National Assistive Technology Act Data System

Annual Progress Report - Full Report

Florida 2021

General Information

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

State AT Program Title:
Florida Alliance for Assistive Services and Technology
State AT Program Title:
State AT Program URL
www.faast.org
Mailing Address:
820 E Park Ave D - 200
City:
TALLAHASSEE
State:
FL
Zip Code:
32301
Program Email:
info@faastinc.org
Phone:
8504873278
TTY:
8505754216

Lead Agency

Agency Name:
Florida Department of Education Division of Vocational Rehabilitation
Mailing Address:
325 W Gaines St. Suite 1144
City:
Tallahassee
State:
FL
Zip Code:
32399
Program URL:
vr.fldoes.org

Implementing Entity

Name of Implementing Agency:
Florida Alliance for Assistive Services and Technology
Mailing Address:
820 E Park Ave D - 200
City
Tallahassee
State:
FL
Zip Code:
32301
Program URL:
www.faast.org

Program Director and Other Contacts

Program Director for State AT Program (last, first):
Doyle, Whitney
Title:
Executive Director
Phone:
8504873278
E-mail:
wdoyle@faastinc.org
Program Director at Lead Agency (last, first):
Sims, Cacetha
Title:
Contract Manager
Phone:
8502453373
E-mail:
Cacetha.Sims@vr.fldoe.org
Primary Contact at Implementing Agency (last, first) - If applicable:
Doyle, Whitney
Title:
Executive Director
Phone:
8504873278
E-mail:
wdoyle@faastinc.org

Person Responsible for completing this form if other than Program Director

Name (last, first):
Brock, Hannah
Title:
State AT Program Manager
Phone:
8504873278
E-mail:
hbrock@faastinc.org

Certifying Representative

Name (last, first):
Sims, Cacetha
Title:
Contract Manager
Phone:
8502453373
E-mail:
Cacetha.Sims@vr.fldoe.org

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 62 07 69
Approved Not made 01 00 01
Rejected 25 05 30
Total 88 12 100

2. Income of Applicants to Whom Loans Were Made

Lowest/Highest Incomes
Lowest Income: $6,228 Highest Income: $174,324

Average Income
Sum of Incomes Loans Made Average Annual Income
$3,441,261 69 $49,873

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 10 10 16 16 07 10 69
Percentage of Loans 14.49% 14.49% 23.19% 23.19% 10.14% 14.49% 100%

3. Loan Type

Loan Type
Type of Loan Number of Loans Percentage of loans
Revolving Loans 62 89.86%
Partnership Loans
Without interest buy-down or loan guarantee 00 0%
With interest buy-down only 04 5.8%
With loan guarantee only 03 4.35%
With both interest buy-down and loan guarantee 00 0%
Total 69 100%

Loan Type Summary
Type of Loan Number of Loans Dollar Value of Loans
Revolving Loans 62 $337,274
Partnership Loans 07 $130,845
Total 69 $468,119

4. Interest Rates

Interest Rates
Lowest 5%
Highest 8%

Interest Rate Summary
Sum of Interest Rates Number of Loans Made Average Interest Rate
384 69 5.56521739130435%

Number of Loans Made by Interest Rate
Interest Rate Number of loans
0.0% to 2.0% 00
2.1% to 4.0% 00
4.1% to 6.0% 66
6.1% to 8.0% 03
8.1% - 10.0% 00
10.1%-12.0% 00
12.1%-14.0% 00
14.1% + 00
Total 69

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 11 $32,541
Hearing 67 $172,515
Speech communication 00 $0
Learning, cognition, and developmental 00 $0
Mobility, seating and positioning 12 $58,486
Daily living 16 $73,860
Environmental adaptations 00 $0
Vehicle modification and transportation 09 $125,907
Computers and related 03 $1,662
Recreation, sports, and leisure 01 $3,148
Total 119 $468,119

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

I honestly do not know what I would have done with out the FASST program. Eric was kind and helpful, guiding us through the entire process. I received a loan for a fully handicap conversion van through the program at a low interest rate that was extremely affordable. My previous van I had for 25 years and along with it becoming outdated and well used it also was unsafe because I no long had the mobility I had 25 years ago. To say the FASST program allowed me to regain my independence again would be an understatement. I run a children’s charity and the van has enabled me to get back to work. Most importantly I am back to going out and enjoying life! Todd L.

Impact Area

My audiologist provided me with contact information for the New Horizon Loan Program at FAAST when I required new hearing aids. The application was easy to complete and once my application was approved, the loan process took less than a week. I also had several options to how long I wanted my payments for. I ended up setting up my payment plan for 36 months at a very low-interest rate and with automatic withdrawal. Hearing aids are very expensive and I was relieved when I knew I had an option to cover the expense and make monthly payments. Made buying them a little less painful. Anytime I’ve had questions, Eric has been very responsive and pointed me in the right direction. I know in the future if I have a situation come up that I need a loan program, I can reach out to FAAST. Linda D.

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 04 60 64
2. AT was only available through the AT program. 00 00 01 01
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 04 61 65
5. None of the above 01 00 03 04
6. Subtotal 01 04 64 69
7. Nonrespondent 00 00 00 00
8. Total 01 04 64 69
9. Performance on this measure 0% 100% 95.31%

F. Customer Satisfaction

Satisfaction
Customer Rating of Services Number of Customers Percent
Highly satisfied 31 44.93%
Satisfied 34 49.28%
Satisfied somewhat 00 0%
Not at all satisfied 00 0%
Nonrespondent 04 5.8%
Total Surveyed 69
Response rate % 94.2%

G. Notes:

Reutilization

A. Number of Recipients of Reused Devices

Activity Number of Individuals Receiving a Device from Activity
A. Device Exchange 03
B. Device Refurbish/Repair - Reassign and/or Open Ended Loan 430
C. Total 433

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 433

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 01 $150 $0 $150
Daily Living 02 $75 $0 $75
Environmental Adaptations 00 $0 $0 $0
Vehicle Modification & Transportation 00 $0 $0 $0
Computers and Related 02 $150 $0 $150
Recreation, Sports and Leisure 00 $0 $0 $0
Total 05 $375 $0 $375

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 01 $500 $0 $500
Hearing 04 $1,550 $0 $1,550
Speech Communication 01 $200 $0 $200
Learning, Cognition and Developmental 00 $0 $0 $0
Mobility, Seating and Positioning 291 $103,126 $0 $103,126
Daily Living 264 $17,783 $1 $17,782
Environmental Adaptations 34 $8,410 $0 $8,410
Vehicle Modification & Transportation 07 $7,041 $240 $6,801
Computers and Related 26 $4,450 $0 $4,450
Recreation, Sports and Leisure 03 $1,675 $0 $1,675
Total 631 $144,735 $241 $144,494

D. Anecdote

Christine P., 68 years old, owns a powerchair that was not working. FAAST funds were used to evaluate her power wheelchair. SS Medical determined that it needed a charger and new batteries. They made a home visit and within three days returned and repaired her chair. Prior to this, Christine used her powerchair to get out in her community. Once it stopped working, she was at home and inside all the time. Her doctor highly recommended she get some sunshine/vitamin D for her health. After her chair was working again, Christine was able to get out twice a day and visit with her neighbors. She also uses her power chair to go to the neighborhood market for food. The FAAST ReUse program has given her Florida sunshine, better mental health, and independence. She is very grateful that her powerchair has been repaired.

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. 06 06 355 367
2. AT was only available through the AT program. 00 01 65 66
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 06 07 420 433
5. None of the above 00 00 00 00
6. Subtotal 06 07 420 433
7. Nonrespondent 00 00 00 00
8. Total 06 07 420 433
9. Performance on this measure 100% 100% 100%

F. Customer Satisfaction

Satisfaction
Customer Rating of Services Number of Customers Percent
Highly satisfied 396 91.45%
Satisfied 37 8.55%
Satisfied somewhat 00 0%
Not at all satisfied 00 0%
Nonrespondent 00 0%
Total Surveyed 433
Response rate % 100%

G. Notes:

Device Loan

A. Short-Term Device Loans by Type of Purpose

Loans By Purpose
Primary Purpose of Short-Term Device Loan Number
Assist in decision-making (device trial or evaluation) 1,279
Serve as loaner during service repair or while waiting for funding 23
Provide an accommodation on a short-term basis for a time-limited event/situation 285
Conduct training, self-education or other professional development activity 212
Total 1,799

B. Short-Term Device Loan by Type of Borrower

LOANS BY TYPE OF BORROWER
Type of Individual or Entity Number of Device Borrowers
Desicion-making All other Purposes Total
Individuals with Disabilities 592 00 592
Family Members, Guardians, and Authorized Representatives 251 00 251
Representative of Education 148 00 148
Representative of Employment 07 00 07
Representatives of Health, Allied Health, and Rehabilitation 678 00 678
Representatives of Community Living 104 00 104
Representatives of Technology 19 00 19
Total 1,799 00 1,799

C. Length of Short-Term Device Loans

Length of Short-Term Device Loan in Days 35

D. Types of Devices Loaned

Types of Devices Loaned
Type of AT Device Number of Devices
Desicion-making All other Purposes Total
Vision 339 00 339
Hearing 53 00 53
Speech Communication 493 00 493
Learning, Cognition and Developmental 281 00 281
Mobility, Seating and Positioning 134 00 134
Daily Living 311 00 311
Environmental Adaptations 183 00 183
Vehicle Modification and Transportation 01 00 01
Computers and Related 1,040 00 1,040
Recreation, Sports and Leisure 70 00 70
Total 2,905 00 2,905

E. Anecdote

“Thank you to the FAAST Center at the University of Central Florida for helping make life a little easier for my father-in-law! After being diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease, it has become difficult for him to eat independently as his tremors have become more pronounced. Traditional silverware has been increasingly difficult for him to control as he eats. With the help of the FAAST Center's device loan program, he has been able to try a variety of utensils and has found the perfect fit to help steady his hand. The use of the weighted utensils has allowed him to enjoy foods that he had been avoiding due to the motor control needed to prevent spills. Thank you for making it possible for persons with varying abilities to trial assistive equipment before purchasing items that may be the wrong choice. Your loan program has truly helped our family!"

Impact Area

F. Access Performance Measures

Access Performance Measures
Response Primary Purpose for Which AT is Needed Total
Education Employment Community Living
Decided that AT device/service will meet needs 453 82 490 1,025
Decided that an AT device/ service will not meet needs 27 04 39 70
Subtotal 480 86 529 1,095
Have not made a decision 59 06 27 92
Subtotal 539 92 556 1,187
Nonrespondent 71 04 17 92
Total 610 96 573 1,279
Performance on this measure 89.05% 93.48% 95.14%

G. Acquisition Performance Measures

Acquisition 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. 26 00 15 41
2. AT was only available through the AT program. 20 43 97 160
3. AT was available through other programs, but the system was too complex or the wait time too long. 09 47 13 69
4. Subtotal 55 90 125 270
5. None of the above 144 05 04 153
6. Subtotal 199 95 129 423
7. Nonrespondent 86 00 11 97
8. Total 285 95 140 520
9. Performance on this measure 27.64% 94.74% 96.9%

H. Customer Satisfaction

Satisfaction
Customer Rating of Services Number of Customers Percent
Highly satisfied 1,508 83.82%
Satisfied 88 4.89%
Satisfied somewhat 08 0.44%
Not at all satisfied 04 0.22%
Nonrespondent 191 10.62%
Total Surveyed 1,799
Response rate % 89.38%

I. Notes:

Device Demonstration

A. Number of Device Demonstrations by Device Type

Type of AT Device / Service Number of Demonstrations of AT Devices / Services
Vision 98
Hearing 25
Speech Communication 379
Learning, Cognition and Developmental 117
Mobility, Seating and Positioning 93
Daily Living 172
Environmental Adaptations 43
Vehicle Modification and Transportation 07
Computers and Related 89
Recreation, Sports and Leisure 35
Total # of Devices Demonstrated 1,058

B. Types of Participants

Demonstrations by Participant Type
Type of Participant Number of Participants in Device Demonstrations
Individuals with Disabilities 720
Family Members, Guardians, and Authorized Representatives 795
Representatives of Education 87
Representatives of Employment 22
Health, Allied Health, Rehabilitation 358
Representative of Community Living 93
Representative of Technology 07
Total 2,082

C. Number of Referrals

Referrals
Type of Entity Number of Referrals
Funding Source (non-AT program) 06
Service Provider 00
Vendor 06
Repair Service 00
Others 00
Total 12

D. Anecdote

 A Speech Language Pathologist visited the FAAST CRDC in Tampa with her client who has vision and memory loss. The client brought in her handheld magnifier that she bought from the Lighthouse for the Blind & Low Vision years ago. It was scratched, taped, and falling apart from being used so often. We explored a variety of magnifiers and she decided that the Eyoyo Digital Magnifier would best meet her needs. She benefited from the bright light under the device and the option to adjust zoom levels. We demonstrated how the freeze image feature could be a useful tool when she needed to call her doctor or organize her medication. She could freeze the image of the text on the magnifier and move it to a secondary location to complete the task. She was excited to learn the device could be purchased through Amazon and it was under $100. 

Impact Area

E. Performance Measures

Performance Measures
Response Primary Purpose for Which AT is Needed Total
Education Employment Community Living
Decided that AT device/service will meet needs 350 68 498 916
Decided that an AT device/ service will not meet needs 07 00 03 10
Subtotal 357 68 501 926
Have not made a decision 44 10 67 121
Subtotal 401 78 568 1,047
Nonrespondent 06 03 02 11
Total 407 81 570 1,058
Performance on this measure 87.71% 83.95% 87.89%

F. Customer Satisfaction

Satisfaction
Customer Rating of Services Number of Customers Percent
Highly satisfied 1,875 90.06%
Satisfied 197 9.46%
Satisfied somewhat 08 0.38%
Not at all satisfied 00 0%
Nonrespondent 02 0.1%
Total 2,082
Response rate % 99.9%

G. Notes:

Overall Performance Measures

Overall Acquisition Performance Measure

Acquisition 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. 32 10 430 472
2. AT was only available through the AT program. 20 44 163 227
3. AT was available through other programs, but the system was too complex or the wait time too long. 09 47 13 69
4. Subtotal 61 101 606 768
5. None of the above 145 05 07 157
6. Subtotal 206 106 613 925
7. Nonrespondent 86 00 11 97
8. Total 292 106 624 1,022
9. Performance on this measure 25.24% 50.94% 96.74% 75.57%
ACL Performance Measure 85%
Met/Not Met Not Met

Overall Access Performance Measure

Access Performance Measures
Response Primary Purpose for Which AT is Needed Total
Education Employment Community Living
Decided that AT device/service will meet needs 803 150 988 1,941
Decided that an AT device/ service will not meet needs 34 04 42 80
Subtotal 837 154 1,030 2,021
Have not made a decision 103 16 94 213
Subtotal 940 170 1,124 2,234
Nonrespondent 77 07 19 103
Total 1,017 177 1,143 2,337
Performance on this measure 88.48% 89.02% 91.47% 90.02%
ACL Performance Measure 90%
Met/Not Met Met

Overall Satisfaction Rating

Customer Rating of Services Percent ACL Target Met/Not Met
Highly satisfied and satisfied 99.52% 95% Met
Response Rate 95.51% 90% Met

Training

A. Training Participants: Number and Types of Participants; Geographical Distribution

Training by Participant Type
Type of Participant Number
Individuals with Disabilities 2,744
Family Members, Guardians and Authorized Representatives 3,710
Representatives of Education 398
Representatives of Employment 167
Rep Health, Allied Health, and Rehabilitation 1,852
Representatives of Community Living 532
Representatives of Technology 74
Unable to Categorize 547
TOTAL 10,024

Geographic Distribution of Participants
Metro Non Metro Unknown TOTAL
7,875 1,829 320 10,024

B. Training Topics

Trainings by Topic
Primary Topic of Training Participants
AT Products/Services 9,909
AT Funding/Policy/ Practice 11
Combination of any/all of the above 93
Information Technology/Telecommunication Access 00
Transition 11
Total 10,024

