National Assistive Technology Act Data System

Annual Progress Report - Full Report

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Virginia 2023

General Information

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

State AT Program Title:

The Virginia Assistive Technology System

State AT Program Title:

State AT Program URL

www.vats.virginia.gov

Mailing Address:

2001 Maywill Street, Suite 202

City:

Richmond

State:

Zip Code:

23230

Program Email:

barclay.shepard@dars.virginia.gov

Phone:

8046629990

TTY:

8004649950

Lead Agency

Agency Name:

Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services

Mailing Address:

8004 Franklin Farms Drive

City:

Richmond

State:

Zip Code:

23229

Program URL:

https//www.dars.virginia.gov

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):

Shepard, Barclay

Title:

Manager

Phone:

8046629990

E-mail:

barclay.shepard@dars.virginia.gov

Program Director at Lead Agency (last, first):

Shepard, Barclay

Title:

Manager

Phone:

8046629990

E-mail:

barclay.shepard@dars.virginia.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):

Title:

Phone:

E-mail:

Certifying Representative

Name (last, first):

Hayfield, Kathryn

Title:

DARS Commissioner

Phone:

8046627010

E-mail:

kathryn.hayfield@dars.virginia.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	00
B. Device Refurbish/Repair - Reassign and/or Open Ended Loan	4,553
C. Total	4,553

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	4,553

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	Total Estimated Current Purchase Price	Total Price for Which Device(s) Were Exchanged	Savings to Consumers
Vision	$0	$0	$0
Hearing	$0	$0	$0
Speech Communication	$0	$0	$0
Learning, Cognition and Developmental	$0	$0	$0
Mobility, Seating and Positioning	$0	$0	$0
Daily Living	$0	$0	$0
Environmental Adaptations	$0	$0	$0
Vehicle Modification & Transportation	$0	$0	$0
Computers and Related	$0	$0	$0
Recreation, Sports and Leisure	$0	$0	$0
Total	$0	$0	$0

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	3,868	$2,789,673	$0	$2,789,673
Daily Living	2,588	$350,235	$0	$350,235
Environmental Adaptations	00	$0	$0	$0
Vehicle Modification & Transportation	00	$0	$0	$0
Computers and Related	00	$0	$0	$0
Recreation, Sports and Leisure	34	$46,442	$0	$46,442
Total	6,490	$3,186,350	$0	$3,186,350

D. Anecdote

VATS contracted children’s durable medical equipment (DME) reuse partner, the Children’s Assistive Technology Service (C.A.T.S.), provided life changing DME to assist a six-year-old before discharge at a local hospital. The child was admitted to the hospital after a sudden, unexpected accident in May in which she had both feet traumatically amputated while riding in the family vehicle. She was airlifted to the hospital where a very talented group of surgeons were able to re-implant her feet. She has multiple restrictions on positioning to ensure that she maintains blood flow to her feet including being positioned with her feet above the level of her heart. This individual and her family faced many issues including how do they get her out of bed for mental, emotional, and physical recovery. The State AT Act Program’s contracted children’s reuse partner was able to provide a Convaid Trekker, a light weight, tilt in space stroller/wheelchair, for positioning issues. Several surgeries later she was able to dangle her feet for brief periods of time but the only place she felt safe to do this was in this stroller. She then progressed to no limit of time with her feet down so now she was ready to roll. The reuse partner provided an additional wheelchair, making it possible for her to head out on her own (with two wound vacs mounted to the wheelchair). As she said, “Now I can do it on my own!” The second day in the w/c she wheeled across the bridge yelling “I’m escaping!!!!” Thirty-five days after entering the hospital she was able to go home with her family under her own power. She still has multiple surgeries to go. The reused medical stroller and wheelchair are allowing this to make follow-up medical appointments, participate in family outings, and socialize wi

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.	56	08	3,498	3,562
2. AT was only available through the AT program.	40	00	631	671
3. AT was available through other programs, but the system was too complex or the wait time too long.	27	00	293	320
4. Subtotal	123	08	4,422	4,553
5. None of the above	00	00	00	00
6. Subtotal	123	08	4,422	4,553
7. Nonrespondent	00	00	00	00
8. Total	123	08	4,422	4,553
9. Performance on this measure	100%	100%	100%

F. Customer Satisfaction

Satisfaction
Customer Rating of Services	Number of Customers	Percent
Highly satisfied	4,331	95.12%
Satisfied	209	4.59%
Satisfied somewhat	13	0.29%
Not at all satisfied	00	0%
Nonrespondent	00	0%
Total Surveyed	4,553
Response rate %	100%

