National Assistive Technology Act Data System

Annual Progress Report - Full Report

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Alabama 2025

General Information

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

State AT Program Title:

Accessing Potential Through Assistive Technology (APTAT)

State AT Program Title:

State AT Program URL

www.rehab.alabama.gov/services/vr/star

Mailing Address:

236 Goodwin Crest Drive

City:

Homewood

State:

Alabama

Zip Code:

35209

Program Email:

ashley.mcleroy@rehab.alabama.gov

Phone:

(205) 290-4466

TTY:

Lead Agency

Agency Name:

Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services

Mailing Address:

602 S. Lawrence Street

City:

Montgomery

State:

Alabama

Zip Code:

36104

Program URL:

https://www.rehab.alabama.gov

Implementing Entity

Does your Lead Agency contract with an Implementing Entity to carry out the Statewide AT Program on its behalf? (Check if Yes)

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):

McLeroy, Ashley

Title:

Director

Phone:

(205) 290-4466

E-mail:

ashley.mcleroy@rehab.alabama.gov

Program Director at Lead Agency (last, first):

Jenkins, Karen

Title:

Deputy Commissioner

Phone:

(334) 293-7108

E-mail:

karen.jenkins@rehab.alabama.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):

Burdeshaw, Jane Elizabeth

Title:

Commissioner

Phone:

(334) 293-7200

E-mail:

JE.Burdeshaw@rehab.alabama.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?

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?

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 Residence	Individuals Served
A. Metro (RUCC 1-3)	438
B. Non-Metro (RUCC 4-9)	83
C. Total Served	521

Performance Measure
D. Excluded from Performance Measure	0
E. Number of Individuals Included in Performance Measures	521

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 / Service	Number of Devices Funded	Value of AT Provided
Vision	1	$177
Hearing	3	$2,712
Speech communication	148	$143,271
Learning, cognition, and developmental	85	$145,251
Mobility, seating and positioning	164	$105,726
Daily living	20	$6,997
Environmental adaptations	10	$11,992
Vehicle modification and transportation	6	$9,436
Computers and related	0	$0
Recreation, sports, and leisure	84	$10,293
Total	521	$435,855

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?

Activity 1

How would you describe this state financing activity?

AT Fabrication or AT Maker Program

2. Geographic Distribution and Number of Individuals Served

County of Residence	Individuals Served
A. Metro (RUCC 1-3)	165
B. Non-Metro (RUCC 4-9)	5
C. Total Served	170

Performance Measure
D. Excluded from Performance Measure	0
E. Number of Individuals Included in Performance Measures	170

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 / Service	Number Provided	Total Estimated Current Retail Purchase Price	Total Price for Which Devices Were Sold	Savings to Consumers
Vision	0	$0	$0	$0
Hearing	0	$0	$0	$0
Speech communication	124	$5,670	$174	$5,496
Learning, cognition, and developmental	118	$4,301	$719	$3,582
Mobility, seating and positioning	0	$0	$0	$0
Daily living	0	$0	$0	$0
Environmental adaptations	0	$0	$0	$0
Vehicle modification and transportation	0	$0	$0	$0
Computers and related	66	$6,270	$330	$5,940
Recreation, sports, and leisure	0	$0	$0	$0
Total	308	$16,241	$1,223	$15,018

D. Anecdote

Our last resort funding partner, Libby’s Friends, helps purchase essential devices not covered by insurance. We received powerful feedback from the family of Atlas, a young child who received his Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) device ("talker") through the program. His mother reported that since getting the device, his vocabulary has "grown tremendously" and he is now "starting to string 3-5 word sentences together, both verbally and with his device." She concluded: "He will be starting kindergarten this year and one of the only things giving my 'mom-heart' some peace is knowing that he will be heard and understood, no matter how he chooses to express himself... Libby's Friends has helped Atlas find his voice."

$Atlas with his new talker and a pile of gold fish.$

Impact Area Education Employment Community Living

In November 2024, we held our first ever toy modification workshop. We partnered with United Ability, a community rehabilitation partner, to host the event just in time for holiday gifts! Thanks to generous donations of toys and supplies, 26 participants were able to attend for free. They chose to adapt either a bubble blower or a dancing monkey toy. They learned step-by-step how to make the toy switch accessible. Everyone left with a switch-adapted toy. Also, thanks to a friend of APTAT who 3D printed, assembled, and donated ability switches, attendees also left with a switch to activate their toy. Switch-adapted toys sell for 2-3 times the cost of the retail value of the toy alone and similar ability switches cost around $75. With our workshop we were able to provide approximately $125 in devices, for free, to 26 attendees. One dad who attended said, “We didn’t even know switch adapted toys were an option. It was such a joy watching our son play and interact with a toy for the first time!”.

