October 1, 2005 - September 30, 2008
The Kentucky Assistive Technology Service (KATS) Network
Chase Forrester, Director
A Program of
The Kentucky Office for the Blind
Stephen M. Johnson, Executive Director
OMB Control Number: 1820-0664
Expiration Date: 12/31/2008
Kentucky Office for the Blind
Kentucky Assistive Technology Service (KATS) Network
8412 Westport Road
Louisville, KY 40242
Stephen M. Johnson
Executive Director, Kentucky Office for the Blind
209 St. Clair Street
P.O. Box 757
Frankfort, KY 40602
(502) 564-4754
stephen.johnson@ky.gov
Chase Forrester
Director, KATS Network
8412 Westport Road
Louisville, KY 40242
(502) 429-4484 x264
chase.forrester@ky.gov
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The Kentucky Assistive Technology Service (KATS) Network is a program of the Kentucky Office for the Blind (OFB), which has been the lead agency designated by the Governor since 1989. OFB is an agency of the Department for Workforce Investment within the Kentucky Education Cabinet. OFB provides opportunities to individuals with visual disabilities so they may improve or develop their skills for obtaining or maintaining employment and become more independent and productive in the community and workplace. It is a state agency regulated by the federal Rehabilitation Act as amended in 1998, and Kentucky Revised Statutes, 163.450-470.
Kentucky was one of the first states funded under the Tech Act of 1988, which has been replaced by the Assistive Technology Act of 1998, as amended in 2004. The KATS Network consists of a statewide network of organizations and individuals connecting to enhance the availability of assistive technology devices and services to improve the productivity and quality of life for individuals with disabilities. Through direct technology services, advocacy activities and capacity building efforts, the mission of this collaborative system is to make assistive technology information, devices and services easily obtainable for people of any age and any disability.
The KATS Network is “consumer” driven, i.e. it has an Advisory Council that is dominated by consumers. In addition to the Coordinating Center located in the McDowell Center in Louisville, the current structure of the KATS Network includes four full regional AT resource centers (ATRCs) and two satellite centers, which collectively serve Kentucky. These centers are geographically distributed to provide services within the major population centers of Louisville, Lexington, and the Northern Kentucky/Cincinnati region, as well as the less populous southern and eastern parts of the State. The current centers include:
These regional resource centers and satellite centers provide a number of assistive technology services throughout Kentucky through contractual agreements with the State under the programmatic oversight of the KATS Network Coordinating Center. These services include, but are not limited to: assistive technology demonstration services for early intervention, school, work, home, leisure or recreation; loan library of assistive devices, adaptive equipment and toys; funding information & referral; assessments & evaluations for adaptive equipment; consultations on appropriate technologies; workplace accessible technology; vocational assessments; environmental controls; recycled assistive technology devices; training and technical assistance; as well as affiliation with the Kentucky Assistive Technology Loan Corporation providing low interest loans.
In addition to providing direct technology services, each center has been involved in varying degrees with systems change, advocacy, and consumer-directed activities while developing the means for self-sustainment and growth. The centers have been actively involved in capacity building on a local and regional level, devoting significant time to training, advocacy and embedding assistive technology capacities, knowledge, and skill within local and state agencies and services providers. Primarily through training activities and technical assistance, they have impacted the knowledge, skill and assistive technology capacities within the existing service provider networks, including local school districts, adult service providers, and state providers, e.g. vocational rehabilitation, services for the blind, and mental health/mental retardation, etc.
The KATS Network as a collective includes personnel with expertise in assistive technology, accessible information technology, and disability related public policy and funding issues. Examples of staff positions/expertise include: assistive technology practitioners (including RESNA certified); attorney; occupational therapists; public policy professional; rehabilitation engineer; social workers; special education teachers; and speech pathologists. Many staff are also either persons with disabilities or parents of children with disabilities. Although all of the ATRCs have significant expertise in a wide array of assistive technology areas, some have developed additional specializations, such as working with adult populations, working with both low and high incidence disabilities in students, working with ALS patients and other progressive disabilities, and working in both institutional and community living settings. Beyond expertise in assistive technology, the KATS Network has also developed a reputation as one of the foremost resources for technical assistance on matters such as information technology accessibility and on accessible textbook technology and legislation not only in Kentucky, but also even on a national basis. These many attributes help to illustrate the capabilities of the KATS Network to provide comprehensive services throughout the state in the domains of education, employment, community living, and information technology.
In 1994, the KATS Network contracted with the Kentucky Division of Protection and Advocacy (P&A) to provide services and access to legal representation for individuals with disabilities who have been unduly denied access to assistive technology. P&A has permanently embedded the capacity within its structure to continue assistive technology related services and continues these services with direct funding under the Assistive Technology Act of 1998, as amended.
The KATS Network Advisory Council and the Coordinating Center staff will help coordinate the implementation of State-level and State Leadership activities and other related capacity building initiatives regarding the availability of assistive technology. These organizations, designed to work toward the enhancement of access to assistive technology for Kentuckians with disabilities, will together provide a consumer responsive, comprehensive, statewide program of technology-related assistance for individuals with disabilities of all ages.
Over the years, the regional assistive technology centers have been a major part of the development of the KATS Network. The AT resource centers, as private non-profit organizations directed by separate consumer boards, have historically reflected the grassroots, consumer-driven nature of the network. Over the next three years, these regional AT centers will work cooperatively with the Coordinating Center and share responsibilities for supporting KATS Network initiatives statewide by providing direct services, implementing training opportunities, and other supporting activities at all levels. As KATS Network begins to migrate the existing cadre of centers from operations originally structured under the Tech Act of 1988 into the new mandates for services authorized under the Assistive Technology Act of 1998, as amended in 2004, it will be necessary to explore the capabilities of the smaller satellite centers to provide required activities and make adjustments as necessary. A goal of the Network will be to further develop a set of uniform services authorized by the AT Act that will be available statewide.
