1. 1 An AT Exchange for Public Schools to Share AT Devices ATIA January 2009 Session FO 506 Arlene Lugo, ATP - Connecticut Kathryn Adams, OTR/L, ATP - Maine Sharon Alderman, BA Elem Ed - VT

2. 2 Teamwork!

3. 3 Learning Objectives Overview of the AT Act Programs Identify the need for tracking AT devices used in public schools Demonstrate how the “AT School Swap” website can meet the needs of schools to maximize the effective use of AT Show how State’s AT Act Programs collaborate to create & share resources

4. 4 Assistive Technology is … An AT Device is any item, piece of equipment, or product--whether acquired commercially or customized--that is used to increase, maintain or improve the functional capabilities of a person with a disability AT services help a person learn about AT options and decide if using AT will benefit them Using AT can increase, maintain or maximize safety, productivity, function, independence, learning……

5. 5 Goals of the AT Act Programs Work to improve access to and the acquisition of AT in 4 functional areas of life—across all ages Education Employment Community Living Information Tech & Telecommunications

6. 6 New England's AT Act Programs Connecticut, Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island In 2007, the NE programs collaborated to create the regional AT Exchange www.getATstuff.com www.getATstuff.com www.getATstuff.com site gives each state the data needed for AT federal reports www.getATstuff.com 70 AT devices were exchanged in 2008 $141,608 was “saved” by consumers $$$$$

7. 7 How did we identify the need? Survey potential users…. Maine State Special Ed Directors Conference: >90% will use an AT swap site “We can always use ways to save money in our budgets- this will make our funds go further” Vermont 86% of schools stated they would be willing to share AT Comments: “This could be a collaborative opportunity that goes well beyond AT” “This is key for us, we need support, connection with others, assistance in assessment” “Yes, we are really just tapping the surface of this area.”

8. 8 Survey input … Challenges: “Keeping the inventory updated and available to all of us...changes happen so rapidly. There will need to be someone dedicated to keeping this going.” “Because of the distance between schools in the state, we would need a good description of the device as we could not see the device before purchase. The challenge with any database is making sure it is always up to date.”

9. 9 Identifying the Need…. Conferences & Presentations with Stakeholders…… State Departments of Education State Special Ed Directors Special Ed Advisory Council OTs, PTs, SLPs University: Special Ed and General Education Faculty ----Who else would you approach?

10. 10 Why the Need for Reusing AT? There are shrinking public dollars/school budgets $$$$ Equipment is often abandoned due to changes in need, growth, the child leaves the system/ moves away or it was inappropriate in the first place…. Exchanging AT recycles good equipment that would otherwise never be used---and has already been paid for! Schools/students/families may need duplicate devices Offers great savings on the cost of equipment— Short-term loan of AT for use in assessments

11. 11 AT Schools Swap in CT… Arlene Lugo via Skype Connecticut took the lead to use the model of “Get AT Stuff” to create an AT Exchange for school systems Available only to schools In Spring 2008, Promoted the AT School Swap site with a Professional Development workshop to schools: “Transition and Technology” For general educators, special educators, paraprofessionals, sped directors, other administrators who attended as a School Team

12. 12 CT--- AT Schools Swap Each School Team received an AT toolkit--with low to mid tech devices Participants were given a chance to see the AT School Swap site and could sign up for an account at the training Bonus: Mimio Interactive Smartboards are available for loan to school who sign up for the AT School Swap

13. 13 can be used …. To keep track of the AT Inventory in schools To recycle unused AT through loan or surplus to other schools Bulk upload of devices is possible through use of a spreadsheet Help to complete the AT inventory is available through the CT Tech Mentor Program….use interns/students

14. 14 Visit the CT site…

15. 15 AT School Swap Demo Site Provided by the Connecticut AT Program http://demoatss.cttechact.com/exchange/ school/login.phphttp://demoatss.cttechact.com/exchange/ school/login.php log in: demo, demo

16. 16 Developing Vermont’s AT School Swap Vermont.ATSchoolSwap.com is modeled after the CT AT School Swap Vermont.ATSchoolSwap.com Contacted VT Special Ed Directors via e-mail Survey Monkey-- Survey request in April 08 http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=7pwVGK7Ew yCp_2fX89T4dSCw_3d_3 http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=7pwVGK7Ew yCp_2fX89T4dSCw_3d_3 Tele Conference intro of Demo Sites and active getATstuff.com site July 08 getATstuff.com Exec. Committee Special Ed Directors Aug. 08 Vermont.ATschoolswap.com launched Sept. 08

17. 17 Vermont’s AT School Swap 7 Districts with numerous schools participating across VT Presented at the Vermont Family Network, University of Vermont Interdisciplinary Team (TRIPSCY), Dept of Ed Training with Joy Zabala – Oct. 08 Enthusiasm remains high, inventories being gathered, decisions re: sale, loan, free, trade Districts getting equipment via getATstuff.com Continue w/ tele-conference introductions to the site Inventory assistance - AT Program Personnel

18. 18 Maine’s Plans for an AT school Swap Developing an MOA with State Special Education Directors Association Plan to replicate the CT AT School Swap model Assessing costs in collaboration with the State Dept of Education Plan to launch the site in 2009

19. 19 Thank you!…Please complete our Evaluation Form Visit www.getATstuff.comwww.getATstuff.com Visit the AT School Swap demo site Visit www.massmatch.orgwww.massmatch.org kadamsot@maine.rr.com Sharon.Alderman@ahs.state.vt.us Arlene.Lugo@ct.gov