National Assistive Technology Act Data System

Annual Progress Report - Full Report

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Pennsylvania 2022

General Information

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

State AT Program Title:

Pennsylvania's Initiative on Assistive Technology dba TechOWL

State AT Program Title:

State AT Program URL

https://techowlpa.org

Mailing Address:

1301 Cecil B. Moore Ave., Ritter Annex 430

City:

Philadelphia

State:

Zip Code:

19122

Program Email:

TechOWL@temple.edu

Phone:

800-204-7428

TTY:

711

Lead Agency

Agency Name:

Institute on Disabilities/UCEDD at Temple University

Mailing Address:

1301 Cecil B. Moore Ave., Ritter Annex 430

City:

Philadelphia

State:

Zip Code:

19122

Program URL:

https://techowlpa.org

Implementing Entity

Does your Lead Agency contract with an Implementing Entity to carry out the Statewide AT Program on its behalf? (Check if Yes)

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):

Singleton, Kim

Title:

Senior Director

Phone:

215-204-3862

E-mail:

kim.singleton@temple.edu

Program Director at Lead Agency (last, first):

Gould-Taylor, Sally

Title:

Executive Director

Phone:

215-204-5775

E-mail:

sgould-taylor@temple.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):

McNally, Sandra

Title:

Assistant Director

Phone:

215-204-3370

E-mail:

sandra.mcnally@temple.edu

Certifying Representative

Name (last, first):

Mitchell, Karen

Title:

Assistant Vice President, Research Administration

Phone:

215-707-7547

E-mail:

karen.mitchell@temple.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?

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?

Activity 1

How would you describe this state financing activity?

Other: DOH-Tablet distribution

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

County of Residence	Individuals Served
A. Metro (RUCC 1-3)	2580
B. Non-Metro (RUCC 4-9)	308
C. Total Served	2888

Performance Measure
D. Excluded from Performance Measure	0
E. Number of Individuals Included in Performance Measures	2888

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 / Service	Number of Devices Funded	Value of AT Provided
Vision	0	$0
Hearing	0	$0
Speech communication	0	$0
Learning, cognition, and developmental	0	$0
Mobility, seating and positioning	0	$0
Daily living	0	$0
Environmental adaptations	0	$0
Vehicle modification and transportation	0	$0
Computers and related	2888	$470,744
Recreation, sports, and leisure	0	$0
Total	2888	$470,744

Activity 2

How would you describe this state financing activity?

Last resort - Activity

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

County of Residence	Individuals Served
A. Metro (RUCC 1-3)	14
B. Non-Metro (RUCC 4-9)	3
C. Total Served	17

Performance Measure
D. Excluded from Performance Measure	0
E. Number of Individuals Included in Performance Measures	17

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 / Service	Number of Devices Funded	Value of AT Provided
Vision	1	$200
Hearing	4	$500
Speech communication	1	$200
Learning, cognition, and developmental	0	$0
Mobility, seating and positioning	6	$1,200
Daily living	3	$600
Environmental adaptations	1	$200
Vehicle modification and transportation	0	$0
Computers and related	2	$400
Recreation, sports, and leisure	0	$0
Total	18	$3,300

Activity 3

How would you describe this state financing activity?

Telecommunications equipment distribution

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

County of Residence	Individuals Served
A. Metro (RUCC 1-3)	234
B. Non-Metro (RUCC 4-9)	61
C. Total Served	295

Performance Measure
D. Excluded from Performance Measure	0
E. Number of Individuals Included in Performance Measures	295

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 / Service	Number of Devices Funded	Value of AT Provided
Vision	154	$128,639
Hearing	155	$36,455
Speech communication	7	$5,520
Learning, cognition, and developmental	0	$0
Mobility, seating and positioning	0	$0
Daily living	32	$19,329
Environmental adaptations	0	$0
Vehicle modification and transportation	0	$0
Computers and related	1	$5
Recreation, sports, and leisure	0	$0
Total	349	$189,948

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?

Activity 1

How would you describe this state financing activity?

