National Assistive Technology Act Data System

Annual Progress Report - Full Report

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Washington 2021

General Information

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

State AT Program Title:

Washington Assistive Technology Act Program

State AT Program Title:

State AT Program URL

https://watap.org

Mailing Address:

UW Box 357920

City:

Seattle

State:

Zip Code:

98195

Program Email:

watap@uw.edu

Phone:

800-214-8731

TTY:

866-866-0162

Lead Agency

Agency Name:

University of Washington Center for Technology and Disability Studies

Mailing Address:

University of Washington, UW Box 357920

City:

Seattle

State:

Zip Code:

98195

Program URL:

https://uwctds.washington.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):

Knue, Alan

Title:

Director

Phone:

2066856836

E-mail:

aknue@uw.edu

Program Director at Lead Agency (last, first):

Knue, Alan

Title:

Director

Phone:

2066856836

E-mail:

aknue@uw.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):

Rhodes, Carol

Title:

Director, Office of Sponsored Programs

Phone:

2065434043

E-mail:

osp@uw.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?

Yes

Loan Applications
	Metro RUCC 1-3	Non-Metro RUCC 4-9	Total
	Area of Residence		Total
Approved Loan made	74	10	84
Approved Not made	15	02	17
Rejected	50	06	56
Total	139	18	157

2. Income of Applicants to Whom Loans Were Made

Lowest/Highest Incomes
Lowest Income:	$6,108	Highest Income:	$183,600

Average Income
Sum of Incomes	Loans Made	Average Annual Income
$4,678,062	84	$55,691

Number and Percentage of Loans Made to Applicants by Income Range
	$15,000 or Less	$15,001- $30,000	$30,001- $45,000	$45,001- $60,000	$60,001- $75,000	$75,001 or More	Total
	Income Ranges						Total
Number of Loans	16	13	09	13	11	22	84
Percentage of Loans	19.05%	15.48%	10.71%	15.48%	13.1%	26.19%	100%

3. Loan Type

Loan Type
Type of Loan	Number of Loans	Percentage of loans
Revolving Loans	81	96.43%
Partnership Loans
Without interest buy-down or loan guarantee	00	0%
With interest buy-down only	03	3.57%
With loan guarantee only	00	0%
With both interest buy-down and loan guarantee	00	0%
Total	84	100%

Loan Type Summary
Type of Loan	Number of Loans	Dollar Value of Loans
Revolving Loans	81	$956,608
Partnership Loans	03	$10,965
Total	84	$967,573

4. Interest Rates

Interest Rates
Lowest	0%
Highest	5%

Interest Rate Summary
Sum of Interest Rates	Number of Loans Made	Average Interest Rate
405	84	4.82142857142857%

Number of Loans Made by Interest Rate
Interest Rate	Number of loans
0.0% to 2.0%	03
2.1% to 4.0%	00
4.1% to 6.0%	81
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	84

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	03	$10,838
Hearing	27	$84,419
Speech communication	01	$330
Learning, cognition, and developmental	00	$0
Mobility, seating and positioning	14	$66,827
Daily living	07	$18,311
Environmental adaptations	02	$45,171
Vehicle modification and transportation	27	$713,408
Computers and related	03	$1,388
Recreation, sports, and leisure	02	$26,881
Total	86	$967,573

6. Defaults

Defaults
Number Loans in default	04
Net loss for loans in default	$3,645

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: Individual Development Accounts

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)	14
B. Non-Metro (RUCC 4-9)	2
C. Total Served	16

Performance Measure
D. Excluded from Performance Measure	0
E. Number of Individuals Included in Performance Measures	16

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	2	227.00
Hearing	2	1340.00
Speech communication	1	250.00
Learning, cognition, and developmental	1	414.00
Mobility, seating and positioning	2	5410.00
Daily living	6	2695.00
Environmental adaptations	3	5683.00
Vehicle modification and transportation	3	14271.00
Computers and related	21	10868.00
Recreation, sports, and leisure	0	0.00
Total	41	41158.00

Activity 2

How would you describe this state financing activity?

