1 National Technical Assistance for Assistive Technology: A summary of the RESNA Catalyst Project and its National Partners October 21, 2015

2 Welcome and Introductions O Joey Wallace, Project Director, RESNA Catalyst Project O Paul Galonsky, Project Coordinator, RESNA Catalyst Project O Jason Luciano, Project Coordinator, RESNA Catalyst Project (not in attendance)

3 RESNA and the RESNA Catalyst Project: Your Partners in Assistive Technology

4 O Accreditation O Certification O Education O RESNA Catalyst Project O PEAT O Standards O Membership O Conference

5 O Mission: To support the Assistive Technology Act Programs through technical assistance and to promote independence for people with disabilities O Values: Responsiveness, Leadership, Respect, Teamwork, Expertise and Compassion O Vision: Equal Opportunity and Independence for all

6 O What is the RESNA Catalyst Project? O Funded under a Federal grant to provide AT related technical assistance O What kind of technical assistance? O Provide information on AT resources by state and territory, connect consumers with experts, conduct webinars on AT topics, and more O Who do we serve? O Statewide AT Programs, Alternative Financing Programs, and Protection & Advocacy for AT Programs

7 RESNA Catalyst Project Resources O Quick state by state contact informational listings on the AT Act Programs O Library of AT related Webinars on multiple topics of interest O Monthly Newsletter with current information to share O Social Media resources O RESNA Catalyst Project Website O AT for Employer Web Portal employershttp://atconnects.com/resources/at-for- employers

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ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY PROGRAMS 9

56 Statewide Assistive Technology Programs O Through the AT Act, programs receive an annual award O Statewide Assistive Technology Programs are designed to help people living with disabilities live more independently through the use of Assistive Technology. O Statewide Assistive Technology Programs provide free services that are available to people living with a disability and their families. 10

Statewide Assistive Technology Programs provide the following: O Information about Assistive Technology devices, services available, and where to obtain them O Device Demonstrations and Device Loans O Funding resources for purchasing or acquiring Assistive Technology O Device Exchange and Reuse Programs 11

Contact a Statewide Assistive Technology Program Today O People with disabilities and their families interested in obtaining Assistive Technology can connect to their Statewide Assistive Technology Program. O The simplest way to do so is by visiting: 12

Alternative Financing Programs O Designed to help make assistive devices affordable O Offer low or no-interest cash financing options to obtain assistive devices and services O Many have evolved to offer additional financial services O Currently 39 AFPs operate in the United States and Territories 13

Loan Program models include: O Loan Guaranty O Interest Rate Buy Down O Direct/Revolving Loan O Non-guaranty Low Interest Loan For more information, contact: Jason Luciano, Ph.D Project Coordinator

INNOVATIVE STATEWIDE AT PROGRAM SUMMARIES Getting AT Into The Hands of People 15

KANSAS – IPAD TRAINING PROJECT O Assists people with disabilities learn to use iPad O Selected individuals receive an iPad Air2 O Individuals develop job skills, get a job, and/or monitor health conditions using iPad 16

WISCONSIN – WISTECH AND INDEPENDENT LIVING COLLABORATION O Eight regional Independent Living Centers provide direct services to 72 counties O Assistive Technology is available at each of the IL Center O Consumers in each county can access the AT Act program in their homes, in the community, at the workplace, or at the IL Center itself 17

WYOMING – UW ECHO: AT HUB O Builds capacity for assistive technology in education O Links multidisciplinary specialists with school sites for weekly video conference training and guided practice to increase assistive technology workforce capacity, reduce inequities in student achievement, and ultimately improve student outcomes 18

To learn more… O Kansas Project: O Wisconsin Project: ve/WisTechbrouchureFinal_1.pdf ve/WisTechbrouchureFinal_1.pdf O Wyoming Project:

INNOVATIVE ALTERNATIVE FINANCING PROGRAMS 20

Washington Access Fund O Provides Individual Development Accounts O Operates as a Community Development Financial Institution O Consumer and Business Loans O

Pennsylvania Assistive Technology Foundation O Consumer Loans and Grants O Financial Education O Diverse Funding through CDFI and multiple grants O

23 RESNA Catalyst Project’s Website AT for Employer Web Portal

24 QUESTIONS?

25 Thank you! Joey Wallace, Ph.D Project Director ext. Paul Galonsky, MPA Project Coordinator ext. 309