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? | No |
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? | 1 |
---|
How would you describe this state financing activity? | Other: STAR administers MN's Accommodation Fund for employees/applicants of executive branch agencies. |
---|
County of Residence | Individuals Served |
---|---|
A. Metro (RUCC 1-3) | 9 |
B. Non-Metro (RUCC 4-9) | 1 |
C. Total Served | 10 |
Performance Measure | |
---|---|
D. Excluded from Performance Measure | 10 |
E. Number of Individuals Included in Performance Measures | 0 |
If a number is reported in D you must provide a description of the reason the individuals are excluded from the performance measure:
Executive Branch agencies have a legal responsibility to provide reasonable accommodations to their state employees and applicants; therefore, this information should be excluded.
Type of AT Device / Service | Number of Devices Funded | Value of AT Provided |
---|---|---|
Vision | 5 | 12364.00 |
Hearing | 0 | 0.00 |
Speech communication | 1 | 1064.00 |
Learning, cognition, and developmental | 0 | 0.00 |
Mobility, seating and positioning | 3 | 3226.00 |
Daily living | 0 | 0.00 |
Environmental adaptations | 1 | 1514.00 |
Vehicle modification and transportation | 0 | 0.00 |
Computers and related | 0 | 0.00 |
Recreation, sports, and leisure | 0 | 0.00 |
Total | 10 | 18168.00 |
How many state financing activities that allow consumers to obtain AT at a reduced cost were included in your approved state plan? | 0 |
---|
Minnesota is one of two states in the nation that has a Centralized Accommodation Fund (CAF) for state employees. STAR manages the CAF program and has worked hard to raise awareness of assistive technology to state agencies through presentations, device demonstrations, and device loans. The STAR Program Coordinator is working with Minnesota's IT Services agency and is a member of their newly established Assistive Technology Technology Support Team. The mission of the team is to increase internal processes to increase state Executive Branch agency employees' access to assistive technology. The team is working to reduce the amount of time it takes to implement needed accommodations and resolve issues.
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 | 00 | 00 |
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 | 00 | 00 |
5. None of the above | 00 | 00 | 00 | 00 |
6. Subtotal | 00 | 00 | 00 | 00 |
7. Nonrespondent | 00 | 00 | 00 | 00 |
8. Total | 00 | 00 | 00 | 00 |
9. Performance on this measure | NaN% | NaN% | NaN% |
Customer Rating of Services | Number of Customers | Percent |
---|---|---|
Highly satisfied | 02 | 20% |
Satisfied | 08 | 80% |
Satisfied somewhat | 00 | 0% |
Not at all satisfied | 00 | 0% |
Nonrespondent | 00 | 0% |
Total Surveyed | 10 | |
Response rate % | 100% |
Activity | Number of Individuals Receiving a Device from Activity |
---|---|
A. Device Exchange | 00 |
B. Device Refurbish/Repair - Reassign and/or Open Ended Loan | 243 |
C. Total | 243 |
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 | 243 |
If a number is reported in E you must provide a description of the reason the individuals are excluded from the performance measure:
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 |
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 | 08 | $9,639 | $0 | $9,639 |
Hearing | 00 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
Speech Communication | 116 | $441,802 | $0 | $441,802 |
Learning, Cognition and Developmental | 01 | $150 | $0 | $150 |
Mobility, Seating and Positioning | 00 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
Daily Living | 00 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
Environmental Adaptations | 119 | $79,594 | $0 | $79,594 |
Vehicle Modification & Transportation | 00 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
Computers and Related | 02 | $400 | $0 | $400 |
Recreation, Sports and Leisure | 00 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
Total | 246 | $531,585 | $0 | $531,585 |
A 71-year-old male diagnoses with ALS lives with his wife and is pretty much confined to his home. He interacts with the outside world via an iPad and computer throughout the entirety of each day. They had been trying different types of mice as his hands progressively became weaker. Eventually, he wanted to try a foot-controlled mouse as he still has good movement left in his feet. The wife said, "Husband has some changes in his hands and he can no longer use them to control the mouse. We've been trying to figure out some way to help him because he doesn't have much head control either." They borrowed the Boomer Foot mouse and were pleased to find that he could successfully operate this alternative mouse. He was happy to be able to continue using the devices he was accustomed to by being able to switch the ways he accessed them, such as with the boomer mouse. He did not want to get into higher-tech devices such as eye-gaze yet since he was still fairly adept at using his feet to control the mouse and had all his favorite sites and settings on his current devices. His wife said, "He didn’t give up trying because this is his outlet being confined to the house, he does stock trades each morning." So, using this access method allows him to continue some of his daily morning rituals like the stock trades, as well as stay in touch with others with the email and social media apps on his iPad.