AT Fabrication or AT Maker Program

2. Geographic Distribution and Number of Individuals Served

County of Residence	Individuals Served
A. Metro (RUCC 1-3)	156
B. Non-Metro (RUCC 4-9)	15
C. Total Served	171

Performance Measure
D. Excluded from Performance Measure	0
E. Number of Individuals Included in Performance Measures	171

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 / Service	Number Provided	Total Estimated Current Retail Purchase Price	Total Price for Which Devices Were Sold	Savings to Consumers
Vision	32	$405	$0	$405
Hearing	0	$0	$0	$0
Speech communication	4	$550	$0	$550
Learning, cognition, and developmental	33	$750	$0	$750
Mobility, seating and positioning	0	$0	$0	$0
Daily living	327	$5,732	$1	$5,731
Environmental adaptations	0	$0	$0	$0
Vehicle modification and transportation	0	$0	$0	$0
Computers and related	1	$150	$0	$150
Recreation, sports, and leisure	72	$10,800	$0	$10,800
Total	469	$18,387	$1	$18,386

D. Anecdote

R.H. needed 4 new tires for his Pride Victory scooter, his only mode of transportation. He reached out to insurance and other funding sources, but none would provide funding. He found out about the Virginia Del Sordo Fund (our “last resort” fund) and received help to complete the application from his State Representative's office. He writes: "I am very appreciative that I was told about the Del Sordo Fund because I needed 4 new tires on my mobility scooter, which is my only means of transportation, and I could not afford them on my own. The grant that was so kindly given to me will be enough support toward the total cost that I can spend my own money to cover the rest of the bill and get all 4 tires! Thank you very much for helping people like me!"

Impact Area Education Employment Community Living

Randall has compromised dexterity and as such was at heightened risk for nursing home transition. The team considering his discharge was reluctant to consider placement if it could not be proven that Randall would have the capacity to call for help. Randall secured a mobile phone that he can operate with his voice, proving that this was effective for him even without the ability to manually enter a phone number.

Impact Area Education Employment Community Living

E. Performance Measures

Performance Measures
Response	Primary Purpose for Which AT is Needed			Total
Response	Education	Employment	Community Living	Total
1. Could only afford the AT through the AT program.	12	01	415	428
2. AT was only available through the AT program.	18	01	64	83
3. AT was available through other programs, but the system was too complex or the wait time too long.	01	00	73	74
4. Subtotal	31	02	552	585
5. None of the above	00	00	34	34
6. Subtotal	31	02	586	619
7. Nonrespondent	00	00	2,752	2,752
8. Total	31	02	3,338	3,371
9. Performance on this measure	100%	100%	16.54%

F. Customer Satisfaction

Satisfaction
Customer Rating of Services	Number of Customers	Percent
Highly satisfied	353	10.47%
Satisfied	26	0.77%
Satisfied somewhat	03	0.09%
Not at all satisfied	02	0.06%
Nonrespondent	2,987	88.61%
Total Surveyed	3,371
Response rate %	11.39%

G. Notes:

Getting performance measures and satisfaction data has been challenging this year. For example, for our Telecom Equipment Distribution Program and our free tablet program (Connect with Tech), it has been our practice to obtain satisfaction data on the AT activity as well as the equipment (for equipment evaluation purposes), so we wait until we have received proof of delivery to gather this data. Due to supply chain issues, the length of time between eligibility and receiving equipment was much, much longer than usual, and we had many more people that just did not respond. We continue to investigate ways of improving responses for all our State Financing activities.

Reutilization

Did your approved State Plan for this reporting period included conducting any device reuse activities?

A. Number of Recipients of Reused Devices

Activity	Number of Individuals Receiving a Device from Activity
A. Device Exchange	04
B. Device Refurbish/Repair - Reassign and/or Open Ended Loan	3,933
C. Total	3,937

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	3,937

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	01	$132	$0	$132
Speech Communication	00	$0	$0	$0
Learning, Cognition and Developmental	00	$0	$0	$0
Mobility, Seating and Positioning	02	$105	$0	$105
Daily Living	01	$45	$0	$45
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	04	$282	$0	$282

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	26	$15,436	$0	$15,436
Hearing	13	$1,589	$0	$1,589
Speech Communication	01	$749	$0	$749
Learning, Cognition and Developmental	02	$1,045	$0	$1,045
Mobility, Seating and Positioning	2,968	$552,197	$500	$551,697
Daily Living	2,667	$130,928	$200	$130,728
Environmental Adaptations	40	$8,076	$0	$8,076
Vehicle Modification & Transportation	00	$0	$0	$0
Computers and Related	07	$16,478	$0	$16,478
Recreation, Sports and Leisure	12	$3,928	$0	$3,928
Total	5,736	$730,426	$700	$729,726

