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

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:

I. Notes:

G. Notes:

C. Description of Training Activities

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

Cathy Bodine, PhD presented to more than 2400 individuals on Addressing Social Isolation Through Technology Solutions. The audience members included individuals with disabilities, the Administration from Community Living, the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (n4a), the National Council on Independent Living (NCIL), and AARP. The presentation covered methods of training older adults and adults with disabilities to use technology solutions designed to alleviate or reduce social isolation and the resources and for acquiring and distributing the technology used to do so. Dr. Bodine also emphasized how there is much to be considered with the types of training whether on software or apps, different learning styles, accessibility features and the availability of support teams.

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

The Colorado Assistive Technology Act Program staff provided a conference breakout session at the Assistive Technology Industry Association (ATIA) Annual Conference in Orlando Florida in January, 2020. The training targeted students assistive technology needs as they transition from high school. The session was titled AT Transition: Exploring resources for high school and beyond and covered differences in expectations, resources, and processes for AT from high school to the community, considerations for successful transitions from high school for students with AT needs, and offered numerous free resources to improve the transition process for students using AT in the high school setting. Over 60 people attended the session and evaluation data revealed attendees were highly satisfied. Attendees indicated they would use the knowledge they gained to develop transition plans for their students and to train staff in the importance of AT in this process. The audiences included AT providers. parents, related service providers, educators, coordinators, case managers and administrators in the education system in the united states. Discussions centered around assistive technology in educational programs and highlighted the importance of planning for transition for students as they leave the part B system.

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

Jim Sandstrum, MA presented to 80 representatives of Colorado’s School to Work Alliance Program (SWAP) on the importance of technology for enabling an “Employment First” mindset when supporting transitioning students with disabilities. The session focused on assistive and mainstream technologies to accommodate the cognitive and behavioral needs of students with mild to moderate disabilities.

E. Notes:

B. Description of Technical Assistance

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

At the onset of the pandemic accessibility feedback was provided to the team creating Colorado’s statewide COVID Dashboard website specifically in regards to screen reader compatibility and alternate formats for document downloads.

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

The CO Assistive Technology Act Program staff have worked closely with the Colorado Office of Employment First, the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, and the Colorado Department of Education on a collaborative multi-agency approach to increasing competitive integrated employment opportunities for persons with disabilities. Through this collaboration, we have shared technical assistance on assistive technology accommodations for students in transition. We have attended stakeholder meetings and offered input on the AT needs we see in different communities. We have also shared positive results on the innovative ways people with disabilities are finding success in meaningful employment. We have provided information and resources around AT with regard to device demonstrations, device loans, alternate financing, training, technical assistance and information and referral. The impact of this action is that consumers are more ready to work because they have the technology they need.

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. CIDE has been sharing clinic client testimonials on our Twitter and LinkedIn social media sites in an effort to highlight the positive impact that specialized assistive technology services and inclusivity can make in the community. These posts have reached an audience of 253 followers, and have been shared by multiple followers, potentially reaching hundreds more. The posts have generated over 1,750 cumulative impressions, and followers engaged with the posts over 65 times. These posts are evolving into a social media campaign that we aim to implement regularly, as followers are finding them inspiring and increasing awareness of the benefits of assistive technology in the lives of people with disabilities.

2. CIDE participated in the 2020 Denver Metro Regional Science Fair demonstrating a power wheelchair with multiple drive modes (e.g. chin-joystick, head-array) and an adaptive Xbox controller with various switch types to over 100 middle/high school students and their guardians. As a result, multiple students contacted us to express interest in participating in the Center’s bioengineering program, future projects and activities.

Notes: