National Assistive Technology Act Data System

Annual Progress Report - Full Report

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Texas 2021

General Information

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

State AT Program Title:

Texas Technology Access Program

State AT Program Title:

State AT Program URL

https://ttap.disabilitystudies.utexas.edu/

Mailing Address:

10100 Burnet Rd. Bldg. 137 Ste 1.154 MC L4000

City:

Austin

State:

Zip Code:

78758

Program Email:

ttap@utexas.edu

Phone:

512-232-0740

TTY:

1-800-735-2988

Lead Agency

Agency Name:

Texas Center for Disabiltiy Studies, The University of Texas at Austin

Mailing Address:

10100 Burnet Rd. Bldg. 137 Ste 1.154 MC L4000

City:

Austin

State:

Zip Code:

78758

Program URL:

https://disabilitystudies.utexas.edu/

Implementing Entity

Does your Lead Agency contract with an Implementing Entity to carry out the Statewide AT Program on its behalf? (Check if Yes)

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):

Angela Standridge

Title:

Director, Texas Technology Access Program

Phone:

512-232-0751

E-mail:

astandridge@austin.utexas.edu

Program Director at Lead Agency (last, first):

Magna, Sandy, Ph.D.

Title:

Executive Director, TCDS, University of Texas

Phone:

512-232-9216

E-mail:

smagana@austin.utexas.edu

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):

Courtney Frazier Swaney

Title:

Associate Director Office of Sponsored Projects

Phone:

512-471-6231

E-mail:

c_frazier@austin.utexas.edu

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?

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?

Activity 1

How would you describe this state financing activity?

Other: Double Click computer/tablet recycle/reuse program pay out over time program

2. Geographic Distribution, Number of Individuals Who Acquired AT Devices and Services and Number for whom Performance Measure Data are Collected

County of Residence	Individuals Served
A. Metro (RUCC 1-3)	29
B. Non-Metro (RUCC 4-9)	1
C. Total Served	30

Performance Measure
D. Excluded from Performance Measure	0
E. Number of Individuals Included in Performance Measures	30

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

3. Types and Dollar Amounts of AT Funded

Type of AT Device / Service	Number of Devices Funded	Value of AT Provided
Vision	0	0.00
Hearing	0	0.00
Speech communication	0	0.00
Learning, cognition, and developmental	0	0.00
Mobility, seating and positioning	0	0.00
Daily living	0	0.00
Environmental adaptations	0	0.00
Vehicle modification and transportation	0	0.00
Computers and related	30	3600.00
Recreation, sports, and leisure	0	0.00
Total	30	3600.00

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?

D. Anecdote

pending

Impact Area Education Employment Community Living

pending

Impact Area Education Employment Community Living

E. Performance Measures

Performance Measures
Response	Primary Purpose for Which AT is Needed			Total
Response	Education	Employment	Community Living	Total
1. Could only afford the AT through the AT program.	09	14	07	30
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	09	14	07	30
5. None of the above	00	00	00	00
6. Subtotal	09	14	07	30
7. Nonrespondent	00	00	00	00
8. Total	09	14	07	30
9. Performance on this measure	100%	100%	100%

F. Customer Satisfaction

Satisfaction
Customer Rating of Services	Number of Customers	Percent
Highly satisfied	08	26.67%
Satisfied	22	73.33%
Satisfied somewhat	00	0%
Not at all satisfied	00	0%
Nonrespondent	00	0%
Total Surveyed	30
Response rate %	100%

G. Notes:

TTAP did acquire an Alternative Financing Loan from ACL. It has proved challenging to enable and support the Office of Special Programs at the University of Texas in managing this grant due to the unusual nature of making loans. TTAP has done our due diligence to move this project along and foresee closure in the near future. ACL has been updated regularly on the progress.

Reutilization

Did your approved State Plan for this reporting period included conducting any device reuse activities?