Telecommunications equipment distribution

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)	50
B. Non-Metro (RUCC 4-9)	2
C. Total Served	52

Performance Measure
D. Excluded from Performance Measure	0
E. Number of Individuals Included in Performance Measures	52

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	54	65816.00
Hearing	23	4699.00
Speech communication	0	0.00
Learning, cognition, and developmental	0	0.00
Mobility, seating and positioning	2	186.00
Daily living	0	0.00
Environmental adaptations	0	0.00
Vehicle modification and transportation	0	0.00
Computers and related	60	51366.00
Recreation, sports, and leisure	0	0.00
Total	139	122067.00

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

Beth first learned about Northwest Access Fund, one of WATAP’s state financing partners, when she was researching funding options for an all-terrain wheelchair. The coronavirus lockdowns were preventing her from getting out and exercising, and her muscles were weakening. Beth missed being able to go on trails with her dogs and she was struggling to engage with her community. Getting the wheelchair as soon as possible was a priority. Beth’s parents considered using their savings to finance the wheelchair, but they were also dealing with the costs of renovating their home and property, purchasing medical equipment, and paying for medical care for both Beth and her father, who had suffered a traumatic brain injury in a fall. “We were really pushed to the limits financially,” Beth’s mother, Elaine, recounts. Beth applied for financing through the Access Fund herself, was approved, and now she’s making payments and building her credit. Beth loves her new all-terrain wheelchair, the GRIT Freedom Chair, and using it regularly has helped her become stronger. Every night, she and her mother take the chair to their local park and Beth walks her dogs for a while before making a few more additional laps in her new wheelchair on her own.

Beth using her new wheelchair in a Pacific Northwest forest accompanied by her dog

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.	03	11	117	131
2. AT was only available through the AT program.	00	00	03	03
3. AT was available through other programs, but the system was too complex or the wait time too long.	00	00	03	03
4. Subtotal	03	11	123	137
5. None of the above	00	00	00	00
6. Subtotal	03	11	123	137
7. Nonrespondent	00	03	12	15
8. Total	03	14	135	152
9. Performance on this measure	100%	78.57%	91.11%

F. Customer Satisfaction

Satisfaction
Customer Rating of Services	Number of Customers	Percent
Highly satisfied	140	92.11%
Satisfied	09	5.92%
Satisfied somewhat	01	0.66%
Not at all satisfied	01	0.66%
Nonrespondent	01	0.66%
Total Surveyed	152
Response rate %	99.34%

G. Notes:

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	1,758
C. Total	1,758

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	1,758

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	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	1,223	$2,157,175	$0	$2,157,175
Daily Living	1,748	$307,309	$0	$307,309
Environmental Adaptations	53	$6,235	$0	$6,235
Vehicle Modification & Transportation	00	$0	$0	$0
Computers and Related	00	$0	$0	$0
Recreation, Sports and Leisure	00	$0	$0	$0
Total	3,024	$2,470,719	$0	$2,470,719

D. Anecdote

Linda has limited mobility due to pain from chronic back issues and arthritis. She had been using a walker inside her apartment but going beyond her mailbox less than 80 feet away from her front door just using the walker was pretty much impossible. She did not have the stamina to manage even the slight uphill grade to get to the top of the hill to her local grocery store and even if she could, it would be impossible for her to get even halfway across the busy street before the traffic light changed. Linda came to the Meyer Medical Equipment Center, operated by WATAP’s device reuse partner, Bridge Disability Ministries, hoping to find a free or low-cost solution as she was living on a fixed budget and had limited means. After speaking with the Center staff, it was determined that a small electric scooter that was small enough to fit in her apartment but with enough power to get her up the hill to the grocery store might work for her. The scooter was delivered to her home, adjusted it to fit her body, and she was able to give it a try. On the first go, she was able to use the scooter to get up the hill, cross the street at the traffic light with time to spare, and enter the grocery store, which she had been unable to visit for months! She looks forward using the scooter to regain her mobility and independence.

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.	00	00	784	784
2. AT was only available through the AT program.	00	00	863	863
3. AT was available through other programs, but the system was too complex or the wait time too long.	00	00	95	95
4. Subtotal	00	00	1,742	1,742
5. None of the above	00	00	16	16
6. Subtotal	00	00	1,758	1,758
7. Nonrespondent	00	00	00	00
8. Total	00	00	1,758	1,758
9. Performance on this measure	NaN%	NaN%	99.09%

F. Customer Satisfaction

Satisfaction
Customer Rating of Services	Number of Customers	Percent
Highly satisfied	1,688	96.02%
Satisfied	17	0.97%
Satisfied somewhat	00	0%
Not at all satisfied	00	0%
Nonrespondent	53	3.01%
Total Surveyed	1,758
Response rate %	96.99%

