September 2013 Highlights

PROJECT WIDE NEWS

2014 Technical Assistance Needs Assessment
Thank you to all who were able to take a few moments to complete the RESNA Catalyst Project’s 2014 Technical Assistance Needs Assessment. We are in the process of gathering the results and developing a technical assistance plan to better serve you in 2014. Thanks again!

RESNA Catalyst Project and ATIA Online Professional Development for 2014
Beginning 10/1/2013 thru 9/30/2014- The RESNA Catalyst Project and ATIA are pleased to announce the continuation of the partnership to provide ATIA’s live and archived webinars to all AT Act Entities! These online education programs include live webinars and archived versions by national experts on a variety of topics across the spectrum of the assistive technology industry sectors. Webinars are 60 and 90 minutes in length. CEUs are available for completion of these programs. To learn more and access online ATIA webinars, visit http://www.atia.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm‌pageid=4350.
Use the RESNA Catalyst Project code for AT Act Entities: 14CATWS.

RESNA Announces New Executive Director
RESNA has named Michael Brogioli as the organization’s Executive Director, succeeding the retiring M. Nell Bailey. Brogioli brings over twenty years of experience working on behalf of organizations that benefit vulnerable populations, including people with disabilities. Prior to RESNA, he was Executive Director of the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities, the first Vice President for Policy and Government Relations at Special Olympics International, and Executive Director of the Autism Coalition for Research and Education. "I am delighted to be joining the RESNA team at this time; the organization’s work is more important than ever," said Brogioli. "The effective development and implementation of assistive technologies are making real differences in the lives of people with disabilities, and the potential for growth is tremendous."

AT Act Entities Conference Planning Call – October 3^rd 2013, 3-4:00p.m. Eastern
The next planning call of the Conference Planning Committee is scheduled for October 3^rd. Look for more information and agenda details over the next several months in this RESNA Catalyst Project’s monthly Highlights Newsletter.

AT for Employment Work Group Call-Thursday, October 17, 2013, 3-4:00p.m. Eastern
The AT for Employment Work Group call provides opportunities for 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#.

Save the Date! 2014 AT Act Entities Meeting
The annual AT Act Entities conference is scheduled for July 14 & 15, 2014, in Washington, DC. Next year’s conference will be held at the JW Marriott Hotel in Washington DC and will bring together all AT Act funded programs to learn and share experiences, with an emphasis on collaborating between programs as well as with external organizations. A work group consisting of representatives from AFPs and Statewide AT Programs is working on developing agenda items. The RESNA Catalyst Project is pleased to offer this annual technical assistance event in collaboration with ATAP and CATADA. For more information please contact Joey Wallace at jwallace@resna.org.

ATIA 2014: Pre-Conference – January 28 – 29, Conference – January 29 – February 1, 2014, Caribe Royale, Orlando, FL
www.atia.org/2014Orlando . Fall has arrived, and not far behind is the January 2014 ATIA Orlando Conference. ATIA’s Session Directory is live and includes 13 Pre-Conference seminars and 300+ general sessions. ATIA has arranged a special discount rate for RESNA Catalyst Project AT Act Programs! Check it out at www.atia.org/catalystwebprogram. Earn CEUs too! All sessions are eligible for general CEUs from the AAC Institute, which are in turn recognized by RESNA for ATP purposes. AND, Joey Wallace, Director of the RESNA Catalyst Project will be attending ATIA 2014 this year to meet and greet with all AT Act Programs! See you there!

Save the Date! 2014 Annual RESNA Conference
The RESNA 2014 Annual Conference entitled Racing Towards Excellence in AT, will be held at the JW Marriott in Indianapolis, IN, June 11 -15 2014.
Calls for Workshop and Instructional Courses are now posted. To learn more, visit http://www.resna.org/conference/index.dot. Note: this is a separate conference from the 2014 AT Act Entities Meeting.

STATEWIDE AT PROGRAMS

Statewide AT Program New Directors Webinar/Call- October 10, 2013, 3-4:00p.m. Eastern
The Statewide AT Program New Directors call takes place every other month. Under the Assistive Technology Act of 1998 (AT Act), as amended, statewide AT programs are responsible for the fiscal and contract management of the statewide AT program grant. This upcoming webinar/call will feature information on fiscal and contract management found in the fourth module of the New Director’s Curriculum (http://www.resnaprojects.org/statewide/newdirectors/mod4fiscal.html). This call will also allow time for new directors to discuss issues they are currently facing. All new and veteran statewide AT directors and staff are welcome! Register today at https://www4.gotomeeting.com/register/186334135.

Teleconference Focus Group Series: Statewide AT Programs, Vocational Rehabilitation, and AT Reuse
RSA and the RESNA Catalyst Project thanks all those who participated in the Statewide AT Programs, Vocational Rehabilitation, and AT Reuse teleconference focus groups this past month. We plan to share comments with RSA to bring more awareness on how state VRs can benefit by partnering with statewide AT programs to provide VR clients with recycled AT.