Three dads who participated in Toy Takeover.

Impact Area Education Employment Community Living

E. Performance Measures

Performance Measures
Response	Primary Purpose for Which AT is Needed			Total
Response	Education	Employment	Community Living	Total
1. Could only afford the AT through the AT program.	183	00	391	574
2. AT was only available through the AT program.	15	01	08	24
3. AT was available through other programs, but the system was too complex or the wait time too long.	93	00	00	93
4. Subtotal	291	01	399	691
5. None of the above	00	00	00	00
6. Subtotal	291	01	399	691
7. Nonrespondent	00	00	00	00
8. Total	291	01	399	691
9. Performance on this measure	100%	100%	100%

F. Customer Satisfaction

Satisfaction
Customer Rating of Services	Number of Customers	Percent
Highly satisfied	688	99.57%
Satisfied	02	0.29%
Satisfied somewhat	01	0.14%
Not at all satisfied	00	0%
Nonrespondent	00	0%
Total Surveyed	691
Response rate %	100%

G. Notes:

Reutilization

Did your approved State Plan for this reporting period included conducting any device reuse activities?

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	6,006
C. Total	6,006

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	6,006

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	Total Estimated Current Purchase Price	Total Price for Which Device(s) Were Exchanged	Savings to Consumers
Vision	$0	$0	$0
Hearing	$0	$0	$0
Speech Communication	$0	$0	$0
Learning, Cognition and Developmental	$0	$0	$0
Mobility, Seating and Positioning	$0	$0	$0
Daily Living	$0	$0	$0
Environmental Adaptations	$0	$0	$0
Vehicle Modification & Transportation	$0	$0	$0
Computers and Related	$0	$0	$0
Recreation, Sports and Leisure	$0	$0	$0
Total	$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	01	$100	$0	$100
Hearing	05	$10,800	$0	$10,800
Speech Communication	00	$0	$0	$0
Learning, Cognition and Developmental	00	$0	$0	$0
Mobility, Seating and Positioning	5,289	$1,829,677	$0	$1,829,677
Daily Living	2,741	$530,942	$0	$530,942
Environmental Adaptations	43	$6,335	$0	$6,335
Vehicle Modification & Transportation	01	$3,560	$0	$3,560
Computers and Related	02	$185	$0	$185
Recreation, Sports and Leisure	16	$1,457	$0	$1,457
Total	8,098	$2,383,056	$0	$2,383,056

D. Anecdote

Tristan is a 12-year-old boy living with his grandmother in Houston County, Al. He has been through more than 50 surgeries and uses supports for breathing, eating, and moving around. Tristan outgrew his old wheelchair and badly needed a new one that was more suitable for his size, until he can get fitted for a new wheelchair funded through insurance. Tristan’s grandmother visited the R.E.A.L. Project, a reuse program of the Wiregrass Rehabilitation Center in Dothan, Al. They were able to provide him with a manual wheelchair that has a bigger seat and footrests that move up and down, along with a comfortable cushion. Buying this equipment new would have cost his grandmother around $1,000. The R.E.A.L. Project was able to provide it for free thanks to generous community donations of durable medical equipment. Now, Tristan, a happy kid who loves music, is much more comfortable. His grandmother says the program is a blessing because it gives Tristan the right tools to live his best life without the family having to pay a huge cost.

Tristan and his grandmother enjoying a rare snow day in south Alabama.

Impact Area Education Employment Community Living

E. Performance Measures

Performance Measures
Response	Primary Purpose for Which AT is Needed			Total
Response	Education	Employment	Community Living	Total
1. Could only afford the AT through the AT program.	21	70	5,520	5,611
2. AT was only available through the AT program.	03	20	268	291
3. AT was available through other programs, but the system was too complex or the wait time too long.	00	00	80	80
4. Subtotal	24	90	5,868	5,982
5. None of the above	01	00	15	16
6. Subtotal	25	90	5,883	5,998
7. Nonrespondent	00	00	08	08
8. Total	25	90	5,891	6,006
9. Performance on this measure	96%	100%	99.61%

F. Customer Satisfaction

Satisfaction
Customer Rating of Services	Number of Customers	Percent
Highly satisfied	5,956	99.17%
Satisfied	49	0.82%
Satisfied somewhat	00	0%
Not at all satisfied	00	0%
Nonrespondent	01	0.02%
Total Surveyed	6,006
Response rate %	99.98%

G. Notes:

Device Loan

Did your approved State Plan for this reporting period included conducting Short-Term Device Loans?

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)	187
Serve as loaner during service repair or while waiting for funding	13
Provide an accommodation on a short-term basis for a time-limited event/situation	38
Conduct training, self-education or other professional development activity	97
Total	335

B. Short-Term Device Loan by Type of Borrower

LOANS BY TYPE OF BORROWER
Type of Individual or Entity	Number of Device Borrowers
Type of Individual or Entity	Desicion-making	All other Purposes	Total
Individuals with Disabilities	35	18	53
Family Members, Guardians, and Authorized Representatives	40	25	65
Representative of Education	49	23	72
Representative of Employment	03	17	20
Representatives of Health, Allied Health, and Rehabilitation	34	29	63
Representatives of Community Living	05	05	10
Representatives of Technology	21	31	52
Total	187	148	335

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
Type of AT Device	Desicion-making	All other Purposes	Total
Vision	08	34	42
Hearing	12	33	45
Speech Communication	28	28	56
Learning, Cognition and Developmental	58	65	123
Mobility, Seating and Positioning	45	49	94
Daily Living	79	119	198
Environmental Adaptations	13	35	48
Vehicle Modification and Transportation	02	02	04
Computers and Related	78	179	257
Recreation, Sports and Leisure	20	43	63
Total	343	587	930

E. Anecdote

The chance to borrow devices proved life-changing for Cassandra, who borrowed a rolling walker style mobility device. This device is attractive because it has a sit-to-stand lifting feature and provides both seated and standing mobility support. Because of its unique features, many people are excited to see if it can help them. However, because of its $4,600 price tag, people really want to try it before they buy. Cassandra was one of those people and after patiently joining our waitlist, she was able to. After using it, she shared her story: "What a joy it was to finally be able to cook again... I am finally going on walks with neighborhood friends. It gives me the freedom to enjoy life again!" Her loan helped her confirm that the device would meet her needs before she purchased it.

Cassandra uses the mobility aid to walk through her neighborhood

Impact Area Education Employment Community Living

F. Access Performance Measures

Access Performance Measures
Response	Primary Purpose for Which AT is Needed			Total
Response	Education	Employment	Community Living	Total
Decided that AT device/service will meet needs	62	18	75	155
Decided that an AT device/ service will not meet needs	05	01	09	15
Subtotal	67	19	84	170
Have not made a decision	03	02	03	08
Subtotal	70	21	87	178
Nonrespondent	02	03	04	09
Total	72	24	91	187
Performance on this measure	95.71%	90.48%	96.55%

G. Acquisition Performance Measures

Acquisition Performance Measures
Response	Primary Purpose for Which AT is Needed			Total
Response	Education	Employment	Community Living	Total
1. Could only afford the AT through the AT program.	48	25	52	125
2. AT was only available through the AT program.	01	01	03	05
3. AT was available through other programs, but the system was too complex or the wait time too long.	05	01	05	11
4. Subtotal	54	27	60	141
5. None of the above	02	00	00	02
6. Subtotal	56	27	60	143
7. Nonrespondent	00	05	00	05
8. Total	56	32	60	148
9. Performance on this measure	96.43%	100%	100%

H. Customer Satisfaction

Satisfaction
Customer Rating of Services	Number of Customers	Percent
Highly satisfied	330	98.51%
Satisfied	02	0.6%
Satisfied somewhat	03	0.9%
Not at all satisfied	00	0%
Nonrespondent	00	0%
Total Surveyed	335
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	03
Hearing	01
Speech Communication	01
Learning, Cognition and Developmental	13
Mobility, Seating and Positioning	08
Daily Living	06
Environmental Adaptations	02
Vehicle Modification and Transportation	00
Computers and Related	18
Recreation, Sports and Leisure	04
Total # of Device Demonstrations	56

B. Types of Participants

Type of Participant	Decision-Makers	Other Participants	Total
Individuals with Disabilities	34	18	52
Family Members, Guardians, and Authorized Representatives	13	44	57
Representatives of Education	05	02	07
Representatives of Employment	00	02	02
Health, Allied Health, Rehabilitation	04	13	17
Representative of Community Living	00	03	03
Representative of Technology	00	02	02
Total	56	84	140

