Year In Review

Beth Mineo Director,
Center for Disabilities Studies
University of Delaware

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.

By law, we are mandated to provide seven types of services statewide: alternative financing; equipment reuse; equipment demonstration; equipment loan; training; public awareness; and information and assistance. The following provides a snapshot of activity in each area.

Alternative Financing

ZoomText large print keyboard


Talking blood pressure cuff

These activities enable our customers to acquire needed AT. In Delaware, we offered an equipment financing program as well as an equipment giveaway program focused on visual AT. Last year, the Delaware Assistive Technology Loan Program made one financial loan in excess of $22,000 that enabled the borrower to make access modifications to her home and vehicle. Through our Borrow-to-Own Low-vision Device (BOLD) Program, 146 devices, valued at $5,080, were provided to 80 people. In one instance, an individual with vision loss was able to reduce her visits to the doctor because a talking blood pressure monitor allowed her to keep track of her blood pressure independently at home. In another case, a student became much more independent in his schoolwork when he gained access to a keyboard with large print keys.

Wheeled shower chair


Power Wheelchair

AT Reuse

The AT Exchange is DATI’s “want ads” service, connecting those who no longer need their AT with those who could benefit from it. We partnered with our neighboring states (Maryland and Pennsylvania) to add a new feature to the AT Exchange—the ability to search regional listings! In Fiscal Year 2010, 33 successful exchanges took place, for a cost savings to Delawareans of almost $54,000! In one instance, an individual received a power wheelchair valued at over $5,000 for free. She now has much greater independence around her home and in her community. Another individual with significant physical limitations received a wheeled commode/shower chair that enables him to bathe and use the commode safely and comfortably. He regards his new equipment, which was valued at $1,500 but provided at no cost to him, as “a godsend.”

Device Demonstrations

Springboard Lite communication device

One of DATI’s most critical roles is to help our customers find equipment well-suited to their needs. One way we do this is through device demonstrations, in which our AT Specialists assist customers in learning about equipment options. Last year, 220 individuals benefited from equipment demonstrations. We were called upon most frequently to provide demos of vision and hearing equipment, communication devices, and items related to computer access and use. As is often the case, a device demo leads to a device loan, as in the case of a speech-language pathologist who visited an Assistive Technology Resource Center (ATRC) to learn about augmentative communication device options. She later returned to the center to borrow a device to try with one of her students.

Device Loans

Rollerball mouse


Joystick mouse

Along with device demos, short-term loans of equipment allow our customers to have confidence in their AT selection because they have had an opportunity to try it before they buy it. Last year, DATI facilitated the loan of 809 pieces of equipment to 508 Delawareans. The availability of equipment, such as the $2,400 augmentative communication device borrowed at no cost by the speech-language pathologist discussed above, is a tremendous boon to schools, clinics, and hospitals because they don’t need to maintain their own inventory of high-cost products for assessment and treatment. In fact, last year 30% of all device loans were for communication devices! In a similar scenario, an occupational therapist borrowed two different options for computer access: a trackball and a joystick. She was elated when the student was able to—for the first time ever—complete an assignment in computer class independently and within the same timeframe as her classmates. Computer-related items accounted for 14% of all device loans last year. Other frequently-borrowed items were those for vision loss, hearing loss, environmental adaptation, daily living and learning support.

Training and Public Awareness

In addition to the four core services detailed above, DATI focuses considerable effort on raising awareness about AT and its benefits. DATI staff also offer significant training and technical assistance to people with disabilities, their families, service providers and others. Last year 230 individuals received intensive training, while over 5,400 were impacted by awareness presentations, conference sessions and exhibits. An additional 766 received individualized information and assistance. And here’s an impressive tidbit: each edition of this newsletter is circulated to about 6,000 subscribers!

Clearly, we had a busy and productive year. Please get in touch if you want to learn about new technology options, would like to try some things out, have something to sell or donate that you no longer use, or need help in finding funding for equipment that you need. Your AT success could be included in the 2011 Year In Review!