City
Sacramento
State:
CA
Zip Code:
95814
Program URL:
www.abilitytools.org

Program Director and Other Contacts

Program Director for State AT Program (last, first):
Mills, Christina
Title:
Executive Director
Phone:
(916) 390-2690
E-mail:
christina@cfilc.org
Program Director at Lead Agency (last, first):
Sampson, Megan
Title:
IL/AT/TBI Programs Chief
Phone:
(916) 558-5866
E-mail:
megan.sampson@dor.ca.gov
Primary Contact at Implementing Agency (last, first) - If applicable:
Cowdell, Megan
Title:
Deputy Director
Phone:
(916) 737-5348
E-mail:
Megan@cfilc.org

Person Responsible for completing this form if other than Program Director

Name (last, first):
Crowley, Kathrine
Title:
Program Manger
Phone:
(916) 737-5346
E-mail:
Kathrine@cfilc.org

Certifying Representative

Name (last, first):
Xavier, Joe
Title:
Director of CA Dept. of Rehabilitation
Phone:
(916) 558-5800
E-mail:
Joe.Xavier@dor.ca.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 00 00 00
Approved Not made 00 00 00
Rejected 01 01 02
Total 01 01 02

2. Income of Applicants to Whom Loans Were Made

Lowest/Highest Incomes
Lowest Income: $0 Highest Income: $0

Average Income
Sum of Incomes Loans Made Average Annual Income
$0 00 $0

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 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
Percentage of Loans 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 100%

3. Loan Type

Loan Type
Type of Loan Number of Loans Percentage of loans
Revolving Loans 00 0%
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 00 100%

Loan Type Summary
Type of Loan Number of Loans Dollar Value of Loans
Revolving Loans 00 $0
Partnership Loans 00 $0
Total 00 $0

4. Interest Rates

Interest Rates
Lowest 0%
Highest 0%

Interest Rate Summary
Sum of Interest Rates Number of Loans Made Average Interest Rate
00 00 0%

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

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 00 $0
Speech communication 00 $0
Learning, cognition, and developmental 00 $0
Mobility, seating and positioning 00 $0
Daily living 00 $0
Environmental adaptations 00 $0
Vehicle modification and transportation 00 $0
Computers and related 00 $0
Recreation, sports, and leisure 00 $0
Total 00 $0

6. Defaults

Defaults
Number Loans in default 01
Net loss for loans in default $1,900

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

There were no approved loans in this Federal Fiscal Year.

Impact Area

There were no approved loans in this Federal Fiscal Year.

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 00 00
6. Subtotal 00 00 00 00
7. Nonrespondent 00 00 00 00
8. Total 00 00 00 00
9. Performance on this measure NaN% NaN% NaN%

F. Customer Satisfaction

Satisfaction
Customer Rating of Services Number of Customers Percent
Highly satisfied 00 NaN%
Satisfied 00 NaN%
Satisfied somewhat 00 NaN%
Not at all satisfied 00 NaN%
Nonrespondent 00 NaN%
Total Surveyed 00
Response rate % NaN%

G. Notes:

This data reflects the state financing activities of California Foundation for Independent Living Center's Freedomtech Loan program. This program was heavily impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, as a fair amount of inquiries were made by individuals experiencing sudden unemployment. Since unemployment benefits do not count as qualifying income for the Freedomtech Loan program these consumers were provided information and assistance accessing AT services that would meet their needs.

Reutilization

A. Number of Recipients of Reused Devices

Activity Number of Individuals Receiving a Device from Activity
A. Device Exchange 34
B. Device Refurbish/Repair - Reassign and/or Open Ended Loan 722
C. Total 756

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 756

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 02 $430 $0 $430
Hearing 00 $0 $0 $0
Speech Communication 00 $0 $0 $0
Learning, Cognition and Developmental 00 $0 $0 $0
Mobility, Seating and Positioning 54 $8,260 $40 $8,220
Daily Living 03 $60 $0 $60
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 59 $8,750 $40 $8,710

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 31 $8,385 $1 $8,384
Hearing 00 $0 $0 $0
Speech Communication 12 $10,291 $0 $10,291
Learning, Cognition and Developmental 00 $0 $0 $0
Mobility, Seating and Positioning 758 $153,524 $2,582 $150,942
Daily Living 254 $393,195 $20 $393,175
Environmental Adaptations 10 $679 $0 $679
Vehicle Modification & Transportation 00 $0 $0 $0
Computers and Related 43 $13,991 $0 $13,991
Recreation, Sports and Leisure 02 $320 $0 $320
Total 1,110 $580,385 $2,603 $577,782