G. Notes:

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)	153
Serve as loaner during service repair or while waiting for funding	01
Provide an accommodation on a short-term basis for a time-limited event/situation	04
Conduct training, self-education or other professional development activity	02
Total	160

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	98	02	100
Family Members, Guardians, and Authorized Representatives	08	00	08
Representative of Education	00	00	00
Representative of Employment	11	02	13
Representatives of Health, Allied Health, and Rehabilitation	14	01	15
Representatives of Community Living	00	00	00
Representatives of Technology	22	02	24
Total	153	07	160

C. Length of Short-Term Device Loans

Length of Short-Term Device Loan in Days	21

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	62	00	62
Hearing	14	00	14
Speech Communication	05	00	05
Learning, Cognition and Developmental	03	00	03
Mobility, Seating and Positioning	11	00	11
Daily Living	32	00	32
Environmental Adaptations	02	00	02
Vehicle Modification and Transportation	00	00	00
Computers and Related	124	00	124
Recreation, Sports and Leisure	01	00	01
Total	254	00	254

E. Anecdote

Although helping make informed decisions is a primary purpose of our device lending program, the ability for our deaf-blind clients to maintain connectivity with friends, family, and the community is of paramount importance during these last few years due to the COVID pandemic. And having access to a program where they can have a critical piece of assistive technology when their own is broken is critical. Charlie’s Focus 14 Braille display stopped working unexpectantly. Although he also had a larger Focus 40, it is not a portable option especially for use with his iPhone when he was away from home. He relies heavily on both of his braille displays so being without one would have significantly impacted his ability to communicate. Several months ago, Charlie had borrowed a Focus 40 from WATAP when that device needed a repair, and it was well over a month before it was returned to him. So he turned to us again to borrow a Focus 14 to maintain his ability to communicate using his iPhone. He was grateful to have access to our device lending program as without it, he would have been more isolated and disconnected from his circles of support.

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	08	49	57	114
Decided that an AT device/ service will not meet needs	00	01	01	02
Subtotal	08	50	58	116
Have not made a decision	00	00	00	00
Subtotal	08	50	58	116
Nonrespondent	00	00	37	37
Total	08	50	95	153
Performance on this measure	100%	100%	93.93%

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.	00	06	01	07
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	06	01	07
5. None of the above	00	00	00	00
6. Subtotal	00	06	01	07
7. Nonrespondent	00	00	00	00
8. Total	00	06	01	07
9. Performance on this measure	NaN%	100%	100%

H. Customer Satisfaction

Satisfaction
Customer Rating of Services	Number of Customers	Percent
Highly satisfied	113	70.63%
Satisfied	06	3.75%
Satisfied somewhat	01	0.63%
Not at all satisfied	00	0%
Nonrespondent	40	25%
Total Surveyed	160
Response rate %	75%

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	13
Hearing	14
Speech Communication	12
Learning, Cognition and Developmental	92
Mobility, Seating and Positioning	10
Daily Living	04
Environmental Adaptations	05
Vehicle Modification and Transportation	00
Computers and Related	98
Recreation, Sports and Leisure	00
Total # of Devices Demonstrated	248

B. Types of Participants

Demonstrations by Participant Type
Type of Participant	Number of Participants in Device Demonstrations
Individuals with Disabilities	101
Family Members, Guardians, and Authorized Representatives	33
Representatives of Education	04
Representatives of Employment	141
Health, Allied Health, Rehabilitation	02
Representative of Community Living	07
Representative of Technology	05
Total	293

C. Number of Referrals

Referrals
Type of Entity	Number of Referrals
Funding Source (non-AT program)	01
Service Provider	00
Vendor	48
Repair Service	00
Others	00
Total	49

D. Anecdote

Sid is a 91-year-old retired dairy farmer with macular degeneration, and his eyesight has deteriorated and is poor. He loves to read, both English and Dutch/Friesian, and had mostly lost that ability. Sid was referred to WATAP through our Washington AgrAbility partnership, and he worked with our vision and other assistive technology specialists to find a solution. At first, several handheld and portable devices were demoed that didn’t work as they were too cumbersome or too hard for Sid to operate. We contacted several providers who specialized in vision products directly for additional in-home demonstrations. He was able to try desktop CCTVs and additional devices to find an option that was easy for him to use. He was able to try the devices while performing a variety of tasks and he decided a Merlin Ultra HD CCTV was the best choice based on his desires and device functionality. Sid purchased the CCTV and it was set up in his kitchen where he uses it regularly to read things he couldn’t have read without the device.