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The appointment of Advisory Council members was made by the Governor’s Office following search and recruitment efforts by the KATS Network to identify appropriate individuals who would meet the mandate of the AT Act requirements. This identification process was conducted by the Coordinating Center with recommendations from the ATRCs and disability groups, and considered such factors as the prospective member’s participation in other disability and advocacy organizations. The majority of members of the KATS Network Advisory Council are individual consumers or family members who additionally serve in other capacities with agencies, educational entities, or consumer groups. The list of members is provided below:
3.1.1 Representatives of Designated Agencies:
3.1.1 Representatives of Individuals with Disabilities:
The Advisory Council meets as needed to provide input and advice on matters relating to the implementation of the AT Act within the State. The Council aids the KATS Network in establishing goals, providing guidance on priorities, and helping evaluate the overall effectiveness of activities. The Council is led by two elected Co-Chairs, one who is an agency representative, and the other who is a consumer or family member of a consumer. The Council conducts its meetings according to parliamentary procedures, and is governed by a set of approved bylaws. Decisions of the Council are determined by majority vote. Committees will be created at the discretion of the Council when deemed necessary to accomplish business, with the exception of a Nominating Committee which is a standing committee created by the Advisory Council Bylaws. The Advisory Council holds three meetings per year, with the option of holding additional special meetings at the Council’s discretion in accordance with its Bylaws. The Advisory Council has meet three times this program year at one of its Assistive Technology Centers in Louisville and one in Lexington. The third meeting was at the Charles McDowell Center in Louisville. Physical meetings are held at the Charles McDowell Center in Louisville or alternate accessible locations. Travel and necessary expenses, according to KRS 12,029, are reimbursed for Advisory Council members who are not state employees. For the meetings, sign language interpreters and brailled materials are made available as required. All Advisory Council members have email accounts, which help facilitate quick and efficient communications and provide for the distribution of accessible electronic materials.
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The KATS Network will establish a baseline for each of the goals 4.1 through 4.7 during Year Two, and will submit after Year Two an amendment identifying the long term goal and short-term goals set to improve upon this baseline during years Three and subsequent years of the State Plan. This baseline will be established by using a data collection instrument and procedures to be determined by RSA after the State plan process has been completed.
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The Commonwealth of Kentucky will implement its state financing activities through an established alternative financing program called the Kentucky Assistive Technology Loan Corporation (KATLC). This program was initiated as a result of the efforts of the KATS Network which led to the passage of enabling legislation in 1996, KRS 151B.450-475, thus allowing a governing board to be appointed. This law establishing KATLC allows it to provide one or more of the following:
By virtue of the statutory foundation of KATLC and the level of state support for this program, this state financing activity has become a stable operation, and will continue to provide loans for the purchase of AT throughout the three-year period. KATLC will continue to be governed by a Board of Directors consisting of seven members, four of which must be individuals with a disability. In addition, among the board members there must be one attorney, one banker, and the Department of Workforce Investment, or designee. Since the Corporation is a state program, it will continue to operate under administrative regulations.
Due to the past and existing fiscal investment in KATLC by the Commonwealth of Kentucky, only a small portion of AT Act funding will be necessary to provide additional support to the program by KATS Network. Historically, the KATS Network initiated fund raising for “seed money” to establish a base for attracting additional funds in addition to an allocation of $35,000 AT Act Title I funds set aside for this purpose at its inception. Other fiscal investments to this program have included two grants from the Kentucky Developmental Disabilities Planning Council totaling $225,043, and two AT Act Title III (a specific section of the Federal AT Act which provides for alternative financing programs) grants totaling $1.192 million. The bulk of these grant funds have been deposited with the bank to increase KATLC’s potential to guarantee loans. With interest accrued, the total bank balance on hand in the account is now over $1.8 million, which illustrates that KATLC is now well capitalized and has the resources to continue as a stable activity over the three-year period.
Beginning in the1998 session, the General Assembly has committed $100,000 in state general revenues to KATLC in each fiscal year. Originally, this funding allocation was used to bolster the bank balance for loan guarantees, but is now used primarily for continuing operations. At the time of this writing, it is expected that this annual funding allocation will continue to be available over the full three-year period.
This program is set up to provide loan guarantees with the consumers borrowing money directly from a bank that has entered into an agreement with the KATLC. Through a Request for Proposal (RFP) procedure, a partner bank is selected and an agreement entered into. At the time of this writing the partner bank is Fifth-Third Bank. It is possible that another bank could be selected at some point during the three-year period, but there is no way to predict such an occurrence. Effective July 1, 2006, KATLC will provide 5.5 percent fixed-rate loans to qualified applicants to finance the purchase of assistive technology devices. This rate is subject to change over the three-year period, however, based upon annual contract negotiations, KATLC may provide a minimum loan amount of $500 to a maximum amount of $25,000. KATLC, working in conjunction with their financial partners, will be able to approve more loans than traditional loan programs because of more lenient debt-to-income guidelines.
Any person who has been a resident of Kentucky for at least six consecutive months, and who either has a disability that permanently affects a major life activity, or is a parent, guardian or caretaker of a person with a disability will be able to apply for a loan. The purpose of the loan must be to purchase assistive technology to be used by the person with a disability. A nonprofit organization that provides assistive technology to individuals with disabilities may also apply if they can demonstrate how the adaptive equipment will be used for their potential customers.
KATLC loans may be used to purchase any type of assistive technology, which is defined as “any item, piece of equipment or device that enables an individual with a disability to improve his or her independence and quality of life.” Examples may include hearing aids, computers, augmentative communication devices, wheelchair ramps, and modified vehicles.
