si07: the trend of reused at for sensory disabilities carolyn phillips, director pass it on center...
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SI07: The Trend of Reused AT for Sensory Disabilities
Carolyn Phillips, Director Pass It On Center
andSara Sack, University of Kansas
November 3, 2011
A Closer look at AT Reuse Programs that serve:
• Deaf• Disabilities related to Hearing• Deaf-Blind• Blind• Disabilities related to Vision
Trends to consider:• 5 years ago –
• 5 Programs with primary focus on AT Reuse for Sensory Equipment
• Now 16 Programs!• Increasingly integrated into AT Reuse
Programs – 48 Programs• Types of equipment:
• Hearing Aid• CCTVs• Smart Phones• GPS• Perkins Braillers • Braille Displays (FS)
AT Reuse takes several forms:
• Exchange between seller or donor and buyer or recipient
• Refurbishment of devices for minor repairs to restore original function
• Reassignment to new users• Device loans for trial or to fill the gap while
waiting for a new device• Recycling: breakdown for parts or end-of-life
disposal• Remanufacturing: Please don’t!
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State AT Act Programs Fiscal Year 2010 Reutilization Data
April 2011
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April 2011
2006 to 2010 Comparisons
27,610
35,844
5,602 4,765
24,805
31,069
0
5,000
10,000
15,000
20,000
25,000
30,000
35,000
40,000
RECIPIENTS DEVICES
2006
2008
2010
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April 2011
Cost Savings
Exchange Refurbish/
Reassign
Open-Ended Loan
TOTAL
$2,826,996 $13,355,432 $1,795,618
$17,978,046
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Kansas Reuse
• Assistive Technology for Kansans tracks assistive technology devices for short-term loan and device demonstration using an online database.
•ATK tracks the transactions of over 5,200 devices as they are borrowed by consumers and service providers across the state.
• Based partially on ATK’s ability to track inventory, Kansas Medicaid and ATK agreed to collaborate on a durable medical equipment reuse program – donated equipment is refurbished and given to eligible Kansans.
Reuse of Low Vision Devices
• Kansas Rehabilitation Services (VR) changed its service delivery system for individuals who are blind or have low vision in 2009.
•KRS moved from a center-based intensive residential training model to a community-based training model.
• KRS contacted ATK to discuss possible dissemination of vision-related assistive technology devices to
•Kan SAIL consumers – ages 55 years and older with low vision
•Income eligible Kansans who have low vision or are blind
Eligibility Criteria
• Documentation of low vision or blindness from a qualified professional that is no more than six month old
• Individual income of $55,000 or less
• Priority given to adults, 18 years and older
Vision Inventory
• Close circuit televisions – some new, some used
• Portable video-magnifiers – some new, some used
• Low vision aids for daily living for personal care, health management, financial management, cooking, recreation
• Braille note-takers – used
• Braille printers – used
Process
• Individual called toll-free number to request a device that met barriers encountered due to vision loss
• Income and vision eligibility documentation obtained
• Devices were demonstrated then given to the individual
•Device can be kept as long as it is needed•Individuals are encouraged to return devices
that are no longer needed so they can be used by others
Inventory Management
• Equipment was evaluated to verify all components were present, the device worked, and was in appropriate condition to be reutilized
• Each device was bar-coded and entered into the ATK-KEE database
• When a device is reassigned to a customer:
•A customer record is entered in the database•A transaction is entered on the equipment record to
link it to the customer•This process allows follow-up to see if the device is
working and needed
Additional Services
• ATK staff may provide additional services depending on the
•Individual’s degree of vision loss, •Level of support/ isolation faced by the
individual,• Type of assistive technology needed•Other unique factors for the individual
Services (1 of 2)
• Assessment of individual’s needs at appropriate environment – AT Access Site, home, work, community setting
•Person-centered: Individual explained what he wanted to be able to do
•Usually at home or work to take into consideration environmental factors, lighting, glare, color contrast, organization/clutter, safety
• Demonstration of devices that could meet the individual’s needs
Services (2 of 2)
• Reutilization – individual receives a refurbished, sometimes new, device that meets their needs
• Training – ATK staff show the individual and others (family member, personal attendant, co-workers) how to optimally use and maintain the device
KRS Supports
• Provided the inventory for reutilization
• Hosted events to introduce ATK staff to low vision specialists and other relevant service providers in the state
• Provided a press release announcing the change in service delivery and who new service providers were
KRS Funding Support
• Provided funds for
•Limited refurbishing and replacement of devices as needed
•Mileage reimbursement for device delivery•Limited salary and fringe reimbursement for ATK
staff specializing in low vision•Low vision clinics hosted by ATK staff and low
vision specialists• Provided service authorizations to support assessment and training for
individuals who are Title I eligible
• 22 high end devices were funded through other resources
Dissemination Data (July 2009 – September 2011)
• 76 CCTVs
• 36 video-magnifiers
• 158 low vision aids for daily living
• 5 braillers
• 8 braille note-takers
• Value $17,395 in year 1; $108,745 in year 2
•Total 283 devices valued at $126,140
Vision Services(July 2009 – September 2011)
• 50 – Assessment
• 40 – Device Loan
• 173– Device Demonstration
• 257 – Funded Devices
• 58 – Information & Assistance
• 51 – Training
• 14 – Donated devices
Thank you for attending this session
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