U.S. Department of Education
Annual Reportto Congress
on the
Assistive Technology Act
of 1998, as Amended,
forFiscal Years
2009 and 2010
Annual Report To Congress on the
Assistive Technology Act of 1998, as amended, for Fiscal Years
2009 and 2010
Report on Federal Activities
Under the Assistive Technology Act of 1998, as amended
U.S. Department of Education
Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services
Rehabilitation Services Administration
2014
Staff of the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) produced this annual report, with assistance from the Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America (RESNA) under Grant No. H224B050003 and the Association of Assistive Technology Act Programs (ATAP) under Grant No. H224B060002.The mention of trade names, commercial products or organizations in this report does not imply endorsements by the U.S. government.This publication also contains uniform resource locators (URLs) for information created and maintained by private organizations.This information is provided for the reader’s convenience.The U.S. Department of Education does not control or guarantee the accuracy, relevance, timeliness, or completeness of this outside information.Further, the inclusion of information or URL does not reflect the importance of the organization, nor is it intended to endorse any views expressed, or products or services offered.
U.S. Department of Education
Arne Duncan
Secretary
Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services
Michael K. Yudin
Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services
Rehabilitation Services Administration
Janet LaBreck
Commissioner
May 2014
This report is in the public domain.Authorization to reproduce it in whole or in part is granted. While permission to reprint this publication is not necessary, the citation should be U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, Rehabilitation Services Administration, Annual Report to Congress on the Assistive Technology Act of 1998, as amended, forFiscal Years 2009 and 2010. Washington, D.C., 2014.
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Contents
List of Tables
Acronyms
Preface
The Assistive Technology Act: An Overview
The Assistive Technology Act of 1998, as Amended
Title III of the AT Act of 1998
Part I:Section 4 of the Assistive Technology Act of 1998,as Amended:The State Grant forAssistive Technology Program
Data Collection
Implementation of the State Grant for AT Program
Conclusion...... 60
Part II:Title III of theAssistive Technology Act of 1998:
Alternative Financing Program
Data Collection and Limitations
Total Program Funding
FY2009 and 2010 Alternative Financing Program Data...... 70
Successful Outcomes for AT Loan Recipients
Conclusion
Part III:Section 5 of the Assistive Technology Act of 1998, as amended:
Protection and Advocacy for Assistive Technology Program
Protection and Advocacy for Assistive Technology Program Performance for FY2009
Protection and Advocacy for Assistive Technology Program Performance for FY2010
Part IV:Appendixes
Appendix A:...... State-level Activities Conducted in FY2010 Under the State Grant for Assistive Technology Program
Appendix B:...... Statewide Assistive Technology Program Profiles
Appendix C:...... Title III Alternative Financing ProgramProfiles 179
Appendix D:...... Contact Information for State Grant for
Assistive Technology Programs
Appendix E:...... Contact Information for Alternative Financing Programs
Appendix F:...... Contact Information for Protection and Advocacy for Assisive Technology Programs
Assistive Technology ActAnnual ReportFiscal Years 2009 and 2010Page 1
Tables
Table 1.Types of Alternative Financing Mechanisms for the Purchase or Lease of Assistive Technology Devices and Services
Table 2.Total Appropriations for the State Grantfor AT Program: FY2007–10
Table 3.State-levelActivities Conducted Using State Grant for
AT Program Funds, by State and Changes From 2009: FY2010
Table 4.FinancingActivities Conducted by States Using State Grant forAT Program Funds: FY2010
Table 5.State FinancingActivities, by Loan Data, Types of Loans, and by OtherState AT Acquisition and Savings Data: FY2008–10
Table 6.Device ReutilizationActivities Conducted by States Using State Grant for AT Reassignment and Exchange: FY2010
Table 7.AT Device Reuse, by Recipients, Acquisitions and Savings:
FY2008–10
Table 8. AT Device Reuse, by Type of Device Acquired and Savings:
FY2008–10
Table 9.Summary of State-level AT Device AcquisitionActivity: Number and Percentage of Device Recipients and Devices Acquired, and Value of Devices or Savings to Recipients of Devices Acquired: FY2010
Table 10. Number of AT Device Loans and Percentage of Device Loans, byPurpose: FY2008–10
Table 11.AT Device Loan Borrower Types: FY2008–10
Table 12.Types of AT Borrowed: FY2008–10
Table 13.Number and Percentage of AT Device Demonstrations,by Referral and Participant Types: FY2008–10
Table 14.Percentage of AT Devices Acquired and Accessed Through State Programs, by Acquisition Mechanism: FY2010
Table 15.Satisfaction Ratings for State-Level ATActivities: FY2008–10
Table 16.Percentage and Number of Participants in AT Training Events: FY2008–10
Table 17Percentage and Number of Recipients of AT Information and Assistance (I & A): FY2008–10
Table 18.Number and Percentage of Device Loan Borrowers, Participants in Device Demonstrations, Training Participants and Recipients of Information and Assistance, by Type of Individual: FY2010
Table 19.Dollar Amount and Percentage of AT Act Activities Supported With Leveraged Funding: FY2010
Table 20.Dollar Amounts and Percentage Leveraged to Support
AT Act Activities, by Type of Funding: FY2010
Table 21.Dollar Amount and Percentge of Leveraged Funding for State-levelActivities Supported, by Funding Source: FY2008–10
Table 22.Title III of the Assistive Technology Act of 1998: Reporting Requirements for the Alternative FinancingPrograms
Table 23.Number of Grants Awarded to States and Amount of Funding for Alternative Financing Programs Under Title III of the Assistive Technology Act of 1998, by Type of Funding: FY2000–06
Table 24.Federal and State-matched Funding for Alternative Financing Programs Under Title III of the Assistive Technology Act of 1998,by State and Selected Years: FY2000–06
Table 25.Alternative Financing Program Partners Under Title III of the Assistive Technology Act of 1998, by State: FY2010
Table 26.Alternative Financing Program Loan Applications, Loans Made and Loan Amounts Under Title III of the Assistive Technology Act of 1998, by State: FY2009 and FY2010
Table 27.Number and Percentage of Alternative Financing Program AT Users Under Title III of the Assistive Technology Act of 1998, by Gender and Age: FY2009 and FY2010
Table 28.Number and Percentage of Loans Approved for AT Devices Through the Alternative Financing Program Under Title III of the Assistive Technology Act of 1998, by Type of Disability:
FY2009 and FY2010
Table 29.Dollars and Percentage of Dollars Loaned for AT Devices UnderTitle III of the Assistive Technology Act of 1998,by
Type of AT: FY2009 and FY2010
Table 30.Number of AT Devices Purchased and Average Amount Loaned Under Title III of the Assistive Technology Act of 1998,by
Type of AT: FY2009 and FY2010
Table 31.Number of Loans Made for Assistive Technology Devices, and the Amount and Average Amount Loaned ThroughAlternative Financing Programs: FY2000–10
Table 32.Number of AT Information and Referral Services, and Training Activities Provided, and Individuals Served: FY2009 and FY2010
Table 33.AT Casework Outcomes, by Case Issues, Types of AT Received, Reasons for Closing a Case, Primary Disability of Those Receiving Case Services, and Gender and Age of Those Served:
FY2009 and FY2010
Table A.Selected State-level Activities Conducted Under the
State Grant for AT Program, by State: FY2010
Assistive Technology ActAnnual ReportFiscal Years 2009 and 2010Page 1
Acronyms
Assistive Technology ActAnnual ReportFiscal Years 2009 and 2010Page 1
ABLEAssistive Bank of Loan-able Equipment
ADRSAlabama Department of Rehabilitation Services
AEAArea Education Agency
AFPAlternative Financing Program
AFTAPAlternative Financing Technical Assistance Project
ALSTARAlabama Statewide Technology Access and Response
ARSArkansas Rehabilitation Services
ASATSAmerican Samoa Assistive Technology Service Project
ASBAmerican Savings Bank
ATAssistive Technology
ATACAssistive Technology Advocacy Center
ATAPAssociation of Assistive Technology Act Programs
ATAPAssistive Technology Access Partnership
ATDTAT Development Team
ATELAssistive Technology Equipment Loan
ATELPAssistive Technology Equipment Lending Program
ATEXArizona Assistive Technology Exchange
ATEXAssistive Technology Exchange List
ATExAT Exchange Program
ATFAccess to Telework Fund
AT/ILAssistive Technology for Independent Living
ATIAccess Technologies, Inc.
ATinNHAssistive Technology in New Hampshire
ATKAssistive Technology for Kansans
ATLAAssistive Technology of Alaska
ATLFAAssistive Technology Loan Fund Authority
ATMnAssistive Technology of Minnesota
AT OhioAssistive Technology of Ohio
ATPNebraska Assistive Technology Partnership
ATPDCAssistive Technology Program for the District of Columbia
ATRCAssistive Technology Resource Centers
ATTAINAssistive Technology through Action in Indiana
ATXAT Xchange
AzLATArizona Loans for Assistive Technology
AzLAT-TArizona Loans for AT-Telework
AzTAPArizona Technology Access Program
BHSSCBlack Hills Special Services Cooperative
BOLDBorrow-to-Own Low-vision Devices
CATPColorado Assistive Technology Partners
CATSCalifornia Assistive Technology Systems Program
CBOCommunity-Based Organization
CCPCoconut Connection Program
CDDCenter for Disabilities and Development
CEDDERSCenter for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education, Research and Service (Guam)
CILCenter for Independent Living
CITEConsumer Information and Technology Training Exchange (Maine)
CNMICommonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands
CREATECitizens Reutilizing Assistive Technology Equipment
CRRPComputer Recycle and Redistribution Program
CRSChildren’s Rehabilitation Service
CTALFConnecticut Tech Act Loan Fund
DATIDelaware Assistive Technology Initiative
DATLPDelaware Assistive Technology Loan Program
DC-ATFLPDistrict of Columbia AT Financial Loan Program
DCCILDistrict of Columbia Center for Independent Living
DHHDepartment of Health and Hospitals
DHSDepartment of Human Services
DLEGDepartment of Labor & Economic Growth
DORDepartment of Rehabilitation
DORSDivision of Rehabilitation Services
DRLDisability Resource Library
DRSDivision of RehabilitationServices
DTELPDelaware Telework Equipment Loan Program
DVRDivision of Vocational Rehabilitation
EDU.S. Department of Education
EDGAREducation Department General Administrative Regulations
ELLEquipment Loan Library
ERCEquipment Restoration Center
ETCEquipment Technology Consortium
FAASTFlorida Alliance for Assistive Services and Technology
FYFiscal Year
FY2007Oct. 1, 2006, to Sept.30,2007
FY2008Oct, 1, 2007, to Sept.30,2008
GDOLGeorgia Department of Labor
GGTGet Guam Teleworking
GOAL-ATGuam Options for Alternative Loans-Assistive Technology
GSATGuam System for Assistive Technology
HATHawaii Assistive Technology (HAT) Loan Program
IATPIllinois Assistive Technology Program
ICANIncreasing Capabilities Access Network
IdATPIdaho Assistive Technology Project
IDEAIndividuals with Disabilities Education Act
IEPIndividualized Education Program
IFSPIndividualized Family Service Plan
IHDInstitute for Human Development
ILHIndependent Living for the Handicapped
IPATIowa Program for Assistive Technology
IPATNorth Dakota Interagency Program for Assistive Technology
ITInformation Technology
KATCOKansas Assistive Technology Cooperative
KATLCKentucky Assistive Technology Loan Corporation
KATSKentucky Assistive Technology Service
KEEKansas Equipment Exchange
LATANLouisiana Assistive Technology Access Network
LGPLoan Guarantee Program
MassMATCHMaximizing Assistive Technology in Consumer’s Hands
MATPMontana Assistive Technology Program
MDRCMichigan Disability Rights Coalition
MD TAPMaryland Technology Assistance Program
MoATMissouri Assistive Technology
NATCNevada AT Collaborative
NATTAPNational Assistive Technology Technical Assistance Partnership
NAUNorthern Arizona University
NCATPNorth Carolina Assistive Technology Program
NCFNational Cristina Foundation
NDADNorth Dakota Association for the Disabled
NEATNew England Assistive Technology
NIDRRNational Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research
NISATNational Information System for Assistive Technology
NMTAPNew Mexico Technology Assistance Program
OASISOlder Alabamians Systems of Information and Services
OkATOklahoma Assistive Technology Foundation
OMBOffice of Management and Budget
ORSOffice of Rehabilitation Services
OSERSOffice of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services
PAATProtection and Advocacy for Assistive Technology
PIATPennsylvania’s Initiative on Assistive Technology
PLUKParents Let’s Unite for Kids
PRATPPuerto Rico Assistive Technology Program
PSAPublic Service Announcement
REEPRecycled and Exchanged Equipment Partnership
REMRefurbished Equipment Marketplace
RESNARehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of NorthAmerica
RSARehabilitation Services Administration
SCATPSouth Carolina Assistive Technology Program
SCVRDSouth Carolina Vocational Rehabilitation Department
SPDSeniors and People with Disabilities
STARMinnesota System of Technology to Achieve Results (STAR) Program
Project STARTSuccess Through Assistive RehabilitativeTechnology
STRAIDSystems of Technology-Related Assistance for Individuals With Disabilities
SVRIStout Vocational Rehabilitation Institute
TATechnical Assistance
TAPTelecommunicationsAccess Program
TnTAPTennessee Technology Access Program
TxTAPTexas Technology Access Program
TDDPTelecommunications Device Distribution Program
TFLTools For Life
TRAIDTechnology Related Assistance for Individuals With Disabilities
UATFUtah Assistive Technology Foundation
UATPUtah Assistive Technology Program
UCHSCUniversity of Colorado Health Science Center
UCPUnited Cerebral Palsy
UEMUsed Equipment Marketplace
UERSUsed Equipment Referral Service
UICUniversity of Illinois at Chicago
VATPVermont Assistive Technology Program
VATSVirginia Assistive Technology System
VITRAIDVirgin Islands Technology Related Assistance for Individuals with Disabilities
VRVocational Rehabilitation
VT-OCUVermont Opportunities Credit Union
WATAPWashington Assistive Technology Act Program
WATFWashington Assistive Technology Foundation
WATIWisconsin Assistive Technology Institute
WATRWyoming Assistive Technology Resources
WINDWyoming Institute for Disabilities
WRPWheelchair Recycling Program
WVATSWest Virginia Assistive Technology System
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Preface
The Assistive Technology Act of 1998, as amended by Public Law 108-364 (AT Act of 1998, as amended,will be referenced in this report as the AT Actand Act) requires that the Secretary of Education submit to Congress a report on the activities funded under the AT Act.Specifically, the Secretary of Education is required to provide annually toCongress:1) A compilation and summary of the information provided by the states[1]in annual progress reports to the Departmentof Education;and 2) a summary of the state applications and an analysis of the progress of the states in meeting the measurable goals established in state applications under Sec.4(d)(3) of the AT Act.
