National Assistive Technology Act Data System

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

Executive Branch agencies have a legal responsibility to provide reasonable accommodations to their state employees and applicants; therefore, this information should be excluded.

Referral Types:

Due to STAR having an additional staff member and COVID restrictions being lifted we have resumed in-person meetings and presentations. We are collaborating with the state of Minnesota employee training group and presenting quarterly to new supervisors on assistive technology, accommodations, and document accessibility. Typically there are around 100 attendees at these training events. We were able to travel to a local college and meet with occupational therapy grad students, sharing information on AT and giving them hands-on access to devices. We have been meeting regularly with various groups within our state Department of Human Services (DHS) and have gotten an opportunity to present at the regional deaf/hard of hearing quarterly meetings to let team members know about our program and services. We also were able to present to the supervisor core for Senior Linkage line (SLL). SLL is a service where seniors and their caregivers can get recommendations for all different services. As

Referral Sources:

Through our collaboration with the Department of Human Services, we are learning that Senior Linkage Line and the Disability Hub customer service representatives are sending consumers to us from around the state. Additionally, we are seeing a fair number of inquiries coming from both County Caseworkers who serve individuals on Waivers and Home Health Nurses. We believe this increase is due to virtual presentations that we did throughout the year to various county workers. We continue to see steady numbers of inquiries coming from internet and social media searches.

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?

STAR has been connecting with our Aging and Disability Resource Centers, Department of Human Services (Board of aging, Disability Services division, Live Well at Home Grant), and Centers for Independent Living for a few years. In the federal fiscal year '22, we identified a project to increase overall awareness of assistive technology. We are creating kiosk cards, newspapers, and Facebook ads along with informational videos. These resources will benefit all ages, but a focus will be placed on the Senior population. Additionally, 20 "AT Kit's" will be assembled and distributed to professionals who work directly with consumers. STAR provided the group with a list of items for the kits. The intent of the kits is to increase consumers' and caregivers' awareness of assistive technology. The advertisements are directing consumers to the MN STAR Program and we will direct people from there. The ADRC team completely funded this project with dollars from their CARES Act money.

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.

This project is still ongoing. We are expecting deliverables in December of '22. The team will be tracking internet analytics and STAR will monitor calls, loans, etc. The group has enjoyed working together. Many have commented that it is rare for agencies to collaborate and believe this project will be effective. Our hope is if the first video is successful we will be able to create more videos that are more specific, as this first video is an introduction to AT.

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

Community Participation and Integration; Health; Aging; Aging and Disability Network / No Wrong Door; Information and Communication Technology / Remote Connectivity;

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

Device Loan; Demonstration;

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?

STAR is working collaboratively with the state of Minnesota's IT department and ADA leaders to improve state employees' and state job applicants' access to assistive technology. STAR manages the State of Minnesota's Centralized Accommodation Fund and works directly with individuals who need accommodations. We have been very disheartened by the amount of time that it takes for individuals to receive the equipment or services that are needed to perform their job. Through ongoing communication, we have gotten the attention of leadership and are working collaboratively to create a portal for employees, ADA Coordinators, and supervisors to access and implement the products and services that the employee needs. Currently, Minnesota's IT department is covering the costs of creating and developing the online tool (meaning the dollars are coming from the state's general fund).

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.

Again, this is an ongoing project and we are not ready to offer any results. We are grateful to have the support of our IT department leadership team. We preparing to present this work to our Department of Management and Budget group as their buy-in will help this work reach the entire enterprise. Without their support, we will be able to move this project forward, but things will move a bit slower.

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

Employment; Information and Communication Technology / Remote Connectivity;

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

Technical Assistance;