July 2014 Highlights

PROJECT WIDE NEWS

Thank you for attending this Year’s National AT Act Entities Conference!
This year’s National AT Act Entities Conference was be held July 14-15, 2014, in Washington, DC, and was a huge success! Thank you to all the planners, presenters, and all who were able to attend. Conference presentations and resources are now archived on the RESNA Catalyst Project’s Website at http://resnaprojects.org/statewide/conference/2014at.html. This year’s conference was co-hosted and sponsored by the Association of AT Act Programs, CATADA and the RESNA Catalyst Project.

RESNA Catalyst Project to Host WIOA Calls
With the newly passed Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) and the impending departmental moves, many have questions about the impact on AT Act programs. While there are still many unknowns, the RESNA Catalyst Project will be hosting open calls with RSA to provide an opportunity to ask questions and address any concerns you may have. There will be two calls:

• August 5^th at 2:00p.m. Eastern Time- Call for Statewide AT Program Directors
  800-351-6810 and pass code 461 72076#
• August 7^th at 2:00p.m. Eastern Time-Call for Loan Program Directors
  800-351-6810 and pass code 461 72076#

Please do not hesitate to contact Joey Wallace, jwallace@resna.org if you have any questions prior to these calls.

RESNA to offer “Fundamentals in Assistive Technology” course at the Boston Convention Center, September 4-5, 2014
RESNA’s flagship course, “Fundamentals in Assistive Technology,” will be offered in conjunction with Abilities Expo Boston on September 4 & 5 at the Boston Convention & Exhibit Hall Center. The course is designed for those new to the field as well as AT pros who wish to expand their knowledge. RESNA is authorized to provide 1.4 CEUs for the course.
Link: http://www.resna.org/professionalDevelopment/fundamentals-course-in-assistive.dot

RESNA Catalyst Project & ATIA Webinars
There are only a few seats left for ATIA Webinars! The webinar subscription code is 14CATWS. This is referred to as the “Discount Code” in the online registration form and is the same for all registrations. The discount code must be used during the webinar and conference recording registration process to ensure the system does not charge any additional fees. Multiple attendees and multiple webinars can be registered during one registration transaction. However, each person for each webinar and conference recording counts as one registration. To access the online registration process visit: www.atia.org/webinarregistration. Online directories of Live Broadcast and Archived Recording webinars are available at: www.atia.org/webinars. Each listing includes full details of the webinar and an option to register.

AT & Employment Work Group July 24, 2014
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 each state. You can access notes from this call on the RESNA Catalyst Project’s Website at http://www.resnaprojects.org/crossprograms/employment/workgroup.html. The next AT for Employment Work Group call is scheduled for September 26, 2014.

Two Upcoming Webinar Series for AT Act Programs:
AT & Employment and AT & Education
The RESNA Catalyst Project is bringing two separate webinar series to all AT Act Programs in the coming months. Below are descriptions for each series.

• AT & Employment Series: This six 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:
  
  • Webinar One: Wednesday, June 25, 2014, Obtaining or Retaining Medicaid While Working: The Section 1619(b) and Medicaid Buy-In for Working People Programs- Archive at: http://www.resnaprojects.org/statewide/webedarchive.html
    
  • Webinar Two: Wednesday, July 23, 2014, Funding Work-Related Assistive Technology for the Transition-Aged Special Education Student- Archive at: http://www.resnaprojects.org/statewide/webedarchive.html
    
  • Webinar Three: Wednesday, September 17, 2014, State Vocational Rehabilitation Agencies: Using VR Agency to Fund Assistive Technology to Support a Work Goal - Register at: https://www4.gotomeeting.com/register/304466063
    
  • 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- Register at: https://www4.gotomeeting.com/register/277905543
    
  • Webinar Five: Wednesday, November 19, 2014, A Review of Lesser Known Funding Sources and Funding Strategies for Work-Related Assistive Technology- Register at: https://www4.gotomeeting.com/register/633795007
    
  • Webinar Six: (Recently added!) Wednesday, December 10, 2014, Funding of Work-Related Assistive Technology through Medicaid and Medicaid Waivers-Registration: https://www4.gotomeeting.com/register/914991055

  
  Note: Each AT & Employment Webinar will start at 2p.m. Eastern Time and will run for 75 minutes. In addition, the RESNA Catalyst Project will provide live captioning. RESNA CEUs will be available for this series for a $16 fee.