C. Description of Training Activities

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

"The SFRDC provided a training to the staff at a specialized educational center (Neva King Copper) which is part of Miami-Dade County Public Schools. This targeted training included information on a variety of AT tools to support the learning, communication and behavior of the students in the classroom. After the training, the teacher reached out to the SFRDC for further AT support for a specific student in her classroom. The teacher expressed interest in helping the student use an eye gaze system to control a communication board. Presently, the teacher used a static board of a copy of the TouchChat 25 vocabulary with partner assisted scanning to facilitate the child’s communication. However, intrigued by the opportunity for the student to be more independent and spontaneous in her communication, the teacher requested to participate in the FAAST’s Device Loan Program and trial an eye gaze system: Skyle for iPad. Working through the era of Covid has certainly presented its challenges as the student, teacher and caregiver were not able to physical attend an AT demonstration at the SFRDC center. Instead, the device was directly delivered to the teacher, and through video conference, the SFRDC staff provided technical support to set up the Skyle for iPad. This set up did not occur without any glitches, as initially the iPad did not connect to the eye gaze. However, SFRDC staff assisted the teacher, student and caregiver throughout the process with the ultimate goal of helping the child have the opportunity to trial such device in her naturalistic environment. This success story comes to show that, as in life, supporting AT use can hit some roadblocks. But when consumers feel supported and have a place to go to for assistance, AT abandonment can be avoided."

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

The SRDC provided post-secondary transition training to high school students attending the Florida Youth Leadership Forum hosted by the Florida Association of Centers for Independent Living.

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

D. IT/Telecommunications Training Performance Measure

IT/Telecommunications Training Performance Measure
Outcome/Result From IT/Telecommunications Training Received Number
IT and Telecommunications Procurement or Dev Policies 00
Training or Technical Assistance will be developed or implemented 00
No known outcome at this time 00
Nonrespondent 00
Total 00
Performance Measure Percentage NaN%
ACL Target Percentage 70%
Met/Not Met Not Met

E. Notes:

Technical Assistance

A. Frequency and Nature of Technical Assistance

Technical Assistance by Recipient Type
Education %
Employment %
Health, Allied Health, Rehabilitation 25%
Community Living 12%
Technology (IT, Telecom, AT) 63%
Total 100%

B. Description of Technical Assistance

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

The Assistive Technology Interagency Committee is working on a State Agency Toolkit. This toolkit will contain FAAST services and other AT resources that would be valuable to a state agency employee. This toolkit was reviewed on the 4/20/2021 Interagency Committee meeting and will be reviewed again in the May meeting. The toolkit will be distributed to all the state agencies on the Advisory Council and other agencies as FAAST sees fit.

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

The FAAST Executive Director met with a representative from the Florida Department of Elder Affairs to explore collaborations between the No Wrong Door/Aging and Disability Resource Center programs and FAAST. The Regional Demonstration Centers were explained and promoted as a local resource to the Department. FAAST has asked the agency to consider including a representative on the Assistive Technology Advisory Council.

C. Notes:

Public Awareness

Public Awareness Activities

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. FAAST hosted a booth at the Nation's largest cross-disability event, The Annual Family Cafe Conference in Orlando, FL. The event reported having over 5,000 attendees. Our booth was full of different categories of Assistive Technology devices. The crowd favorite was the 3D printer which live-printed assistive technology devices, like various grips and keyguards, to spread awareness of different ways to 3D print AT. After the event, we connected a few individuals to a local 3D printing resource in their area! While at the conference we added 48 attendees to our email list to learn more about FAAST and assistive technology.

2.

Information And Assistance

Information And Assistance Activities by Recipient
Types of Recipients AT Device/
Service
AT Funding Total
Individuals with Disabilities 1,054 401 1,455
Family Members, Guardians and Authorized Representatives 829 134 963
Representative of Education 148 04 152
Representative of Employment 33 03 36
Representative of Health, Allied Health, and Rehabilitation 727 30 757
Representative of Community Living 245 18 263
Representative of Technology 31 12 43
Unable to Categorize 02 00 02
Total 3,069 602 3,671

Notes:

Coordination/Collaboration and State Improvement Outcomes

Overview of Coordination/Collaboration Activities

Coordination/Collaboration activities are not required. You may report up to two MAJOR coordination/collaboration activities for this reporting period. How many will you be reporting? 1

A. Coordination/Collaboration

1. As concisely as possible, describe the partnership initiative. What activities/services were provided? Who are the major collaborating organizations and what is their role? Who is served/benefited? What funding was used to implement the initiative?

