National Assistive Technology Act Data System

Annual Progress Report - Full Report

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North Dakota 2024

General Information

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

State AT Program Title:
ND Assistive
State AT Program Title:
State AT Program URL
https://ndassistive.org/
Mailing Address:
3240 15th St. S., Suite B
City:
Fargo
State:
ND
Zip Code:
58104
Program Email:
info@ndassistive.org
Phone:
800-895-4728
TTY:
800-895-4728

Lead Agency

Agency Name:
North Dakota Health and Human Services, Vocational Rehabilitation
Mailing Address:
1000 E Divide Avenue
City:
Bismarck
State:
ND
Zip Code:
58501
Program URL:
https://www.hhs.nd.gov/vr

Implementing Entity

Name of Implementing Agency:
ND Assistive
Mailing Address:
3240 15th St S, Suite B
City
Fargo
State:
ND
Zip Code:
58104
Program URL:
https://ndassistive.org/

Program Director and Other Contacts

Program Director for State AT Program (last, first):
Chaussee, Mike
Title:
Executive Director
Phone:
701-551-7079
E-mail:
mchaussee@ndassistive.org
Program Director at Lead Agency (last, first):
James C Fleming
Title:
Interim Vocational Rehabilitation Director
Phone:
701-328-7501
E-mail:
jfleming@nd.gov
Primary Contact at Implementing Agency (last, first) - If applicable:
Mike Chaussee
Title:
Executive Director
Phone:
701-551-7079
E-mail:
mchaussee@ndassistive.org

Person Responsible for completing this form if other than Program Director

Name (last, first):
Title:
Phone:
E-mail:

Certifying Representative

Name (last, first):
James C Fleming
Title:
Interim Vocational Rehabilitation Director
Phone:
701-328-7501
E-mail:
jfleming@nd.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 10 06 16
Approved Not made 00 00 00
Rejected 01 01 02
Total 11 07 18

2. Income of Applicants to Whom Loans Were Made

Lowest/Highest Incomes
Lowest Income: $0 Highest Income: $0

Average Income
Sum of Incomes Loans Made Average Annual Income
$1,493,184 16 $93,324

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 01 01 00 01 00 13 16
Percentage of Loans 6.25% 6.25% 0% 6.25% 0% 81.25% 100%

3. Loan Type

Loan Type
Type of Loan Number of Loans Percentage of loans
Revolving Loans 16 100%
Partnership Loans
Without interest buy-down or loan guarantee 00 0%
With interest buy-down only 00 0%
With loan guarantee only 00 0%
With both interest buy-down and loan guarantee 00 0%
Total 16 100%

Loan Type Summary
Type of Loan Number of Loans Dollar Value of Loans
Revolving Loans 16 $372,093
Partnership Loans 00 $0
Total 16 $372,093

4. Interest Rates

Interest Rates
Lowest 2%
Highest 2%

Interest Rate Summary
Sum of Interest Rates Number of Loans Made Average Interest Rate
32 16 2%

Number of Loans Made by Interest Rate
Interest Rate Number of loans
0.0% to 2.0% 16
2.1% to 4.0% 00
4.1% to 6.0% 00
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 16

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 01 $8,035
Daily living 02 $23,066
Environmental adaptations 00 $0
Vehicle modification and transportation 12 $338,308
Computers and related 00 $0
Recreation, sports, and leisure 01 $2,684
Total 16 $372,093

6. Defaults

Defaults
Number Loans in default 00
Net loss for loans in default $0

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 ResidenceIndividuals Served
A. Metro (RUCC 1-3)15
B. Non-Metro (RUCC 4-9)12
C. Total Served27

Performance Measure
D. Excluded from Performance Measure0
E. Number of Individuals Included in Performance Measures27

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 9$1,806
Hearing 7$616
Speech communication0$0
Learning, cognition, and developmental 5$503
Mobility, seating and positioning5$6,222
Daily living 31$7,222
Environmental adaptations4$5,016
Vehicle modification and transportation 0$0
Computers and related 0$0
Recreation, sports, and leisure1$2,000
Total62$23,385



