STAR: A Guiding Light to Assistive Technology

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STAR A Guiding Light to Assistive Technology

• Age Disabilities Odyssey Conference
• August 18, 2009

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Assistive Technology is

• ...any item, piece of equipment, or product
  system, whether acquired commercially off the
  shelf, modified, or customized, that is used to
  increase, maintain, or improve functional
  capabilities of individuals with disabilities.
  20 U.S.C. Chapter 33, Section 1401 (25).

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Assistive Technology Act Facts

• Signed into law in 1998
• Amended in 2004
• Applies to
• All ages
• All disabilities
• All environments
• Home
• School
• Work
• Community

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STAR is

• An Acronym for
• System of Technology to Achieve Results
• Minnesotas AT Act program
• A division within Dept. of Administration
• 20 years old
• Located in Saint Paul

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Minnesota Assistive Technology Advisory Council

• Appointed by the Governor
• Provides STAR with
• consumer-responsive, consumer-driven advice for
  planning of, implementation of, and evaluation of
  the activities carried out through the grant,
  including setting the measurable goals described
  in subsection (d)(3) of the AT Act of 1998, as
  amended (P.L. 108-364).

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STARs mission

• By conducting state level and leadership
  activities as defined in the AT Act of 1998, as
  amended (P.L. 108-364), STAR will help
  Minnesotans of all ages with disabilities gain
  access to and acquire the assistive technology
  they need to live, learn, work and play.

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Device Demonstration

• Requested by individual or small group
• Demonstrates 1 or more devices
• Compares device features
• Assists with decision making

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Device Loan

• Short term loan (30-days or less)
• Assessment / Evaluation
• Temporary replacement
• Assists with decision making

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Device Demo Loan Partners

• UCP of Central Minnesota
• 510 25th Avenue North
• St. Cloud, MN 56303
• Phone [phone]
• Email tech_at_ucpcentralmn.org
• Web www.ucpcentralmn.org

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Device Demo Loan Partners

• ABC/PACTT Program
• 310 Elton Hills Drive
• Rochester, MN 55901
• Phone [phone]
• Email pactt_at_abcinc.org
• Web www.abc-pactt.org

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Device Demo Loan Partners

• UCP of Minnesota MATLN Program
• 1821 University Avenue West
• Suite 219 South
• Saint Paul, MN 55104-7588
• Phone [phone]
• Toll Free 1-800-328-4827 extension 1437
• Email ucpmnMATLN_at_hotmail.com
• Web www.matln.org

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Device Reutilization

• Reuse through resale or donation
• Refurbish
• Recycle

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Screen shot of Minnesota STAR Technology Exchange

• www.mnstarte.org

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Alternative Financing

• Directory of Funding and AssistiveTechnology
  Resources

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Alternative Financing

• Online searchable database

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Alternative Financing

• EquipALife www.equipalife.org

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Transition

• School
• Work
• Community

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State Leadership Activities

• Public Awareness
• Information and Assistance
• Coordination and Collaboration
• Training Technical Assistance

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STAR Award for Excellence

• Consumer
• Service Provider
• Educator
• Advocate
• AT Innovation
• Lifetime Achievement
• Community Collaboration

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Contact STAR

• 358 Centennial Office Building
• 658 Cedar Street
• Saint Paul, MN 55155
• Phone [phone]
• Fax [phone]
• E-mail star.program_at_state.mn.us
• Web sites www.starprogram.state.mn.us
• www.mnstarte.org