C. Number of Referrals

Referrals
Type of Entity	Number of Referrals
Funding Source (non-AT program)	19
Service Provider	07
Vendor	33
Repair Service	00
Others	08
Total	67

D. Anecdote

APTAT participated in a training hosted by United Ability where leaders from across Birmingham come to the campus to learn more about living with a disability. During our presentation a United Ability participant of their adult day program became very excited about our robotic feeder. He followed up to request a demonstration to see if the device would work with his abilities. He and his mom visited APTAT and trialed the device. It was a success! He was able to feed himself and they’re hopeful that purchasing one will allow him to have more independence when he’d like to stay home by himself.

Impact Area Education Employment Community Living

E. Performance Measures

Performance Measures
Response	Primary Purpose for Which AT is Needed			Total
Response	Education	Employment	Community Living	Total
Decided that AT device/service will meet needs	27	07	17	51
Decided that an AT device/ service will not meet needs	01	00	02	03
Subtotal	28	07	19	54
Have not made a decision	01	01	00	02
Subtotal	29	08	19	56
Nonrespondent	00	00	00	00
Total	29	08	19	56
Performance on this measure	96.55%	87.5%	100%

F. Customer Satisfaction

Satisfaction
Customer Rating of Services	Number of Customers	Percent
Highly satisfied	123	87.86%
Satisfied	12	8.57%
Satisfied somewhat	03	2.14%
Not at all satisfied	02	1.43%
Nonrespondent	00	0%
Total	140
Response rate %	100%

G. Notes:

Throughout the year we worked to complete the setup and implementation of additional demonstration site partnerships. We now have 5 demonstration partners across the state of Alabama that can provide assistive technology demonstrations. Although they weren't fully operational for the entire year, we have already seen the total number of demonstrations nearly double from last year. Having these partnerships has expanded our capacity to provide more demonstrations and makes an on-site demonstration more accessible to those who are not able to travel to our APTAT office in Birmingham.

Overall Performance Measures

Overall Acquisition Performance Measure

Acquisition Performance Measures
Response	Primary Purpose for Which AT is Needed			Total
Response	Education	Employment	Community Living	Total
1. Could only afford the AT through the AT program.	252	95	5,963	6,310
2. AT was only available through the AT program.	19	22	279	320
3. AT was available through other programs, but the system was too complex or the wait time too long.	98	01	85	184
4. Subtotal	369	118	6,327	6,814
5. None of the above	03	00	15	18
6. Subtotal	372	118	6,342	6,832
7. Nonrespondent	00	05	08	13
8. Total	372	123	6,350	6,845
9. Performance on this measure	72.85%	99.15%	98.3%	96.93%
ACL Performance Measure				85%
Met/Not Met				Met

Overall Access Performance Measure

Access Performance Measures
Response	Primary Purpose for Which AT is Needed			Total
Response	Education	Employment	Community Living	Total
Decided that AT device/service will meet needs	89	25	92	206
Decided that an AT device/ service will not meet needs	06	01	11	18
Subtotal	95	26	103	224
Have not made a decision	04	03	03	10
Subtotal	99	29	106	234
Nonrespondent	02	03	04	09
Total	101	32	110	243
Performance on this measure	95.96%	89.66%	97.17%	95.73%
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	99.87%	95%	Met
Response Rate	99.99%	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	291
Family Members, Guardians and Authorized Representatives	153
Representatives of Education	2,299
Representatives of Employment	445
Rep Health, Allied Health, and Rehabilitation	1,624
Representatives of Community Living	227
Representatives of Technology	179
Unable to Categorize	52
TOTAL	5,270

Geographic Distribution of Participants
Metro	Non Metro	Unknown	TOTAL
4,201	825	244	5,270

B. Educational/Training Activity Topics

Educational/Training Activities by Topic
Primary Topic of Educational/Training Activities	Participants
AT Products/Services	1,458
AT Funding/Policy/ Practice	79
Combination of any/all of the above	3,476
Information Technology/Telecommunication Access	46
Transition	211
Total	5,270

C. Description of Educational/Training Activities

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

In partnership with United Ability, we received an Innovative Ideas grant through the Alabama Council on Developmental Disabilities (ACDD) to train future healthcare providers on assistive technology (AT) for healthcare for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. We hosted 15 groups, reaching 415 future clinicians (doctors, nurses, OTs, PTs, SLPs, and other related fields). Sessions covered a deeper dive into various topics such as AT for Visiting the Doctor, Moving Your Body, Managing Stress, Eating Right, and more. We loved watching their expressions as they learned from Nakisha, APTAT program assistant and person with lived experience, about working with people with disabilities and how they can advocate for the AT needs of their future patients. We also hosted two hands-on workshops for SLP, OT, and PT students and provided two community-based learning opportunities, including a webinar open to the community. After each ACDD training event Nakisha delivered a powerful message: "Just because I use a talking device doesn't mean I don't have anything to say. Take time to listen to your patients."

