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

Activity 1

2. Geographic Distribution, Number of Individuals Who Acquired AT Devices and Services and Number for whom Performance Measure Data are Collected

3. Types and Dollar Amounts of AT Funded

Activity 2

2. Geographic Distribution, Number of Individuals Who Acquired AT Devices and Services and Number for whom Performance Measure Data are Collected

3. Types and Dollar Amounts of AT Funded

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:

Assistive Technology for Kansans (ATK) staff moved to remote work-at-home status in March 2020 due to the pandemic. Contactless pick-up and delivery of durable medical equipment resumed in late June to mid-July 2020 depending on the positivity rate in the different regions of the state. Outreach efforts traditionally held in the summer were limited to one contactless effort therefore reducing the numbers of donations. Additionally, the cosponsorship of the Theatre Lawrence season traditionally yielded significant high value donations however due to the pandemic the theatre season was severely impacted. This remains a valuable program and our outreach efforts will resume as the virus is contained in our state.

I. Notes:

Assistive Technology for Kansans (ATK) staff closed the ATK Loan System and loan from the regional AT Sites from March - August 2020 due to the pandemic. People who had borrowed equipment were notified to keep the devices until ATK could determine best practices for cleaning and sanitizing devices and handling boxes and packing. Some devices are still not available due to sanitization concerns. ATK did purchase UV light cabinets and wands and conducted staff training on cleaning and sterilizing devices before loan resumed.

G. Notes:

Assistive Technology for Kansans (ATK) staff began remote work-from-home in March 2020 due to the pandemic. ATK management conducted multiple staff trainings on strategies for quality virtual device demonstrations. Delivery of this core service received considerable attention and held steady during the early days of the pandemic. ATK staff held virtual meetings with State Agency staff to explain how virtual AT services worked and gain their buy-in to the new service delivery model.

C. Description of Training Activities

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

Assistive Technology for Kansans staff and Kansas Rehabilitation Services (KRS) collaborated on five highly interactive, virtual workshops to vocational rehabilitation regions. ATK staff explained the core services (state level activities) and how to access AT Services through the AT Provider Agreement for individuals seeking employment support services from KRS, also known as Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) services. This information was interspersed with multiple device demonstrations tied to specific employment case studies, polling questions, and interactive planning exercises. The impact of this activity was a significant increase in request for AT services for VR customers across the state.

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

Assistive Technology for Kansans staff (ATK) and Kansas Infant Toddler Services collaborated on a statewide interactive, virtual workshop for 73 Family Service Coordinators serving families with infants and toddlers with disabilities and delays. ATK staff reviewed the core services (state level activities) and how to access each through the regional AT Sites and the ATK Device Loan System. Devices were demonstrated and specific case studies were used to illustrate how and when to access ATK services. Over half of the case studies involved preparation for transition from infant toddler services to preschool programs. As a result of the training, family service coordinators provided requests for specific items to be added to the ATK Device Loan System inventory, shared positive stories about interactions and support received from ATK staff, and made suggestions on ways to improve ATK services. This interactive workshop was evaluated quite highly and participants requested additional training in 2021.

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

Assistive Technology for Kansans (ATK) staff revised existing materials on accessible Word and PowerPoint documents and conducted a training for 40 Kansas State University (KSU) Extension staff. The training was well received and KSU Extension requested that ATK staff develop a module on accessible documents and meeting planning. The module will be offered quarterly and made available on demand for all KSU Extension staff. This effort is in response to the concern for future meetings and conferences to be accessible for people of all abilities.

E. Notes:

B. Description of Technical Assistance

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

The onset of the pandemic in Kansas (March 2020) provided numerous opportunities for technical assistance. Assistive Technology for Kansans received requests from Kansas Rehabilitation Services and Kansas Health Policy Authority for assistance in identifying technology to implement virtual services. ATK staff provided information on a range of virtual platforms and social media that included rules on how to appropriately match the IT platform to the service. Consideration was given to the need for security, connectivity demands, timeliness, and access for the consumer.

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

Assistive Technology for Kansans (ATK) staff were asked to help identify employment technology to develop a pool of loan devices to be used by consumers served by Kansas Rehabilitation Services Pre-Employment Training Services (PRE-ETS) staff. ATK staff conducted repeated virtual meetings demonstrating technology and discussing types of devices that would be in high demand by youth with disabilities in employment settings. A pool of equipment was purchased and is available for youth across the state.

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. The Western AT Access Site, a field office of Assistive Technology for Kansans (ATK), devised a new targeted outreach method in response to the pandemic. Traditionally they relied on a variety of in-person events and were trying to find a new strategy. ATK staff identified underserved populations (seniors and people with health conditions who did not identify as having a disability) and then developed a list of providers and community organizations that served these populations in their region. The list included senior center staff, ministers, hospital rehabilitation staff and discharge planners, and low vision specialists. ATK staff identified key liaisons within each of these groups to increase the effectiveness of the effort and attempt to establish ongoing relationships. A mailing packet was developed that included a cover letter highlighting AT devices and programs relevant to these populations, program brochures, copies of relevant applications, and promotional items to increase the likelihood of follow-up. As a result of these efforts, Western ATK staff saw a significant increase in requests for TAP telephones, donations for the ATK reuse programs, and requests for device demonstrations.

2. The Hays Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) invited Assistive Technology for Kansans (ATK) staff to participate in their virtual, regional health fair. Invited exhibitors were asked to either submit an electronic document or develop a video highlighting their services. The Western Kansas AT Access Site staff embraced the opportunity and created a 2 1/2 minute video that highlighted three programs relevant to seniors - the Telecommunications Access Program, ATK-KEE Reuse program, and iCan Connect Deaf Blind Equipment Program. One ATK staff behind the scenes handled the cue cards and watched the time while another monitored the camera shot and lighting. The "onscreen talent" provided a succinct description of technology relevant to each program and the credits included the ATK contact information and website address. The open captioned video was posted throughout the two month virtual health fair and received more views than any other exhibitor. Furthermore, the Western AT Site staff received 2 referrals for iCan Connect and multiple requests for TAP applications. After the success of this effort, the Western ATK team conducted a productive equipment donation drive at 3 locations and attributed its success at least partially to this outreach effort.

Notes: