Transcript Access to assistive technology is key

FILLING THE GAP!
AT REUSE HELPS SCHOOL AND
COMMUNITY TRANSITIONS
AT Reuse Strand
Joy Kniskern, Pass It On Center
Carolyn Phillips, Pass It On Center
Liz Persaud, Pass It On Center
Karen Royston, GA High School High Tech
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
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• To understand how the Pass It On Center, a
national AT reuse resource, and reuse
programs are supplying refurbished devices
• 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.
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PIOC web site
Indicators of Quality with
Online Program Assessment
Tool
Online Knowledge Base
Free webinars with ondemand 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
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PIOC Reuse Locations Database
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Find AT
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IQ-ATR: Online Program Assessment Tool
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N.E.E.D. AT
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High School/High Tech and
Georgia’s Refurbished Laptop Program
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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

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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
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Create opportunity
awareness
Explore career options
Facilitate a successful
transition to postsecondary 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
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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
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America’s Promise
Alliance
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
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
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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:
or PowerPoint® presentation
 Goals to attain with award of laptop
 Demonstrated leadership
 Teacher recommendations
 Essay
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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
The
percentage
of people
who use
computers
increases by
education
levels
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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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
Supporters and Business Partners
•Community Foundation
•Touch the Future Inc./ReBoot™ for refurbishing
•Tech–Able ATRC
•Work Force Investment Act Funds
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HS/HT LAPTOP SPECIFICATIONS
Feature
Minimum Specification
Processor speed
1.6 GHz or greater
RAM
1 GB
Hard drive
60 GB or greater
Additional drives
DVD-CD /RW
USB ports
At least one
Screen size
15.4” LCD
Wireless
Yes, built-in
Ethernet
Yes
Battery, cord
Yes
Operating System
XP Pro
Software
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.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Scope of service (mission and goals)
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

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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
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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. . .
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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
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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
 See
Planning tools
Organization module, Business Plan Guide and
 Refurbishing
 See
DME
Program Operations and User Services module
Indicators of Quality for AT Reuse
Email PIOC for technical assistance
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QUESTIONS
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Contact us:
Joy Kniskern
Carolyn Phillips
Liz Persaud
Karen Royston
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[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 – Tools for Life. However, the
contents of this publication do not necessarily represent the policy or opinions of the Department of Education and the reader
should not assume endorsements of this document by the Federal government.
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