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State Plan for Assistive Technology (SPAT) October 2006 Part I: AttachmentsOMB Control Number: 1820-0664 Attachment 1: Basic Information Name of Lead Agency: Oklahoma State University, Seretean Wellness Center Name of Applicable Division and/or Subdivision of Lead Agency: Oklahoma ABLE Tech Address of Lead Agency: 1514 W. Hall of Fame Stillwater, OK 74078-2026
Name and Title of Certifying Representative for Lead Agency: Linda Jaco Address for Certifying Representative: 1514 W. Hall of Fame Stillwater, OK 74078-2026 Telephone for Certifying Representative: 405-744-9864 E-mail for Certifying Representative: linda.jaco@okstate.edu Name and Title of Program Director: Milissa Gofourth Address for Program Director: 1514 W. Hall of Fame Stillwater, OK 74078-2026 Telephone for Program Director: 405-744-9863 E-mail for Program Director: milissa.gofourth@okstate.edu
Name and Title of Program Contact (if different from Program Director): Address for Program Director: Same. Telephone for Program Director: Same. E-mail for Program Director: Same
Name of Implementing Entity: Not applicable. Name of Applicable Division and/or Subdivision of Implementing Entity: Not applicable. Address of Implementing Entity: Not applicable.
Name and Title of Program Director: Not applicable. Address for Program Director: Not applicable. Telephone for Program Director: Not applicable. E-mail for Program Director: Not applicable.
Name and Title of Program Contact (if different from Program Director): Not applicable. Address for Program Director: Not applicable. Telephone for Program Director: Not applicable. E-mail for Program Director: Not applicable.
Attachment 2: Lead Agency and Implementing Entity
2.1 Identification and Description of the Lead Agency - Identify and describe the Lead Agency referred to in section 4(c)(1)(A) of the AT Act.
2.1A Identification and Description of Lead Agency if an Implementing Entity is not Designated
Lead Agency Capacity to Meet Individuals AT Needs Governor Frank Keating in 1995 designated Oklahoma State University, Seretean Wellness Center as the lead agency for Oklahoma ABLE Tech, the statewide Assistive Technology Program. Oklahoma State University is a public institution of higher education. Since 1995 ABLE Tech has provided Oklahomans free access to information and referral services, an accessible website, and publications in accessible formats on extensive topics related to disability rights, laws, and policies and funding opportunities for assistive technology. Additionally, through collaboration with consumer directed organizations, ABLE Tech has impacted the state law and policy to ensure more Oklahomans have accessed and acquired needed assistive technology.
Much of the focus of the Assistive Technology Acts prior to the passage of the Assistive Technology Act of 1998 as amended (ATA 1998 as amended) was systems change. Oklahoma ABLE Tech had a unique advantage being housed at an institution of higher education, because this positioned ABLE Tech in an environment that was not administratively dependent on any agency that directly provided services to Oklahomans with disabilities i.e. needed systems change. Therefore, ABLE Tech had the freedom to impact system change without fear of interference.
The mission of Oklahoma ABLE Tech is to increase the provision of, access to, and funding for assistive technology for Oklahomans of all ages and all disabilities through a variety of comprehensive activities and services statewide. With the passage of the ATA of 1998 as amended, ABLE Tech will continue its mission and shift its focus from systems change to that of activities that more directly assist individuals to ensure even more individuals with disabilities have access to the technology they need.
AT Expertise ABLE Tech employs a diversified and stable staff who is highly educated and motivated to meet the varied needs of Oklahomans with disabilities. Four key personnel have been with the program for 10 years and the fifth staff person has been with the program for four years. The longevity of the staff has provided them with opportunities to research AT topics regarding law, policy, funding, devices and services giving them expertise to provide enhanced quality products and services to Oklahomans with disabilities needing AT but also to offer creditable and valuable AT resources to collaborating entities. The staff credentials include:
Linda Jaco, M.S. in School Psychology and B.S. Education: Ms. Jaco has become the Interim Associate Director of Sponsored Programs for the Seretean Wellness Center and in this capacity will now serve as the Certifying Representative of the Lead Agency. She will continue to play an active role in the management of the Oklahoma AT program. Ms. Jaco has extensive experience in the field of disabilities and in identification and utilization of AT devices and services. She is responsible for setting the direction of the program, supervising the activities of ABLE Tech staff, and regularly reporting to entities such as ABLE Tech¿s State Advisory Council, the National Technical Assistance Program, and the U.S. Department of Education. Her responsibilities have included the fiscal management of the program, hiring program staff and managing all program activities mandated under the Technology Related Assistance for Individuals with Disabilities Act of 1988, the Assistive Technology Act of 1998, as well as the ATA of 1998 as amended. Ms. Jaco is on the Association of Assistive Technology Act Programs Board of Directors. Ms. Jaco is a family member of person with a disability.
Milissa Gofourth, M.S. Health Care Administration and B.S. in Special Education: Ms Gofourth has been with ABLE Tech since 1996. She now serves as the Interim Program Director where she manages the day to day operations of the program. She works with state agencies that provide AT toward outcomes that will reduce the barriers to the provision of and funding for AT. Ms. Gofourth is also the Loan Coordinator of the Alternative Financing Program (AFP), where she manages the day to day operation of the AFP and has done so since October 2001. She coordinates all communication and reporting between BancFirst, OkAT Board, loan applicants, vendors, the national technical assistance program and State/Federal government. As loan coordinator of the AFP, Ms. Gofourth has also participated in national workgroups that have studied a variety of alternative financing issues such as data collection, reporting procedures and AFP definitions. In addition Ms. Gofourth develops informational materials, which enhance the understanding and use of AT, and provides client specific information and referral to public and private resources. Milissa is working as a consultant with the National Information System for Assistive Technology (NISAT) grant that is responsible for the development, implementation, maintenance and updating of a data collection and reporting system for use by all State AT programs and the U.S. Department of Education. Ms. Gofourth is a family member of person with a disability.
