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 |
Area of Residence | Total | ||
---|---|---|---|
Metro RUCC 1-3 |
Non-Metro RUCC 4-9 |
||
Approved Loan made | 17 | 01 | 18 |
Approved Not made | 01 | 00 | 01 |
Rejected | 07 | 00 | 07 |
Total | 25 | 01 | 26 |
Lowest Income: | $9,300 | Highest Income: | $106,476 |
---|
Sum of Incomes | Loans Made | Average Annual Income |
---|---|---|
$863,266 | 18 | $47,959 |
Income Ranges | Total | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
$15,000 or Less |
$15,001- $30,000 |
$30,001- $45,000 |
$45,001- $60,000 |
$60,001- $75,000 |
$75,001 or More |
||
Number of Loans | 02 | 03 | 06 | 01 | 01 | 05 | 18 |
Percentage of Loans | 11.11% | 16.67% | 33.33% | 5.56% | 5.56% | 27.78% | 100% |
Type of Loan | Number of Loans | Percentage of loans |
---|---|---|
Revolving Loans | 00 | 0% |
Partnership Loans | ||
Without interest buy-down or loan guarantee | 00 | 0% |
With interest buy-down only | 00 | 0% |
With loan guarantee only | 18 | 100% |
With both interest buy-down and loan guarantee | 00 | 0% |
Total | 18 | 100% |
Type of Loan | Number of Loans | Dollar Value of Loans |
---|---|---|
Revolving Loans | 00 | $0 |
Partnership Loans | 18 | $80,803 |
Total | 18 | $80,803 |
Lowest | 4.5% |
---|---|
Highest | 4.5% |
Sum of Interest Rates | Number of Loans Made | Average Interest Rate |
---|---|---|
81 | 18 | 4.5% |
Interest Rate | Number of loans |
---|---|
0.0% to 2.0% | 00 |
2.1% to 4.0% | 00 |
4.1% to 6.0% | 18 |
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 | 18 |
Type of AT | Number of Devices Financed | Dollar Value of Loans |
---|---|---|
Vision | 00 | $0 |
Hearing | 11 | $10,688 |
Speech communication | 00 | $0 |
Learning, cognition, and developmental | 00 | $0 |
Mobility, seating and positioning | 12 | $39,742 |
Daily living | 02 | $12,100 |
Environmental adaptations | 00 | $0 |
Vehicle modification and transportation | 03 | $14,502 |
Computers and related | 00 | $0 |
Recreation, sports, and leisure | 04 | $3,771 |
Total | 32 | $80,803 |
Number Loans in default | 01 |
---|---|
Net loss for loans in default | $3,279 |
How many other state financing activities that provide consumers with access to funds for the purchase of AT devices and services were included in your approved state plan? | 1 |
---|
How would you describe this state financing activity? | Other: Other Aquisition |
---|
County of Residence | Individuals Served |
---|---|
A. Metro (RUCC 1-3) | 5 |
B. Non-Metro (RUCC 4-9) | 0 |
C. Total Served | 5 |
Performance Measure | |
---|---|
D. Excluded from Performance Measure | 0 |
E. Number of Individuals Included in Performance Measures | 5 |
If a number is reported in D you must provide a description of the reason the individuals are excluded from the performance measure:
Type of AT Device / Service | Number of Devices Funded | Value of AT Provided |
---|---|---|
Vision | 3 | $5,365 |
Hearing | 2 | $1,000 |
Speech communication | 0 | $0 |
Learning, cognition, and developmental | 2 | $585 |
Mobility, seating and positioning | 0 | $0 |
Daily living | 0 | $0 |
Environmental adaptations | 0 | $0 |
Vehicle modification and transportation | 0 | $0 |
Computers and related | 0 | $0 |
Recreation, sports, and leisure | 0 | $0 |
Total | 7 | $6,950 |
How many state financing activities that allow consumers to obtain AT at a reduced cost were included in your approved state plan? | 0 |
---|
In August 2022 Jeff submitted an AzLAT financial loan application requesting to fund the replacement of the family’s home air conditioning system. Jeff has Duchenne’s MD, uses a power wheelchair for all his mobility and a ventilator to assist with breathing. For sleeping Jeff has a specialized Hill-Rom Clinitron hospital style bed that uses fluidic sand to manage and distribute pressure on his body. Jeff stated in his loan application that since their air conditioning had gone out and because of the resulting higher temperature in the home his bed would not operate correctly. We needed to qualify his air conditioning unit as Assistive Technology (AT), so PD placed a phone call to the Operations Manager with the local supplier for Jeff’s bed. The Operations Manager with the supplier confirmed that Jeff would not be able to use this bed in the Phoenix summer without a functioning air conditioning system. The Clinitron bed is designed to operate in a cool dry environment, and it needs an ambient air temperature of 76–78 degrees Fahrenheit to work correctly. Therefore, in the summer months in Phoenix Jeff needs a functional AC system in his home to be able to use this bed. Under these circumstances and with this confirmation the air conditioning unit qualifies as part of Jeff’s bed AT system and AzLAT can consider funding a financial loan to replace the families air conditioning unit.
