National Assistive Technology Act Data System

Annual Progress Report - Full Report

Connecticut 2024

General Information

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

State AT Program Title:
Connecticut Tech Act Project
State AT Program Title:
State AT Program URL
www.CTtechact.com
Mailing Address:
55 Farmington Avenue, 12th Floor
City:
Hartford
State:
CT
Zip Code:
06105
Program Email:
arlene.lugo@ct.gov
Phone:
860-803-0588
TTY:
711

Lead Agency

Agency Name:
Bureau of Rehabilitation Services
Mailing Address:
55 Farmington Avenue, 12th Floor
City:
Hartford
State:
CT
Zip Code:
06105
Program URL:
www.CT.gov/BRS

Implementing Entity

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):
Lugo, Arlene
Title:
Program Director
Phone:
860-803-0588
E-mail:
arlene.lugo@ct.gov
Program Director at Lead Agency (last, first):
Doukas, David
Title:
Director of Bureau of Rehabilitation Services
Phone:
860-424-4862
E-mail:
David.Doukas@ct.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):
Doukas, David
Title:
Director of Bureau of Rehabilitation Services
Phone:
860-424-4862
E-mail:
David.Doukas@ct.gov

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 05 00 05
Approved Not made 00 00 00
Rejected 00 00 00
Total 05 00 05

2. Income of Applicants to Whom Loans Were Made

Lowest/Highest Incomes
Lowest Income: $20,000 Highest Income: $150,000

Average Income
Sum of Incomes Loans Made Average Annual Income
$293,516 05 $58,703

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 01 01 02 00 01 05
Percentage of Loans 0% 20% 20% 40% 0% 20% 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 05 100%
With both interest buy-down and loan guarantee 00 0%
Total 05 100%

Loan Type Summary
Type of Loan Number of Loans Dollar Value of Loans
Revolving Loans 00 $0
Partnership Loans 05 $101,740
Total 05 $101,740

4. Interest Rates

Interest Rates
Lowest 4%
Highest 5%

Interest Rate Summary
Sum of Interest Rates Number of Loans Made Average Interest Rate
21 05 4.2%

Number of Loans Made by Interest Rate
Interest Rate Number of loans
0.0% to 2.0% 00
2.1% to 4.0% 04
4.1% to 6.0% 01
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 05

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 01 $5,000
Vehicle modification and transportation 04 $96,740
Computers and related 00 $0
Recreation, sports, and leisure 00 $0
Total 05 $101,740

6. Defaults

Defaults
Number Loans in default 01
Net loss for loans in default $8,416

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?Telecommunications equipment distribution

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)18
B. Non-Metro (RUCC 4-9)1
C. Total Served19

Performance Measure
D. Excluded from Performance Measure0
E. Number of Individuals Included in Performance Measures19

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 14$11,992
Hearing 49$27,743
Speech communication0$0
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 33$17,339
Recreation, sports, and leisure0$0
Total96$57,074



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

An older individual with advanced Multiple Sclerosis and declining mobility impairment began using several assistive devices including a walker. She had significant challenges of navigating stairs due to limited mobility making leaving the home a challenging obstacle for her, with no way to safely go down the stairs to go to the store, physical therapy, or even the doctor’s office. She reached out to a licensed contractor for a quote on installing a ramp and though she had some funds she did not have enough. She connected with the CT AT Act program for a finanical loan. In a short period of time, the application was processed, a grant from the National Multiple Sclerosis Society was located to reduce the loan amount, and the loan approved. The contractor installed the ramp within one weeks’ time, and it was ready for use. The ramp enhanced her ability to move freely in and out of her home, access community resources and her surroundings independently and safely.

View from front door to porch and new wheelchair ramp installed
Impact Area

As technology changes rapidly so does the need for updated equipment, especially if you are about ready to head off to college. As the certified agency in CT to offer National Deaf Blind Equipment Distribution Program services, we received an application for a returning consumer who previously benefitted from the program when she was in her early high school years. Having Usher Syndrome, she now uses a Cochlear Implant with ever-changing technology for Bluetooth connectivity. She was in need of upgrading several of her devices. She was determined eligible again and met with an AT Evaluator who recommended a new laptop, iPad Pro and iPhone. The devices were provided and the AT Evaluator was able to set up the devices, especially to connect to her Cochlear Implant. She was excited to personalize the devices to her needs and connect family and friends! Her mom stated, “The technology and training is invaluable. Without this technology, she would be stuck home and missing out on life.”