Sherril York, PhD. in Physical Education, an M.S. in Physical Education and a B.S.Ed in Health and Physical Education: Dr. York has been with ABLE Tech since 2001. She has extensive experience in personnel training, direct service programming, and research with people with disabilities across the lifespan. She completed a graduate certificate in assistive technology from the Louisiana Tech University, and is a nationally Certified Adapted Physical Educator (CAPE) through the National Consortium on Physical Education and Recreation for Individuals with Disabilities (NCPERID). She serves as the Outreach/Training Specialist where she is engaged in the organization, development and implementation of training and outreach activities to increase knowledge of, access to, funding for assistive technology. She has provided training and technical assistance on a myriad of AT devices across the lifespan and for community, education, employment, information technology, and recreational settings. She also coordinates the ABLE Tech short-term equipment loan and demonstration programs, which enable consumers and professionals to experience assistive technology prior to purchase decisions. Dr. York is a person with a disability.
Brenda Dawes, B. S. English, teaching certification secondary level, 14 hours toward Masters degree program in the School of Educational Studies, Program: Human Resource Development and Adult Education. Ms. Dawes has been with ABLE Tech since 1995 as a Training/Evaluation Specialist and then in 1996 as the Marketing Specialist/Web Manager where she provides public relations and promotion of the ABLE Tech program and its various initiatives through a variety of marketing methods in order to increase the knowledge of, access to, and funding for assistive technology. She promotes the program through the development, organization, and maintenance of the ABLE Tech website. She has provided training to state agencies and other groups on a wide array of assistive technology devices. Ms. Dawes also provides training and technical assistance to state agencies, post secondary institutions, and common education regarding accessible information technology laws and standards. She has participated in various national classes, continuing education courses, and is involved with a variety of groups specific to accessible information technology in order to increase the technical assistance capabilities of the ABLE Tech program. Brenda will be the Association of Assistive Technology Act Program's (ATAP) alternate member for the advisory committee to the US Access Board that will provide input for updating the access standards for electronic and information technology. She facilitates the day to day operation of the ABLE Tech partners involved with device short-term loan and demonstration programs. Ms. Dawes is a family member of a person with a disability.
Diana Sargent, Administrative Assistant: Ms. Sargent has been with ABLE Tech since 1996. She is responsible to maintain records for all program activities, coordinates Advisory Council meetings, provides general secretarial duties for staff, provides computer support to the staff, and creates the alternative format on program materials. Additionally, she operates the information and referral line, assists with maintenance of the AT demonstration center, and the short-term loan program as well as the reutilization program.
ABLE Tech staff has and will continue to participate in continuing educational opportunities on an on-going basis in an effort to increase their skills and knowledge of AT devices and services. Attendance and invitation to present at nationally recognized conferences in order to share information on various aspects of AT is indicative of the expertise of the staff. Staff have presented at national conferences such as RESNA, AgrAbility, and the National Institute for Recreation Inclusion, as well as numerous state conferences/workshops. ABLE Tech staff has also shared their AT expertise through collaborations with other grant awards such as; Federal Emergency Management Agency, implementing the ¿The Fire Safety Solutions for Persons with Disabilities through the Use of Assistive Technology¿; United States Department of Agriculture, implementing the ¿Oklahoma AgrAbility Project¿; the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, administrating and implementing the ¿Agricultural Disabilities Awareness Program¿; and Disability Business Technical Assistance Center, administering and implementing the ¿Electronic and Information Technology Accessibility Project¿. ABLE Tech will continue to explore ways to share expertise on assistive technology at local, state, and national venues. Additionally, ABLE Tech will continue to seek both Federal/State and private AT funding opportunities to advance the mission of ABLE Tech in an effort to better serve Oklahomans with disabilities needing AT.
ABLE Tech received the 2005 Disability Agency Partner of the Year Award from the Department of Rehabilitation Services based on their efforts of improving AT services delivery to Oklahomans with disabilities. ABLE Tech was a finalist in 2004 as Tulsa Advocates for the Rights of Citizens with Developmental Disabilities ¿Advocate of the Year Award¿ due to the AT advocacy that was performed across community living, education, employment and information technology.
Capacity to Conduct a Program ABLE Tech will continue its operation of device demonstrations centers, short-term loan programs, device reutilization programs and both an Alternative Financing Program and Access to Telework Fund Program. ABLE Tech will continue to partner with both public and private entities/organizations that provide direct AT services for individuals with specific types of disabilities in order to provide a comprehensive and statewide program. (For the purpose of device demonstration centers and short-term loan programs, ABLE Tech has provided all partners with an inventory of assistive technology that meets the needs of their constituents.) This is being accomplished by Memorandums of Agreement and contracts that specify certain responsibilities pertaining to service delivery, marketing, data collection, evaluation and consumer responsiveness to the four required activities of the ATA of 1998 as amended. ABLE Tech and its partners will continue to address the assistive technology needs of individuals with disabilities across the four areas of education, employment, telecommunications, and community living. This will continue to be accomplished through partners that were selected based on the following criteria:
As ABLE Tech and its partners evaluate the performance measures annually, ongoing decisions will be made to explore ways to expand the comprehensiveness and evaluate the quality of the four required activities of the ATA of 1998 as amended with regard to education, employment, community living and information technology/telecommunication.
