1. RESNA Catalyst Project: Providing Assistive Technology Support and Technical Assistance

2. Today’s Presenters Joey Wallace, PhD., Project Director Paul Galonsky, MPA, Project Coordinator Jason M. Luciano, PhD., Project Coordinator

3. Today’s webinar- What we would like to accomplish Understanding Assistive Technology & Durable Medical Equipment Understanding of Statewide Assistive Technology Programs Understanding of Alternative Financing Programs Information about what we do at the RESNA Catalyst Project

4. Understanding Assistive Technology & Durable Medical Equipment

5. Assistive Technology Purpose is to improve the functional capabilities of an individual Includes both devices and services Whole person whole life May include Durable Medical Equipment but not limited to AT based upon an independence model that emphasizes consumer choice and control. Mobility, Sensory, and Cognitive devices and more

6. Durable Medical Equipment Purpose is to aid in a better quality of living Equipment that is determined to be medical in nature For use in the home Must meet medical necessity requirements Medical insurance benefit with specific definition Prosthetics, orthotics, mobility devices, speech generating devices are examples

7. Options to Help Live Independently: Statewide Assistive Technology Programs

8. Live Independently Statewide Assistive Technology Programs are designed to help people living with disabilities live more independently through the use of Assistive Technology. Statewide Assistive Technology Programs provide free services that are available to people living with a disability and their families.

9. Statewide Assistive Technology Programs provide the following: Information about Assistive Technology devices, services available, and where to obtain them Device Demonstrations and Device Loans Funding resources for purchasing or acquiring Assistive Technology Device Exchange and Recycling Programs

10. Contact a Statewide Assistive Technology Program Today! People with disabilities and their families interested in obtaining Assistive Technology can connect to their Statewide Assistive Technology Program. The simplest way to do so is by visiting: www.findatnow.orgwww.findatnow.org

11. Options to Help Live Independently: Alternative Financing Programs

12. The Challenges People with disabilities are historically more highly represented in unemployment or underemployment numbers. Currently the unemployment rate for the US is 5.9%. For people with disabilities unemployment is 14.3% Poverty rate for adults with disabilities is 20.9%. For women with disabilities the poverty rate is 23.2% Assistive Devices are expensive and often necessary to live independently

13. Congress enacted laws to establish Alternative Financing Programs Designed to help make assistive devices affordable Offer low- or no-interest cash financing options to obtain assistive devices and services Many have evolved to offer additional financial services

14. Four general ways this is done 1.loan guaranty 2.interest rate buy down loan 3.direct/revolving loan 4.non-guaranty low interest loan

15. To access a Statewide Assistive Technology or Alternative Financing Program in your state, visit www.findatnow.org

17. What is the RESNA Catalyst Project ? www.resnaprojects.org

18. What is the RESNA Catalyst Project? Funded under a Federal grant to provide AT related technical assistance What kind of technical assistance? Provide information on AT resources by state and territory, connect consumers with experts, conduct webinars on AT topics, and more Who do we serve? Statewide AT Programs, Alternative Financing Programs, and Protection & Advocacy for AT Programs

19. What resources do we offer? Quick state by state contact informational listings on the programs mentioned Library of AT related Webinars on multiple topics of interest Highlights Monthly Newsletter with current information to share

20. QUESTIONS?

21. Joey Wallace, Ph.D. Project Director jwallace@resna.org 703-524-6686 ext. 304 jwallace@resna.org Paul Galonsky, MPA Project Coordinator pgalonsky@resna.org 703-524-6686 ext. 309 pgalonsky@resna.org Jason Luciano, Ph.D. Project Coordinator jluciano@resna.org 508-615-7313 jluciano@resna.org Thank You! www.resnaprojects.org