KATLC will review all applications for eligibility before forwarding to Fifth Third Bank. The lending institution will then make their decision to approve or deny the request. The Board then has the authority, at its discretion, to overrule the Bank’s denial in extenuating circumstances. After financial eligibility is determined, the applicant will receive written notification within 7 calendar days. In the event a loan request is denied by KATLC, the consumer has the ability to ask for an appeal. KATLC will be able to be reached anywhere in the state by toll-free telephone service and provides applications over the web or by mail or fax.
In addition to being the driving force behind establishment of KATLC, the KATS Network continues to be an active collaborator of the program. The KATS Network will continue to support KATLC activities with in-kind services such as providing regular information and referral services through its Coordinating Center and regional AT Resource Centers, collaborating with KATLC in providing assistance to consumers to facilitate the loan application process, and providing assistance in marketing the program through KATS Network publications, website, and exhibit booths at state conferences. Coordinating Center staff will also be attending regular KATLC Board meetings, and providing technical assistance and program evaluation activities to the KATLC Board upon request. The KATS Network will also be exploring the means to provide ATRCs with the capability to work with the Coordinating Center to provide individualized loan application processing assistance to individual consumers. Federal AT Act funding will support all of these collaborative activities. The Kentucky Office for Vocational Rehabilitation will provide direct staff support to the Corporation and will continue to cover other operational costs with allotted state funds.
Loans provided through KATLC have the potential to affect an increase in the percentage of consumers who obtain devices from State financing activities for purposes in the domains of education (Goal 4.5), employment (Goal 4.6), and community living (Goal 4.7) by providing consumers with loan funds at an affordable interest rate to purchase their own AT. Loan data from KATLC will be tracked in these three categories in order to provide report data on measurable goal attainment. Based upon an analysis of loan data to this point, it is expected that the majority of loans provided through KATLC are for community living purposes, while a few loans may be expected to be provided for employment purposes, and only a very few for educational purposes.
KATLC will continue to operate under its lead agency, the Kentucky Office for Vocational Rehabilitation, a sister agency to the Office for the Blind (to which the KATS Network is administratively attached), both housed within the Department for Workforce Investment, which provides an excellent environment for collaboration. KATLC will also maintain a contractual agreement with a private financial institution.
The KATS Network has long been involved in AT recycling efforts, which are operated by the KATS Network along with other participants with the main goal of getting useable AT into the possession of consumers at a relatively low cost. There are three primary recycling efforts planned for continuing operation and targeted expansion throughout the next three years, which include the Assistive Technology Exchange List, New Life Computers, and the Assistive Technology Resource Centers (ATRC) Recycling Program. Collectively, these three efforts help to provide access to AT for consumers across the state who may need varying types of technologies for a wide variety of purposes, but who have limited funds to cover these expenses.
There are many occasions when an AT device will no longer be used by the original purchaser, but will still be in workable condition. Such devices are of little interest to the general public and so they often sit unused for months until finally discarded. There are very few organizations that collect these items, so many useful devices end up being wastefully disposed, when in fact many consumers could benefit from the items. To help provide a solution to this situation, the KATS Network created the Assistive Technology EXchange List (ATEX).
The ATEX is a listing of assistive devices that are offered for sale or donated by and for consumers. It also contains a list of AT devices that consumers need but for which they have no funding. The ATEX originally began as a printed list that was mailed throughout the state on a regular basis. This list is now maintained on the KATS Network website. It currently contains numerous entries and is the most used resource on the KATS website.
In order to continue to provide this valuable resource across the state, the ATEX list is made available for download from the KATS Network website, and hard copy mailings of the ATEX are made on an “as requested” basis for persons who do not have access to a computer and who request it by phone. This provides more current and useful information for persons wanting to buy and sell used AT. During the second year, the KATS Network will increase the marketing of the ATEX through email distribution on a number of disability related listservs, through AT Resource Center newsletters, and at conference exhibits and presentations. We will also encourage professionals in the disability field to circulate the ATEX through their own channels.
Individuals are able to list devices on the ATEX by using a self-submit feature on the KATS website or by calling or emailing the KATS Network Coordinating Center with details. Consumers who are looking for AT devices for purchase are referred to the list. During the second year, KATS Network will examine other state web-based “AT classified” exchange list systems to determine the most feasible improvements to make to the ATEX based on best practices.
Devices obtained through utilization of the ATEX have the potential to affect an increase in the percentage of consumers who obtain devices from reutilization programs for purposes in the domains of education (Goal 4.5), employment (Goal 4.6), and community living (Goal 4.7) by providing consumers with access to used AT devices at affordable costs for private purchase. Usage data from the ATEX has not been tracked to this point in such a way as to determine the impact of this activity in these three categories, so in order to provide report data on measurable goal attainment, an ATEX tracking mechanism will be developed during the second year. Based upon an analysis of devices currently listed on the ATEX, it is expected that the majority of devices obtained through use of the ATEX will be for community living purposes, while a few acquisitions may be expected to be obtained for employment or educational purposes.
Currently, a number of agency and vendor websites link directly to the ATEX list or mention it as available from the KATS homepage. KATS Network will work to increase the number of entities that provide links to the ATEX list and include information in their newsletters in order to increase exposure of the ATEX and increase consumer awareness.
New Life Computers is a Kentucky affiliate of the National Cristina Foundation (NCF) initiative, a collaborative effort to provide recycled computers for persons with disabilities that was previously a project of New Vision Enterprises for the Blind [formerly Kentucky Industries for the Blind, Inc. (KIB)], but now operates as a separate entity in Louisville. This project was an initial outgrowth of a recycling initiative of the KATS Network and later, a collaborative effort of the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR), Office for the Blind (OFB), and the KATS Network Coordinating Center. These agencies still refer consumers to New Life Computers on a regular basis. Such computers can be used by consumers as a type of AT device, for instance by using software which will enlarge text, read materials out loud using synthetic speech, allow for writing, provide for alternate input technologies such as speech dictation, or service as a TDD device.
