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

2. Income of Applicants to Whom Loans Were Made

3. Loan Type

4. Interest Rates

5. Types and Dollar Amounts of AT Financed

6. Defaults

Activity 1

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

3. Types and Dollar Amounts of AT Funded

G. Notes:

NV has the CARE Loan Fund & Assistive Technology for Independent Living (AT/IL) as options to purchase AT. The AT/IL program assists consumers with their Independent Living goals, identify barriers, provide potential AT solutions, and to explore options that the consumer has available. The program’s focus is to keep individuals living in their community. The resources can be used to provide many forms of AT including home access modifications, vehicle mods, and AT that is necessary for daily living. The program prioritizes services related to a Transition from institutional living, as well as Preventative. The reporting is based on closed AT/IL consumer cases that consisted of 355 Independent Living Goals set and 283 met. Program funding provided 29 AT solutions that had Prevention implications and 26 AT solutions were provided for Transition of the consumer from back into the community. There were 64 AT solutions through other resources that were not included in the APR data.

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

The addition and blending of the states Telecommuncations program into our Assistive Technology Resource Centers was not as smooth as we would have liked it to be, and the Access Performance Measure was used part of the time. We excluded the OELs where the Access performance measure was used.

G. Notes:

NATC community partner CARE Chest of Sierra Nevada has maintained this significant Reutilization of AT in Nevada for over 30 years. The program continues to grow and make impacts be collaborating with other organizations that deliver food and resources to rural communities. The program continues to make huge impacts to those with both limited and no resources available to them. The availability of appropriate used AT prevents a larger waitlist to the statewide Assistive Technology for Independent Living (AT/IL) program. All consumers accessing the AT/IL program are encouraged to donate AT that is no longer needed. Adding more value, the program makes sanitized equipment available for demonstrations and short-term decision-making loans. This is a huge benefit for people to make informed decisions and advocate for the AT that best meets their need. Challenges faced were supply chain delays for equipment and supplies.

I. Notes:

The year was a positive transition back to in-person contact with consumers. Our Nevada AT Resource Centers partner, the Nevada Center for Excellence in Disabilities (NCED), opened two new locations primarily for our AT Resource Centers. Having the available AT onsite and at locations open to the public is a great transition from the covid. The NCED brought in the addition of the states telecommunications equipment services which has created more consumer engagements. Blending services also means challenges. The program came with pre-purchased AT as well as other equipment for individuals. Free devices can be positive for the consumer, but we also identified that it led to jumping to those solutions instead of exploring all options. We identified many areas that decision making demonstrations and loans should have taken place. Going forward there will be more informed decision-making opportunities that historically haven’t existed.

G. Notes:

The year was a positive transition back to in-person contact with consumers. Our Nevada AT Resource Centers partner, the Nevada Center for Excellence in Disabilities (NCED), opened two new locations primarily for our AT Resource Centers. Having the available AT onsite and at locations open to the public is a great transition from the covid. The NCED brought in the addition of the states telecommunications equipment services which has created more consumer engagements. Blending services also means challenges. The program came with pre-purchased AT as well as other equipment for individuals. Free devices can be positive for the consumer, but we also identified that it led to jumping to those solutions instead of exploring all options. We identified many areas that decision making demonstrations and loans should have taken place. Going forward there will be more informed decision-making opportunities that historically haven’t existed.

C. Description of Training Activities

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

The AT Resource Center was approached by the management of the United Way of Southern Nevada to provide a training regarding accessibility to online meetings. The training objectives were to improve the knowledge, skills, and abilities of their statewide managers to address barriers that some of their members were experiencing as far as ensuring all of their meetings were accessible, especially to those with vision and hearing issues. They were looking for a better understanding of the barriers that various disabilities could present and how staff may be able to better support the participation of people with disabilities. The Resource Center put together a panel of staff with personal, and gained peer knowledge, to provide insight into the everyday barriers that a multitude of disabilities can have in accessing and participating in online meetings. The training involved making sure the settings in the platform were turned on and what the accessibility features actually did for people experiencing barriers. It also provided details on addressing any accommodations requested during meeting. The training went well as the participant now understand where to find certain features and how to improve access to their members as well as the community partners they work with on a daily basis. The door was left open to provide future trainings to even more members and additional community partners.

