April 2014 Highlights

PROJECT WIDE NEWS

Register now for the National AT Act Entities Conference!
July 14 and 15, 2014
This year’s National AT Act Entities Conference will be held July 14-15, 2014, at the JW Marriott Hotel in Washington, DC. The Conference is being co-hosted by the Association of AT Act Programs, CATADA and the RESNA Catalyst Project. This Conference is specially designed for AT Act Program Directors and staff, and will include current information on topics developed by the Statewide and AFP conference planning committees. The two day conference will feature combined Statewide AT Program and AFP general sessions, and specific concurrent sessions. All attendees are encouraged to attend any session of interest. A networking reception is also scheduled for Monday evening. All participants must register at http://www.eventbrite.com/e/2014-national-at-act-entities-conference-registration-10169133151‌utm_campaign=new_eventv2&utm;_medium=email&utm;_source=eb_email&utm;_term=eventurl_text.

Airline Reservation Discount: The RESNA Catalyst Project along with United Airlines are pleased to offer a special air travel discount for the upcoming National AT Act Entities Conference. Booking discounts can range from two to ten percent. To receive a discount, you may book online at www.united.com, and enter Offer Code ZSFA935905 in the "Offer Code" box when searching for your flights. If booking through a travel professional or United Meetings at 800-426-1122, please give them the following information: Agreement Code: 935905, Z Code: ZSFA. Note that an additional fee may apply if booking through a travel professional or United Meetings. Thank you, and see you in July!

AT & Employment Update
The RESNA Catalyst Project along with AT Connects will host two AT & Employer Portal Webinar Tours in May. The first webinar will be conducted for Virginia Assistive Technology System’s Advisory Council on May 15^th. The second tour is scheduled with the United States Business Leadership Affiliates scheduled for May 16^th. If your network would like to schedule a tour to learn more about the At & Employer Web Portal, please contact Paul Galonsky at pgalonsky@resna.org. Visit the Portal today at http://atconnects.com/resources/at-for-employers.

Iowa Program for Assistive Technology Model Website
The Iowa Program for Assistive Technology (IPAT) contracts with Iowa COMPASS to provide statewide information and referral about AT devices, services and funding. Iowa COMPASS website was recently chosen to be a model website for the Alliance of Information and Referral Systems, a national association that determines quality standards for information and referral agencies (I&R;), such as Iowa COMPASS or 2-1-1. The website will be featured in a training document for other I&R; agencies across the country as they improve their resource websites to serve their communities. You can check out the Iowa COMPASS website at http://search.iowacompass.org/. Iowa COMPASS is funded by several sources to provide information about all types of disability services in addition to AT.

Webinar-Accessing Services, Programs, and Activities: Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Florida State Courts with the Florida Alliance for Assistive Services and Technology (FAAST), April 23, 2014
The Great Lakes and Southwest ADA Centers along with the RESNA Catalyst Project provided the second in a series of three free webinar sessions to meet the needs of the AT Act Programs. This webinar provided an overview of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Title II including the responsibilities of local and state courts, law enforcement, and correctional institutions. Presenters included Michael Daniels, Executive Director, Florida Alliance for Assistive Services and Technology, Inc. (FAAST), and Andrew Winnegar, Training Associate, Southwest ADA Center-TIRR Memorial Hermann Research Center. You can access the archived webinar at http://www.adaconferences.org/RESNA/Archives/.

AT for Employment Work Group-Thursday, May 29, 2014, 3p.m. Eastern
The AT for Employment Work Group call provides opportunities for AT Act program participants to get briefed on national updates related to AT for Employment, as well as opportunities to share what is happening in your state. To participate, call 800-351-6810, and pass code 46172076#.

Two Upcoming Webinar Series for AT Act Programs: AT & Employment and AT & Education
The RESNA Catalyst Project is teaming up with Neighborhood Legal Service (NLS) and the Association of Assistive Technology Act Programs (ATAP) to bring two separate webinar series to all AT Act Programs. Below are descriptions for each series.

• AT & Employment Series: This five part series presented by Ron Hager, National Disabilities Rights Network (NDRN), and Jim Sheldon, NLS, will offer 75 minute webinars on a host of AT and Employment related topics, RESNA CEUs will be available for this series for a $16 fee.
  • Webinar One: Wednesday, June 25, 2014, Obtaining or Retaining Medicaid While Working: The Section 1619(b) and Medicaid Buy-In for Working People Programs
    
  • Webinar Two: Wednesday, July 23, 2014, Funding Work-Related Assistive Technology for the Transition-Aged Special Education Student
    
  • Webinar Three: Wednesday, September 17, 2014, State Vocational Rehabilitation Agencies: Using VR Agency to Fund Assistive Technology to Support a Work Goal
    
  • Webinar Four: Wednesday, October 22, 2014, SSI’s Plan for Achieving Self Support: Using the PASS to Fund Assistive Technology to Support a Work Goal
    