New Life Computers accepts donated used computers and related peripherals from businesses, individuals, and public entities. These computers are cleaned and refurbished and loaded with operating systems and other software for use by people with disabilities. Consumers may obtain a computer system from NLC for a service fee ranging from $125 to $250 , and computers may be shipped elsewhere in the state for an additional shipping charge. NLC serves consumers of any age or disability anywhere in the state.
The KATS Network has been referring consumers to NLC who are looking for affordable alternatives for computers. NLC has provided 301 computer systems to consumers during the first nine months of the first year. During the second year, the KATS Network will increase support of the NLC program through marketing efforts such as email distribution on a number of disability related listservs, through AT Resource Center newsletters, through the KATS Network website and at conference exhibits and presentations. The KATS Network will also aid in the solicitation of equipment donations to NLC from public and private entities; will provide regular referrals to NLC for consumers needing IT equipment as an assistive technology device; and will provide assistance in tracking consumer usage and satisfaction with the NLC program.
Computers obtained through NLC have the potential to affect an increase in the percentage of consumers who obtain devices from reutilization programs for purposes in the domains of education (Goal 4.5), employment (Goal 4.6), and community living (Goal 4.7), by providing consumers with access to computers that may be used as assistive technology at a reasonable cost for private purchase. Usage data from NLC has not been tracked to this point in such a way as to determine the impact of this activity in these three categories. In order to provide report data on measurable goal attainment, KATS Network will work with NLC staff to develop a tracking mechanism during the second year. Based upon typical usages of computers among individuals with disabilities, it is expected that computers obtained through NLC will be for community living, employment or educational purposes.
The ATRC Recycling Program is currently operated by three of the KATS Network ATRCs (Bluegrass Technology Center, Enabling Technologies of Kentuckiana, and the Redwood Rehabilitation Center), which have been conducting assistive technology recycling activities for a number of years. These Centers are continuing to operate recycling activities over the remaining two -year period of this plan as part of their contractual obligation, and will be growing these operations by increased outreach in their service areas. In order to expand coverage of the ATRC Recycling Program into the western region of the state, during Year One, the Western Kentucky Assistive Technology Center (WKATC) worked with several community organizations to facilitate a DME/AT equipment recycling program. In the Second Year of the plan period, WKATC’s attention will be on public awareness of the ATEX program or its derivative and developing its recycling program to operate during year three.
Through the assistance of staff, community volunteers, and community donors, these ATRCs are and will be increasingly providing the community with used AT and locally refurbished computer units. These ATRCs are accepting donations of equipment from individuals and organizations, and are either placing these devices into their device loan inventory for short term or long term lending, or in some cases, are providing this equipment either free of charge or for a nominal fee to individual consumers for ownership. For some centers, refurbishing services are provided by volunteers who are supervised and coordinated by ATRC staff. The amount of activity is dependent upon available AT donations and storage space. Assistive technology device supports and technical assistance supports to meet the unique needs of the individual are also to be provided to consumers, based upon the ATRCs customary fee schedule.
The ATRC expanded Recycling Program will be an excellent complement to the expanded ATEX list in that this will provide a faster service for individuals who want to donate equipment without having to wait for someone to contact them with a need. Many individuals do not want to hold onto equipment they do not need while they wait for someone who would like to acquire it, and for that reason will not list items on the ATEX list. By having these recycling locations situated within the three most populous areas of the state (Louisville, Lexington, and the Northern Kentucky/Cincinnati area) as well as the more rural western region of the state, we will be providing for widespread access to a large segment of the population.
AT Act funding provided to the ATRCs is helping support their staff and leverage the potential growth of these programs by providing supervision and coordination of volunteers. In the past, the ATRCs have not systematically tracked and reported on all aspects of recycling used AT on a statewide basis. For this reason, one of the key activities planned for the second year includes developing ways of improving tracking outcomes from this activity and exploring ways for the Coordinating Center to help expand and coordinate the regional programs into a statewide activity. The KATS Network will also be coordinating efforts to make these programs more comprehensive in their scope and integrating inventory details in order to broaden their outreach and maximize their effectiveness. The KATS Network will market the statewide recycling program through email distribution on a number of disability related listservs, through ATRC newsletters, through the KATS Network website and at conference exhibits and presentations.
Devices obtained through utilization of the ATRC Recycling Program have the potential to affect an increase in the percentage of consumers who obtain devices from reutilization programs for purposes in the domains of education (Goal 4.5), employment (Goal 4.6), and community living (Goal 4.7) by providing them with used but workable AT devices at little or no cost for personal use, or by providing availability of these devices through short and long term loan. Usage data from the ATRC Recycling Program has not been tracked to this point in such a way as to determine the impact of this activity in these three categories. In order to provide report data on measurable goal attainment, an ATRC Recycling Program tracking mechanism will be developed during the second year. Based upon an analysis of devices currently inventoried in the ATRC Recycling Program, it is expected that the devices obtained through use of the ATRC Recycling Program will be for community living, employment or educational purposes.
With the expansion of its web based capacity during the second year of this plan, the KATS Network will also work on increasing awareness of these programs through distributing email announcements on Kentucky educational listservs, including information in presentations and exhibits at state conferences, encouraging web linkages on other agency websites. The KATS Network will also explore the capability of working with the regional special education coops to create listings of unused and/or underutilized AT devices that could be shared within or beyond their service area or identified for general reutilization.
During Year One, the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS), published a notice for comments about a proposed priority for Model Demonstrations for Assistive Technology Reutilization. The KATS Network will explore ways to maximize the opportunities for the ATRCs to participate in this program. See Attachment 8.3, Coordination and Collaboration.