Capacity to Coordinate and Collaborate Oklahoma legislators successfully passed a law to create an AT Task Force to address the barriers to AT for Oklahomans with disabilities in 1998. Under the leadership of ABLE Tech, the AT Task Force addressed AT issues across use and maintenance, education, employment, and interagency coordination and established ABLE Tech as a recognized leader with regard to AT expertise and consumer advocacy. The recommendations of the AT Task Force were submitted to the Oklahoma legislature. The AT Task Force findings and recommendations established a work plan for ABLE Tech and responsible State agencies to begin an ongoing collaboration to effectively reduce the AT barriers to Oklahomans with disabilities. ABLE Tech, as a trusted decision-making entity, began the work of coordinating efforts to reduce AT barriers with entities that were held responsible in the final AT Task Force report. However, over time these collaborative efforts have encompassed a broader array of disability issues thereby bringing together a larger contingency of agencies and entities that have continued the process of reducing not only AT barriers but other unmet needs that create barriers for Oklahomans with disabilities.
Collaborative efforts that ABLE Tech currently participates in and will continue to take a leadership role as it relates to:
II. Education
III. Employment
IV. Information Technology/Telecommunication
State agencies and entities that are and will continue to be involved with ABLE Tech in the collaborative efforts mentioned above are: State Department of Education, Department of Rehabilitation Services, Oklahoma Health Care Authority (Medicaid), Department of Health, Office of State Finance, Department of Central Services, Department of Human Services, Oklahoma Commission on Children and Youth, Office of Handicapped Concerns, Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, Oklahoma Department of Transportation, Employment Security Commission, Oklahoma Housing Finance Agency, Department of Labor, Centers for Learning and Leadership, Oklahoma Developmental Disabilities Council, Statewide Independent Living Council, and Oklahoma Rehabilitation Council. ABLE Tech staff will continue to participate at all levels of memberships on the above mentioned councils, workgroups, initiatives, and committees that address the needs of Oklahomans with disabilities across the life span. These collaborations will continue to ensure that ABLE Tech is in a variety of decision-making positions in order to guarantee that assistive technology is being effectively addressed statewide. In turn, the ABLE Tech Advisory Council members proactively link ABLE Tech to assistive technology issues and activities that are key to their agencies/organizations.
Apart from ATA of 1998, as amended funds, ABLE Tech participates with three other grant projects. These projects include the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), AgrAbility Project, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Fire Safety Solutions for Persons with Disabilities Project, and the Southwest Disability Business Technical Assistance Center (SWDBTAC) Electronic and Information Technology Accessibility Project. Within these grant programs AT acquisition and training activities will be reported in the annual data collection system. Information on these projects can be accessed by contacting ABLE Tech or at their website. These projects enable ABLE Tech to have enhanced breadth with regard to outreach to Oklahomans with disabilities as well as expanded expertise with both State and Federal agencies. ABLE Tech will continue to seek funding opportunities to provide an enhanced service delivery program.
Capacity for Consumer Responsiveness ABLE Tech revamped its consumer responsive Advisory Council in February 2005 in order to be in compliance with regards to the ATA of 1998 as amended. This council has and will continue to provide input and feedback on the development, implementation and evaluation of the ABLE Tech program at their quarterly meetings. ABLE Tech strongly supports full participation for individuals with disabilities with respect to technology-related assistance, including decisions that affect capacity building and advocacy activities by providing quality information on how to access and acquire AT through various systems. ABLE Tech provides public comment to Federal and State agencies on the improvement of the provision of AT for persons with disabilities. ABLE Tech assists individuals in the complaint/grievance process in order to assist them in accessing and acquiring needed AT. In addition, ABLE Tech will ensure consumer responsiveness by seeking direct feedback via consumer satisfaction surveys, on specific service components of the AT program such as, AFP, information and referral, training, reutilization program and the quarterly newsletter, annually for the next three years. Throughout the years ABLE Tech has and will continue to utilize consumer focus groups to seek specific guidance on many of its programs and services. ABLE Tech will continue to partner with the Oklahoma Assistive Technology Foundation (OkAT), a consumer directed non-profit organization, which promotes the principles of personal responsibility, self-determination and individual dignity.
ABLE Tech will continue to operate MOA¿s for both device demonstrations centers and short-term loan programs with the following entities:
ABLE Tech will continue to operate a reutilization MOA with Sooner AMBUCS, Share4Life Komputer (ASK) for recycled computers.
ABLE Tech will continue to contract with the Oklahoma Assistive Technology Foundation (OkAT) to operate both the Alternative Financing Program and the Access to Telework Fund Program.
2.1B Identification and Description of the Lead Agency if an Implementing Entity is Designated Not applicable.
2.2 Identification and Description of the Implementing Entity ¿ Identify and describe the Implementing Entity referred to in section 4¿(1)(B) of the AT Act, if such an Implementing Entity is designated by the Governor. 3.1 Not applicable3 Show of Good Cause for Change in Lead Agency or Implementing Entity ¿ If the Governor has chosen to change the Lead Agency or, if applicable, Implementing Entity as allowed in section (1)(C) of the AT Act, provide an explanation of good cause for this redesignation. Not applicable.
Attachment 3: State Advisory Council
3.1 Membership of the Advisory Council- Identify the members of the Advisory Council and each member¿s designation as an individual with disabilities who uses AT, a family member or guardian of such individual, or a representative of a State agency or other entity.
ABLE Tech has had an effective, functional, and operational Advisory Council since 1995 which has provided input and feedback on the development, implementation and evaluation of the organization. With the passage of the Assistive Technology Act of 1998 as amended, ABLE Tech restructured the Advisory Council to be in compliance with the new law. The Advisory Council membership will continue to have a majority of persons with disabilities. There are seventeen members of the Advisory Council, 53% or nine are individuals with disabilities who use AT or have a family member with a disability. In addition, two agency representatives are also persons with disabilities or have a family member with a disability. There is diversity in the types of disability: autism (1), deaf or hearing impaired (3), learning disability (1), mobility (4), traumatic brain injury (TBI) (1), and vision impaired (1).