  • Webinar Five: Wednesday, November 19, 2014, A Review of Lesser Known Funding Sources and Funding Strategies for Work-Related Assistive Technology
  
  
• AT & Education Series: This two part series presented by Janice Carson, Idaho Statewide AT Program, Ron Hager, NDRN, Diane Golden ATAP, and additional statewide AT programs will offer two 60 minute webinars on assessments, AT, and education.
  • Webinar One: Monday, August 4, 2014, A Historical Background of Scholastic Assessments and the use of Assistive Technology in the United States
    
  • Webinar Two: Monday, August 18, 2014, AT Solutions and Supports to Accommodate Access to Assessments
    
  Note: ALL webinars will start at 3p.m. Eastern Time. In addition, the RESNA Catalyst Project will provide captioning. Look for registration details in the coming months.

STATEWIDE AT PROGRAMS

Statewide AT Program New Directors Webinar/Call-Thursday, May 22, 2014 3p.m. Eastern Time
The Assistive Technology Act of 1998 (ATA1998), as amended (P.L. 108-364) supports state efforts to improve the provision of assistive technology (AT) by providing states with financial assistance to implement programs designed to meet the AT needs of individuals with disabilities. State efforts include access and acquisition of AT devices and services through Statewide AT Programs, Alternative Financing Programs, and Protection and Advocacy for AT Programs. This webinar/call will feature information on the AT Act found in the first module of the New Statewide AT Directors Orientation Modules (http://www.resnaprojects.org/statewide/newdirectors/mod1ata.html). In addition, Linda Jaco, Director of Oklahoma ABLE Tech, will be on hand to share her observations as a Veteran Statewide AT Director and help answer questions. All Statewide AT Program Directors are welcome to participate. If you have accessibility requests or have any questions, please contact Paul Galonsky, pgalonsky@resna.org. Register today at https://www4.gotomeeting.com/register/648390271.

Statewide AT Directors Forum – May 6, 2014, 3p.m. Eastern
RESNA Catalyst Project Director Joey Wallace invites all Statewide AT Directors to the next Statewide AT Directors Forum. The Forum is designed for Directors to talk informally about programmatic issues that they may be currently facing, as well as technical guidance adhering to federal and state regulations. In addition, this forum is intended to provide for open discussion and sharing across programs. Please join Joey during this call on May 6^th. Forums calls occur monthly. If you have accessibility requests or have any questions, please contact Paul Galonsky, pgalonsky@resna.org. Forum call-in number: 800-351-6810 Passcode: 46172076#.

PAAT PROGRAMS

National PAAT Directory Updated
This directory of Protection and Advocacy for Assistive Technology (PAAT) projects was recently updated and is published by the National Assistive Technology (AT) Advocacy Project and is available at http://www.nls.org/files/Disability%20Law%20Hotlines/National%20AT%20Advocacy/National%20PAAT%20Directory%202014.pdf. PAAT projects are funded, through a US Department of Education/Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) grant, to provide free legal and advocacy services to individuals with disabilities who seek AT devices (like power wheelchairs or speech generating devices) to enable them to overcome the limitations of a disability. If you notice that your information in the PAAT directory still needs to be updated, please contact Lynn Urquhart (lurquhart@nls.org) with your update.

Sessions Delivered at NCART Conference on April 30^th in Arlington, VA
As this is prepared, Jim Sheldon and Marge Gustas are about to leave for the National Coalition for Assistive and Rehab Technology (NCART) conference (“National CRT Leadership and Advocacy Conference”). The following sessions will be presented on April 30^th:

• Jim Sheldon will deliver a luncheon talk on the availability of Protection and Advocacy for Assistive Technology (PAAT) attorneys and advocates to work on AT-related appeals. He will share some of the successes of the PAAT network and share the most recently updated PAAT directory to allow equipment suppliers to reach out to the PAAT in their respective states.
• In the afternoon, Marge Gustas of New York’s PAAT and Jim Sheldon of the National AT Advocacy Project will co-present a session, "Medicaid Funding for Children; Other Funding Sources for Specialized Equipment."

STILL TIME TO REGISTER! National Disability Rights Network Annual Meeting and Conference, June 2-5, 2014 (Baltimore Marriott Waterfront Hotel, 700 Aliceanna Street, Baltimore, MD 21212)
Go to the following site to register for the conference and obtain hotel specifics: http://ndrn.org/en/events/events-calendar/icalrepeat.detail/2014/06/02/57/-/2014-ndrn-paacap-annual-meeting.html (scroll down for links for registration, hotel room block, agenda, and workshop descriptions. Hotel room block and conference rates expire on May 4^th. You will want to register at the hotel no later than that date using the link on NDRN’s website. NLS’s National AT Advocacy Project will have a significant presence at the conference, presenting/co-presenting a full-day institute and four 90-minute sessions. NLS would love to hear from you concerning: any issues you are struggling with; any successes you have had (hearing decisions, court decisions always a welcome addition for our Resource Libraries); any state-specific policies that address the issues; and any materials you have found helpful that we might not have.