Response | Primary Purpose for Which AT is Needed | Total | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
Education | Employment | Community Living | ||
1. Could only afford the AT through the AT program. | 00 | 02 | 16 | 18 |
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 | 01 | 01 |
4. Subtotal | 00 | 02 | 20 | 22 |
5. None of the above | 00 | 00 | 01 | 01 |
6. Subtotal | 00 | 02 | 21 | 23 |
7. Nonrespondent | 00 | 00 | 00 | 00 |
8. Total | 00 | 02 | 21 | 23 |
9. Performance on this measure | NaN% | 100% | 95.24% |
Customer Rating of Services | Number of Customers | Percent |
---|---|---|
Highly satisfied | 21 | 91.3% |
Satisfied | 02 | 8.7% |
Satisfied somewhat | 00 | 0% |
Not at all satisfied | 00 | 0% |
Nonrespondent | 00 | 0% |
Total Surveyed | 23 | |
Response rate % | 100% |
Activity | Number of Individuals Receiving a Device from Activity |
---|---|
A. Device Exchange | 19 |
B. Device Refurbish/Repair - Reassign and/or Open Ended Loan | 11 |
C. Total | 30 |
Performance Measure | |
---|---|
D. 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 |
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
NA
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 | 03 | $1,446 | $0 | $1,446 |
Hearing | 05 | $2,532 | $0 | $2,532 |
Speech Communication | 22 | $36,323 | $0 | $36,323 |
Learning, Cognition and Developmental | 17 | $2,390 | $0 | $2,390 |
Mobility, Seating and Positioning | 02 | $2,394 | $500 | $1,894 |
Daily Living | 07 | $4,390 | $105 | $4,285 |
Environmental Adaptations | 04 | $1,763 | $0 | $1,763 |
Vehicle Modification & Transportation | 02 | $1,895 | $500 | $1,395 |
Computers and Related | 16 | $1,668 | $0 | $1,668 |
Recreation, Sports and Leisure | 00 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
Total | 78 | $54,801 | $1,105 | $53,696 |
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 | 09 | $4,565 | $0 | $4,565 |
Hearing | 00 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
Speech Communication | 02 | $14,008 | $0 | $14,008 |
Learning, Cognition and Developmental | 00 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
Mobility, Seating and Positioning | 02 | $85 | $0 | $85 |
Daily Living | 00 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
Environmental Adaptations | 00 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
Vehicle Modification & Transportation | 00 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
Computers and Related | 21 | $5,907 | $387 | $5,520 |
Recreation, Sports and Leisure | 00 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
Total | 34 | $24,565 | $387 | $24,178 |
AzTAP was contacted by an individual who had an older but still functional desktop Merlin Video Magnifier that he wanted to donate. AzTAP accepted the device, cleaned it up and tested all the features to verify they were working. At the time one of our AT Specialists was working with Paula who had low vision and who was on the waiting list to obtain a desktop video magnifier from the state Older Blind Independent Living (OBI-IL) program. Paula needed such a device to assist her with reading her mail and paying bills. We relayed the availability of the device to Paula and reviewed its base feature set with her and provided her with a chance to have a hands-on trial the device to determine if it would meet her needs. She found that it would and AzTAP was able to donate this Merlin VM to Paula. The MSRP value of the device was $1,299.00. Paula was very pleased with receiving this device that she could use until she could receive one from the OBI-IL program.