G. Notes:

Additional work related anecdote and collaboration with VR.-VATS collaborated with the State’s VR program and VATS’ adult durable medical equipment (DME) reuse partner in order to help a VR client be successful at work. The client used a wheelchair for mobility at home, but also needed to control his work computer using the Bluetooth feature incorporated in the wheelchair controls. The individual was employed in a new job but was having trouble getting his full-sized wheelchair to and from work. He was using a lighter weight wheelchair at work, but this chair did not have Bluetooth. VR staff frequently access VATS DME reuse programs to provide back-up mobility equipment or parts to meet specific client customized needs. VR worked with adult DME reuse staff to find an appropriate wheelchair and then customized the donated wheelchair with used electronic components, making it Bluetooth compatible. The result was an appropriate fitting chair that provided computer access for work.

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)	71
Serve as loaner during service repair or while waiting for funding	00
Provide an accommodation on a short-term basis for a time-limited event/situation	33
Conduct training, self-education or other professional development activity	00
Total	104

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	61	29	90
Family Members, Guardians, and Authorized Representatives	04	01	05
Representative of Education	01	00	01
Representative of Employment	00	00	00
Representatives of Health, Allied Health, and Rehabilitation	03	00	03
Representatives of Community Living	02	03	05
Representatives of Technology	00	00	00
Total	71	33	104

C. Length of Short-Term Device Loans

Length of Short-Term Device Loan in Days	14

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	09	00	09
Hearing	02	00	02
Speech Communication	00	00	00
Learning, Cognition and Developmental	67	00	67
Mobility, Seating and Positioning	09	61	70
Daily Living	12	00	12
Environmental Adaptations	00	00	00
Vehicle Modification and Transportation	00	00	00
Computers and Related	60	00	60
Recreation, Sports and Leisure	06	00	06
Total	165	61	226

E. Anecdote

VATS collaborated with a private school that provides specialized instruction to school aged students who have a disability and face academic, physical or social challenges. VATS provided a Sensory Kit, developed with No Wrong Door funding, to address the sensory regulation needs of students with disabilities in academics and in the Career Center/work training programs. The Kit includes moving sand art displays, sensory fidget tubes, rocking chairs, artificial aquariums, weighted lap pads, and therapeutic/robotic pets. The school administrators report that the therapeutic robotic pets have been a huge hit! Students have been taught how to use these pets and other sensory regulation kit items provided by VATS as tools to help with sensory input and coping. One lower school student has been able to use “Woofsters”, the robotic dog, to help him deal with anxiety and stressful situations. In class this student was trying a new task that was outside of his comfort zone. Normally, this would result in shutting down or work refusal. With the introduction of the robotic dog, this student was able to recognize this frustration and request time with “Woofsters.” This has not only helped this student, but others in the classroom that were affected by this student’s outbursts.

two robotic therapeutic dogs in a classroom

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	25	31	13	69
Decided that an AT device/ service will not meet needs	00	02	00	02
Subtotal	25	33	13	71
Have not made a decision	00	00	00	00
Subtotal	25	33	13	71
Nonrespondent	00	00	00	00
Total	25	33	13	71
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.	00	01	23	24
2. AT was only available through the AT program.	00	01	04	05
3. AT was available through other programs, but the system was too complex or the wait time too long.	00	01	03	04
4. Subtotal	00	03	30	33
5. None of the above	00	00	00	00
6. Subtotal	00	03	30	33
7. Nonrespondent	00	00	00	00
8. Total	00	03	30	33
9. Performance on this measure	NaN%	100%	100%

H. Customer Satisfaction

Satisfaction
Customer Rating of Services	Number of Customers	Percent
Highly satisfied	103	99.04%
Satisfied	01	0.96%
Satisfied somewhat	00	0%
Not at all satisfied	00	0%
Nonrespondent	00	0%
Total Surveyed	104
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	05
Hearing	01
Speech Communication	02
Learning, Cognition and Developmental	391
Mobility, Seating and Positioning	99
Daily Living	30
Environmental Adaptations	01
Vehicle Modification and Transportation	00
Computers and Related	47
Recreation, Sports and Leisure	04
Total # of Device Demonstrations	580

