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

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

Activity 1

2. Geographic Distribution and Number of Individuals Served

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:

I. Notes:

Our centralized inventory location processed only a few loans between April and June due to their facility being shut down due to COVID. Later in the summer, our centralized inventory was moved from this location to a new location with a new subcontractor, and it took time to get all of the equipment organized and to put systems in place. These events resulted in a lower number of device loans. Performance measures and satisfaction rates are affected because the majority of our device loans are delivered by a drop-ship method. While this is more convenient for our borrowers, this means that our regional centers do not have face-to-face contact with borrowers and therefore try to obtain data through email or telephone follow-up; many borrowers do not readily respond to these methods.

G. Notes:

C. Description of Training Activities

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

“AAC in the time of COVID-19”. This training, directed to service providers and caregivers, was held via webinar and specifically addressed ways to encourage AAC use for distance communication to stay connected during these times of prolonged social isolation.

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

This training was given to a group of transition-aged youth. Because of COVID-19 restrictions, this training was conducted virtually, and focused on how AT can help people work more efficiently, increase access to higher education, and included the topic of the rights of people with disabilities with regard to accommodations for employment and education.

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

“Social Media Accessibility” This was a webinar training given during disability pride month. The presentation was about digital and social media accessibility and discussed topics of specific social media platforms, video editing and captioning, image description, and laws around accessible digital information. This training led to requests for two other trainings from attendees.

E. Notes:

Despite providing links to accessible online forms, it is much more challenging to obtain training data virtually than it is to hand out forms to people in person and collect them right away.

B. Description of Technical Assistance

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

This year, several of our team members have been part of a statewide consortium consisting of representatives from service providers, disability organizations, and people with disabilities to have Pennsylvania designated as a "Technology FIrst" state. We have also been asked to participate in another Task Force organized by the Pennsylvania Office of Developmental Programs; this Task Force is working toward a similar goal within their scope of services.

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

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. Access Abilities was a one-day conference co-hosted by TechOWL and Apple Education. This innovative event was split into two sections: the morning conference- style lectures and training provided by Apple focused on computer access and accessible documents as well as accessibility features of Apple products, and the afternoon consisted of AT “test drives.” This was accomplished by setting up several rooms, each focusing on a different AT area and having the participants move from room to room to become acquainted with different types of AT, with TechOWL staff on hand to assist them and answer questions.

2. One of our regional centers received a request to do a presentation for a blind and low vision support group. These sessions usually include passing devices around to allow attendees to get a closer experience, but COVID-19 restrictions made it impossible to have an in-person presentation. A virtual session using video conferencing was also ruled out because not all of the members had access to the necessary technology. It was agreed that the best option was an audio presentation by conference call, because all of the members had access to a telephone. When the presenter described the various pieces of AT, they also described the size, shape, weight, and features of each item to help the members of the group visualize the items. This was definitely an innovative way of presenting to this group and worked very well.

Notes: