Transcript ATIA Member Meeting Chicago

SI07: The Trend of Reused AT
for Sensory Disabilities
Carolyn Phillips, Director
Pass It On Center
and
Sara Sack, University of Kansas
November 3, 2011
A Closer look at AT Reuse Programs
that serve:
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Deaf
Disabilities related to Hearing
Deaf-Blind
Blind
Disabilities related to Vision
Trends to consider:
• 5 years ago –
• 5 Programs with primary focus on AT
Reuse for Sensory Equipment
• Now 16 Programs!
• Increasingly integrated into AT Reuse
Programs – 48 Programs
• Types of equipment:
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Hearing Aid
CCTVs
Smart Phones
GPS
Perkins Braillers
Braille Displays (FS)
AT Reuse takes several forms:
• Exchange between seller or donor and buyer or
recipient
• Refurbishment of devices for minor repairs to
restore original function
• Reassignment to new users
• Device loans for trial or to fill the gap while
waiting for a new device
• Recycling: breakdown for parts or end-of-life
disposal
• Remanufacturing: Please don’t!
State AT Act Programs
Fiscal Year 2010
Reutilization Data
April 2011
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2006 to 2010 Comparisons
40,000
35,844
35,000
30,000
27,610
31,069
25,000
April20,000
2011
2006
2008
2010
24,805
15,000
10,000
5,000
4,765
5,602
0
RECIPIENTS
DEVICES
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Cost Savings
Exchange
Refurbish/
Reassign
Open-Ended
Loan
TOTAL
$2,826,996
$13,355,432
$1,795,618
$17,978,046
April 2011
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Kansas Reuse
• Assistive Technology for Kansans tracks assistive technology
devices for short-term loan and device demonstration using an
online database.
• ATK tracks the transactions of over 5,200
devices as they are borrowed by consumers
and service providers across the state.
• Based partially on ATK’s ability to track inventory, Kansas
Medicaid and ATK agreed to collaborate on a durable medical
equipment reuse program – donated equipment is refurbished
and given to eligible Kansans.
Reuse of Low Vision Devices
• Kansas Rehabilitation Services (VR) changed its service delivery
system for individuals who are blind or have low vision in 2009.
• KRS moved from a center-based intensive
residential training model to a community-based
training model.
• KRS contacted ATK to discuss possible dissemination of vision-related
assistive technology devices to
• Kan SAIL consumers – ages 55 years and older
with low vision
• Income eligible Kansans who have low vision or
are blind
Eligibility Criteria
• Documentation of low vision or blindness from a qualified
professional that is no more than six month old
• Individual income of $55,000 or less
• Priority given to adults, 18 years and older
Vision Inventory
• Close circuit televisions – some new, some used
• Portable video-magnifiers – some new, some used
• Low vision aids for daily living for personal care, health
management, financial management, cooking, recreation
• Braille note-takers – used
• Braille printers – used
Process
• Individual called toll-free number to request a device that met
barriers encountered due to vision loss
• Income and vision eligibility documentation obtained
• Devices were demonstrated then given to the individual
• Device can be kept as long as it is needed
• Individuals are encouraged to return devices
that are no longer needed so they can be used
by others
Inventory Management
• Equipment was evaluated to verify all components were present, the
device worked, and was in appropriate condition to be reutilized
• Each device was bar-coded and entered into the ATK-KEE database
• When a device is reassigned to a customer:
• A customer record is entered in the database
• A transaction is entered on the equipment record to
link it to the customer
• This process allows follow-up to see if the device is
working and needed
Additional Services
• ATK staff may provide additional services depending on the
• Individual’s degree of vision loss,
• Level of support/ isolation faced by the
individual,
• Type of assistive technology needed
• Other unique factors for the individual
Services (1 of 2)
• Assessment of individual’s needs at appropriate environment –
AT Access Site, home, work, community setting
• Person-centered: Individual explained what he
wanted to be able to do
• Usually at home or work to take into
consideration environmental factors, lighting,
glare, color contrast, organization/clutter, safety
• Demonstration of devices that could meet the individual’s needs
Services (2 of 2)
• Reutilization – individual receives a refurbished, sometimes
new, device that meets their needs
• Training – ATK staff show the individual and others (family
member, personal attendant, co-workers) how to optimally use
and maintain the device
KRS Supports
• Provided the inventory for reutilization
• Hosted events to introduce ATK staff to low vision specialists
and other relevant service providers in the state
• Provided a press release announcing the change in service
delivery and who new service providers were
KRS Funding Support
• Provided funds for
• Limited refurbishing and replacement of devices as
needed
• Mileage reimbursement for device delivery
• Limited salary and fringe reimbursement for ATK
staff specializing in low vision
• Low vision clinics hosted by ATK staff and low
vision specialists
• Provided service authorizations to support assessment and training for
individuals who are Title I eligible
• 22 high end devices were funded through other resources
Dissemination Data
(July 2009 – September 2011)
• 76 CCTVs
• 36 video-magnifiers
• 158 low vision aids for daily living
• 5 braillers
• 8 braille note-takers
• Value $17,395 in year 1; $108,745 in year 2
• Total 283 devices valued at $126,140
Vision Services
(July 2009 – September 2011)
• 50 – Assessment
• 40 – Device Loan
• 173– Device Demonstration
• 257 – Funded Devices
• 58 – Information & Assistance
• 51 – Training
• 14 – Donated devices
Questions?
• Contact
• Sara Sack
• [email protected]
• 620-421-8367
Thank you for attending this session
• CEUs – Session Code: XXX-YY
• More Info at: www.atia.org/CEU
• For ACVREP, AOTA and ASHA CEUs, hand in completed Attendance
Forms to REGISTRATION DESK at the end of the conference.
• For general CEUs, apply online with The AAC Institute:
www.aacinstitute.org
• Session Evaluation
• Please help us improve the quality of our conference by completing your
session evaluation form.
• Completed evaluation forms should be submitted as you exit or to staff at
the registration desk.
• Handouts
• Handouts are available at: www.atia.org/chicagohandouts
• Handout link remains live for 3 months after the conference ends.
Handouts are available at: www.atia.org/chicagohandouts
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