National Assistive Technology Act Data System

Annual Progress Report - Full Report

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American Samoa 2023

General Information

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

State AT Program Title:

American Samoa Assistive Technology Program

State AT Program Title:

State AT Program URL

Mailing Address:

P.O. Box 4561

City:

Pago Pago

State:

American Samoa

Zip Code:

96799

Program Email:

nlpeau@gmail.com

Phone:

6846991371

TTY:

6846991376

Lead Agency

Agency Name:

American Samoa Office of Vocational Rehabilitation

Mailing Address:

P.O. Box 4561

City:

Pago Pago

State:

American Samoa

Zip Code:

96799

Program URL:

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):

Peau Nathaniel

Title:

AT Specialist

Phone:

6846991371

E-mail:

nlpeau@gmail.com

Program Director at Lead Agency (last, first):

Delaney Tilo

Title:

VR Director

Phone:

6846991371

E-mail:

delaney.tilo@vgo.as.gov

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):

Nathaniel Lelei Peau

Title:

AT Specialist

Phone:

(684)699-1371

E-mail:

nlpeau@gmail.com

Certifying Representative

Name (last, first):

Delaney Tilo

Title:

Director

Phone:

6846991371

E-mail:

delaney.tilo@go.as.gov

State Financing

Did your approved state plan for this reporting period include any State Financing?

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?

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?

D. Anecdote

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.	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

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	65
B. Device Refurbish/Repair - Reassign and/or Open Ended Loan	94
C. Total	159

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	159

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	08	$1,100	$0	$1,100
Hearing	05	$900	$0	$900
Speech Communication	12	$1,300	$0	$1,300
Learning, Cognition and Developmental	10	$1,800	$0	$1,800
Mobility, Seating and Positioning	04	$980	$0	$980
Daily Living	04	$1,200	$0	$1,200
Environmental Adaptations	05	$680	$0	$680
Vehicle Modification & Transportation	01	$1,200	$0	$1,200
Computers and Related	73	$17,050	$0	$17,050
Recreation, Sports and Leisure	00	$0	$0	$0
Total	122	$26,210	$0	$26,210

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	23	$2,500	$0	$2,500
Hearing	06	$900	$0	$900
Speech Communication	10	$800	$0	$800
Learning, Cognition and Developmental	00	$0	$0	$0
Mobility, Seating and Positioning	00	$0	$0	$0
Daily Living	02	$420	$0	$420
Environmental Adaptations	01	$320	$0	$320
Vehicle Modification & Transportation	00	$0	$0	$0
Computers and Related	82	$16,200	$0	$16,200
Recreation, Sports and Leisure	00	$0	$0	$0
Total	124	$21,140	$0	$21,140

D. Anecdote

Assistive Devices has always and will always be a workforce equalizer for people with special needs. The special needs community always show their appreciation for the many demonstrations and the time spent in the community sharing about the many different types of AT devices are available to our special needs community.

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.	18	58	06	82
2. AT was only available through the AT program.	16	55	06	77
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	34	113	12	159
5. None of the above	00	00	00	00
6. Subtotal	34	113	12	159
7. Nonrespondent	00	00	00	00
8. Total	34	113	12	159
9. Performance on this measure	100%	100%	100%

F. Customer Satisfaction

Satisfaction
Customer Rating of Services	Number of Customers	Percent
Highly satisfied	145	91.19%
Satisfied	08	5.03%
Satisfied somewhat	06	3.77%
Not at all satisfied	00	0%
Nonrespondent	00	0%
Total Surveyed	159
Response rate %	100%

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)	115
Serve as loaner during service repair or while waiting for funding	09
Provide an accommodation on a short-term basis for a time-limited event/situation	08
Conduct training, self-education or other professional development activity	15
Total	147

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	98	18	116
Family Members, Guardians, and Authorized Representatives	06	08	14
Representative of Education	02	01	03
Representative of Employment	05	01	06
Representatives of Health, Allied Health, and Rehabilitation	01	01	02
Representatives of Community Living	01	01	02
Representatives of Technology	02	02	04
Total	115	32	147

C. Length of Short-Term Device Loans

Length of Short-Term Device Loan in Days	30

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	35	06	41
Hearing	16	05	21
Speech Communication	19	02	21
Learning, Cognition and Developmental	21	00	21
Mobility, Seating and Positioning	08	00	08
Daily Living	22	07	29
Environmental Adaptations	16	02	18
Vehicle Modification and Transportation	00	00	00
Computers and Related	108	16	124
Recreation, Sports and Leisure	00	00	00
Total	245	38	283

E. Anecdote

As students with special needs become more independent they are entering the workforce with confidence knowing that there are AT devices out there that can help them be more efficient and independent. The AT program device loan program allows special needs individuals hands-on experience with devices therefore making decisions easier.

