National Assistive Technology Act Data System

Annual Progress Report - Full Report

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Ohio 2025

General Information

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

State AT Program Title:

Assistive Technology of Ohio

State AT Program Title:

State AT Program URL

atohio.engineering.osu.edu

Mailing Address:

1314 Kinnear Road Area 200

City:

Columbus

State:

Zip Code:

43212

Program Email:

atohio@osu.edu

Phone:

800-784-3425

TTY:

614-292-3621

Lead Agency

Agency Name:

The Ohio State University College of Engineering

Mailing Address:

1971 Neil Avenue #278

City:

Columbus

State:

Zip Code:

4210

Program URL:

engineering.osu.edu

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):

William T. Darling

Title:

Director

Phone:

614-292-7721

E-mail:

darling.12@osu.edu

Program Director at Lead Agency (last, first):

Marras, William

Title:

Principal Investigator

Phone:

614-292-6670

E-mail:

marras.1@osu.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):

Shayla Martin

Title:

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?

Lease-To-Own program

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)	3
B. Non-Metro (RUCC 4-9)	2
C. Total Served	5

Performance Measure
D. Excluded from Performance Measure	0
E. Number of Individuals Included in Performance Measures	5

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	2	$7,000
Hearing	0	$0
Speech communication	0	$0
Learning, cognition, and developmental	3	$18,000
Mobility, seating and positioning	0	$0
Daily living	0	$0
Environmental adaptations	0	$0
Vehicle modification and transportation	0	$0
Computers and related	0	$0
Recreation, sports, and leisure	0	$0
Total	5	$25,000

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?

Other: Computer Refurbishing and Redistribution

2. Geographic Distribution and Number of Individuals Served

County of Residence	Individuals Served
A. Metro (RUCC 1-3)	42
B. Non-Metro (RUCC 4-9)	18
C. Total Served	60

Performance Measure
D. Excluded from Performance Measure	0
E. Number of Individuals Included in Performance Measures	60

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	0	$0	$0	$0
Learning, cognition, and developmental	0	$0	$0	$0
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	60	$21,200	$2,830	$18,370
Recreation, sports, and leisure	0	$0	$0	$0
Total	60	$21,200	$2,830	$18,370

D. Anecdote

I am so grateful for the ease of your process and the affordability. I have been using my new laptop to appy for scholarships and find employmne. I simply cannot thank you enough! -- Blair

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.	29	08	12	49
2. AT was only available through the AT program.	02	01	01	04
3. AT was available through other programs, but the system was too complex or the wait time too long.	02	00	01	03
4. Subtotal	33	09	14	56
5. None of the above	02	01	03	06
6. Subtotal	35	10	17	62
7. Nonrespondent	02	00	01	03
8. Total	37	10	18	65
9. Performance on this measure	89.19%	90%	77.78%

F. Customer Satisfaction

Satisfaction
Customer Rating of Services	Number of Customers	Percent
Highly satisfied	18	27.69%
Satisfied	42	64.62%
Satisfied somewhat	03	4.62%
Not at all satisfied	02	3.08%
Nonrespondent	00	0%
Total Surveyed	65
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	4,362
C. Total	4,362

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	4,362

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	00	$0	$0	$0
Hearing	00	$0	$0	$0
Speech Communication	01	$199	$0	$199
Learning, Cognition and Developmental	02	$92	$0	$92
Mobility, Seating and Positioning	1,527	$267,076	$0	$267,076
Daily Living	938	$28,105	$0	$28,105
Environmental Adaptations	1,859	$166,627	$0	$166,627
Vehicle Modification & Transportation	01	$772	$0	$772
Computers and Related	00	$0	$0	$0
Recreation, Sports and Leisure	34	$4,326	$0	$4,326
Total	4,362	$467,197	$0	$467,197

D. Anecdote

Statement from a Mother: "Our family and son MJ have been incredibly blessed with equipment provided by MJ's insurance - but of course it doesn't cover everything for him to truly thrive whilst meeting his complex needs in various environments. The Equipment Loan Program has allowed us to trial an adjustable floor sitter recommended by his Occupational Therapist - giving MJ more freedom to move and increased opportunities to work on head & trunk control than what his current activity chair can do. Not to mention having more options & perspectives to help improve his overall awareness & engagement! So in a nutshell - we are grateful this fantastic program exists!!"

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.	00	00	4,362	4,362
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	4,362	4,362
5. None of the above	00	00	00	00
6. Subtotal	00	00	4,362	4,362
7. Nonrespondent	00	00	00	00
8. Total	00	00	4,362	4,362
9. Performance on this measure	NaN%	NaN%	100%

F. Customer Satisfaction

Satisfaction
Customer Rating of Services	Number of Customers	Percent
Highly satisfied	3,892	89.23%
Satisfied	470	10.77%
Satisfied somewhat	00	0%
Not at all satisfied	00	0%
Nonrespondent	00	0%
Total Surveyed	4,362
Response rate %	100%

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)	330
Serve as loaner during service repair or while waiting for funding	47
Provide an accommodation on a short-term basis for a time-limited event/situation	01
Conduct training, self-education or other professional development activity	00
Total	378

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	280	30	310
Family Members, Guardians, and Authorized Representatives	30	16	46
Representative of Education	12	00	12
Representative of Employment	00	00	00
Representatives of Health, Allied Health, and Rehabilitation	06	02	08
Representatives of Community Living	01	00	01
Representatives of Technology	01	00	01
Total	330	48	378

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	26	05	31
Hearing	02	01	03
Speech Communication	48	15	63
Learning, Cognition and Developmental	30	05	35
Mobility, Seating and Positioning	130	37	167
Daily Living	50	04	54
Environmental Adaptations	20	02	22
Vehicle Modification and Transportation	00	00	00
Computers and Related	14	00	14
Recreation, Sports and Leisure	44	00	44
Total	364	69	433

E. Anecdote

This iPad and this service allowed us the opportunity for our client to utilize the technology in her everyday environment, instead of just discussing in in the theoretical and hoping it truly helped. Jazmin Y.

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	92	02	71	165
Decided that an AT device/ service will not meet needs	22	00	27	49
Subtotal	114	02	98	214
Have not made a decision	48	02	42	92
Subtotal	162	04	140	306
Nonrespondent	14	01	09	24
Total	176	05	149	330
Performance on this measure	70.37%	50%	70%

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.	25	21	02	48
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	25	21	02	48
5. None of the above	00	00	00	00
6. Subtotal	25	21	02	48
7. Nonrespondent	00	00	00	00
8. Total	25	21	02	48
9. Performance on this measure	100%	100%	100%

H. Customer Satisfaction

Satisfaction
Customer Rating of Services	Number of Customers	Percent
Highly satisfied	331	87.57%
Satisfied	30	7.94%
Satisfied somewhat	05	1.32%
Not at all satisfied	10	2.65%
Nonrespondent	02	0.53%
Total Surveyed	378
Response rate %	99.47%

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	00
Learning, Cognition and Developmental	00
Mobility, Seating and Positioning	00
Daily Living	00
Environmental Adaptations	00
Vehicle Modification and Transportation	00
Computers and Related	22
Recreation, Sports and Leisure	00
Total # of Device Demonstrations	22

B. Types of Participants

Type of Participant	Decision-Makers	Total
Individuals with Disabilities	22	22
Family Members, Guardians, and Authorized Representatives	00	00
Representatives of Education	00	00
Representatives of Employment	00	00
Health, Allied Health, Rehabilitation	00	00
Representative of Community Living	00	00
Representative of Technology	00	00
Total	22	22

C. Number of Referrals

Referrals
Type of Entity	Number of Referrals
Funding Source (non-AT program)	00
Service Provider	22
Vendor	00
Repair Service	00
Others	00
Total	22

D. Anecdote

We helped Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities in their program to help people with disabilities obtain their first computer and be trained on how to become computer literate.

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	00	21	00	21
Decided that an AT device/ service will not meet needs	00	01	00	01
Subtotal	00	22	00	22
Have not made a decision	00	00	00	00
Subtotal	00	22	00	22
Nonrespondent	00	00	00	00
Total	00	22	00	22
Performance on this measure	NaN%	100%	NaN%

F. Customer Satisfaction

Satisfaction
Customer Rating of Services	Number of Customers	Percent
Highly satisfied	21	95.45%
Satisfied	00	0%
Satisfied somewhat	00	0%
Not at all satisfied	01	4.55%
Nonrespondent	00	0%
Total	22
Response rate %	100%

G. Notes:

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.	54	29	4,376	4,459
2. AT was only available through the AT program.	02	01	01	04
3. AT was available through other programs, but the system was too complex or the wait time too long.	02	00	01	03
4. Subtotal	58	30	4,378	4,466
5. None of the above	02	01	03	06
6. Subtotal	60	31	4,381	4,472
7. Nonrespondent	02	00	01	03
8. Total	62	31	4,382	4,475
9. Performance on this measure	90.32%	96.77%	99.89%	99.73%
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	92	23	71	186
Decided that an AT device/ service will not meet needs	22	01	27	50
Subtotal	114	24	98	236
Have not made a decision	48	02	42	92
Subtotal	162	26	140	328
Nonrespondent	14	01	09	24
Total	176	27	149	352
Performance on this measure	70.37%	92.31%	70%	71.95%
ACL Performance Measure				90%
Met/Not Met				Not Met