Response | Primary Purpose for Which AT is Needed | Total | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
Education | Employment | Community Living | ||
1. Could only afford the AT through the AT program. | 01 | 00 | 11 | 12 |
2. AT was only available through the AT program. | 05 | 04 | 07 | 16 |
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 | 06 | 04 | 18 | 28 |
5. None of the above | 00 | 00 | 02 | 02 |
6. Subtotal | 06 | 04 | 20 | 30 |
7. Nonrespondent | 00 | 00 | 00 | 00 |
8. Total | 06 | 04 | 20 | 30 |
9. Performance on this measure | 100% | 100% | 90% |
Customer Rating of Services | Number of Customers | Percent |
---|---|---|
Highly satisfied | 27 | 90% |
Satisfied | 00 | 0% |
Satisfied somewhat | 01 | 3.33% |
Not at all satisfied | 01 | 3.33% |
Nonrespondent | 01 | 3.33% |
Total Surveyed | 30 | |
Response rate % | 96.67% |
Primary Purpose of Short-Term Device Loan | Number |
---|---|
Assist in decision-making (device trial or evaluation) | 504 |
Serve as loaner during service repair or while waiting for funding | 28 |
Provide an accommodation on a short-term basis for a time-limited event/situation | 29 |
Conduct training, self-education or other professional development activity | 65 |
Total | 626 |
Type of Individual or Entity | Number of Device Borrowers | ||
---|---|---|---|
Desicion-making | All other Purposes | Total | |
Individuals with Disabilities | 466 | 61 | 527 |
Family Members, Guardians, and Authorized Representatives | 04 | 00 | 04 |
Representative of Education | 21 | 33 | 54 |
Representative of Employment | 01 | 03 | 04 |
Representatives of Health, Allied Health, and Rehabilitation | 07 | 12 | 19 |
Representatives of Community Living | 02 | 03 | 05 |
Representatives of Technology | 03 | 10 | 13 |
Total | 504 | 122 | 626 |
Length of Short-Term Device Loan in Days | 14 |
---|
Type of AT Device | Number of Devices | ||
---|---|---|---|
Desicion-making | All other Purposes | Total | |
Vision | 82 | 118 | 200 |
Hearing | 32 | 36 | 68 |
Speech Communication | 204 | 154 | 358 |
Learning, Cognition and Developmental | 126 | 241 | 367 |
Mobility, Seating and Positioning | 55 | 22 | 77 |
Daily Living | 221 | 132 | 353 |
Environmental Adaptations | 162 | 137 | 299 |
Vehicle Modification and Transportation | 00 | 00 | 00 |
Computers and Related | 280 | 233 | 513 |
Recreation, Sports and Leisure | 97 | 55 | 152 |
Total | 1,259 | 1,128 | 2,387 |
In collaboration with a local Orientation and Mobility (O&M) Instructor AzTAP added a popular GPS navigation device to our inventory. This device provides auditory community navigation information such as addresses, street names, intersections, and points of interest for a person with blindness. Sue was receiving O & M services and she wanted to see if this device would aid her with community mobility. In coordination with her O & M instructor AzTAP loaned her this device. As part of her trial of the device, Sue started investigating different routes to various places, designating landmarks to make it easier for her to get around, and taking the device with her wherever she was going so she could be more aware of her surroundings. At one point during her device loan Sue needed to go to a local entertainment venue and took a taxi to this destination. Upon arriving, the taxi driver said: “Bye, you are here.” Sue used the device to verify the location and realized that the driver had made a mistake. The taxi was dropping her off at 19th Street and McDowell rather than 19th Avenue and McDowell. She explained the situation to the driver and got the driver to take her to the correct destination. Sue was extremely pleased, noting that if it weren’t for this device, she would have been left at the wrong destination. She stated that this loan experience and the device trial has increased her desire and ability to get around independently, and that the features of the device allow her to explore an area on her own. Based on this successful device loan, AzTAP staff then assisted Sue with requesting and advocating for the device to be funded and provided by a local blindness service provider.
