Transcript Pennsylvania’s Assistive Technology Lending Library

Pennsylvania’s Assistive
Technology Lending Library
About Pennsylvania
• Population (2005) - 12.5 million
• 44,816 square miles; 300 miles between
Pittsburgh and Philadelphia
• 67 counties; 35 are “non-Metro” (most
rural state)
• 15% 65+ (2nd only to Florida)
• 2.1 million persons with disability 5 years
old or older
• 11% persons below poverty
About PIAT
Pennsylvania’s Assistive Technology
Lending Library: Overview
• 1993 - Begun with “Title I” funds to address a gap in
availability of device loans to adults or other populations
not served by PDE (between 1993 – 1998 developed an
inventory of $150,000 of devices)
• 1993 - Contracted with PDE to manage/circulate the
inventory; based program on PDE elements (free pickup/delivery; data base)
• 1995 - Unsuccessful attempt for Program Revision
Request
• 1996 – Request included in Governor’s Budget but
struck in final budget negotiations
• 1997 - Success!
Keys to Success
• Strategy: Identify AT in state plans of key
state agencies
• Have a champion at a high level (Deputy
Secretary of DPW)
• Opportunity: Governor Ridge’s Disability
Policy Agenda and Director
• Support from Disability Budget Coalition
Program Expansion 1997 - 98
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Stakeholders’ meetings
Changed inventory contractor
Expanded eligibility for program (all ages)
Always cross-disability
Always state-wide
Always consumer-driven
Budget History (State Funds)
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97-98:
98-99:
99-00:
00-01:
01-02
02-03
03-04
04-05
05-06
06-07
$ 700,000
$ 750,000
$ 750,000
$ 809,000
$ 890,000
$ 890,000
$ 890,000
$ 890,000
$ 801,000
$1,001,000
Current Budget Highlights
• ATRCs: $162,000 (staff, travel)
• PIAT “central”: Includes $155,000 of staff
support (including function as ATRC) and
$316,000+ in additions to the inventory
• Centralized Inventory: $326,500; includes
$12,000 for repairs/replacement/warranty
renewal; $112,600 shipping costs; $47,000
space rental
Structure
• Builds on ATRC infrastructure (9 regions, 8
ATRC subcontractors)
• PIAT serves as an ATRC – gives a good
indication of how things are running!
• Centralized inventory subcontractor
• 160+ “local branches” volunteer to assist
with outreach, information and assistance
to consumers
Staffing: ATRCs
• ATRC staffing ranges from 37% FTE –
70% FTE (ATLL only)
• Activities implemented by 1 – 3 individuals
• Some use support staff for follow up,
reminder calls, etc.
• Staff include ATPs (no SLPs, OTRs, etc.)
Staffing: PIAT “Central”
• Approximately 4 FTE
• Includes administrative functions (ordering
equipment; contract supervision and TA;
web design and maintenance;
informational materials)
• Includes ATRC functions (processing
applications, follow up with consumers,
etc.)
Staffing: Centralized Inventory
Subcontractor
• 3.15 FTE total personnel (6 individuals)
• Includes .5 FTE IT technician and 1.5 staff
who handle the packing, shipping, return
and tracking of equipment
• Remaining staff handle administrative
functions e.g. oversight, data base of
equipment, repairs, borrowers, etc.
Program Activity 2005-2006
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4126 separate requests received
6287 devices shipped
1481 different borrowers (unduplicated)
80% first-time borrowers
80% people with disabilities
Purpose: 73% borrow for evaluation or trial;
13% for accommodation ; 12% for professional
development/outreach; 1+% as a loaner (during
repair or wait for funding)