National Assistive Technology Act Data System

Annual Progress Report - Full Report

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West Virginia 2021

General Information

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

State AT Program Title:
West Virginia Assistive Technology System (WVATS)
State AT Program Title:
State AT Program URL
http://wvats.cedwvu.org/
Mailing Address:
959 Hartman Run Rd
City:
Morgantown
State:
WV
Zip Code:
26505
Program Email:
wvats@hsc.wvu.edu
Phone:
304-293-4692
TTY:
304-293-6496

Lead Agency

Agency Name:
West Virginia University, Center for Excellence in Disabilities
Mailing Address:
959 Hartman Run Rd
City:
Morgantown
State:
WV
Zip Code:
26505
Program URL:
http://cedwvu.org/

Implementing Entity

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

Program Director and Other Contacts

Program Director for State AT Program (last, first):
Cottrell, Lesley
Title:
Principal Investigator
Phone:
304-293-2914
E-mail:
lcottrell@hsc.wvu.edu
Program Director at Lead Agency (last, first):
Cottrell, Lesley
Title:
Principal Investigator
Phone:
304-293-2914
E-mail:
lcottrell@hsc.wvu.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):
Cottrell, Lesley
Title:
Principal Investigator
Phone:
304-293-2914
E-mail:
lcottrell@hsc.wvu.edu

State Financing

Did your approved state plan for this reporting period include any State Financing? No
Did your approved state plan for this reporting period include conducting a Financial Loan Program? No

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

Impact Area

Impact Area

E. Performance Measures

Performance Measures
Response Primary Purpose for Which AT is Needed Total
Education Employment Community Living
1. Could only afford the AT through the AT program. 00 00 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%

F. Customer Satisfaction

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

G. Notes:

Reutilization

A. Number of Recipients of Reused Devices

Activity Number of Individuals Receiving a Device from Activity
A. Device Exchange 86
B. Device Refurbish/Repair - Reassign and/or Open Ended Loan 03
C. Total 89

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 89

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 04 $6,889 $0 $6,889
Hearing 00 $0 $0 $0
Speech Communication 02 $635 $0 $635
Learning, Cognition and Developmental 04 $1,082 $0 $1,082
Mobility, Seating and Positioning 08 $7,248 $0 $7,248
Daily Living 65 $2,554 $0 $2,554
Environmental Adaptations 05 $237 $0 $237
Vehicle Modification & Transportation 00 $0 $0 $0
Computers and Related 03 $700 $0 $700
Recreation, Sports and Leisure 01 $15 $0 $15
Total 92 $19,360 $0 $19,360

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 02 $4,429 $0 $4,429
Daily Living 00 $0 $0 $0
Environmental Adaptations 00 $0 $0 $0
Vehicle Modification & Transportation 00 $0 $0 $0
Computers and Related 01 $150 $0 $150
Recreation, Sports and Leisure 00 $0 $0 $0
Total 03 $4,579 $0 $4,579

D. Anecdote

A manager from a local car rental company received extensive injuries from a car accident. He reached out to our team with questions and a request for a power chair. Our program gave him the flexibility to return to work and move around the workplace as needed during his long recovery.

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. 02 01 68 71
2. AT was only available through the AT program. 03 01 13 17
3. AT was available through other programs, but the system was too complex or the wait time too long. 00 01 00 01
4. Subtotal 05 03 81 89
5. None of the above 00 00 00 00
6. Subtotal 05 03 81 89
7. Nonrespondent 00 00 00 00
8. Total 05 03 81 89
9. Performance on this measure 100% 100% 100%

F. Customer Satisfaction

Satisfaction
Customer Rating of Services Number of Customers Percent
Highly satisfied 86 96.63%
Satisfied 01 1.12%
Satisfied somewhat 00 0%
Not at all satisfied 00 0%
Nonrespondent 02 2.25%
Total Surveyed 89
Response rate % 97.75%

G. Notes:

Recreational device amount has been confirmed for single item reported.

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) 77
Serve as loaner during service repair or while waiting for funding 108
Provide an accommodation on a short-term basis for a time-limited event/situation 66
Conduct training, self-education or other professional development activity 05
Total 256

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 52 167 219
Family Members, Guardians, and Authorized Representatives 06 04 10
Representative of Education 04 02 06
Representative of Employment 01 00 01
Representatives of Health, Allied Health, and Rehabilitation 13 06 19
Representatives of Community Living 01 00 01
Representatives of Technology 00 00 00
Total 77 179 256

C. Length of Short-Term Device Loans

Length of Short-Term Device Loan in Days 30

D. Types of Devices Loaned

Types of Devices Loaned
Type of AT Device Number of Devices
Desicion-making All other Purposes Total
Vision 10 14 24
Hearing 03 00 03
Speech Communication 39 06 45
Learning, Cognition and Developmental 13 04 17
Mobility, Seating and Positioning 09 116 125
Daily Living 09 34 43
Environmental Adaptations 15 07 22
Vehicle Modification and Transportation 00 00 00
Computers and Related 02 06 08
Recreation, Sports and Leisure 04 00 04
Total 104 187 291

E. Anecdote

An individual was looking for an affordable refreshable braille display but was afraid that some of the more affordable devices would not meet their needs. They were able to try out a few different options of displays from the loan library before deciding to buy their orbit reader once they knew it would meet their needs just as well as the others.

