National Assistive Technology Act Data System
Annual Progress Report - Full Report
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Alabama 2024
General Information
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
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? | No |
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? | 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) | 150 |
| B. Non-Metro (RUCC 4-9) | 35 |
| C. Total Served | 185 |
| Performance Measure | |
|---|---|
| D. Excluded from Performance Measure | 0 |
| E. Number of Individuals Included in Performance Measures | 185 |
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 | 40 | $30,534 |
| Learning, cognition, and developmental | 34 | $54,490 |
| Mobility, seating and positioning | 56 | $62,980 |
| Daily living | 9 | $10,265 |
| Environmental adaptations | 7 | $4,988 |
| Vehicle modification and transportation | 0 | $0 |
| Computers and related | 0 | $0 |
| Recreation, sports, and leisure | 43 | $4,653 |
| Total | 189 | $167,910 |
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? | 1 |
|---|
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) | 39 |
| B. Non-Metro (RUCC 4-9) | 5 |
| C. Total Served | 44 |
| Performance Measure | |
|---|---|
| D. Excluded from Performance Measure | 0 |
| E. Number of Individuals Included in Performance Measures | 44 |
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 | 0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Hearing | 0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Speech communication | 42 | $1,995 | $21 | $1,974 |
| Learning, cognition, and developmental | 44 | $1,337 | $254 | $1,083 |
| Mobility, seating and positioning | 0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Daily living | 21 | $357 | $210 | $147 |
| Environmental adaptations | 0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Vehicle modification and transportation | 0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Computers and related | 23 | $2,185 | $115 | $2,070 |
| Recreation, sports, and leisure | 23 | $1,357 | $667 | $690 |
| Total | 153 | $7,231 | $1,267 | $5,964 |
D. Anecdote
Our new partnership to support the administration of a last resort funding organization, Libby's Friends, has been a joy to see through fruition. Libby's Friends does amazing work, fundraising and working tirelessly to fulfill as many assistive technology requests as their budget allows. One great story comes from a family who received a folding powerchair for their son Orin. The chair, named "Noodle", has given Orin the freedom and independence to explore his world. Mom says "We are learning so much more about O’s personality now that he can explore new places at his own pace. He looked at me in amazement the first time we took Noodle out and I told Orin to “Go where you want to, I’m right behind you.” We were at a community festival and he went straight for the cake tables!" They also report that the chair is making a bigger impact as Orin's providers are recommending similar devices for other patients since seeing the positive outcome.
We had the honor of coordinating an AT Maker workshop for the Alabama Occupational Therapy Association annual conference. As a pre-conference workshop event we were asked to provide in-depth training on 3D printing and inclusive activities to include make and take activities for the OTs to learn more about creating devices for their clients. We provided hands-on training for 3D modeling, demonstrated the 3D printing process on site, and participants got to 3D print their own finger focuser devices. We also created custom, capacitive styluses for device access using moldable plastic and metal straws. Finally, we built adapted catapults for inclusive fun! Not only did the participants get to take home three DIY devices at a significantly reduced cost, they now know how to create these useful devices to benefit the individuals they serve.