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 | 237 | 237 |
2. AT was only available through the AT program. | 01 | 02 | 01 | 04 |
3. AT was available through other programs, but the system was too complex or the wait time too long. | 00 | 00 | 02 | 02 |
4. Subtotal | 01 | 02 | 240 | 243 |
5. None of the above | 00 | 00 | 00 | 00 |
6. Subtotal | 01 | 02 | 240 | 243 |
7. Nonrespondent | 00 | 00 | 00 | 00 |
8. Total | 01 | 02 | 240 | 243 |
9. Performance on this measure | 100% | 100% | 100% |
Customer Rating of Services | Number of Customers | Percent |
---|---|---|
Highly satisfied | 243 | 100% |
Satisfied | 00 | 0% |
Satisfied somewhat | 00 | 0% |
Not at all satisfied | 00 | 0% |
Nonrespondent | 00 | 0% |
Total Surveyed | 243 | |
Response rate % | 100% |
Primary Purpose of Short-Term Device Loan | Number |
---|---|
Assist in decision-making (device trial or evaluation) | 400 |
Serve as loaner during service repair or while waiting for funding | 18 |
Provide an accommodation on a short-term basis for a time-limited event/situation | 46 |
Conduct training, self-education or other professional development activity | 18 |
Total | 482 |
Type of Individual or Entity | Number of Device Borrowers | ||
---|---|---|---|
Desicion-making | All other Purposes | Total | |
Individuals with Disabilities | 187 | 36 | 223 |
Family Members, Guardians, and Authorized Representatives | 74 | 17 | 91 |
Representative of Education | 79 | 20 | 99 |
Representative of Employment | 01 | 02 | 03 |
Representatives of Health, Allied Health, and Rehabilitation | 33 | 02 | 35 |
Representatives of Community Living | 10 | 04 | 14 |
Representatives of Technology | 16 | 01 | 17 |
Total | 400 | 82 | 482 |
Length of Short-Term Device Loan in Days | 30 |
---|
Type of AT Device | Number of Devices | ||
---|---|---|---|
Desicion-making | All other Purposes | Total | |
Vision | 79 | 08 | 87 |
Hearing | 12 | 00 | 12 |
Speech Communication | 140 | 14 | 154 |
Learning, Cognition and Developmental | 96 | 11 | 107 |
Mobility, Seating and Positioning | 13 | 04 | 17 |
Daily Living | 46 | 17 | 63 |
Environmental Adaptations | 44 | 06 | 50 |
Vehicle Modification and Transportation | 00 | 00 | 00 |
Computers and Related | 75 | 35 | 110 |
Recreation, Sports and Leisure | 20 | 11 | 31 |
Total | 525 | 106 | 631 |
This anecdote is being shared verbatim from one of our partners: The Lighthouse Center for Vital Living - https://www.lcfvl.org/ "loan: 27-DL-13918 I was called by a house manager of an adult group home to complete an AT assessment. Upon arrival i noticed the consumer sitting in a chair in the corner of the house, holding a snow globe up to his mouth-Christmas music and vibration. The house staff states that this consumer has been at this house for many years and his sitting in his chair all day doing what he was doing was the normal. They asked for possible options. We began many AT/device trials. We got the devices that worked down to these.. Alexa Show w/motion- made a song list Sony wireless headphones- for when staff may not want to listen to the song list - but consumer does Super talker - set this up with 8 buttons (marked with braille numbers) with choices of "favorite songs" - was not known if consumer read braille--he does read numbers in braille- house staff told him what the braille numbers were connected to for choices, and he uses the Super Talker and direct selects which button he wants - depending on which song he would like. He then, will get up and go to piano and play and sing that song to house mates and staff!!!! He has never done anything like this before - states house staff. This is huge for him!- said house manager.... Another device we found that work is a Twiddle device with vibration and when consumer wants that comfort, he knows to grab that device and hold that - very rarely does the consumer sit all day in the same chair now---- Increased independence, choice, hobby, entertainment and more ...."