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	1,534
C. Total	1,534

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	1,534

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	Total Estimated Current Purchase Price	Total Price for Which Device(s) Were Exchanged	Savings to Consumers
Vision	$0	$0	$0
Hearing	$0	$0	$0
Speech Communication	$0	$0	$0
Learning, Cognition and Developmental	$0	$0	$0
Mobility, Seating and Positioning	$0	$0	$0
Daily Living	$0	$0	$0
Environmental Adaptations	$0	$0	$0
Vehicle Modification & Transportation	$0	$0	$0
Computers and Related	$0	$0	$0
Recreation, Sports and Leisure	$0	$0	$0
Total	$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	12	$29,750	$120	$29,630
Hearing	33	$33,200	$120	$33,080
Speech Communication	00	$0	$0	$0
Learning, Cognition and Developmental	02	$2,000	$0	$2,000
Mobility, Seating and Positioning	1,850	$223,178	$0	$223,178
Daily Living	00	$0	$0	$0
Environmental Adaptations	00	$0	$0	$0
Vehicle Modification & Transportation	01	$1,000	$0	$1,000
Computers and Related	00	$0	$0	$0
Recreation, Sports and Leisure	27	$18,462	$0	$18,462
Total	1,925	$307,590	$240	$307,350

D. Anecdote

Brian was born with Cerebral Palsy and was diagnosed very early on with Autism. Brian was referred to Project MEND by his occupational therapist for a tub transfer bench. The piece of equipment will allow his caregivers to shower and bathe Brian safely. The tub transfer bench allows the user to safely enter and exit the shower by sliding in an out. Brian’s mother is very thankful for Project MEND and the equipment received. When Tracy was 17 years old, she had a serious accident that required multiple surgeries that ultimately left her wheelchair bound for life. Unfortunately, Tracy’s wheelchair was breaking down and in disrepair. Thankfully, she was referred to Project MEND and we were able to provide Tracy with a professionally refurbished and sanitized wheelchair. This wheelchair will help Tracy continue to be active, mobile, and perform her daily activities. Maria has been cancer free since 2007, but she still has problems with neuropathy, arthritis, and left leg paralysis from when she suffered a stroke. Because of these ongoing complications, she faces frequent falls and cannot walk long distances. She was referred to Project MEND for a power chair by her physical therapist. The power chair that was provided to Maria through our Medical Equipment Reuse program has changed her life for the better. She has regained her sense of mobility and independence and now feels safe going out in her community.

Impact Area Education Employment Community Living

E. Performance Measures

Performance Measures
Response	Primary Purpose for Which AT is Needed			Total
Response	Education	Employment	Community Living	Total
1. Could only afford the AT through the AT program.	02	00	1,532	1,534
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	02	00	1,532	1,534
5. None of the above	00	00	00	00
6. Subtotal	02	00	1,532	1,534
7. Nonrespondent	00	00	00	00
8. Total	02	00	1,532	1,534
9. Performance on this measure	100%	NaN%	100%

F. Customer Satisfaction

Satisfaction
Customer Rating of Services	Number of Customers	Percent
Highly satisfied	1,253	81.68%
Satisfied	202	13.17%
Satisfied somewhat	00	0%
Not at all satisfied	00	0%
Nonrespondent	79	5.15%
Total Surveyed	1,534
Response rate %	94.85%

G. Notes:

Sourcing equipment to recycle/reuse was a challenge for both the Project Mend and the Double Click Program.

Device Loan

Did your approved State Plan for this reporting period included conducting Short-Term Device Loans?

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)	115
Serve as loaner during service repair or while waiting for funding	05
Provide an accommodation on a short-term basis for a time-limited event/situation	03
Conduct training, self-education or other professional development activity	06
Total	129

B. Short-Term Device Loan by Type of Borrower

LOANS BY TYPE OF BORROWER
Type of Individual or Entity	Number of Device Borrowers
Type of Individual or Entity	Desicion-making	All other Purposes	Total
Individuals with Disabilities	36	02	38
Family Members, Guardians, and Authorized Representatives	13	03	16
Representative of Education	20	03	23
Representative of Employment	03	00	03
Representatives of Health, Allied Health, and Rehabilitation	38	06	44
Representatives of Community Living	01	00	01
Representatives of Technology	04	00	04
Total	115	14	129

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
Type of AT Device	Desicion-making	All other Purposes	Total
Vision	05	02	07
Hearing	13	00	13
Speech Communication	154	17	171
Learning, Cognition and Developmental	27	02	29
Mobility, Seating and Positioning	03	00	03
Daily Living	01	00	01
Environmental Adaptations	57	03	60
Vehicle Modification and Transportation	00	00	00
Computers and Related	16	00	16
Recreation, Sports and Leisure	00	00	00
Total	276	24	300

E. Anecdote

The Texas Technology Access Program was incredibly important for my client. Him and his family were able to borrow 3 different devices and experience each one. This allowed him and his family to figure out which device would work best for his home and school environment. It has been wonderful to see him grow and use language in a variety of ways since using a SGD. He went from requesting around 5 activities to requesting at least 15 items, commenting, rejecting, and using a variety of verbs! This program was very important to his opportunity to access high- tech AAC and assisted in the process of requesting a device from insurance so that he can continue to have access to a robust vocabulary. The staff at The Texas Technology Access Program were also very friendly and prompt. They were able to get me all of the devices to trial quickly and answered all the questions I had. I hope to see this program continue in the future and help children all around the state of Texas achieve their communication goals.