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	35	75	05	115
Decided that an AT device/ service will not meet needs	00	00	00	00
Subtotal	35	75	05	115
Have not made a decision	00	00	00	00
Subtotal	35	75	05	115
Nonrespondent	00	00	00	00
Total	35	75	05	115
Performance on this measure	100%	100%	100%

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.	08	15	05	28
2. AT was only available through the AT program.	00	02	02	04
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	08	17	07	32
5. None of the above	00	00	00	00
6. Subtotal	08	17	07	32
7. Nonrespondent	00	00	00	00
8. Total	08	17	07	32
9. Performance on this measure	100%	100%	100%

H. Customer Satisfaction

Satisfaction
Customer Rating of Services	Number of Customers	Percent
Highly satisfied	123	83.67%
Satisfied	22	14.97%
Satisfied somewhat	02	1.36%
Not at all satisfied	00	0%
Nonrespondent	00	0%
Total Surveyed	147
Response rate %	100%

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	48
Hearing	21
Speech Communication	14
Learning, Cognition and Developmental	00
Mobility, Seating and Positioning	00
Daily Living	00
Environmental Adaptations	00
Vehicle Modification and Transportation	00
Computers and Related	54
Recreation, Sports and Leisure	00
Total # of Device Demonstrations	137

B. Types of Participants

Type of Participant	Decision-Makers	Other Participants	Total
Individuals with Disabilities	70	28	98
Family Members, Guardians, and Authorized Representatives	49	30	79
Representatives of Education	02	08	10
Representatives of Employment	02	10	12
Health, Allied Health, Rehabilitation	02	08	10
Representative of Community Living	02	12	14
Representative of Technology	10	18	28
Total	137	114	251

C. Number of Referrals

Referrals
Type of Entity	Number of Referrals
Funding Source (non-AT program)	14
Service Provider	11
Vendor	24
Repair Service	10
Others	00
Total	59

D. Anecdote

American Samoa AT Program device demonstrations are always an important part of educating the general public and also a chance for our clients to see new devices. Device Demonstrations are always a fun and hands-on way to engage with the special needs community.

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	80	52	05	137
Decided that an AT device/ service will not meet needs	00	00	00	00
Subtotal	80	52	05	137
Have not made a decision	00	00	00	00
Subtotal	80	52	05	137
Nonrespondent	00	00	00	00
Total	80	52	05	137
Performance on this measure	100%	100%	100%

F. Customer Satisfaction

Satisfaction
Customer Rating of Services	Number of Customers	Percent
Highly satisfied	231	92.03%
Satisfied	20	7.97%
Satisfied somewhat	00	0%
Not at all satisfied	00	0%
Nonrespondent	00	0%
Total	251
Response rate %	100%

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.	26	73	11	110
2. AT was only available through the AT program.	16	57	08	81
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	42	130	19	191
5. None of the above	00	00	00	00
6. Subtotal	42	130	19	191
7. Nonrespondent	00	00	00	00
8. Total	42	130	19	191
9. Performance on this measure	100%	100%	100%	100%
ACL Performance Measure				85%
Met/Not Met				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	115	127	10	252
Decided that an AT device/ service will not meet needs	00	00	00	00
Subtotal	115	127	10	252
Have not made a decision	00	00	00	00
Subtotal	115	127	10	252
Nonrespondent	00	00	00	00
Total	115	127	10	252
Performance on this measure	100%	100%	100%	100%
ACL Performance Measure				90%
Met/Not Met				Met

Overall Satisfaction Rating

Customer Rating of Services	Percent	ACL Target	Met/Not Met
Highly satisfied and satisfied	98.56%	95%	Met
Response Rate	100%	90%	Met

Training

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

Training by Participant Type
Type of Participant	Number
Individuals with Disabilities	148
Family Members, Guardians and Authorized Representatives	25
Representatives of Education	04
Representatives of Employment	02
Rep Health, Allied Health, and Rehabilitation	02
Representatives of Community Living	02
Representatives of Technology	10
Unable to Categorize	00
TOTAL	193

Geographic Distribution of Participants
Metro	Non Metro	Unknown	TOTAL
48	145	00	193

B. Training Topics

Trainings by Topic
Primary Topic of Training	Participants
AT Products/Services	102
AT Funding/Policy/ Practice	39
Combination of any/all of the above	00
Information Technology/Telecommunication Access	45
Transition	07
Total	193

C. Description of Training Activities

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

American Samoa AT Program device demonstrations are always an important part of educating the general public and also a chance for our clients to see new devices.

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

As AT devices are become more mainstream especially with transition clients, training activities are becoming more important.

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

As the word is getting out that our AT Program has a training program the list of participants has slowly but surely increased over the years and with the help of The Helen Keller Program communication device trainings has become popular.

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	41
Training or Technical Assistance will be developed or implemented	04
No known outcome at this time	00
Nonrespondent	00
Total	45
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	25%
Employment	25%
Health, Allied Health, Rehabilitation	10%
Community Living	15%
Technology (IT, Telecom, AT)	25%
Total	100%

B. Description of Technical Assistance

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

Our collaboration with Helen Keller has given us the opportunity to work with more clients with communication needs. Because of these trainings more people are able to communicate with the outside world.

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

This fiscal year has seen an increase of clients looking to get back into education. As such technical assistance has become an important part of their effort.

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. Assistive Technology has a contract with the local radio station that allows us to reach more clients. With our new partnership with Helen Keller we have also ran newspaper ads monthly and that seems to have brought in more clients from rural areas.

Information And Assistance

Information And Assistance Activities by Recipient
Types of Recipients	AT Device/ Service	AT Funding	Total
Individuals with Disabilities	72	47	119
Family Members, Guardians and Authorized Representatives	23	16	39
Representative of Education	08	08	16
Representative of Employment	12	12	24
Representative of Health, Allied Health, and Rehabilitation	02	02	04
Representative of Community Living	02	02	04
Representative of Technology	12	12	24
Unable to Categorize	00	00	00
Total	131	99	230

Referral Types:

All programs that we work with have been helpful with referring clients as all our programs interconnect. Programs such as SPED and Helen Keller has shown to be very active in referring clients.

Referral Sources:

Radio advertising has been our main method of getting the word out to the public. Working with other programs in our field has also shown to be very effective.

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?

The American Samoa Assistive Technologies Program has been working closely with the Helen Keller National Center (HKNC) on The National Deaf-Blind Equipment Distribution Program. The National Deaf-Blind Equipment Distribution Program (NDBEDP) supports local programs that distribute equipment to low-income individuals who are deaf-blind (have combined hearing and vision loss) to enable access to telephone, advanced communications, and information services. This support was mandated by the Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010 (CVAA) and is provided by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

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 collaboration with Helen Keller and the NDBEDP has enabled the American Samoa AT program not only demo equipment but now purchase equipment with grant funding from the FCC. This collaboration/partnership has expanded our knowledge of AT equipment and made the availability and affordability of equipment possible. For more information about the NDBEDP, please visit http://icanconnect.org or http://www.fcc.gov/ndbedp.

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

Education; Employment; Housing / Home Automation; Community Participation and Integration; Transition(school to work or congregate care to community); Information and Communication Technology / Remote Connectivity;

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

State Financing; Technical Assistance;

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

A. Leveraged Funding for State Plan Activities

Fund Source	Amount	Use of Funds	Data Reported
Federal	$9,045	Demonstration	True
	Amount: $9,045

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 FY23 (9/30/2023) is as follows: (Check one) We did not utilize this funding in FY23 and wish to decline the funds in the future
We did not expend any of this funding in FY23, but plan to expend funding in FY24 and/or FY25
We expended some of all of this funding in FY23 (please complete the section below)

Please report the amount expended (drawn down and liquidated) in this reporting period, FY23:

$9,045.00

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	0.10
Information and Assistance Specialist	0.00
Outreach and Awareness Specialist	0.20
Training Specialist	0.00
Health Care Professional (includes PT, OT, SLP)	0.10
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.

Due to COVID related restrictions we contracted a Health Care Specialist to make sure all requirements were met. Also during this time we need to do more outreach as such we brought on a team of 2 outreach specialist and an AT Specialist to assist in our efforts.

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 13 2024 13:59:33 GMT-0600 (Central Standard Time)