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

During the summer, the Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services hosts College Prep camps throughout Alabama aimed at supporting new graduates in their transition to post-secondary education. APTAT provided assistive technology (AT) training at four of the College Prep events, including one specific to students who are deaf or hard of hearing. The sessions included an overview of the latest AT available for students as well as hands-on exploration of the technology. By allowing students to interact directly with devices like note-takers, reading pens, and organizational apps, this training empowered them to identify and advocate for the specific AT accommodations they will need to succeed in their future college courses and careers.

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

For the last three years, APTAT has been proud to provide multiple sessions at the Alabama Education Technology Conference, organized by the Alabama Department of Education. This year APTAT held five sessions, including two on creating and providing Accessible Educational Materials (AEM). The sessions provided an overview on legislative updates, recommendations for teachers to create AEM, and resources available for features like captions and accessible slide formats. The overall goal of the sessions was to encourage educators to be proactive in providing AEM.

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	46
Training or Technical Assistance will be developed or implemented	00
No known outcome at this time	00
Nonrespondent	00
Total	46
Performance Measure Percentage	100%
ACL Target Percentage	70%
Met/Not Met	Met

E. Notes:

Our AT Alabama conference fell twice within FY 2025 as it occurred on Oct 1, 2024 and then again on Sep 16, 2025. This contributed to the significant increase in training participants as compared to last year.

Technical Assistance

A. Frequency and Nature of Technical Assistance

Technical Assistance by Recipient Type
Education	79%
Employment	00%
Health, Allied Health, Rehabilitation	21%
Community Living	00%
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:

In FY 2025 APTAT contracted with the Alabama Department of Education Special Education Services (ALSDE SES) to build an assistive technology (AT) lending library for Alabama schools to utilize for student accommodations, AT evaluations, and professional development. Through that development we have built a strong relationship with ALSDE SES and local education agencies (LEAs). This year, APTAT began hosting a monthly AT School Network meeting that provides an open forum and/or topic specific training. The meetings were well-attended and provided a platform for school staff to help each other and share best practices on using AT. In addition, several LEA AT Specialists have reached out to APTAT for one-on-one support in AT evaluations, device selection, and device implementation.

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

APTAT provided consultation and resources to the Staging Transition for Every Patient (STEP) program. The STEP program helps young adults with complex needs transition from pediatric care at Children’s of Alabama hospital to adult care at UAB Medicine. They have reached out for recommendations on assistive technology (AT) resources for patients, including how to bridge the gap in accessing AT. We provided guidance on possible collaborations and potential connections providers can make with families and APTAT.

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. The "APTAT On the Road Tour" was utilized as a unique, high-impact strategy to increase awareness and accessibility to the State Education Agency's device library. This library was built in partnership with the Alabama Department of Education to serve schools. The team traveled across the state, leveraging a mobile lending library (containing over 100 devices) combined with a resource fair, co-organized with local school systems. One of our highest attended events was held at the Talladega Board of Education, with 45 attendees! The event was featured in the local paper and on televised news thanks to the efforts of our ADRS Office of Communications. The content at each event focused on providing school staff, parents, and students with hands-on device trials and resource information, which led to measurable positive outcomes. For example, the Clarke County school system checked out several devices during their local event and was later able to use their experience with the loan library devices to justify the purchase of equipment for their entire district, demonstrating a direct systems change result.

2. The 3rd annual AT Alabama 2025 Conference (held September 16-17) served as the program's flagship public awareness and training event. The conference successfully brought together 410 attendees for two full days of collaboration and innovation, featuring 48 breakout sessions, 3 pre-conference events, and a free exhibit hall. The content was designed to be diverse and comprehensive, covering everything from clinical AT implementation to consumer-led stories of lived experience. The exhibit hall, which was open to the public, had 50 vendors displaying the latest in AT. This major event reached professionals, educators, consumers, and advocates from across Alabama and beyond. The positive outcomes include strengthening professional networks, increasing attendees' knowledge base, and fostering a deeper understanding of the barriers faced by people with disabilities.

