National Assistive Technology Act Data System

Annual Progress Report - Full Report

Arizona 2022

General Information

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

State AT Program Title:
Arizona Technology Access Program (AzTAP)
State AT Program Title:
State AT Program URL
http://aztap.org
Mailing Address:
300 West Clarendon Ave, Suite 475
City:
PHOENIX
State:
Arizona
Zip Code:
85013
Program Email:
askaztap@nau.edu
Phone:
602-728-9534
TTY:
Relay-711

Lead Agency

Agency Name:
Northern Arizona University - Institute for Human Development - Office of Sponsored Projects
Mailing Address:
Box 4130 (Science Bldg. # 20, 4th Floor)
City:
Flagstaff
State:
Arizona
Zip Code:
86011
Program URL:
https://in.nau.edu/osp

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):
Clayton Guffey
Title:
AzTAP Program Director
Phone:
602-776-4699
E-mail:
Clayton.Guffey@nau.edu
Program Director at Lead Agency (last, first):
Clayton Guffey
Title:
AzTAP Program Director
Phone:
602-776-4699
E-mail:
Clayton.Guffey@nau.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):
Tom Champagne
Title:
Associate Vice President - Research
Phone:
928-523-4880
E-mail:
NAU-OSP@nau.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
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

2. Income of Applicants to Whom Loans Were Made

Lowest/Highest Incomes
Lowest Income: $9,300 Highest Income: $106,476

Average Income
Sum of Incomes Loans Made Average Annual Income
$863,266 18 $47,959

Number and Percentage of Loans Made to Applicants by Income Range
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%

3. Loan Type

Loan Type
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%

Loan Type Summary
Type of Loan Number of Loans Dollar Value of Loans
Revolving Loans 00 $0
Partnership Loans 18 $80,803
Total 18 $80,803

4. Interest Rates

Interest Rates
Lowest 4.5%
Highest 4.5%

Interest Rate Summary
Sum of Interest Rates Number of Loans Made Average Interest Rate
81 18 4.5%

Number of Loans Made by Interest Rate
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

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 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

6. Defaults

Defaults
Number Loans in default 01
Net loss for loans in default $3,279

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? 1
Activity 1
How would you describe this state financing activity?Other: Other Aquisition

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

County of ResidenceIndividuals Served
A. Metro (RUCC 1-3)5
B. Non-Metro (RUCC 4-9)0
C. Total Served5

Performance Measure
D. Excluded from Performance Measure0
E. Number of Individuals Included in Performance Measures5

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 / ServiceNumber of Devices
Funded
Value of
AT Provided
Vision 3$5,365
Hearing 2$1,000
Speech communication0$0
Learning, cognition, and developmental 2$585
Mobility, seating and positioning0$0
Daily living 0$0
Environmental adaptations0$0
Vehicle modification and transportation 0$0
Computers and related 0$0
Recreation, sports, and leisure0$0
Total7$6,950



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

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.

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 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%

F. Customer Satisfaction

Satisfaction
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%

G. Notes:

Reutilization

A. Number of Recipients of Reused Devices

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

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 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

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 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

D. Anecdote

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.

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. 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%

F. Customer Satisfaction

Satisfaction
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%

G. Notes:

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) 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

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 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

C. Length of Short-Term Device Loans

Length of Short-Term Device Loan in Days 14

D. Types of Devices Loaned

Types of Devices Loaned
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

E. Anecdote

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.

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 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%

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. 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%

H. Customer Satisfaction

Satisfaction
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%

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 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

B. Types of Participants

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

C. Number of Referrals

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

D. Anecdote

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.

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 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%

F. Customer Satisfaction

Satisfaction
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%

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. 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

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 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

Overall Satisfaction Rating

Customer Rating of Services Percent ACL Target Met/Not Met
Highly satisfied and satisfied 99.34% 95% Met
Response Rate 95.41% 90% Met

Training

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

Training by Participant Type
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

Geographic Distribution of Participants
Metro Non Metro Unknown TOTAL
1,199 436 122 1,757

B. Training Topics

Trainings by Topic
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

C. Description of Training Activities

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.

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 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

E. Notes:

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.

Technical Assistance

A. Frequency and Nature of Technical Assistance

Technical Assistance by Recipient Type
Education 13%
Employment 00%
Health, Allied Health, Rehabilitation 00%
Community Living 10%
Technology (IT, Telecom, AT) 77%
Total 100%

B. Description of Technical Assistance

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.

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. 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.

Information And Assistance

Information And Assistance Activities by Recipient
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

Referral Types:

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.

Referral Sources:

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.

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? 1

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 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;

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
Public/State Agency$180,887Device LoanTrue
Public/State Agency$223,153DemonstrationTrue
Public/State Agency$42,718TrainingTrue
Amount: $446,758

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.

NA


C. 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).

NA


Center for Assistive Technology Act Data Assistance . Saved: Tue Feb 14 2023 16:26:46 GMT-0600 (Central Standard Time)


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This FY22 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.