1 an at exchange for public schools to share at devices arlene lugo, atp - connecticut kathy adams,...
TRANSCRIPT
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An AT Exchange for Public Schools to Share AT Devices
Arlene Lugo, ATP - Connecticut
Kathy Adams, OTR/L, ATP - Maine
Sharon Alderman, BA Elem Ed - Vermont
*Modified from an ATIA presentation in January 2009
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Teamwork!
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Learning Objectives
Overview of the AT Act ProgramsIdentify the need for tracking AT devices
used in public schoolsDemonstrate how the “AT School Swap”
website can meet the needs of schools to maximize the effective use of AT
Show how State’s AT Act Programs collaborate to create & share resources
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Goals of the AT Act Programs
Work to increase access to and the acquisition of AT in 4 functional areas of
life—across all ages & all disabilities
Education
Employment
Community Living
Information Tech & Telecommunications
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AT Exchange/Reuse….by the New England's AT Act Programs
Collaboration and Coordination between Connecticut, Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island
In 2007, the NE programs created the regional AT Exchange >> www.getATstuff.com
www.getATstuff.com site gives each state the AT Data required for RSA federal reports
In 2008: 70 AT devices were exchanged & $141,608 was “saved” by consumers $$$$$
So far in 2009…. 111 devices have exchanged with $412,725 saved !!!!
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AT Exchange/Reuse
The www.getATStuff.com vendor is AgoraNet >> www.agora-net.com
Through using the public AT Exchange site, we realized that it was replicable for use by schools…again, CT took the lead!
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NOTE: Performance Measures cannot be used in RSA Data report—Why?
** Reference >>> RSA, Annual Report for State Grant for Assistive Technology Programs, OMB # 1820-0572, section on Reutilization
Schools may obtain AT devices through AT Exchanges
Schools are obligated to provide an AT device when it is identified in a child’s IEP
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Performance Measures cannot be used in RSA Data report—Why?
For students where AT is acquired through a Device Exchange…… the performance measure questions are not answerable because the issue of affordability or availability
are not allowable reasons to limit access to AT that has been identified to meet the educational goals of students.
So, exclude from the data collection on performance measures, those individuals who acquire devices through the AT School Swap exchange.
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Any Questions at this point?
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How did we identify the need?
Survey potential users….Maine State Special Ed Directors Conference: >90% will use an AT swap site“We can always use ways to save money in our budgets-this will make our funds go further”
Vermont 86% of schools stated they would be willing to share AT Comments: “This could be a collaborative opportunity that goes well beyond AT”“This is key for us, we need support, connection with others, assistance in assessment” “Yes, we are really just tapping the surface of this area.”
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Survey input…
Challenges: “Keeping the inventory updated and available to
all of us...changes happen so rapidly. There will need to be someone dedicated to keeping this going.”
“Because of the distance between schools in the state, we would need a good description of the device as we could not see the device before purchase. The challenge with any database is making sure it is always up to date.”
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Identifying the Need….
Attended Conferences & Presentations with Stakeholders……
-State Department of Education
-State Special Ed Directors
-State Special Ed Advisory Council
-OTs, PTs, SLPs
-State School Board Association
-University: Special Ed and General Ed Faculty
----who else would you approach?
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Why the Need for Reusing AT?
There are shrinking pubic dollars in school budgets $$
Equipment is often abandoned due to changes in need, growth, the child leaves the system/ moves away or it was inappropriate in the first place….Often the device is still new!
Exchanging AT recycles good equipment that may otherwise never be used---and has already been paid for!
Schools/students/families may need duplicate devices Offers great savings on the cost of equipment— Short-term loan of AT for use in assessments
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AT Schools Swap in CT…
Connecticut took the lead using the model of “Get AT Stuff” to create an AT Exchange for school systems The site is available only to schools
In Spring 2008, Promoted the AT School Swap site with a Professional Development workshop to schools: “Transition and Technology” For general educators, special educators,
paraprofessionals, special education directors, other administrators who attended as a “School Team”
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CT--- AT Schools Swap
Each School Team received an AT Toolkit--with low to mid tech devices
Participants were given a chance to see the AT School Swap site and could sign up for an
account at the training
Bonus: Mimio Interactive Smartboards are available for loan to school who
sign up for the AT School Swap
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can be used ….
To keep track of the AT Inventory in schoolsTo recycle unused AT through loan or
surplus to other schoolsBulk upload of devices is possible through
use of a spreadsheet
Help to complete the AT inventory is available through the CT Tech Mentor Program….use interns/students
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Visit the Connecticut site…
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AT School Swap Demo Site
Provided by the Connecticut AT Act Program
http://demoatss.cttechact.com/exchange/school/login.php
log in: demo, demo
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Questions…Comments?
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Developing Vermont’s AT School Swap
Vermont.ATSchoolSwap.com is modeled after the CT AT School Swap
Introduction to VT Special Ed Directors via e-mail Requested participation - Survey Monkey April 08
www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=8pGy58mqtcqeSkmfIjKB3w_3d_3d
Tele Conference introduction of Demo Sites & getATstuff.com site July 08 Executive Committee Special Ed Directors August 08
Vermont.ATschoolswap launched September 08
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Vermont’s AT School Swap
14 Districts with numerous schools participating across Vermont
Presented at the Training with Joy Zabala (Oct 08) sponsored by Vermont Family Network, University of Vermont Interdisciplinary Team (TRIPSCY), Dept of Ed Enthusiasm remains high, inventories being
gathered, decisions re: sale, loan, free, trade Districts getting equipment via getATstuff.com
Continued w/ teleconference introductions to the site Inventory assistance - AT Program Personnel
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Maine’s Plans for an AT school Swap
Developing an MOA with State Special Education Directors Association
Plan to replicate the CT AT School Swap model
Assessing costs $$$$ in collaboration with the State Dept of Education
Plan to launch the site in 2009
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Thank you!
Visit these sites…….
www.getATstuff.comThe AT School Swap demo site (see slide 17)
www.massmatch.org www.CTtechact.comwww.mainecite.org
www.dail.state.vt.us/atp www.agora-net.com
[email protected]@ahs.state.vt.us
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