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 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:

This number reflects device repairs provided to DME equipment through our contract with the Department of Corrections so end recipient information in not available.

G. Notes:

WisTech partners with the Department of Corrections (DOC) for device refurbishment. The DOC is not able to sell used DME directly to consumers so this year they have established agreements with at least on Managed Care Organization so that used devices can be purchased for consumers receiving long term care services. COVID-19 also impacted the ability of our subcontractors to accept donated equipment. This was due to several factors including lack of space, Safer at Home orders, and finalization of sanitization procedures.

I. Notes:

WisTech subcontractors were asked to report on device loans that they were unable to conduct due to COVID-19. The results showed that 34 device loans for a total of 34 devices were not conducted between March and September 2020. We also recognize that not every staff member was able to record each loan they were unable to do so it is estimated that these numbers do not represent the The number of days for loans under our program have always remained consistent between 50 - 65 days. This is due to the geography and climate of Wisconsin which often limits travel either due to distance, time, or weather. The original loan purpose of "serve as s short term accommodation" is often the first step in decision making for consumers and our ratio of these to loans with the purpose solely to make a decision remains consistent with previous years. Consumers make not specifically know that they want to even make a decision about something until they have "had" to try something as an accommodation.

G. Notes:

WisTech subcontractors were asked to report on device demonstrations that they were unable to conduct due to COVID-19. The results showed that 22 device demonstrations for a total of 65 devices were not conducted between March and September 2020. We also recognize that not every staff member was able to record each demo they were unable to do so it is estimated that these numbers do not represent the full total.

C. Description of Training Activities

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

The Occupational Therapy Assistant Program at Madison College connected with Acess to Independence for a presentation and training with the current students. An IL Specialist, who is also a Certified Occupational Therapist first explained Access’ general services, the WisTech AT demonstration and loan program, and the WisLoan program to the students. Students were unaware that these programs existed and will be able to offer referrals to Access in the future when doing field work after graduation. The Access staff member then provided training to students based on their request to learn more about dressing aids. The staff person provided training to students on the use of a button puller, sock aid and dressing stick. Students were then given an opportunity to try out the items themselves in order to better understand how they function.

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

The Waukesha Transition Action Committee put on a Take Charge of Your Future program at the Waukesha County Technical College. This program is an all-day event that includes breakout sessions that address a variety of transition related topics. One of the topics was using Assistive Technology as an accommodation at home, in school and at work. A variety of devices were discussed and demonstrated, and students had a hands on opportunity to work with them and explore how they might be helpful. Vocational Rehab as also there to discuss funding and reasonable accommodation requests.

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

Staff from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, the WisTech program, provided several ICT trainings this past program year that will impact a broad range of consumers, service providers, and the community in general. This includes trainings to staff from the Wisconsin Technical College System who are responsible for content development for students. Additional trainings were provided to Communications staff members for the Governor’s Office on accessible documentation and a national training on making virtual meetings accessible for people who are deaf and hard of hearing.

E. Notes:

B. Description of Technical Assistance

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

The Department of Health Services has engaged in efforts to increase the accessibility of information provided to the public through the Governor's Office. Governor appointed consumer councils notified DHS that public health Executive Orders were and COVID-19 was inaccessible for people with disabilities. WisTech, housed at DHS, provided ICT training and technical assistance to Communications staff within the Governor's Office to increase and ensure access to timely and accurate information. WisTech is providing similar technical assistance to the Communications staff in the Office of the Secretary at DHS.

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

The Department of Health Services has served on a work group hosted by the WI Department of Public Instruction (DPI) as part of their effort to increase access to AT by students, teachers, districts, and families. DPI received CARES Act funding to be directed towards these efforts. TA included guidance on guidance documents related to the provision of AT to students, assistance with the formation of the AT Forward Community of Practice, and direct provision of TA to teachers and school personnel.

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. • With COVID-19 having a huge impact on being able to provide in-person services, outreaches, etc. we decided to use our North Country Facebook page to do daily assistive technology (AT) posts highlighting the various items in our AT Loan & Demonstration program. Each week we focus on one category of the program such as adaptive driving aids, kitchen aids, signal systems, and so forth. The feedback we have gotten is that people look forward to the posts and learning more about what AT is available to increase their and their loved ones independence.

2. Green County ADRC hosted a ‘Lunch & Learn’ series: “Make Life Easier at Home! Learn about different tips, tricks and tools to age safely at home.” Attendance was 20 persons from the general public. Staff took over 50 pieces of assistive technology including Kitchen AT, AT for activities of daily living, vehicle AT and phones. Staff talked about several pieces of equipment, demonstrated how each worked and passed the items around for persons to tryout. There were many questions about how to open water bottles and pill bottles. One attendee scheduled an appointment for follow up, but due to the Covid-19 crisis, the appointment was postponed due to COVID-19.

Notes:

COVID-19 had an impact on the numbers for Information and Assistance. Wisconsin was under Safer at Home orders and consumers were less likely to reach out to organizations that they believed were closed. Education and information continued to be provided during the Safer at Home time period but the manner in which this was implemented throughout Wisconsin left many residents confused on what businesses were open or closed.