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

G. Notes:

During FY 2022-2023, NCATP received funding under the CARES Act as a sub-grantee to the Division of Aging and Adult Services (DAAS). Funds were used to provide identified assistive technology to seniors and low-income residents in the most rural portions of our state. These funds ended in September 2023; therefore, we are not reporting additional data for acquisition activities during FY 2023-2024.

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:

Since 2011 a rich collaboration has grown between the Winston-Salem AT Center (NCATP) and the Occupational Therapy department at Winston-Salem State University. Paul Eklund, ATP, has managed the AT Center for the past 16+ years and has advanced the learning opportunities with Megan Edwards-Collins, PhD, a professor with WSSU OT department and her OT students. Over the past several year, an annual visit to the local NCATP Center has taken place via small groups of OT students providing a “hands-on” experience with various assistive devices. In 2024, Dr. Edwards-Collins approached NCATP with a unique opportunity to co-present at the ATIA (Assistive Technology Industry Association) National Conference January on the collaboration between NCATP and Winston-Salem State and the training experience offered to OT students. The ATIA presentation was titled “Exposing Health Care Students to AT Centers: Tips and Tricks”. It discussed how the professor of OT graduate students has worked with the local AT Center to expose the students to a wide variety of AT devices and services that the local AT Center offers. Further, it detailed the advice for planning the visit, strategies, and lessons learned as well as student feedback. The ATIA session was well received by over thirty attendees nationwide. Dr. Edwards-Collins and NCATP staff will be presenting at the NC OT Conference in 2025, as well as providing feedback and assistance to other local NC colleges and universities on implementing and introducing assistive technology training and the Occupational Therapy course of study.

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

NCATP staff provided a virtual training for Inclusion Works, an NC Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Initiative to promote competitive integrated employment (CIE) for individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities (I/DD), focused on the effective use of Assistive Technology (AT) for individuals with I/DD transitioning into the workplace. Over 100 attendees consisted of Employment and Independence of Persons with Disabilities (EIPD), formerly NC Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) staff, families, professionals, and other community members and partners. The training aimed to equip participants with knowledge on how AT (including the use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools) can enhance workplace success. Topics included various tools, apps and strategies for computer access, notetaking, organization, time management, and aids for daily living, (for bathroom breaks and lunch). The session emphasized how AT can help promote independence, improve task management, and support individuals in navigating the complexities of work environments. To many on the training call, they indicated this was their first time thinking about the use of AT by individuals with I/DD as they transition into roles with greater responsibilities, increased production, and enhanced abilities to obtain and maintain employment. A follow up training session was scheduled and provided with NC NAMI, an organization of families, friends and individuals whose lives have been affected by mental illness, covering similar topics as above to assist individuals impacted by mental illness in the employment setting.

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

Participation in the “Ageless Digital Access: Shift/Control Project” Goals of the project included: 1. Create a statewide network of highly skilled people capable of teaching other professionals the basics of how to best utilize existing resources, teach a standardized digital curriculum, and work with older adults at various skill levels. 2. Infuse North Carolina’s aging network with professionals who can teach older adults to understand and use technology, resulting in improved computer skills, increased confidence in their abilities and knowledge of what scams/fraud looks like and how to protect themselves from these attacks. As a member of the rollout team, NCATP provided training to the core members on accessibility features/functions and resources, as well as provided input, feedback, insights, and engaged in guided exercises to maximize useability, relevance, and sustainability of the Ageless Digital Access Toolkit. Training with digital navigators on accessibility recommendations and various assistive technology tools was provided following the collection of data on needed skills and areas of needed training. NCATP staff assisted with collecting and providing requested information such as surveys and reviewed particular components to create the final Aging Digital Equity Toolkit. Website for toolkit: https://thecenterfordigitalequity.org/aa-dn-toolkit/

