National Assistive Technology Act Data System

Annual Progress Report - Full Report

Back to state program information page

West Virginia 2024

General Information

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

State AT Program Title:
West Virginia Assistive Technology System (WVATS)
State AT Program Title:
State AT Program URL
http://wvats.cedwvu.org/
Mailing Address:
959 Hartman Run Rd
City:
Morgantown
State:
WV
Zip Code:
26505
Program Email:
wvats@hsc.wvu.edu
Phone:
304-293-4692
TTY:
304-293-6496

Lead Agency

Agency Name:
West Virginia University, Center for Excellence in Disabilities
Mailing Address:
959 Hartman Run Rd
City:
Morgantown
State:
WV
Zip Code:
26505
Program URL:
http://cedwvu.org/

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):
Cumpston, Douglas
Title:
Principal Investigator
Phone:
304-293-4692
E-mail:
douglas.cumpston@hsc.wvu.edu
Program Director at Lead Agency (last, first):
Cumpston, Douglas
Title:
Principal Investigator
Phone:
304-2934692
E-mail:
douglas.cumpston@hsc.wvu.edu
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):
Cumpston, Douglas
Title:
Principal Investigator
Phone:
304-293-4692
E-mail:
douglas.cumpston@hsc.wvu.edu

State Financing

Did your approved state plan for this reporting period include any State Financing? No
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? 0


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

Impact Area

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 00 00
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 00 00
5. None of the above 00 00 00 00
6. Subtotal 00 00 00 00
7. Nonrespondent 00 00 00 00
8. Total 00 00 00 00
9. Performance on this measure NaN% NaN% NaN%

F. Customer Satisfaction

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

G. Notes:

Reutilization

A. Number of Recipients of Reused Devices

Activity Number of Individuals Receiving a Device from Activity
A. Device Exchange 23
B. Device Refurbish/Repair - Reassign and/or Open Ended Loan 00
C. Total 23

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 23

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 05 $1,285 $0 $1,285
Hearing 00 $0 $0 $0
Speech Communication 01 $49 $0 $49
Learning, Cognition and Developmental 03 $390 $0 $390
Mobility, Seating and Positioning 19 $16,109 $0 $16,109
Daily Living 14 $8,997 $0 $8,997
Environmental Adaptations 03 $610 $0 $610
Vehicle Modification & Transportation 00 $0 $0 $0
Computers and Related 04 $9,100 $0 $9,100
Recreation, Sports and Leisure 02 $100 $0 $100
Total 51 $36,640 $0 $36,640

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 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

D. Anecdote

WVATS was able to provide an electric wheelchair to a West Virginia resident located in the southern part of the state. This individual was unable to come to Morgantown to pick the wheelchair up. Because she was unable to pick up the wheelchair, WVATS was able to schedule a drop off with her while we were attending an event in the same area where her home is located. We dropped the wheelchair off to this individual and they were so grateful. They expressed how this will allow them to go out into their community to attend events, like RibFest, Christmas Light Shows, and much more. This has given her independence to navigate her community and participate in local events, as well as navigate her home when needed. She had attempted multiple times to get this device through insurance, but unfortunately was denied. Paying out of pocket for this device was too much for this individual and was not 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 00 00
2. AT was only available through the AT program. 03 01 19 23
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 03 01 19 23
5. None of the above 00 00 00 00
6. Subtotal 03 01 19 23
7. Nonrespondent 00 00 00 00
8. Total 03 01 19 23
9. Performance on this measure 100% 100% 100%

F. Customer Satisfaction

Satisfaction
Customer Rating of Services Number of Customers Percent
Highly satisfied 23 100%
Satisfied 00 0%
Satisfied somewhat 00 0%
Not at all satisfied 00 0%
Nonrespondent 00 0%
Total Surveyed 23
Response rate % 100%

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) 251
Serve as loaner during service repair or while waiting for funding 57
Provide an accommodation on a short-term basis for a time-limited event/situation 15
Conduct training, self-education or other professional development activity 10
Total 333

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 169 62 231
Family Members, Guardians, and Authorized Representatives 17 04 21
Representative of Education 13 05 18
Representative of Employment 01 00 01
Representatives of Health, Allied Health, and Rehabilitation 51 11 62
Representatives of Community Living 00 00 00
Representatives of Technology 00 00 00
Total 251 82 333

C. Length of Short-Term Device Loans

Length of Short-Term Device Loan in Days 30

D. Types of Devices Loaned

Types of Devices Loaned
Type of AT Device Number of Devices
Desicion-making All other Purposes Total
Vision 14 08 22
Hearing 00 01 01
Speech Communication 58 09 67
Learning, Cognition and Developmental 72 14 86
Mobility, Seating and Positioning 16 15 31
Daily Living 96 83 179
Environmental Adaptations 28 04 32
Vehicle Modification and Transportation 01 00 01
Computers and Related 11 02 13
Recreation, Sports and Leisure 61 08 69
Total 357 144 501

E. Anecdote

We received a phone call from a family that was in town with their young 6-year-old daughter for a few medical appointments when the hospital referred her to us to assist with their dilemma. Their daughter has cerebral palsy and must utilize a wheelchair, which they had purchased for her a year prior. At the time they had to make the purchase, they wanted to make sure she had a chair she could use for years to come. They soon realized that the larger chair they hoped she would have time to grow into meant that she could not use the wheelchair independently due to the weight and size of it. They were hoping that we had a smaller wheelchair she could try to see if she would like it and be able to use it before they attempted to get a new one themselves. Since we have one available in our library, they came straight over after her last appointment to try it out. Upon arrival to our office, the parents explained to her that she would be trying a new wheelchair that she could move all by herself. The father assisted his daughter in moving over to the children’s wheelchair. We modeled to her how to move the wheels herself using an adult wheelchair. Using all her might, she figured out how to push and pull the wheels to get herself to move around. Within minutes, she was across the room to look at toys on the shelf. Although when she initially arrived, she was visibly tired from her day of doctor’s appointments, she had now perked up and was ready to explore. Her parents ended up borrowing the wheelchair and reported that she loved her newfound independence and was excited to try it around school.

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 71 03 173 247
Decided that an AT device/ service will not meet needs 00 00 02 02
Subtotal 71 03 175 249
Have not made a decision 01 00 01 02
Subtotal 72 03 176 251
Nonrespondent 00 00 00 00
Total 72 03 176 251
Performance on this measure 98.61% 100% 99.43%

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 02 02
2. AT was only available through the AT program. 02 00 70 72
3. AT was available through other programs, but the system was too complex or the wait time too long. 04 00 03 07
4. Subtotal 06 00 75 81
5. None of the above 01 00 00 01
6. Subtotal 07 00 75 82
7. Nonrespondent 00 00 00 00
8. Total 07 00 75 82
9. Performance on this measure 85.71% NaN% 100%

H. Customer Satisfaction

Satisfaction
Customer Rating of Services Number of Customers Percent
Highly satisfied 330 99.1%
Satisfied 01 0.3%
Satisfied somewhat 02 0.6%
Not at all satisfied 00 0%
Nonrespondent 00 0%
Total Surveyed 333
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 00
Hearing 00
Speech Communication 12
Learning, Cognition and Developmental 09
Mobility, Seating and Positioning 00
Daily Living 02
Environmental Adaptations 12
Vehicle Modification and Transportation 00
Computers and Related 01
Recreation, Sports and Leisure 11
Total # of Device Demonstrations 47

B. Types of Participants

Type of Participant Decision-Makers Other Participants Total
Individuals with Disabilities 01 11 12
Family Members, Guardians, and Authorized Representatives 17 73 90
Representatives of Education 00 00 00
Representatives of Employment 00 00 00
Health, Allied Health, Rehabilitation 28 14 42
Representative of Community Living 00 00 00
Representative of Technology 01 02 03
Total 47 100 147

C. Number of Referrals

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

D. Anecdote

At the multidisciplinary clinic WVATS attends we were able to demonstrate two different switches on a switch adaptive bubble blowing toy. The child was in a wheelchair that had an activity tray attached to it. The mother expressed that the child loved bubbles but was frustrated because he was unable to manipulate the wand and blow them himself. With access to the switch, he was able to turn the machine on and off independently, allowing him to play and interact with his environment. The mother stated that she had no idea toys like that existed and was going to purchase the bubble machine and a switch for him so he could play with his siblings.