D. Anecdote

One of our reused equipment partners received a call from a nurse at a children’s hospital. The hospital was in the process of discharging an 11-year-old boy in the foster care system and in his 9th foster home placement. His foster family wanted to keep him, but to be safely discharged, the boy required a Hoyer lift in the home. Unfortunately, the foster family did not have the funds to purchase the equipment and would not be able to access it quickly enough through insurance. Without the Hoyer lift, the boy would have to be placed in yet another foster home that already had the equipment. Our staff was able to accommodate the nurse’s request that we give the family a Hoyer lift to enable the patient to go home to, and stay with, his foster family. The foster family received the Hoyer lift, and the child was able to be successfully discharged home to his family.

Impact Area Education Employment Community Living

E. Performance Measures

Performance Measures
Response	Primary Purpose for Which AT is Needed			Total
Response	Education	Employment	Community Living	Total
1. Could only afford the AT through the AT program.	21	09	2,198	2,228
2. AT was only available through the AT program.	07	04	312	323
3. AT was available through other programs, but the system was too complex or the wait time too long.	05	03	1,360	1,368
4. Subtotal	33	16	3,870	3,919
5. None of the above	00	01	17	18
6. Subtotal	33	17	3,887	3,937
7. Nonrespondent	00	00	00	00
8. Total	33	17	3,887	3,937
9. Performance on this measure	100%	94.12%	99.56%

F. Customer Satisfaction

Satisfaction
Customer Rating of Services	Number of Customers	Percent
Highly satisfied	3,789	96.24%
Satisfied	115	2.92%
Satisfied somewhat	01	0.03%
Not at all satisfied	08	0.2%
Nonrespondent	24	0.61%
Total Surveyed	3,937
Response rate %	99.39%

G. Notes:

Device Loan

Did your approved State Plan for this reporting period included conducting Short-Term Device Loans?

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)	1,168
Serve as loaner during service repair or while waiting for funding	31
Provide an accommodation on a short-term basis for a time-limited event/situation	54
Conduct training, self-education or other professional development activity	101
Total	1,354

B. Short-Term Device Loan by Type of Borrower

LOANS BY TYPE OF BORROWER
Type of Individual or Entity	Number of Device Borrowers
Type of Individual or Entity	Desicion-making	All other Purposes	Total
Individuals with Disabilities	385	74	459
Family Members, Guardians, and Authorized Representatives	277	22	299
Representative of Education	175	40	215
Representative of Employment	23	00	23
Representatives of Health, Allied Health, and Rehabilitation	254	31	285
Representatives of Community Living	29	06	35
Representatives of Technology	25	13	38
Total	1,168	186	1,354

C. Length of Short-Term Device Loans

Length of Short-Term Device Loan in Days	35

D. Types of Devices Loaned

Types of Devices Loaned
Type of AT Device	Number of Devices
Type of AT Device	Desicion-making	All other Purposes	Total
Vision	117	20	137
Hearing	133	16	149
Speech Communication	285	41	326
Learning, Cognition and Developmental	52	06	58
Mobility, Seating and Positioning	34	06	40
Daily Living	67	24	91
Environmental Adaptations	129	43	172
Vehicle Modification and Transportation	01	00	01
Computers and Related	548	116	664
Recreation, Sports and Leisure	127	40	167
Total	1,493	312	1,805

E. Anecdote

Jarren, a student with autism, dyslexia, and auditory processing difficulty, was struggling with reading and comprehension. His teacher borrowed a C-Pen Reader from our program, and the teacher reports that this device has let him attain higher reading skills and understand more of what he is reading. He uses the C-Pen Reader to read directions and define words, as well as see and hear them on screen. It also makes it much easier to stay on the line that he is reading. As a result of this device trial, he has become more independent in class, needing fewer prompts from his aide. His teacher states that these small things will make a tremendous difference over time. As a result of Jarren’s success with the C-Pen, the school purchased one for use at school and his family purchased one for him to use at home.

A middle school-aged young man sits at a desk. He is using a C-Pen reader to read a printed page on the desk.

