0. Jeremy Buzzell, Program Specialist St. Paul, MN July 24, 2007
OSERS Overview
3/22/2017
Overview of the Rehabilitation Services Administration’s Initiative on Assistive Technology Reuse
Jeremy Buzzell, Program Specialist St. Paul, MN July 24, 2007

1. Reauthorization of the Assistive Technology Act of 1998
Why focus on reuse?
Reauthorization of the Assistive Technology Act of 1998
New Freedom Initiative
Hurricane Katrina

2. Goal of Reuse Initiative
OSERS Overview
3/22/2017
Goal of Reuse Initiative
To increase the availability of assistive technology (AT) through promoting and supporting the appropriate, effective reuse of AT devices at the state and local level.

3. Goal of Reuse Initiative (cont’d.)
OSERS Overview
3/22/2017
Goal of Reuse Initiative (cont’d.)
To increase the availability of assistive technology through promoting and supporting the appropriate, effective reuse of AT devices at the state and local level.

4. Who, What, When, Where and Why?
Increase the availability of AT for . . .
Persons of any age
Persons with any type of disability
Persons who use all types of AT

5. Who, What, When, Where and Why?
OSERS Overview
3/22/2017
Who, What, When, Where and Why?
Increase the availability of AT for . . .
Any reason
In any environment
Anywhere people need it
*Victims of disaster*

6. Lack of Data We lack reliable national data about:
OSERS Overview
3/22/2017
Lack of Data
We lack reliable national data about:
How many people receive reused AT
Who uses recycled AT
Why users want or need AT
Why users want or need reused AT
What happens after users get AT, reused or new

7. Lack of Data (cont’d.) We lack reliable national data about:
OSERS Overview
3/22/2017
Lack of Data (cont’d.)
We lack reliable national data about:
What AT is donated (and where donations come from)
What AT is recycled
How much AT is recycled
The value of recycled equipment

8. OSERS Overview
3/22/2017
Lack of Data (cont’d.)
Some data will come from grantees under the Assistive Technology Act and demonstration grants, but . . .

9. We lack reliable national data about: How many AT reuse programs exist
OSERS Overview
3/22/2017
Lack of Data (cont’d.)
We lack reliable national data about:
How many AT reuse programs exist
Where they are located
What they do

10. National Scope of Reuse
OSERS Overview
3/22/2017
National Scope of Reuse
To address the lack of national data, RSA is helping to develop a national network of AT reuse programs.
A formal preliminary survey has been completed.
Further survey work and classification will be done.
Venues for networking and communication are to be established
The end result will be a central place for AT reusers and consumers to find reuse programs
*Network response to disasters*

11. Goal of Reuse Initiative (cont’d.)
OSERS Overview
3/22/2017
Goal of Reuse Initiative (cont’d.)
To increase the availability of assistive technology through promoting and supporting the appropriate, effective reuse of AT devices at the state and local level.

12. Promoting Reuse National Conference on AT Reuse Brochure on AT reuse
OSERS Overview
3/22/2017
Promoting Reuse
National Conference on AT Reuse
Brochure on AT reuse
Visits to AT reuse programs and forums
Participation in conferences
Listserv messages
Interagency discussions
Press coverage
“Pass It On” Center

13. Goal of Reuse Initiative (cont’d.)
OSERS Overview
3/22/2017
Goal of Reuse Initiative (cont’d.)
To increase the availability of assistive technology through promoting and supporting the appropriate, effective reuse of AT devices at the state and local level.

14. Supporting Reuse State and local entities OSERS’ supports include:
OSERS Overview
3/22/2017
Supporting Reuse
State and local entities OSERS’ supports include:
Statewide AT Programs funded under the Assistive Technology Act and supported by the National Assistive Technology Technical Assistance Partnership (NATTAP) and the Pass It On Center
Demonstrations of AT reuse funded under the Rehabilitation Act and supported by the Pass It On Center
Nonaffiliated community-based programs supported through technical assistance and networking through the Pass It On Center

15. Provision of Technical Assistance
OSERS Overview
3/22/2017
Provision of Technical Assistance

16. Goal of Reuse Initiative (cont’d.)
OSERS Overview
3/22/2017
Goal of Reuse Initiative (cont’d.)
To increase the availability of assistive technology through promoting and supporting the appropriate, effective reuse of AT devices at the state and local level.

17. What Is ‘Appropriate’ Reuse?
OSERS Overview
3/22/2017
What Is ‘Appropriate’ Reuse?
Appropriate reuse:
Is safe for consumers and reusers
Results in positive outcomes for consumers
Is environmentally friendly

18. Safe for Consumers and Reusers
OSERS Overview
3/22/2017
Safe for Consumers and Reusers
Work needs to be done on:
Clinical issues
Sanitary and hygienic issues
Useful life issues
Liability issues
Industrial design issues

19. Positive Outcomes for Consumers
OSERS Overview
3/22/2017
Positive Outcomes for Consumers
What is the benefit of reuse to the consumer:
- receipt of AT?
- cost savings?
- clinical outcomes?
- other?
How do we measure this benefit?
What practices produce this benefit?

20. Environmentally Friendly
OSERS Overview
3/22/2017
Environmentally Friendly
Useful life issues:
Deciding when enough is enough
Internal and external recycling of parts
State and local disposal laws (electronics, batteries)

21. What Is ‘Effective’ Reuse?
OSERS Overview
3/22/2017
What Is ‘Effective’ Reuse?
Effective reuse:
Meets the needs of consumers
Produces cost savings
Is sustainable
Has a positive or neutral effect on the AT field

22. Effective Reuse Meets Consumer Needs
OSERS Overview
3/22/2017
Effective Reuse Meets Consumer Needs
We need to know more about:
What kinds of consumers most need reused AT
What kinds of AT are most available
How reuse programs properly match device to consumer
What kind of follow-up is necessary

23. Effective Reuse Produces Cost Savings
OSERS Overview
3/22/2017
Effective Reuse Produces Cost Savings
Who saves as a result of reuse?
Consumers?
Funding sources (public or private)?
Both?
What does savings mean and how is it determined?
What about cost neutrality?

24. Effective Reuse Is Sustainable
OSERS Overview
3/22/2017
Effective Reuse Is Sustainable
In the long term, how does a reuse program produce cost savings or remain cost neutral while covering:
- Inventory management? Labor?
Marketing and outreach? - Storage?
Transportation? Overhead?
Supplies (cleaners, spare parts, tools, etc)?
What “practices” make this viable?

25. Effective Reuse Has a Positive Or Neutral Effect on the AT Field
OSERS Overview
3/22/2017
Effective Reuse Has a Positive Or Neutral Effect on the AT Field
Effective AT reuse does not undermine:
AT manufacturers and vendors
- It does not create bad impressions of good products
- It does not create liability problems
The responsibility of funding sources to provide AT
- It does not make reuse the primary or only option
Funding sources, 2 prongs: Fund reused equipment first or not fund equipment at all because people can get it reused

26. OSERS Overview
3/22/2017
What’s Next?
Make decisions about what data we need about reuse and how to get it
Make decisions about what makes programs appropriate and effective
Inform the field
Find out what data exists
Learn about current appropriate and effective programs
Inform the Task Force and The Pass It On Center