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

A man living on a homestead in rural North Dakota loves gardening and being outside. However, he can't walk unless the surface is smooth and even, so he uses a wheelchair to get around his yard. A traditional wheelchair just doesn't work well on rough surfaces, especially in a place where there is loose dirt and debris. He requested, and ND Assistive granted through its Possibilities Grant program, an Action Trackchair. This chair has tractor-like wheels on a scooter-type chair, allowing him to easily get around his yard. The Possibilities Grant provided $2000 toward the purchase of this device which can run more than $15,000. Combined with ND Assistive's Assistive Technology Financial Loan he's now able to get around his yard, work in his garden, and enjoy nature. We felt especially good about this match because he was able to test drive one of these chair before he bought it - nothing like a demo to help make a decision!! One of his bounties is growing popcorn. The person who coordinates this program at ND Assistive says it's delicious! He shared some with her as gratitude for the grant and loan.

Impact Area

The family of a young lady who has epilepsy, spastic quadriplegia, bilateral cortical blindness, and global development delay due to monoallelic mutation of KCNT1 gene was approved for financial loan for an adapted vehicle. Prior to acquiring the vehicle, her caregivers, mainly her parents, lifted her and her wheelchair by hand into and out of their minivan. They liked the minivan they were currently driving because it allowed her parents to remain seat belted while being able to reach their daughter. Their request was to adapt their current vehicle to lower the floor, allow ramp access, and automate the door. The modificant came in at a little more than $33,000. The loan was approved in the summer of 2024 and on Sept. 6 we received this note, "It is an absolute game changer. K***** and I drove it out of the lot and cried tears of joy. It’s removing barriers for us and we’re grateful for ND Assistive’ s role in making this possible."

Impact Area

E. Performance Measures

Performance Measures
Response Primary Purpose for Which AT is Needed Total
Education Employment Community Living
1. Could only afford the AT through the AT program. 00 00 42 42
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 42 42
5. None of the above 00 00 01 01
6. Subtotal 00 00 43 43
7. Nonrespondent 00 00 00 00
8. Total 00 00 43 43
9. Performance on this measure NaN% NaN% 97.67%

F. Customer Satisfaction

Satisfaction
Customer Rating of Services Number of Customers Percent
Highly satisfied 43 100%
Satisfied 00 0%
Satisfied somewhat 00 0%
Not at all satisfied 00 0%
Nonrespondent 00 0%
Total Surveyed 43
Response rate % 100%

G. Notes:

Reutilization

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 111
C. Total 111

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 111

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 Number of Devices Exchanged Total Estimated Current Purchase Price Total Price for Which Device(s) Were Exchanged 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 00 $0 $0 $0
Daily Living 00 $0 $0 $0
Environmental Adaptations 00 $0 $0 $0
Vehicle Modification & Transportation 00 $0 $0 $0
Computers and Related 00 $0 $0 $0
Recreation, Sports and Leisure 00 $0 $0 $0
Total 00 $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 02 $208 $0 $208
Hearing 77 $8,532 $0 $8,532
Speech Communication 04 $932 $0 $932
Learning, Cognition and Developmental 03 $488 $0 $488
Mobility, Seating and Positioning 01 $35 $0 $35
Daily Living 22 $6,600 $0 $6,600
Environmental Adaptations 01 $90 $0 $90
Vehicle Modification & Transportation 00 $0 $0 $0
Computers and Related 01 $450 $0 $450
Recreation, Sports and Leisure 00 $0 $0 $0
Total 111 $17,335 $0 $17,335

D. Anecdote

A woman from a small town in the extreme southwest part of the state made the big step to move out of her parent's home at the age of 50. Life in her parent's home was getting to be very difficult. The challenges for her revolved around her weight (she is very thin) and very low vision. One of the people she had been working with at the ND School for the Blind suggested she use a talking scale so she could weigh herself regularly and start managing her weight. We happened to have one in our device reuse inventory and provided it to her. We heard back from her and the ND School for the Blind and by having the scale available to weigh herself often she is gaining weight, and we even heard that she bought a crock pot and cooks on her own for the first time in her life!

