National Assistive Technology Act Data System

Annual Progress Report - Full Report

New Jersey 2022

General Information

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

State AT Program Title:
Richard West Assistive Technology Advocacy Center of DRNJ
State AT Program Title:
State AT Program URL
at4nj.org
Mailing Address:
210 South Broad St 3rd Floor
City:
Trenton
State:
NJ
Zip Code:
08608
Program Email:
mmarotta@disabilityrightsnj.org
Phone:
800-922-7233
TTY:
609-633-7106

Lead Agency

Agency Name:
New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development
Mailing Address:
1 John Fitch Plaza, PO Box 110
City:
Trenton
State:
NJ
Zip Code:
08625
Program URL:
http://lwd.dol.state.nj.us/

Implementing Entity

Name of Implementing Agency:
Richard West Assistive Technology Advocacy Center of DRNJ
Mailing Address:
210 South Broad St 3rd Floor
City
Trenton
State:
NJ
Zip Code:
08608
Program URL:
www.at4nj.org

Program Director and Other Contacts

Program Director for State AT Program (last, first):
Marotta, Michael
Title:
Director
Phone:
609-777-0185
E-mail:
mmarotta@disabilityrightsnj.org
Program Director at Lead Agency (last, first):
Carroll,Karen
Title:
Director DVRS
Phone:
609-292-4967
E-mail:
Karen.Carroll@dol.nj.gov
Primary Contact at Implementing Agency (last, first) - If applicable:
Marotta, Michael
Title:
Director
Phone:
609-777-0961
E-mail:
mmarotta@disabilityrightsnj.org

Person Responsible for completing this form if other than Program Director

Name (last, first):
Title:
Phone:
E-mail:

Certifying Representative

Name (last, first):
Carroll, Karen
Title:
Director DVRS
Phone:
609-292-4967
E-mail:
Karen.Carroll@dol.nj.gov

State Financing

Did your approved state plan for this reporting period include any State Financing? No
Did your approved state plan for this reporting period include conducting a Financial Loan Program? No

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? 0


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

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 00 00 00
2. AT was only available through the AT program. 00 00 00 00
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 00 00 00 00
5. None of the above 00 00 00 00
6. Subtotal 00 00 00 00
7. Nonrespondent 00 00 00 00
8. Total 00 00 00 00
9. Performance on this measure NaN% NaN% NaN%

F. Customer Satisfaction

Satisfaction
Customer Rating of Services Number of Customers Percent
Highly satisfied 00 NaN%
Satisfied 00 NaN%
Satisfied somewhat 00 NaN%
Not at all satisfied 00 NaN%
Nonrespondent 00 NaN%
Total Surveyed 00
Response rate % NaN%

G. Notes:

Reutilization

A. Number of Recipients of Reused Devices

Activity Number of Individuals Receiving a Device from Activity
A. Device Exchange 00
B. Device Refurbish/Repair - Reassign and/or Open Ended Loan 1,572
C. Total 1,572

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 1,572

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

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 00 $0 $0 $0
Hearing 00 $0 $0 $0
Speech Communication 00 $0 $0 $0
Learning, Cognition and Developmental 00 $0 $0 $0
Mobility, Seating and Positioning 00 $0 $0 $0
Daily Living 00 $0 $0 $0
Environmental Adaptations 00 $0 $0 $0
Vehicle Modification & Transportation 00 $0 $0 $0
Computers and Related 00 $0 $0 $0
Recreation, Sports and Leisure 00 $0 $0 $0
Total 00 $0 $0 $0

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 01 $0 $0 $0
Hearing 15 $160 $35 $125
Speech Communication 00 $0 $0 $0
Learning, Cognition and Developmental 00 $0 $0 $0
Mobility, Seating and Positioning 3,515 $1,043,851 $297,769 $746,082
Daily Living 1,670 $252,525 $76,401 $176,124
Environmental Adaptations 2,433 $798,662 $242,033 $556,629
Vehicle Modification & Transportation 132 $13,576 $13,576 $0
Computers and Related 00 $0 $0 $0
Recreation, Sports and Leisure 110 $7,245 $2,415 $4,830
Total 7,876 $2,116,019 $632,229 $1,483,790

D. Anecdote

Disabled individual with limited funds in Ewing, Mercer County, was provided with a hospital bed, shower chair and wheelchair that enabled her to be discharged from the hospital.