Information And Assistance

Information And Assistance Activities by Recipient
Types of Recipients	AT Device/ Service	AT Funding	Total
Individuals with Disabilities	33	03	36
Family Members, Guardians and Authorized Representatives	30	00	30
Representative of Education	63	00	63
Representative of Employment	06	01	07
Representative of Health, Allied Health, and Rehabilitation	74	05	79
Representative of Community Living	08	01	09
Representative of Technology	06	00	06
Unable to Categorize	41	01	42
Total	261	11	272

Referral Types:

Our Information and Assistance (I&A) contacts experienced substantial growth this year, a attributable in part to a personnel addition in March which allowed us to have a dedicated staff member focused on accurate logging, which provided a more comprehensive representation of our program's reach. We saw an increase in referral volume originating from both Health Care Providers and general In-Person Outreach activities. Specifically, we observed a rise in inquiries from case managers representing national healthcare entities who were seeking AT information on behalf of their patients. We logged 74 contacts from Representatives of Health as compared to 27 in FY 2024. While the specific intake route for many of these national healthcare representatives remains unconfirmed, we hypothesize they are finding us through the national AT3 Center network, which serves as a central access point for all state AT programs. This national visibility, coupled with our own focused efforts, has been highly effective. Our "APTAT On the Road Tour" successfully leveraged a mobile lending library and resource fair as a unique strategy for engaging underserved rural populations which increased our contacts with Individuals with Disabilities (from 9 individuals in 2024 to 33 individuals in 2025) across the state. The roadshow, paired with our major partnership with the Alabama Department of Education also increased inquiries from Representatives of Education (from 10 individuals in 2024 to 63 in 2025).

Referral Sources:

The I&A program saw a significant increase in referrals this year, driven by strategic efforts to log and our broader awareness initiatives. Referrals from Program Area Entities/Providers (such as healthcare systems and case managers) grew substantially this fiscal year, representing approximately 15.4% of the total 272 referrals logged. This growth reflects increased engagement with large service organizations across a Statewide and National geographical reach, likely due to national visibility through the AT3 Center network combined with targeted outreach to state healthcare systems. The second primary source of growth was Awareness and Outreach Initiatives, which generated 68 referrals in FY 2025, up from 27 in the prior year. This accounted for 25.0% of the total I&A intake. The geographical reach for this segment is predominantly Statewide, with successful local strategies—such as the "APTAT On the Road Tour" and community training events—ensuring that high-impact public awareness directly led to documentation and enrollment, especially within rural and underserved communities across Alabama.

Notes:

Coordination/Collaboration and State Improvement Outcomes

Overview of Coordination/Collaboration Activities

Outreach was conducted with the State Education Agency *

Yes

Was collaboration implemented? *

Yes

1. As concisely as possible, describe the partnership initiative. What activities/services were provided? Who are the major collaborating organizations and what is their role? Who is served/benefited? What funding was used to implement the initiative?

This year we developed a strategic partnership with the Alabama State Department of Education's Special Education Services (SES), which provided dedicated funding to expand assistive technology (AT) availability for K-12 students. APTAT used this funding to procure and add 425 items ranging from Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) devices to equipment for positioning, attention, and reading to the dedicated ALSDE lending library inventory. This dedicated library ensures that schools have guaranteed access to these specialized devices, though they can also borrow from APTAT's general library. APTAT also provided both training and technical assistance directly to school systems and conducted the "APTAT On the Road Tour," which specifically targeted school staff to bring awareness to this expanded device library. This initiative primarily served school personnel and students across the state.

2. As concisely as possible, describe the measurable results of the initiative and any lessons learned. How did access to AT change as a result of the coordination/collaboration/partnership? How did awareness of AT change as a result of the partnership? How did the reach of the state AT program change as a result of the partnership? What made the partnership successful? What would you change or wish you had done differently? Provided funding/resources are available, will the initiative continue or is this a one-time event? What advice would you give for replication of the initiative?

This collaboration delivered a substantial, measurable increase in the state's AT resources for education. The addition of 425 devices permanently expanded the loan inventory, and although we spent the year mostly procuring the devices, to date, 119 devices have been borrowed from this specialized ALSDE library. The training, technical assistance, and the high-visibility Road Tour successfully increased awareness of the new resources among school staff, with the tour engaging local educational agencies and demonstrating direct systems change. The dedicated SES funding ensured the successful completion of the equipment procurement, establishing this new device inventory as a permanent resource, and the continuation of these services remains a core focus of the program. This funding was provided through a two-year contract, which means we will continue the development of the ALSDE library through FY 2026. Our toughest barrier was the simultaneous growth of the APTAT program overall, and subsequent move of locations, caused a delay in device acquisition and response times. Because SES provided dedicated funding, we were able to shift staff responsibilities to ensure we could support the time sensitive requests of the school systems.

2.a Please include URL for initiative if available

www.accessingpotential.org/alsde-ses/

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

Education,

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

Device Loan, Demo, Technical Assistance,

Outreach was conducted with the Vocational Rehabilitation Agency *

Yes

Was collaboration implemented? *

Yes

As APTAT is housed within the Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services Vocational Rehabilitation (ADRS/VR), collaboration is continuous, but specific outreach this year focused on supporting successful transition of students into post-secondary education and employment. Activities included APTAT staff participating in ADRS led events, including the ADRS College Prep Sessions and the biannual Transition Conference to showcase AT that supports student success in higher education. A special effort was made to meet with VR Rehabilitation Specialists to determine where our transition initiatives overlap and how we can expand on our support for VR transition activities next year. All APTAT staff resources to participate in the events was funded through AT Act funds.

The coordination successfully integrated AT information directly into critical student transition pathways. Direct participation in the Transition Conference and the College Prep sessions increased students' awareness of the AT accommodations available to them. This hands-on approach better prepared students for the academic demands of both higher education and the workforce, thereby supporting VR's ultimate goal of competitive integrated employment. Participation in these key transition events is expected to continue annually as a vital strategy for supporting student transition goals.

2.a Please include URL for initiative if available

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

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

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

Training,

Outreach was conducted with the Aging Agency *

Yes

Was collaboration implemented? *

Yes

This year's focus included bringing the Independent Living Center of Mobile (ILCM) on as a new demonstration site partner. This outreach began two years ago when we were seeking out demonstration sites. We had a representative of the Statewide Independent Living Council (SILC) on our advisory council, who advocated for ILCM to be a demonstration partner. As the Alabama Department of Senior Services (ADSS) is the designated state entity for SILC, this intentional partnership would increase our reach to the aging population in south Alabama. Through a signed Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), APTAT purchased devices to house at the ILCM and in return ILCM supports loan and demo requests both from their developed customer base and public referrals from APTAT. In total, 144 devices were purchased and setup at the ILCM ranging from adaptive gaming, to cooking, to computer access. Devices were purchased using American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. ILCM provides their staff time to conduct device demonstrations, with no direct funding exchanged for their services.

The key measurable result was the expansion of accessible AT demonstration services through the addition of the ILCM as a partner, which increases the program's physical reach to aging adults in the southern region of the state. In the 3 months since we fully executed this partnership, ILCM performed 9 demonstrations. This partnership successfully created a cost-effective, sustainable model for expanding services by leveraging ARPA funds for inventory and utilizing the partner's in-kind staff time. The partnership will continue as long as ILCM can support the necessary staff resources to provide the demonstration services.

2.a Please include URL for initiative if available

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

Recreation/Leisure, Health, Aging,

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

Device Loan, Demo,

Outreach was conducted with the Medicaid Agency *

Yes

Was collaboration implemented? *

Yes

1. Coordination with the Medicaid Agency was driven by a partnership with the Alabama Department of Mental Health (ADMH), which manages the Community Waiver Program, Intellectual Disabilities Waiver, and Living at Home Waiver for Alabama Medicaid. ADMH awarded a Smart Home grant to establish United Ability/APTAT, as one of three designated Smart Home demonstration sites for their program participants. Funding afforded us the opportunity to renovate spaces at United Ability, and future office of APTAT, into a furnished studio apartment, a model bathroom, and a garden space. These areas are designed to host real-world demonstrations of devices such as tub transfer benches and kitchen technology. The major collaborators are United Ability (host location and renovation) and ADMH (grant funder), with APTAT handling project oversight, space design, and additional device acquisition. After space renovations were complete, we hosted a dedicated training for ADMH Community Support Specialists to increase their knowledge of AT that participants can trial at the site. APTAT also established a mutually beneficial relationship with a second Smart Home site, The Arc of Central Alabama, leveraging their overnight stay capabilities and APTAT's device loan inventory.