Impact Area

E. Performance Measures

Performance Measures
Response Primary Purpose for Which AT is Needed Total
Education Employment Community Living
1. Could only afford the AT through the AT program. 00 02 91 93
2. AT was only available through the AT program. 00 00 04 04
3. AT was available through other programs, but the system was too complex or the wait time too long. 00 00 07 07
4. Subtotal 00 02 102 104
5. None of the above 00 00 03 03
6. Subtotal 00 02 105 107
7. Nonrespondent 00 00 04 04
8. Total 00 02 109 111
9. Performance on this measure NaN% 100% 93.58%

F. Customer Satisfaction

Satisfaction
Customer Rating of Services Number of Customers Percent
Highly satisfied 86 77.48%
Satisfied 14 12.61%
Satisfied somewhat 06 5.41%
Not at all satisfied 00 0%
Nonrespondent 05 4.5%
Total Surveyed 111
Response rate % 95.5%

G. Notes:

Device Loan

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) 225
Serve as loaner during service repair or while waiting for funding 06
Provide an accommodation on a short-term basis for a time-limited event/situation 02
Conduct training, self-education or other professional development activity 01
Total 234

B. Short-Term Device Loan by Type of Borrower

LOANS BY TYPE OF BORROWER
Type of Individual or Entity Number of Device Borrowers
Desicion-making All other Purposes Total
Individuals with Disabilities 94 05 99
Family Members, Guardians, and Authorized Representatives 62 02 64
Representative of Education 29 00 29
Representative of Employment 02 00 02
Representatives of Health, Allied Health, and Rehabilitation 35 00 35
Representatives of Community Living 02 00 02
Representatives of Technology 01 02 03
Total 225 09 234

C. Length of Short-Term Device Loans

Length of Short-Term Device Loan in Days 42

D. Types of Devices Loaned

Types of Devices Loaned
Type of AT Device Number of Devices
Desicion-making All other Purposes Total
Vision 23 02 25
Hearing 26 01 27
Speech Communication 24 03 27
Learning, Cognition and Developmental 19 01 20
Mobility, Seating and Positioning 12 00 12
Daily Living 117 02 119
Environmental Adaptations 26 00 26
Vehicle Modification and Transportation 00 00 00
Computers and Related 61 00 61
Recreation, Sports and Leisure 00 00 00
Total 308 09 317

E. Anecdote

Kids love toys. But they don't love all toys. They can be picky and the investment for some people can be stressful because nobody wants to buy a toy a kid won't play with. One story that sticks with us this year is of a family of a five year old boy from West Fargo who borrowed four toys from our loan library so they could decide which one he liked best. The toys were Baby Einstein Take Along Tunes, a Rolly Poly Calf (his favorite), Griswlde Bear, and the Color Bug. The family was extremely thankful to have the opportunity to not only borrow the device for trial, but to learn of all the types of toys available. So many people don't even know what they don't know, and this is a good example of how a robust loan library with many options can open eyes to AT.

Impact Area

F. Access Performance Measures

Access Performance Measures
Response Primary Purpose for Which AT is Needed Total
Education Employment Community Living
Decided that AT device/service will meet needs 32 08 134 174
Decided that an AT device/ service will not meet needs 07 01 36 44
Subtotal 39 09 170 218
Have not made a decision 01 00 06 07
Subtotal 40 09 176 225
Nonrespondent 00 00 00 00
Total 40 09 176 225
Performance on this measure 97.5% 100% 96.59%