Response | Primary Purpose for Which AT is Needed | Total | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
Education | Employment | Community Living | ||
Decided that AT device/service will meet needs | 156 | 21 | 133 | 310 |
Decided that an AT device/ service will not meet needs | 75 | 06 | 56 | 137 |
Subtotal | 231 | 27 | 189 | 447 |
Have not made a decision | 03 | 03 | 05 | 11 |
Subtotal | 234 | 30 | 194 | 458 |
Nonrespondent | 21 | 06 | 19 | 46 |
Total | 255 | 36 | 213 | 504 |
Performance on this measure | 98.72% | 90% | 97.42% |
Response | Primary Purpose for Which AT is Needed | Total | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
Education | Employment | Community Living | ||
1. Could only afford the AT through the AT program. | 22 | 00 | 00 | 22 |
2. AT was only available through the AT program. | 47 | 20 | 23 | 90 |
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 | 69 | 20 | 23 | 112 |
5. None of the above | 07 | 00 | 01 | 08 |
6. Subtotal | 76 | 20 | 24 | 120 |
7. Nonrespondent | 02 | 00 | 00 | 02 |
8. Total | 78 | 20 | 24 | 122 |
9. Performance on this measure | 90.79% | 100% | 95.83% |
Customer Rating of Services | Number of Customers | Percent |
---|---|---|
Highly satisfied | 548 | 87.54% |
Satisfied | 23 | 3.67% |
Satisfied somewhat | 04 | 0.64% |
Not at all satisfied | 01 | 0.16% |
Nonrespondent | 50 | 7.99% |
Total Surveyed | 626 | |
Response rate % | 92.01% |
Type of AT Device / Service | Number of Demonstrations of AT Devices / Services |
---|---|
Vision | 14 |
Hearing | 01 |
Speech Communication | 125 |
Learning, Cognition and Developmental | 02 |
Mobility, Seating and Positioning | 03 |
Daily Living | 06 |
Environmental Adaptations | 03 |
Vehicle Modification and Transportation | 00 |
Computers and Related | 14 |
Recreation, Sports and Leisure | 10 |
Total # of Device Demonstrations | 178 |
Type of Participant | Decision-Makers | Other Participants | Total |
---|---|---|---|
Individuals with Disabilities | 168 | 02 | 170 |
Family Members, Guardians, and Authorized Representatives | 02 | 223 | 225 |
Representatives of Education | 02 | 07 | 09 |
Representatives of Employment | 00 | 00 | 00 |
Health, Allied Health, Rehabilitation | 03 | 13 | 16 |
Representative of Community Living | 03 | 06 | 09 |
Representative of Technology | 00 | 04 | 04 |
Total | 178 | 255 | 433 |
Type of Entity | Number of Referrals |
---|---|
Funding Source (non-AT program) | 00 |
Service Provider | 00 |
Vendor | 01 |
Repair Service | 00 |
Others | 00 |
Total | 01 |
AzTAP worked with Joe, a 62-year-old client who had Quadriplegia because of Guillain Barre Syndrome. Joe wanted to continue his work as an online financial investor, so his wife contacted AzTAP to check if something was available for him to be able to better operate his computer. Our AT Specialist met with Joe and during his consultation he relayed that needed to be able to navigate a web browser and be able to perform a left clicks to move around the webpages. Joe’s access abilities consisted of the ability to speak, keep his eyes open and move them to all points on the monitor screen and to hold up and move his head in all directions. Based on these abilities so that he could compare/contrast the features of each our staff trialed several different types of computer mouse control options with Joe such as voice control, eyegaze and head control. Of these options, Joe found that a headmouse style controller worked the best. Using this device, he was able to move the mouse pointer all around the screen and, with an on-screen dwell software, he was able to perform all the mouse operations to navigate webpages and to make selections. Joe was also able to make use of a virtual on-screen keyboard to type into text fields. Joe was delighted that the device was giving him back his independence and ability to regain control over his computer work. He wanted to purchase the device on the spot. Since AzTAP does not sell devices, our AT Specialist provided information about where he could purchase it, and he immediately bought his equipment. Once he received it, our AT Specialist helped him to configure it and make sure he was able to access and use it on his own computer.