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 00 1,094 1,094
2. AT was only available through the AT program. 00 00 311 311
3. AT was available through other programs, but the system was too complex or the wait time too long. 00 00 167 167
4. Subtotal 00 00 1,572 1,572
5. None of the above 00 00 00 00
6. Subtotal 00 00 1,572 1,572
7. Nonrespondent 00 00 00 00
8. Total 00 00 1,572 1,572
9. Performance on this measure NaN% NaN% 100%

F. Customer Satisfaction

Satisfaction
Customer Rating of Services Number of Customers Percent
Highly satisfied 1,296 82.44%
Satisfied 276 17.56%
Satisfied somewhat 00 0%
Not at all satisfied 00 0%
Nonrespondent 00 0%
Total Surveyed 1,572
Response rate % 100%

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) 103
Serve as loaner during service repair or while waiting for funding 03
Provide an accommodation on a short-term basis for a time-limited event/situation 02
Conduct training, self-education or other professional development activity 02
Total 110

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 45 00 45
Family Members, Guardians, and Authorized Representatives 19 00 19
Representative of Education 26 07 33
Representative of Employment 01 00 01
Representatives of Health, Allied Health, and Rehabilitation 00 00 00
Representatives of Community Living 04 00 04
Representatives of Technology 08 00 08
Total 103 07 110

C. Length of Short-Term Device Loans

Length of Short-Term Device Loan in Days 21

D. Types of Devices Loaned

Types of Devices Loaned
Type of AT Device Number of Devices
Desicion-making All other Purposes Total
Vision 06 00 06
Hearing 02 00 02
Speech Communication 27 00 27
Learning, Cognition and Developmental 09 01 10
Mobility, Seating and Positioning 07 00 07
Daily Living 26 00 26
Environmental Adaptations 03 00 03
Vehicle Modification and Transportation 00 00 00
Computers and Related 209 06 215
Recreation, Sports and Leisure 00 00 00
Total 289 07 296

E. Anecdote

1.A school district borrowed several high and low tech communication systems from the TLC. These loans helped them decide on future planning for AAC for three of their students. 2. A preschool child with visual impairment was loaned an iPad with Touch Chat with Word Power and with a keyguard. The trial went well and the school will be purchasing. 3.Loaned a Vgo Robot(Telepresence Robot) to a school in Kendall Park since the one that was being used for the student was not working so the student is now able to keep up with his schoolwork from home since the student is not physically able to go in person

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 50 06 20 76
Decided that an AT device/ service will not meet needs 18 02 07 27
Subtotal 68 08 27 103
Have not made a decision 00 00 00 00
Subtotal 68 08 27 103
Nonrespondent 00 00 00 00
Total 68 08 27 103
Performance on this measure 100% 100% 100%

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. 00 00 00 00
2. AT was only available through the AT program. 00 00 00 00
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 00 00 00 00
5. None of the above 07 00 00 07
6. Subtotal 07 00 00 07
7. Nonrespondent 00 00 00 00
8. Total 07 00 00 07
9. Performance on this measure 0% NaN% NaN%

H. Customer Satisfaction

Satisfaction
Customer Rating of Services Number of Customers Percent
Highly satisfied 57 51.82%
Satisfied 23 20.91%
Satisfied somewhat 00 0%
Not at all satisfied 00 0%
Nonrespondent 30 27.27%
Total Surveyed 110
Response rate % 72.73%

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 20
Hearing 06
Speech Communication 186
Learning, Cognition and Developmental 128
Mobility, Seating and Positioning 27
Daily Living 34
Environmental Adaptations 30
Vehicle Modification and Transportation 00
Computers and Related 145
Recreation, Sports and Leisure 10
Total # of Device Demonstrations 586

B. Types of Participants

Type of Participant Decision-Makers Other Participants Total
Individuals with Disabilities 253 00 253
Family Members, Guardians, and Authorized Representatives 43 246 289
Representatives of Education 218 184 402
Representatives of Employment 02 24 26
Health, Allied Health, Rehabilitation 21 44 65
Representative of Community Living 42 26 68
Representative of Technology 07 29 36
Total 586 553 1,139

C. Number of Referrals

Referrals
Type of Entity Number of Referrals
Funding Source (non-AT program) 256
Service Provider 154
Vendor 515
Repair Service 00
Others 06
Total 931

D. Anecdote

Worked with a student with athetoid cerebral palsy who is a verbal communicator but uses eye gaze to access her curriculum. When she started she could barely type a word and now she is writing stories! She uses PC Eye with Computer Control on her Windows tablet to navigate her school websites and type her written responses. She is currently in a graphic design class and is creating the most creative projects.

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 284 25 46 355
Decided that an AT device/ service will not meet needs 16 01 04 21
Subtotal 300 26 50 376
Have not made a decision 08 05 02 15
Subtotal 308 31 52 391
Nonrespondent 114 22 59 195
Total 422 53 111 586
Performance on this measure 71.09% 49.06% 45.05%

F. Customer Satisfaction

Satisfaction
Customer Rating of Services Number of Customers Percent
Highly satisfied 484 42.49%
Satisfied 137 12.03%
Satisfied somewhat 00 0%
Not at all satisfied 00 0%
Nonrespondent 518 45.48%
Total 1,139
Response rate % 54.52%

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. 00 00 1,094 1,094
2. AT was only available through the AT program. 00 00 311 311
3. AT was available through other programs, but the system was too complex or the wait time too long. 00 00 167 167
4. Subtotal 00 00 1,572 1,572
5. None of the above 07 00 00 07
6. Subtotal 07 00 1,572 1,579
7. Nonrespondent 00 00 00 00
8. Total 07 00 1,572 1,579
9. Performance on this measure 0% NaN% 89.38% 88.98%
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 334 31 66 431
Decided that an AT device/ service will not meet needs 34 03 11 48
Subtotal 368 34 77 479
Have not made a decision 08 05 02 15
Subtotal 376 39 79 494
Nonrespondent 114 22 59 195
Total 490 61 138 689
Performance on this measure 75.1% 55.74% 55.8% 69.52%
ACL Performance Measure 90%
Met/Not Met Not Met

Overall Satisfaction Rating

Customer Rating of Services Percent ACL Target Met/Not Met
Highly satisfied and satisfied 100% 95% Met
Response Rate 80.57% 90% Not Met

Training

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

Training by Participant Type
Type of Participant Number
Individuals with Disabilities 21
Family Members, Guardians and Authorized Representatives 162
Representatives of Education 174
Representatives of Employment 20
Rep Health, Allied Health, and Rehabilitation 75
Representatives of Community Living 19
Representatives of Technology 36
Unable to Categorize 4,803
TOTAL 5,310

Geographic Distribution of Participants
Metro Non Metro Unknown TOTAL
00 00 5,310 5,310

B. Training Topics

Trainings by Topic
Primary Topic of Training Participants
AT Products/Services 00
AT Funding/Policy/ Practice 00
Combination of any/all of the above 4,974
Information Technology/Telecommunication Access 300
Transition 36
Total 5,310

C. Description of Training Activities

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

Held our first virtual vendor expo we used zoom rooms for vendors to do a brief demo of their products, we also used Kumospace so participants could meet with vendors one on one to ask questions that were more specific to the attendees needs, it had the feel of an in-person vendor hall, which was received with positive feedback.

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

Held multiple workshops on accommodations beyond high school and what students may need in college or the workplace, that includes supports for notetaking, reading and writing.

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

Multiple workshops were held on creating accessible materials and why it is important to everyone and not just people with disabilities.

