A State AT Act Program Perspective: Virginia Expanding Statewide AT Reuse Services Through Formal and “Virtual Networks”:

ATIA Chicago AT Reuse Strand Evolution of AT Reuse Grassroots Efforts: Loan Closets to Formalized Programs Grassroots Efforts: Loan Closets to Formalized Programs FREE Foundation’s “Pioneer” Efforts FREE Foundation’s “Pioneer” Efforts Federal Government’ Support of Reuse (AT Act 2004): Federal Government’ Support of Reuse (AT Act 2004): “Systems Change Agent” to Direct Service Provision “Systems Change Agent” to Direct Service Provision Availability of AT Availability of AT Support “Appropriate and Effective” reuse of AT devices Support “Appropriate and Effective” reuse of AT devices Not to undermine consumers options of getting new AT Not to undermine consumers options of getting new AT “Reuse is a Solution, NOT The Solution” “Reuse is a Solution, NOT The Solution” 2006 RSA funded Model Demonstration Grant (3 years) / Virginia was one of 12 States to receive grant (VATNet) 2006 RSA funded Model Demonstration Grant (3 years) / Virginia was one of 12 States to receive grant (VATNet) VATS Received Virginia Reuse Network (VRN) Grant from CNI / ARRA VATS Received Virginia Reuse Network (VRN) Grant from CNI / ARRA Expand services for persons with SCI, TBI, Veterans and VR Participants Expand services for persons with SCI, TBI, Veterans and VR Participants

ATIA Chicago AT Reuse Strand Virginia’s Formal AT Reuse Network (Contractual)

ATIA Chicago AT Reuse Strand Partnerships – You Don’t Have to Look Far! Vocational Rehabilitation Program Vocational Rehabilitation Program –Assistive Technology Specialists –Therapists – OT/PT –Computer Accommodation Specialists –Rehab Engineers Existing Non Profits (Reuse) Existing Non Profits (Reuse)

ATIA Chicago AT Reuse Strand Obvious Partnerships Goodwill / Disabled Veterans / Salvation Army Goodwill / Disabled Veterans / Salvation Army Civic/ Community Service Organizations: Ruritans / Kiwanas / Women’s Clubs / Lions Clubs Civic/ Community Service Organizations: Ruritans / Kiwanas / Women’s Clubs / Lions Clubs Medicaid Medicaid National MS Society National MS Society ALS Association ALS Association Spinal Cord Injury Services Spinal Cord Injury Services Brain Injury Services Brain Injury Services Aging Services Aging Services Independent Living Services Independent Living Services Funeral Home Directors Funeral Home Directors Bank Trustee Officers Bank Trustee Officers Alternative Financing Programs Alternative Financing Programs Healthcare Organizations Healthcare Organizations –Hospitals, Nursing Homes, Faith-Based Organizations Faith-Based Organizations “Other” State Agencies “Other” State Agencies

ATIA Chicago AT Reuse Strand Mission Statements / Services – Obvious Partnerships Many Organizations Have Similar Missions Many Organizations Have Similar Missions Almost all refer to “helping improve the lives of persons living with….”Almost all refer to “helping improve the lives of persons living with….” Many Organizations Serve Persons with Functional Needs Many Organizations Serve Persons with Functional Needs Many Organizations Have Equipment Exchange Services Many Organizations Have Equipment Exchange Services Example: National MS Society – Central Va. Equipment Exchange: The Central Virginia Chapter is proud to present the new Equipment Exchange web page where people can post equipment to sell and buyers can find equipment they need. This program can save people living with MS a considerable amount of money and it gives people who have equipment they do not need a connection to buyers. It’s common to find people who are just looking to donate equipment they no longer need. Donating equipment is a great way to positively impact the life of someone living with MS.Equipment Exchange: The Central Virginia Chapter is proud to present the new Equipment Exchange web page where people can post equipment to sell and buyers can find equipment they need. This program can save people living with MS a considerable amount of money and it gives people who have equipment they do not need a connection to buyers. It’s common to find people who are just looking to donate equipment they no longer need. Donating equipment is a great way to positively impact the life of someone living with MS. Type of Equipment : Ambulation & Walking, Bath Safety, Ramps & Lifts, Rehab Exercise, Seating & Positioning, Transportation, Wheelchairs & Scooters….Type of Equipment : Ambulation & Walking, Bath Safety, Ramps & Lifts, Rehab Exercise, Seating & Positioning, Transportation, Wheelchairs & Scooters….