Response | Primary Purpose for Which AT is Needed | Total | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
Education | Employment | Community Living | ||
Decided that AT device/service will meet needs | 05 | 05 | 158 | 168 |
Decided that an AT device/ service will not meet needs | 00 | 04 | 06 | 10 |
Subtotal | 05 | 09 | 164 | 178 |
Have not made a decision | 00 | 00 | 00 | 00 |
Subtotal | 05 | 09 | 164 | 178 |
Nonrespondent | 00 | 00 | 00 | 00 |
Total | 05 | 09 | 164 | 178 |
Performance on this measure | 100% | 100% | 100% |
Customer Rating of Services | Number of Customers | Percent |
---|---|---|
Highly satisfied | 422 | 97.46% |
Satisfied | 11 | 2.54% |
Satisfied somewhat | 00 | 0% |
Not at all satisfied | 00 | 0% |
Nonrespondent | 00 | 0% |
Total | 433 | |
Response rate % | 100% |
Response | Primary Purpose for Which AT is Needed | Total | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
Education | Employment | Community Living | ||
1. Could only afford the AT through the AT program. | 23 | 02 | 27 | 52 |
2. AT was only available through the AT program. | 52 | 24 | 33 | 109 |
3. AT was available through other programs, but the system was too complex or the wait time too long. | 00 | 00 | 01 | 01 |
4. Subtotal | 75 | 26 | 61 | 162 |
5. None of the above | 07 | 00 | 04 | 11 |
6. Subtotal | 82 | 26 | 65 | 173 |
7. Nonrespondent | 02 | 00 | 00 | 02 |
8. Total | 84 | 26 | 65 | 175 |
9. Performance on this measure | 91.46% | 100% | 92.31% | 93.06% |
ACL Performance Measure | 85% | |||
Met/Not Met | Met |
Response | Primary Purpose for Which AT is Needed | Total | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
Education | Employment | Community Living | ||
Decided that AT device/service will meet needs | 161 | 26 | 291 | 478 |
Decided that an AT device/ service will not meet needs | 75 | 10 | 62 | 147 |
Subtotal | 236 | 36 | 353 | 625 |
Have not made a decision | 03 | 03 | 05 | 11 |
Subtotal | 239 | 39 | 358 | 636 |
Nonrespondent | 21 | 06 | 19 | 46 |
Total | 260 | 45 | 377 | 682 |
Performance on this measure | 98.74% | 92.31% | 98.6% | 98.27% |
ACL Performance Measure | 90% | |||
Met/Not Met | Met |
Customer Rating of Services | Percent | ACL Target | Met/Not Met |
---|---|---|---|
Highly satisfied and satisfied | 99.34% | 95% | Met |
Response Rate | 95.41% | 90% | Met |
Type of Participant | Number |
---|---|
Individuals with Disabilities | 91 |
Family Members, Guardians and Authorized Representatives | 28 |
Representatives of Education | 522 |
Representatives of Employment | 444 |
Rep Health, Allied Health, and Rehabilitation | 398 |
Representatives of Community Living | 117 |
Representatives of Technology | 84 |
Unable to Categorize | 73 |
TOTAL | 1,757 |
Metro | Non Metro | Unknown | TOTAL |
---|---|---|---|
1,199 | 436 | 122 | 1,757 |
Primary Topic of Training | Participants |
---|---|
AT Products/Services | 950 |
AT Funding/Policy/ Practice | 94 |
Combination of any/all of the above | 647 |
Information Technology/Telecommunication Access | 31 |
Transition | 35 |
Total | 1,757 |
Describe innovative one high-impact assistance training activity conducted during the reporting period:
AzTAP teamed up with ViewFinder Low Vision Resource Center and the Arizona Governor’s Council on Blindness and Visual Impairment Assistive Technology Committee to offer a FREE 2-part Webinar Series on the topic of Low Vision Rehabilitation Targeting medical, employment and BVI professionals, the webinars explored both the medical and the functional aspects of vision loss with an emphasis on considerations for employment and reasonable accommodations. The series was delivered three times during the year to three different target audiences. In early February the 2-part series was offered to an AzTAP audience on two different days; in late February the series was offered in a single day to an audience of Rehabilitation Services Administration staff; finally, the series was also offered as part of VRATE: Blindness & Low Vision Assistive Technology Expo in April. The webinar series generated significant interest, with a combined total of 266 attendees participating in the sessions.
Briefly describe one training activity related to transition conducted during the reporting period:
At the 2022 IHD-AzTAP Evidence for Success Hybrid conference, AzTAP hosted a seventy-five minute breakout session titled “Road to Independence: Assistive Technology in Transition Planning for Students with Complex Support Needs.” The presentation discussed the importance of AT devices and services in improving the ability of people with disabilities to participate independently in post-school settings, including employment and education. Resources were provided for incorporating AT in the secondary school IEP so that students can become proficient with the AT tools that will benefit them in their post-school lives. Presented by Arizona Department of Education – Special Student Services staff members Christy Hegebush, Margaret Egan, Lisa Livesay and Laura Wooten-LaFranier. The session was presented in-person and was attended by 35 participants. It was well received with 29 of the attendees completing the satisfaction survey, given the session one of the highest satisfaction scores in the conference – a 3.83 out of 4.00.