Impact Area Education Employment Community Living

F. Access Performance Measures

Access Performance Measures
Response	Primary Purpose for Which AT is Needed			Total
Response	Education	Employment	Community Living	Total
Decided that AT device/service will meet needs	103	12	216	331
Decided that an AT device/ service will not meet needs	16	04	46	66
Subtotal	119	16	262	397
Have not made a decision	23	00	29	52
Subtotal	142	16	291	449
Nonrespondent	423	30	266	719
Total	565	46	557	1,168
Performance on this measure	32.4%	53.51%	72.37%

G. Acquisition Performance Measures

Acquisition Performance Measures
Response	Primary Purpose for Which AT is Needed			Total
Response	Education	Employment	Community Living	Total
1. Could only afford the AT through the AT program.	03	04	08	15
2. AT was only available through the AT program.	27	02	18	47
3. AT was available through other programs, but the system was too complex or the wait time too long.	00	00	03	03
4. Subtotal	30	06	29	65
5. None of the above	01	00	09	10
6. Subtotal	31	06	38	75
7. Nonrespondent	63	10	38	111
8. Total	94	16	76	186
9. Performance on this measure	96.77%	100%	76.32%

H. Customer Satisfaction

Satisfaction
Customer Rating of Services	Number of Customers	Percent
Highly satisfied	376	27.77%
Satisfied	114	8.42%
Satisfied somewhat	21	1.55%
Not at all satisfied	05	0.37%
Nonrespondent	838	61.89%
Total Surveyed	1,354
Response rate %	38.11%

I. Notes:

Length of loan period: Loan period was changed to 5 weeks, but extensions were granted to loans of tablets and Chromebooks and devices needed to mediate isolation and increase access to telehealth and remote programs. Performance measures and satisfaction rates are affected because practically all of our device loans are delivered by a drop-ship method. While this is more convenient for our borrowers, this means that our regional centers do not have face-to-face contact with borrowers and therefore try to obtain data through email or telephone follow-up; many borrowers do not readily respond to these methods.

Device Demonstration

A. Number of Device Demonstrations by Device Type

Type of AT Device / Service	Number of Demonstrations of AT Devices / Services
Vision	47
Hearing	28
Speech Communication	33
Learning, Cognition and Developmental	02
Mobility, Seating and Positioning	00
Daily Living	06
Environmental Adaptations	01
Vehicle Modification and Transportation	00
Computers and Related	09
Recreation, Sports and Leisure	01
Total # of Device Demonstrations	127

B. Types of Participants

Type of Participant	Decision-Makers	Other Participants	Total
Individuals with Disabilities	107	04	111
Family Members, Guardians, and Authorized Representatives	13	61	74
Representatives of Education	04	02	06
Representatives of Employment	00	00	00
Health, Allied Health, Rehabilitation	01	16	17
Representative of Community Living	02	13	15
Representative of Technology	00	00	00
Total	127	96	223

C. Number of Referrals

Referrals
Type of Entity	Number of Referrals
Funding Source (non-AT program)	38
Service Provider	04
Vendor	93
Repair Service	00
Others	05
Total	140

D. Anecdote

“T” has been practicing the breath control and verbal skills needed for dictation for over a year now. However, his existing speech-to-text options often required him to spell out messages letter by letter for accuracy. During the demonstration, our staff explained the dynamic, customizable nature of Dragon software and walked T through the process of making text corrections and letting the computer learn from those adjustments. T was excited by this process and support staff agreed it could be a game changer for not only T's typing speed but also his frustration tolerance. Best of all, T was able to add his name to the onboard vocabulary set so that it would be spelled correctly in his correspondence to friends and family!

Impact Area Education Employment Community Living

E. Performance Measures

Performance Measures
Response	Primary Purpose for Which AT is Needed			Total
Response	Education	Employment	Community Living	Total
Decided that AT device/service will meet needs	14	06	92	112
Decided that an AT device/ service will not meet needs	00	00	00	00
Subtotal	14	06	92	112
Have not made a decision	00	00	15	15
Subtotal	14	06	107	127
Nonrespondent	00	00	00	00
Total	14	06	107	127
Performance on this measure	100%	100%	85.98%

F. Customer Satisfaction

Satisfaction
Customer Rating of Services	Number of Customers	Percent
Highly satisfied	192	86.1%
Satisfied	24	10.76%
Satisfied somewhat	05	2.24%
Not at all satisfied	01	0.45%
Nonrespondent	01	0.45%
Total	223
Response rate %	99.55%