Purchasing Forum Website Webinar - August 22, 2013
This webinar introduced the Discount Purchasing Forum, developed in partnership with AT Connects. Designed for statewide AT program representatives working in demo and device loan centers, this forum is intended as information sharing and disseminating discount announcements between programs. This webinar was recorded and will be archived soon on the RESNA Catalyst Project website at http://www.resnaprojects.org/statewide/webedarchive.html.

PAAT PROGRAMS

REGISTER NOW – FREE TELECONFERENCE TRAINING! "Funding of Cutting-Edge Equipment through State Medicaid Programs" October 23, 2013 - 2:00 - 3:45 p.m. Eastern- Free continuing legal education (CLE) credits (1.5 hours)
Speakers include Diana M. Straube, Esq. and James R. Sheldon, Jr., Esq., National AT Advocacy Project. Although this is free you must pre-register. Use this link for the full description and registration form (page 4), http://www.nls.org/files/National%20AT%20Project/TeleconferenceflyerMedicaidandCuttingEdgeEquip10-23-13.pdf (must print and fax, or scan and email; see instructions on registration form).

Other sessions in this Three-Part "Funding of AT" series:

• November 20, 2013 - "Using Your State’s General Curriculum Mandates to Fund AT in the Public School"; speaker, Ronald M. Hager, Esq., National Disability Rights Network (registration form available in late October)
• December 18, 2013 – "Funding of AT through State Vocational Rehabilitation Agencies"; speakers, Ron Hager and Jim Sheldon (registration form available in late November).

This series is co-sponsored by: The National AT Advocacy Project and The Advocacy Center (New Orleans, LA). Contact Lynn Urquhart if you have questions (lurquhart@nls.org or 716-847-0650 ext. 271). All sessions approved for CLE credits through the State of Louisiana (check with your state for reciprocity).

SUMMER 2013 AT ADVOCATE NEWSLETTER PUBLISHED
Lead article, “SERVICES TO PRESCHOOL CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES UNDER THE INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES EDUCATION ACT: Using IDEA’s Part B and Part C Provisions to Fund Assistive Technology Devices and Services” Focus on services to children from birth through age five (or the beginning of school-aged programming). Available at http://www.nls.org/files/AT%20Advocate%20Newsletters/ATAdvocateSummer2013UsingIDEAtofundAT.pdf.

SAVE THE DATES – NCART CONFERENCE, LAST WEEK OF APRIL 2014
National AT Advocacy Project to Work with NCart to Deliver Training at Their Spring 2014 Conference (Washington, D.C. area)
The National Coalition for Assistive and Rehab Technology (NCart) is best described as a trade association comprised primarily of equipment manufacturers and suppliers. In addition to a range of other activities, NCart offers one or more national training opportunities for its members each year. NCart has provided sponsorship support for NLS’s past “Bridges to Better Advocacy” national conferences and, at the most recent October 2012 “Bridges” Conference, Don Clayback of NCart presented on policy developments within Medicare. Having decided to not run an annual "Bridges" Conference during the fall of 2013 or spring of 2014, NLS is looking to the NCart conference and the planned June 2014 National Disability Rights Network Conference as two forums for delivering extensive training related to funding of AT. NLS hopes to offer sessions at this event that will be a draw for PAAT attorney/advocates and simultaneously be attractive to the NCart membership.

ALTERNATIVE FINANCING AND TELEWORK LOAN PROGRAMS

Congratulations to the AFP Newest Grantees!
The latest round of AFP grants resulted in the following awards:

1. California Foundation for Independent Living Centers - $648,251
2. Missouri Assistive Technology Council - $621,778
3. Washington Access Fund - $621,777

Congratulations to these grant winners!

Congratulations to the Washington Access Fund!
The Community Development Financial Institution Fund has awarded Washington Access Fund $600,000 for loan capital and operational expenses! The full list of grantees is found at http://www.cdfifund.gov/docs/2013/cdfi/2013%20CDFI%20HFFI%20List%20Alph%20by%20State%20and%20City.pdf. You can see that Washington is right there with the best. Way to go Washington!

Congratulations to Leo Tonevski, New Director of the Massachusetts AT Loan Program!
While we are all saddened to see Ferol Smith leave her position, we welcome Leo Tonevski in his new role as AT Loan Program Director. Leo has extensive experience with the MA AT Loan program, serving as the Assistant Director the last three years. Best of luck to each of you on your new endeavors!

Success Stories Wanted!
The RESNA Catalyst Project continues to seek success stories from your programs! We are in process of developing new marketing and information materials, and want to highlight all the successes your programs experience. Client stories and pictures are needed to make these as powerful as possible. Please contact Jason Luciano at jluciano@resna.org for more information.

New Grantee Call – October 17^th at 4:00pm eastern
The monthly calls bringing together the new AFP grantees resumes in October. These calls are for those programs receiving funding under the recent competitions to discuss unique opportunities and challenges presented to new AFP grantees.

AFP Steering Committee
The RESNA Catalyst Project will be convening the AFP Steering Committee in the near future. This group of representatives from AFPs helps guide the RESNA Catalyst Project in the development of its technical assistance goals for the year, as well as planning for the annual conference. If you are interested in participating, please contact Jason Luciano at 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.