July 2012 Highlights
PROJECT WIDE NEWS
Announcement
2013 Needs Assessment for AT Act Programs
The FY 2013 Needs Assessment Surveys for AT Act Programs will be coming out soon! The RESNA Catalyst Project is creating an online survey to help develop technical assistance for the coming year, and best meet the needs of all AT Act programs. Keep an eye out for a link to take the survey, and help us help you!
Teleconference: Overcoming Medicaid’s Most Common Reasons for Saying No to Durable Medical Equipment Requests: Turning a No Into a Yes- August16, 2012- 2:00 to 3:30 p.m. Eastern
Diana Straube and Jim Sheldon of the National AT Advocacy Project will be presenting this free session on Medicaid funding. To connect to the call, dial 1-800-351-6810, pass code: 46172076#. A similar session was provided to the P&As; in Grantee listservs prior to this teleconference.
AT for Employment Work Group Call July 12, 2012
This Work Group call focused on reviewing the beta version of the new AT for Employer Web Portal. Work Group notes are available for your review at http://www.resnaprojects.org/crossprograms/employment/workgroup.html.
Archived WebEd Webinars Available
Archives of all of the FY 2012 WebEd webinars are available on the RESNA Catalyst Project Website. Go to archives at http://www.resnaprojects.org/statewide/webedarchive.html.
RESNA Staff Invited to White House to celebrate the 22nd anniversary of the ADA
The White House observed the 22nd anniversary of the ADA by hosting an event on July 26th, and invited disability advocates and organizations to attend the celebration. Nell Bailey, Joey Wallace, and Paul Galonsky attended on behalf of RESNA. Valerie Jarrett, Senior Advisor to President Obama talked about the importance of continued advocacy for people with disabilities. To learn more about ADA anniversary resources, visit http://adaanniversary.org/.
STATEWIDE AT PROGRAMS
Upcoming Events
Statewide AT Program New Directors Call-Thursday, August 9, 3:00-4:00p.m. Eastern Time
The New Directors call takes place every other month. This upcoming call will allow new directors to share and discuss project highlights as well as project issues and challenges. To join the call, dial 800-351-6810, and use pass code: 46172076 #.
Three Part Webinar Series on Transition
Statewide AT programs must spend 5% of its state leadership funds on transition activities. Transition activities must relate to students with disabilities transitioning under IDEA and activities related to individuals with disabilities maintaining or transitioning to community.
This three part webinar series will focus on Transition activities related to Youth Leadership, Policy, and State Transition Teams. Each one hour Webinar will highlight activities from several statewide AT programs. All webinars are free, and will begin at 3pm Eastern Time.
- Webinar One: State Transition Teams - September 12, 3p.m. Eastern Time
Presenters: Janice Carson (ID) and Susy Wood (IL). Register at: https://www4.gotomeeting.com/register/494722639. - Webinar Two: Youth Leadership - October 17, 3p.m. Eastern Time
Presenters: Marylyn Hammond (UT), Ann Shor (MA), and Kathleen Laurin (MT). Register at: https://www4.gotomeeting.com/register/846399975. - Webinar Three: AT Transition Policy - October 31st 3p.m. Eastern Time
Presenters: Linda Jaco (OK) and Kathy Hayfield (VA). Register at: https://www4.gotomeeting.com/register/933915487.
Upcoming Publication
Small Investment-Big Savings: A look at how vocational rehabilitation agencies save money by partnering with their statewide AT program
Vocational Rehabilitation Agencies are finding that working with their statewide AT Act programs can save them funds. This upcoming publication contains three case studies from Assistive Technology of Alaska, the Connecticut Tech Act Project, and New Jersey’s Advancing Opportunities Assistive Technology Center that describe how their Vocational Rehabilitation agencies have realized big savings through statewide AT program partnerships. Look for this publication to be emailed to you and posted on the RESNA Catalyst Project Website later in August.
PAAT PROGRAMS
Upcoming Events
Registration Now Open! 16th Annual “Bridges to Better Advocacy” Conference – October 23-25, 2012
The Annual “Bridges to Better Advocacy” Conference will once again be held at the Hilton Garden Inn in Austin, TX. This year’s conference will include a one day preconference focusing on Medicaid and Complex Mobility Equipment, and two-day conference with workshop topics including “The Journey of Shelby Nurse: Getting the Right AT During the Transition Years and Meeting the Challenge of Funding It,” “Structured Negotiations: An Alternative to Litigation to Achieve Systemic Changes Related to AT,” and “Medicaid and Private Insurance: Keeping Up with and Meeting the Challenges.
