The Assistive Technology Act of 1998, as amended

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The Assistive Technology Act of 1998, as
amended Statewide AT Programs
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This PowerPoint will allow you to

• Briefly describe the history of AT legislation
• Describe the purpose of the AT Act
• Describe basic requirements for Statewide AT
  Programs

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History of AT Act Legislation

• 1988-Technology Related Assistance Act 1988 (Tech
  Act)
• Defines AT devices and services, recognized value
  of AT
• Creates state programs focused on use of AT
• Oversight - National Institute on Disability and
  Rehabilitation Research
• 1994- Tech Act Reauthorized
• Systems change activities to promote access to AT
• Mandates stakeholder involvement in activity
  planning
• 1998- Assistive Technology Act of 1998
• Systems change activities to promote access to AT
• Alternative Financing Programs Introduced
• 2004-AT Act of 1998, as Amended
• Focus on direct service by Statewide AT Programs
• Oversight - Rehabilitation Services
  Administration (RSA)

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Purpose of the AT Act

• Supports state efforts to improve the
  provision of assistive technology to individuals
  with disabilities.
• Covers people with disabilities of all ages
  and all disabilities, in all environments.

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AT Act Entities

• Statewide AT Programs
• Alternative Financing Programs (AFPs)
• Protection and Advocacy for AT Programs (PAATs)

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Statewide Assistive Technology Programs

• Information about what assistive technology
  devices and services are available and where to
  obtain them
• Device loan and demonstration centers in which an
  individual can try-out devices and/or borrow
  devices for a short period of time
• Funding resources for purchasing or acquiring
  assistive technology
• Device exchange and Device Reuse that provide
  individuals with used equipment at little to no
  cost
• Affordable loan programs that allow individuals
  to borrow money to purchase AT.
•  

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Alternative Financing Programs (AFPs)

• Assists Individuals in obtaining affordable
  financial loans to purchase assistive technology
• Typical assistive technology purchased through
  this funding include modified vehicles, home
  modifications, hearing aids, vision aids, and
  adapted computers

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Protection and Advocacy for Assistive Technology
Programs (PAATs)

• Offers legal and advocacy services to assist
• individuals with disabilities obtain assistive
  technology.
• Works with numerous funding sources, including
  Medicaid, Medicare, private insurance companies,
  special education programs, and state vocational
  rehabilitation (VR) agencies.

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Goals of the Statewide AT Programs

• Increase access to and the acquisition of AT
  across all ages all disabilities in 4
  functional areas of life
• Education
• Employment
• Community Living
• Information Tech Telecommunications

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Lead Agency Implementing Agency

• Lead Agency
• Controls and administers the funds made available
• through the grant awarded to the state.
• Implementing Agency
• Carries out responsibilities under the Act
  through a
• subcontract or another administrative agreement
• with the Lead Agency.

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State-Level Activities Core Activities

• State Financing Systems (includes alternative
  finance programs)
• Device Reutilization Programs
• Device Loan Programs
• Device Demonstration Programs

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State Leadership Activities

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

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Statewide AT Program Requirements

• Statewide
• The program must geographically reach the entire
  state
• Comprehensive
• The program must serve all disability types and
  AT needs

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Statewide AT Program Requirements

• Advisory Council
• Provides consumer responsive, consumer
  driven advice to plan, implement, and evaluate
  state program.
• State Plan
• Outlines three year plan for services
  developed with input from Advisory Council.
• Data Collection
• Annual collecting and reporting of data on
  activities.
• Program Review
• Verifies state program is conducting program
  consistent with intent of AT Act.

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Program PlanningUse of Funds

• At least 60 of funds must support State Level
  Activities.
• States can claim flexibility and use 70 of
  funds to carry out only two or more State Level
  Activities
• States can claim comparability for a particular
  State Level Activity if that service is already
  performed by another in the state.
• At least 5 of funds used for State Leadership
  Activities must be spent on Transition Activities.

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Restrictions

• Funds cannot be used for direct payment of an AT
  device.
• Supplement vs Supplant - Funds cannot be used to
  supplant (take the place of) other federal
  funding required to provide service/ device.
• Activities carried out in state must comply with
  Section 508 standards.

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Additional Points of Information

• Sunset provision has been eliminated.
• Program was authorized for 6 years (2005-2010)
  therefore, reauthorization is long overdue.
• Federal and State agencies are not authorized to
  reduce medical or other assistance or alter
  eligibility for a benefit or service under any
  federal law as a result of the AT Act.

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Additional Points Continued

• Program now operates with formula-based funding.
• AT Act authorizes a minimum award of 410,000 for
  state grants programs. Some Statewide AT
  Programs funded under the AT Act receive a grant
  award below the minimum provided under the
  statute (410,000 for states and 125,000 for
  territories).

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Additional Points Continued

• Indirect costs are limited to no more than 10 of
  each states grant award.
• Many State AT Programs have successfully
  leveraged additional state, federal and private
  funds which has enabled them to expand programs
  and provide additional AT-related services to
  individuals with disabilities.

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Section 6 of AT ActNational AT Programs and
Resources

• RESNA Catalyst Project -National Technical
  Assistance Project for all AT Act Entities
  (Statewide, AFP, Telework, PAATs)
  www.resnaproject.org
• Center for Assistive Technology Act Data
  Assistance (CATADA) National Technical Assistance
  for Data Collection and Reporting Data
• ATconnects.org-National Public Internet Site
  www.ATconnects.org

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• For more information contact
• RESNA Catalyst Project1700 North Moore Street,
  Suite 1540Arlington, VA 22209-1903Phone
  703/524-6686  Fax [phone]  TTY
  703/524-6639Email Catalyst_at_resna.org 
• Website http//www.resnaprojects.org/