Impact Area Education Employment Community Living

F. Access Performance Measures

Access Performance Measures
Response	Primary Purpose for Which AT is Needed			Total
Response	Education	Employment	Community Living	Total
Decided that AT device/service will meet needs	81	07	26	114
Decided that an AT device/ service will not meet needs	00	00	00	00
Subtotal	81	07	26	114
Have not made a decision	00	00	01	01
Subtotal	81	07	27	115
Nonrespondent	00	00	00	00
Total	81	07	27	115
Performance on this measure	100%	100%	96.3%

G. Acquisition Performance Measures

Acquisition Performance Measures
Response	Primary Purpose for Which AT is Needed			Total
Response	Education	Employment	Community Living	Total
1. Could only afford the AT through the AT program.	06	01	06	13
2. AT was only available through the AT program.	01	00	00	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	07	01	06	14
5. None of the above	00	00	00	00
6. Subtotal	07	01	06	14
7. Nonrespondent	00	00	00	00
8. Total	07	01	06	14
9. Performance on this measure	100%	100%	100%

H. Customer Satisfaction

Satisfaction
Customer Rating of Services	Number of Customers	Percent
Highly satisfied	113	87.6%
Satisfied	14	10.85%
Satisfied somewhat	00	0%
Not at all satisfied	00	0%
Nonrespondent	02	1.55%
Total Surveyed	129
Response rate %	98.45%

I. Notes:

COVID-19 proved to make Device Loan a challenge. Because TTAP already shipped most items both directions because of the state size, the shift was easy but staffing onsite and shipping and receiving in locked down buildings was problematic. The University has opened back up and things seem to be on track again.

Device Demonstration

A. Number of Device Demonstrations by Device Type

Type of AT Device / Service	Number of Demonstrations of AT Devices / Services
Vision	20
Hearing	34
Speech Communication	49
Learning, Cognition and Developmental	16
Mobility, Seating and Positioning	04
Daily Living	10
Environmental Adaptations	03
Vehicle Modification and Transportation	00
Computers and Related	51
Recreation, Sports and Leisure	01
Total # of Devices Demonstrated	188

B. Types of Participants

Demonstrations by Participant Type
Type of Participant	Number of Participants in Device Demonstrations
Individuals with Disabilities	759
Family Members, Guardians, and Authorized Representatives	43
Representatives of Education	10
Representatives of Employment	41
Health, Allied Health, Rehabilitation	01
Representative of Community Living	09
Representative of Technology	07
Total	870

C. Number of Referrals

Referrals
Type of Entity	Number of Referrals
Funding Source (non-AT program)	77
Service Provider	170
Vendor	28
Repair Service	02
Others	06
Total	283

D. Anecdote

Consumers with an adult child who was non verbal checked out an iPad with mutipple AAC apps available. A virtual demonstration was done to teach them how to navigate Proloquo3go and Lamp. They were ulitmately able to trial both apps and selected Proloqu2go. They had little AAC backgrouand and would not have been able to make the decision without the demonstration of the 2 apps.

Impact Area Education Employment Community Living

E. Performance Measures

Performance Measures
Response	Primary Purpose for Which AT is Needed			Total
Response	Education	Employment	Community Living	Total
Decided that AT device/service will meet needs	23	19	92	134
Decided that an AT device/ service will not meet needs	00	01	05	06
Subtotal	23	20	97	140
Have not made a decision	09	05	28	42
Subtotal	32	25	125	182
Nonrespondent	02	02	02	06
Total	34	27	127	188
Performance on this measure	67.65%	74.07%	76.38%

