National Assistive Technology Act Data System

Annual Progress Report - Full Report

South Dakota 2023

General Information

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

State AT Program Title:
DakotaLink
State AT Program Title:
State AT Program URL
http://www.dakotalink.net
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 218
City:
Sturgis
State:
SD
Zip Code:
57785
Program Email:
atinfo@dakotalink.net
Phone:
605-977-1779
TTY:
605-347-5212

Lead Agency

Agency Name:
South Dakota Department of Human Services
Mailing Address:
3800 East Hwy 34 Hillsview Plaza, C/O 500 E. Capitol
City:
Pierre
State:
SD
Zip Code:
57501
Program URL:
http://dhs.sd.gov/

Implementing Entity

Name of Implementing Agency:
Black Hills Special Services Cooperative
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 218
City
Sturgis
State:
SD
Zip Code:
57785
Program URL:
https://bhssc.org

Program Director and Other Contacts

Program Director for State AT Program (last, first):
Hudson, Page
Title:
Program Director
Phone:
605-977-1779
E-mail:
phudson@dakotalink.net
Program Director at Lead Agency (last, first):
Weiss, Eric
Title:
Director, Division of Rehabilitation Services
Phone:
605-773-4644
E-mail:
eric.weiss@state.sd.us
Primary Contact at Implementing Agency (last, first) - If applicable:
Hauge, Joe
Title:
Executive Director
Phone:
605-347-4467
E-mail:
jhauge@bhssc.tie.net

Person Responsible for completing this form if other than Program Director

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

Certifying Representative

Name (last, first):
Rechtenbaugh, Shawnie
Title:
Secretary, South Dakota Dept. of Human Services
Phone:
605-773-5990
E-mail:
Shawnie.Rechtenbaugh@state.sd.us

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? Yes

Loan Applications
Area of Residence Total
Metro
RUCC 1-3
Non-Metro
RUCC 4-9
Approved Loan made 00 00 00
Approved Not made 00 00 00
Rejected 00 00 00
Total 00 00 00

2. Income of Applicants to Whom Loans Were Made

Lowest/Highest Incomes
Lowest Income: $0 Highest Income: $0

Average Income
Sum of Incomes Loans Made Average Annual Income
$0 00 $0

Number and Percentage of Loans Made to Applicants by Income Range
Income Ranges Total
$15,000
or Less
$15,001-
$30,000
$30,001-
$45,000
$45,001-
$60,000
$60,001-
$75,000
$75,001
or More
Number of Loans 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
Percentage of Loans 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 100%

3. Loan Type

Loan Type
Type of Loan Number of Loans Percentage of loans
Revolving Loans 00 0%
Partnership Loans
Without interest buy-down or loan guarantee 00 0%
With interest buy-down only 00 0%
With loan guarantee only 00 0%
With both interest buy-down and loan guarantee 00 0%
Total 00 100%

Loan Type Summary
Type of Loan Number of Loans Dollar Value of Loans
Revolving Loans 00 $0
Partnership Loans 00 $0
Total 00 $0

4. Interest Rates

Interest Rates
Lowest 5%
Highest 5%

Interest Rate Summary
Sum of Interest Rates Number of Loans Made Average Interest Rate
00 00 0%

Number of Loans Made by Interest Rate
Interest Rate Number of loans
0.0% to 2.0% 00
2.1% to 4.0% 00
4.1% to 6.0% 00
6.1% to 8.0% 00
8.1% - 10.0% 00
10.1%-12.0% 00
12.1%-14.0% 00
14.1% + 00
Total 00

5. Types and Dollar Amounts of AT Financed

Types and Dollar Amounts of AT Financed
Type of AT Number of Devices Financed Dollar Value of Loans
Vision 00 $0
Hearing 00 $0
Speech communication 00 $0
Learning, cognition, and developmental 00 $0
Mobility, seating and positioning 00 $0
Daily living 00 $0
Environmental adaptations 00 $0
Vehicle modification and transportation 00 $0
Computers and related 00 $0
Recreation, sports, and leisure 00 $0
Total 00 $0