D. Anecdote

Wally, a man in his 70's, acquired a medical condition that led to several mobility limitations. With the new limitations, including the use of a wheelchair, Wally was no longer able to access or independently live in his home. As a result, Wally was informed he could remain in a rehabilitation facility indefinitely or make several modifications to his home to allow for access and ease of mobility. As his home was only accessible by climbing exterior steps on the porch, Wally’s initial need was an accessible path from his parking area to his front door. As they were unsure of the dimensions of the ramp required, Wally’s friends borrowed a 10-foot portable wheelchair ramp and set it in place. After a few days, it was determined that the 10-foot ramp was too steep of an incline; therefore, it was returned, and a 12-foot portable wheelchair ramp was borrowed instead. The 12-foot ramp was determined to be successful and was made available to Wally for as long as needed. In addition to wheelchair access, one of California's Northern ILC's, FREED Center for Independent Living, improved accessibility inside Wally’s home utilizing its Reuse and Fix It programs. In the end, Wally was provided with floor-to-ceiling transfer poles and a toilet aid so he could accomplish activities of daily living, such as toileting, bathing, and transferring from his wheelchair on his own, which allowed for Wally to return to his own home instead of remaining in a rehabilitation facility. With the assistance of these devices and services through the FREED Center for Independent Living, Wally was able to return home, to live independently with his wife, and avoid significant healthcare costs that would have been incurred with a longer stay in a rehabilitation facility.

A man in a wheelchair, with a woman standing behind him, descending a ramp from a residence.
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. 10 03 501 514
2. AT was only available through the AT program. 02 00 178 180
3. AT was available through other programs, but the system was too complex or the wait time too long. 00 01 51 52
4. Subtotal 12 04 730 746
5. None of the above 00 00 03 03
6. Subtotal 12 04 733 749
7. Nonrespondent 00 00 07 07
8. Total 12 04 740 756
9. Performance on this measure 100% 100% 98.65%

F. Customer Satisfaction

Satisfaction
Customer Rating of Services Number of Customers Percent
Highly satisfied 333 44.05%
Satisfied 331 43.78%
Satisfied somewhat 05 0.66%
Not at all satisfied 05 0.66%
Nonrespondent 82 10.85%
Total Surveyed 756
Response rate % 89.15%

G. Notes:

The change in section C from last year to this year results from: last year was heavily impacted by wildfires across the state and produced a need for replacement AT and DME, which was met through reuse devices. This is in contrast to this year which, although also heavily impacted by statewide wildfires, reuse AT and DME were not able to be utilized due to consumer concerns regarding COVID-19, the need was met rather by using county, Red Cross and other services that could provide new, rather than reuse items. The following notification occurs when saving: Info! Data was saved with validation warnings: The average retail price of exchange daily living devices is low. Please ensure that retail values are being entered correctly. The retail values have been confirmed - $60 for 2 sock aids and a reacher seems plausible, if not typical.

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) 680
Serve as loaner during service repair or while waiting for funding 18
Provide an accommodation on a short-term basis for a time-limited event/situation 91
Conduct training, self-education or other professional development activity 22
Total 811

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 555
Family Members, Guardians, and Authorized Representatives 74
Representative of Education 90
Representative of Employment 10
Representatives of Health, Allied Health, and Rehabilitation 53
Representatives of Community Living 11
Representatives of Technology 18
Total 811

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 77
Hearing 50
Speech Communication 156
Learning, Cognition and Developmental 45
Mobility, Seating and Positioning 156
Daily Living 93
Environmental Adaptations 42
Vehicle Modification and Transportation 05
Computers and Related 437
Recreation, Sports and Leisure 21
Total 1,082

E. Anecdote

Pui Ling (Amanda) had completed an augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) assessment, when her dad, Thomas, reached out to Orange County’s Assistive Technology Exchange Center (ATEC) to obtain information on various methods to access the communication devices they explored during the evaluation. ATEC provided a demonstration/consultation for Amanda, and following the demonstration, ATEC loaned Amanda several access options to try. Kevin Daugherty, Rehabilitation Engineer at ATEC, provided demonstrations and loaned the Jellybean switch, Roller Joystick, Candy Corn Proximity Switch, and Big Red Switch to use with the device trial. After two weeks of utilizing the various devices, Amanda and Thomas were able to confidently choose the right AAC devices, the Roller Joystick and Big Red Switch, for Amanda to comfortably control in her life.