Response | Primary Purpose for Which AT is Needed | Total | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
Education | Employment | Community Living | ||
Decided that AT device/service will meet needs | 88 | 19 | 227 | 334 |
Decided that an AT device/ service will not meet needs | 28 | 05 | 19 | 52 |
Subtotal | 116 | 24 | 246 | 386 |
Have not made a decision | 13 | 00 | 01 | 14 |
Subtotal | 129 | 24 | 247 | 400 |
Nonrespondent | 00 | 00 | 00 | 00 |
Total | 129 | 24 | 247 | 400 |
Performance on this measure | 89.92% | 100% | 99.6% |
Response | Primary Purpose for Which AT is Needed | Total | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
Education | Employment | Community Living | ||
1. Could only afford the AT through the AT program. | 15 | 00 | 31 | 46 |
2. AT was only available through the AT program. | 07 | 04 | 08 | 19 |
3. AT was available through other programs, but the system was too complex or the wait time too long. | 07 | 00 | 06 | 13 |
4. Subtotal | 29 | 04 | 45 | 78 |
5. None of the above | 03 | 00 | 01 | 04 |
6. Subtotal | 32 | 04 | 46 | 82 |
7. Nonrespondent | 00 | 00 | 00 | 00 |
8. Total | 32 | 04 | 46 | 82 |
9. Performance on this measure | 90.63% | 100% | 97.83% |
Customer Rating of Services | Number of Customers | Percent |
---|---|---|
Highly satisfied | 400 | 82.99% |
Satisfied | 75 | 15.56% |
Satisfied somewhat | 06 | 1.24% |
Not at all satisfied | 00 | 0% |
Nonrespondent | 01 | 0.21% |
Total Surveyed | 482 | |
Response rate % | 99.79% |
Type of AT Device / Service | Number of Demonstrations of AT Devices / Services |
---|---|
Vision | 83 |
Hearing | 08 |
Speech Communication | 10 |
Learning, Cognition and Developmental | 16 |
Mobility, Seating and Positioning | 07 |
Daily Living | 37 |
Environmental Adaptations | 16 |
Vehicle Modification and Transportation | 00 |
Computers and Related | 22 |
Recreation, Sports and Leisure | 10 |
Total # of Devices Demonstrated | 209 |
Type of Participant | Number of Participants in Device Demonstrations |
---|---|
Individuals with Disabilities | 184 |
Family Members, Guardians, and Authorized Representatives | 37 |
Representatives of Education | 20 |
Representatives of Employment | 02 |
Health, Allied Health, Rehabilitation | 17 |
Representative of Community Living | 03 |
Representative of Technology | 00 |
Total | 263 |
Type of Entity | Number of Referrals |
---|---|
Funding Source (non-AT program) | 24 |
Service Provider | 33 |
Vendor | 33 |
Repair Service | 00 |
Others | 00 |
Total | 90 |
A student in rural Minnesota was missing school due to medical issues. The special education cooperative which served his school district reached out to STAR. STAR partnered with the school district to deliver a mobile robotic device to them. The device allowed the student to attend school remotely. The student could not only access direct instruction but they could also interact in real-time with peers and staff. This boosted the student's morale (which is an element of healing) and helped them continue to feel a sense of belonging which will help create a smoother transition back to school after completing medical treatment.