6. Defaults

Defaults
Number Loans in default 00
Net loss for loans in default $0

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? 1
Activity 1
How would you describe this state financing activity?Lease-To-Own program

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

County of ResidenceIndividuals Served
A. Metro (RUCC 1-3)158
B. Non-Metro (RUCC 4-9)50
C. Total Served208

Performance Measure
D. Excluded from Performance Measure0
E. Number of Individuals Included in Performance Measures208

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 / ServiceNumber of Devices
Funded
Value of
AT Provided
Vision 206$780,005
Hearing 0$0
Speech communication1$400
Learning, cognition, and developmental 0$0
Mobility, seating and positioning0$0
Daily living 0$0
Environmental adaptations0$0
Vehicle modification and transportation 0$0
Computers and related 1$45
Recreation, sports, and leisure0$0
Total208$780,450



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

A woman and her son visited, expressing interest in the Iris Vision. Despite demonstrating its features, she seemed uninterested in advanced technology. Subsequently, I showcased several video magnifiers, but she desired something simpler. Handheld magnifiers caught her interest, although she mentioned having some at home. I presented various handheld video magnifiers, and although she liked the pebble, she was uncertain about it. To address her concerns, I informed her about our loan program for a trial period. Before leaving, I demonstrated the Acrobat to her son, who found it to be a great option for her. Ultimately, the challenge was finding a device she would be comfortable using.

Photo of an Iris Vision
Impact Area

I met with RH to help increase his independence, particularly concerning reading. RH enjoys reading articles by Rush Limbaugh. The author demonstrated various assistive devices, including video magnifiers and the Davinci Pro. During the demonstration, it was mentioned that RH and his family did not find smaller video magnifiers suitable. Instead, they identified the compact 10 as a potentially effective solution due to its full-page and OCR (optical character recognition) modes. The author also attempted to demonstrate wearable glasses from Eschenbach, but RH struggled to read with them. Despite some difficulty with the Davinci Pro, the OCR feature received a positive response from RH. Ultimately, based on the opinions of RH and his family, the Davinci Pro with the OCR feature is considered the best fit for RH. It is suggested that with time and practice, RH may be able to reteach his eyes to focus and read again. RH's son expresses a commitment to work with him daily once the Davinci Pro arrives.

Photo of a Davinci Pro
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. 01 01 206 208
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 01 01 206 208
5. None of the above 00 00 00 00
6. Subtotal 01 01 206 208
7. Nonrespondent 00 00 00 00
8. Total 01 01 206 208
9. Performance on this measure 100% 100% 100%

F. Customer Satisfaction

Satisfaction
Customer Rating of Services Number of Customers Percent
Highly satisfied 141 67.79%
Satisfied 25 12.02%
Satisfied somewhat 00 0%
Not at all satisfied 00 0%
Nonrespondent 42 20.19%
Total Surveyed 208
Response rate % 79.81%

G. Notes:

Reutilization

A. Number of Recipients of Reused Devices

Activity Number of Individuals Receiving a Device from Activity
A. Device Exchange 02
B. Device Refurbish/Repair - Reassign and/or Open Ended Loan 17
C. Total 19

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 19

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 01 $2,000 $0 $2,000
Hearing 00 $0 $0 $0
Speech Communication 00 $0 $0 $0
Learning, Cognition and Developmental 00 $0 $0 $0
Mobility, Seating and Positioning 01 $99 $0 $99
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 02 $2,099 $0 $2,099

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 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 17 $39,740 $1,842 $37,898
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 17 $39,740 $1,842 $37,898

D. Anecdote

We reutilized 19 devices which saved people approximately $39,970 for the last fiscal year. The program was funded by a grant through the Department of Social Services and the DME providers slowly stopped using this resource as much as expected so they shut the program down at the end of May 2023. We will continue doing reuse internally at a smaller scale without the grant and the facility.