3.2 Structure and Operation of the Advisory Council¿ Describe the structure and operations of the Advisory Council.
The Advisory Council by-laws, adopted in 1995, provide a structure in which the Council operates that includes the following purposes: Provide guidance for the expansion of assistive technology devices and services on a statewide basis. Provide guidance to State agencies and local planning and administrative entities providing assistive technology devices and services. Provide viewpoints from other organizations, agencies, or constituencies; Provide liaison with State agencies, community groups and other constituencies of the organization; Provide financial or other advice; Help foster good public relations; Advise staff on whether the program services are meeting the needs of the people to be served; Help identify any barriers which would impede access to assistive technology; Provide consumer feedback to program staff.
The Council has a standing quarterly meeting scheduled the fourth Wednesday during the months of January, April, July, and October at the State Capitol. ABLE Tech leads the meetings, takes minutes, and provides the Council with written reports, information and updates on all programs and services provided by ABLE Tech. The Council members have opportunities throughout the meetings to provide input and feedback on all issues discussed. The Council serves an advisory role to ABLE Tech; therefore, no voting procedures are utilized for decision-making purposes. Additionally, Ad Hoc committees are formed when a topic needs further explanation or research. ABLE Tech staff and Advisory Council members make recommendations regarding the appointment of other members. Factors that are considered in the invitation process are to maintain a diverse Council includes: geographical representation, race, ethnicity, types of disabilities across the age span, and users of types of services that individuals with disabilities may receive.
Attachment 4: Measurable Goals
ABLE Tech will establish a baseline for each of the goals 4.1 through 4.7 during Year Two, and will submit after Year Two an amendment identifying the long term goals and short-term goals set to improve upon this baseline during Year Three and subsequent years of the State Plan. This baseline will be established by using a data collection instrument and procedures to be determined by RSA.
4.1 Goal for Improving Access to AT in Education
4.2 Goal for Improving Access to AT in Employment
Short-term goal for Year 3: Short-term goal for Year 2: Establish baseline of the percent of appropriate targeted individuals and entities who accessed device demonstration programs and/or device loan programs and made a decision about an AT device or service for employment purposes as a result of the assistance they received.
4.3 Goal for Improving Access to AT in Community Living
4.4 Goal for Improving Access to IT and Telecommunications
Short-term goal for Year 3:
4.5 Goal for Improving Acquisition of AT in Education
Short-term goal for Year 3: o Short-term goal for Year 2: Establish baseline of the percentage of appropriate targeted individuals and entities who obtained devices or services from State financing activities or reutilization programs for educational purposes who would not have obtained the AT device or service. o Short-term goal for Year 1: N/A data collection not established.
4.6 Goal for Improving Acquisition of AT in Employment
o Short-term goal for Year 3: o Short-term goal for Year 2: Establish baseline of the percentage of appropriate targeted individuals and entities who obtained devices or services from State financing activities or reutilization programs for employment purposes who would not have obtained the AT device or service. o Short-term goal for Year 1: N/A data collection not established.
4.7 Goal for Improving Acquisition of AT in Community Living
Short-term goal for Year 3: o Short-term goal for Year 2: Establish baseline of the percentage of appropriate targeted individuals and entities who obtained devices or services from State financing activities or reutilization programs for community living purposes who would not have obtained the AT device or service. o Short-term goal for Year 1: N/A data collection not established.
Attachment 5: State-level Activities
5.1 State Financing Activities ¿ Describe how the State will implement State financing activities as described in section 4(e)(2)(A) of the AT Act.
Oklahoma ABLE Tech in partnership with the Oklahoma Assistive Technology Foundation (OkAT), who in turn contracts with BancFirst, offers a statewide Alternative Financing Program (AFP) and an Access to Telework Fund Program (ATF) to Oklahomans with disabilities. The AFP is an interest rate buy down and/or guaranty bank loan program that provides individuals with disabilities or those that have a dependent with a disability the opportunity to acquire needed assistive technology by borrowing money. The ATF is an interest rate buy down and/or guaranty bank loan that provides individuals with disabilities a telework outcome by providing an opportunity to acquire needed computers and other equipment including adaptive equipment by borrowing money. Telework outcomes can encompass work that can be performed effectively from home and/or remote sites away from the office, such as work on the road or at a telework center. Telework would apply to individuals with disabilities who are currently unemployed, underemployed, self-employed or needing to maintain employment on a full time or part time basis. ABLE Tech markets the AFP/ATF program on their fully accessible website (http://okabletech.okstate.edu/afp/afp.html), through both ABLE Techs¿ toll free number (888-885-5588) and BancFirst¿s toll free number (800-446-9401), ABLE Tech¿s quarterly newsletter, and through flyers to disability-related agencies, organizations and AT vendors.
ABLE Tech was awarded an additional grant for the Assistive Technology Alternative Financing Program on October 1, 2005. The infusion of additional funds ensured expansion of the program over years two and three.
The AFP/ATF will meet the measurable goals of the state plan by allowing individuals to acquire needed assistive technology that can be utilized for the purposes of education, employment or community living. The AFP/ATF provides needed AT to consumers by offering affordable low interest loans. Consumers have the opportunity to purchase AT they would not have otherwise been able to acquire because this program reduces the obligations of the purchase to a low monthly payment. Although consumers have the right to choose any type of assistive technology, most consumers to date have purchased equipment such as hearing aids, modified vehicles or computers. This occurs because Oklahoma has no other public or private funding sources available for these assistive technologies. ABLE Tech provides consumers information on the benefits and features of various assistive technology devices and services. This will continue to be accomplished by ABLE Tech and its MOA partners by providing consumers opportunities to access information and referral, training and technical assistance, device demonstration centers and short-term loan programs. ABLE Tech has created and shared fact sheets on purchasing considerations for both hearing aids and modified vehicles with other states that administer AFP programs. ABLE Tech also provides financial counseling to those individuals that have been denied a BancFirst loan. This consumer service has been instrumental in assisting individuals from entering into financial obligations that they are not likely to be able to meet and has reduced the default rate to the program, ensuring long-term stability.