ATIA Chicago AT Reuse Strand Finding Common Ground – Aging Services Understanding the common links among groups can lead to service collaboration and enhance expansion! Understanding the common links among groups can lead to service collaboration and enhance expansion! “People who are aging, will acquire disabilities…” “People with disabilities are aging…”

ATIA Chicago AT Reuse Strand Less Obvious Partnerships PD-6 Network (Planning District 6- Exchange/Virtual Network) PD-6 Network (Planning District 6- Exchange/Virtual Network) I&A Hotline I&A Hotline Volunteer Groups Volunteer Groups Physicians for Peace Physicians for Peace Prosthetics Recycling & Reuse: Doctors Without Borders-Va. Beach (medical humanitarian emergencies) Prosthetics Recycling & Reuse: Doctors Without Borders-Va. Beach (medical humanitarian emergencies) Emergency Managers (nationally: role of AT reuse in disaster planning, response, recovery) Emergency Managers (nationally: role of AT reuse in disaster planning, response, recovery) Allied Health Programs (OT, PT etc.) Allied Health Programs (OT, PT etc.) Bio Med Programs Bio Med Programs Access Partnership (next page) Access Partnership (next page) Sportable, Inc. (next page) Sportable, Inc. (next page) What Obvious Partnerships Have You Found?

ATIA Chicago AT Reuse Strand Sound Familiar? Access Partnership is a community collaboration of medical providers, charities, universities, churches, civic groups, free clinics, community health centers, departments of health, city community service boards and social services departments, and a broad representation of volunteers and medically indigent consumers. The Partnership is focused on strengthening the depth and breadth of existing programs, implementing new services for identified gaps in primary care and chronic illness prevention; and coordinating care for medically indigent families. Access Partnership is dedicated to bringing health care to all residents of Greater Hampton Roads so that anyone in need of care will not have to go without. Access Partnership is a community collaboration of medical providers, charities, universities, churches, civic groups, free clinics, community health centers, departments of health, city community service boards and social services departments, and a broad representation of volunteers and medically indigent consumers. The Partnership is focused on strengthening the depth and breadth of existing programs, implementing new services for identified gaps in primary care and chronic illness prevention; and coordinating care for medically indigent families. Access Partnership is dedicated to bringing health care to all residents of Greater Hampton Roads so that anyone in need of care will not have to go without. Sportable, Inc.: “Breaking Down Barriers One Sport At A Time”: Sportable is a not for profit organization focused on providing recreation and sports opportunities for individuals with physical disabilities in the Richmond area. Our mission is to improve the quality of life for individuals with physical disabilities by enabling them to develop their true potential though recreation, sport, social integration, and community involvement. Sportable, Inc.: “Breaking Down Barriers One Sport At A Time”: Sportable is a not for profit organization focused on providing recreation and sports opportunities for individuals with physical disabilities in the Richmond area. Our mission is to improve the quality of life for individuals with physical disabilities by enabling them to develop their true potential though recreation, sport, social integration, and community involvement.

ATIA Chicago AT Reuse Strand Physicians For Peace Donation

ATIA Chicago AT Reuse Strand Partnerships: Always A Good Idea? Good Partnerships Good Partnerships –Common Mission? –Clearly Defined Services? –Clear Communication? –Data Collection? –Does It Help Constituents? –Is It Forced? –Does It Makes Sense! Bad Partnerships Bad Partnerships –Opposite of the Above! –Examples…

ATIA Chicago AT Reuse Strand Providing Statewide Services Through Formal and Virtual Networks! RE= VR Program Rehab Engineers OT= VR Occupational Therapists Access Partnership “Virtual Exchange” PD-6= Planning District 6 “Virtual Exchange”

ATIA Chicago AT Reuse Strand The Possibilities Are Limitless!

ATIA Chicago AT Reuse Strand Questions…Contact this Guy! Barclay M. Shepard Virginia Assistive Technology System (VATS) Phone (757) 309 – 1079