RESNA Updates Position Paper on Standing Wheelchairs
The Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America (RESNA) recently updated it’s position paper on Standing Wheelchairs and is available at http://www.resna.org/resources/position-papers/RESNAStandingPositionPaper_Dec2013.pdf. As you advocate for individuals seeking Medicaid or other third party insurance payments for a standing wheelchair, this paper could be of importance. One of the co-authors of the updated document, Amy Morgan, OT/ATP, will be a presenter at our full-day institute (see above). Below is a link to the full list of position papers, including position papers on pediatric power wheelchairs, seat elevating systems, and ultralight manual wheelchairs: http://www.resna.org/resources/position_papers.dot.

ALTERNATIVE FINANCING AND TELEWORK LOAN PROGRAMS

Individual TA Calls with Loan Program Directors
The RESNA Catalyst Project, in conjunction with RSA, is setting up individual calls for loan program directors to discuss program needs. These will be brief calls intended to provide individual updates and identify technical assistance needs. Keep an eye out for contact from Jason Luciano to schedule a time to talk.

New Directors of Loan Programs Last Thursday of each month, 2:00p.m. Eastern
The New Directors of Loan Programs series started in January, and are held on the last Thursday of each month. The remaining topic schedule is:

• Financial Literacy and Credit Building
• Dealing with Defaults
• Working with Boards

If you are interested in joining these webinars please contact Jason at jluciano@resna.org.

New Grantee Call – April 17, 2014
This monthly call brings together the new AFP grantees for those programs receiving funding under the recent competitions to provide updates, discuss unique opportunities and challenges presented to new AFP grantees.

Loan Directors Open Forum Call – April 22, 2014
RESNA Catalyst Project Director, Joey Wallace hosted an all Loan Program Directors to the Loan Program Directors Forum. Much like the successful forums for statewide program directors, this monthly call is designed for Directors to talk informally about programmatic issues that they may be currently facing, as well as technical guidance adhering to federal and state regulations. In addition, this forum is intended to provide for open discussion and sharing across programs.

New Grantee Call – Thursday, May 15, 2014, 4:00p.m. Eastern
The next monthly call bringing together the new AFP grantees will be held May 15^th. These calls are for those programs receiving funding under the recent competitions to discuss unique opportunities and challenges presented to new AFP grantees.

New Directors of Loan Programs – Thursday, May 22^nd at 2:00pm Eastern
The third in the series of New Directors of Loan Programs webinars will be held May 22^nd. This presentation will focus on Sustainability Strategies and Fundraising for your program.

Loan Directors Open Forum Call – Tuesday, May 27th 3:00pm Eastern
RESNA Catalyst Project Director, Joey Wallace invites all Loan Program Directors to the Loan Program Directors Forum. Much like the successful forums for statewide program directors, this forum is designed for Directors to talk informally about programmatic issues that they may be currently facing, as well as technical guidance adhering to federal and state regulations. In addition, this forum is intended to provide for open discussion and sharing across programs. Please join Joey on May 27^th. The call in number is 1-800-211-4163, pass code 57 48 484#. If you have accessibility requests or have any questions, please contact Jason Luciano, jluciano@resna.org.

OTHER RESOURCES

AT Radio & Podcasts in Indiana
INDATA has launched an internet radio station. AssistiveTechnologyRadio.com broadcasts 24/7 and includes a wide variety of AT programs. Programs include INDATA’s two podcasts as well as various AT training sessions. To view and listen to the growing list of episodes, visit: http://www.eastersealstech.com/on-air/. INDATA will include audio content from other AT projects. To submit radio content or to learn more about INDATA's AT radio and podcasts contact Wade Wingler at wwingler@eastersealscrossroads.org.

Follow the RESNA Catalyst Project on Twitter today! @ResnaCatalyst
The RESNA Catalyst Project now has a Twitter feed on the homepage at www.resnaprojects.org. Twitter is an online social networking and microblogging service that enables users to send and read "tweets", which are text messages limited to 140 characters.

Follow what is happening with the RESNA Catalyst’s Online Calendar
The RESNA Catalyst Project’s event calendar is on the homepage at www.resnaprojects.org. This interactive calendar allows individuals to access information on upcoming events as well as visit recent ones. Most events reported in these Highlights Newsletters will now be a simple click away to download, register, and share!

AT product information contained above is distributed by the RESNA Catalyst Project for informational purposes only. Endorsement or recommendation is neither intended nor implied, and the RESNA Catalyst Project, RESNA, RESNA employees, collaborators, and partners take no responsibility for individual decisions, and shall bear no liability for any loss or damages resulting from the use of this information.