National Assistive Technology Act Data System

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

Lead Agency

Implementing Entity

Program Director and Other Contacts

Person Responsible for completing this form if other than Program Director

Certifying Representative

G. Notes:

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

G. Notes:

We posted our newly developed AT Exchange site late summer so we only have 3 months of data.

I. Notes:

G. Notes:

C. Description of Training Activities

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

Clinicians from the Assistive Technology Program of Colorado were invited to speak at the Special Care Clinic Educational Series meeting which serves as an educational event for the many physicians and clinicians within the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus System. The presentation provided an overview of the Assistive Technology Program of Colorado and the Center for Inclusion and Design and Engineering (CIDE). The presentation provided information about assistive technology, device demonstrations, device loans, the AT exchange and AT Funding programs. The presentation was attended by over 100 clinical staff including residents, from the different hospitals on campus and was recorded and placed on their internal educational drive for those who could not attend. Resources and links were offered as well as an update on available assistive technology. Following the presentation, numerous inquiries for our services were received in the following weeks.

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

Transition Leadership Institute - "Help! My student is a 12th grander and can't read! - Technology to access grade level and career text!" - Print disabilities are not quite the barrier they used to be, even just a few years ago. Advances in hardware and more importantly machine learning and artificial intelligence have leveled the playing field considerably. CIDE staff provided an interactive demonstration of the options available for reading printed and electronic text. The session was designed for individuals who work with students with print disabilities, especially those transitioning to employment settings; those who wanted to learn more about the assistive technologies built into the devices they already own; and those who had a keen interest in new technologies and how they may be implemented to support individuals with disabilities. Attendees walked away with a toolbox of options to support reading in the classroom and beyond.

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

After providing an accessibility audit of Jefferson County Public Health Departments COVID-19 webpages, training was provided to the web content team and web development team to improve access by creating accessible PDF documents and marketing materials that were hosted on the domain. We continue to receive requests and provide technical assistance to the web content team members.

E. Notes:

We started using a new tracking system with monthly reminders for staff to complete, so our numbers have increased along with providing additional trainings.

B. Description of Technical Assistance

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

MarkIT Mobile Voting User Testing and Accessibility Review. CIDE was engaged to analyze the mobile voting app and create a user test plan, pilot the test plan with typical users, and conduct usability & assistive technology testing. Testing occured on three cohorts including individuals with cognitive disabilities, physical disabilities, and older adults. The assistive technology testing resulted in the firing of the original app development team due to the number of issues the developers couldn't fix and the hiring of a new team.

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

One of the Colorado Community Centered Boards (CCB) approached our Tech for Tykes program and asked us to join one of their team meetings to discuss transition to Part B services. Several members of their team had questions about the transition process for AT as children age out of the Part C services. We joined their team meeting and presented to providers, service coordinators, and CCB managers on the process of what happens with AT during the transition process depending on the funding source and how to document the features of the AT that the child is benefiting from without naming a specific device in the transition report.

C. Notes:

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. NRRTS (National Registry of Rehabilitation Technology Suppliers) Directions article highlights the increasing need for wheeled mobility for those affected by Ehler’s Danlos Syndrome, a hypermobility disorder that has been on the rise in the recent years, especially during the COVID pandemic. The article discusses a case study of a young woman who was evaluated and assessed at our clinic for a manual wheelchair with a power assist device. Her equipment was successfully funded and she has been able to use her new mobility device with great success resulting in increased independence with mobility-related activities of daily living, energy conservation, improvement in function, strength, endurance and overall quality of life. The article was shared through a therapy trade magazine reaching approximately 10,000 industry professionals in all 50 states, Canada and Puerto Rico. This article has resulted in identifying CIDE as a leader in providing successful assistive technology solutions for individuals with Ehler’s Danlos Syndrome and increased our overall referrals to our clinic.

2. The Center for Inclusive Design and Engineering proudly hosted the 2022 Conference for Assistive Technology and Education (CATE). This 2-day, virtual conference event registered 237 participants from 30 different states and 4 countries. The schedule featured 2 workshops and 20 breakout sessions presented by nationally recognized leaders in the field including Therese Willkomm, Janet Sturm, Kelly Fonner, Donna McNear, Chris Bugaj, Beth Poss, Mo Buti, and Sarah Gregory, among others. The virtual platform supported over 3,000 messages between participants, 23 post-event Meet-Ups, 87 Discussion Topics, and 94 Community Board Posts. In a post-event survey, 94% of respondents indicated their participation would positively impact the achievement of individuals with disabilities.

Notes:

Overview of Coordination/Collaboration Activities

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.

CIDE has worked with the Colorado Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management on the inclusion of assistive technology in the planning, response, and recovery stages of an emergency. Through our trainings we have seen an increase in the type and amount of assistive technology being provided at the mass care shelters and disaster assistance center. We have also seen a large increase in requests for information about specific assistive technology solutions from emergency managers and planners from across the state.

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.)

We have developed an information fact sheet and checklist to assist individuals in documenting their assistive technologies to reduce the confusion in replacing equipment and assist with their rapid replacement. https://www.ucdenver.edu/docs/librariesprovider38/ep-documents/at-and-dme-equipment-list-final.pdf?sfvrsn=6399d2ba_2

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

Community Living

B.2 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.

The Colorado Assistive Technology Act Program team has worked closely with the Colorado Department of Early Childhood on a new program, Project Include which began in 2021.This project expands on a previous program, Inclusion and Universal Design. It supports the more than 4000 licensed Colorado family child care homes, child care centers, and preschools in Colorado. The program has provided training, technical assistance, and equipment to assist providers in creating more inclusive environments for children with delays and disabilities through access to assistive technology, training and technical assistance.

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.)

Currently over 400 programs have requested support. Over 110 have completed a 90 minute online training on Inclusion and Universal Design which includes numerous low tech examples for their programs. Over forty videos have been produced and posted on our website which explain adapted technologies and how to utilize them with children. These videos have been viewed more then 1000 times. The program has created 4 different adapted materials kits that are provided in short term loans to programs. The project web site is located at https://www1.ucdenver.edu/centers/center-for-inclusive-design-and-engineering/community-engagement/project-include and has numerous resources for providers. Contact Maureen.melonis@ucdenver.edu for more information.

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

Education