Overall Satisfaction Rating

Customer Rating of Services	Percent	ACL Target	Met/Not Met
Highly satisfied and satisfied	99.56%	95%	Met
Response Rate	99.96%	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	31
Family Members, Guardians and Authorized Representatives	00
Representatives of Education	15
Representatives of Employment	64
Rep Health, Allied Health, and Rehabilitation	180
Representatives of Community Living	00
Representatives of Technology	24
Unable to Categorize	00
TOTAL	314

Geographic Distribution of Participants
Metro	Non Metro	Unknown	TOTAL
200	114	00	314

B. Educational/Training Activity Topics

Educational/Training Activities by Topic
Primary Topic of Educational/Training Activities	Participants
AT Products/Services	78
AT Funding/Policy/ Practice	35
Combination of any/all of the above	125
Information Technology/Telecommunication Access	40
Transition	36
Total	314

C. Description of Educational/Training Activities

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

We partnered with the Nisonger Center at the TechSummit, where we had a training session on Assessing and Planning for Technology, teaching SSAs and other rehabilitation professionals how to do a better job assessing the technology needs of people with disabilities.

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

We supported the TechSummit this year, which put on a training on the program called Tech4Me, part of the Works4Me program put on by the state vocational rehabiltation program, teaching SSAs how to get people with disabilities to move from subminimum wage to competitive integrated employment.

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

We partner with Westminster Technologies to put on trainings through the continuing education program. Several of those trainings focus on how to make sure your online educational content is accessible for people with disabilities.

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	00
Training or Technical Assistance will be developed or implemented	35
No known outcome at this time	00
Nonrespondent	05
Total	40
Performance Measure Percentage	87.5%
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	15%
Employment	15%
Health, Allied Health, Rehabilitation	20%
Community Living	45%
Technology (IT, Telecom, AT)	05%
Total	100%

B. Description of Technical Assistance

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

We continue to partner with ARC Industries (now ARC Voyagers) on ways to incorporate assistive technolgy servcies into day habilitation programs for adults with developmental disabilities. ARC Voyagers is using our technology to design programs where technology is maximized to help participants be more productive and independent, and have a more fulfilling experience during day services.

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

Our public policy director, Eric Rathburn, continues his role as our liaison to Ohio's Technology First Initiative, helping state programs better utlize assistive technology and technology services to improve the employment rate for Ohioans with disabilities.

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 run a blog called Ohio Disability Blog through, updating Ohioans on the latest issues affecting people with disabilities. In the last fiscal year, we had 2,020 site visits, representing 1200 visitors.

Information And Assistance

Information And Assistance Activities by Recipient
Types of Recipients	AT Device/ Service	AT Funding	Total
Individuals with Disabilities	400	150	550
Family Members, Guardians and Authorized Representatives	250	60	310
Representative of Education	130	20	150
Representative of Employment	90	05	95
Representative of Health, Allied Health, and Rehabilitation	85	25	110
Representative of Community Living	35	15	50
Representative of Technology	80	25	105
Unable to Categorize	00	00	00
Total	1,070	300	1,370

Referral Types:

We continue to work with county boards of developmental disabilities to help establish local libraries and demonstration programs at the county level.

Referral Sources:

We receive tremendous response from our support of and our participation in the statewide TechSummit every year. It generates referrals from developmental disability professionals and technology companies alike.

Notes:

Our information and referral numbers were negatively affected by being down by 1 full staffer after the retirement of Gaye Spetka, who normally handles the bulk of our information and referral service.

Coordination/Collaboration and State Improvement Outcomes

Overview of Coordination/Collaboration Activities

Outreach was conducted with the State Education Agency *

Why was outreach not conducted? *

Our focus was more on vocational rehabilitation.

Outreach was conducted with the Vocational Rehabilitation 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?

We partner with Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities to help OOD clients receive their first computers. OOD has donated hundreds of computers to our program and, once refurbished, we get them out to OOD clients as they begin their vocational journeys.

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?

Through this program, OOD was able to distribute over 40 computers to Ohioans with disabilities. Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities would ulilize their new custom tour bus as a training and distribution center, to help clients get set up, and provide computer and Internet training to consumers.

2.a Please include URL for initiative if available

https://ood.ohio.gov/home

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

Employment,

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

State Financing,

Outreach was conducted with the Aging Agency *

Why was outreach not conducted? *

Focus was on vocational rehabilitation

Outreach was conducted with the Medicaid Agency *

Why was outreach not conducted? *

Focus was on vocational rehabilitation.

Additional Coordination/Collaboration activities

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	$26,000	Reuse	True
	Amount: $26,000

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.

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.

We partnered with the Ability Center of Greater Toledo to assist them in their outdoor recreation programming. They purchased new equipment which would allow for continued and expanded recreational and social opportunities for people with disabilities in northwest Ohio.

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).