Response | Primary Purpose for Which AT is Needed | Total | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
Education | Employment | Community Living | ||
Decided that AT device/service will meet needs | 18 | 13 | 172 | 203 |
Decided that an AT device/ service will not meet needs | 00 | 02 | 03 | 05 |
Subtotal | 18 | 15 | 175 | 208 |
Have not made a decision | 00 | 00 | 01 | 01 |
Subtotal | 18 | 15 | 176 | 209 |
Nonrespondent | 00 | 00 | 00 | 00 |
Total | 18 | 15 | 176 | 209 |
Performance on this measure | 100% | 100% | 99.43% |
Customer Rating of Services | Number of Customers | Percent |
---|---|---|
Highly satisfied | 233 | 88.59% |
Satisfied | 27 | 10.27% |
Satisfied somewhat | 03 | 1.14% |
Not at all satisfied | 00 | 0% |
Nonrespondent | 00 | 0% |
Total | 263 | |
Response rate % | 100% |
Response | Primary Purpose for Which AT is Needed | Total | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
Education | Employment | Community Living | ||
1. Could only afford the AT through the AT program. | 15 | 00 | 268 | 283 |
2. AT was only available through the AT program. | 08 | 06 | 09 | 23 |
3. AT was available through other programs, but the system was too complex or the wait time too long. | 07 | 00 | 08 | 15 |
4. Subtotal | 30 | 06 | 285 | 321 |
5. None of the above | 03 | 00 | 01 | 04 |
6. Subtotal | 33 | 06 | 286 | 325 |
7. Nonrespondent | 00 | 00 | 00 | 00 |
8. Total | 33 | 06 | 286 | 325 |
9. Performance on this measure | 69.7% | 100% | 96.85% | 94.15% |
ACL Performance Measure | 85% | |||
Met/Not Met | Met |
Response | Primary Purpose for Which AT is Needed | Total | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
Education | Employment | Community Living | ||
Decided that AT device/service will meet needs | 106 | 32 | 399 | 537 |
Decided that an AT device/ service will not meet needs | 28 | 07 | 22 | 57 |
Subtotal | 134 | 39 | 421 | 594 |
Have not made a decision | 13 | 00 | 02 | 15 |
Subtotal | 147 | 39 | 423 | 609 |
Nonrespondent | 00 | 00 | 00 | 00 |
Total | 147 | 39 | 423 | 609 |
Performance on this measure | 91.16% | 100% | 99.53% | 97.54% |
ACL Performance Measure | 90% | |||
Met/Not Met | Met |
Customer Rating of Services | Percent | ACL Target | Met/Not Met |
---|---|---|---|
Highly satisfied and satisfied | 99.10% | 95% | Met |
Response Rate | 99.90% | 90% | Met |
Type of Participant | Number |
---|---|
Individuals with Disabilities | 13 |
Family Members, Guardians and Authorized Representatives | 05 |
Representatives of Education | 26 |
Representatives of Employment | 62 |
Rep Health, Allied Health, and Rehabilitation | 80 |
Representatives of Community Living | 04 |
Representatives of Technology | 14 |
Unable to Categorize | 66 |
TOTAL | 270 |
Metro | Non Metro | Unknown | TOTAL |
---|---|---|---|
220 | 47 | 03 | 270 |
Primary Topic of Training | Participants |
---|---|
AT Products/Services | 72 |
AT Funding/Policy/ Practice | 00 |
Combination of any/all of the above | 00 |
Information Technology/Telecommunication Access | 198 |
Transition | 00 |
Total | 270 |
Describe innovative one high-impact assistance training activity conducted during the reporting period:
STAR conducted two separate pieces of training with Saint Catherine University Occupational Grad students. One event was focused on Alternative and Augmentative Communication. Students were given two case studies and were asked to select potential assistive technology devices to consider as tools for the children in the studies. STAR provided the students with a wide range of assistive technology devices to test out and become familiar with.
Briefly describe one training activity related to transition conducted during the reporting period:
Briefly describe one training activity related to Information and Communication Technology accessibility:
STAR continues to work with Minnesota's office of Accessibility (MOA) in a collaborative effort. Together with MOA, STAR is offering free online training (https://mn.gov/mnit/about-mnit/accessibility/training/) on creating accessible Word documents. This training is available to all Minnesotans.
Outcome/Result From IT/Telecommunications Training Received | Number |
---|---|
IT and Telecommunications Procurement or Dev Policies | 58 |
Training or Technical Assistance will be developed or implemented | 140 |
No known outcome at this time | 00 |
Nonrespondent | 00 |
Total | 198 |
Performance Measure Percentage | 100% |
ACL Target Percentage | 70% |
Met/Not Met | Met |
Education | 10% |
---|---|
Employment | 25% |
Health, Allied Health, Rehabilitation | % |
Community Living | 48% |
Technology (IT, Telecom, AT) | 17% |
Total | 100% |
Describe Innovative one high-impact assistance activity that is not related to transition:
The Minnesota STAR Program is an advisory member of the Technology for Healthy Aging Program. Tech 4 Healthy Aging is a state-funded program whose goal is to help older Minnesotans utilize technology and other resources to maximize their safety, independence, and quality of life. Minnesotans statewide aged 65 or over who have a disability or other condition challenging their independence.STAR works with the Program managers through device loans and referrals.