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 20 00 26 46
Decided that an AT device/ service will not meet needs 00 00 00 00
Subtotal 20 00 26 46
Have not made a decision 01 00 00 01
Subtotal 21 00 26 47
Nonrespondent 00 00 00 00
Total 21 00 26 47
Performance on this measure 95.24% NaN% 100%

F. Customer Satisfaction

Satisfaction
Customer Rating of Services Number of Customers Percent
Highly satisfied 89 60.54%
Satisfied 58 39.46%
Satisfied somewhat 00 0%
Not at all satisfied 00 0%
Nonrespondent 00 0%
Total 147
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 00 02 02
2. AT was only available through the AT program. 05 01 89 95
3. AT was available through other programs, but the system was too complex or the wait time too long. 04 00 03 07
4. Subtotal 09 01 94 104
5. None of the above 01 00 00 01
6. Subtotal 10 01 94 105
7. Nonrespondent 00 00 00 00
8. Total 10 01 94 105
9. Performance on this measure 50% 100% 96.81% 92.38%
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 91 03 199 293
Decided that an AT device/ service will not meet needs 00 00 02 02
Subtotal 91 03 201 295
Have not made a decision 02 00 01 03
Subtotal 93 03 202 298
Nonrespondent 00 00 00 00
Total 93 03 202 298
Performance on this measure 97.85% 100% 99.5% 98.99%
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 99.60% 95% Met
Response Rate 100% 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 75
Family Members, Guardians and Authorized Representatives 28
Representatives of Education 181
Representatives of Employment 00
Rep Health, Allied Health, and Rehabilitation 125
Representatives of Community Living 15
Representatives of Technology 00
Unable to Categorize 00
TOTAL 424

Geographic Distribution of Participants
Metro Non Metro Unknown TOTAL
349 75 00 424

B. Educational/Training Activity Topics

Educational/Training Activities by Topic
Primary Topic of Educational/Training Activities Participants
AT Products/Services 288
AT Funding/Policy/ Practice 00
Combination of any/all of the above 00
Information Technology/Telecommunication Access 36
Transition 100
Total 424

C. Description of Educational/Training Activities

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

WVATS presented at the WV Botanical Gardens on how to garden with arthritis. WVATS was able to bring ergonomic tools and garden kneelers for participants to try out. Participants were able to use the different tools in the soil and gardens surrounding the presentation area. Participants also got to share different barriers they might be experiencing and what AT might be able to help in those situations were suggested. WVATS was able to loan out some the the AT at the event and also show how some of the AT worked in the soil.

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

WVATS attended the WV Statewide Secondary Student Transition Conference at Stonewall Jackson Resort. The team presented accommodations that can assist younger adults with transition into higher education or the workforce. There was a hands-on activity with various assistive technology that was presented. After this training, several educators, therapists, etc. came up to us letting us know they were excited to learn about our program and that they plan to utilize our services in the future. Through this presentation we have gained more loans that are being sent out as well as these educators letting their schools,teams, and other coworkers know about our program and the services we provide.

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

WVATS was included in on the Center for Excellence on Disabilities ALLY trainings. WVATS completed an accessible document training teaching ALLYs how to make documents accessible to people with various disabilities. This was one of the requirements for individuals to finish their ALLY certification. WVATS trained on Word, PowerPoint, Adobe PDF, and various social media outlets.

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 36
Training or Technical Assistance will be developed or implemented 00
No known outcome at this time 00
Nonrespondent 00
Total 36
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 33%
Employment 23%
Health, Allied Health, Rehabilitation 00%
Community Living 44%
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:

WVATS was asked to provide direction on how to start an advisory council for farmers with disabilities in WV. WVATS sat in on several committee meetings with WVU Extension. WVATS was able to provide several key points of success on previous boards started and was successful. WVATS started with getting a list of key families in the area that would be a good starting point for farmers to get involved. WVATS then suggested they can get farm equipment dealers once they have farmers committed to joining. WVATS participated in a couple zoom calls after the initial meetings to monitor progress and provide feedback.