G. Acquisition Performance Measures

Acquisition Performance Measures
Response Primary Purpose for Which AT is Needed Total
Education Employment Community Living
1. Could only afford the AT through the AT program. 00 00 07 07
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 07 07
5. None of the above 00 00 02 02
6. Subtotal 00 00 09 09
7. Nonrespondent 00 00 00 00
8. Total 00 00 09 09
9. Performance on this measure NaN% NaN% 77.78%

H. Customer Satisfaction

Satisfaction
Customer Rating of Services Number of Customers Percent
Highly satisfied 187 79.91%
Satisfied 38 16.24%
Satisfied somewhat 06 2.56%
Not at all satisfied 03 1.28%
Nonrespondent 00 0%
Total Surveyed 234
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 62
Hearing 90
Speech Communication 23
Learning, Cognition and Developmental 83
Mobility, Seating and Positioning 29
Daily Living 159
Environmental Adaptations 54
Vehicle Modification and Transportation 01
Computers and Related 29
Recreation, Sports and Leisure 01
Total # of Device Demonstrations 531

B. Types of Participants

Type of Participant Decision-Makers Other Participants Total
Individuals with Disabilities 288 243 531
Family Members, Guardians, and Authorized Representatives 208 569 777
Representatives of Education 10 32 42
Representatives of Employment 04 14 18
Health, Allied Health, Rehabilitation 13 48 61
Representative of Community Living 08 35 43
Representative of Technology 00 00 00
Total 531 941 1,472

C. Number of Referrals

Referrals
Type of Entity Number of Referrals
Funding Source (non-AT program) 41
Service Provider 33
Vendor 578
Repair Service 00
Others 47
Total 699

D. Anecdote

A woman has had rheumatoid arthritis since she was three. It stunted her growth dramatically. As an adult, she lives with her sister and together they've started a jewelry business out of their home. The client tried several devices through ND Assisive's demonstration program. The devices she tried included arm supports, a microphone for voice control, keyboards, and a roller mouse. She did end up acquiring most of those devices through vocational rehabilitation. Our partnership with Voc Rehab also led to an assessment of her living space, so we ended up helping her acquire devices for her kitchen and bathroom too, via different pay sources including ND Assistive's last resort program.

Impact Area

E. Performance Measures

Performance Measures
Response Primary Purpose for Which AT is Needed Total
Education Employment Community Living
Decided that AT device/service will meet needs 21 17 480 518
Decided that an AT device/ service will not meet needs 00 01 03 04
Subtotal 21 18 483 522
Have not made a decision 01 00 07 08
Subtotal 22 18 490 530
Nonrespondent 00 00 01 01
Total 22 18 491 531
Performance on this measure 95.45% 100% 98.37%

F. Customer Satisfaction

Satisfaction
Customer Rating of Services Number of Customers Percent
Highly satisfied 1,449 98.44%
Satisfied 23 1.56%
Satisfied somewhat 00 0%
Not at all satisfied 00 0%
Nonrespondent 00 0%
Total 1,472
Response rate % 100%

G. Notes:

Overall Performance Measures

Overall Acquisition Performance Measure

Acquisition Performance Measures
Response Primary Purpose for Which AT is Needed Total
Education Employment Community Living
1. Could only afford the AT through the AT program. 00 02 140 142
2. AT was only available through the AT program. 00 00 04 04
3. AT was available through other programs, but the system was too complex or the wait time too long. 00 00 07 07
4. Subtotal 00 02 151 153
5. None of the above 00 00 06 06
6. Subtotal 00 02 157 159
7. Nonrespondent 00 00 04 04
8. Total 00 02 161 163
9. Performance on this measure NaN% 100% 89.44% 89.57%
ACL Performance Measure 85%
Met/Not Met Met

Overall Access Performance Measure

Access Performance Measures
Response Primary Purpose for Which AT is Needed Total
Education Employment Community Living
Decided that AT device/service will meet needs 53 25 614 692
Decided that an AT device/ service will not meet needs 07 02 39 48
Subtotal 60 27 653 740
Have not made a decision 02 00 13 15
Subtotal 62 27 666 755
Nonrespondent 00 00 01 01
Total 62 27 667 756
Performance on this measure 96.77% 100% 97.9% 97.88%
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 99.19% 95% Met
Response Rate 99.73% 90% Met