B. Types of Participants

Type of Participant	Decision-Makers	Other Participants	Total
Individuals with Disabilities	576	01	577
Family Members, Guardians, and Authorized Representatives	00	21	21
Representatives of Education	00	00	00
Representatives of Employment	00	00	00
Health, Allied Health, Rehabilitation	00	25	25
Representative of Community Living	04	06	10
Representative of Technology	00	00	00
Total	580	53	633

C. Number of Referrals

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

D. Anecdote

VATS partnered with Virginia No Wrong Door to develop, purchase and distribute a “Falls Prevention Kit” to targeted Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) to demonstrate to older adults and individuals with disabilities while receiving services and during community engagement activities. The Kit contains several affordable and user-friendly technologies and AT devices that can help individuals at risk for falls. Fall prevention is an important topic for older adults and individuals with disabilities. Physical changes and health conditions and sometimes the medications used to treat those conditions, make falls more likely as people age. Falls are a leading cause of injury among older adults and can dramatically affect an individual’s independence. VATS received a call from an individual that received services at a local AAA. AAA staff demonstrated an array of equipment in the Falls Prevention Kit. This individual is at risk for falls due to her age and medical condition. The individual has someone take her shopping and she has to carry her groceries up a flight a stairs. The Climb Cart is lightweight, portable and functional and met her needs. The cart is designed with an innovative six-wheel design that pivots when it reaches a stair and rotates a new wheel into place allowing the individual to roll up or down the stairs with little effort. As a result of the demonstration, the individual requested additional information to purchase the cart. This individual was not aware that such a cart existed. She anticipates the cart will allow her to safely move groceries from the car to inside her home.

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	255	204	114	573
Decided that an AT device/ service will not meet needs	02	03	02	07
Subtotal	257	207	116	580
Have not made a decision	00	00	00	00
Subtotal	257	207	116	580
Nonrespondent	00	00	00	00
Total	257	207	116	580
Performance on this measure	100%	100%	100%

F. Customer Satisfaction

Satisfaction
Customer Rating of Services	Number of Customers	Percent
Highly satisfied	575	90.84%
Satisfied	58	9.16%
Satisfied somewhat	00	0%
Not at all satisfied	00	0%
Nonrespondent	00	0%
Total	633
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.	56	09	3,521	3,586
2. AT was only available through the AT program.	40	01	635	676
3. AT was available through other programs, but the system was too complex or the wait time too long.	27	01	296	324
4. Subtotal	123	11	4,452	4,586
5. None of the above	00	00	00	00
6. Subtotal	123	11	4,452	4,586
7. Nonrespondent	00	00	00	00
8. Total	123	11	4,452	4,586
9. Performance on this measure	78.05%	90.91%	93.35%	92.94%
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	280	235	127	642
Decided that an AT device/ service will not meet needs	02	05	02	09
Subtotal	282	240	129	651
Have not made a decision	00	00	00	00
Subtotal	282	240	129	651
Nonrespondent	00	00	00	00
Total	282	240	129	651
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	99.75%	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	461
Family Members, Guardians and Authorized Representatives	02
Representatives of Education	35
Representatives of Employment	15
Rep Health, Allied Health, and Rehabilitation	58
Representatives of Community Living	109
Representatives of Technology	00
Unable to Categorize	00
TOTAL	680

Geographic Distribution of Participants
Metro	Non Metro	Unknown	TOTAL
435	245	00	680

B. Training Topics

Trainings by Topic
Primary Topic of Training	Participants
AT Products/Services	625
AT Funding/Policy/ Practice	00
Combination of any/all of the above	00
Information Technology/Telecommunication Access	10
Transition	45
Total	680

C. Description of Training Activities

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

VATS staff provided a hands-on ADA training for an Optometrist office. The Mid-Atlantic ADA center contacted VATS regarding a Department of Justice (DOJ) Settlement Agreement between the optometrist office and the DOJ. As a part of the settlement agreement, the optometrist office was required to receive a hands-on training regarding accommodating individuals with disabilities in a medical office setting. The Mid Atlantic ADA center provided a virtual training regarding the requirements of public accommodations required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in December 2022. VATS and vocational rehabilitation staff provided this training as an on-site supplemental staff training to the ADA training. Staff took a tour of the facility and reviewed equipment they purchased to accommodate individuals with physical disabilities in the exam room. VATS staff provided training on disability etiquette, wheelchair components, assisting with safe transfers, serving individuals with sensory processing disorders and serving individuals who are low vision, deaf and/or hard of hearing. Staff also demonstrated a variety of low-tech assistive technology equipment available to accommodate individuals or staff members. VATS provided local, state and regional resources to better serve individuals with disabilities. The training was not in the normal scope of work for staff but was extremely helpful in helping a community healthcare provider better serve Virginians with disabilities and understand its requirement to provide public accommodations under the ADA. Staff provided a professional training, resources and answered questions in order to help the business better serve the public.

