1. AT REUSE STRAND Joy Kniskern, Principal Investigator, Pass It On Center Liz Persaud, Pass It On Center Trish Redmon, Pass It On Center How to Start an Assistive Technology Reuse Program

2.  What do you want to do?  AT Reuse activities include :  Device exchange  Device loan  Reassignment  Refurbishment  Remanufacturing (NO, NO, NO!)  Recycling

3.  Device exchange: Matching donors to users without intervention (e.g., “classifieds” and on- line auctions)  Device loan: Providing a device on loan for some period of time or indefinitely, usually to help user make informed choice or to provide interim solution 3 How to Start an AT Reuse Program Program web sites and E-Bay, Craig’s List, Newspaper ads, et al.

4.  Reassignment: Making donated devices available to new users  Refurbishment: Repairing/restoring donated devices to working order 4 How to Start an AT Reuse Program

5.  Remanufacturing – making changes to donated items that alter original manufacturer’s specifications or function  NOT RECOMMENDED!  Recycling – breaking down unusable devices into spare parts or disposing of in an environmentally appropriate manner 5 How to Start an AT Reuse Program

6.  What kinds of reuse programs exist?  Some accept and refurbish durable medical equipment.  Some accept and refurbish computers and other digital devices.  Some are dedicated to sharing AT in school settings.  Some receive donated medical supplies for redistribution. 6 How to Start an AT Reuse Program

7.  Just thinking about starting a program?  Talk to your state AT Act Program Director about your idea. He or she will know about existing reuse initiatives and unmet needs in your area.  Explore the possibility of affiliating with an existing network or program. (There are even for-profit franchising opportunities in AT reuse.)  Talk to local advocacy and support groups for people with functional needs. 7

8. Learn about reuse. Pass It On Center offers resources to promote new programs and to help existing ones improve.  Indicators of Quality with online tool  Online Knowledge Base  PIOC web site  Free webinars  Business plan model for start-ups 8 How to Start an AT Reuse Program

9.  Determine an Appropriate Legal Status  Nonprofit  Independent, dedicated to reuse  Part of an existing organization with other programs  Government agency  Commercial (for profit)  Public/private partnership  Important to protect the program in any form. 9 How to Start an AT Reuse Program

10.  What’s involved in refurbishing durable medical equipment?  Repair  Sanitization  Inventory tracking  Storage facilities  Transportation 10 How to Start an AT Reuse Program

11.  What concerns are unique for computer reuse?  Data removal  Software licensing  Technical training for workers 11 How to Start an AT Reuse Program

12.  Web Exchange must be easy, right?  Even that needs policies and procedures to protect users.  Accessibility  Privacy  Security  User navigation aids  Disclaimers  Reporting system  Protection from fraud 12 How to Start an AT Reuse Program

13.  Where can you get equipment donations?  Publicize the program through service organizations and churches.  Get acquainted with your local AT providers.  Talk to your local hospital.  Have equipment donation drives.  Meet the funeral directors.  Get your customers to spread the word. 13 How to Start an AT Reuse Program

14.  What are the major customer service concerns?  Devising consistently applied eligibility policies  Matching users to the appropriate devices  Providing technical assistance to customers  Following up customer to capture data on outcomes  Notifying users of devices subject to FDA recall or safety advisories 14 How to Start an AT Reuse Program

15.  Staffing the Reuse Program  Finding the right mix  Employees  Contractors  Volunteers  Training all workers  Managing performance 15 How to Start an AT Reuse Program

16.  Marketing the Reuse Program  Who does the program serve?  Geographical area or special population  How to you publicize the program to potential donors and financial supporters?  How do you create awareness of the program for people in immediate need of AT solutions? 16 How to Start an AT Reuse Program

17.  Where do programs get financial support?  Other charitable organizations or foundations  Corporate donors  Individual contributors  Contracts for services  Grants from government or foundations  Fundraising activities  Fees for program services 17 How to Start an AT Reuse Program

18.  How can you use partnerships and collaboration with other organizations to extend your reach or provide stability for the program?  Partnering helps:  Fill gaps in services  Share facilities  Promote awareness  Raise funds  Obtain equipment donations  Respond to emergencies 18 How to Start an AT Reuse Program

19.  Still want to start a program?  GREAT! We’ll help you get started.  Meet with your support group.  Use our outline to draft a business plan for the proposed program. 19 How to Start an AT Reuse Program

20. DISCLAIMER This work is supported under five-year cooperative agreement #H235V060016 awarded by the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, and is administered by the Pass It On Center of the Georgia Department of Labor – Tools for Life. However, the contents of this publication do not necessarily represent the policy or opinions of the Department of Education, or the Georgia Department of Labor, and the reader should not assume endorsements of this document by the Federal government or the Georgia Department of Labor. Speaker contacts: 20 Joy Kniskern Principal Investigator, Pass It On Center joy@passitoncenter.org Liz Persaud Training & Development Coordinator liz@passitoncenter.org Trish Redmon Consulting Educator/Writer trish@passitoncenter.org Lindsey Bean Kampwerth OT/Consultant lindsey@passitoncenter.org http: www.passitoncenter.org