Educational/Training Activities

A. Educational/Training Activity Participants: Number and Types of Participants; Geographical Distribution

Educational/Training Activities by Participant Type
Type of Participant Number
Individuals with Disabilities 08
Family Members, Guardians and Authorized Representatives 01
Representatives of Education 19
Representatives of Employment 38
Rep Health, Allied Health, and Rehabilitation 304
Representatives of Community Living 55
Representatives of Technology 11
Unable to Categorize 07
TOTAL 443

Geographic Distribution of Participants
Metro Non Metro Unknown TOTAL
72 70 301 443

B. Educational/Training Activity Topics

Educational/Training Activities by Topic
Primary Topic of Educational/Training Activities Participants
AT Products/Services 150
AT Funding/Policy/ Practice 50
Combination of any/all of the above 37
Information Technology/Telecommunication Access 59
Transition 147
Total 443

C. Description of Educational/Training Activities

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

In January 2024, ND Assistive delivered two presentations at the national Assistive Technology Industry Association (ATIA) Conference as part of the newly launched Aging and Assistive Technology (AT) Strand, developed with support from an ND Assistive team member. The first session, "Aging and AT Spotlight: Aging Everywhere, All at Once," provided an overview of Aging and AT and introduced the purpose of the Strand. The second presentation, "Small Investment, Big Impact: 20 Years of Helping Older Adults Age in Place," highlighted the outcomes and insights from ND Assistive’s 20-year ND Senior Safety Equipment Distribution Program, offering a model for replication. Both sessions were well-received, equipping attendees with actionable insights and resources to enhance their own programs in supporting older adults.

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

In late 2024, ND Assistive launched a new initiative to provide assistive technology (AT) assessments led by occupational therapists through North Dakota’s Money Follows the Person (MFP) Program, on a fee-for-service basis. These assessments are designed to identify and implement AT solutions that support individuals transitioning from nursing homes and other institutional settings back into community living. To streamline the assessment process, ND Assistive held a specialized training in May 2024 for 38 MFP Transition Coordinators. The training covered key topics, including the referral process for AT assessments, a detailed walk-through of the assessment procedures, information on the North Dakota Assistive Technology Act programs and other relevant programs, and an overview of AT solutions that facilitate aging in place. As a result of this training, the assessment process has become more efficient, with a notable increase in referrals for AT assessments, ultimately enhancing support for individuals transitioning to community-based living.

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

With support from the Public Health Workforce grant, North Dakota Assistive and Minnesota’s Assistive Technology Act Program (MN Star) have teamed up to produce a series of monthly webinars and concise equipment demonstration videos. To date, we've conducted 20 webinars and developed 54 training videos. This year, we hosted four expert-led webinars focused on Information and Communication Technology (ICT) topics: "How to Write Alt Text," "Accessible Social Media," "Accessible PowerPoint Presentations," and "Accessible Word Documents." Each session equipped attendees with practical skills and included access to valuable resources, such as the AT3 Center’s Digital Accessibility Courses, allowing participants to deepen their knowledge of digital accessibility at their own pace. The webinar recording has been made accessible to the public on ND Assistive and MN STAR's YouTube channels, extending its reach and impact: ND Assistive’s YouTube site: https://www.youtube.com/@ndassistive.

D. IT/Telecommunications Educational/Training Activity Performance Measure

IT/Telecommunications Educational/Training Activity Performance Measure
Outcome/Result From IT/Telecommunications Educational/Training Activities Received Number
IT and Telecommunications Procurement or Dev Policies 32
Training or Technical Assistance will be developed or implemented 27
No known outcome at this time 00
Nonrespondent 00
Total 59
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 00%
Employment 00%
Health, Allied Health, Rehabilitation 00%
Community Living 100%
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:

During this period, ND Assistive provided technical assistance as a member of both the USAging/ACL Commit to Connect Advisory Committee and the USAging Family Caregiver Services and Supports SDOH Workgroup. Some of the information contributed to the Workgroup was included in the new SDOH Action Guide.

