Transcript Access to assistive technology is key
FILLING THE GAP!
AT REUSE HELPS SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY TRANSITIONS
AT Reuse Strand
Carolyn Phillips, Pass It On Center Liz Persaud, Pass It On Center Lindsey Bean Kampwerth, Paraquad and Pass It On Center
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
1 • To understand how the Pass It On Center, a national AT reuse resource, and reuse programs are supplying refurbished devices 2 3 • To understand how funding barriers prevent people with disAbilities from accessing AT and DME, and how reuse programs can fill the gaps • To understand steps to find or replicate reuse services in your community
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EVERY 26 SECONDS ONE STUDENT DROPS OUT OF PUBLIC SCHOOL
SOURCE: AMERICA’S PROMISE ALLIANCE
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Why are transition services essential?
One of every three students drops out of school.
Students with disAbilities have a dropout rate twice as high as students without disAbilities. 1 70% of youth with disAbilities remain unemployed two years after graduation from high school and have higher rates of incarceration than the general population.
1 National Center on Secondary Education and Transition
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ACCESS TO ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY IS KEY
We know the right technology is key to full participation in all life activities.
How do we overcome the barriers to access? One answer is reutilization of resources. That’s the mission of the Pass It On Center - to provide technical assistance to foster the expansion of AT Reuse.
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The Pass It On Center, the National Assistive Technology Reuse Center
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AT REUSE
Federally-funded AT Act Programs In every state and territory Reutilization is 1 of 7 activities Nonprofit organizations Many that offer services to people with disAbilities also reutilize AT Sometimes partner with AT Act Programs Informal community groups 205 Programs Listed in PIOC Database
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2010 REUSE DATA
From federally-funded AT Act Programs 31,069 devices reutilized 24,805 individuals served $17,329,333 saved (based on cost of devices) That doesn’t include the savings from preventing injuries or keeping materials out of landfills.
It doesn’t include the reuse programs that don’t report or exchanges among individuals.
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TYPES OF AT REUSE ACTIVITIES
Loan
Exchange
Refurbishing
Reassignment
Recycling
Remanufacturing
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MAJOR BARRIERS TO GETTING AT
Funding not available Uninsured Not eligible for programs like VR, Medicaid, Medicare Eligible but denied entry to program or service Eligible but inadequate AT provided Don’t know where to get AT Systems are too complex
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AT REUSE CLOSES THE GAP BY:
Allowing trials on possible solutions Providing interim equipment while waiting for the permanent solution Providing permanent solutions where no funding is available for new devices Providing duplicate devices in warranted situations Replacing equipment lost in disasters
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LEARN ABOUT REUSE Pass It On Center offers resources to promote new programs and to help existing ones improve.
PIOC web site Indicators of Quality with Online Program Assessment Tool Online Knowledge Base Free webinars with on demand archive Reuse Locations database Find AT NEED AT*
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PIOC HOME PAGE: www.passitoncenter.org
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PIOC Knowledge Base 14
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PIOC Reuse Locations Database 15
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Find AT 16
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IQ-ATR: Online Program Assessment Tool 17
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N.E.E.D. AT 18
High School/High Tech and Georgia’s Refurbished Laptop Program 19
HIGH SCHOOL/HIGH TECH IS:
A community-based program providing youth with disAbilities a link to academic and career development experiences that assist the transition to post secondary education and/or gainful employment An initiative of the Georgia Dept. of Labor, Vocational Rehabilitation Program 20
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HS/HT ’S GOALS
Reduce the dropout rate of students with disAbilities Improve education and training outcomes for youth with disAbilities Teach students how to advocate for themselves Create opportunity awareness Explore career options Facilitate a successful transition to post secondary education or gainful employment
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WHO IS ELIGIBLE?
Students in grades 8-12 (ages 14-22) who have a documented disability that is physical, sensory or learning related 22
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WHO IS INVOLVED?
Community
Families DOL/Voc Rehab Educators Advocacy Groups
Students
Colleges, Universities, & Technical Colleges Business Leaders & Employers
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HS/HT ’S RESEARCH-BASED ELEMENTS
Guideposts for Success School-based experiences Career preparation and work-based learning Youth Development and Leadership Connecting activities Family involvement and support America’s Promise Alliance Caring adults Effective education Safe places A healthy start Opportunities for caring – volunteer/service learning
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PROFILE: GEORGIA’S HS/HT PROGRAMS
20 counties 500+ students 376 VR clients Primary referral agent: high school teachers
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DATA COLLECTION FOR OUTCOMES
Secure web-based reporting used to track data on students in HS/HT program Student application (and demographics) Services received Assistive technology devices/uses Quarterly/annual narrative reports Post-graduation outcomes 26
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GEORGIA’S REFURBISHED LAPTOP PROGRAM 1. Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors Physical, sensory or learning disAbilities Active participant in High School/High Tech 2. Competitive Application Process: Essay or PowerPoint ® presentation Goals to attain with award of laptop Demonstrated leadership Teacher recommendations
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GEORGIA’S REFURBISHED LAPTOP PROGRAM 3. Selection process: Applications judged by Refurbished Computer Committee Teachers Vocational Rehabilitation Rehabilitation technologists Tech-Able, a Tools for Life Assistive Technology Resource Center Site coordinators from several HS/HT programs Over 350 laptops have been awarded to HS/HT students
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HS/HT STUDENTS SAY THEY NEED LAPTOPS: For adequate access to current educational opportunities: Overcome transportation barrier: can’t get to a library Assist with transition to post-secondary education or work Have the capability to use assistive technology Complete research Communicate with teachers via e-mail Get assignments and submit assignments Complete senior project Study for High School Graduation Exam
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WHY DO COMPUTERS MATTER?
The ‘digital divide’ refers to the gap between those who have access to technology and those who don’t. Computer usage and access has a major impact on employment and income.
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COMPUTER USAGE ON THE JOB
Doctorate or professional Master's degree Bachelor's degree Associate's degree Some college High school graduate High school dropout 0 20 40 60 80 100 For more info . . .
National Center for Education Statistics, http://nces.ed.gov/programs/digest/d08/tables/dt08_432.asp
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The percentage of people who use computers increases by education levels 31
COMPUTER USAGE ON THE JOB AND INCOME LEVELS 80 60 40 20 0 Percent ; 75,0 People in higher income jobs are more likely to use computers in their work. The usage levels increase with income levels.
For more info . . .
National Center for Education Statistics, http://nces.ed.gov/programs/digest/d08/tables/dt08_432.asp
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HOW RECIPIENTS USE LAPTOPS
Michael: For writing (has juvenile arthritis) Jeovani: Uses text-to-speech reading to overcome some learning challenges Maxwell: To complete homework now and in his future job in electrical wiring
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FUNDING GEORGIA’S PROGRAM
Vocational Rehabilitation Funds •For students in transition AT Act State Funds •For transition •Services
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Supporters and Business Partners •Community Foundation •Touch the Future Inc./ReBoot™ for refurbishing •Tech–Able ATRC •Work Force Investment Act Funds 34
HS/HT LAPTOP SPECIFICATIONS
Feature Processor speed RAM Hard drive Additional drives USB ports Screen size Wireless Ethernet Battery, cord Operating System Software Minimum Specification 1.6 GHz or greater 1 GB 60 GB or greater DVD-CD /RW At least one 15.4
” LCD Yes, built-in Yes Yes XP Pro MS Office 2007, Open Office, Security, etc.
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ACQUIRING THE LAPTOPS
HS/HT defines specifications for laptops HS/HT contracts with ReBoot™, the computer refurbishing program of Touch the Future, Inc., to provide the laptops ReBoot™ acquires and refurbishes the laptops
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STARTING A COMPUTER REUSE PROGRAM If you have a target group in need of computers, consider the options for meeting that need: Locate funding to purchase new computers for those customers (tough assignment!) Contract with existing computer refurbishing programs to meet your program needs – if they have the capacity Or, establish a refurbishing program
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COMPUTER REUSE MODELS
How do you choose?
1.
Scope of service (mission and goals) 2.
3.
4.
5.
Market (service area and types) Resources (funds, people, space, equipment) Expectations (issues, frequency, training) Sustainability (funding, fees, recycling) Model type Obtain refurbished product (HS/HT) Become a refurbisher (e.g., ReBoot™)
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RESOURCES
You can find helpful information at: PIOC Knowledge Base at www.passitoncenter.org Business Planning tools See Organization module,
Business Plan Guide
and other articles Refurbishing computers See Program Operations/Refurbishing Computers Touch the Future, Inc./ReBoot™ at www.touchthefuture.us
Other helpful sites: www.techsoup.org
www.openoffice.org
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Celebrating 25 Years of Service to People with Disabilities with Transitions through AT Reuse
Friends of Disabled Adults and Children (FODAC) : Community-Based DME Refurbishing
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BARRIERS TO AT ACQUISITION
+ + + 2010 survey of individuals seeking refurbished DME confirmed: Reimbursement systems are too complex to navigate Many people have inadequate (or no) insurance coverage Some are not aware of insurance or other available benefits 2010, L. Cohen and R. Perling
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FROM ONE PERSON WITH A MISSION
FODAC is an internationally recognized nonprofit organization that provides durable medical equipment for people with disAbilities at little or no cost.
Started in 1986 by retired Marine Ed Butchart in his garage and first supported by Mt. Carmel Christian Church; incorporated as 501 (c)(3) Now operates from a 64,800 square foot facility in Stone Mountain, GA Provides over $9 million annually in DME and supplies 42
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FODAC SERVES AS REFURBISHING HUB
After receiving one of 12 demonstration grants for AT reuse in 2006, FODAC expanded refurbishing services to serve as a hub, first for Georgia, then the entire Southeast for organizations that choose to participate in STAR Network Provided leadership in best practices for DME refurbishing 43
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FODAC: LEADER IN DISASTER RESPONSE FODAC has taken a leadership role in providing reutilized AT for disaster response, from hurricanes and tornadoes in the U.S. to typhoons in the Pacific and the earthquake in Haiti From FODAC’s warehouse. . . To a field clinic in Haiti
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TRANSITION AID FOR ALL
FODAC helps people with disAbilities overcome the barriers to learning and earning Equipment has been given to ages 18 months to 104 years Individuals in 42 states and 63 countries have received devices The retail value of equipment given away now exceeds $60 million including 25,000 wheelchairs
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TRANSITION AID FOR ALL,
CONT.’ FODAC helps people with disAbilities overcome the barriers to learning and earning Makes equipment available to those waiting for a permanent solution Makes equipment available to those with a temporary disability Provides devices for permanent assignment to help people attend school, work or participate in community life Has programs for vehicle and accessibility 46
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DOES YOUR COMMUNITY NEED AT REUSE?
Every program starts small .
Identify the needs.
Identify prospective partnerships, especially organizations that already serve people with disAbilities. Partnerships are the most sustainable programs.
Identify financial support sources: nonprofit organizations, companies, foundations, individuals who share your vision.
Plan. Pass It On Center can help.
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RESOURCES
Helpful information about DME refurbishing at: PIOC Knowledge Base at www.passitoncenter.org
Business Planning tools See Organization module,
Business Plan Guide
and Refurbishing DME See Program Operations and User Services module Indicators of Quality for AT Reuse Email PIOC for technical assistance 48
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Pass It On Center | ATIA Chicago 2011
QUESTIONS
Contact us:
Carolyn Phillips Liz Persaud [email protected]
Lindsey Bean Kampwerth [email protected]
DISCLAIMER This work is supported under 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.
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