The Impact of Technology on Quality of Life & Autonomy - ARRM

<strong>The</strong> <strong>Impact</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Technology</strong> onQuality <strong>of</strong> Life & AutonomyPresented by Rachel Magario and Tara BrussPACER Simon <strong>Technology</strong> Center - 8/21/2013

Topics CoveredI. PACER and <strong>The</strong> Simon <strong>Technology</strong> CenterII. Quality <strong>of</strong> LifeIII. ChallengesIV. Selecting <strong>Technology</strong> - SETTV. MN ResourcesVI. Evaluations

PACER Center• Not-for-pr<strong>of</strong>itorganization• Serving parents <strong>of</strong>children with disabilities• Primarily staffed byparents <strong>of</strong> children withdisabilities• Over 30 differentprograms.

Simon <strong>Technology</strong> Center<strong>The</strong> Simon <strong>Technology</strong> Center is dedicated tomaking the benefits <strong>of</strong> technology moreaccessible to children and adults with disabilities,through a collaborated effort involving parents,pr<strong>of</strong>essionals, and consumers.

STC Services• Assistive <strong>Technology</strong> Informationand Referral• Lending Library– A.T. (Assistive <strong>Technology</strong>) Finder– http://www.pacer.org/STC/atfinder/• Free Consultations• Individualized Trainings• Workshops and In-services– www.pacer.org/workshops

STC Services• Webinars– www.pacer.org/pacerwebinars– www.pacer.org/webinars/archivelisting.asp• TechNotes– www.pacer.org/stc/news.asp– www.pacer.org/forms/index.asp, signup for monthly newsletter• Still Useful Product and Equipment Referral(SUPER)– www.pacer.org/stc/super• Special Projects

We Need You!Volunteer Opportunities• Library Volunteer– Library Computer Tech Assistant– AT & Database Entry– Other• Workshops & Events Volunteer– Annual Open House– Workshops– Livestream

Assistive <strong>Technology</strong> in ActionSeries• Sam Graves – MCTC Student• http://tinyurl.com/atinactionsam

Quality <strong>of</strong> Life• Purpose• Belonging• Autonomy

Identifying Disability• Physical• Cognitive• Medical– Mental– Chronic

Person Centered ConsiderationProcess: Resources<strong>The</strong> Minnesota Department <strong>of</strong> Education AT Manual• Five Step Process includes worksheets– Team Gathers Information– Team Meets and Plans– Generates Solutions– Solution Selection– Initiate Implementation Plan• Not mandatedHow the AT Manual Can Help:• Build a framework when considering and evaluating assistive technologyfor the consumer• Be informed about best practices• Be actively involved in the AT Consideration Process

AT Manual and the SETTFramework<strong>The</strong> Manual incorporates the SETT FrameworkSTUDENT/ SelfENVIRONMENTSTASKSTOOLSLook at the person’s needs, in customaryenvironment, and the tasks that need to becompleted, BEFORE deciding on the tools (AT)EnvironmentsStudentTasksToolsATDownload your copy <strong>of</strong> the MN AT Manual at:http://education.state.mn.us/MDE/EdExc/SpecEdClass/index.html

Consideration Process• Gather information and observation todetermine need• Conduct planning process (SETT)• Generate possible solutions throughbrainstorming• Specific tools or strategies are selected forimplementation• Initiate the implementation plan

Resources for SETTUsing the SETT Framework to Level the Learning Field for Studentswith Disabilities• www.joyzabala.com/uploads/Zabala_SETT_Leveling_the_Learning_Field.pdfSETT Scaffold for Gathering Data• www.joyzabala.com/uploads/Zabala_SETT_Scaffold_Data_Gathering.pdfAdditional Handouts:• www.joyzabala.com/Documents.html• www.joyzabala.com/Handouts_for_Download.htmlAdditional Resources:• “<strong>The</strong> SETT Framework for Consideration <strong>of</strong> AT”, a video developed byMDE can be requested by calling Kursten Dubbels at 651-582-8562

Cost• Explorer resources forminimizing cost• Document benefits• Organize knowledge

Funding for ATMN STAR Program A System <strong>of</strong> <strong>Technology</strong> to Achieve Results• Serves all MN residents with disabilities• Help residents gain access to and acquire AT• Federally funded by the Rehabilitation Services Administration• Publishes the Directory <strong>of</strong> Funding Resources for Assistive <strong>Technology</strong>in Minnesota– Manual found online at:http://www.starprogram.state.mn.us/funding_directory.htm• Phone: 651-201-2640• www.starprogram.state.mn.us

Funding for AT• Private insurance• Government health care programs such as:― Medical Assistance (MA)― Medicare― Community-based Waiver Programs― Vocational Rehabilitation• Community Service groups such as Lions, Elks• Low-interest loans― Assistive <strong>Technology</strong> Minnesota for more information on theirMicro Loan Program in Maple Plain, MN― Web site: www.atmn.org or call 1-866-535-8239

AT AssessmentsWhat is an AT assessment?• Assessment or evaluation is the formal process <strong>of</strong>determining what AT devices and services will assist thestudent in meeting educational goals.Who conducts an AT assessment?• Individuals with knowledge <strong>of</strong> both the student, and thetypes <strong>of</strong> AT to meet identified needs:― Fee-based Organizations― Free Consultations

Assessment Providers• PACER Simon <strong>Technology</strong> Center, Bloomington, MN― free, informal consultations, not a formal evaluation― www.pacer.org or 952-838-9000• Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare, St.Paul, MN― Mobile AT Service serves out-state Minnesota― All ages― www.gillettechildrens.org or 651-291-2848• Courage Kenny Rehabilitation Institute, Golden Valley, MN― www.courage.org or 763-520-0361• STAR Program web site lists a comprehensive listing <strong>of</strong>Minnesota AT Service Providers― www.admin.state.mn.us/assistivetechnology/― call 1-800-657-3862 (Greater MN)

