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How to Start an
Assistive Technology Reuse Program
Joy Kniskern, Principal Investigator, Pass It On Center
Liz Persaud, Pass It On Center
Trish Redmon, Pass It On Center
AT REUSE STRAND
What do you want to do?
 AT Reuse activities include:

 Device
exchange
 Device loan
 Reassignment
 Refurbishment
 Remanufacturing (NO, NO, NO!)
 Recycling
Device exchange:
Matching donors to
users without
intervention (e.g.,
“classifieds” and online auctions)

Program web sites and
E-Bay, Craig’s List,
Newspaper ads, et al.
Device loan:
Providing a device on
loan for some period
of time or indefinitely,
usually to help user
make informed
choice or to provide
interim solution

How to Start an AT Reuse Program
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Reassignment:
Making donated
devices available to
new users

Refurbishment:
Repairing/restoring
donated devices to
working order

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

Remanufacturing –
making changes to
donated items that
alter original
manufacturer’s
specifications or
function

Recycling –
breaking down
unusable devices
into spare parts or
disposing of in an
environmentally
appropriate manner
NOT RECOMMENDED!
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
What kinds of reuse programs exist?
 Some
accept and refurbish durable medical
equipment.
 Some accept and refurbish computers and other
digital devices.
 Some are dedicated to sharing AT in school
settings.
 Some receive donated medical supplies for
redistribution.
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
Just thinking about starting a program?
 Talk
to your state AT Act Program Director about
your idea. He or she will know about existing reuse
initiatives and unmet needs in your area.
 Explore the possibility of affiliating with an existing
network or program. (There are even for-profit
franchising opportunities in AT reuse.)
 Talk to local advocacy and support groups for
people with functional needs.
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Learn about reuse.
Indicators of Quality
with online tool
Pass It On Center
offers resources to
 Online Knowledge
promote new
Base
programs and to help
existing ones improve.  PIOC web site
 Free webinars
 Business plan
model for start-ups

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
Determine an Appropriate Legal Status
 Nonprofit
 Independent,
dedicated to reuse
 Part of an existing organization with other programs
 Government
agency
 Commercial (for profit)
 Public/private partnership

Important to protect the program in any form.
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
What’s involved in
refurbishing durable
medical
equipment?
 Repair
 Sanitization
 Inventory
tracking
 Storage facilities
 Transportation
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
What concerns are
unique for
computer reuse?
 Data
removal
 Software licensing
 Technical training
for workers
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
Web Exchange
must be easy, right?
 Even
that needs
policies and
procedures to
protect users.
Accessibility
 Privacy
 Security
 User navigation aids
 Disclaimers
 Reporting system
 Protection from
fraud

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
Where can you get equipment donations?
 Publicize
the program through service
organizations and churches.
 Get acquainted with your local AT providers.
 Talk to your local hospital.
 Have equipment donation drives.
 Meet the funeral directors.
 Get your customers to spread the word.
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
What are the major customer service
concerns?
 Devising
consistently applied eligibility policies
 Matching users to the appropriate devices
 Providing technical assistance to customers
 Following up customer to capture data on
outcomes
 Notifying users of devices subject to FDA recall or
safety advisories
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
Staffing the Reuse Program
 Finding
the right mix
 Employees
 Contractors
 Volunteers
 Training
all workers
 Managing performance
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
Marketing the Reuse Program
 Who
does the program serve?
 Geographical
area or special population
 How
to you publicize the program to potential
donors and financial supporters?
 How do you create awareness of the program for
people in immediate need of AT solutions?
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
Where do programs get financial support?
 Other
charitable organizations or foundations
 Corporate donors
 Individual contributors
 Contracts for services
 Grants from government or foundations
 Fundraising activities
 Fees for program services
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
How can you use
partnerships and
collaboration with
other organizations
to extend your
reach or provide
stability for the
program?

Partnering helps:
 Fill
gaps in services
 Share facilities
 Promote awareness
 Raise funds
 Obtain equipment
donations
 Respond to
emergencies
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
Still want to start a
program?
 GREAT!
We’ll help
you get started.
Meet with your
support group.
 Use our outline to
draft a business
plan for the
proposed program.

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Speaker contacts:
Joy Kniskern
Principal Investigator, Pass It On Center
[email protected]
Liz Persaud
Training & Development Coordinator
[email protected]
Trish Redmon
Consulting Educator/Writer
[email protected]
Lindsey Bean Kampwerth
OT/Consultant
[email protected]
DISCLAIMER
This work is supported under five-year cooperative
agreement #H235V060016 awarded by the U.S.
Department of Education, Office of Special Education
and Rehabilitative Services, and is administered by the
Pass It On Center of the Georgia Department of Labor –
Tools for Life. However, the contents of this publication
do not necessarily represent the policy or opinions of
the Department of Education, or the Georgia
Department of Labor, and the reader should not
assume endorsements of this document by the Federal
government or the Georgia Department of Labor.
http: www.passitoncenter.org
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