Alternative Financing Program - AFP Oklahoma¿s AFP program is operated in the following manner: BancFirst accepts loan applications from Oklahomans with disabilities or those that have a dependent with a disability, regardless of their type of disability, age, income level or location of residence within the state or type of the assistive technology device or service required. To date individual borrowers have come from
If an applicant does not qualify for a low interest loan, based on consumer loan underwriting guidelines and/or credit criteria, a denial form will be mailed in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. If an applicant, upon loan application completion, does not qualify for the low interest loan program upon release of information, a referral will be made to OkAT. BancFirst will provide OkAT with appropriate documentation which will include at a minimum a loan application and credit report. OkAT in turn, will provide the consumer information regarding the loan guaranty program. The AFP Loan Coordinator will contact the applicant to determine if they would be interested in pursuing a loan guaranty request; if so, a loan guaranty packet will be mailed to the applicant. Upon return receipt of the completed loan packet, the Board will meet via telephone conference, within one week of receiving the necessary information to determine whether an applicant will qualify for a low interest guaranty loan. As a condition of the guaranty loan approval, an applicant must agree to an automatic deduction for the monthly payment from their checking and/or savings account. Approved applicants for low interest loans or guaranty loans will have loan documents made available at either a local BancFirst branch or through the mail. Upon receipt of executed loan documents, BancFirst will disburse the loan proceeds to the vendor(s) of the equipment to be financed. All applicants must sign a BancFirst release of information to OkAT/ABLE Tech for the purposes of reporting loan disclosure, maintenance, and/or default and for completion of the Assistive Technology Alternative Financing Survey.
In the event of late payment on a guaranty loan: BancFirst will contact the loan customer 15 days following a missed loan payment. If the loan customer and BancFirst agree on an alternate payment arrangement or a renegotiation of loan terms, no further action is necessary by BancFirst. If the loan customer and BancFirst do not agree on an alternate payment arrangement or a renegotiation of loan terms, BancFirst will contact OkAT in writing to inform them that a guaranty loan is delinquent. Upon notice of delinquent loan, OkAT will contact the borrower to make immediate arrangements that may include one of the following options: (1) OkAT may choose to pay the missed loan payment within 45 days of original due date. (2) OkAT and the loan customer will arrange to share in the cost of loan payments on a temporary basis. (3) OkAT will pay default loan in full. In all three instances OkAT will then seek reimbursement from the loan customer and/or sends delinquency obligation to a collection agency for payment.
BancFirst reports the outstanding balance of each guaranty loan every month and invoices OkAT the interest buy-down amount for each loan closed that month. In addition, BancFirst will provide a quarterly report on all outstanding AFP/ATF loans, to OkAT, by the 15th of the following months: January, April, July, and October. The report must contain, but is not limited to:
BancFirst efforts to market the AFP/ATF will include distributing brochures to BancFirst branches across the state for BancFirst customers to access.
Access to Telework Fund Program - ATF The Access to Telework Fund (ATF) model follows the procedures above with the exception that the applicant must first be determined eligible by ABLE Tech prior to completing a BancFirst application. This added step ensures that the applicant is an Oklahoman with a disability that has an intended telework outcome, and the computer or other equipment purchased is for the primary purpose of meeting the telework outcome.
Oklahoma¿s AFP/ATF model, out of necessity, operates with very minimal administrative overhead. Each partner fulfills a distinct collaborative role. OkAT is comprised of a consumer majority volunteer board that meets quarterly to make all of the decisions of the program and currently has no paid staff or facility expense. OkAT utilizes the expertise, manpower, and resources of both ABLE Tech and BancFirst for the daily operation of the program. This unique, inexpensive partnership ensures that Oklahomans with disabilities have access to a quality program in which the bank provides all the administration of the loan as well as the loan funds. The AT program is the disability/AT expert and the CBO controls the policies/procedures, and separate accounts of funds and determination of guarantees. Cost of program includes lead agency indirect cost, lead agency expenditure to the program, CBO expenses and default losses. To date, BancFirst has made 274 loans for a total of 1.6 million dollars; of that, OkAT has guaranteed 82 loans for a total of $578,830. This cost effective model ensures program permanence.
Fire Safety Solutions for Oklahomans with Disabilities Oklahoma ABLE Tech and Fire Protection Publications (FPP), both of Oklahoma State University, partnered to create and implement the ¿Fire Safety Solutions for Oklahomans with Disabilities¿ program through funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The project targets people statewide who are blind or have low vision, people who are deaf or hard of hearing, and people with mobility impairments to provide them with free specialized smoke alarms and fire safety messages to meet their needs. ABLE Tech accepts applications and determines eligibility. Then FPP provides trained personnel to install a ¿Silent Call¿ smoke alarm with a strobe light and bed shaker, for individuals who are deaf or hearing impaired or a ¿First Alert,¿ with remote control testing system for individuals with vision or mobility impairments. Within three to six months, ABLE Tech surveys recipients to determine their satisfaction with the smoke alarm, the messages and the overall project. ABLE Tech will report the acquisition of these specialized smoke alarms in the U.S. Department of Education data reporting system under ¿Other State Financing Activities¿.
5.2 Device Reutilization Program ¿ Describe how the State will implement a device reutilization program as described in section 4(e)(2)(B) of the Act.
Device reutilization includes both device exchange programs and device repair/recycling programs. Device exchange programs are those in which pre-owned items are listed in a ¿want-ad¿ type posting and consumers can contact and arrange purchase of the pre-owned item directly from the current owner. Device repair/recycling programs are those in which pre-owned devices are accepted (usually by donation) into an inventory, are repaired or refurbished as needed, and then offered for sale, loan or give away to consumers as recycled products. ABLE Tech operates both an assistive technology exchange program and partners through a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with Sooner AMBUCS, a non-profit community organization, to provide recycled/repaired computers.