Breifly describe one technical assistance activity related to transition conducted during the reporting period:
STAR's Program Coordinator is a member of Minnesota's Technology Accessibility Advisory Committee. The purpose of the group is to offer guidance to Minnesota's IT Services (MNIT). MNIT is the central IT organization for the State of Minnesota. Statute,16E.03, subd. 9 charges the state’s Chief Information Officer (CIO, e.g., MNIT Commissioner) to “develop accessibility standards” and “shall require state agencies to adhere to the standards.”
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. STAR's Program Coordinator presented virtually to Minnesota's Disability Hub Call Center staff. This was an exciting opportunity as the Disability Hub is a well know state resource that takes calls from across the state. We shared with over 30 staff members details of the services that STAR offers including Device Demonstrations, Loans, and Information and Assistance. We discussed who STAR's contract partners are, who qualifies for, and how to receive services from STAR. We also spoke about the various devices that we have available and showed examples of many of them. Since the event, we have seen an uptick in referrals from the Hub.
2.
Types of Recipients | AT Device/ Service |
AT Funding | Total |
---|---|---|---|
Individuals with Disabilities | 100 | 17 | 117 |
Family Members, Guardians and Authorized Representatives | 39 | 17 | 56 |
Representative of Education | 03 | 00 | 03 |
Representative of Employment | 25 | 00 | 25 |
Representative of Health, Allied Health, and Rehabilitation | 12 | 00 | 12 |
Representative of Community Living | 03 | 01 | 04 |
Representative of Technology | 06 | 00 | 06 |
Unable to Categorize | 00 | 00 | 00 |
Total | 188 | 35 | 223 |
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 |
---|
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?
The STAR Program has been involved with a multi-agency workgroup which has been working on ensuring Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) are available to students who are eligible and "potentially eligible" for Vocational Rehabilitation Services. STAR collaborated with the Minnesota Department of Education, Department (MDE) of Employment and Economic Development (DEED), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (VRS) and the Department of Human Resources (DHS) to develop programming to serve youth with disabilities ages 18-21. Each participant brought forward expertise in their specific area and funding was provided by a federal grant which was awarded to DEED.
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.
The measurable outcomes of this collaboration included the STAR Program joining the MDE staff for "office hours" which allows the community to reach out with on a bi-monthly basis with questions about disability services - including AT. Awareness of AT and the reach of AT increased as the collaboration has lead to a proposed pilot program which will have the State Academies for the Deaf and Blind list their AT devices on the STAR's digital library. This collaboration is on-going and is recognized for its collaborative, professional and respectful environment. It has grown from focusing on one project to examining agencies' roles in creating more streamlined and effective ways for State of Minnesota residents to access AT. The collaboration is successful because of the respect each participant has for others and a willingness to "think outside the box". The workgroup is working with Management Analysis and Development for guidance regarding future growth and development. The workgroup does not require stand alone funding.
3. What focus areas(s) were addressed by the initiative?
Education; Employment; Community Participation and Integration; Recreation / Leisure; Transition(school to work or congregate care to community);
4. What AT Act authorized activity(s) were addressed?
Training; Information & Assistance; Public Awareness; Technical Assistance;
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? | 00 |
---|
Did you have Additional and Leveraged Funding to Report? | Yes |
---|
Fund Source | Amount | Use of Funds | Data Reported |
---|---|---|---|
State Appropriations | $8,283 | Device Loan | False |
Amount: $8,283 |
The Minnesota STAR Program oversees the Centralized Accommodation Fund for State of Minnesota Executive Branch Agencies. STAR reviews purchases of assistive technology devices that agencies have made as reasonable ADA accommodations for employees. If the purchases meet the established requirements (https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/16B.4805) STAR authorized the agency partial reimbursement from the general fund.
Center for Assistive Technology Act Data Assistance . Saved: Mon Mar 07 2022 11:08:20 GMT-0600 (Central Standard Time)