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 18 03 28 49
Decided that an AT device/ service will not meet needs 03 00 06 09
Subtotal 21 03 34 58
Have not made a decision 04 00 02 06
Subtotal 25 03 36 64
Nonrespondent 10 00 03 13
Total 35 03 39 77
Performance on this measure 84% 100% 94.44%

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. 00 00 00 00
2. AT was only available through the AT program. 07 01 171 179
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 01 171 179
5. None of the above 00 00 00 00
6. Subtotal 07 01 171 179
7. Nonrespondent 00 00 00 00
8. Total 07 01 171 179
9. Performance on this measure 100% 100% 100%

H. Customer Satisfaction

Satisfaction
Customer Rating of Services Number of Customers Percent
Highly satisfied 233 91.02%
Satisfied 06 2.34%
Satisfied somewhat 00 0%
Not at all satisfied 00 0%
Nonrespondent 17 6.64%
Total Surveyed 256
Response rate % 93.36%

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 00
Hearing 00
Speech Communication 02
Learning, Cognition and Developmental 05
Mobility, Seating and Positioning 00
Daily Living 02
Environmental Adaptations 03
Vehicle Modification and Transportation 00
Computers and Related 01
Recreation, Sports and Leisure 01
Total # of Devices Demonstrated 14

B. Types of Participants

Demonstrations by Participant Type
Type of Participant Number of Participants in Device Demonstrations
Individuals with Disabilities 06
Family Members, Guardians, and Authorized Representatives 08
Representatives of Education 00
Representatives of Employment 00
Health, Allied Health, Rehabilitation 04
Representative of Community Living 03
Representative of Technology 00
Total 21

C. Number of Referrals

Referrals
Type of Entity Number of Referrals
Funding Source (non-AT program) 00
Service Provider 00
Vendor 05
Repair Service 00
Others 00
Total 05

D. Anecdote

Our team demonstrated assistive tools for note taking to parents and students on several occasions. Students determined they wanted to try software (commonly Sonocent) for note taking since they liked the features demonstrated and felt the program would help keep them engaged. Select parents followed up at a later time to let Specialists know that the students were successfully using the program and were having more success with classes and grades.

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 04 00 10 14
Decided that an AT device/ service will not meet needs 00 00 00 00
Subtotal 04 00 10 14
Have not made a decision 00 00 00 00
Subtotal 04 00 10 14
Nonrespondent 00 00 00 00
Total 04 00 10 14
Performance on this measure 100% NaN% 100%

F. Customer Satisfaction

Satisfaction
Customer Rating of Services Number of Customers Percent
Highly satisfied 21 100%
Satisfied 00 0%
Satisfied somewhat 00 0%
Not at all satisfied 00 0%
Nonrespondent 00 0%
Total 21
Response rate % 100%

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. 02 01 68 71
2. AT was only available through the AT program. 10 02 184 196
3. AT was available through other programs, but the system was too complex or the wait time too long. 00 01 00 01
4. Subtotal 12 04 252 268
5. None of the above 00 00 00 00
6. Subtotal 12 04 252 268
7. Nonrespondent 00 00 00 00
8. Total 12 04 252 268
9. Performance on this measure 100% 75% 100% 99.63%
ACL Performance Measure 85%
Met/Not Met 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 22 03 38 63
Decided that an AT device/ service will not meet needs 03 00 06 09
Subtotal 25 03 44 72
Have not made a decision 04 00 02 06
Subtotal 29 03 46 78
Nonrespondent 10 00 03 13
Total 39 03 49 91
Performance on this measure 86.21% 100% 95.65% 92.31%
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 100% 95% Met
Response Rate 94.81% 90% Met

Training

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

Training by Participant Type
Type of Participant Number
Individuals with Disabilities 32
Family Members, Guardians and Authorized Representatives 00
Representatives of Education 164
Representatives of Employment 86
Rep Health, Allied Health, and Rehabilitation 152
Representatives of Community Living 04
Representatives of Technology 21
Unable to Categorize 544
TOTAL 1,003

Geographic Distribution of Participants
Metro Non Metro Unknown TOTAL
333 86 584 1,003

B. Training Topics

Trainings by Topic
Primary Topic of Training Participants
AT Products/Services 667
AT Funding/Policy/ Practice 80
Combination of any/all of the above 00
Information Technology/Telecommunication Access 180
Transition 76
Total 1,003

C. Description of Training Activities

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

Our focus largely this year has been on the adolescent population. We have examined their preferences with AT, challenges, and perceptions of AT as a whole (related to and beyond transitions).