2. This collaboration established an innovative space for device demonstrations that will move beyond tabletop demos to a functional, real-world environment. Securing the ADMH grant in partnership with United Ability was a key success factor, allowing the program to build out a functional, home-like environment that could not have been funded through current funding sources. This infrastructure (apartment, bathroom, garden) represents a permanent expansion of APTAT's demonstration capabilities, directly changing access to AT for Medicaid Waiver participants. The training for ADMH Community Support Specialists increased awareness of trial options, directly impacting the quality of AT recommendations made to waiver participants. The partnership with The Arc, where APTAT loans equipment to participants prior to a trial stay, is an innovative model for providing continuous support. This permanent infrastructure and the established relationships with ADMH and The Arc ensure the initiative will continue for years to come, despite this one-time funding of the renovations.

2.a Please include URL for initiative if available

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

Housing/Home Automation,

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

Demo,

Additional Coordination/Collaboration activities

A. Coordination/Collaboration

APTAT partnered with United Ability, a non-profit community rehabilitation partner, to execute a major training initiative funded by the Alabama Council on Developmental Disabilities (ACDD) Innovative Ideas grant, aiming to train future healthcare providers on integrating assistive technology (AT) into patient care for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Activities included hosting over 300 students (future doctors, OTs, PTs, SLPs) for 15 training sessions, including 2 hands-on workshops. The project also included two community-based trainings. One training included supporting healthcare content at the Transitions STEP Conference, hosted by UAB and United Ability. We also provided a webinar led by APTAT’s program assistant, offered both in English and Spanish. United Ability served as coordinator and host for the events and APTAT supported the content development and delivery. APTAT also provided funding for an intern, who assisted with digital marketing efforts.

This partnership was highly effective in shifting clinical perspectives toward person-centered care, as the training reached an estimated minimum of 300 future clinicians, significantly increasing their awareness of AT's role in healthcare management and advocacy. The success was largely attributed to the powerful, consumer-led message delivered by APTAT’s program assistant, which challenged student preconceptions and provided critical lived experience context. However, our partnership with United Ability was also crucial in the success as they have long-standing and strong relationships with colleges, and they already have an effective process in place for training future healthcare providers on working with people with disabilities. Although the grant-funded activities have concluded, the successful model provides a strong foundation for future grant applications and curriculum replication of person-centered AT training.

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

Health;

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

Training;

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?

Additional And Leveraged Funds

A. Leveraged Funding for State Plan Activities

Fund Source	Amount	Use of Funds	Data Reported
Public/State Agency	$25,000	Training	True
Federal	$18,775	Training	True
Public/State Agency	$50,000	Demonstration	True
Public/State Agency	$500,000	Device Loan	True
Federal	$18,775	Public Awareness, I&A	True
Federal	$273,452	Demonstration	True
Federal	$170,458	Device Loan	True
	Amount: $1,056,460

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.

B. Public Health Workforce Grant Award

All Section 4 AT Act grantees were awarded $80,000.00 in supplemental Public Health Workforce grant funding to increase the number of positions within the disability and aging network for public health professionals. Please document below the cumulative status of these funds, FY22 through FY25, as a final closeout report.

The status of these funds at the end of the FY25 (September 30, 2025) is as follows: (Check one) We did not utilize this funding. (Do not complete this section.)
We expended all or some of this funding (Complete the section below)

Please report the total amount expended (drawn down and liquidated) from FY22 through FY25:

$80,000.00

Please check all position types that were supported with these funds over the period of FY22-25. This can be a direct employee or contractual position.

Please describe the activities of the above FTE and how such activities advance public health.

With the additional PHWG funding we were able to put a larger focus into a public awareness and training campaign called "Back AT it". With this campaign we provided trainings to increase awareness of the benefits of assistive technology to those with disabilities including but not limited to long COVID, chronic illness, and mental health as well as those communities who were impacted by the transition to a more digital world. Since we were rebuilding service capacity and, more specifically, developing our loan and demo device inventory, we were able to teach others about the latest technology available to support their positive health and wellness goals. We also hosted a four-part webinar series to provide the public with information on resources for funding assistive technology so they can be better prepared and able to acquire technology needed in the future. This funding also afforded us the opportunity to participate in more public awareness events to share our resources to those individuals impacted by health concerns as well as their service providers. One major activity we coordinated was our APTAT Rural Roadshow where we provided a traveling library and mini resource fair in six different rural areas of the state. The goal was to provide more convenient access to our resources that support positive health and well-being.

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).