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:

I. Notes:

This year, NCATP's overall device loans dropped significantly as a result of CoVID19. Until March 2020, the program data was in line with past years; however, from March 2020 to July 2020, NCATP provided limited device loans as a result of of CoVID and limited access to PPE items and sanitation supplies. Starting in July 2020, the program started providing "no contact" device loans and returning equipment that had previously been out on loan. We continue to see a reduction in the number of devices being loaned out of the program and we are focusing efforts on other services needed in the new era of virtual outreach and services.

G. Notes:

As a result of CoVID 19, NCATP device demonstrations is much lower than in previous years. However, since the onset of CoVID, NCATP staff have adjusted to providing more services virtually. This may be impacting the overall customer satisfaction rating which has dropped from previous years.

C. Description of Training Activities

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

NCATP staff partnered with the Self-Help Credit Union alternative finance program (AFP) and Disability Rights of NC to host 10 AT pop-up events across North Carolina. These events took place in 2019-2020 with the last event being hosted in Charlotte NC at the NCATP conference room. Over 35 people registered for this one event, not including Self-Help, NCATP, interpreters, and Disability Rights staff. There was great excitement and participation at this event. The keynote speaker was Ms. Hogan Van Sickle, who was featured in our 2018 federal report, as well as the Self-Help Credit Union annual Impact report. (https://www.self-help.org/docs/default-source/PDFs/final-sh-impact-report-2018.pdf?sfvrsn=4). Hogan kindly gave a personal testimony about her experience working with NCATP and the Self Help Credit Union. Tammy Pereboom, NCATP Charlotte staff, presented on various types of assistive technology and specifically focused on AT for independent living and to assist individuals who are aging.

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

NCATP staff in Greenville worked with a young woman who had a hearing impairment and was interested in attending Pitt Community College Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) program. The staff at the college expressed concern regarding the student’s ability to transition from high school and attend the OTA program due to the strenuous academic schedule and the pace in which the program moved. The Disability Services Director contacted NCATP to discuss options for the student. NCATP staff met with the student, advisor, disability services director and the director of the OTA program and provided training on various devices for use in the academic and clinical settings. Following the training, the school contacted NCATP to discuss several options and recommendations. Staff assisted the OTA Director and the student in obtaining several devices, including the Think Labs Stethoscope and Bluetooth adaptor to connect the stethoscope to the students hearing aids for use in the clinical setting. The student is finishing clinicals this month (December 2020) and will graduate shortly after with her OTA degree and certification.

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

NCATP staff worked with the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Policy office to identify training needs for staff statewide in the area of document accessibility. Three separate trainings were identified: MS Word Accessibility, MS Forms Accessibility, and MS PowerPoint Accessibility. The first training on MS Word was developed and posted on the statewide Learning Management System (LMS) in January 2020. Over 300 DVR staff have taken the training that includes knowledge checks and a certificate of completion. Once viewed by the DVR Director, the training was opened to other state employees including the DHHS Diversity Inclusion Coordinator and the Office of State Human Resources. Individuals can access the training, take the knowledge checks, receive the certificate of completion, and return to the training at any time as a refresher course. The second training on MS Forms is currently being reviewed by testers and will be posted before the end of the 2020 year.

E. Notes:

B. Description of Technical Assistance

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

The NCATP Director serves as the chair for the accessibility work group as part of the Governor’s Employment First initiative. As part of this initiative, the group identified that the state application was not accessible to screen readers, as well as most flyers and documents sent out by the Office of State Human Resources. The NCATP Director enlisted assistance from other NCATP staff and re-created the state employment application in an accessible format. This document was presented to OSHR and is currently being used across the state. NCATP staff were also enlisted to assist in making all flyers accessible for upcoming job fairs and events. As part of this work, NCATP addressed the need for technical assistance and training for the OSHR department and several of their staff. OSHR staff have now been identified and will be receiving TA and training on accessibility in the hiring process, as well as within individual work settings assisting in making North Carolina an Employment

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

In November 2019, NCATP Director and staff in our Greensboro office met with Jessalyn Bridges of NC No Wrong Door initiative within the Division of Aging and Adult Services to identify possible opportunities. During this meeting, NCATP learned that North Carolina does not have a “traditional” No Wrong Door system. However, we started developing a relationship that opened doors later this year. By working with Jessalyn and individuals within DAAS, NCATP applied for a CARES grant, along with DAAS and Money Follows the Person (MFP). In April 2020, North Carolina received the grant opening the opportunity to work with the MFP program. Since receiving the grant, NCATP staff has providing technical assistance to staff across the state serving individuals in transition. Information on smart homes, environmental control systems, various apps, and independent living aides has been provided to the case managers working within the MFP program. Information regarding other state AT programs

C. Notes:

NCATP staff typically works with schools across North Carolina in transitioning students from school to work/school to university settings by providing technical assistance and feedback in the area of assistive technology This year, all NC schools were on virtual instruction as a result of CoVID 19. Schools were addressing academic studies and providing students with disabilities the same options as students without disabilities in the new virtual platform. This challenge impacted NCATP's work with the schools in providing transition services. Most TA provided to schools addressed access to virtual platforms and accessible learning materials.

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 NCATP program partnered with the Self-Help Credit Union to attend and present at the 2019 Caregivers Summit in Raleigh, NC. Over 300 people attended the event and obtained information on the alternative finance program and the NC assistive technology program. One of the AFP borrowers stopped by the booth to say hello and to thank the NCATP and Self-Help staff. Following the event, staff were contacted to provide additional financial services and NCATP staff were contacted to schedule additional events for caregivers, individuals in residential settings, hospice and palliative care network, and present at the NC Minority Health Conference later in the year (February 2020).

2. NCATP hosted the 2019 AT Expo Vendor event on September 26th at the NC State McKimmon Training and Conference center in Raleigh. This annual affairs to meet the needs of NC citizens with disabilities through providing access to numerous services. Over 300 citizens participated from across the state that included individuals with disabilities, parents of children with special needs, older adults, VR Counselors, and other various professionals. Over 30 vendors were represented with individual booths providing information regarding their AT/DME products. Vendors also had the opportunity to present new and upcoming products and/or services during 12 (30 minute) sessions throughout the day. Vendors included: Quintex Low Vision, Mobility Works, NC AgrAbility, Best Bath, Vispero, Client Assistance Program, Disability Rights and others. The event was co-sponsored by five state and local agencies across North Carolina. Feedback from all attendees and vendors was extremely positive and was used to plan the 2020 event.

Notes: