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:

NCATP staff presented at the Western Regional Aging Advisory Council to over 25 individuals from Catawba, Burke, and Alexander Counties. All rural counties are located in the western portion of the state. Individuals present included senior case managers, family members, and individuals who were aging. Staff presented and showed several devices including aides to daily living, vision and hearing devices, and medication management. Following the event, staff received several calls from individuals requesting onsite demonstrations and/or tours of the local AT Center. A follow-up training was also requested with the Burke County Aging Council.

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

Morganton NCATP staff presented and had a booth at an event titled Step Forward to the Future, a Western NC Transition Event on April 26th, 2023. This event was well attended by over 100 teachers, parents, and students across the area. It was an opportunity for any deaf or hard of hearing high school student or first-year college student, along with their parents or guardians, to attend sessions focused on transition. NCATP’s presentation covered assistive technology such as the Ubi Duo 3, Ava captioning app, Glean, Safe Awake alerting alarm, Square Glow, amplified stethoscope, and the Livescribe Echo 2 pen. Many students were impressed with the Ubi Duo 3 and the Ava captioning app and requested additional information. Following the presentation, staff were available at the NCATP booth providing additional information and the opportunity for individuals to try the devices presented in the presentation.

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

NCATP Director, along with 2 additional staff provided training to the NC Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) in updating slides, flyers, and educational materials assuring accessibility. NCATP initially assisted in providing information and training to DEI staff on accessibility and accommodations for all online material. Training on use of the accessibility checkers for PowerPoint was provided, along with testing of slides with screen readers and other assistive technology. Information regarding the use of “plain language” was provided, as well as guidance on understanding the audience. Over this past year, NCATP also discussed the need for an office within DHHS addressing communication access needs and other accommodations for employees and customers of all NC DHHS services. As a result of these conversations and due to time limited grant funding, DHHS hired a Language and Communication Equity Coordinator. The role of this position is to establish an advisory board addressing the needs within all DHHS divisions and agencies, establish a timeline, and identify needed resources to continue developing an Office of Language and Communication Access (OLCA). NCATP Director will serve on the advisory board for the next two years (2023-2025).

E. Notes:

B. Description of Technical Assistance

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

The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) is establishing a clinical certification for augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). This clinical specialty will recognize speech-language pathologists with training and expertise in augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) services. One of the primary objectives of this specialty certification is to reduce the difficulty and expense of identifying speech-language pathologists who are qualified to provide competent AAC services. Along with 10 to 12 colleagues from across the country, NCATP was asked to serve on the ASHA examination review subcommittee for the written test that applicants must pass to earn the AAC Specialty Certification for Speech-Language Pathologists. NCATP was able to directly influence the standards and best practices that will be established in the field of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) by serving on this review committee.

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

NCATP staff supported an individual transitioning from high school to an adult day program. NCATP Greensboro Speech Language Pathologist (SLP) provided training focused on use of low-tech communication supports, strategies and visual supports to increase the individual’s participation and ability to communicate with staff at the day program. The SLP also supported the individual and his family with the use of low tech visual support while providing training for the transition and implementation of high tech communication device for use at home. The goal was to increase his interest and motivation to use the high-tech communication device in a familiar environment with familiar communication partners prior to transitioning to the day program. This was due to him having a negative experience with the high-tech device in the past consisting of inconsistent support and access to the device causing negative behaviors. The overall goal was that the high-tech device would eventually be used

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. For the second year in a row, NCATP hosted 3 AT Pop Ups across the state. Pop Up events were held in Winston-Salem in partnership with Solutions for Independence IL Center, in Wilmington and in Sanford in partnership with the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services. Over 450 people attended the 3 events focused on recreational gaming and adaptive sports. Individuals had the opportunity to try devices using adaptive controllers co-sponsored by AbleGamers, as well as various adaptive recreational activities including fly fishing, beach wheelchairs, accessible racquetball, 2 wheel trikes, accessible archery, gardening and accessible/adapted yoga. The events were a huge hit and NCATP will be hosting 3 more AT Pop ups in 2024 in three different NC cities.

2. 18th Annual Adult Services Expo hosted by Adult Services Coalition of Watauga County on May 4th, 2023. The event was held at the Watauga Recreation Center with various vendors present to provide information on services provided in Watauga County for the Aging Population. Around 100 people stopped by the North Carolina Assistive Technology Programs booth to learn about NCATP, the services we provide, and assistive technology. Many individuals were thrilled to see various pieces of AT that could assist them or someone they know to become more independent with a task. Other vendors at the event we very excited to learn about NCATP and took our business cards to schedule future presentations for their staff or residents.

Notes:

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.

NCATP staff worked with the Division of Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DSDHH) to address tele-health services for individuals who are Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and Deaf/Blind by creating the Telehealth Guidance and Resources: Communication Access for Deaf, Hard of Hearing and DeafBlind Patients and their Providers document and website. Working with NCATP, the site is fully accessible and provides much needed resources for individuals, family members, and medical providers.

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.)

The link to the fully accessible site can be found here: https://www.ncdhhs.gov/dsdhh/telehealth-resources

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

Health, Allied Health, Rehabilitation