The Mobile Van Approach

1
The Mobile Van Approach

• Wyoming Institute for Disabilities (WIND)
• WIND Assistive Technology Resources (WATR)
• Nationwide interview study
• January 2005

2
The Mobile Van Approach

• A Nationwide Survey Studying the Use and
  Effectiveness of Mobile Van Units by AT Projects

3
Background

• WIND looked at providing AT services and
  information statewide via a mobile van approach
• In January 2005, a nation-wide survey was
  conducted

4
Methodology

• Directors of all State AT Projects were contacted
  and asked the following questions

5
Methodology

• What services and information were offered
  through the mobile component of your program?
• What were the positive consequences of this
  approach?
• What were the negative consequences of this
  approach?
• What were the complications involved in this
  approach?
• What has led to the program decision to continue
  or discontinue this approach?
• Any advice for using this approach in a frontier
  setting?

6
Results

• 29 state AT projects responded
• 22 of the 29 states that responded did not use
  the mobile van approach
• 7 states did use the mobile van approach
• Colorado
• Illinois
• Missouri
• Nebraska
• New Hampshire
• New Mexico
• North Dakota

7
Results

• What services and information were offered
  through the mobile component of your program?
• Fabrication, customization, and installation of
  AT
• Outreach services (assessments, awareness,
  education, demonstration, etc.)
• Both AT fabrication/customization and outreach

8
Results

• What were the positive consequences of using a
  mobile van approach?
• Allowed program to access more rural areas
• Provided education for public on benefits of
  assistive technology
• Increased public awareness of AT
• Allowed for building and nurturing relationships
  between communities and the AT programs

9
Results

• What were the negative consequences of this
  approach?
• Difficult to load for customizations/fabrications
• Modifications done in van caused pitting of
  windshield and melting of floor mats
• Space limitations and anchoring of equipment
  problems when used as a portable demonstration
  center
• Cost-effectiveness

10
Results

• What were the complications involved in using
  this approach?
• Coordinating schedules and trainings
• Routine maintenance
• Lack of space
• Difficult to find qualified staff willing to
  travel that much

11
Results

• What has led to the programs decision to
  discontinue this approach?
• Cost-effectiveness
• Needs not being met by occasional use of van for
  demonstrations (now use more permanent
  demonstration center)
• Found a different approach to be just as
  effective with fewer negatives (use of
  mini-mobile units for customization/fabrication)

12
Results

• Any advice for using this approach in a frontier
  setting?
• 2 types of responses
• Potential problems
• Alternative solutions

13
Results

• Potential problems
• Cost (maintenance, van adaptations, replacement
  of AT)
• Coordinating van availability
• Lack of demand
• Space, anchoring equipment, etc.
• Lack of qualified staff willing to travel
• May not be enough to meet consumer needs
• Over-extending van to accomplish too much may
  affect quality of work or services

14
Results

• Alternative Solutions
• Distance training to address needs of rural
  community
• Create resource centers around the state
  utilize video conferencing
• Look for corporate sponsorship, charging area
  distributors to have equipment on board for
  specialized demonstrations
• Use private rentals/personal vehicles as
  alternative to owning a van
• Set up small contracts with existing entities to
  develop AT access sites

15
Discussion

• All states mentioned the following
• Before committing to the purchase of a van, be
  sure to do a thorough cost-effectiveness study.
• Program must know exactly what goals wish to be
  accomplished through using this approach.
• Vans used most effectively in programs focused on
  fabrication/customization.
• Vans used for outreach were all either used
  minimally or discontinued altogether.

16
For more information

• WIND Assistive Technology Resources
• Sandy Root-Elledge, Program Director
• [phone]
• sre_at_uwyo.edu
• Suzanne Adams, Project Coordinator
• [phone]
• shadams_at_uwyo.edu