Expanding AT Access Through School Reuse Programs

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1 Expanding AT Access Through School Reuse Programs Carolyn Phillips & Liz Persaud, Pass It On Center Contributions from: Sharon Alderman, Vermont AT Program

2 Learning Objectives Develop a general understanding of assistive technology reutilization as an interim solution or a means of providing timely assignment of a permanent device needed by a student. Identify and understand the governmental and/or organizational obstacles to sharing unused equipment and the business case for overcoming those structural barriers. Explore existing models of AT reuse in schools that can be replicated and expanded to increase access to needed technology. Optimizing AT Resources in Schools 2

3 AT REUSE CHANGES LIVES! AT Reuse is a concept that was born out of need. It increases access to and acquisition of AT and Durable Medical Equipment in underserved regions and promotes increased independence and more participation in education environments, the workplace and the community.

4 AT REUSE Federally-funded AT Act Programs In every state and territory Reutilization is a mandated activity Nonprofit organizations Many that offer services to people with disabilities also reutilize AT Sometimes partner with AT Act Programs Informal community groups Optimizing AT Resources in Schools 4

5 AT REUSE CLOSES THE GAP BY: Allowing trials on possible solutions Providing interim equipment while waiting for the permanent solution Providing permanent solutions where no funding is available for new devices Providing duplicate devices in warranted situations Replacing equipment lost in disasters Optimizing AT Resources in Schools 5

6 TYPES OF AT REUSE ACTIVITIES Loan Exchange Refurbishing Reassignment Recycling Remanufacturing Optimizing AT Resources in Schools 6

7 Device exchange: Matching donors to users without intervention (e.g., classifieds and online auctions) Device loan: Providing a device on loan for some period of time or indefinitely, usually to help user make informed choice or to provide interim solution

8 Reassignment: Making donated devices available to new users Refurbishment: Repairing/restoring donated devices to working order

9 Remanufacturing making changes to donated items that alter original manufacturer s specifications or function NOT RECOMMENDED! Recycling breaking down unusable devices into spare parts or disposing of in an environmentally appropriate manner

10 What kinds of reuse programs exist? Some accept and refurbish durable medical equipment. Some accept and refurbish computers and other digital devices. Some are dedicated to sharing AT in school settings. Some receive donated medical supplies for redistribution.

11 LEARN ABOUT REUSE. Pass It On Center offers resources to promote new programs and to help existing ones improve. PIOC web site Indicators of Quality with Online Program Assessment Tool Online Knowledge Base Free webinars with ondemand archive Reuse Locations database Find AT NEED AT* Optimizing AT Resources in Schools 11

12 Take advantage of our free resources to support AT Reuse PASS IT ON CENTER

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19 FREE resource for finding and exchanging assistive technology (AT) devices online Place an ad requesting items for sale, donation, or needed gtrade and Tools for Life encourages members to offer AT devices and information for sale or by donation to others who may benefit from using technology and equipment no longer in need by others This online equipment exchange program was developed to make to make AT devices and services available and accessible to Georgians with disabilities 19

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22 GOAL OF AT ACT PROGRAMS: To increase access to and acquisition of AT for all ages and all disabilities for Living Learning Earning Optimizing AT Resources in Schools

23 WHAT IS YOUR EXPERIENCE? School AT Act Program AT Reuse Program Schools (K-12, Higher Ed.) Are you currently doing AT Reuse in Schools? How? What kind? Who s involved? What are your barriers? Optimizing AT Resources in Schools 23

24 AT for learning strained resources: Schools are obligated to provide an AT device when it is identified in a student s IEP. Education budgets are suffering additional strain from the economy, especially unemployment and declining home ownership (with property taxes as a primary support of schools in some states). Circumstances sometimes warrant duplicated devices at home and school and that is not funded. Optimizing AT Resources in Schools

25 Schools are great candidates for AT reuse programs. Unpredictable needs, temporary and permanent Time-consuming acquisition procedures Caches of unused devices aging into obsolescence Optimizing AT Resources in Schools 25

26 Barriers to School Reuse District boundaries and concern about use of local taxes Restrictions imposed by funding sources Lack of readily available information about needs and equipment availability Optimizing AT Resources in Schools 26

27 New England Takes the Lead STARTING A SCHOOL SWAP

28 BUILDING ON SUCCESS New England s AT Act Programs created a regional online AT Exchange, in Using this successful model, they approached school exchange. Connecticut took the lead in creating a model for a school AT exchange. Optimizing AT Resources in Schools 28

29 Step 1: Identifying the Need Conferences and presentations with stakeholders: State Dept. of Education State Special Education Directors State Special Education Advisory Council OTs, PTs, SLPs University Special Ed and General Ed Faculty Optimizing AT Resources in Schools 29