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

The Nevada AT Collaborative put together a panel of assistive technology users to explore and discuss lifelong transitions and the importance of incorporating assistive technology. The training explored many areas including where assistive technology needs can change throughout the lifespan, the importance of planning ahead, and the importance of engaging peers to support self-informed choices. A focus was on the importance of peer-to-peer engagements and understanding the independent living philosophy of supporting individuals making informed choices throughout their lifelong transitions. Potential transition areas included early learning and school age transitions, employment, community living, as well as later in life transitions including remaining in your home safely and adaptations to the home environment.

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

The AT Resource Center was contacted by the Economic Opportunity Board (EOB) in southern Nevada. Information and Assistance was initially provided and led to further discussion about barriers that some members were having. Both during the pandemic and going forward the EOB sought to address social isolation through online activities, such as the most popular one which is online BINGO. Many of the members struggle with various barriers such as vision or hearing issues. The EOB and the individuals did not have the supports needed or experience with basic IT needs to support consumer engagement. The training was approached as a method to understand some of the barriers and to provide training and supports to both the EOB and its many older and low-income members in southern Nevada. The program supplied all needed devices and provided in depth one on one supports for folks that were novice users or those who had additional barriers. The training and the process of engaging with a community partner that has a large population of potential AT Users is a great way to reach those who may be isolated in their communities.

E. Notes:

B. Description of Technical Assistance

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

The program was approached by a University colleague who manages the Virtual Reality Experience in the campus library. He was referred by our new Regent. During a tour of the facility the Regent noticed that the VR driving experience was not accessible to students with disabilities who might want to participate in the experience. The Regent mentioned our program and made the referral. Basic information was provided initially, leading to further discussion and ways to incorporate assistive technology into the overall experience. A meeting was held onsite where we looked at several ways to make it more accessible, from clear floor space and general access, to discussing ways to incorporate various types of hand controls with the existing equipment and layout. After the initial meeting we reached out to individuals with experience in vehicle hand-controls as well as fabrication on ideas and provided to the manager. Technical assistance will continue to be provided until completion.

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

The AT Resource Center provided technical assistance to the Nevada Center for Excellence In Disabilities’ Path to Independence Program regarding various types of AT, applications and techniques to help student with disabilities. Provided multiple in-person meetings in order to assist the program and its students to incorporate assistive technology into the college experience and to understand the tools that are available to make their experience better. Another goal was to address gaps in acquisition. The program will develop on going practices that improve access and acquisition of AT.

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. Between January 2022 and September 2022, CARE Chest launched an aggressive social media and traditional media campaign to highlight NATC services across the State of Nevada. The campaign, while successful in high-density population centers like Reno and Las Vegas, was particularly successful reaching individuals living in rural Nevada communities across the state. More than 210,000 Nevadans were reached during this campaign.

2. AT Resource Center staff attended the Dayton High School and Dayton Intermediate School Resource Fair for students with disabilities and their parents. The schools are in a small rural community. The format of the event was individual program booths where students and parents came by to ask questions. It also involved a presentation by students regarding inclusion and being accepted at the school by their peers. 25 people participated in the event. In the weeks following the event the program received at least 3 referrals for additional AT Exploration.

Notes:

The NATC wants to receive good referrals and provide good referrals. If an inappropriate referral is received the program reaches out and encourages an in-service training. Likewise, if we make an inappropriate referral the program would request corrective information. The I&A data reported is solely from the Nevada AT Resource Centers. All NATC partners provide information and referral services as long-standing agencies in the community. However, there are complications of collecting data in those systems. In addition to the data provided the AT/IL Program (last resort/state financing) that has a focus on essential daily living activities and removing the barriers with AT had 413 calls during the year. With 57% being the consumers themselves and 26% from an authorized representative of the consumer. Through AT/IL 1428 referrals made to other resources, 71 instances of technical assistance provided, and 104 Independent Living Plans created.

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.

Improved knowledge and skills, and the ability to work more effectively with people with disabilities in our state who may have barriers and difficulties navigating statewide systems and supports.

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.)

While there are currently no measurable results, we are certain to see increased referrals, consumer engagements onsite and training opportunities. We will track consumer services implemented and carried out at libraries. At this point the initial research has been conducted and meetings held establishing strategies to address mutual concerns and potential benefits for the State of Nevada. Plans for FFY 2023 include establishing AT resource areas within 2-3 larger libraries. AT Collaborative staff will provide basic training and technical assistance to library staff. With the intent of adding other areas of service based where on-going needs and demands from library patrons with disabilities. This initiative will not only reach underserved populations, but it will help address rural areas of our state where local libraries are crucial to those smaller and somewhat isolated communities and populations.

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

Community Living