National Assistive Technology Act Data System

Annual Progress Report - Full Report

Alabama 2021

General Information

Statewide AT Program (Information to be listed in national State AT Program Directory)

State AT Program Title:
STAR-Alabama's Assistive Technology Resource
State AT Program Title:
State AT Program URL
www.rehab.alabama.gov/services/vr/star
Mailing Address:
602 S. Lawrence Street
City:
Montgomery
State:
Alabama
Zip Code:
36104
Program Email:
helen.baker@rehab.alabama.gov
Phone:
(334) 293-7012
TTY:

Lead Agency

Agency Name:
Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services
Mailing Address:
602 S. Lawrence Street
City:
Montgomery
State:
Alabama
Zip Code:
36104
Program URL:
https://www.rehab.alabama.gov

Implementing Entity

Name of Implementing Agency:
Mailing Address:
City
State:
Zip Code:
Program URL:

Program Director and Other Contacts

Program Director for State AT Program (last, first):
Baker, Helen
Title:
Executive Director
Phone:
(334) 293-7012
E-mail:
helen.baker@rehab.alabama.gov
Program Director at Lead Agency (last, first):
Jenkins, Karen
Title:
Assistant Commissioner
Phone:
(334) 293-7108
E-mail:
karen.jenkins@rehab.alabama.gov
Primary Contact at Implementing Agency (last, first) - If applicable:
Title:
Phone:
E-mail:

Person Responsible for completing this form if other than Program Director

Name (last, first):
Title:
Phone:
E-mail:

Certifying Representative

Name (last, first):
Burdeshaw, Jane Elizabeth
Title:
Commissioner
Phone:
(334) 293-7200
E-mail:
JE.Burdeshaw@rehab.alabama.gov

State Financing

Did your approved state plan for this reporting period include any State Financing? Yes
Did your approved state plan for this reporting period include conducting a Financial Loan Program? Yes

Loan Applications
Area of Residence Total
Metro
RUCC 1-3
Non-Metro
RUCC 4-9
Approved Loan made 10 00 10
Approved Not made 01 00 01
Rejected 06 01 07
Total 17 01 18

2. Income of Applicants to Whom Loans Were Made

Lowest/Highest Incomes
Lowest Income: $11,176 Highest Income: $123,744

Average Income
Sum of Incomes Loans Made Average Annual Income
$578,396 10 $57,840

Number and Percentage of Loans Made to Applicants by Income Range
Income Ranges Total
$15,000
or Less
$15,001-
$30,000
$30,001-
$45,000
$45,001-
$60,000
$60,001-
$75,000
$75,001
or More
Number of Loans 01 02 01 01 01 04 10
Percentage of Loans 10% 20% 10% 10% 10% 40% 100%

3. Loan Type

Loan Type
Type of Loan Number of Loans Percentage of loans
Revolving Loans 00 0%
Partnership Loans
Without interest buy-down or loan guarantee 00 0%
With interest buy-down only 00 0%
With loan guarantee only 10 100%
With both interest buy-down and loan guarantee 00 0%
Total 10 100%

Loan Type Summary
Type of Loan Number of Loans Dollar Value of Loans
Revolving Loans 00 $0
Partnership Loans 10 $335,881
Total 10 $335,881

4. Interest Rates

Interest Rates
Lowest 4%
Highest 4%

Interest Rate Summary
Sum of Interest Rates Number of Loans Made Average Interest Rate
40 10 4%

Number of Loans Made by Interest Rate
Interest Rate Number of loans
0.0% to 2.0% 00
2.1% to 4.0% 10
4.1% to 6.0% 00
6.1% to 8.0% 00
8.1% - 10.0% 00
10.1%-12.0% 00
12.1%-14.0% 00
14.1% + 00
Total 10

5. Types and Dollar Amounts of AT Financed

Types and Dollar Amounts of AT Financed
Type of AT Number of Devices Financed Dollar Value of Loans
Vision 00 $0
Hearing 00 $0
Speech communication 00 $0
Learning, cognition, and developmental 00 $0
Mobility, seating and positioning 00 $0
Daily living 00 $0
Environmental adaptations 00 $0
Vehicle modification and transportation 10 $335,881
Computers and related 00 $0
Recreation, sports, and leisure 00 $0
Total 10 $335,881

6. Defaults

Defaults
Number Loans in default 00
Net loss for loans in default $0

B. State Financing Activities that provide consumers with resources and services that result in the acquisition of AT devices and services

1. Overview of Activities Performed

How many other state financing activities that provide consumers with access to funds for the purchase of AT devices and services were included in your approved state plan? 0


C. State Financing Activities that Allow Consumers to Obtain AT at Reduced Cost

1. Overview of Activities Performed

How many state financing activities that allow consumers to obtain AT at a reduced cost were included in your approved state plan? 0

D. Anecdote

A consumer applied for a loan to purchase a 2021 Honda Odyssey from a local vendor. She is a T12 paraplegic wheelchair user. She is currently employed as a teacher with a local county school system. This vehicle gave her the ability to drive herself independently to her place of employment as well as participate in various social activities.