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

Our team conducted a series of trainings on the transition from high school to the job market. This training has been well received and requested by families, the K-12 system, guidance counselors, and parents.

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

Our team conducted a series of trainings on how to develop and disseminate, accessible documents in Word, Powerpoint, and Adobe. These trainings were provided within the university and throughout the state to businesses, teachers, families, and providers (social workers, medical providers) and has been a highly requested training throughout COVID.

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 152
Training or Technical Assistance will be developed or implemented 14
No known outcome at this time 14
Nonrespondent 00
Total 180
Performance Measure Percentage 92.2%
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 50%
Employment %
Health, Allied Health, Rehabilitation 50%
Community Living %
Technology (IT, Telecom, AT) %
Total 100%

B. Description of Technical Assistance

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

WVATS provided continuous technical assistance to the WV Traumatic Brain Injury program in 2021. This is a continued partnership between the two programs sustained to provide education and resources to staff and clients on the importance of providing appropriate assistive technology.

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

The WVATS team has provided ongoing technical assistance to the Country Roads program at West Virginia University. Students enrolled in this program have an intellectual and/or developmental disability and are attending higher education for the first time. The WVATS team has completed assessments of the students and worked closely with them over the course of the year to ensure they know about assistive technology and have access to services as needed within (and outside of) the classroom.

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. The team worked closely with university librarians and support staff to train them on accessible documents (development and use of). More than 100 individuals attended the virtual training. During this training, the team introduced the AT program, its offerings, and walked through the process of requesting a loan, demonstration, or information. More than 200 brochures were disseminated to this group.

2. - 40 graduate Occupational Therapy students and two professors toured the AT lab. The team provided an overview of services, reviewed the process for referring someone who may have an AT need, and provided hands-on demonstrations for the most commonly requested items from OT patients.

Information And Assistance

Information And Assistance Activities by Recipient
Types of Recipients AT Device/
Service		 AT Funding Total
Individuals with Disabilities 39 22 61
Family Members, Guardians and Authorized Representatives 58 30 88
Representative of Education 15 06 21
Representative of Employment 03 00 03
Representative of Health, Allied Health, and Rehabilitation 20 09 29
Representative of Community Living 21 06 27
Representative of Technology 07 00 07
Unable to Categorize 01 00 01
Total 164 73 237

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? 2

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?

The WVATS team has partnered with the WV Department of Education to submit a AEM-funded grant proposal. This proposal was awarded and will provide much needed training and AT services at the Romney School of the Blind. The WVATS team will be an integral part of the implementation team providing specialized trainings to faculty on that campus, contributing to material development, and providing a connection to devices through the loan library and demonstration services. Additionally, this partnership focuses on the special education classrooms throughout the state. The WVATS team provides similar support services to the Department of Education.

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.

Working together with the Department of Education was an extraordinary opportunity to build collaborative practices from grassroots. It has also been an opportunity for providing services to a new area and specific group of students with the state. Our teams have shared expertise in different areas and discussed interdisciplinary models of training and service as we move forward. Funding from the AEM initiative has been available to WVATS team members for training. Material costs are covered by this grant. This grant will be awarded for the next three years.

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

Education; Community Participation and Integration; Information and Communication Technology / Remote Connectivity;

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

Device Loan; Demonstration; Training; Information & Assistance;

A.2 Coordination/Collaboration (Entry 2)

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?

WVATS and the WV TBI program have worked closely during the performance period. The team provides education, demonstrations, and information to the device loan services for TBI staff and clients on a regularly basis. Individuals with a TBI (of any age) are eligible to receive these services. The WV TBI state waiver supports these efforts.

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.

Prior to the collaboration, TBI clients did not necessarily have a direct link or referral for AT. They may have identified their AT needs and services another route that duplicated their time and effort. Our collaboration provides a comprehensive assessment of the client's needs while they are meeting with their outreach coordinator and specialist for the TBI. It is important to note that the individual may have experienced the TBI-inducing event several months or years prior and that the need may not represent a transition but ongoing need for the client.

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

Education; Employment; Housing / Home Automation; Recreation / Leisure; Transition(school to work or congregate care to community); Information and Communication Technology / Remote Connectivity;

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

Device Loan; Demonstration; Reuse; Information & Assistance;

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? 00

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$77,600ReuseTrue
Amount: $77,600

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.

All clients served have been listed in previous sections of this APR. The additional funding expanded our reuse offerings.

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 11:18:42 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.