Briefly describe one training activity related to Information and Communication Technology accessibility:
AzTAP hosted a 75 minute breakout session at the 2022 IHD-AzTAP Evidence for Success Disability Conference that addressed Accessible Information and Communication Technology. Attendees learned about the nuances of document accessibility in higher education, and got a better understanding of their document accessibility toolkit along with how to develop a campus-wide document accessibility strategy. The session was presented by Adam Spencer of AbleDocs and was held in-person with real-time virtual participation as well. The session had 31 attendees (17 in-person and 14 virtual) and 13 of them (11 in-person and 2 virtual attendee) completed the satisfaction survey giving the session a satisfaction score of 3.69 out of 4.00.
Outcome/Result From IT/Telecommunications Training Received | Number |
---|---|
IT and Telecommunications Procurement or Dev Policies | 04 |
Training or Technical Assistance will be developed or implemented | 03 |
No known outcome at this time | 04 |
Nonrespondent | 20 |
Total | 31 |
Performance Measure Percentage | 22.6% |
ACL Target Percentage | 70% |
Met/Not Met | Not Met |
Both last and this fiscal year we have not met the ICT target performance measure. Despite including the ICT follow up question in each of our ICT training presentation surveys participants are skipping and not responding to it. We believe it is possibly because the question is worded complexly and participants do not understand how it applies to them. In future ICT trainings we are going to take a more hands on approach by providing an explanation of the question and if the training is in person ask for a response by a show of hands and if it is virtual then asking the question in a poll at the conclusion of the training.
Education | 13% |
---|---|
Employment | 00% |
Health, Allied Health, Rehabilitation | 00% |
Community Living | 10% |
Technology (IT, Telecom, AT) | 77% |
Total | 100% |
Describe Innovative one high-impact assistance activity that is not related to transition:
In May of 2022 AzTAP was contacted the Phoenix Burton Barr library with the request to assist them with updating their AT and reconfiguring their special needs/resource room set up. We scheduled an initial virtual consultation with the library staff, the AzTAP Program Director and both of our AT Specialists to discuss their presenting needs and goals. From this discussion AzTAP staff generated a comprehensive list of AT options by disability category as well as resources and provided it to the library. We scheduled them for an AzTAP office visit for a hands-on device demonstration and guided exploration of each of the suggested devices of their interest. The library staff was pleased with the information provided and the opportunity to have a hands-on trial the devices. The library was going to be developing their budget for the coming fiscal year and they planned to take the information provided into account and plan for the AT they were going to purchase.
Breifly describe one technical assistance activity related to transition conducted during the reporting period:
In February 2022 AzTAP started a TA project with a new program at Arizona State University (ASU) that allowed transitioning high school students to take an online entry level college class for $25 on a trial basis. If they did not do well in the course the grade would not appear on a transcript. If they did well they could save and transfer the credit to any state university and then register for regular university coursework. Each student was assigned a support coach with the program, but if they had a disability they would not have access to the ASU DSR office. The initial goal of the project was to provide AT training, resources, and information about AzTAP services to the support coaches. Initially we provided the programs management a good overview of AzTAP services, AT related services available from the Arizona Department of Education as well as an opportunity to do a presentation on the program and have an information table at our annual AT conference.
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. AzTAP staff had a virtual Zoom meeting with Lisa Yencarelli the Director of Blind Programs for the Arizona State Schools for the Deaf and Blind (ASDB). Lisa and ASDB is connected with and is using AzTAP’s ADE short term AT loan program. On the Zoom call today we were able to give Lisa more in-depth information on all our programs and services. We were also able to introduce Lisa to Karla our blind and low vision and Heidi deaf/hard of hearing AT specialists. We also had a chance to relay information on how we can to aid in transition of students by make older devices in inventory available to families for longer term loans, how they can use the AzLAT program to fund AT if they do not have a third party funding source and how Karla/Heidi could work with and support families and students to get the AT they needed for post-secondary education/daily life needs or work. We moved forward with planning trainings on AzTAP programs and services for ASDB staff and their students families.
2.
