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:

For our Financial Loan program we had 2 additional loan applications that were withdrawn by the applicant before we were able to complete our review. Lastly, as part of our financial loan program, we always try to assist in finding grant funding for the applicant to help reduce the amount of funding they need to borrow. In some cases, by pursuing grants, the applicant is able to find enough funds to no longer need to apply for a loan. During this fiscal year, we were able to help our applicants obtain $27,000 in grant funding, along with $146,199 in state funding (i.e.: from the vocational rehabilitation agency).

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 Educational/Training Activities

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

The AT Act program's partner agency UCP of Eastern CT provided an in-person Train the Trainer session through our Bridging the Digital Divide (BDD) program to case managers. The focus of the training was to learn more about BDD services and built-in accessibility on mobile technology so they would be better able to support their consumers with accessibility needs. 35 providers attended - many had never even looked at the built-in accessibility features on their smartphones. The Digital Divide Coordinators went into detail about the built-in features on an apple iPad and iPhone and various categories of accessibility were explored and demonstrated. The attendees were very engaged and asked clarifying questions. They were eager to begin supporting their consumers with accessibility needs going forward.

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

The CT Vocational Rehabilitation agency received a Disability Innovation Fund (DIF) grant for transition services and created a new role for "CT Pie counselors" to serve this population of students with disabilities to help them choose competitive employment. The CT Pie counselors along with the Pre-Employment Transition Services counselors in CT they are known as "Level Up counselors" participated in a training with AT Act partner agency the NEAT Center on "Introduction to the AT Consideration Framework". They provided an in-depth look at the AT Consideration and Evaluation Framework, reviewed general AT information, best practice, and the process for AT evaluations. The CT Pie counselors intend to refer approximately 300 transition students with disabilities over the next few years for AT evaluations. This knowledge is extremely important to help ensure they are able to recognize when an Assistive Technology services may be needed. There was very positive feedback and attendees felt the training better prepared them to support the individuals they serve.

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

During an ICT training offered by the CT AT Act program, a staff person from the state Department of Labor attended. As a result of the training, the staff person was thoughtful about accessibility when putting together a resource guide for staff and customers. She reached back out to the trainer for additonal guidance to ensure she was implementing what she learned about creating accessible digital materials appropriately. Not only does she intend to use this ICT knowledge for this one resource guide but intends to incorporate it across all of the materials they produce and share at her DOL, which will impact their large number of staff and customers alike.

E. Notes:

B. Description of Technical Assistance

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

AT Act Program Director worked with two of the Department of Social Services staff (the Medicaid agency in CT) to help them develop Assistive Technology services for Medicaid waiver consumers. Program Director provided guidance and best practices along with offering to assist in developing contract language. Sample documents were also provided. Some guidance was received well, some was not taken, but ultimately, the staff from DSS issued a grant that two AT Act partners applied for and received to provide AT services to Medicaid waiver consumers. They are expected to service approximately 100 individuals each in the first year.

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

AT Act Program Director provided ongoing TA for the DIF Grant on Assistive Technology services for transition consumers participating in this program - in CT it is referred to as CT PIE. Helped to create the AT service structure, screening tool, developed contract language, preped for and delivered training to CT Pie Counselors and supervisors along with several follow up sessions. Met with AT Contractors to provide overview of services and added language and CT Pie funding to their contract while supporting CT Pie staff with the process. Reviewed first few AT referrals for / with CT Pie counselor and AT service provider to help ensure a seemless process. CT Pie AT services are now up and running for CT Pie consumers. Program Director remains available to provide assistance if needed.

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. The CT AT Act program's AT partner agency the NEAT Center's Adaptive Equipment Reuse program starred in a 3 minute TV segment on Channel 3's CT Buzz Segment to promote the importance of recycling and reusing durable medical equipment and Assistive Technology. Over 15,000 people viewed the segment bringing great attention to the services we offer. The link to the segment is: https://youtu.be/qLwRty1R-EQ?si=4Ikbxl9YEL8FZw15

2. The CT AT Act program and one of our AT partners, ATECH Training Center, hosted our first two day Assistive Technology conference "CT Tech Tools for Life: Assistive Tech at its Best" in May 2024. The conference attracted over 500 attendees, presenters and exhibitors over a 2 day period that focused on Assistive Technology for independent living and remote supports, Assistive Technology for employment, education, and community living. We had nearly 30 exhibitors each day, showcasing an array of Assistive Technology and the services they offer. We offered two excellent and motivating key note speakers, 17 presentations to choose from and 6 experiential sessions on topics such as virtual reality, 3D printing, cooking with AT and more. Feedback was extremely positive and we intend to continue with the 2-day format moving forward.

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.

CT's AT Act Program two year pilot program, Bridging the Digital Divide is considered a state improvement outcome as we served approximately 600 adults with disabilities and people 60 and older, providing one on one or group training on the use of mobile technology and computers, including on built in accessibility features, to use their devices to access the internet, reduce social isolation, participate in telehealth and more. Devices were also provided to individuals 60 and older. 70 agencies/entites also received Training to enhance their staff capacity to support their client, such as libraries, senior centers, and more. Without this pilot program all of the individuals served would have been left without technology or the knowledge to use their technology,widening the digital divide in our state and there would be less support by agencies available to assist them.

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.)

Bridging the Digital Divide policies and procedures have been written and the program is replicable if funding is available. AT Act Program Director may be contacted for more information.

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

Community Living