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

The WV Traumatic Brain Injury Program reached out to our program regarding possible workplace accommodations for a client. She struggled with tasks on the computer that she had to complete for her job. She is a remote employee who was not offered any support to ensure that her work provided laptop was accessible to her. The WVATS team hosted her for a one hour evaluation that was held at our workplace accommodation station. We allowed her to state the barriers she was facing accessing information and completing work related tasks, we then walked her through possible solutions she can implement on her laptop at home. She was thrilled with the solutions that were provided and planned to implement them at home immediately.

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. WVATS hosted the WVU Occupational Therapy first year students. The students were given a short presentation that gave a program overview, what is assistive technology, and how to utilize assistive technology to help clients remain independent. After the presentation, students were able to take a tour of our spaces with various devices set up and ready to be demonstrated. The students had great questions, wanted to learn more information about various devices, and really enjoyed their experience with us. Several students have borrowed devices from our lending library to utilize and demonstrate during their therapy sessions in their clinical rotations with clients. The professors and program are thrilled with this collaboration that has come from these presentations, they hope to continue bringing first year students to equip them with resources they can utilize themselves but also for their clients.

2.

Information And Assistance

Information And Assistance Activities by Recipient
Types of Recipients AT Device/
Service		 AT Funding Total
Individuals with Disabilities 111 65 176
Family Members, Guardians and Authorized Representatives 108 51 159
Representative of Education 08 02 10
Representative of Employment 01 01 02
Representative of Health, Allied Health, and Rehabilitation 62 19 81
Representative of Community Living 08 03 11
Representative of Technology 04 00 04
Unable to Categorize 00 01 01
Total 302 142 444

Referral Types:

WVATS has been able to utilize the WVU media department and social media to drive more interaction with the WVATS program. This has lead to more agencies reaching out and collaborating with WVATS. 4 Senior agencies that cover have reached out the entire state to open up communication about future events. 7 non-profits have asked to collaborate with WVATS this past year as a result of news stories or social media. We have also seen a influx of insurance providers calling for assistance after to presentations at conferences this year. WVATS has also been able to see some younger interaction with the AT champions program that promotes younger adults using AT.

Referral Sources:

Approximately 65% of our loans come from people with disabilities that have come in contact with the Center for Excellence with disabilities. Either through the website or from another program that is housed here with WVATS. Approximately 10% of WVATS referrals come from WVU and the emails that go out to the entire University and its affiliates. The rest of the referrals are a mixture of public awareness events and zoom presentations that we hold for groups around the state that want information for their clients and providers.

Notes:

Coordination/Collaboration and State Improvement Outcomes

Overview of Coordination/Collaboration Activities

Yes
Yes
1. WVATS partnered with the West Virginia Department of Education to provide evaluations and assessments to the students in need for IEP services. Monroe County Special Education department reached out regarding the program providing assessments for a few of their children who are needing additional support in the classroom. Monroe County Special Education Department paid the WVATS program an hourly rate for travel and assessment time.
a. WVATS has seen a need in the state for AT assessments in the individuals environment to better gauge their need for AT supports. The department of education reported that they would share information about in person AT assessments through the program. Monroe County stated that they had a student in mind who would benefit greatly from having an assessment done at the school. WVATS sent the program manager and AT specialist to assess the student on different aspects of his environment during the school day with assistive technology in mind to address barriers in accessing content throughout his school day. This is an ongoing initiative, after the first assessment being successful, Monroe County School District has scheduled another assessment. This is a fee-for-service program that WVATS runs that allows individuals access to an assistive technology assessment. The Department of Education pays WVATS to perform the assessment based off of the fee-for-service plan WVATS provided. In the future, WVATS will utilize their AT assessment forms, allowing growth and change to the forms to best fit the needs of the individual and their environment. WVATS advice for carrying out an initiative like this, it is foreseen that travel could become a budgetary issue but that is what the fee-for-service plan tries to buffer.

