1. Expanded Assistive Technology (AT) Services in Maine MADSEC Fall Conference November 2017

2. Good Morning!!! Kathy Adams OTL, ATP Maine CITE, Director
John Brandt MS
Maine CITE, Training Coordinator

3. Objectives of this session
Review and Define AT
How AT can be essential in achieving learning, living, working, safety, productivity & independence
During Transition … At college, home & work
AT and AEM on the revised 2017 IEP

4. More objectives …… Review AT services/providers in ME
Maine AT Demo & Loan Programs
Visit the New on line AT Resource!!!
at4maine.org
Using the new site and Finding AT to borrow

5. Laws that Support AT Rehab Act of 1973/Section 504
IDEA, amended in 2004
AT Act of 1989, amended in 2004
Americans with Disabilities Act 1990
Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act (WIOA)
Employment First Maine

6. Maine CITE Maine’s State AT Act Program
Created/funded thru Federal AT Act
Promotes AT through information, education, technical assistance, services
Collaborate with many Maine AT providers, organizations, and policy makers
Visit mainecite.org
Webinars (e-register) - AT App lists
Funding info AT Providers

7. Visit our Web AT Resources
mainecite.org
maine-aem.org
getatstuff.com
at4maine.org

8. The Mission of Maine CITE
To improve access & acquisition of AT by people of all ages, all disabilities, in: Education Employment Community Living Information Tech & Telecommunications

9. What is AT?? Assistive ~ adaptive ~ (re)habilitative devices
An AT Device is any item, system, piece of equipment, or product-- commercial or customized--that will impact the functional capabilities of a person with a disability
AT Services help a person learn about their AT options and decide if the AT will benefit them
Document the need for AT on the IEP

10. What is AEM? Accessible Educational Materials
AEM is for students with print disabilities - ”related to blindness, visual impairment, specific learning disability or other physical condition in which the student needs an alternative or specialized format in order to access and gain information from conventional printed materials.”
maine-aem.org is the Maine AEM Resource site
Check out the many informative webinars!!
AEM for School Based Therapists

11. AEM Document the need for AEM on the IEP
maine.gov/doe/specialed/forms/index.html
Specialized formats to access curricular content
Digital text Large print
Audio Braille

12. Technology is Universal in Our Lives
Using AT can maintain, increase, maximize ---
learning, safety, function, mobility, success, self determination, productivity, independence, participation, social connections, transition and inclusion …

13. AT Services include…. AT Assessment
Device Demonstrations - learn how AT works
Device Loans – borrow, “try before you buy”
AT Reuse/Recycling
Alternative Financing – cash loans $$$
Information & Assistance
Training, workshops, webinars & in-services

14. mainecite.org/training
Driver Assessments
AAC for People with BI
AT: Empowering People to Live at Home
AEM for School Based Therapists
AT to Support Independent Living
Adapted Telephone/telecommunications
Smart Home –Remote Monitoring
AT Resources for Case Managers
AT for Managing Medications
AT for High School Transition

15. AT Reuse & Exchange
Visit Buy, Sell, Donate used AT/equipment AT Reuse Spurwink ALLTECH Opening In Portland, soon!!

16. AT Providers Spurwink ALLTECH AT assessment/Trg, Demo, Loan, Reuse
Bureau of Rehabilitation IL, Education, Work
Call them to the IEP team early!!!
Alpha One IL, AT, Driving, mPower Loans
IRIS Network AT for Employment
Mainely Access AT Assessment/Trg
AgrAbility Maine AT for Farming
Disability Rights Maine TEP & Deaf/Blind AT
Pine Tree Society AT/Communication

17. AT Providers C.A.R.E.S. AT demo & loan
mPower Loan Program $$$$ to buy AT
Maine Center for Integrated Rehab AT Services
Maine AT Solutions AT consults
Gallant Therapy Services OT services
AT Practitioners (ATPs) RESNA certified
Occupational Therapists
Speech Therapists
Physical Therapists
Manufacturers/vendors

18. Types of AT Vision Hearing Speech/communication
Learning, Cognition, Developmental
Mobility, seating, positioning
Daily Living
Environmental home & work
Vehicle Mods & transportation
Computers & related tech
Recreation & Leisure

20. Standing Power Chairs

23. Maines AT Demo & Loan Providers
Maine CITE supports these organizations to provide AT Demo & Loan services:
Each of them has an AT Device Inventory
Pine Tree Society
ALLTECH-Spurwink
CARES Inc
UM Farmington – Spenciner Center/Library

24. at4maine.org
This is our new site! It merges all 4 of the AT Inventories into one site for the public, families, educators, therapists, consumers, caregivers ….. How to Search How to Create an Account How to contact the AT Program

25. Search the Site by these…..
Vision
Hearing
Speech/communication
Learning, Cognition, Developmental
Mobility, seating, positioning
Daily Living
Environmental home & work
Vehicle Mods & transportation
Computers & related tech
Recreation & Leisure

26. Using AT in Maine Schools
What AT are your students using? What AT is important for Transition? What AT could we add to our Inventories?

27. Take Aways …………..
Technology is universal in our lives, why not our students?
AT is attainable, affordable, always changing
AT can impact function & independence
We have AT resources in Maine ---- they are always growing!
Collaboration is key!
Voc Rehab is a KEY collaborator

28. Thank YOU!!!