G. Notes:

Overall Performance Measures

Overall Acquisition Performance Measure

Acquisition Performance Measures
Response	Primary Purpose for Which AT is Needed			Total
Response	Education	Employment	Community Living	Total
1. Could only afford the AT through the AT program.	36	14	2,621	2,671
2. AT was only available through the AT program.	52	07	394	453
3. AT was available through other programs, but the system was too complex or the wait time too long.	06	03	1,436	1,445
4. Subtotal	94	24	4,451	4,569
5. None of the above	01	01	60	62
6. Subtotal	95	25	4,511	4,631
7. Nonrespondent	63	10	2,790	2,863
8. Total	158	35	7,301	7,494
9. Performance on this measure	70.4%	72.41%	41.45%	42.06%
ACL Performance Measure				85%
Met/Not Met				Not Met

Overall Access Performance Measure

Access Performance Measures
Response	Primary Purpose for Which AT is Needed			Total
Response	Education	Employment	Community Living	Total
Decided that AT device/service will meet needs	117	18	308	443
Decided that an AT device/ service will not meet needs	16	04	46	66
Subtotal	133	22	354	509
Have not made a decision	23	00	44	67
Subtotal	156	22	398	576
Nonrespondent	423	30	266	719
Total	579	52	664	1,295
Performance on this measure	34.91%	61.11%	75.48%	57.45%
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	99.09%	95%	Met
Response Rate	56.67%	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	643
Family Members, Guardians and Authorized Representatives	39
Representatives of Education	244
Representatives of Employment	47
Rep Health, Allied Health, and Rehabilitation	299
Representatives of Community Living	224
Representatives of Technology	69
Unable to Categorize	98
TOTAL	1,663

Geographic Distribution of Participants
Metro	Non Metro	Unknown	TOTAL
1,369	294	00	1,663

B. Training Topics

Trainings by Topic
Primary Topic of Training	Participants
AT Products/Services	739
AT Funding/Policy/ Practice	00
Combination of any/all of the above	616
Information Technology/Telecommunication Access	18
Transition	290
Total	1,663

C. Description of Training Activities

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

One of our regional centers held a training for members of the arts and cultural sector of a three-county region. This training focused on innovative ways to ensure full accessibility of programming, and planning for live performances and exhibits. Use of newer and older technologies were presented.

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

ACES virtual learning series: Let’s Talk About Sex: This 6-week virtual learning series for adult AAC users consisted of information sessions and workshop conversations. Topics included sexuality, sexual expression, sexual behavior, and intimacy. Adult AAC users participated by sharing experiences, asking/answering questions, and having discussions. Sessions were led by members of our team who were SLPs with expertise in AAC. We also brought in guest speakers who are also AAC users and experts in this topic.

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

“Reach everyone with your website, social media, documents and more.” One of our team was invited to present this session at the national GALA Choruses Leadership Symposium. This training was an opportunity to reach an audience with limited knowledge about basic concepts and strategies to make content accessible to their members, audiences, and the public.

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	08
Training or Technical Assistance will be developed or implemented	00
No known outcome at this time	00
Nonrespondent	10
Total	18
Performance Measure Percentage	44.4%
ACL Target Percentage	70%
Met/Not Met	Not Met

E. Notes:

Technical Assistance

A. Frequency and Nature of Technical Assistance

Technical Assistance by Recipient Type
Education	44%
Employment	00%
Health, Allied Health, Rehabilitation	03%
Community Living	50%
Technology (IT, Telecom, AT)	03%
Total	100%

B. Description of Technical Assistance

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

Our program provided technical assistance to Mid-Atlantic ADA to develop AT Champions, is a multi-year program led by TechOWL. The purpose of AT Champions is to develop and implement an outreach strategy that will improve authentic engagement by historically disengaged people with assistive technology in Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia.

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

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. TechOWL, along with the ARC of Philadelphia and State Representative Joseph Hohenstein, hosted a Disability Tech Summit at Temple University. TechOWL staff participated by having an exhibit, presenting a session about assistive technology and how TechOWL can help people “Imagine, Discover, Explore, Decide, and Get” AT. Later in the day, our Director, Kim Singleton, provided testimony in front of a panel of state legislators about the importance of access to AT for all Pennsylvanians.

2. Our social media team really hit its stride this past year, providing interesting and accessible social media posts to showcase AT and disability advocacy issues. At this writing, the most successful platform is TikTok. We officially went “viral,” and received a 2022 “Best of Philly” award for “Use of TickTok.” https://www.phillymag.com/best-of-philly-archive/techowls-tiktok-videos/

Information And Assistance

Information And Assistance Activities by Recipient
Types of Recipients	AT Device/ Service	AT Funding	Total
Individuals with Disabilities	863	1,401	2,264
Family Members, Guardians and Authorized Representatives	598	981	1,579
Representative of Education	117	32	149
Representative of Employment	12	06	18
Representative of Health, Allied Health, and Rehabilitation	248	353	601
Representative of Community Living	521	293	814
Representative of Technology	28	16	44
Unable to Categorize	87	36	123
Total	2,474	3,118	5,592

Referral Types:

To get the news out about Connect with Tech (CwT), our new free tablet program, our student workers contacted faith-based organizations throughout Pennsylvania, as well as groups and organizations serving underserved populations that do not have adequate access to health care. In addition to a separate flyer, we incorporated CwT information into our TechOWL program information, website, and social media. We also distributed materials through Pennsylvania’s Aging network, including Senior Centers. Our network of Assistive Technology Resource Centers (ATRCs), which include several Centers for Independent Living and other disability-related organizations, did outreach in their respective regions. Our social media presence keeps growing, which helps the overall visibility of our program.

Referral Sources:

The highest source of our referrals is our AT website and online presence, including social media (905). After that, most of our referrals come from CILs (323) and other disability groups (329). We had quite a few from self-referrals (214) and AT program customers (296). Under Referral Source Groups, outreach activities performed by our office and our statewide network of ATRCs as well as our social media efforts made the Awareness & Outreach Initiatives group our highest response with 1370.

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?

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?

CDC funds received from the Pennsylvania Department of Health enabled our program to develop a program called "Connect with Tech." This program distributes tablets (including case, stylus and earbuds) and assist recipients by offering tech support and resources for internet connectivity. To be eligible, applicants must be a Pennsylvania resident who does not already have a tablet or computer and identifies as a member of an underserved group (as outlined in the application). These identities may make it harder to get quality health care. A tablet can help them access doctors and medical services.

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.

As of September 30, 2022, 2,888 people have received equipment. The original funding for this program continues until May 30, 2024, but we would explore the possibility of continuing it if more funds were available.

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

Health; Information and Communication Technology / Remote Connectivity; Other: Addressing disparities in access to health care.;

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

State Financing;

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?

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
State Appropriations	$437,625	Device Loan	True
Federal	$11,500	Technical Assistance	True
Federal	$312,763	State Financing	True
Public/State Agency	$772,629	Device Loan	True
Federal	$3,657	Public Awareness, I&A	True
Public/State Agency	$2,999,916	State Financing	True
Public/State Agency	$121,223	Training	True
Public/State Agency	$512,853	State Financing	True
Public/State Agency	$347,120	Training	True
	Amount: $5,519,286

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.

B. Public Health Workforce Grant Award

All Section 4 AT Act grantees were awarded $80,000.00 in supplimental Public Health Workforce grant funding to increase the full-time equivalent (FTE) of staff withing the disability and aging network for public health professionals. Please document the status of these funds below.

The status of these funds at the end of the FY22 (9/30/2022) is as follows: (Check one) We did not utilize this funding in FY22 and wish to decline the funds in the future
We did not expend any of this funding in FY22, but plan to expend funding in FY23 and/or FY24
We expended some of all of this funding in FY22 (please complete the section below)

Please report the amount expended (drawn down and liquidated) in this reporting period, FY22:

$3,657.00

Please report the number of Full Time Equivalent (FTE) positions this funding supported by type. This can be a direct employee FTE or contractual FTE.

Type of FTE Position	FTE Positions (0.01 to 9.99)
Assistive Technology Specialist	0.00
Information and Assistance Specialist	0.00
Outreach and Awareness Specialist	1.00
Training Specialist	0.00
Health Care Professional (includes PT, OT, SLP)	0.00
Accessibility Expert	0.00
Policy Expert	0.00
Technology Expert (Digital Divide, Mobile Tech)	0.00
Program Manager	0.00
Other positions needed to advance public health and prevent, prepare for, and respond to COVid-19 (describe with narrative field required)	0.00

Please describe the activities of the above FTE and how such activities advance public health.

This position was filled with an internal candidate who creates content for TechOWL's robust social media presence and website. Content is targeted to people experiencing inequities in healthcare.

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).

While it is difficult to report the exact number of people directly impacted, our social media has garnered over 278,000 followers.

Center for Assistive Technology Act Data Assistance . Saved: Tue Feb 14 2023 16:35:42 GMT-0600 (Central Standard Time)