A young woman utilizing a variety of AAC devices.
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 235 48 353 636
Decided that an AT device/ service will not meet needs 02 00 06 08
Subtotal 237 48 359 644
Have not made a decision 08 00 11 19
Subtotal 245 48 370 663
Nonrespondent 07 01 09 17
Total 252 49 379 680
Performance on this measure 96.73% 100% 97.03%

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. 07 01 64 72
2. AT was only available through the AT program. 13 02 24 39
3. AT was available through other programs, but the system was too complex or the wait time too long. 03 00 05 08
4. Subtotal 23 03 93 119
5. None of the above 00 02 09 11
6. Subtotal 23 05 102 130
7. Nonrespondent 00 00 01 01
8. Total 23 05 103 131
9. Performance on this measure 100% 60% 91.18%

H. Customer Satisfaction

Satisfaction
Customer Rating of Services Number of Customers Percent
Highly satisfied 532 65.6%
Satisfied 249 30.7%
Satisfied somewhat 02 0.25%
Not at all satisfied 03 0.37%
Nonrespondent 25 3.08%
Total Surveyed 811
Response rate % 96.92%

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 31
Hearing 13
Speech Communication 77
Learning, Cognition and Developmental 08
Mobility, Seating and Positioning 51
Daily Living 09
Environmental Adaptations 12
Vehicle Modification and Transportation 01
Computers and Related 64
Recreation, Sports and Leisure 01
Total # of Devices Demonstrated 267

B. Types of Participants

Demonstrations by Participant Type
Type of Participant Number of Participants in Device Demonstrations
Individuals with Disabilities 236
Family Members, Guardians, and Authorized Representatives 89
Representatives of Education 08
Representatives of Employment 00
Health, Allied Health, Rehabilitation 18
Representative of Community Living 02
Representative of Technology 00
Total 353

C. Number of Referrals

Referrals
Type of Entity Number of Referrals
Funding Source (non-AT program) 21
Service Provider 52
Vendor 66
Repair Service 01
Others 02
Total 142

D. Anecdote

Jennifer is a woman who was born with spinal muscular atrophy and is ventilator dependent. She is an independent woman who lives in her own apartment with full time attendant care. She works part-time as an office manager and consults as a marriage and family therapist and life coach. She can communicate through talking by timing her voice with her ventilator’s ventilations. One of the problems she experiences when talking is that she is unable to increase her voice volume to be heard in situations where there is background noise. She already owned an amplifier and reported that she didn’t feel it helped. Jennifer was connected with Los Angeles's Center for Applied Rehabilitation Technology (CART), which assessed her equipment and found that the microphone for Jennifer’s amplifier was a lapel microphone and had her try a 3-Way Hi-Gain Head Band Microphone. Jennifer could hear a functional difference in her speech clarity using a microphone that was positioned closer to her mouth instead of clipped to her clothing, and was so pleased with the improvement in her ability to communicate with others, that she made the switch to permanently utilize the 3-Way Hi-Gain Head Band Microphone instead of the lapel version.

A woman wearing a ventilator sits in a power wheelchair, smiling at the camera
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 40 12 182 234
Decided that an AT device/ service will not meet needs 02 00 03 05
Subtotal 42 12 185 239
Have not made a decision 04 00 24 28
Subtotal 46 12 209 267
Nonrespondent 00 00 00 00
Total 46 12 209 267
Performance on this measure 91.3% 100% 88.52%

F. Customer Satisfaction

Satisfaction
Customer Rating of Services Number of Customers Percent
Highly satisfied 236 66.86%
Satisfied 108 30.59%
Satisfied somewhat 05 1.42%
Not at all satisfied 00 0%
Nonrespondent 04 1.13%
Total 353
Response rate % 98.87%

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. 17 04 565 586
2. AT was only available through the AT program. 15 02 202 219
3. AT was available through other programs, but the system was too complex or the wait time too long. 03 01 56 60
4. Subtotal 35 07 823 865
5. None of the above 00 02 12 14
6. Subtotal 35 09 835 879
7. Nonrespondent 00 00 08 08
8. Total 35 09 843 887
9. Performance on this measure 91.43% 66.67% 91.09% 90.86%
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 275 60 535 870
Decided that an AT device/ service will not meet needs 04 00 09 13
Subtotal 279 60 544 883
Have not made a decision 12 00 35 47
Subtotal 291 60 579 930
Nonrespondent 07 01 09 17
Total 298 61 588 947
Performance on this measure 95.88% 100% 93.96% 94.95%
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 98.89% 95% Met
Response Rate 94.22% 90% Met

Training

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

Training by Participant Type
Type of Participant Number
Individuals with Disabilities 178
Family Members, Guardians and Authorized Representatives 01
Representatives of Education 35
Representatives of Employment 00
Rep Health, Allied Health, and Rehabilitation 01
Representatives of Community Living 298
Representatives of Technology 02
Unable to Categorize 598
TOTAL 1,113

Geographic Distribution of Participants
Metro Non Metro Unknown TOTAL
1,083 30 00 1,113

B. Training Topics

Trainings by Topic
Primary Topic of Training Participants
AT Products/Services 327
AT Funding/Policy/ Practice 52
Combination of any/all of the above 35
Information Technology/Telecommunication Access 699
Transition 00
Total 1,113

C. Description of Training Activities

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

Ability Tools provided a 2 part series of webinars on NATADS for the state of California's Device Lending and Demonstration Centers with the intention of improving frequency and accuracy of AT Act activity reporting. 30 total participants attended the training over the 2 webinars, who were given an overview of the utilization of NATADS, updates on system improvements (developed by feedback obtained from individual interviews with DLDC staff) and active Q&A.