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	00	192	21	213
Decided that an AT device/ service will not meet needs	00	31	02	33
Subtotal	00	223	23	246
Have not made a decision	00	01	01	02
Subtotal	00	224	24	248
Nonrespondent	00	00	00	00
Total	00	224	24	248
Performance on this measure	NaN%	99.55%	95.83%

F. Customer Satisfaction

Satisfaction
Customer Rating of Services	Number of Customers	Percent
Highly satisfied	230	78.5%
Satisfied	62	21.16%
Satisfied somewhat	01	0.34%
Not at all satisfied	00	0%
Nonrespondent	00	0%
Total	293
Response rate %	100%

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.	03	17	902	922
2. AT was only available through the AT program.	00	00	866	866
3. AT was available through other programs, but the system was too complex or the wait time too long.	00	00	98	98
4. Subtotal	03	17	1,866	1,886
5. None of the above	00	00	16	16
6. Subtotal	03	17	1,882	1,902
7. Nonrespondent	00	03	12	15
8. Total	03	20	1,894	1,917
9. Performance on this measure	100%	85%	93.35%	93.27%
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	08	241	78	327
Decided that an AT device/ service will not meet needs	00	32	03	35
Subtotal	08	273	81	362
Have not made a decision	00	01	01	02
Subtotal	08	274	82	364
Nonrespondent	00	00	37	37
Total	08	274	119	401
Performance on this measure	100%	99.64%	94.19%	98.37%
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	99.82%	95%	Met
Response Rate	96.02%	90%	Met

Training

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

Training by Participant Type
Type of Participant	Number
Individuals with Disabilities	67
Family Members, Guardians and Authorized Representatives	00
Representatives of Education	59
Representatives of Employment	357
Rep Health, Allied Health, and Rehabilitation	48
Representatives of Community Living	37
Representatives of Technology	00
Unable to Categorize	00
TOTAL	568

Geographic Distribution of Participants
Metro	Non Metro	Unknown	TOTAL
545	23	00	568

B. Training Topics

Trainings by Topic
Primary Topic of Training	Participants
AT Products/Services	352
AT Funding/Policy/ Practice	00
Combination of any/all of the above	134
Information Technology/Telecommunication Access	15
Transition	67
Total	568

C. Description of Training Activities

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

WATAP continues to support the professional development for Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) case managers, employment specialists, and community rehabilitation providers through a series of training opportunities. We provided 11 trainings via webinar to 365 participants. The series topics were (1) AT to support Computer Access; (2) AT to Support Farmers and Agriculture Workers; (3) AT for Cognition and Mental Health; (4) AT and Transition; and (5) Mobile Technology for Supported Employment. Consistent with preceding years, WATAP’s trainings for DVR were designed to build competencies, promote the consideration of and proper matching of AT, and explore case studies and best practices around topics that have been identified by past participants as needed to better serve DVR clients. All participants are surveyed post training and we continue to address training topic requests and other AT needs from the field.

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

As mentioned above, one of the topics offered in training for DVR included Assistive Technology in Transition. Training participants explored AT options that can benefit and maintain and/or increase a student’s independence and performance in school and addressed meeting the changing needs of the students as they transition to post-secondary education, employment and community living. Participants discussed AT services that can be accessed to support decision making as well as resources that can assist a client and/or case manager with transition related issues.

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

In partnership with the Special Education Technology Center, which is the State’s entity that supports school personnel in assistive technology needs of students, WATAP participated in their professional development training webinar series. One of our training sessions, Accessible Web and Documents, introduced the basic principles of web and document accessibility and why they are important. Participants learned the basic steps are required to create accessible documents and websites and well as what tools/resources are available to test for web and document accessibility. Participants will use the information gained from the training to improve and implement policies and practices that will ensure 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	15
Training or Technical Assistance will be developed or implemented	00
No known outcome at this time	00
Nonrespondent	00
Total	15
Performance Measure Percentage	100%
ACL Target Percentage	70%
Met/Not Met	Met

E. Notes:

Technical Assistance

A. Frequency and Nature of Technical Assistance

Technical Assistance by Recipient Type
Education	10%
Employment	18%
Health, Allied Health, Rehabilitation	5%
Community Living	65%
Technology (IT, Telecom, AT)	2%
Total	100%

B. Description of Technical Assistance

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

WATAP continues to manage and facilitate an Assistive Technology Providers Network which promotes more meaningful professional networking, enhances collaboration among the network members and community partners, and promotes cross dissemination of information and resources. The Network is comprised of state agency staff, K-12 educators and administrators, and community-based organizational program staff who are all involved with assistive technology as part of their work. This past year and in response to the continuing COVID-19 pandemic, the Network met quarterly virtually via Zoom. Prior to the pandemic, we moved the location of the meeting around various parts of the state to showcase various partner programs.