The AT Resource Centers conducted a device loan program as part of their contractual duties during the first year and will continue throughout the remaining two years. These programs allow consumers to borrow AT devices, adapted toys, and related materials on a short-term basis. Lending libraries are useful to individuals with disabilities by providing short-term loans of assistive technology for 30-day trial periods and evaluation purposes, to determine if the item is appropriate for the individual. However, extended loans for a period up to six months may be provided, depending upon the loan policy of the ATRC and the availability of the equipment. In some cases loans may be made for periods longer than six months. Devices currently in the program cross all assistive technology categories and meet the requirements of the four domains of education, employment, community living, and IT telecommunications. Individuals utilizing the device loan program include, but are not limited to, individuals with disabilities and their family members, service providers, and educators.
In order to access the device loan program, a device loan request is made to the AT Resource Center geographically closest to the individual in need. This request is completed by phone, fax, email, or in person. If the item is not available from that AT Resource Center, the center will inform the individual of other Center options. If the item is available for loan, the individual will sign a loan form and return policy. A nominal fee for the loan of equipment will be charged to the individual, or to the appropriate agency, school, or private rehabilitation professional. Fees will be collected to defray the costs of maintaining the depository of assistive technologies in good working condition. There is also a charge for shipping and handling.
The largest component of the current device loan program is operated as a component of the Kentucky Early Intervention System called “First Steps”. The First Steps device loan catalog currently in place offers a listing of all assistive devices and adapted toys appropriate for children ages 0-3 which are available at ATRCs that participate in the First Steps program. Each listing describes the item, highlights it’s intended use, provides vendor information, indicates at which location(s) it is housed, and features an illustration of the item. Catalogs are available in paper copy at each of the First Steps Point of Entry sites as well as participating ATRC locations. The catalog is also available on the web. During year two, the Coordinating Center will be exploring ways to enhance the web presence of the First Steps program by creating more explicit links from the KATS web site. KATS Network will be turning its web resource into a more comprehensive listing of all device loan resources available to consumers of all ages. The web based models of device loan programs offered by other states will be examined during the second year as a way to move this activity to a statewide activity. Kentucky’s First Step’s web catalog will be another model to examine.
The capacity to easily serve all individuals on a statewide basis through the AT Resource Center Device Loan Program is somewhat limited due to the geographical location and current inventories. However, during the first year and over the next two years this program is expected to be expanded with additional equipment and become more efficient in implementation. During year one, the Coordinating Center worked with the ATRCs to negotiate a uniform policy and procedure process to ensure consistency of the Device Loan Program operations across the state and increase request processing and fulfillment efficiency. Also during year one, the Coordinating Center worked with the ATRCs toward development of a uniform method of tracking device loan data in support of documenting AT goal attainment. In year two, the Coordinating Center will plan for a unified statewide web based database and inventory system to be in effect by the beginning of year three. As mentioned above, a similar database system is already in effect for Kentucky’s Early Intervention System, which will aid in the planning and execution of the Device Loan Program’s new web based system. The AT Resource Centers will be able to continue to expand the number of persons as well as the diversity of disabilities served by continually updating the types and numbers of devices available in the Device Loan Program. As developments merit, the KATS Network will also work on increasing awareness of this program through distributing email announcements on Kentucky educational listservs, including information in presentations and exhibits at state conferences, encouraging web linkages on other agency websites, and exploring the involvement of the regional special education coops.
Device Loans of assistive technology provided through the regional AT Resource Centers lending libraries have the potential to affect an increase in the percent of appropriate targeted individuals and entities who access device loan programs and make a decision about an AT device or service for purposes in the domains of education (Goal 4.1), employment (Goal 4.2), community living (Goal 4.3), and information technology and telecommunications (Goal 4.4) by providing the consumer with an opportunity to personally assess the effectiveness of the device before initiating a purchase. Assistive technology can thus be used for a trial period to determine, prior to a purchase commitment, if it is the most appropriate device to meet the needs of the individual, to provide an interim period of practice, training and use of the device while awaiting delivery of a device that has been ordered, or for limited use in therapy with a qualified professional who believes the individual’s needs will change too quickly to warrant purchase of the device.
Device Loan data from the regional AT Resource Centers is being increasingly tracked in the four domain categories in order to provide report data on measurable goal attainment. Based upon an analysis of device loan data to this point, it is expected that the majority of loans provided through the regional AT Resource Centers are for educational or community living purposes, while some Device Loans also may be expected to be provided for employment purposes. In order to bolster the outcomes of the Device Loan program among individuals and entities from employment backgrounds, KATS Network is increasingly attempting to market usage of the program to the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, the Office for the Blind, the Computer/Electronic Accommodations Program (CAP) at the U.S. Department of Defense, and to other public and private employers throughout the state.
Kentucky is delivering its Device Demonstration program primarily through the regional AT Resource Centers as part of their contractual duties during the first and throughout the remaining two years. Each ATRC is increasing and will maintain a wide array of AT devices for demonstration and will continue to maintain a staff having significant expertise in AT. Device demonstration activities are providing for the demonstration of a variety of assistive technology devices and assistive technology services using personnel who are familiar with these devices and services and their appropriate applications. Device demonstrations include individual and group activities designed to explore a range of available AT devices, individual consultations to support appropriate device selection, and individual or group training to support appropriate usage of a specific device. Each ATRC has a demonstration lab area in which consumers can compare a variety of AT devices and observe staff demonstrations of how they work. These same types of demonstrations can be provided off-site as well.
Device demonstration programs are being provided across all four domains including education, employment, community living, and information technology and telecommunications. Device demonstrations are being conducted in either group or individual settings. Each ATRC is providing a number of free demonstrations open to the public, although other additional demonstrations are also being provided by ATRCs on a fee basis to specific populations based upon the ATRCs resources. Each ATRC is conducting at least one scheduled group demonstration of assistive technology devices on a quarterly basis free of charge. In addition, depending upon the specific service required, each center provides walk-in and scheduled device demonstrations on an individual basis to the extent their scheduling and resources allow. It is anticipated that the centers will work to increase the number of scheduled group device demonstrations beyond one session per quarter in years two and three. Some of these group demonstrations may be conducted in connection with presentations at conferences, at scheduled events conducted at ATRC locations, or at other locations across the state.