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

VATS has been collaborating with the state’s vocational rehabilitation program to provide comprehensive assistive technology (AT) services for students with disabilities in the vocational rehabilitation (VR) program. Specifically, VATS and VR AT professionals collaborated to develop and provide virtual training sessions to improve the success of individuals with disabilities entering college. These four separate, two-hour virtual trainings titled, “College Prep/Tech Tools for College,” were held one day per week during four consecutive weeks. The trainings included a variety of topics: Intro/using accommodations, organization/keeping track of assignments and studying, stress management/managing motivation and energy, and AT for reading, writing, note taking, and taking online courses. Fifteen students attended these training sessions. The team used a variety of interactive media such as videos, memes, discussions, and polls/"pop quizzes" to facilitate participation. These interactive training sessions are helping students prepare for post-secondary education!

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

VATS AT Access Coordinator provided a presentation to ten educators with the Virginia Department of Corrections. VATS developed a positive working relationship with the ADA Coordinator for the Department of Corrections (DOC) to address the assistive technology solutions for offenders with disabilities. The presentation included information on making materials more accessible for classes. VATS staff reviewed how to make assignments more accessible using Word, PowerPoint and Adobe. The training also included information on how to make grievance forms more accessible as well the law library computer more accessible for individuals with disabilities. The training, as well as other AT service VATS has been providing to the DOC over the past several years, is helping incarcerated individuals with disabilities, access education to improve their lives when released.

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	00
Training or Technical Assistance will be developed or implemented	10
No known outcome at this time	00
Nonrespondent	00
Total	10
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	05%
Employment	00%
Health, Allied Health, Rehabilitation	05%
Community Living	90%
Technology (IT, Telecom, AT)	00%
Total	100%

B. Description of Technical Assistance

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

VATS has been providing technical assistance among the Virginia Department of Emergency Management VDEM, the Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS) / VATS, and the Foundation for Rehabilitation Equipment and Endowment (F.R.E.E.) for several years to address the needs of Virginians with disabilities in preparation for and response to natural disasters. VATS has a memorandum of agreement with VDEM and F.R.E.E. to distribute gently used durable medical equipment (DME) to statewide disaster shelters in the event of natural disasters and or emergencies. VATS has been coordinating efforts with F.R.E.E., and VDEM to provide ready-to-deploy DME “shelter kits” at state sponsored shelters. The shelter kits include wheelchairs, walkers, rollators, canes, bedside toilets and crutches. VDEM is storing the equipment in its Richmond warehouse and will transport to shelters as needed during a declared disaster. Additionally, VATS serves on several statewide emergency pre

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. VATS has been working with Virginia No Wrong Door and a local Area Agency on Aging (AAA) to expand assistive technology kits to help older adults be safe in their homes or in the community and who are potentially at risk for social isolation. Originally, VATS provided and trained staff on the equipment in the Social Health Kit. The programs director at the AAA contacted VATS about expanding the capacity of the Social Health Kit to develop a Falls Prevention Kit to address the safety needs of older adults. VATS developed a pilot Falls Prevention Kit and demonstrated it at an AAA community event. Community members reported the following: “these are simple devices that I could use in my home” and “I don’t like night lights, but these motion sensor ones would be great when I get up to go to the bathroom!” Several participants commented that the therapeutic robotic pets were helpful adding that they were afraid of tripping and falling on a live animal, but that they were interested in having a robotic companion for Christmas!

Information And Assistance

Information And Assistance Activities by Recipient
Types of Recipients	AT Device/ Service	AT Funding	Total
Individuals with Disabilities	289	67	356
Family Members, Guardians and Authorized Representatives	144	54	198
Representative of Education	03	00	03
Representative of Employment	07	03	10
Representative of Health, Allied Health, and Rehabilitation	66	12	78
Representative of Community Living	45	06	51
Representative of Technology	01	00	01
Unable to Categorize	00	00	00
Total	555	142	697

Referral Types:

VATS works collaboratively with Virginia No Wrong Door, its adult and children's durable medical equipment reuse partners, and disability service agencies (CILS, AAAs, vocational rehabilitation, deaf and hard of hearing, state agencies and non-profits) to increase awareness of and access to AT devices and services. VATS continues to deploy a variety of AT kits for emergency preparedness, social health, falls prevention, sensory regulation, communication devices, ramps and other specific AT devices at partner sites to improve constituent access statewide. VATS maintains a 1-800 number, VATS central office number, and a website and email for referrals. VATS participates in community events to connect with local communities. VATS partnership with Virginia No Wrong Door led to a significant increase in referrals from AAAs, CILs, older adults, family members, healthcare professionals and Virginians with disabilities.