E. Notes:

B. Description of Technical Assistance

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

NCATP director participated with the Division of Aging and Adult Services (DAAS) stakeholder committee in the development of the new All Ages, All Stages aging plan. As a result, NCATP led the technology work group focusing on access to technology for individuals and family members supporting Aging in Place. The work group consisted of aging specialists, technology specialists and vendors such as Simply Home, caregivers, and state agency personnel. Recommendations submitted from the workgroup were: 1. Increase public awareness and education by launching a public awareness campaign defining technology-based solutions and public education on the benefits and impact of these types of technologies. 2. Strengthen provider and residential support/technical assistance/education by motivating providers to embrace technology-based services. Offer incentives and provide access to broadband solutions, as well as provide technical assistance and training for implementation and use. 3. Promote

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

NCATP staff in the western part of the state collaborated with a young man, his personal assistant, rehabilitation counselor, job coach and employer to support his transition from school to the workforce. Steven, diagnosed with tetraplegia related to cerebral palsy, uses a ratchet walker for mobility. He expressed an interest in securing a janitorial position at his former high school. NCATP assisted in convening a meeting with Steven, his aide, the job coach, and his work supervisor to outline his job responsibilities. Each task was reviewed to identify potential barriers to his performance. A significant challenge was that Steven's walker was too large to fit into the bathrooms he was assigned to clean, and attempting to perform the job without it posed safety risks due to his balance difficulties. To mitigate this issue, NCATP recommended a detailing chair which features drawers that would enable Steven to store and transport all required cleaning supplies. Additionally, Steven en

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. For the third year in a row, NCATP hosted three AT Resource Fairs (AT Pop Up’s) across North Carolina, partnering with key organizations to expand the reach of assistive technology. This past year, we collaborated with the independent living center, Solutions for Independence in Winston-Salem, the Exceptional Family Members Program on Fort Liberty army installation in Fayetteville and hosted our third event at the Charlotte NCATP Center. These Pop Ups serve as an extension of our annual AT Expo held in Raleigh each fall, aiming to broaden our outreach and promote awareness about the significance of assistive technology in enhancing independence and creating new opportunities for individuals. Through these events, we strive to make AT resources more accessible across the state. This year, our focus was on adaptive recreation and active living, attracting over 425 participants across these three regional events. Each pop up had between 25-35 exhibitors and resource tables. Individuals have the opportunity to interact with devices, try tools, apps and sporting adaptive sporting equipment. Feedback has been extremely positive from individuals, family members, professionals, exhibitors, and community partners. For 2025, NCATP has been contacted by several additional partners requesting an AT Pop up to come to their local area. We are excited to see where the 2025 events land.

2. The North Carolina Assistive Technology Program successfully hosted the 2023 AT Expo: A Day in the Life with AT on October 5th, 2023, at the McKimmon Center in Raleigh, NC. The Expo featured 31 exhibitors, including state agencies and assistive technology vendors, who presented a variety of assistive technology solutions in the categories of vision, hearing, recreation, mobility, 3D printing, computer access, speech communication, and learning and cognition. Additionally, the event included seven hybrid educational sessions and offered various accommodations, such as ASL interpretation, Spanish translation, audio descriptions, CART services, and reserved seating for in-person participants. The Expo attracted a total of 349 in-person attendees and 201 virtual attendees, representing nine states, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Nottingham, UK.

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.

The central idea is to create a scalable, master digital navigator trainer program responsible for supporting digital navigator services and community-based partners across the state to train rural areas, individuals with disabilities and older adults to use technology.

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.)

A digital navigator training program hosted by NC DIT and NC State has been developed training individuals across the state on digital access, including broadband resources and services, smart devices, and social media, as well detection of scams/fraud. Over 16 digital navigators have been hired and trained. In summer 2024, NCATP staff assisted in the development of an online toolkit and provided training on assistive technology devices and resources for the digital navigators assisting them to better meet the needs of individuals across the state.

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

Technology (ICT accessibility and AT