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:

Ability Tools provided a series of webinars on Microsoft Office Suite Accessibility. Over 500 participants learned about the importance of document accessibility and how to make sure their documents are accessible for people with disabilities.

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 12
Nonrespondent 687
Total 699
Performance Measure Percentage 0%
ACL Target Percentage 70%
Met/Not Met Not Met

E. Notes:

Moving to a remote environment, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Ability Tools pivoted to virtual trainings where previous methods of collecting performance measures were no longer efficient. As a result, a performance measure collecting tool was not in place at the time of this training but the tools have been modified and will be implemented throughout the coming year.

Technical Assistance

A. Frequency and Nature of Technical Assistance

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

Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund (DREDF) contract 10/23/19-12/31/20 - The systems change staff at California Foundation for Independent Living Centers (CFILC), in partnership with DREDF, spent approximately 720 hours creating a statewide technical assistance program to educate and empower people with disabilities to participate in the 2020 US Census. By partnering with California’s Independent Living Centers, CFILC was able to provide training for staff to educate and assist consumers with participation in the Census, using their choice of assistive technology to complete the process. Using a strategy of simultaneous education at statewide and local levels, people with disabilities were given greater opportunities to participate in the Census, educate, and mobilize the communities in which they live.

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

Consumers who called the Ability Tools information and assistance line regarding transitioning out of nursing facilities were provided whole person-care resulting in a warm hand off to Centers for Independent Living and Aging and Disability Resource Centers. Through these centers, utilizing CARES Act funding, consumers were provided AT equipment and services, such as stair lifts and wheelchair ramps, that allowed for them to be transitioned from nursing facilities to their homes or a location of their choice.

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. California Foundation for Independent Living Centers publicly launched the Disability Disaster Access and Resources Program on August 18. Christina Mills (executive Director - CFILC) provided an overview of the formation of the program (developed from feedback from the community survey), partnership developed with Pacific Gas & Electric, and the services provided by the local Disability Disaster and Resources Centers (DDARCs). 100 participants joined the high-impact, live webinar on Zoom and Facebook and the archived training continues to be watched, with over 40 views to date.

2. California Foundation for Independent Living Centers along with staff from three Independent Living Centers conducted a public awareness activity at the Los Angeles Abilities Expo. This event was implemented to educate the public regarding assistive technology available for their utilization. We set up across eight tables providing hands on interactions with several AT devices specifically geared to assist individuals with education, employment, daily living, and aging activities. We also, through interaction and conversation with consumers, distributed 483 reuse items and 1,557 brochures. We provided a sign-up sheet for individuals to receive updates and information related to disaster preparedness and recovery via text message.

Information And Assistance

Information And Assistance Activities by Recipient
Types of Recipients AT Device/
Service
AT Funding Total
Individuals with Disabilities 873 78 951
Family Members, Guardians and Authorized Representatives 414 48 462
Representative of Education 53 00 53
Representative of Employment 04 02 06
Representative of Health, Allied Health, and Rehabilitation 320 10 330
Representative of Community Living 50 03 53
Representative of Technology 09 01 10
Unable to Categorize 11 01 12
Total 1,734 143 1,877

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? 01

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.

Ability Tools provided trainings to the California Department of Aging on hosting accessible virtual meetings and events. Expertise was shared to ensure that the written policies, practices, and procedures were inclusive of developing accessible materials, such as: font size, color contrast, descriptive text, use of headers, the importance of captioning, etc. in order to ensure full and equal access for all participants.


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.)

As a result of these trainings, the California Department of Aging has been able to successfully adapt to the challenges of transitioning their services to meet the needs of their consumers in an ever evolving and inconsistent demand for new and different platforms in response to the pandemic. The department has been able to update their policies and procedures to ensure the full accessibility of their weekly webinars, that have reached thousands of Californians.


3. What was the primary area of impact for this state improvement outcome?

Technology (ICT accessibility and AT


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
Federal$36,751State Financing
Federal$13,000Device Loan
Amount: $49,751

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).

Decline in reported numbers is due to COVID-19 impacts on device lending and reuse due to consumer concerns regarding sanitation and potential transmission of diseases on lent items. Additionally, FreedomTech loans were unable to be approved as a majority of applicants were unemployed, which is a disqualifying factor for loan consideration.


Center for Assistive Technology Act Data Assistance . Saved: Thu Feb 04 2021 13:17:27 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.