1. How Does Your Device Demonstration Program Work? NATTAP Specialized Workshop February 12, 2007 Willie Gunther, Executive Director Illinois Assistive Technology Program

2. Overview of IATP Demonstration Program  Part of State AT Act Program (begun in FFY90) which also includes device loan, device reutilization & state financing programs  Length of Demo Program Operation: Begun in FFY93; MUCH growth since then!  Structure: Both center-based and mobile  Devices: Representing all AT Classification Areas  Staffing: Less than one full time FTE

3. Overview of IATP Demonstration Program (cont’d)  Annual Budget: $150K for staff, space, insurance, other administrative costs; excludes equipment purchase, repair & replacement costs  Target Population: All ages, all disabilities, statewide  Demonstration Activity - old definition: Over 600 individuals visit center; nearly 50 mobile demos  Demonstration Activity - new definition: Began tracking demos as of 1/1/07

4. What is a “Device Demonstration” under the current law? (D) Device Demonstrations. (i) In general. – The State shall directly, or in collaboration with public and private entities, such as one-stop partners, as defined in section 101 of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (29 U.S.C. 2801), demonstrate a variety of assistive technology devices and assistive technology services (including assisting individuals in making informed choices regarding, and providing experiences with, the devices and services), using personnel who are familiar with such devices and services and their applications.

5. Illinois Demographics  Over 12 million residents – 6 th largest in population (Florida just overtook our 5 th place!)  Nearly 58,000 square miles – 25 th largest in size  Relatively high state per capita income BUT very large low income population  Chicago Metropolitan area is nearly 80% of population & 20% of size  Chicago Metropolitan area has enormous resources  Remainder of state is mostly rural with approximately a dozen cities or large towns dispersed throughout having few or no resources

6.  Est. Statewide AT Demonstration Center in 1993 - Reasons for both center-based & mobile AT Demonstration Program approach vs. subcontractors on a regional or local basis - Initial AT Demonstration Center was sparsely equipped  IATP moved offices in 1995 and again in 1997 - Located in center of downtown - Close to State Capitol - Larger space - Program & inventory expansion - Creation of “rooms” Program History & Evolving Design

7. Program History & Evolving Design ( cont’d )  Funding - AT Act Dollars - Several one-time-only state funds awards - Small philanthropic grants - Role of legislative receptions, tours for other government officials  Official hours of operation – 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. - Open to walk-ins or by scheduled appointments (weekends and evenings too) - Open to anyone statewide - Will travel out to communities to conduct demonstrations  Operated with one Coordinator for 13 years; now two half-time Co-Coordinators - Staff also responsible for I&A and the majority of exhibits

8. Demonstration Center Design & Layout  Current layout of the Demonstration Center - Nearly 3,000 square feet - Nine areas available to showcase AT: Adapted bathroomAdapted kitchen Adapted bedroomAdapted office Vision areaHearing area ADLs - Resource area for vendor information and catalogs - Downtown store front window where we feature AT in various themes such as: holidays, Route 66 Festival, Springfield’s Art Show, seasonal recreation, etc.

9. Demonstration CenterAT Equipment  More than 500 devices ranging from very low, inexpensive technology to expensive, high-tech equipment  Devices: Speech Communication, Vision, Hearing, Computers, ADLs, Learning, Environmental Adaptations, Mobility, Vehicle Mods/Transportation, Recreation  Basis for device selection: available funds, consumer input, frequency of requests  Arrrangement of Devices: wherever possible, to demonstrate how or where AT will be used, e.g. bathroom, kitchen, office & bedroom

10. Demonstration Center AT Equipment (cont’d)  Each demo area includes a laminated list of featured devices with the specifics about those products  Inventory of AT available in the AT Demonstration Center is posted on IATP’s website www.iltech.orgwww.iltech.org  Sources of featured devices: - Establish relationships with Vendors to obtain the latest - Take advantage of promotional programs arranged through ATAP - Beg!  Non-AT “room” furnishings & construction: courtesy of Goodwill, garage sales, donation of staff family time & talent

11. Daily Living

12. Hearing & Recreation

13. Aug Comm & Toys/Switches

14. Bathroom

16. Bedroom

17. Kitchen

19. Vision

20. Office

21. Other Usable Space

22. Tucked in a Corner

23. Store Front Window

25. Program Operations  On a routine basis staff: - check to see if devices are working or need repair - check to see if devices are still current - follow schedule for charging batteries - see if any devices or components are missing - maintain resource materials  Center-based demonstrations can be arranged in advance or on a walk-in basis  Mobile demonstrations must be arranged in advance  Staff maintain a wish list of devices  Additions/deletions to the demo inventory are reflected on the IATP Homepage

26. Program Operations cont.  Demos range in length based on the number of devices being demonstrated  As of 1/1/07, staff collect & enter data using intake forms on all customers who receive a demonstration  Historically referred customers to IATP & community resources including vendors; now staff will document the actual referral to external resources  Staff will attempt to obtain the Customer Satisfaction Form at the conclusion of the demo; if not, a survey will be sent to customers no later than 2 weeks following the demonstration

27.  Staffing Patterns: - Recent change from having just one Demo Coordinator to a shared position - Ensures coverage of both center-based & mobile operations - Fosters better cross-training among staff  Staffing Qualifications: What is possible with the funding available? - Necessary skills, background & experience - Training needs of the AT Demonstration staff/other staff  Extent of inventory expansion, maintenance & repair - it’s all about choices: - Limits of available funds & cost of insurance - Frequency of requests - Loss, theft Program Administrative Issues

28. AT Demonstration Center Budget  Only half of the cost of the Demo Program staff’s salaries/fringes are covered by AT Act  Very little of the AT Act funds are dedicated for the purchase, repair or replacement of the equipment  Reliance on one-time-only state funds & small grants  Future Plans, Desires and Necessities - Line Item in Lead Agency’s Budget

29. Outcomes  In FY 2006, IATP’s AT Demonstration Center conducted 195 tours reaching 619 individuals  As of 1/1/07, IATP separately counts tours and demos  Data being collected from demos will provide information about: - Primary Purpose (Education, Employment, Community Living & IT/Telecommunications) - Whether the AT device/service will meet, will not meet or have not made a decision  Customer Satisfaction Form will provide information and suggestions to assist in refining, improving or expanding the inventory