30 Step 1: Identifying the Need, cont. Survey of potential users: Maine: State Special Education Directors Conference, 90% would use an AT Swap site Vermont: 86% of schools said they would be willing to share AT Optimizing AT Resources in Schools 30

31 Step 2: Creating a Model Program Connecticut used Get AT Stuff.com to create an exchange site for schools only that it called AT School Swap AT School Swap model could be used: -- To track AT inventory at the school -- To make unused AT available to other schools through loan or surplus Optimizing AT Resources in Schools 31

32 Step 3: Introducing Users to AT School Swap In Spring 2008, Connecticut introduced AT School Swap at a Professional Development Workshop to teams of education professionals. Teams were given an AT toolkit, a demonstration of AT School Swap, and an opportunity to create an account. Optimizing AT Resources in Schools 32

33 Vermont s AT School Swap Launched in Spring 2008 Schools post available equipment or search for needed equipment Use a Toll Free # for assist 16 districts participating one year later; 39 of 60 SUs/districts participating currently Permits account access to online site; also provides alternative inventory listings in Excel spreadsheets via or atp.vt.gov web-site Optimizing AT Resources in Schools 33

34 Vermont provides additional services Web site alone was not widely used at outset; needed enhancements (inventory to facilitate exchanges, way to track device assignment) Schools may post a need and receive facilitated services to locate equipment. Search of GetATstuff.com, AT Act Programs, Refurbished Equipment Marketplace in NH, NEAT Marketplace in Hartford, CT Optimizing AT Resources in Schools 34

35 Identified concerns: Concern of school administrators over sharing on donating devices purchased with local tax dollars Regulations affecting device reuse based on source of funding for original acquisition Liability concerns Staffing to maintain current inventory tracking Adequate device specification and/or description to determine if it meets the student s needs Optimizing AT Resources in Schools 35

36 Massachusetts implemented School Swap in November 2008 Participation limited by need for staff to catalog and inventory devices Shapiro Grant received in July 2010 for Boston pilot: For PT students to catalog and post devices to site To train school staff To develop online school AT kit for educators To develop a sustainability plan Optimizing AT Resources in Schools 36

37 Lessons Learned School systems need a champion for participation. Schools need to identify resources to manage the initial and ongoing demands of inventory updating. The swap site is more successful if ancillary services (training, education, toolkits, incentives) are offered. The program gains momentum as more schools participate and resources increase. Optimizing AT Resources in Schools 37

38 How much does it cost to operate a School Swap? ROI: $1.39 for every $1 spent FY Vermont example: Web site conversion using CT model: $1,000 Web hosting: $285/yr. Phone tolls: $124/yr. Marketing: $400/yr. Staffing: Start-up:.25 FTE for 2 months On-going:.10 to.25 FTE /WK increase w/participation Optimizing AT Resources in Schools 38

39 For more information about AT School Swaps: Connecticut Arlene Lugo Massachusetts Kobena Bonney Vermont Sharon Alderman Optimizing AT Resources in Schools 39

40 Helping Students Cross the Digital Divide COMPUTER REUSE FOR STUDENTS

41 Should all students have access to computers? Research 1 suggests increased access to technology can reduce dropout rates. If one-tenth of potential dropouts from 7 th grade class of 2007 go on to graduate college, that would result in 96,200 more college grads and $19 billion in tax revenues over the next 40 years for the investment of $1.5 billion in laptops. 1 Pierce, Dennis, Are computers for every student a wise investment? eschool News, July 26, 2010 Optimizing AT Resources in Schools 41

42 The percentage of people who use computers increases by education levels Optimizing AT Resources in Schools 42

43 Where can you find computers for schools and students who cannot afford them? National Cristina Foundation computers for k-12 public or nonprofit schools Computers for Learning General Services Administration program through which federal agencies transfer excess computers to schools A local computer refurbishing program (check with your AT Act Program) Optimizing AT Resources in Schools 43

44 Examples of computer refurbishing programs National Cristina Foundation, since 1984 ReBoot at Touch the Future, Inc. in Atlanta Alameda County (CA) Computer Resource Center What s available in your community? Optimizing AT Resources in Schools 44

45 QUESTIONS

46 Contact Us: Carolyn Phillips Director Liz Persaud Training & Development Coordinator Trish Redmon Consultant to the Pass It On Center Sharon Alderman, VT AT Reuse Coordinator or vtfn.org DISCLAIMER This work is supported under a five-year cooperative agreement # H235V awarded by the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, and is administered by the Pass It On Center, Tools for Life Program of the Alternative Media Access Center at Georgia Institute of Technology. However, the contents of this publication do not necessarily represent the policy or opinions of the Department of Education or Georgia Tech, and you should not assume endorsements of this document by the Federal government. 46