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

North Dakota Assistive remains actively involved in providing assistive technology (AT) technical assistance across several transition-focused task forces and workgroups. These include the Money Follows the Person (MFP) Task Force, Department of Justice (DOJ) Settlement meetings, and the ND Workforce and Technology Group. In a new collaboration this year, ND Assistive began working closely with the MFP administration team to further streamline the AT assessment process and enhance service delivery. The primary objective of these efforts is to support individuals in avoiding unnecessary institutional placements or in successfully transitioning from institutional settings back into the community. Through ongoing technical assistance, ND Assistive aims to ensure that individuals have access to the necessary AT solutions and resources to facilitate independent living and community integration.

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. We began working with KOVC radio in Valley City, ND on a monthly spot on a show they created called the Senior Minute. We pre-record a conversation about one of our programs or some helpful assistive device and it is broadcast multiple times during the following week. The reach is about 500, with a very targeted older population in an area that is 60 miles away from our closest office/demonstration center. Because they are pre-recorded, they will run the spots occasionally, even when not regularly scheduled. It's all done for free as a service to their local population. The radio station is one of the few remaining in the area that delivers timely news, so it is a trusted source of information.

2. One of the Native American reservations in North Dakota hosted a community health fair at the public high school. ND Assistive set up a display table featuring some education, employment, and community living devices. It was one of the first opportunities for us to show the public the companion pets we ordered for demonstration. The public was free to come and go throughout the day and we saw close to 100 people. The students, however, were released to visit the health fair by classes. The first group gravitated to our table and fell in love with the companion cat we had on display. And throughout the day, word spread throughout the school so when new classes were released to attend, crowds of students made a beeline to our table. When a local radio station covering the event saw all the attention we were getting, they put us on the air to talk about it. This was a high impact event with an underserved population. We'll definitely repeat this event.

Information And Assistance

Information And Assistance Activities by Recipient
Types of Recipients AT Device/
Service		 AT Funding Total
Individuals with Disabilities 89 828 917
Family Members, Guardians and Authorized Representatives 263 02 265
Representative of Education 36 02 38
Representative of Employment 12 00 12
Representative of Health, Allied Health, and Rehabilitation 96 06 102
Representative of Community Living 75 08 83
Representative of Technology 05 02 07
Unable to Categorize 06 00 06
Total 582 848 1,430

Referral Types:

Last year we committed to hiring a marketing director. We've intensified our presence on social media and online through Google. We want ND Assistive to be the first place people see when they search for help in a number of areas including remaining in their own homes and finding meaningful employment. In addition, we do many public-facing events covering the entire state. We've also recruited 23 volunteer ambassadors in rural areas across the state to help us spread the word about assistive technology. They have kits with about 15 AT devices to share with their neighbors in small North Dakota towns. We've collected data that shows utilization of ND Assistive's program increased in every county where an ambassador has a kit (and has had it long enough for data to be meaningful). The other thing worth mentioning is that we have many programs to promote, which allows us to constantly cross-promote. For instance, we may go on a local TV show to talk about our Senior Safety program. But that allows us to talk about all the other services we can provide, including demonstrations, device loans, and financial assistance through the AT Act. It keeps our messages fresh and provides new opportunities to promote all of our programs.