ABLE Tech plans to enhance the reutilization exchange program through the development of an interactive web based ¿want ad¿ and have contracted with AgoraNet, Inc. to provide this service. The web based program will involve extensive data collection for reporting to the U.S. Department of Education on the reutilization activity.
Oklahoma Equipment Connection Since 1999 ABLE Tech has operated the Oklahoma Equipment Connection (OEC) a ¿want ad¿ which functions as an exchange program. The OEC is a free statewide service to help Oklahomans with disabilities acquire assistive technology that is affordable, used equipment that can meet their needs. ABLE Tech provides consumers information on the benefits and features of various assistive technology devices listed on the OEC. This will continue to be accomplished by ABLE Tech and its MOA partners by providing consumers with opportunities to access information and referral, training and technical assistance, device demonstration centers and short-term loan programs.
Assistive technology is listed on the OEC in the following categories:
To put a ¿want ad¿ on the OEC, sellers from across the state contact ABLE Tech either by the website (http://oec.okstate.edu/) or the toll free line (888-885-5588) to post a used AT device(s). ABLE Tech in turn sends a letter to the seller explaining to them the terms of the listing which include:
The seller agrees to the terms and returns the Agrees to Participate OEC form. ABLE Tech conducts a follow-up customer satisfaction survey via postage paid mailer on a semi-annual basis.
The OEC provides a cost savings for the seller because this program provides them a mechanism to sell or donate equipment to a targeted audience with no advertising expense. The devices on the OEC are marketed by the AT category on ABLE Tech¿s fully accessible website and in hard copy that is mailed to disability-related agencies/organization and consumers in ABLE Tech¿s quarterly newsletter.
The ASK Computer Recycling Program Sooner AMBUCS operates Share4Life Komputer (ASK) which is a community service program to recycle/repair computers. This program combines donated computers, components and software to put together usable computers for Oklahomans with disabilities to help recipients gain independence by acquiring computers that they would not otherwise have been able to obtain.
The ASK Program provides donated computers that are refurbished, loaded with software, and given away to adults and children with disabilities at no charge. The ASK Program was started in 1994. In 2001, ASK became a National Program of AmBility, and more than 3650 computers have been acquired by Oklahomans with disabilities. The program gives young children lower-level programs and computers. They are donated to special education classrooms and to individual children for their home use. Even a computer with a relatively small hard drive can be loaded with 60+ games and educational programs (all shareware). A child with a learning disability, developmental delay, speech and hearing problem, mental retardation, autism, etc., can greatly benefit from these computer programs. Additionally, children benefit from computers used in the classroom. They increase their motor and mental skills, which helps them grow and learn. It is important for children to have the same opportunity at home. Siblings within the home also can benefit. The program attempts to match to the highest level need in the home. Software includes Spanish and sign language learning activities. The program also donates computers to older children and adults. Higher-level programs and computers are provided to this group. People requiring assistive devices (e.g., screen readers, scanners, voice recognition software) need a higher-level Pentium system, which may be provided upon availability.
The ASK Program is operated in the following manner: consumers with disabilities must make an application and be determined eligible for a computer. ASK notifies approved applicants on the availability of a computer that matches the needs of the applicant and makes necessary arrangements for the applicant to pick-up the computer. If a computer is not available, ASK maintains a waiting list and notifies the approved applicant on a first-come first-serve basis. It may take up to three months to receive an available computer. Currently, consumers statewide may pick-up computers at either the AMBUCS Norman or Woodward locations. ASK maintains a website that has a downloadable application. Additionally they market their program to disability-related organizations, other AMBUCS chapters and through ABLE Tech¿s website link.
Both the OEC exchange program and the ASK computer recycle program support the acquisition of AT by providing consumers the option to acquire AT by either directly purchasing or being given a donated item that is free or inexpensive. Additionally, the eligibility criteria is minimal or non-existence for persons with disabilities. Therefore, items can be acquired in a timely manner. Both the OEC exchange program and the ASK computer recycling program allows all Oklahomans with disabilities or those that have a dependent with a disability, regardless of their type of disability, age, income level or location of residence within the state or type of the assistive technology device to be able to use these services.
5.3 Device Loan Program ¿ Describe how the State will implement a device loan program as described in section 4(e)(2)(C) of the Act.
Device short-term loans are loans of AT to individuals or organizations for a variety of purposes such as allowing consumers and agencies to ¿try before they buy¿, assessment, meeting interim needs when devices go in for repair, and for personnel development activities, etc. Previously, ABLE Tech had contracted with four Centers for Independent Living from 1995 until 2003 to provide a short-term loan program. Under the advice of ABLE Tech ¿s Advisory Council and based on a reduction of Federal funds and the age and condition of the equipment, ABLE Tech made a determination to develop a new program that would be more cost effective and would better meet the needs of Oklahomans with disabilities. ABLE Tech now operates the statewide Assistive Technology Equipment Loan (ATEL) Program out of its Stillwater office. Additionally, ABLE Tech will continue to offer short-term loan programs via Memorandums of Agreement (MOA), in partnership with
ABLE Tech¿s Advisory Council will annually evaluate the comprehensiveness of the program with regard to type of equipment and audiences reached to determine whether the program should be modified. During Year One, ABLE Tech¿s Advisory Council recommended several MOA partnership modifications. (1) At mid year the Oklahoma Chapter of the Hearing Loss Association and Oklahoma Assistive Technology Center (OATC) became partners. OATC will specifically target children accessing SoonerStart services to loan them an AmTryke. (2) Both the Oklahoma School for the Deaf and the Oklahoma School for the Blind were discontinued based on low outcome performance. Equipment from those programs will be provided at the beginning of Year Two, to Tulsa Speech and Hearing Association and Oklahoma League for the Blind to outreach to the targeted population. (3) ABLE Tech will add the Department of Rehabilitation Services, Vocational Rehabilitation Division as a new MOA partner beginning Year Two. (4) ABLE Tech expanded the equipment inventory for both the Department of Rehabilitation Service, Visual Services Division and the University of Tulsa, Mary K. Chapman Center for Community Disorders.