Types of Recipients | AT Device/ Service |
AT Funding | Total |
---|---|---|---|
Individuals with Disabilities | 659 | 207 | 866 |
Family Members, Guardians and Authorized Representatives | 527 | 69 | 596 |
Representative of Education | 39 | 03 | 42 |
Representative of Employment | 23 | 00 | 23 |
Representative of Health, Allied Health, and Rehabilitation | 212 | 17 | 229 |
Representative of Community Living | 43 | 08 | 51 |
Representative of Technology | 24 | 04 | 28 |
Unable to Categorize | 04 | 04 | 08 |
Total | 1,531 | 312 | 1,843 |
In the past 2.5 + years COVID has had a direct impact on referrals to AzTAP and how we were providing public awareness. We are still seeing the effects of COVID on our referrals but over the last year + now that COVID restrictions are easing we are getting back to more traditional and usual ways of providing program outreach. The following are the cornerstones of our outreach to the community. This fiscal year AzTAP provided over thirty unique public awareness outreach events providing information on our programs and services. We also host an annual statewide Assistive Technology conference done in collaboration with our parent agency and the Arizona Department of Education. AzTAP has an established multifaceted communication and outreach plan that promotes our program that we diligently and consistently follow. We have several consistent community events that we attend each year, but we make it a priority to identify and attend events that target new or underserved populations.
AzTAP’s top five referral sources are the following: 1) referrals to our AAC evaluation and training program that are sent to us from the funder/health insurance provider (19% of referrals); 2) prior AzTAP clients that return for additional services (18% of referrals); 3) healthcare and rehabilitation providers like community OT’s, PTS and SLP’s (14% of referrals); 4) persons that find us on their own through online research or other means (12% of referrals) and 5) friends, family members and acquaintances of previous AzTAP clients (9% of referrals). Together these account for 72% of customers coming to AzTAP for services.
Coordination/Collaboration activities are not required. You may report up to two MAJOR coordination/collaboration activities for this reporting period. How many will you be reporting? | 1 |
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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 2022 AzTAP/IHD Evidence for Success Hybrid Conference. This was a 2-day conference featuring 4 general sessions (opening and closing speakers and lunchtime presentations both days), 47 breakout sessions, and an exhibit hall with 28 exhibitor booths (consisting of AT companies and social services/disability organizations). 24 of the sessions were specifically focused on AT products, services and ICT accessibility which the others focused on advocacy and disability topics more generally. The conference was held in-person, but participants were offered a virtual registration option and could participate in the 19 out of 51 sessions that were broadcast virtually in real-time. Significant attention was placed on social distancing and health concern mitigation. Collaborating partners were Arizona Department of Education (primary funder), Rehabilitation Services Administration (content/credentialing collaborator) and our parent organization IHD at NAU (technical support/marketing). The conference attracted 330 participants broken out as follows: 227 in-person attendees, 44 virtual attendees, 15 exhibit hall only, and 44 exhibitors. Average attendance in each breakout session was 26.
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.
Eighty of the attendees (56 in-person/ 24 virtual attendees) responded to the post-conference survey, giving the conference an overall satisfaction score of 3.41 out of 4.00 and a lot of very positive feedback in the comments/ narrative portion of the survey. While we are committed to offering both in-person and virtual delivery of content going forward, we believe that trying to offer sessions both in-person and virtually concurrently was challenging on our staff and on participants. As such, this coming year we will deliver the conference in-person, and then offer virtual sessions to those who choose to participate virtually at a different date and time. Further, given the current reality, we intend to increase the number of vendors in our exhibit hall.
3. What focus areas(s) were addressed by the initiative?
Education; Employment; Community Participation and Integration; Recreation / Leisure; Transition(school to work or congregate care to community); Information and Communication Technology / Remote Connectivity;
4. What AT Act authorized activity(s) were addressed?
Training; Public Awareness;
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 |
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Did you have Additional and Leveraged Funding to Report? | Yes |
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Fund Source | Amount | Use of Funds | Data Reported |
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Public/State Agency | $180,887 | Device Loan | True |
Public/State Agency | $223,153 | Demonstration | True |
Public/State Agency | $42,718 | Training | True |
Amount: $446,758 |
NA
B. Public Health Workforce Grant Award |
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All Section 4 AT Act grantees were awarded $80,000.00 in supplimental Public Health Workforce grant funding to increase the full-time equivalent (FTE) of staff withing the disability and aging network for public health professionals. Please document the status of these funds below. |
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NA
Center for Assistive Technology Act Data Assistance . Saved: Tue Feb 14 2023 16:26:46 GMT-0600 (Central Standard Time)