In addition, through subcontracts with each ATRC developed during Year One, the KATS Network funded, and will continue to support throughout the full planning period, the set up and the further development of the ability to provide assistive technology (AT) services in the service area of each ATRC through an outreach program known as the Satellite Assistive Technology Activities (SATA). The ATRCs will extend outreach to consumers and organizations beyond their typical catchments and fund additional equipment for distribution through cooperative agreements at other locations where individuals need to be served. These subcontracts will support purchase of additional AT for use in demonstrations through agreements or memorandums of understanding with other organizations that will provide existing staff.
During year one, the Coordinating Center worked with the ATRCs towards developing a uniform method of tracking device demonstration data in support of documenting AT goal attainment. This work will continue in year two. The KATS Network is also working on increasing awareness of this program through distributing email announcements on appropriate listservs, including information in presentations and exhibits at state conferences, encouraging web linkages on other agency websites, and exploring the involvement of the AT leads among the regional special education coops.
Device demonstration activities have the potential to affect an increase in the percent of appropriate targeted individuals and entities who access device demonstration programs and make a decision about an AT device or service for purposes in the domains of education (Goal 4.1), employment (Goal 4.2), community living (Goal 4.3), and information technology and telecommunications (Goal 4.4) by providing the consumer with an opportunity to explore the various types of technologies which are available and consider the effectiveness of the device before initiating a private purchase, requesting AT as a work or school accommodation, or pursuing the provision of AT through healthcare options.
The Coordinating Center is also working with the ATRCs as appropriate to conduct related activities during the full plan period. In particular, both the AT Resource Centers and the Coordinating Center are providing to consumers and professionals, to the extent practicable, comprehensive information about State and local assistive technology venders, providers, and repair services, in accordance with the device demonstration requirements under section 4(e)(2)(D)(ii) of the AT Act. These activities are being conducted by both the ATRCs and the Coordinating Center as appropriate based upon the strengths and resources of each entity, through demonstrations, exhibits, personal consultations, individual referrals, the distribution of literature and internet linkages on entity websites. The KATS Network is also exploring working with the Kentucky Department of Education to increase the provision of education-specific demonstration information over the web.
In some areas, the activity of providing demonstrations would benefit by developing collaborations and partnerships with agencies that possess special expertise and/or are located in other geographical areas. With personnel that have unique skills or knowledge, these agencies can provide additional services to some underserved populations or individuals. Such a population is that of the DeafBlind community simply because of transportation and the need for unique and highly specialized staffing requirements. The KATS Network and/or its participating ATRCs will consult with the Office for the Blind (OFB) regarding needed adaptive equipment for DeafBlind consumers across the state. AT devices often require considerable financial and emotional investment by the user to acquire. Such equipment could also be available in a device loan program as in Attachment 5.3. By exploring collaboration with agencies such as OFB in Year Two, the KATS Network will be able to better target populations that have been difficult to reach for the AT Act Programs. OFB has the expertise, knowledge, and understanding of the technology needed for the DeafBlind population, but is limited to a segment of that population. This would also allow expansion of target populations by virtue of age and type of disability. The primary needs of the DeafBlind population include communication and exposure to the world. By providing special refreshable Braille devices that can exchange digitized information such as is available via telephones with Braille devices or by linkage to computers that can access such information, etc., this population can be assisted in various ways and in geographic locations they could not be reached before. Another type of device would be FM systems, Braille writing devices, etc. Also, through this program expansion, earlier impact could be made on students and adults in transition from secondary schools to higher education or work or from institutional care to community living. During year two, KATS Network will explore methods of deploying assistive technology equipment of types and/or in locations that will expand that technical capacity and geographical reach of the KATS Network and its participating ATRCs. Such expansions will be explored and/or implemented through agreements such as memorandums of understanding (MOUs) whereby the KATS Network provides AT devices for demonstration or short term device loans, and the other party provides the personnel that is capable of providing the direct service and reporting outcomes. An example of such agencies could be the OFB. By providing specialized equipment, the service population of that agency could be expanded to all ages, and thus increase the coordination of AT for transition populations, both students and adults. This would provide expertise sometimes not available to the ATRCs or in locations not reachable by the consumer. KATS Network, through it participating ATRCs, will work through MOUs and other appropriate agreements to accomplish goals otherwise not reachable. The KATS Network will explore the capability of working with the Kentucky Department of Education, the regional special education coops, the Kentucky Office for Vocational Rehabilitation, the Office for the Blind, Statewide Independent Living Centers, Kentucky Disabilities Coalition, and other entities as opportunities arise to develop additional avenues of collaboration for the expansion of demonstration of assistive technology and through the ATRCs with other entities through their SATA programs.
See Attachment 8.1, Training and Technical Assistance, for training activities related to the demonstration of AT for transition populations as well as accessible voting machines available pursuant to the Help America Vote Act (HAVA). For expansion of information about transition related assistive technology, see Attachment 8.2, Public Awareness Activities. Also see Attachment 8.3, Coordination and Collaboration, for coordination of expanding service programs to a wider range of individuals in age and disability.
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The KATS Network has provided over the last year and plans to continue to provide training and technical assistance to individual consumers, professionals, groups and organizations on an ongoing basis over the next two year period. These activities will be conducted by both Coordinating Center and regional AT Resource Center staff as available. Some of these activities have been and will be provided free of charge with AT Act funding, while others may be provided by other funding streams available to ATRCs for specific purposes, or in some cases provided on a fee schedule. Here are some examples of the activities:
A number of additional specific focus technical assistance activities are also planned, which are addressed under Attachment 8.3, “Coordination and Collaboration”.