• AT & Education Series: This two part series presented by Janice Carson, Idaho Statewide AT Program, Ron Hager, NDRN, and Dave Edyburn, Professor, Department of Exceptional Education, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, will offer two 60 minute webinars on assessments, AT, and education.
  • Webinar One: Tuesday, September 9, 2014, A Historical Background of Scholastic Assessments and the use of Assistive Technology in the United States
    Presenters: Janice Carson, Idaho Statewide AT Program, Ron Hager, National Disability Rights Network
    Register at https://www4.gotomeeting.com/register/413476103
  • Webinar Two: Wednesday, October 8, 2014, Assistive Technology, Accessibility, and High-Stakes Assessments
    Presenter: Dave Edyburn, Professor, Department of Exceptional Education, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
    Register at https://www4.gotomeeting.com/register/345295727

  Note: Each AT & Education Webinar will start at 3p.m. Eastern Time and run for 60 minutes. In addition, the RESNA Catalyst Project will provide live captioning.
  

STATEWIDE AT PROGRAMS

Minnesota Star Program’s New School and Work AT Program
Tools for Your Future: Using Assistive Technology to Succeed at School and Work, is Minnesota’s latest program, which incorporated e-learning modules to create awareness of AT, its use to support higher education/employment goals, and to foster advocacy skills of AT users in higher ed/employment settings. To learn more, visit www.MN.Gov/Tools-For-Your-Future.

PLEASE NOTE: If you would like to post individual state program information in “Highlights”, please forward to pgalonsky@resna.org.

New Deaf Hard of Hearing Work Group Forming - Save the Date - August 27, 2014 at 3p.m. Eastern Time
The RESNA Catalyst Project along with Laura Plummer, Project Director with Wisconsin Assistive Technology Program (WisTech), will be forming a new Deaf/Hard of Hearing Work Group beginning in August, 2014. This Work Group will be designed to share in, and address, technical issues and solutions current to technologies for individuals who are Deaf/Hard of Hearing. In addition, this Work Group will provide opportunities to share and connect via multi modes of communication such as teleconference, webinar, and an online forum. The first Work Group is scheduled via teleconference on August 27, 2014 at 3p.m. Eastern Time. To participate, please dial 800-211-4163, and pass code 0521244#. If you have accessibility requests or have any questions, please contact Paul Galonsky, pgalonsky@resna.org.

Statewide AT Program New Directors Webinar/Call - Thursday, August 28, 2014, 3p.m. Eastern Time
Register today at https://www4.gotomeeting.com/register/927316399
Under the Assistive Technology Act of 1998 (AT Act), as amended, statewide AT programs must establish and maintain advisory councils to help plan, implement, and evaluate activities. Information on advisory councils is found in the second module of the New Director’s Curriculum (http://www.resnaprojects.org/statewide/newdirectors/mod2advcouncils.html). This webinar will feature perspectives and experiences working with advisory councils from Cathy Bodine and Maureen Melonis from Assistive Technology Program of Colorado, as well as Wade Wingler from the Indiana Assistive Technology Act Project. Look for more details and how to register soon.
NOTE: ALL Statewide AT Program Directors are welcome to participate.

PAAT PROGRAMS

Medicaid Hearing Awards Two Year Old a Power Wheelchair with Power Tilt, Power Seat Elevation, and Other Accessories
The child in question, aged two years and seven months on the day of the hearing with a diagnosis of Spinal Muscular Atrophy Type 2, sought a Permobil K300 power wheelchair with power tilt, power seat elevation, a MicroPilot micro touch mini joystick, attendant control, and other accessories. In denying funding, the New York Medicaid agency stated that the documentation did not establish that this child would be safe and independent with a power wheelchair. Congratulations to Marge Gustas on a job well done. If you would like a copy of the decision (or any of the studies submitted on the use of power wheelchairs by very young children) contact either Marge (mgustas@nls.org) or Diana Straube (dstraube@nls.org).