With the transition of a new Executive Director, FAAST began relationship building with the Florida Brain and Spinal Cord Injury Program (BSCIP). FAAST gave a general awareness presentation to the BSCIP coordinators across the state. BSCIP then sent FAAST marketing materials to their network. The intention of the collaboration was to expand assistive technology services to Floridians who have spinal cord injuries. Federal AT Act funding was used in the form of paid salaries for this collaboration.

2. As concisely as possible, describe the measurable results of the initiative and any lessons learned. How did access to AT change as a result of the coordination/collaboration/partnership? How did awareness of AT change as a result of the partnership? How did the reach of the state AT program change as a result of the partnership? What made the partnership successful? What would you change or wish you had done differently? Provided funding/resources are available, will the initiative continue or is this a one-time event? What advice would you give for replication of the initiative? Please include URL for initiative if available.

Access to AT did improve, by means of financial loans through the New Horizon Loan Program. BSCIP managers expressed excitement and a new understanding of the AT program in Florida after the awareness presentation. Partnership activities are intended to continue as FAAST expands its service delivery system to serve more individuals in rural communities. FAAST continues to identify potential partner organizations to spread awareness of the AT program as part of the FAAST Strategic Plan 2020.

3. What focus areas(s) were addressed by the initiative?

Housing / Home Automation; Transportation; Community Participation and Integration;

4. What AT Act authorized activity(s) were addressed?

Device Loan; Demonstration; Reuse; State Financing; Training; Information & Assistance; Public Awareness;

Overview of State Improvement Activities

State improvement outcomes are not required. You may report up to two MAJOR state improvement outcomes for this reporting period. How many will you be reporting? 01

B. State Improvements

1. In one or two sentences, describe the outcome. Be as specific as possible about exactly what changed during this reporting period as a result of the AT program's initiative.

FAAST worked with the Florida Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, Florida Department of Education, and Florida Division of Blind Services to create a State Agency Toolkit to assist Florida agencies to better understand assistive technology devices and services.


2. In one or two sentences, describe the written policies, practices, and procedures that have been developed and implemented as a result of the AT program's initiative. Include information about how to obtain the full documents, such as a Web site address or e-mail address of a contact person, but do not include the full documents here. (If there are no written polices, practices and procedures, explain why.)

The State Agency Toolkit includes information about FAAST, services provided by the Assistive Technology Act, assistive technology information and devices by categories (including links to examples of devices), resource links, frequently asked questions, and terminology definitions. Contact Whitney Doyle at wdoyle@faast.org to obtain a copy of the State Agency Toolkit.


3. What was the primary area of impact for this state improvement outcome?

Employment


Additional And Leveraged Funds

Did you have Additional and Leveraged Funding to Report? Yes

A. Leveraged Funding for State Plan Activities

Fund Source Amount Use of Funds Data Reported
Public/State Agency$259,629DemonstrationTrue
Private$23,114Device LoanTrue
Private$97,726TrainingTrue
Public/State Agency$74,361Public Awareness, I&ATrue
Public/State Agency$198,661TrainingTrue
Public/State Agency$388,768Device LoanTrue
Amount: $1,042,259

For any leveraged funding reported above for which data could not be reported, please describe the extenuating circumstances that precluded data from being reported and efforts to remediate the situation in future reporting periods.


B. Describe any unique issues with your data in this section (e.g., the reason why you were unable to report the number of individuals served with additional or leveraged funds).


Center for Assistive Technology Act Data Assistance . Saved: Mon Mar 07 2022 11:02:44 GMT-0600 (Central Standard Time)


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This FY21 State AT Program Annual Progress Report was exported from the National Assistive Technology Act Data System (NATADS). NATADS was developed with partial support from the Center for Assistive Technology Act Data Assistance.