The short-term loan partners were selected based on the following criteria:
MOA Short-term Loan Programs The partners are the Department of Rehabilitation Services, Visual Services Division; Hearing Loss Association of Oklahoma, Oklahoma Assistive Technology Center, the University of Tulsa, Mary K. Chapman Center for Communicative Disorders, The Tulsa Speech and Hearing Association, Department of Rehabilitation Services, Vocational Rehabilitation Division, and the Oklahoma League for the Blind. The partners will continue to provide increased access to equipment to targeted individuals and entities. The MOA short-term loan programs operate out of the following locations: 1) the Department of Rehabilitation Services, Visual Services Division, Sheppard Mall in Oklahoma City, 2) Hearing Loss Association, in the Integris Baptist Medical Center, Third Age Life Center, Oklahoma City, 3) Oklahoma Assistive Technology Center, University of Oklahoma Allied Health Services, Oklahoma City, 4) University of Tulsa, Mary K. Chapman Center for Communicative Disorders in Tulsa, 5) Tulsa Speech and Hearing Association, Tulsa, 6) the Department of Rehabilitation Services, Vocational Rehabilitation Division, Evaluation Center in Oklahoma City and 7) the Oklahoma League for the Blind in Oklahoma City. The MOA outlines an arrangement whereby ABLE Tech provides the specialized assistive technology in exchange for the partner managing the day to day operation of the program, as well as program data (outlined below) for no operating fee. ABLE Tech provided each MOA partner with a budget and they in turn chose the equipment that they believed would enhance assistive technology access for improved informed choice to targeted individuals and entities. ABLE Tech will maintain ownership of all equipment. This program allows consumers and professionals the opportunity to borrow AT they would not have otherwise been able to access because no such program existed for specialized equipment.
The MOA partners have each developed policies and procedures to operate their short-term loan program. They have agreed to provide the following:
Assistive Technology Equipment Loan Program ¿ operated by ABLE Tech ABLE Tech will continue to operate an assistive technology short-term loan program. ABLE Tech¿s short-term loan program, known as the Assistive Technology Equipment Loan (ATEL), accepts applications for equipment loans from a person with a disability, family members, advocates or service providers (e.g. therapist, teacher, rehabilitation counselor). Some devices available for loan may require specialized support for their use, therefore, the person requesting the loan will be asked to identify someone who recommended the device to them and who will provide support during a loan period. Support persons may include centers for independent living staff, vocational rehabilitation counselors, teachers, occupational therapists (OT), physical therapists (PT) s, home health staff, etc. The borrower may request a maximum of three (3) devices at any one time. The length of the device loan is 42 days with a possible extension. ABLE Tech will charge a rental fee and shipping and handling (S&H) for each item based on the following chart: Device Value 42 day Rental Cost$100 - $1500 $10 plus S&H $1501 - $3000 $20 plus S&H $3001 - $6000 $30 plus S&H $6001 plus $40 plus S&H This rental fee will ensure ABLE Tech the ability to sustain the program and update the equipment as needed. In addition, the borrower will pay for shipping costs. The ATEL program will ship devices statewide. A renter may choose to pick up and return the device from the ATEL Program in Stillwater, eliminating shipping fees.
ABLE Tech will continue to market both the MOA short-term loan programs and the ATEL program on their fully accessible website, quarterly newsletter, and through flyers to disability-related agencies and organizations.
Each time a device(s) is loaned, data will be collected on the following: 1) characteristics of the person who is borrowing the device(s) 2) characteristics of the AT user such as age, disability and rural or urban residence, 3) primary purpose for the loan in regard to, education, employment, community living or IT/Telecommunication, and 4) did the loan help the AT user make an informed decision and if not, why.
Both the MOA short-term loan programs and the ATEL program will enhance informed choice to both individuals and professionals by utilizing equipment in a natural environment to ensure the device meets their needs. Additionally, the short-term loan could result in cost savings to purchasers of the equipment who previously may have experienced abandonment, as well as lack of:
ABLE Tech recognizes that the current short-term loan programs are not fully comprehensive with regard to type of devices. Both the MOA short-term loan program and the ATEL program do not provide durable medical equipment (DME). DME has been restricted based on fiscal considerations and recommendations of the ABLE Tech Advisory Council. This decision to not provide DME for the short-term loan programs is founded on the prohibitive costs associated with purchasing, storing, shipping, maintaining, and retrieval of DME due to limited funds and manpower. ABLE Tech along with input from Advisory Council members determined not to continue a partnership with both the Oklahoma School for the Blind and the Oklahoma School for the Deaf as a result of their inability to meet the conditions of the MOA. The addition of new partners will continue to cover the targeted populations.
Additionally, ABLE Tech is conducting a statewide needs assessment to determine the most effective way in which to operate a short term loan program. The objectives of the needs assessment are:
5.4 Device Demonstration Program ¿ Describe how the State will implement a device demonstration program as described in section 4(e)(2)(D) of the Act.
Device demonstration compares the features and benefits of a particular AT device or category of devices for an individual or small group of individuals. The purpose of a device demonstration is to enable an individual to make an informed choice to a particular device to support effective usage. Device demonstrations should not be confused with training activities at which devices are demonstrated for larger groups. Device demonstrations also should not be confused with public awareness activities at which devices are demonstrated. The key difference is that device demonstrations are intended to enable an individual to make an informed choice rather than merely making him or her aware of a variety of AT.