Referral Sources:

We believe our best work is done when we collaborate with other professionals and referral sources. With that in mind, we've been building relationships with referral agencies for many years. Our main referral sources are case managers or counselors working in state agencies. We have a robust relationship with divisions of Aging Services and Vocational Rehabilitation. Their workers refer many of their clients to us, and we work closely with them to find solutions. In addition, Aging Services, and the state's Developmental Disabilities Division work with us to help clients discover the benefits of, and acquire, assistive technology devices through the state's Medicaid Waivers. The state schools for the blind and the deaf/hard of hearing also refer many people to us. These types of state agencies refer about 70% of our clients. The others come from Occupational Therapists, Audiologists, and in-home caregivers we meet through our involvement in community elder service networks. One organization we've seen a real uptick from is a memory service clinic in the capital city. They work with Alzheimer's and dementia patients. The AT Consultants in Bismarck get a new referral once every couple of weeks from them. The caregivers in those situations are feeling so much stress. It's been nice to assist in that area.

Notes:

Coordination/Collaboration and State Improvement Outcomes

Overview of Coordination/Collaboration Activities

Yes
Yes
This year, ND Assistive engaged in multiple meetings with representatives from the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) to explore ways to enhance access to and acquisition of assistive technology (AT) for students. These efforts were supported by funding from the Assistive Technology (AT) Act, emphasizing the shared commitment to expanding AT resources and improving accessibility for students across North Dakota.
Last spring we joined ATAP/AT3's Education PAL cohort with the goal of building a relationship with our state education agency (in North Dakota called the Department of Public Instruction (DPI)). After months of discussions and planning we decided to start slowly by recruiting liaisons from special education units across the state to represent their units as an assistive technology expert. The kick-off was an in-person public awareness event held at the state capitol in Bismarck where special education unit directors heard from ND Assistive and DPI about the benefits of assistive technology devices and how the AT Act can provide demonstrations and device loans to the teachers and families in their schools. We asked the roughly 40 attendees to volunteer themselves, or someone from their districts, to act as a liaison, hoping for about 15 positive responses. We received 25 (out of 31 special education units) within a few days.
NA

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

Education, Employment, Transition (school to work or congregate care to community), Aging and Disability Network/No Wrong Door,

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

Device Loan, Demo, Reuse, Training, Information & Assistance, Public Awareness,
Yes
Yes
Throughout the year, ND Assistive held multiple meetings with the Director of ND Vocational Rehabilitation to improve access to and acquisition of assistive technology (AT) for VR clients. One of the key solutions discussed was the need for more AT training for VR counselors. To address this need, an "AT for Work" webinar took place in January, featuring insights from ND Assistive and MN Star staff, along with representatives from both ND and MN Vocational Rehabilitation. The webinar focused on specific AT tools and strategies that can help individuals succeed in the workplace. In September, ND Vocational Rehabilitation counselors and staff participated in a virtual training session led by ND Assistive, which covered ND Assistive’s services and introduced effective AT solutions tailored for employment settings.
These educational initiatives have already led to an increase in referrals to ND Assistive for device demonstrations, loans, and fee-for-service AT assessments, as observed through anecdotal reports. Moving forward, ND Assistive plans to continue offering annual training sessions to ensure that VR staff are well-informed and equipped to support VR clients' AT needs effectively.
NA

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

Education, Employment, Transition (school to work or congregate care to community),

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

Device Loan, Demo, Reuse, Training, Information & Assistance,
Yes
Yes
ND was one of 16 states invited to a national Respite Care summit hosted by the National Academy for State Health Policy, where invitees shared experiences and searched for solutions for unpaid caregivers who desperately need a break from their duties. ND Assistive's executive director was invited by representatives from the ND Department of Health and Human Services to represent the state as its non-state agency participant. Discussion ranged from the struggle to recruit caregivers to utilize respite services to the role assistive technology can have in providing solace to caregivers taking time away. Each state provided examples of successful initiatives and was asked to implement one thing they had not yet done.
North Dakota's older adult and respite care programs have considered AT as a tool for some time. There is a close relationship with the ND Aging Services Division and ND Assistive, which prompted the inclusion of ND Assistive in this experience. North Dakota's implementation project was to research and choose a caregiver index tool designed to help people recognize themselves as caregivers, with the hope that more people recognizing their role would increase requests for other services, including AT devices. At least one other state, New York, took the knowledge and experience provided by the North Dakota delegation, to choose as their goal to add the use of AT to their master plan for aging.
NA