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 00
Training or Technical Assistance will be developed or implemented 300
No known outcome at this time 00
Nonrespondent 00
Total 300
Performance Measure Percentage 100%
ACL Target Percentage 70%
Met/Not Met Met

E. Notes:

Technical Assistance

A. Frequency and Nature of Technical Assistance

Technical Assistance by Recipient Type
Education 65%
Employment 10%
Health, Allied Health, Rehabilitation 00%
Community Living 25%
Technology (IT, Telecom, AT) 00%
Total 100%

B. Description of Technical Assistance

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

ATAC continues to facilitate the monthly Makers Roundtable. The event have continued to draw participation from across the nation and provide an active forum for brainstorming AT solutions for individuals with disabilities. The event has had students involved brainstorming solutions for modifying device that was already on the market that did not work for the individual as or brainstorming ideas on how to make devices.

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

ATAC continued our ongoing collaboration with the Learning Disabilities Association of NJ (ldanj.org) by providing technical assistance throughout the year on assistive technology supports for transition. This included presenting at various LDANJ events that were held throughout the year. ATAC co sponsored the Linking Information about Learning Disabilities virtual conference, which was a collaboration between LDANJ and LDAMI.

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. ATAC continues to lead a national virtual community of practice by facilitating the weekly AT Town Hall and the monthly Makers Roundtable. Both events have continued to draw participation from across the nation and provide an active forum for brainstorming AT solutions for individuals with disabilities. All recordings can be located on the ATAC YouTube channel. Information about upcoming events can be found on the ATAC website: https://at4nj.org/at-community-of-practice/ and https://at4nj.org/webinars/makerspaces-and-assistive-technology/

2. ATAC hosted the 6th annual AT and Community Living Summit in September 2022. This year's event marked a return to a live format - the event was held at Mercer Community College. The slate of presentations covered four major categories regarding AT (K-12 education, Higher Education, Workplace and Community Living) The majority of the sessions were presented live to a live audience with a strand of three sessions that were presented remotely and included participants from outside NJ. Two of these sessions were led by national disability organizations (The National Accessible Educational Materials Center at CAST and the Job Accommodation Network). Overall attendance for the event (live and virtual participants) was 159 individuals. The entire schedule and supporting documentation for the event can be found on the conference website: https://sites.google.com/view/2022njats/home

Information And Assistance

Information And Assistance Activities by Recipient
Types of Recipients AT Device/
Service
AT Funding Total
Individuals with Disabilities 31 00 31
Family Members, Guardians and Authorized Representatives 86 00 86
Representative of Education 147 00 147
Representative of Employment 17 00 17
Representative of Health, Allied Health, and Rehabilitation 06 00 06
Representative of Community Living 12 00 12
Representative of Technology 06 00 06
Unable to Categorize 33 00 33
Total 338 00 338

Referral Types:

We have an increase of referrals after we do an outreach at the Abilities Expo which is a 3-day event in Edison each year and has over 1000 attendees, after the event people reach out to us to learn more about our services especially the loan library. We have partnered with Rutgers on a variety of webinars that has helped with our outreach efforts increased referral and information results.

Referral Sources:

About 50% of the referrals we receive are from OT, speech therapist, parents, looking for information on what type of AT may be good for their student/child Others information request are coming from individuals themselves, their caregivers, DDD agency, sometimes OT's looking for assistance.

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?

Partnered with Rutgers School of Health, Community Living Education Project to develop and deliver 45-minute lunch and learn on a variety of topics called “Byte Size Lunch Series”. The series highlighted one specific topic in easy-to-understandable 'bite size' lunchtime conversations, it showed how to use these solutions in the home, the office. The sessions were well attended, sessions had over 200 people registered each time. The sessions were recorded so if people couldn’t make it to the webinar they could watch at their convenience. The webinar reached professionals, caregivers, people with disabilities. To learn more about the series go to https://at4nj.org/conferences-webinars/1595-2

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.

The webinars were well attended and the attendees were actively engaged with the content. Many have followed up with additional questions about the webinars and also signed up for the ATIA videos that are offered to all NJ residents. The webinars were recorded and posted on Rutgers and CLEP website and they are being viewed over 600 times on youtube.

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

Education; Employment; Health; Aging; Transition(school to work or congregate care to community); Information and Communication Technology / Remote Connectivity;

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

Demonstration; Training; Information & Assistance; 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

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.


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).


Center for Assistive Technology Act Data Assistance . Saved: Tue Feb 14 2023 16:33:40 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.