This document satisfies this requirement for FY2009 and FY2010.Following an overview of the legislation that preceded the AT Act, and description of the amendments made by P. L. 108-364, this report is organized as follows:
Part IReports on the FY2009 and FY2010 performance of State Grant for Assistive Technology Programs as authorized under Sec. 4 of the AT Act.
Part IIDescribes the FY2009and FY2010 performance of alternative financing programs (AFP) funded under Title III of the Assistive Technology Act of 1998 as in effect prior to the amendments of 2004.
Part IIIDescribes the FY2009 and FY2010 performance of Protection and Advocacy for Assistive Technology (PAAT) programs funded under Sec. 5 of the AT Act.
Part IVAppendixes:
Appendix AIncludes a table describing the activities conducted under the State Grant for AT Program during FY2010.
Appendix BIncludes a description of the activities each state planned to carry out over the three-year period from FY2009 through FY2011, as of May 2011.
Appendix CIncludes a description of the Title III alternative financing programs, as of May 2011.
Appendix DLists the contact information for State Grant for AT Programs (referred to as statewide AT programs).
Appendix ELists the contact information for alternative financing programs funded under Title III of the AT Act of1998.
Appendix FLists the contact information for protection and advocacy for AT programs funded under Sec. 5 of the AT Act.
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The Assistive Technology Act: AnOverview
In 1988, Congress passed the Technology-Related Assistance for Individuals with Disabilities Act (P.L. 100-407) (Tech Act) to assist states with identifying and responding to the assistive technology (AT) needs of individuals with disabilities.Competitive grants awarded under the Tech Act were used by states to create systemic change that improved the availability of assistive technology devices and services.States were provided with flexibility in the design of their programs, and this flexibility continued when the Tech Act was reauthorized in 1994 (P.L.103218).
The Tech Act was reauthorized again in 1998 as the Assistive Technology Act of 1998 (P.L. 105-394) (AT Act of 1998).The AT Act of 1998 required states to conduct capacity-building activities that increased the availability of funding for, access to and provision of AT devices and services and allowed states to conduct other discretionary activities as well.Title III of the AT Act of 1998 authorized the Alternative Financing Program (AFP) to help individuals with disabilities and their families fund the purchase of AT devices or services.More information about Title III of the AT Act of 1998 is found on pages 8–10 and in Part IIof this document.
The AT Act of 1998 was amended in 2004 by P. L. 108-364 (AT Act).The amendments significantly changed the preceding legislation.Rather than focusing the efforts of states on systems-change activities, the AT Act requires states to conduct activities that assist individuals with disabilities and others to access and acquire AT.As mandated by the 2004 amendments, the U.S. Department of Education, Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA), assumed responsibility for administering programs under the Act as of December 2004.Previously, the Department of Education’s National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR) administered the Act
The Assistive Technology Act of 1998, as Amended
Sec. 4 of the AT Act authorizes the State Grant for AT Program,[2] which is a formula grant program.Any funds appropriated above the FY2004 level, which constitutes the base year amount, are allocated according to a formula that provides a portion of the funds equally to all states and a portion of funds based on the population of a state.With these grant funds, states develop and maintain statewide AT programs that conduct “state-level” activities and “state leadership” activities.
State-level Activities
State-level activities includestate financing activities and device reutilization and device loan programs. These include:
A. State financing activities, including:
- Systems for the purchase, lease or other acquisition of or payment for AT devices and services (though states may not directly pay for AT devices and services for individuals with disabilities); or
- Alternative financing systems,[3]such as low-interest loan funds, interest buy-down programs, revolving loan funds, loan guarantees or insurance programs or other mechanisms for the provision of AT devices (or a state may conduct an initial one-year feasibility study for implementing an alternative financing system);
B. Device reutilization programs that support the exchange, repair, recycling or other reutilization of AT devices;