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:

Efforts were made to promote the Akudi Loan program, including networking with hospital staff to provide application forms for individuals inquiring on available alternative financing sources. Clients shared that, although this option would help towards obtaining AT devices, unavailability from local vendors and delays in shipping, plus the added financial liability in an already strained and unstable economic environment due to the global pandemic made the option impractical at this time. The financial instability has caused some to tap into personal savings for needed devices. According to a local audiologist, some purchases for hearing aids, for example, were done so using personal funds initially intended for other life activities, such as recreation and travel, which were suspended or otherwise cancelled due to pandemic restrictions.

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:

Due to periods of mass discharges from the local hospitals resulting from the pandemic crisis, the GSAT program experienced an increase in requests for mobility devices, particularly wheelchairs and walkers. These requests resulted in short-term accommodation while many patients await for purchasing options or pre-orders to arrive.

G. Notes:

C. Description of Training Activities

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

The GSAT Conference, which was initially scheduled for March 2021 was postponed and reschedule to a 2-day Conference held on November 6, 2021 and November 13, 2021. The event was themed “Creating Opportunities in a Changing World.” Heightened health concerns and restrictions brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic shifted the usual face-to-face interaction amongst participants to a virtual platform. On Day 1, the Director of the New Hampshire Statewide Assistive Technology Program, Dr. Therese Willkomm, delivered a presentation titled "Creating Assistive Technology Solutions at Home During COVID 19". Dr. Willkomm, demonstrated the creation of low-cost AT solutions using simple household items. Participants learned how to make low-cost devices available, particularly to those with financial difficulties. Dr. Willkomm also included QR codes to direct the participants on where supplies could be purchased. On Day 2, guest presenter Neil Rochelle, Program Coordinator for Division of Special Education - Guam Department of Education, provided client case studies in which students used AT devices to progress through their educational programs with a focus on functional abilities to determine appropriateness of AT. He also discussed technology improvements throughout the 21st century in the areas of Hearing, Vision, Mobility, and Computer accessibility. Mr. Rochelle delivered an inspiring message of hope and passion for providing opportunities in an environment that is constantly changing. A total of 66 individuals attended Day 1 and 89 on Day 2. A post-conference survey was distributed and total of 82 were returned completed.

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

Beginning March 26, 2021 thru the 28th, GSAT held it’s 27th Annual GSAT Conference. Using the power of media and technology, the conference was televised in a 3 part series on four television stations. It was simultaneously broadcast on various social media platforms. Appropriately themed, “Creating MORE Opportunities in a Changing World,” the conference highlighted GSAT’s continued commitment to increasing accessibility to assistive technology and focused this year’s content on the impact of AT devices in the workplace, bridging technology with communities to ensure inclusivity, and AT assessments in education. On March 28th, the Director and Principal Investigator of Tools for Life at Georgie Institute of Technology, Carolyn Phillips, delivered a presentation entitled "Building Bridges for a Smoother Transition through Assistive Technology." The session explored the collective roles that family members and school professionals play in further promoting student success through transition planning and inclusion of assistive technology during the process. Participants had the opportunity to examine outcomes that occur when universal learning design, accessibility and appropriate assistive technology solutions are integrated into the lives of individuals with disabilities. Participants learned about some of the strategies and solutions being used to assist students with disabilities prepare for life beyond high school and assist with smooth transitions into the workplace and community. Ms. Phillips also discussed technological trends and shared examples of assistive technology, accessibility, and specifics about software, hardware, and apps. Executive Director of the Guam Legal Services - Disability Law Center, presented on the topic, Disability Law in the Workplace, where he highlighted reasonable accommodations and service animals. Dr. Gretchen Cole-Lade, Assistant Professor Oklahoma State University provided technical assistance in AT consideration, AT data collection, and the incorporation and implementation of AT in an Individualized Education Plan (IEP). The conference series is available for view on the KUAM YouTube channel and, thus far, has generated an average of 162 views.

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

GSAT staff and Social Work Interns facilitated a Smartphone Technology Webinar highlighting the accessibility features for the Android and iOS platforms. The webinar was designed to educate participants on the readily-available accessibility features such as visibility and hearing enhancements, interaction and dexterity capabilities, and other easy to use functions native to these mobile platforms. Participants included members from the community, representatives of employment and education, and members of various government agencies. Staff and interns also participated in the exploration of notebook technology (e.g. Rocketbook) as a additional tool to effectively communicate and deliver written communication to various applications including email and cloud based storage.

E. Notes:

B. Description of Technical Assistance

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

The Deputy Director of the Department of Integrated Services for Individuals with Disabilities, requested technical assistance from GSAT to review and validate accessibility for various forms provide online by the Guam Department of Revenue and Taxation. Accessibility for individuals with disabilities was critical during this period as the local government had implemented social programs that offered financial assistance to the community and in which the application process for such programs was done online. GSAT staff tested accessibility through the use of different screen reader applications and made recommendations accordingly.

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

GSAT, in collaboration with the Division of Special Education, provided a Virtual Parent Session through Zoom Video Conference on services and alternative funding sources offered by GSAT. GSAT staff describe the classification of Assistive Technology devices and cited examples of each that assists students with disabilities to be productive in school and the community. In addition, tips on how to design content appropriate for different types of disabilities was highlighted including how to make content accessible using existing Microsoft Office applications. 23 family members, and 9 representatives from education and health participated. Participants shared their views of how assistive technology offered the best solutions to assisting students with disabilities.

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. On December 2020, GSAT staff and University of Guam Social Work Interns conducted presentations to various village mayors on a proposed project aimed at increasing accessibility to AT devices. The project known as "Delivering Opportunities on Wheels" involved the design and creation of a mobile modular unit retrofitted to accommodate a wide range of devices that will be staged within individual municipalities and would function as an on-site AT service center. Ultimately, implementation of this project will minimize potential exposure to COVID 19 to those most vulnerable by allowing us to effectively perform device demonstrations and offer services in a location not far from their home, while maximizing the number of individuals we can engage with on a daily basis through efficient scheduling and site management. Driven by the need to deliver continued services to our clients, despite the impact of COVID-19, the Delivering Opportunities on Wheels Project is a formidable solution to bridge the gap that has been widened even further by the pandemic. While GSAT has provided alternatives for delivery of service, such as curbside pickup and return of devices and virtual demonstrations, access to transportation and online capabilities remain as issues to many who depend on our services.

2. From March 18 - June 30,2021, A 60-second audio message translated in 3 different languages on GSAT services was aired 4 times per week on major radio stations: Sorenson Media Group, KM Broadcasting and Hit Radio 100, KISH and KSTO. GSAT also promoted services through in-studio interviews and informational sessions 3 times per week. A collective population of listeners through these stations spanned throughout the island and regional locations as well. As a result of the radio broadcast, people were more informed that AT services were readily available to meet their needs.

Notes:

Overview of Coordination/Collaboration Activities