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 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:

G. Notes:

C. Description of Training Activities

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

During FY 2021, the Puerto Rico Assistive Technology Program (PRATP) provided the training “Assistive Technology Solutions in Emergency Situations” to 30 representatives of the Puerto Rico’s Core Advisory Groups (CAGs). In the aftermath of Hurricane María (2018), FEMA, and the Puerto Rico Emergency Management Bureau (PREMB) started the CAGs as a critical link to bridge the gap between emergency management efforts, individuals with disabilities and persons with access and functional needs. Since then, the CAGs have expanded their efforts Island-wide, changing the way emergency management is delivered in Puerto Rico, providing disability integration and awareness within all levels of the emergency management system. PRATP’s training focused on exploring assistive technology preparedness and response tools to address the particular needs of individuals with diverse disabilities before, during and after an emergency.

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

As part of the training activities, and in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, PRATP presented a training remote session on the topic of Assistive Technology as a tool in the Transition Process to support the Puerto Rico Family-to-Family Center (PR-F2FC). The PR-F2FC is a project of the Institute of Deficiencies in Development (IDD) of the Medical Sciences Campus, University of Puerto Rico which its main objective is to offer support, information, resources in the community and the necessary tools for the family of children and young people with special health needs and / or intellectual and developmental disabilities. With a peer-to-peer approach, their staff are parents of children and youth with special health needs and / or intellectual and developmental disabilities who offer parent-to-parent support to all who seek their services. The main purpose of the training was to enable individuals with disabilities, their representatives, and others professionals, to increase knowledge, skills, and competencies around assistive technology (AT) and to help them make informed decisions about accessing and acquiring AT as part of planning the Transition process. A total of 106 participants were represented in the groups of education (44%), family members and people with disabilities (26%), representatives of health (18%), community life (6%) and representatives of technology 4%. The following objectives were covered: • Know the basic aspects of transition and what the services consist of • Define what is Assistive Technology • Offer an overview of local and federal laws that mandate the provision of AT equipment and services in the transition process. • Identify the importance of AT as part of the transition process for students with disabilities • Examine support tools, including AT as resources to facilitate and plan the course of the transition process As part of the final training, a question and answer session were held, as well as a discussion with providers, families, and individual that focused on the use of AT to support the transition process for their students with disabilities.

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

Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, PRATP conducted a series of training sessions on PowerPoint best practices and tools to create accessible virtual and face-to-face presentations. Training was provided to professors and IT personnel from different campuses of the University of Puerto Rico and other universities throughout the Island as well. Accessible design and development aspects were discussed as well as guidelines for accessible presentation delivery, captioning, alt-text, and descriptive links, among other areas. Follow-up technical assistance was provided to participants who wanted to integrate accessibility into their courses, develop IT accessibility trainings or to modify university policies and practices regarding IT accessibility.

E. Notes:

B. Description of Technical Assistance

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

The Puerto Rico Assistive Technology Program (PRATP) provided technical assistance to the Puerto Rico Tribunal Administration Office (TAO, the Accessibility Program of the Judicial Branch, and the Court Improvement Program (Justice for Children Project) to create a Communication Board that would facilitate service provision to persons with disabilities in the Judicial Branch of Puerto Rico. First line service providers at the Judicial Branch participated in focus groups to identify barriers and critical incidents that limited the appropriate access to justice for individuals who have difficulty communicating. The results were used by PRATP’s AT Specialists to create a Communication Board that would help determine the best strategy for communicating with a person with disability or a non-Spanish or English speaker. As a result of this Technical Assistance, a portable two-sided communication board with a dry-erase writing area was created to be distributed Island-wide throughout the Judi

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

Transition training activity reported.

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 September 2021, the Puerto Rico Assistive Technology Program (PRATP) carried out an awareness campaign to promote its various services, particularly the Reuse initiative, and to request donations of gently used AT devices that could be reconditioned and provided to individuals with disabilities that could not otherwise access them. The campaign was promoted through social networks, radio, and the printed press. As a result, over 200 AT devices were received, covering the areas of positioning and mobility, learning and cognition, and communication., among others. The devices were promptly registered, refurbished, tested, and made available to persons with disabilities.

2.

Notes:

Overview of Coordination/Collaboration Activities