Center for Independent Living <strong>of</strong>Northeastern Minnesota• Information and Referral• Assistive <strong>Technology</strong> Education Awareness and Training• Individual Advocacy• Assistive <strong>Technology</strong> Demonstration• Refurbished Computer Program• Reuse and Recycle Programs• Lending Library• Contact Information2104 6 th Ave. E,Hibbing, MN 55746800-390-3681http://www.accessnorth.net/

SMATC• Southern Minnesota Assistive <strong>Technology</strong> Center• AT assessment and consultations for a fee• Provide training for individuals or groups• Assistive <strong>Technology</strong> Workshops• Equipment Loan Library– AT catalog online: http://www.smatc.org/– Mailing service is available• Referral service• Contact Information:310 Elton Hills Dr NWRochester, MN 55901(507) 535-7101www.abc-pactt.orgMichael Brower: michaelb@abcinc.org

UCP <strong>of</strong> Central MN• AT demonstration• Loan library• Computers Go Round– Requirements: applicant has a disability and lives in MN– Application is available on their website• Electronic Waste Recycling Events– Crossroads Center in St. Cloud– $0.50 per pound recycling fee; laptops and cell phones are atno cost• Contact Information510 25 th Avenue NorthSt. Cloud, Minnesota 56303(320)253-0765www.ucpcentralmn.org

Additional Loan ProgramsMinnesota Regions Assistive <strong>Technology</strong> Collaborative (MRATC)• Statewide collaboration <strong>of</strong> regional AT sites• http://www.equipalife.org/regionalassistance.htmlMinnesota Deaf and Hard <strong>of</strong> Hearing Services (DHHS)• DHHS Equipment Loan Program• This equipment is available on a loan basis to employers whohave a deaf or hard <strong>of</strong> hearing employee or who areconsidering hiring an employee with hearing loss• www.dhs.state.mn.us/main/idcplg?IdcService=GET_DYNAMIC_CONVERSION&RevisionSelectionMethod=LatestReleased&dDocName=dhs16_139262

Additional Loan ProgramsMinnesota State University Moorhead, RegionalAssistive <strong>Technology</strong> Center• Provide consultation and AT for those in need <strong>of</strong>assistance with speaking and writing.• <strong>The</strong> goal <strong>of</strong> RATC is to provide equipment andknowledge to consumers, families, and pr<strong>of</strong>essionalsin Minnesota and North Dakota.• http://web.mnstate.edu/slhs/clinics/RATC/RATCClinic.cfm

Additional Loan ProgramsGoodwill / Easter Seals• Durable medical equipment– Walkers, Crutches, Canes, Commodes, etc.• Loan to consumers for up to 4 months• www.goodwilleasterseals.orgTED Telephone Equipment Distribution Program• Adaptive telecommunications equipment• Long-term loan <strong>of</strong> equipment• Minnesotans with communication or mobility impairments• Provide consultations to assess need and device training• www.dhs.state.mn.us

Buy/Sell Used ATPass It On Center –http://passitoncenter.org/STAR <strong>Technology</strong> Exchange (STARTE) –www.starprogram.state.mn.us/exchange.htmPACER –www.pacer.org/stc/super/index.asp

Low-Cost ComputersMinnesota Computers for Schools• Program refurbishes used computers for students with disabilities who qualify, and sells them at adiscounted price.• Program partners with student’s school to distribute and provide technical support.• www.mncfs.org or 651-779-2816Computers Go Round• Program <strong>of</strong> UCP <strong>of</strong> Central Minnesota that distributes recycled computers for a discounted price.• http://www.ucpcentralmn.org/computers or (320)253-0765PCS 4 People• PCs For People takes donated computers from various sources in order to rebuild, refurbish andredistribute them for people to use.• www.pcs4people.com/index.php• 508 Prior Ave N St. Paul, MN 55104 - (651) 354-2552• 402 Jackson St. Mankato, MN 56002-3526 - (507) 388-7356Partnership Community Services• Re-furbishes used computers then sells them at a very low price to Minnesota families andindividuals with disabilities.• 812 Walnut St., Chaska, MN 55318 – (952) 856-2177• www.partnershipcommunityservices.com

Other AT Resources• Abledata.com - www.abledata.com• TechMatrix - www.techmatrix.org/• Alliance for <strong>Technology</strong> Access - www.ataccess.org• Family Center on <strong>Technology</strong> & Disability - www.fctd.info• Closing the Gap - www.closingthegap.com• AIM at CAST - http://aim.cast.org/• Disability Linkage Line - 1-866-333-2466 -www.semcil.org/dll.html• <strong>The</strong> Minnesota Travel Guide for Persons with Disabilities -www.accessminnesota.org• MinnesotaHelp - www.minnesotahelp.info

Other AT Resources• Closing the Gap - October; Bloomington MN• Charting the C’s - April; various locations in MN• Up to the MN*AT• MN AT Listserve– Send an email to assistive-tech@state.mn.us with “subscribe” in the subject line• AIM at CAST listserve & eNews– Listserve: http://copernicus.cast.org/mailman/listinfo/aim.ig– eNews: AIM Connector http://aim.cast.org/collaborate• NIMAS/NIMAC listserve– http://lists.cast.org/mailman/listinfo/nimas.ig• RESNA's Assistive <strong>Technology</strong> Forum Listserve– http://www.resna.org/membership/waysToGetInvolved/listserves.dot• Quality Indicators <strong>of</strong> Assistive <strong>Technology</strong> QIAT Listserve– http://natri.uky.edu/assoc_projects/qiat/– http://natri.uky.edu/assoc_projects/qiat/signup.html

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