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

Expanding on the previous Aging AT ACCESS Tool project WATAP was part of with the Washington Department of Social and Health Service/ Aging and Long-Term Support Administration and the Center for Inclusive Design and Innovation Georgia Institute of Technology, WATAP again has partnered in a new collaborative project funded by NIDILRR with Georgia Tech called “Accommodation Expert Support System for Aging Well." This project, called Aging Well for short, is developing an online tool to assist in the process of accommodating older individuals aging into or with a disability to promote aging in place and independence. WATAP project staff are supporting the development and testing of the tool, as well as, the project’s knowledge translation and dissemination work.

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. WATAP continues work on the 5-year project funded by King County Veterans, Seniors and Human Services Levy providing assistive technology services and resources to low-income seniors and unpaid caregivers in rural and tribal communities in King County. Our original strategic outreach plan and coordinated work with the outreach and events planners in the rural senior hubs in King County had to be scrapped for most of 2020 due to the COVID pandemic. We were able to host 3 trainings via webinar as part of our public outreach strategy. But we continued to look for venues to connect with the community to promote a healthy independent living, and a means for us to showcase assistive technology and talk about the potential impact in the daily lives of seniors. We participated in the Sno-Valley Senior Center Virtual Health and Wellness Fair on April 6th. The event was sponsored by Shape-Up! and King County EMS and included a free lunch along with a goody bag of handouts and small giveaways from health fair vendors, including WATAP. They provided 115 lunches and goody bags. WATAP also participated in a video connected to the Fair and hosted on YouTube. All of the health fair vendors and providers provided a segment for the video where they spoke about the services and resources available to the Center’s community. Additionally, we were able to demonstrate our Vision and Hearing/Signaling kits to 15 participants during a presentation at senior living and retirement center located in the Ravenna neighborhood of Seattle on August 2nd. We also left the kits to be used by staff with their residents for a few weeks.

Information And Assistance

Information And Assistance Activities by Recipient
Types of Recipients	AT Device/ Service	AT Funding	Total
Individuals with Disabilities	500	137	637
Family Members, Guardians and Authorized Representatives	352	72	424
Representative of Education	69	13	82
Representative of Employment	136	08	144
Representative of Health, Allied Health, and Rehabilitation	115	06	121
Representative of Community Living	130	22	152
Representative of Technology	11	07	18
Unable to Categorize	00	00	00
Total	1,313	265	1,578

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?

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?

Since 2010, WATAP has supported the services provided by Washington State’s Department of Social and Health Services Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) through increased awareness of and expansion of access to assistive technology for school and work. This collaborative partnership came about through the initiative of the DVR Advisory Council Member on WATAP’s Advisory Council and a formal contract was already in place when WIOA was signed into law. WATAP leverages its federally mandated activities and resources to support professional development and increase access to assistive technology in DVR services.

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 this partnership, WATAP supports the professional needs of DVR staff, Tribal VR staff, DVR Contractors, and other DVR partners and increase effective implementation of AT to meet employment outcomes through the delivery of statewide and comprehensive training. WATAP has expanded its device demonstration program through the provision and maintenance of assistive technology provided to the regional DVR Assistive Technology Assessment Practitioners (ATAPs) that is used in device demonstrations and evaluations provided by the ATAPs. Funds provided by DVR has expanded WATAP's assistive technology device lending program that allows unlimited borrowing by Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors (VRCs) and DVR Customers to inform DVR's purchasing decisions and reduce the purchase and storage of devices that end up not working for DVR Customers.

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

Employment; Transition(school to work or congregate care to community);

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

Device Loan; Demonstration; Training;

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?

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
Federal	$3,023	State Financing	True
Public/State Agency	$29,275	Demonstration	True
Private	$630	Device Loan	True
Public/State Agency	$46,238	Training	True
Private	$500	Training	True
Public/State Agency	$6,733	Device Loan	True
Private	$169,306	State Financing	True
Public/State Agency	$68,258	Technical Assistance	True
Public/State Agency	$26,375	Public Awareness, I&A	True
	Amount: $350,338

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 11:18:16 GMT-0600 (Central Standard Time)