Transition assistance activities are also planned during the three-year period. During the first year, the KATS Network Coordinating Center continued to explore collaboration activities with members of the Statewide Independent Living Centers (SILC), the Kentucky Commission on the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, the Kentucky Office for Vocational Rehabilitation, and the Kentucky Office for the Blind to assess the training, technical assistance, and AT needs in the area of AT-related transition planning. Through this work, by the end of the first year, a list of AT needs and/or areas needing mutual technical assistance will have been identified. This activity will be continued in the second and third years with the addition of the involvement of the Kentucky Commission for Children with Special Health Care Needs and the Exceptional Children Services of the Kentucky Department of Education. Based upon the demonstrated needs and recommendations of these agencies, KATS Network plans to develop and disseminate fact sheets, develop a dedicated area of the KATS Network website which will contain electronic versions of fact sheets, articles, and links to other resources, and develop training resources in years two and three. Also, see Attachment 8.2, Public Awareness Activities. These resources will be designed to inform and assist (and disseminate to) professionals, teachers, parents, students, and individuals of all ages with disabilities who are transitioning to postsecondary education, employment, or community living settings, with a focus on planning for AT needs and available options for supplying these needs.
During the second year, the KATS Network plans to explore expansion of assistive technology equipment in the methods explained in the SATA, MOU and other agreements outlined in Attachment 5.4, but as it relates to transition for students. Some of these services may be conducted in connection with the Kentucky Department of Education’s Statewide Improvement Grant activities. A need for training and/or technical assistance for professionals in the field of student transition may develop depending upon the nature and type of the transition AT equipment expansion. Also during the period, the KATS Network will explore the possibility of working with the Regional Interagency Transition Teams that are currently established within the regional Kentucky Special Education Cooperatives, which may provide an opportunity for the KATS Network ATRCs and/or Coordinating Center staff to reciprocally share training modules or provide training sessions on the topic of planning for AT needs in transition as part of professional development offerings. The KATS Network will also explore the capability of working with the Kentucky Department of Education, the regional special education coops, the Kentucky Office for Vocational Rehabilitation and the Office for the Blind to allow used AT devices to transition with the student.
Transition assistance activities are also planned with a focus on adults with disabilities who are maintaining or transitioning to community living. During year two, KATS Network plans to work with the Kentucky Disabilities Coalition (KDC) to assess the training and technical assistance needs in the area AT-related transition planning. During the second year, the KATS Network will also explore expansion of assistive technology equipment as mentioned above in this section, but as it relates to transition for adults. A need for training and/or technical assistance for professionals in the field of transition of adults to the community from institutions may develop depending upon the nature and type of the transition AT equipment expansion. In connection with this work, KATS Network will also be exploring possible collaboration with the Kentucky Division of Aging Services, the Kentucky Department for Mental Health and Mental Retardation, the Kentucky Department for Medicaid Services, the Independent Living Centers, the Kentucky Commission on the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and the AARP of Kentucky in determining how planning for AT related transition needs can be integrated into their transition efforts, including possible connections with the requirements recently mandated under Senate Joint Resolution 94 that was passed by the Kentucky General Assembly and signed by the Governor in 2005, which directs the Cabinet for Health and Family Services to expand community based services that are self-directed by the consumer and that promote independence and productivity using evidence-based best practices. Based upon the demonstrated needs and recommendations of these agencies, KATS Network plans to develop and disseminate fact sheets, develop a dedicated area of the KATS Network website, and develop training resources in year three. These resources will be designed to inform and assist (and disseminated to) rehabilitation and healthcare professionals, long-term nursing facilities, supported living environments, family members and consumers with disabilities who are maintaining or transitioning to community living, with a focus on planning for AT needs and available options for supplying these needs.
As the KATS Network explores the possibilities of expanding technical assistance and training capacities throughout the full planning period, special outreach efforts will be conducted to various consumer organizations, such as the Kentucky Association of the Deaf, the Kentucky Council of the Blind, the National Federation of the Blind of Kentucky, the State Rehabilitation Council, the Learning Disabilities Association of Kentucky, the Kentucky Association on Higher Education and Disability, the Kentucky Developmental Disabilities Council, Self Help for Hard of Hearing of Kentucky, the Kentucky Business Leadership Network, Statewide Independent Living Centers and similar consumer information and advocacy groups, to ensure that communications concerning requested feedback on needed services and information about presently available services will be effective.
The KATS Network plans to increase public awareness through the continuing development and dissemination of informational materials in print and accessible electronic formats, through the use of the KATS Network website and email mailing list and listserv distribution, as well as information and referral services. These activities will be conducted by both Coordinating Center and regional AT Resource Center staff as available. Here are some examples of the activities planned:
The KATS Network website will continue to be expanded as one major public awareness avenue. Some of the resources we will be providing over the web (in addition to those mentioned above) include: learning about the KATS Network and assistive technology; links to the assistive technology regional resource centers in Kentucky; other state and national disability related organizations and announcements of national, statewide and regional disability related events, conferences, meetings and workshops; Medicare and the Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic, and Treatment (EPSDT) program; an equipment exchange list publication, AT EXchange (ATEX); a link to the equipment lending library database; a Section 508 page, which provides information about implementing Kentucky’s Accessible Information Technology Law and compliance with Section 508 of the Rehab Act; an Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Information page providing links to State Regional and National agencies and organizations for individuals to obtain knowledge about the ADA; and special web areas devoted to transition issues and accessible information technology in schools. We will also provide an order form for specific requests for information or materials that can be directly ordered on-line and/or mailed to the user and a subscription form for subscribing to the KATS Network electronic distribution list for an electronic bulletins. By providing these publications on the website, there is a significant cost savings in printing and mailing. This also helps to ensure that the most current and up to date information for consumers and professionals about assistive technology services and devices is available.
As the KATS Network explores the possibilities of expanding public awareness activities throughout the three year period, special outreach efforts will be conducted to various consumer organizations, such as the Kentucky Association of the Deaf, the Kentucky Council of the Blind, the National Federation of the Blind of Kentucky, the Learning Disabilities Association of Kentucky, Self Help for Hard of Hearing of Kentucky, and similar consumer information and advocacy groups, toward the goal of ensuring that public awareness communications will be effective in reaching as many consumers from as many disability backgrounds as possible.