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

Housing/Home Automation, Community Participation and Integration, Aging, Transition (school to work or congregate care to community), Aging and Disability Network/No Wrong Door,

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

Public Awareness,
Yes
Yes
ND Assistive continued its collaboration with the North Dakota Aging Services Division to enhance access to home modifications and specialized equipment for recipients of the HCBS Medicaid Waiver, which is overseen by the division. Through regular meetings, ND Assistive engaged in collaborative discussions to identify barriers and develop solutions to AT access through the waivers, supporting waiver participants more effectively. These activities were funded by AT Act dollars.
As a direct result of this year’s meetings, ND Assistive worked with the state to address a shortage of building contractors willing to become Medicaid vendors for Environmental Modifications under the ND HCBS Waiver. Currently, only one contractor in the state is available to meet the needs of Medicaid recipients who require accessible home modifications, such as ramps or walk-in showers, resulting in long waits or unmet needs for hundreds of individuals. A few years ago, ND Assistive proposed acting as a “pass-through” organization, paying contractors and then being reimbursed by the state once work was completed. While this was approved and incorporated into the waiver, challenges emerged: contractors often required large down payments upfront, and there was a risk of reimbursement delays or even non-reimbursement if a client’s circumstances changed mid-project, such as moving to a more restrictive setting. To address these obstacles, ND Assistive recommended establishing a large, restricted, revolving fund, similar to the ND Assistive AT Financial Loan Program. This fund would be used to pay contractors and accommodate those Environmental Modification requests. This fund would also act as a safety net if the Waiver recipient’s circumstances changed. In September 2024, this solution was approved by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and the state provided dollars for the To Be Named Fund, paving the way for greater access to essential Environmental Modifications.
NA

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

Housing/Home Automation, Community Participation and Integration, Aging, Transition (school to work or congregate care to community), Aging and Disability Network/No Wrong Door,

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

State Financing, Technical Assistance,
Additional Coordination/Collaboration activities 0

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? 01

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.

Through the partnership between ND Assistive and the North Dakota Aging Services Division, a CMS-approved revolving, restricted fund was established to support Environmental Modifications under the ND HCBS Waiver. This To Be Named Fund enables ND Assistive to pay contractors directly for modification projects and then seek reimbursement from Medicaid once the project is complete, with funds returning to the program. For additional details, please refer to the Coordination and Collaboration–Medicaid section.


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.)

In September 2024, ND Assistive was offered a contract to administer the To Be Named Fund mentioned in #1. Starting in October 2024, the contract will be negotiated, the policies and procedures will be written, and the program will be implemented allowing all those in need to have Environmental Modifications under the HCBS Waiver to prevent them from entering a more restrictive environment. Please contact Mike Chaussee, ND Assistive’s Executive Director at mchaussee@ndassistive.org or Nancy Maier, ND Aging Services Division Director at nmaier@nd.gov .


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

Community Living

Additional And Leveraged Funds

Did you have Additional and Leveraged Funding to Report? Yes

A. Leveraged Funding for State Plan Activities

Fund Source Amount Use of Funds Data Reported
State Appropriations$15,000TrainingTrue
State Appropriations$20,000State FinancingTrue
State Appropriations$90,000Device LoanTrue
Public/State Agency$37,254TrainingTrue
State Appropriations$50,000Public Awareness, I&ATrue
State Appropriations$50,000ReuseTrue
State Appropriations$90,000DemonstrationTrue
State Appropriations$15,000Technical AssistanceTrue
Amount: $367,254

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.

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).

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This FY24 State AT Program Annual Progress Report was exported from the National Assistive Technology Act Data System (NATADS). NATADS was developed with partial support from the Center for Assistive Technology Act Data Assistance.