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

Education, Information and Communication Technology/Remote Connectivity,

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

Device Loan, Demo, Information & Assistance,
Yes
Yes
4. Through this year, WVATS has worked closely with the Disability Employment clinic to provide a space to demonstrate workplace accommodations to individuals wanting to transition back to employment or maintain current employment. WVATS alongside an employment specialist provides a space for individuals to come into WVATS to trial assistive technology in a mock office setting. WVATS provides their computer access AT, along with different softwares and computer hardware. After the appointment, WVATS provides a detailed email that provides an overview of the appointment, devices shown, and next steps for the individual in their workplace. No additional funds are needed as WVATS has this space and set up already implemented into their daily work space. Disability Employment clinic has provided educational materials for individuals wanting to return to work, providing mock interviews, and employment interest testing surveys.
a. WVATS has seen an increase in demonstrations, loans and face-to-face interactions with individuals with disabilities who are seeking employment. WVATS work with individuals with disabilities looking for or who are maintaining employment more frequently through this collaboration. The program has increased its workplace accommodations assistive technology in the loan library due to this collaboration. Since this partnership, WVATS has been invited to attend a Employment Transition Conference to be a presenter on the collaboration with the Disability Employment Clinic. Due to WVATS already having this workplace accommodation station in place, appointments were able to begin more easily and comfortably. WVATS hopes to partner with additional vocational rehabilitation agencies to have more mock office stations throughout the state in the future.

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

Employment, Transportation, Community Participation and Integration, Transition (school to work or congregate care to community), Information and Communication Technology/Remote Connectivity,

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

Demo, Training, Information & Assistance, Technical Assistance,
Yes
Yes
3. WVATS partnered with the Shepherdstown Area on Aging Agency to be a key part of their Aging in Place conference. The program has attended this conference twice annually, presenting to seniors and allowing them to have hands-on experience with assistive technology. WVATS funds were used to provide information rack cards to West Virginia seniors, travel funds for WVATS team members. Shepherdstown Area on Aging Agency provides the vendor funds for the conference to allow WVATS to present and hold space.
a. WVATS has seen an influx of seniors requesting assistive technology for staying independent in their own home. WVATS has seen an increase in calls from seniors and family members of how to age in place with appropriate support in place. Shepherdstown is located in an area of the state that was previously a place that had lower interaction when compared to other counties within the state. WVATS is looking to bring Shepherdstown University on as a sub-contracted loan library to allow seniors in the area easier access to assistive technology. The team has continued to be included on the conference planning committee, we plan on presenting and being present at the aging conference. WVATS has taken this success and is looking into other areas of the state where seniors are needing education and easier access to assistive technology related to aging.

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

Housing/Home Automation, Community Participation and Integration, Aging, Aging and Disability Network/No Wrong Door,

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

Device Loan, Reuse, Information & Assistance, Public Awareness,
Yes
Yes
2. WVATS has a collaboration with Encompass Health across the state. Encompass Health provides services for rehabilitation after illness or injury, giving clients direct services to occupation, physical, and speech therapists, in addition to physicians, nurses, pharmacists, etc. a full scope care team. WVATS was able to present a program overview to the care teams, letting them know how they could utilize our program but also how they can assist patients utilize our program and services. We are able to provide ramps, wheelchairs, etc. for patients when they are transitioning from Encompass facilities to their own homes.
a. Since the collaboration with Encompass, WVATS has seen an increase in Information and Assistant calls that turn into Loans of needed durable medical equipment to allow someone to transition to going home. AT has gained awareness in the population of people who are transitioning from rehabilitation centers to their home, allowing them to go home sooner than anticipated having that loan in place for the items needed. This collaboration opened up an avenue to assistive technology to individuals who have not heard of it before. Assistive technology discovery is on an as needed basis in West Virginia currently. The collaboration with Encompass has opened up the program to a new population of people who are in need of assistive technology to have access to it. WVATS has had to use their budget to add more items to the loan library that are more frequently asked for by the patients of Encompass with the influx of individuals putting in requests. WVATS had to ensure that the message was clearly defined with the parameter of the loan, it is a temporary loan, not something for them to keep.

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

Community Participation and Integration, Health, Aging, Transition (school to work or congregate care to community),

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

Device Loan, Demo, Reuse,
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? 00

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
Federal$10,000Public Awareness, I&ATrue
Amount: $10,000

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).

Back to state program information page | Top of page

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.