National Assistive Technology Act Data System

Statewide AT Program (Information to be listed in national State AT Program Directory)

Lead Agency

Implementing Entity

Program Director and Other Contacts

Person Responsible for completing this form if other than Program Director

Certifying Representative

2. Income of Applicants to Whom Loans Were Made

3. Loan Type

4. Interest Rates

5. Types and Dollar Amounts of AT Financed

6. Defaults

G. Notes:

If a number is reported in E you must provide a description of the reason the individuals are excluded from the performance measure:

G. Notes:

I. Notes:

G. Notes:

B. Description of Training Activities

Describe innovative one high-impact assistance training activity conducted during the reporting period:

AT for Parkinson’s and Tremors, conducted by Assistive Technology Specialist Tracy Cieniewicz, was presented to 20 individuals affected by Parkinson’s disease or tremors and their caregivers at a regular meeting of the Parkinson’s Support Group of Gadsden. The training was so well received that the group president reached out to 10 fellow Parkinson’s support groups throughout the state to arrange for the training to be presented at their respective monthly meetings in 2018. Presenter Tracy Cieniewicz, B.A. Secondary Education and Language Arts, has managed UCP Huntsville’s Technology Assistance for Special Consumers (T.A.S.C.) program since 2013.

Breifly describe one training activity related to transition conducted during the reporting period:

Using Augmented Reality for Social and Academic Success, conducted by Elizabeth Stewart, M.Ed, NBCT, was presented to 55 preschool teachers, Early Intervention (EI) staff (physical, occupational and speech therapists, service coordinators, and special instructors), and family members of children with special needs ages birth to three years at the 2016 Alabama Early Intervention and Preschool Conference. This hands-on training was presented as a tool to aid in the successful transition of EI clients into typical preschool classroom settings. Survey feedback was overwhelmingly positive with many participants expressing their gratitude and excitement about utilizing augmented reality in the classroom. Presenter Elizabeth Stewart worked as a middle school special education teacher for 12 years and is currently pursuing her PhD in Special Education at the University of Alabama while working as a Graduate Research Assistant at CrossingPoints, a transition program for 18-21 year old students with Intellectual Disabilities. She is also an adjunct professor at the University of Alabama Birmingham in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction, as well as a contracted Assistive Technology Specialist for UCP Huntsville.

Breifly describe one training activity related to Information and Communication Technology accessibility:

N/A

E. Notes:

B. Description of Technical Assistance

Describe Innovative one high-impact assistance activity that is not related to transition:

Landon McAfee, B.A. Communicative Sciences and Disorders, provided technical assistance to the Autism Resource Foundation (ARF) of North Alabama for its members of all ages to increase access to augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) and assistive technology (AT) for community living. This activity included curating a comprehensive list (print and online) of current AAC/AT apps to benefit individuals of all ages with autism, updating 12 donated iPads to be gifted as dedicated communication devices to ARF members, and editing raw video from ARF’s Making Connections trainings to create brief learning modules for members. ARF Executive Director Sally Davis recognized the successful completion of this technical assistance activity at ARF’s annual fundraiser and teacher workday and showed great appreciation for the hard work and time dedicated to benefit ARF members.

Breifly describe one technical assistance activity related to transition conducted during the reporting period:

Assistive Technology Specialists Tracy Cieniewicz and Landon McAfee provided technical assistance related to transition to the University of Alabama in Huntsville Early Learning Center (UAH ELC) staff and parents to increase access to and knowledge of assistive technology to prepare young children for their next educational environment in a typical classroom setting. This activity included the creation of a satellite lending library of AT and AAC items for UAH ELC therapists and teaching staff to borrow for use in the educational environment, as well as demonstrate to UAH ELC families who may borrow AT and AAC items for home use. Additionally, switch-adapted toys with switches (grant funded) were gifted to 10 UAH ELC families whose children will benefit from hands-on experience of cause and effect to create a bridge to future communication. Cause and effect demonstrated through use of switch-adapted toys aligns with ELC’s goal of supporting children in their current environment to prep

C. Notes:

Public Awareness Narratives

Describe in detail at least one and no more than two innovative or high-impact public awareness activities conducted during this reporting period. Highlight the content/focus of the awareness information shared, the mechanism used to disseminate or communicate the awareness information, the numbers and/or types of individuals reached, and positive outcomes resulting from the activity. If quantative numbers are available regarding the reach of the activity, please provide those: however, quantative data is not required.

1. STAR’s collaborative training partner, Technology Assistance for Special Consumers (T.A.S.C.), exhibited and provided Assistive Technology breakout speakers during the Alabama Early Intervention Conference October 24-26, 2016 in Montgomery, Alabama. Over 400 participants attended the 2.5 day event designed to share information and increase knowledge and skillsets for families and professionals who work with children with disabilities age birth to five. A variety of assistive technology items were demonstrated and resource information and brochures shared at the exhibit table. Staff members were able to provide onsite technical assistance to those with questions about appropriate choices and uses of AT for very young children. Breakout speakers discussed “How to Use QR Codes and Other Innovative Approaches for Classroom Management’ and “AT for Early Intervention and Preschool Students” including information about switches, iPads, apps and other common AT classroom tools. In addition to family caregivers, the audience included preschool teachers, early intervention home visitors, developmental specialists, occupational and physical therapists, speech pathologists and pediatric nurses. All were provided the link to the StarTraining.org website and AL.AT4ALL.com equipment loan portal.

2. Technology Assistance for Special Consumers (T.A.S.C.), a STAR collaborative partner, exhibited at the Huntsville Senior Lifestyle and Retirement Expo held September 19, 2017 at the Von Braun Center in Huntsville, Alabama. More than 500 seniors and community leaders participated in the six-hour event. Numerous promotional materials were distributed, including STAR brochures, informational magnets and pill bottle openers, explaining STAR programs, purpose and services. Following the event, several attendees and caregivers followed up with T.A.S.C. personnel regarding the STAR program, including a family who was referred to a STAR reuse center to obtain some medical equipment that was desperately needed. In addition, there were several families who expressed interest in creating an online account for the loan library. An AT demo opportunity also arose from this conference, which led to a STAR training session geared towards individuals with ALS in November, 2017.

Notes:

Unable to Categorize column consists of friends calling in to get information on the funding program on behalf of another individual.