ABLE Tech will operate an AT device demonstration center out of its Stillwater office. ABLE Tech will also offer six device demonstration centers, via an MOA with the same partners utilized for the short-term loan program (Attachment 5.3) with the exception of the Oklahoma Assistive Technology Center which only operates a short term loan program. Additionally, ABLE Tech will continue its MOA with SoonerStart to provide AT devices for demonstration purposes. Each demonstration center and SoonerStart will have assigned personnel familiar with AT devices and services available to demonstrate the device(s) to individuals and/or groups. Not only will the devices be available at the seven centers and SoonerStart offices statewide but staff from each center will have opportunities to demonstrate devices for specialized training classes, public awareness events and workshop utilization statewide.
The ABLE Tech center will be open to the public every Monday from 9 to Noon, every Tuesday from 1:30-4:30 p.m., or call for an appointment at 1-888-885-5588. Requests for equipment demonstrations may be made by a person with a disability, family members, advocates or service providers (e.g. therapist, teacher, rehabilitation counselor). ABLE Tech will sponsor quarterly open houses for featured device demonstrations that will be advertised to the general public. The six MOA centers will operate with posted hours as well as by appointment. Each time a device(s) is demonstrated at any of the centers, data will be collected on the following: 1) type of participant that is being demonstrated the device, 2) number and type of devices being demonstrated, 3) primary purpose for the demonstration in regard to, education, employment, community living or IT/Telecommunication, and 4) did the demonstration help the AT user make an informed decision, 5) number and type of referrals that were provided to the participant, and 6) customer satisfaction.
ABLE Tech also has a partnership, via a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), with SoonerStart which serves children with disabilities birth to 3 years old. The MOA outlines an arrangement whereby ABLE Tech provides AT demonstration kits for 26 regional offices. In turn, SoonerStart will allow professionals to utilize the AT kits for the purposes of demonstrating AT devices for appropriate consideration of AT for the Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP). The AT demonstration kits include devices across various AT categories that include: 1) vision, 2) assistive listening, 3) self care, 4) positioning, 5) mobility, 6) communication, 7) early reading, 8) early writing, 9) early math, 10) computer access, 11) play, and 12) environmental control.
This program will operate in the following way: SoonerStart professionals will check out the AT demonstration kit to take to the home of the family. Appropriate devices from the kit, depending on the child¿s functional ability, will be utilized during the demonstration. The professional will record which device(s) will be recommended in the IFSP, as well as, which device(s) will not benefit the child. For the first time SoonerStart professionals across the State will have the necessary tools by which to appropriately make an informed choice for a child¿s AT needs.
Each time a device(s) is utilized for a demonstration, a SoonerStart professional will track the following data with regard to making an informed decision: 1) features of the device that were/were not appropriate for the child, 2) how the device could be integrated into the child¿s routine (natural environment), 3) family interest and enthusiasm for the potential of using AT with the child, 4) needed portability, usability, durability of the device, and 5) how the child could or could not do things differently using the device.
ABLE Tech will continue to market the MOA device demonstration programs, the ABLE Tech demonstration program and the SoonerStart demonstrations on the fully accessible website, quarterly newsletter, and through flyers to disability-related agencies and organizations.
ABLE Tech recognizes that the six MOA device demonstration programs are not fully comprehensive with regard to type of devices or statewideness. The types of devices located in the six device demonstration centers will be unique to the needs of the populations served by the partners. Additionally, because of the fact that there are only seven centers, it may be difficult for individuals not living in close proximity to a center to access the devices. Device demonstrations will be provided at different locations throughout the State upon request.
ABLE Tech¿s Advisory Council will annually evaluate the quality and comprehensiveness of the program with regard to type of equipment and audiences reached to determine whether the program should be modified. During Year One, ABLE Tech¿s Advisory Council recommended several MOA partnership modifications. (1) At mid year the Oklahoma Chapter of the Hearing Loss Association. (2) Both the Oklahoma School for the Deaf and the Oklahoma School for the Blind were discontinued based on low outcome performance. Equipment from those programs will be provided at the beginning of Year Two, to Tulsa Speech and Hearing Association and Oklahoma League for the Blind to outreach to the targeted population. (3) ABLE Tech will add the Department of Rehabilitation Services, Vocational Rehabilitation Division as a new MOA partner beginning Year Two. (4) ABLE Tech expanded the equipment inventory for both the Department of Rehabilitation Service, Visual Services Division and the University of Tulsa, Mary K. Chapman Center for Community Disorders.
Attachment 6: Comparable Support
6.1 Source and Amount of Support¿ Identify the State-level activity for which there is comparable support, the source of this support, the amount of the support, and the project year for which this support is being provided.
Not applicable.
6.2 Comparability - Demonstrate that this support is comparable in terms of funding and that the activities are comparable in terms of scope.
Not applicable.
6.3 Coordination and Collaboration ¿ Describe how the State will coordinate activities and collaborate with the appropriate entity, if the comparable funds are provided to, or the activities are conducted by, an entity other than the Lead Agency or Implementing Entity.
Not applicable.
Attachment 7: State Flexibility
7.1 Activity ¿ Identify each State-level activity the State is choosing not to carry out.
Not applicable.
7.2 Maintenance of Statewideness and Comprehensiveness ¿ Demonstrate that the Statewide AT Program will continue to be comprehensive without conducting this activity.
Not applicable.
7.3 Achievement of Measurable Goals - Demonstrate that the State can reach its measurable education goals, employment goals, telecommunications and information technology goals, and community living goals without conducting such activities.
Not applicable.
7.4 Coordination and Collaboration ¿ Describe how the Lead Agency or Implementing Entity will coordinate activities and collaborate with entities in the State that do conduct this activity, if the State chooses not to conduct this activity because another entity already conducts it.
Not applicable.
Attachment 8: State Leadership Activities
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