Preconference Update – This year’s preconference, "Medicaid and Complex Mobility Equipment: Getting to Know the Equipment, Legal Requirements to Obtain Medicaid Funding", will focus on two pieces of equipment: the standing wheelchair and a pediatric wheelchair with seat elevator. A co-sponsorship by Permobil will allow us to offer a number of free registrations to the Preconference (a $105 savings) if you pay to attend the other two days!
To inquire about information for the Preconference and Conference, including scholarships registration forms, contact Lynn Urquhart, lurquhart@nls.org. More information will soon appear on www.nls.org. Sign up by August 13th for Super Early bird rates!
Did You Know Series22 postings are now available at http://www.nls.org/did%20you%20know.htm. Coming soon: Coming soon: National AT Advocacy Project’s Resources Can Support Your AT Advocacy.
ALTERNATIVE FINANCING AND TELEWORK LOAN PROGRAMS
Upcoming Events
Teleconference Series – New Directors of Telework Loan Programs, August 14, 2012, 1:00-2:00p.m. Eastern Time.
To follow up on the New Directors of Financial Loan Programs series that the RESNA Catalyst Project hosted last year, this series will focus on some of the unique needs of the Telework Loan Programs. This teleconference will focus on the Technical Assistance Circular (a copy is located at http://www.resnaprojects.org/documents/AFPprintDocInfo.php?ID=329) and, time permitting, a discussion of the findings of the Telework Top Performers Group in 2011 (document located at http://www.resnaprojects.org/documents/AFPprintDocInfo.php?ID=501). If you would like to participate, please contact Jason Luciano at jluciano@resna.org.
Teleconference with United States Business Leadership Network (USBLN)
Pat Richards, USBLN Director of Disability Supplier Diversity Program, will be presenting to the Telework Loan Programs, and other interested parties about the USBLN Certification Program, and how Telework and other groups may participate. Look for more information to be announced soon.
Data Collection Work Group – Tuesday, July 31
The Data Collection for AFP Work Group met in July, and further discussed the best manner to collect information that best tells the loan program stories. This Work Group would like to hear from you! Please contact Jason at jluciano@resna.org if you want to participate in this Work Group.
OTHER RESOURCES
ATAP Directors Leadership Meeting Presentation: Understanding Performance Measures
On July 16; Diane Golden with CATADA presented “Understanding Performance Measures” at the ATAP Directors Leadership Meeting in Washington, D.C. This presentation reviewed the current performance measures, how data is collected and reported for each, and provided time for sharing about use of performance measure data and strategies for improving performance reporting. To view this PowerPoint, visit http://www.resnaprojects.org/statewide/meetings.html.
BridgingApps.org
BridgingApps.org is a volunteer community of parents, therapists, doctors, and teachers who share information on how to use the iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch, and Android devices with people who have special needs. This website also provides a funding sources directory (http://bridgingapps.org/funding-sources-directory/) for help paying for an iPad or other mobile device.
New Free App for the Blind and Print-disabled
June 4, 2012 – NFB-NEWSLINE, a service sponsored in part by the National Federation of the Blind (NFB), launched a free Apple app allowing users to access the NFB-NEWSLINE free audible newspaper service for the blind and print-disabled. The app grants NFB-Newsline subscribers access to over three hundred newspapers, forty magazines, and television listings on their iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad. Director of the NFB-NEWSLINE program Scott White stated, “We are proud to offer our subscribers this new exciting mobile iOS application that allows them access to their favorite publications at home, while travelling to work, in the classroom, or in the office. If you’re looking for news from around the corner or from around the globe, NFB-NEWSLINE Mobile can help you quickly find it.” Those interested in subscribing to the NFB-NEWSLINE service may fill out an application online at http://www.nfb.org/newsline-how-sign, or call 866-504-7300. [Source: Technology and Disability Highlights and NFB-NEWSLINE]
New National Governor Association Year-long Employment Initiative
Delaware Governor Jack Markell announced his chair’s initiative, A Better Bottom Line: Employing People with Disabilities, which aims to increase employment among individuals with disabilities. Specifically, the initiative will focus on the employment challenges that affect individuals with intellectual and other significant disabilities and the role that both state government and business can play in facilitating and advancing opportunities for these individuals to be gainfully employed in the competitive labor market. To learn more, visit http://www.nga.org/cms/home/news-room/news-releases/page_2012/col2-content/new-nga-chair-announces-year-lon.html.
National Home and Community Based Services Conference, September 10-13, 2012, Hyatt Regency Crystal City, Arlington, VA
The National Home and Community Based Services Conference will showcase innovative national, federal, state and local delivery, and policy developments vital for assuring Americans of all ages and abilities receive the highest quality community living supports, care, and services possible. To learn more and register, visit: http://www.nasuad.org/.
New 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/content.aspx?pId=492.
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.