Impact Area

Two consumers applied for a loan to purchase 2019 Dodge Grand Caravan from a local vendor. Their son is diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy as well as a seizure disorder. He recently had surgery to correct his hip dysplasia and having this vehicle would let them avoid transferring him to a car seat and instead stay in his wheelchair.

Impact Area

E. Performance Measures

Performance Measures
Response Primary Purpose for Which AT is Needed Total
Education Employment Community Living
1. Could only afford the AT through the AT program. 00 00 10 10
2. AT was only available through the AT program. 00 00 00 00
3. AT was available through other programs, but the system was too complex or the wait time too long. 00 00 00 00
4. Subtotal 00 00 10 10
5. None of the above 00 00 00 00
6. Subtotal 00 00 10 10
7. Nonrespondent 00 00 00 00
8. Total 00 00 10 10
9. Performance on this measure NaN% NaN% 100%

F. Customer Satisfaction

Satisfaction
Customer Rating of Services Number of Customers Percent
Highly satisfied 10 100%
Satisfied 00 0%
Satisfied somewhat 00 0%
Not at all satisfied 00 0%
Nonrespondent 00 0%
Total Surveyed 10
Response rate % 100%

G. Notes:

Reutilization

A. Number of Recipients of Reused Devices

Activity Number of Individuals Receiving a Device from Activity
A. Device Exchange 00
B. Device Refurbish/Repair - Reassign and/or Open Ended Loan 5,154
C. Total 5,154

Performance Measure
D. Device Exchange - Excluded from Performance Measure 00
E. Reassignment/Refurbishment and Repair and Open Ended Loans - Excluded from Performance Measure because AT is provided to or on behalf of an entity that has an obligation to provide the AT such as schools under IDEA or VR agencies/clients 00
F. Number of Individuals Included in Performance Measures 5,154

If a number is reported in E you must provide a description of the reason the individuals are excluded from the performance measure:

B. Device Exchange Activities

Device Exchange
Type of AT Device Number of Devices Exchanged Total Estimated Current Purchase Price Total Price for Which Device(s) Were Exchanged Savings to Consumers
Vision 00 $0 $0 $0
Hearing 00 $0 $0 $0
Speech Communication 00 $0 $0 $0
Learning, Cognition and Developmental 00 $0 $0 $0
Mobility, Seating and Positioning 00 $0 $0 $0
Daily Living 00 $0 $0 $0
Environmental Adaptations 00 $0 $0 $0
Vehicle Modification & Transportation 00 $0 $0 $0
Computers and Related 00 $0 $0 $0
Recreation, Sports and Leisure 00 $0 $0 $0
Total 00 $0 $0 $0

C. Device Refurbish/Repair - Reassignment and/or Open Ended Loan Activities

Device Reassign/Repair/Refurbish and/or OEL
Type of AT Device Number of Devices Reassigned/Refurbished and Repaired Total Estimated Current Purchase Price Total Price for Which Device(s) Were Sold Savings to Consumers
Vision 02 $365 $0 $365
Hearing 03 $2,215 $0 $2,215
Speech Communication 00 $0 $0 $0
Learning, Cognition and Developmental 04 $4,569 $0 $4,569
Mobility, Seating and Positioning 3,185 $1,192,805 $0 $1,192,805
Daily Living 1,956 $697,584 $0 $697,584
Environmental Adaptations 01 $35 $0 $35
Vehicle Modification & Transportation 03 $6,945 $0 $6,945
Computers and Related 00 $0 $0 $0
Recreation, Sports and Leisure 00 $0 $0 $0
Total 5,154 $1,904,518 $0 $1,904,518

D. Anecdote

When Mark Gacek, M. D. of Gacek Ear and Sinus Center decided to provide a Monoclonal Antibodies Infusion Clinic for Baldwin County residents, he had some planning and preparation ahead of him. Location, supplies, staffing—it all had to be in place before the clinic would be a success. Since they were expecting multiple visitors throughout the day, the normal number of supplies wasn’t going to be sufficient. A big need was multiple I.V. poles. A phone call to the We Share Program (a Program at Goodwill Gulf Coast and partnership with STAR, Alabama's AT Act Program) set things in motion. The on-hand poles were gathered. A message to Goodwill stores and warehouses from Mobile to Pensacola to find more poles netted additional items, all to be transported to a central location. By the time the big day arrived, seven I. V. poles were ready for service, speeding recovery for all those affected by COVID-19 in Baldwin County.