AT and Work Webinar Series Will Continue in September with Third Session in Six-Part Series.
The first two sessions in this series, “Obtaining or Retaining Medicaid While Working: The Section 1619(b) and Medicaid Buy-In for Working People Programs” and “Funding Work-Related Assistive Technology for the Transition-Aged Special Education Student,” were delivered in June and July. Approximately 100 separate online attendees participated! If you were not able to attend, all of the sessions will be archived and available on the RESNA Catalyst Project’s Website at http://www.resnaprojects.org/statewide/webedarchive.html (includes links for session power point, session transcript, and any additional materials made available on the various topics).

Is Your State Medicaid Program Relying on Fifth Circuit Decision in Detgen to Exclude Some DME from Coverage‌
Readers may be aware of a particularly bad decision in the case of Detgen v. Janek, allowing the Texas Medicaid program to categorically exclude ceiling track lifts from coverage as durable medical equipment (DME). Have any of you heard of such activity in your state‌ Any uptick in DME denials since May‌” If so, please respond directly to Sarah at somers@healthlaw.org (919-968-6308 x 102) and cc your response to Jim Sheldon (jsheldon@nls.org) and Diana Straube (dstraube@nls.org). For more information on the DeSario Letter and the court decisions which have relied on that policy, see “Exclusive Lists: Frequently Asked Questions” available at www.nls.org/Disability/NationalAssistiveTechnologyProject/FAQS/ExclusiveLists.

ALTERNATIVE FINANCING AND TELEWORK LOAN PROGRAMS

Individual TA Calls with Loan Program Directors
The RESNA Catalyst Project, in conjunction with RSA, is coordinating individual calls with loan program directors to discuss program needs. Keep an eye out for contact from Jason Luciano to schedule a time.

Sustainability Plans Wanted!
The RESNA Catalyst Project is interested in seeing your sustainability plans! A request was brought forward from some new Loan Program directors, suggesting that sharing this information across programs would be very beneficial. If you have developed a sustainability plan, and are interested in sharing this resource with other programs, please contact Jason at jluciano@resna.org. The RESNA Catalyst Project will be using these as references for an upcoming call/webinar on this topic.

New Grantee Call - July 24, 2014
The last monthly call bringing together the new AFP grantees was held July 24^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 Call - July 31, 2014
The next in the series of New Directors of Loan Programs calls was held July 31st at 2:00pm Eastern. This call focused on financial literacy, credit building, and incorporating both into your program. Participants reviewed presentations from the Annual Conference that focuses on this issue and discussed benefits and pitfalls of having these activities incorporated into a loan program.

Loan Directors Open Forum Call - July 29, 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 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 provides open discussion and sharing across programs.

New Directors of Loan Programs - August 21, 2014, 2:00p.m. Eastern
The next in the series of New Directors of Loan Programs webinars will be held August 21^st at 2:00p.m. Eastern. This session will focus on dealing with defaults in your program. If you are interested in participating and are not already invited, please contact Jason Luciano at jluciano@resna.org for more information.

New Grantee Call - August 21, 2014, 4:00p.m. Eastern
The next monthly call bringing together the new AFP grantees will be held August 21^st 2014 at 4:00p.m. Eastern. These calls are for those programs receiving funding under the recent competitions to discuss unique opportunities and challenges presented to new AFP grantees.

Loan Directors Open Forum Call - August 26^th 3:00p.m. Eastern
RESNA Catalyst Project Director, Joey Wallace will again host an all Loan Program Directors to the Loan Program Directors Forum. 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 us by calling in at 1-800-351-6810 with pass code 46172076#.

OTHER RESOURCES

Sprint Releases Cognitive Accessibility Apps
Sprint Good Works^SM launched a Neurodiversity ID Pack, a mobile applications collection assisting consumers with neurodevelopmental disabilities and cognitive conditions, such as autism, dyspraxia, and dyslexia. Sprint ID packs are bundles of applications and weblinks that allow users to easily and quickly customize their Android devices based on specific needs and interests. The Neurodiversity ID pack’s 25 unique applications and weblinks were chosen with the help of several organizations focused on disabilities that impact learning, attention and behavior, including the National Center for Learning Disabilities, Dyspraxia Foundation USA and QSAC. The ID pack also provides an improved user experience for integrating into a device’s existing settings. To learn more, visit http://www.sprint.com/landings/accessibility/‌ECID=vanity:accessibility.

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.