Jeremy Buzzell, Program Specialist St. Paul, MN July 24, 2007 OSERS Overview 3/22/2017 Overview of the Rehabilitation Services Administration’s Initiative on Assistive Technology Reuse Jeremy Buzzell, Program Specialist St. Paul, MN July 24, 2007

Reauthorization of the Assistive Technology Act of 1998 Why focus on reuse? Reauthorization of the Assistive Technology Act of 1998 New Freedom Initiative Hurricane Katrina

Goal of Reuse Initiative OSERS Overview 3/22/2017 Goal of Reuse Initiative To increase the availability of assistive technology (AT) through promoting and supporting the appropriate, effective reuse of AT devices at the state and local level.

Goal of Reuse Initiative (cont’d.) OSERS Overview 3/22/2017 Goal of Reuse Initiative (cont’d.) To increase the availability of assistive technology through promoting and supporting the appropriate, effective reuse of AT devices at the state and local level.

Who, What, When, Where and Why? Increase the availability of AT for . . . Persons of any age Persons with any type of disability Persons who use all types of AT

Who, What, When, Where and Why? OSERS Overview 3/22/2017 Who, What, When, Where and Why? Increase the availability of AT for . . . Any reason In any environment Anywhere people need it *Victims of disaster*

Lack of Data We lack reliable national data about: OSERS Overview 3/22/2017 Lack of Data We lack reliable national data about: How many people receive reused AT Who uses recycled AT Why users want or need AT Why users want or need reused AT What happens after users get AT, reused or new

Lack of Data (cont’d.) We lack reliable national data about: OSERS Overview 3/22/2017 Lack of Data (cont’d.) We lack reliable national data about: What AT is donated (and where donations come from) What AT is recycled How much AT is recycled The value of recycled equipment

OSERS Overview 3/22/2017 Lack of Data (cont’d.) Some data will come from grantees under the Assistive Technology Act and demonstration grants, but . . .

We lack reliable national data about: How many AT reuse programs exist OSERS Overview 3/22/2017 Lack of Data (cont’d.) We lack reliable national data about: How many AT reuse programs exist Where they are located What they do

National Scope of Reuse OSERS Overview 3/22/2017 National Scope of Reuse To address the lack of national data, RSA is helping to develop a national network of AT reuse programs. A formal preliminary survey has been completed. Further survey work and classification will be done. Venues for networking and communication are to be established The end result will be a central place for AT reusers and consumers to find reuse programs *Network response to disasters*

Goal of Reuse Initiative (cont’d.) OSERS Overview 3/22/2017 Goal of Reuse Initiative (cont’d.) To increase the availability of assistive technology through promoting and supporting the appropriate, effective reuse of AT devices at the state and local level.

Promoting Reuse National Conference on AT Reuse Brochure on AT reuse OSERS Overview 3/22/2017 Promoting Reuse National Conference on AT Reuse Brochure on AT reuse Visits to AT reuse programs and forums Participation in conferences Listserv messages Interagency discussions Press coverage “Pass It On” Center

Goal of Reuse Initiative (cont’d.) OSERS Overview 3/22/2017 Goal of Reuse Initiative (cont’d.) To increase the availability of assistive technology through promoting and supporting the appropriate, effective reuse of AT devices at the state and local level.

Supporting Reuse State and local entities OSERS’ supports include: OSERS Overview 3/22/2017 Supporting Reuse State and local entities OSERS’ supports include: Statewide AT Programs funded under the Assistive Technology Act and supported by the National Assistive Technology Technical Assistance Partnership (NATTAP) and the Pass It On Center Demonstrations of AT reuse funded under the Rehabilitation Act and supported by the Pass It On Center Nonaffiliated community-based programs supported through technical assistance and networking through the Pass It On Center

Provision of Technical Assistance OSERS Overview 3/22/2017 Provision of Technical Assistance

Goal of Reuse Initiative (cont’d.) OSERS Overview 3/22/2017 Goal of Reuse Initiative (cont’d.) To increase the availability of assistive technology through promoting and supporting the appropriate, effective reuse of AT devices at the state and local level.

What Is ‘Appropriate’ Reuse? OSERS Overview 3/22/2017 What Is ‘Appropriate’ Reuse? Appropriate reuse: Is safe for consumers and reusers Results in positive outcomes for consumers Is environmentally friendly

Safe for Consumers and Reusers OSERS Overview 3/22/2017 Safe for Consumers and Reusers Work needs to be done on: Clinical issues Sanitary and hygienic issues Useful life issues Liability issues Industrial design issues

Positive Outcomes for Consumers OSERS Overview 3/22/2017 Positive Outcomes for Consumers What is the benefit of reuse to the consumer: - receipt of AT? - cost savings? - clinical outcomes? - other? How do we measure this benefit? What practices produce this benefit?

Environmentally Friendly OSERS Overview 3/22/2017 Environmentally Friendly Useful life issues: Deciding when enough is enough Internal and external recycling of parts State and local disposal laws (electronics, batteries)

What Is ‘Effective’ Reuse? OSERS Overview 3/22/2017 What Is ‘Effective’ Reuse? Effective reuse: Meets the needs of consumers Produces cost savings Is sustainable Has a positive or neutral effect on the AT field

Effective Reuse Meets Consumer Needs OSERS Overview 3/22/2017 Effective Reuse Meets Consumer Needs We need to know more about: What kinds of consumers most need reused AT What kinds of AT are most available How reuse programs properly match device to consumer What kind of follow-up is necessary

Effective Reuse Produces Cost Savings OSERS Overview 3/22/2017 Effective Reuse Produces Cost Savings Who saves as a result of reuse? Consumers? Funding sources (public or private)? Both? What does savings mean and how is it determined? What about cost neutrality?

Effective Reuse Is Sustainable OSERS Overview 3/22/2017 Effective Reuse Is Sustainable In the long term, how does a reuse program produce cost savings or remain cost neutral while covering: - Inventory management? - Labor? Marketing and outreach? - Storage? Transportation? - Overhead? Supplies (cleaners, spare parts, tools, etc)? What “practices” make this viable?

Effective Reuse Has a Positive Or Neutral Effect on the AT Field OSERS Overview 3/22/2017 Effective Reuse Has a Positive Or Neutral Effect on the AT Field Effective AT reuse does not undermine: AT manufacturers and vendors - It does not create bad impressions of good products - It does not create liability problems The responsibility of funding sources to provide AT - It does not make reuse the primary or only option Funding sources, 2 prongs: Fund reused equipment first or not fund equipment at all because people can get it reused

OSERS Overview 3/22/2017 What’s Next? Make decisions about what data we need about reuse and how to get it Make decisions about what makes programs appropriate and effective Inform the field Find out what data exists Learn about current appropriate and effective programs Inform the Task Force and The Pass It On Center