F. Customer Satisfaction

Satisfaction
Customer Rating of Services	Number of Customers	Percent
Highly satisfied	264	30.34%
Satisfied	468	53.79%
Satisfied somewhat	108	12.41%
Not at all satisfied	02	0.23%
Nonrespondent	28	3.22%
Total	870
Response rate %	96.78%

G. Notes:

Overall Performance Measures

Overall Acquisition Performance Measure

Acquisition Performance Measures
Response	Primary Purpose for Which AT is Needed			Total
Response	Education	Employment	Community Living	Total
1. Could only afford the AT through the AT program.	17	15	1,545	1,577
2. AT was only available through the AT program.	01	00	00	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	18	15	1,545	1,578
5. None of the above	00	00	00	00
6. Subtotal	18	15	1,545	1,578
7. Nonrespondent	00	00	00	00
8. Total	18	15	1,545	1,578
9. Performance on this measure	100%	100%	100%	100%
ACL Performance Measure				85%
Met/Not Met				Met

Overall Access Performance Measure

Access Performance Measures
Response	Primary Purpose for Which AT is Needed			Total
Response	Education	Employment	Community Living	Total
Decided that AT device/service will meet needs	104	26	118	248
Decided that an AT device/ service will not meet needs	00	01	05	06
Subtotal	104	27	123	254
Have not made a decision	09	05	29	43
Subtotal	113	32	152	297
Nonrespondent	02	02	02	06
Total	115	34	154	303
Performance on this measure	90.43%	79.41%	79.87%	83.83%
ACL Performance Measure				90%
Met/Not Met				Not Met

Overall Satisfaction Rating

Customer Rating of Services	Percent	ACL Target	Met/Not Met
Highly satisfied and satisfied	95.52%	95%	Met
Response Rate	95.75%	90%	Met

Training

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

Training by Participant Type
Type of Participant	Number
Individuals with Disabilities	2,846
Family Members, Guardians and Authorized Representatives	285
Representatives of Education	85
Representatives of Employment	41
Rep Health, Allied Health, and Rehabilitation	329
Representatives of Community Living	00
Representatives of Technology	00
Unable to Categorize	2,231
TOTAL	5,817

Geographic Distribution of Participants
Metro	Non Metro	Unknown	TOTAL
5,686	131	00	5,817

B. Training Topics

Trainings by Topic
Primary Topic of Training	Participants
AT Products/Services	5,155
AT Funding/Policy/ Practice	03
Combination of any/all of the above	530
Information Technology/Telecommunication Access	67
Transition	62
Total	5,817

C. Description of Training Activities

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

Provided inclusion/UDL and AT training for Education Service Center 20 and state k12 AT specialists.

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

Provided training on AT transition planning from k12 to Texas Workforce and/or post-secondary education for the Greater Houston Disability Chamber of Commerce.

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

Provided training on how to create accessible MS Word documents and .PDF documents to speech language pathologists in public schools via the Texas Education Service Centers, and also to University of Texas faculty and staff.

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	67
Training or Technical Assistance will be developed or implemented	00
No known outcome at this time	00
Nonrespondent	00
Total	67
Performance Measure Percentage	100%
ACL Target Percentage	70%
Met/Not Met	Met

E. Notes:

Fewer trainings than anticipated because of COVID-19 and most were virtual.

Technical Assistance

A. Frequency and Nature of Technical Assistance

Technical Assistance by Recipient Type
Education	10%
Employment	61%
Health, Allied Health, Rehabilitation	%
Community Living	29%
Technology (IT, Telecom, AT)	%
Total	100%

B. Description of Technical Assistance

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

TTAP was able to connect with state level ADRC leadership personnel and address AT in quarterly meetings with the directors of the 29 ADRCs spread throughout Texas. It is anticipated these relationships will continue to grow. Several of the ADRC directors reach out to TTAP on a regular basis outside of the webinars for AT support now. Additionally, this sparked a project with the ACRD/AAA local to TTAP in Austin to utilize CARES funds to purchase "Smart Kits/Telehealth kits that consumers could check out to stay connected during the pandemic and to also try before they buy.

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

Via an MOU supported the Texas Workforce Commission AT Specialists in exploring and learn the tools in AT kits that were purchased this last year.

C. Notes:

Additionally, TTAP has established a relationship with the Texas Education Agency and is negotiating an interagency agreement through Region 20 Education Service Center to provide K12 AT training ad support for Texas public school personnel.

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. The ARC of Texas Inclusion Works Conference (Virtual). TTAP did two sessions on computer accessability at this parent focused conference tha had 300 plus participants.