Referral Sources:

Through the partnership with Virginia No Wrong Door (NWD), VATS and NWD partners share an electronic database and referral system. This platform is used by all 25 AAAs, all statewide Social Service agencies, and multiple CILS, non-profits and healthcare organizations. Approximately 10% of referrals are generated from VATS interaction with NWD and 90% from VATS own outreach methods (participating in events/trainings, referrals from state agencies or partner organizations, referrals from healthcare discharge planners, and VATS contact information on the website). Referrals are statewide.

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?

VATS staff meet monthly with Virginia No Wrong Door (NWD) to coordinate awareness of and access to assistive technology (AT) devices and services in Virginia’s NWD system. VATS collaborated with NWD to develop and distribute AT kits to address emergency preparedness, social isolation, sensory regulation, falls prevention and personal safety for NWD staff to introduce to their constituents. Partners include rehab hospitals, local Area Agencies on Aging, Centers for Independent Living and non-profits. This collaboration among multiple state agencies, private industry and non-profits is helping older adults and individuals with disabilities access and acquire appropriate and affordable assistive technology devices (AT) and services through the NWD system. VATS received funding through NWD and the CARES Act and the American Rescue Plan to purchase AT kits for demonstration, short-term loan and training. VATS AT Specialist participates as a member of the Greater Richmond NWD Advisory Council to further coordinate AT access.

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 state AT Act program and No Wrong Door (NWD) partnership continues to evolve. The reach of both groups has expanded and is helping to meet the needs of older adults and individuals with disabilities statewide. AT awareness continues to grow through information and assistance, demonstration, short-term loan, trainings, and public awareness activities provided by VATS and NWD partners. VATS received funding through Virginia NWD from the CARES Act and the American Rescue Plan. This is replicable in other states, but a solid relationship needs to be built between state AT Act and NWD systems.

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

Community Participation and Integration; Recreation / Leisure; Health; Aging; Aging and Disability Network / No Wrong Door;

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

Device Loan; Demonstration;

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
Public/State Agency	$10,000	Reuse	True
Public/State Agency	$80,160	Demonstration	True
Federal	$80,000	Public Awareness, I&A	True
	Amount: $170,160

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:

$80,000.00

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	1.00
Information and Assistance Specialist	0.00
Outreach and Awareness Specialist	0.00
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.

VATS received funding from the Administration for Community Living (ACL) through the American Rescue Plan Public Health (ARPPH) Workforce Grants to expand the public health workforce within the aging and disability networks. Public health promotes and protects the health of people and the communities where they live, learn, work, and play. VATS and NWD play an essential role in that work, particularly providing access to and acquisition of assistive technology (AT) devices and services during public health emergencies. VATS/NWD provided an array of AT services (device demonstrations, short-term equipment loans, durable medical equipment reuse, trainings, technical assistance and information & assistance) to expand the capacity of the public health workforce to meet the unique needs of older adults and Virginians with disabilities. For example, during the COVID-19 pandemic, VATS and NWD had the following impact: • Provided assistive technology services to allow Virginians to age in place. • Played a key role in helping Virginians have access to AT in order to get vaccinated – including boosters. • Ensured that Virginians have been able to access health care, including COVID-19 treatment. • Worked to make sure Virginians had the services and supports they needed to avoid social isolation, prepare for emergencies, and stay healthy and safe in the community. The was critical in covering the cost of VATS/No Wrong Door Public Health Workforce AT Specialist to continue to conduct and expand these and other crucial public health activities (provide AT services for Virginians to age in place, ensuring access to AT to get vaccinated/boosters, ensure Virginians have access to healthcare including COVID-19 treatment, and ensure Virginians have services and supports they need to avoid social isolation, prepare for emergencies, and stay healthy and safe in the community), and to alleviate some of the strain our networks have experienced during the pandemic.

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 14:16:08 GMT-0600 (Central Standard Time)