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Delaware Assistive Technology Initiative

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 Volume 19, No. 2 - Summer 2011

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What's Inside . . . Volume 19, No. 2, Summer 2011

Title: 911 registry image - Description: graphic of the 911 Special Needs Voluntary Registry logo with twelve blue buttons symbolizing various potentail barriers to receiving emergency assistance. There is a large red 911 button in the center of the logo.Collaboration for Inclusive Emergency Preparedness and Response
The University of Delaware’s Center for Disabilities Studies (CDS) received a Project of National Significance grant from the Administration on Developmental Disabilities. The project, “Inclusive Emergency Preparedness and Response,” focuses on enabling individuals with developmental disabilities and their families to prepare for emergency situations and promoting the seamless integration of emergency planning for individuals with developmental disabilities into existing emergency operational plans in Delaware.

Changes to Medicaid-purchased Durable Medical Equipment Ownership in Delaware
On December 10, 2010, a new regulation changing the rules regarding ownership of certain types of Medicaid-purchased assistive technology (AT) and Durable Medical Equipment1 (DME) took effect. The regulation amended the old rule in the Delaware Medical Assistance Program (DMAP) Provider Manual granting ownership of AT/DME purchased through Medicaid to the Medicaid beneficiary.

Title: Homegrown in Delaware logo. - Description: Homegrown in Delaware. Image includes the title words along with an outline drawing of the state witha tree growing from it. The tree has lightbulbs on it, as if they are fruits, that are being picked by a small figure underneath the tree.Homegrown in Delaware
Would Mark Zuckerberg, the founder of Facebook, be a billionaire if not for something as simple as a computer mouse? Maybe, but I doubt Facebook would have caught on if users had a difficult time navigating the endless cascade of member pages. Accessing Facebook and, in a broader sense, surfing the Internet are made easy by the point-and-click functionality of a computer mouse. What if you could not use a computer mouse? Could you still use a computer? Sure, but it would involve many, many key strokes to complete simple mouse-driven actions.

Title: A photo of Marvin Williams. - Description: The photo is of Marvin Williams smiling, wearing a sport coat.The AT Bargain Basement
Hello True Believers and welcome to another exciting edition of the AT Bargain Basement! I am your master of ceremonies for our Bargain Party, Marvin Williams. For those long-time ‘Basement Heads, welcome back, and for those of you who are new to the Basement, welcome!

Year In Review
As one of 56 State Assistive Technology (AT) Programs throughout the United States and territories, the Delaware Assistive Technology Initiative (DATI) contributes its utilization data to a national database so that Congress and others have clear evidence of the direct impact these programs have on citizens nationwide. When we reach the end of a reporting year, it is always gratifying to take a look at our “numbers” and share stories about positive outcomes for our customers. We thought our readers might also be interested in this information, so this article gives you a condensed version of our 37-page report to our federal funding agency.

Title: A photo of a wooden ramp along an outside pathway. - Description: The ramp appears to be along a walkway that spans a hill down to a body of water. It is constructed of attractive wood slats with simple wood handrails on both sides. Accessible Ramps
DATI gets many inquiries about accessible ramps, mostly for private residences. How are they constructed? What material should be used? Are there specific construction standards that must be followed? There are two perspectives that need to be considered when constructing or altering an element, or space, to make it accessible. One has to do with building code requirements, while the other is about compliance with a civil rights law. Here are a few comments on both.

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