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:

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

G. Notes:

I. Notes:

G. Notes:

C. Description of Training Activities

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

ND Assistive provided training on assistive technology for deaf-blindness to 10 special education teachers and those from the ND Department of Public Instruction at the Deaf-Blind Summer Institute These teachers were located throughout the state of North Dakota. The goal of this training was to help teachers understand the benefits of assistive technology for deaf-blindness, to learn about specific AT equipment to help people with deaf-blindness, and to increase the number of referrals to the iCanConnect Program.

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

ND Assistive presented to a packed room of 91 people working in the area of residential services for those with Developmental Disabilities as well as parents and family members at the 2022 North Dakota Community Facilities Conference. The presentation was on Assistive Technology for Independence, Safety, and the Workforce Shortage. The goal of the presentation was to help providers understand the benefits of assistive technology, especially Smart Home technology, for independence, safety, and home monitoring to aid people with developmental disabilities in transitioning out of more restrictive environments as well as to aid those in the community to stay in the community.

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

In early 2022, ND Assistive met with the Accessibility Representative from the ND State Information Technology Department. She proposed that we work together on trainings and other initiatives concerning information and communication technology. There were several goals including a training goal to help website content managers throughout the state understand why it is important to ensure websites are accessible for people with a variety of disabilities. We worked on a plan, but before we could execute the plan, the accessibility representative unexpectedly left the state IT Department. We were not able continue with the training for this fiscal year. We will be working next year to find another representative and keep the momentum going. In addition, throughout the year, we provided training frequently to small groups on the importance of accessible websites and electronic documents. We also put together a video on how to create accessible word documents.

E. Notes:

B. Description of Technical Assistance

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

Over the course of 2021-2022, ND Assistive met with the ND Department of Aging Services and the North Dakota State University Extension Agency over twenty times and provided technical assistance to establish the Community Aging in Place—Advancing Better Living for Elders (CAPABLE) program in North Dakota. The state proposed using Older American Act dollars for this evidence-based program through Johns Hopkins University. A short-term contract through September 2022 was established between North Dakota Assistive and the NDSU Extension Agency to begin program development and CAPABLE team training. While this was happening, talks took place for a second contract for FY23 to begin seeing clients through CAPABLE. As of this writing, a budget has been approved and the contract is being drawn up. ND Aging services has agreed to fund the program for one year. Additional funding will need to be sought to continue the program for FY24. https://nursing.jhu.edu/faculty_research/res

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

ND Assistive continues to provide assistive technology related technical assistance on transition related task forces and work groups. These include the Olmstead Commission, the Money Follows the Person Task Force, the Money Follows the Person Supplemental Fund Workgroup, and the DOJ Settlement meeting. In addition, ND Assistive provided technical assistance in several meetings throughout the year to include entities such as the ND Department of Developmental Disabilities, the AT Taskforce whose goal it is to help people with Developmental Disabilities move out of more restrictive settings, and the Tech Talk Workgroup run by the ND Department of Public Instruction.

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. ND Assistive conducted over 180 public awareness events statewide and directly in 18 counties, in-person and via video. These included tours of the Bismarck and Fargo Demonstration Centers for legislators, six out of eight Regional Vocational Rehabilitation Departments, ND Protection and Advocacy staff, ND Centers for Independent Living staff, Vision Specialists, Guardian and Protective Services, Schools, and more. In addition, ND Assistive made several TV appearances on a regional news channel and exhibited/presented at Health Fairs, various events in the Native Nations, the State Fair, Chamber of Commerce events, Conferences for those who are Aging and People with Disabilities, Senior Centers, One Million Cups, Alzheimer’s Association, Clinics, Assisted Living facilities, Service Clubs, and more.

2. North Dakota Assistive continued its website and Facebook presence this year and started a presence on LinkedIn by developing a new Page with frequent posts throughout the year.

Notes:

We have had an increase in referrals this year as noted in the rise in loans, demonstrations, and other contract programs; however, many of the referrals did not make it into the new data system. More education is needed for staff on entering data in our new system. This will take place in FY23.

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.

During this reporting period, ND Assistive provided input during several meetings with the ND Department of Health and Human Services, Aging Services Department to make changes to the waiver in the area of assistive technology. ND Assistive captured these suggestions in a comment letter when the Waiver came up for renewal in the Fall of 2021. As a result, these changes to the HCBS Medicaid Waiver for the Aged and Disabled became effective on April 1, 2022.

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.)

These changes included: • The RESNA Certified Assistive Technology Professionals (ATPs) to the list of professionals that can supply a written recommendation for Environmental Modification and Specialized Equipment. • The installation costs were added to the coverage of Specialized Equipment. • The threshold of spending on Specialized Equipment without prior approval increased from $250 to $500. • The qualifications for a qualified services provider (QSP) for environment modification and specialized equipment have been modified to allow a handyman/contractor/tradesman in good standing and provide a professional reference relevant to their ability to complete the necessary work as a qualification to enroll as a QSP for environmental modification and specialized equipment.

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

Community Living