2. Abilties Expo Huston August 2021 in person exposition with COVID-19 protocols in place. Approximately 5000 participants attended. Though down significantly from previous years, TTAP demonstrated AT, provided information on vaccine access in Texas for people with disabilities, provided referrals to many individuals who had experienced frustration seeking services during the pandemic and network with potential new stakeholders.

Information And Assistance

Information And Assistance Activities by Recipient
Types of Recipients	AT Device/ Service	AT Funding	Total
Individuals with Disabilities	113	18	131
Family Members, Guardians and Authorized Representatives	48	10	58
Representative of Education	08	08	16
Representative of Employment	07	00	07
Representative of Health, Allied Health, and Rehabilitation	32	04	36
Representative of Community Living	06	01	07
Representative of Technology	02	00	02
Unable to Categorize	02	00	02
Total	218	41	259

Notes:

Due to COVID-19 many activities that might have been demonstrations or training were provided as information and assistance, often with multiple follow ups via email, phone and webinar.

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?

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?

Texas formed a collaborative group of stakeholders (https://inclusiveaccesstexas.org/vaccine-access-initiative/#c) that support people with disabilities to support access to COVID-19 vaccines for people with disabilities and the aging. The collaboration was so successful, the group has decided to maintain connections, rebrand as Inclusive Access (https://inclusiveaccesstexas.org/), and plan to hold periodic meetings to deal with any other challenges, disasters, emergencies and crises that may occur and affect people with disabilities and the aging. TTAP's main function in this group was to provide accessible materials and to support outreach activities.

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.

Through several projects (creating a "vaccine navigator" for providers to refer consumers, outreach activities such as Abilities Expo and radio spots , hotline number/text option/email/website for consumers to get information and schedule vaccines, provide training/information/education to consumers, conducting a consumer survey regarding access to vaccines and their experiences, providing funding to providers to set up vaccine access and clinics, creating a peer network of consumers supporting vaccination), we did increase the number of vaccines in arms for people with disabilities and those who are aging. As of Fall 2021: 188 referrals, 5123 served in outreach, 147,437 served through education.

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

Community Participation and Integration; Health; Aging; Aging and Disability Network / No Wrong Door; Veterans; Other: Vaccine Access;

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

Information & Assistance; Public Awareness; Technical Assistance;

A.2 Coordination/Collaboration (Entry 2)

https://www.capcog.org/) and utilized in a collaborative interagency agreement. Smart Kits and Telehealth Kits were created to reduce isolation and enable telehealth participation during COVID-19. The kits were initially only available to the central Texas consumer base but have since cycled into our general device loan program. Their use is recorded in Device Loan data. Since the program began in August 2021 (it took a while for the state to allocate the funds to CAPCOG) multiple kits have been checked out and they have also been used in several trainings for AAAs and other partners.

As of 9/30/21 five kits have been checked out and they have also used in training.

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

Housing / Home Automation; Community Participation and Integration; Recreation / Leisure; Health; Aging; Veterans; Other: Smart home, telehealth;

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

Device Loan;

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?

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.

TTAP participation in a statewide collaboration to inform the state, providers and consumers on procedures to prepare for emergencies and disasters for people with disabilities and those who are aging that use assistive technology and dedicated medical equipment. This was in response to Winter Storm Uri, a multi-day snow/ice freezing temperature event that affected the entire state and the state's electric grid.

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.)

This collaboration is still in process. One end result will be training materials on the need to provide electricity to assistive technology and dedicated medical equipment, especially life sustaining equipment during a disaster or emergency.

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

Community Living

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	$19,000	Device Loan	True
	Amount: $19,000

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).

This was CARES funds allocated to the Capital Area Council of Governments Area Agency on Aging (https://www.capcog.org/) and utilized in a collaborative interagency agreement. Smart Kits and Telehealth Kits were created to reduce isolation and enable telehealth participation during COVID-19. The kits were initially only available to the central Texas consumer base but have since cycled into our general device loan program. Their use is recorded in Device Loan data. Since the program began in August 2021 (it took a while for the state to allocate the funds to CAPCOG) multiple kits have been checked out and they have also been used in several trainings for AAAs and other partners.

Center for Assistive Technology Act Data Assistance . Saved: Mon Mar 07 2022 11:28:40 GMT-0600 (Central Standard Time)