The KATS Network plans to continue coordination and collaboration with public and private entities throughout the state in order to improve access to AT and improve the accessibility of information technology. The structure of the KATS Network as a state agency within the Office for the Blind/Department for Workforce Investment/Education Cabinet provides a natural mechanism for coordinating activities that, in particular, are geared for the benefit of individuals with disabilities within the education and/or employment domains. Furthermore, through KATS Network’s longstanding collaboration with community living, health and transportation agencies--for example, work with the Council on Mental Retardation, the Kentucky Mental Health Association and the Transit Authority of River City (TARC) --our capacity to collaborate on community living issues is well established, and will continue for the foreseeable future. The KATS Network has also developed a reputation as one of the foremost resources for technical assistance on information technology and accessible textbook issues not only in Kentucky, but also on a national basis. Additionally, the membership of the KATS Network Advisory Council is yet another coordination resource available to Kentucky as it implements the mandates of the AT Act.
Over the next two years, KATS Network anticipates continuing coordination and collaboration efforts such as:
As described in Attachment 5, the KATS Network anticipates that the Kentucky Assistive Technology Loan Corporation will continue to have available resources from Kentucky general funds to operate the alternative financing program. New Life Computers is expected to provide staff support, volunteers, space, and other resources necessary to continue its program. The ATRCs will be additionally supported by and collaborate with other public and private entities. It is anticipated that all of the ATRCs will be supported to some degree by various governmental or private entities. Some examples include: KY Cabinet for Health and Family Services will continue to provide support to at least one of the ATRCs to implement the Kentucky Early Intervention System (First Steps) in connection with the Device Loan program; the KY Department of Education is expected to support at least one ATRC in connection with the statewide Universal Design for Learning project; some may obtain local government or private corporate or private foundation funding; some may serve school systems and state universities under contract. The KATS Network Coordinating Center also anticipates working collaboratively with the ATRCs to develop grant proposals and explore funding possibilities from other sources on behalf of the entire Network.
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The KATS Network Advisory Council will provide advice and guidance in the continuing planning and implementation of all activities authorized under the AT Act, and will also provide for the evaluation of AT Act activities and goals attainment. The Council will engage in these activities through the review of activities planning and program reports, which will be facilitated in physical meetings, telephone consultations with the Director, and email correspondence. For the purposes of the second year State Plan update preparation, details of the Plan were discussed via email/or and during the July 2006 Advisory Council meeting prior to submission.
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As mentioned in Attachment 5, it is anticipated that the Kentucky General Assembly will continue to allocate State general funds in the amount of $100,000 per year to support the alternative financing program operated by KATLC. These are most likely the only State funds that will be allocated for any State-level activities. Some activities, like the Device Loan program, are additionally supported by funding from other State agencies, but these are typically Federal funds that are passed through the agency on a contractual basis.
It is not anticipated that any State funds will be made available to support State Leadership activities other than the in-kind support of agencies involved in the SDIACC mentioned in 8.3 above. The ATRCs all receive additional funding outside of the AT Act to support training and technical assistance activities, but these funds mostly originate with corporate, foundation, or private sponsors, and in some cases with local government funds, or through contracts with school districts or postsecondary educational institutions. It is expected that some training and technical assistance activities will also be provided with support of funds from the Kentucky Department of Education, but these are typically Federal IDEA funds that are passed through on a contractual basis.
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The Kentucky Assistive Technology Service (KATS) Network, a program of the Kentucky Office for the Blind (OFB), within the Department of Workforce Investment, Education Cabinet. OFB utilizes the State’s accounting system to track and report all expenditures. The electronic Management Administration and Reporting System (eMARS) provides the flexibility to assign identifying codes for specific programmatic budget functions. These function codes are often used to track expenditures for individual components within complicated program structures. OFB has requested function codes for each of the State Level and State Leadership activities under this grant and has coded expenditures accordingly. At any time, a report can be generated to monitor expenditures to assure that OFB is in compliance with the percentages and budget amounts as per the State Plan. It will be the responsibility of the OFB fiscal staff and KATS network director to monitor expenditures on a monthly basis.
Table 1 shows the proposed budget allocations for State Leadership and State Level activities for Year Two of the State Plan. Dependent on levels of federal funding appropriations, it is anticipated that these estimates will apply for Year 3. A State Plan amendment will be submitted if there are changes to these estimates.
| Proposed Allocation | Distribution | Total Award Amount | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | Year 2 | ||
| State Level | 60% | $199,949 | $208,939 |
| State Leadership | 40% | $133,299 | $139,292 |
| Leadership Activities | 95% | $126,634 | $132,327 |
| Transition Activities | 5% | $6,665 | $6,965 |
| Total | 100% | $370,276 | $386,923 |
| Indirect Costs | 10% | $37,028 | $38,692 |
| Estimated Allocations | Year 1 | Year 2 |
|---|---|---|
| State Level | ||
| State Financing Activities | $8,197 | $8,647 |
| Device Reutilization Program | $48,186 | $50,703 |
| Device Loan Program | $89,778 | $93,733 |
| Device Demonstration Program | $53,788 | $55,856 |
| State Leadership Activities | ||
| Training and Technical Assistance Activities | $60,386 | $62,724 |
| Public Awareness Activities | $40,656 | $42,573 |
| Coordination and Collaboration | $25,592 | $27,030 |
| Transition | $6,665 | $6,965 |
Any changes in the above estimates and allocations will be noted in an amendment to the state plan, if necessary.
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KATS Network Coordinating Center
Charles McDowell Center
8412 Westport Road
Louisville, KY 40242
Local: (502) 429-4484
Toll Free: (800) 327-5287
Fax: (502) 429-7114