PDF Version

CENTER FOR EXCELLENCE IN DISABILITIES
West Virginia Assistive Technology State Plan
Annual Report
October 1, 2014 – September 30, 2015
The West Virginia Assistive Technology
State Plan
Federal funding to each state supports an assistive technology (AT) state plan to increase access to and
acquisition of assistive technology for individuals with disabilities in the areas of education, employment and
community living. West Virginia Assistive Technology System (WVATS) runs the AT state plan in our state.
Assistive technology is any device used to perform tasks that would otherwise be difficult or impossible.
These devices can be as complex as computers with screen reading software or as simple as Velcro used
in place of buttons or shoe laces. Assistive technology services help people learn how to choose and use
assistive devices.
WVATS is dedicated to increasing access
to and acquisition of assistive technology
devices and services for West Virginians of
all ages and all types of disabilities.
p
d
1,465
device demonstrations
to individuals with disabilities, family
members and professionals helping
individuals to see specific features of
assistive technology devices that help
to meet a variety of needs including
vision, augmentative communication,
daily living etc.
68
device exchanges
recycling and open ended loans
to individuals, family members and
professionals, saving individuals
almost $28,361 in equipment
costs. WVATS helps individuals acquire
devices by facilitating an exchange
program where individuals can post
devices for buy, sale or trade.
WVATS trained 1,665 professionals, individuals and family
members on specific assistive technology devices, assistive
technology services, funding, universal design and transition.
WVATS provided ongoing technical assistance to over 20 entities in community living, education, employment and information
technology activities. V
S
id e
v
o
r
WVATS prov
ide
d
W
WV
AT
2015 Activities
WVATS reached 369,904 individuals in public awareness
endeavors including the WVATS newsletter, printed materials, TV shows,
listservs and the WVATS website.
AT
rov
p
S
ided
475
device loans
to individuals, family members
and professionals. Borrowing
devices helps individuals make
informed choices about what
to purchase to best meet
their needs.
WVATS provided information and assistance to 2,504 individuals, family members
and professionals who called or emailed WVATS in regards to learning about assistive
technology devices and services.
Device
Demo
67
64 17
Type of Participant - 1,437 Total
69
Individuals with disabilities
Family members, guardians and
authorized representatives
Representative of education
Representative of employment
Representative of health, allied
health and rehabilitation
322
8 5
115
306
27
724
174
60
64
Representative of community
living
Representative of technology
Type of AT Demonstrated - 1,465 Total
51
Vision
Daily living
Hearing
Environmental adaptations
Speech communication
Vehicle modification and
transportation
Learning, cognition and
developmental
409
420
Device
Loan
Computers and related
Mobility, seating and positioning
Recreation, sports and leisure
Type of Participant - 374 Total
Individuals with disabilities
Family members, guardians and
authorized representatives
1
28
4
37
103
Representatives of education
Representatives of employment
Representatives of health, allied health,
and rehabilitation
Representatives of community living
34
53
66
Representatives of technology
98
103
15
20
75
Type of AT Loaned - 475 Total
Vision
Hearing
Speech communication
Learning, cognition and
developmental
94
38
80
Mobility, seating postition
Daily living
Environmental adaptations
Computers and related
Recreation, sports and leisure
Empowering Individuals with Disabilities
An occupational therapist (OT) working with a woman who was in her thirties and had a stroke came to
WVATS for assistance. She borrowed the “Ultimate Arcade 2,” a limited dexterity arcade controller. The OT
said that , “the device was awesome” for her client because it allowed her to start playing several of her
favorite Play Station games again. They enjoyed it so much that they planned to buy one.
WVATS provided technical assistance to rehabilitation professionals at
a major hospital facility on enhancing patient independence through the
use of environmental controls in its in-patient rehab unit. This training
also included providing patient education and assessment tools for
in-home assistive technology prior to patient discharge. As a result of
this activity, smart technology will be incorporated into future hospital
renovations to provide mechanisms for patients to control lights,
television and other factors, regardless of their abilities and current
physical condition.
WVATS staff spoke with a case manager who had a client in need of a mobility device. The staff member
told the caller about available free options in the WVATS Exchange System. A representative from the
helping agency stopped by the next day and chose a Safari Tilt and Fold wheelchair. The case manager said
that the wheelchair would make it possible for the person to attend their day program.
WVATS conducted West Virginia’s first training on miniature horses
as recognized service animals under the Americans with Disabilities Act
(ADA). Participants were given information justifying the use of horses in
lieu of dogs as service animals, the pros and cons of having a service
horse and a brief synopsis of training techniques. This activity brought
together non-traditional partners including the state miniature horse
association, agricultural organizations and state Extension Service
offices, and resulted in increased awareness of this component of the
ADA.
Threading a needle can be challenging for people with low vision and fine motor limitations. The West
Virginia Assistive Technology System gave several “Witch” needle threaders to a senior sewing group in
Morgantown through the WVATS Assistive Technology Exchange System. The group, Knots of Love, makes
lap quilts for hospital patients and individuals with disabilities. One member said of the assistive device,
“Boy, it is slick. It threads my needle every time. I’m so excited. I have used it a couple of hundred times
already for the quilt I am working on. Thank you so much!”
Coordination and Collaboration
Fair Housing
WVATS continues to participate as a partner organization in the
West Virginia Fair Housing Action Network (WVFHAN). As a WVFHAN
partner, WVATS provided technical assistance on fair housing design
& construction requirements and assistance animals, helped organize
trainings, conducted site assessments for fair housing accessibility
compliance, provided educational outreach through the WVATS
newsletters and disseminated information through the CED Access for All
television program.
Camp Gizmo
WVATS continues to provide staff
and device support to the annual Camp
Gizmo. WVATS supports a lab of devices
families can try out to determine access
needs for their children. WVATS also
provides resources and collaborates with
other labs at the camp, ensuring families
get the best possible experience.
Disability Caucus
WVATS collaborated with the WV Disability Caucus to
co-present “Options, Services & Technology – Scavenger
Hunt”, a round-robin resource panel session for youths with
disabilities. During the session, teenage participants with
disabilities broke into small groups to explore scenarios
related to activities like beginning college or starting a job.
Participants then visited booths to brainstorm for resource
ideas with each panel member, while learning about that
organization’s services.
Community Subcontracts
WVATS provided four subcontracts to agencies to
expand awareness and acquisition of assistive technology
services and devices through community demonstrations
and loans. These include the Arc of the Mid-Ohio Valley –
TechLink (Parkersburg), the Northern West Virginia Center
for Independent Living (Elkins office), The Disability Action
Center (Marion County) and the Charleston Area Medical
Center (CAMC) Foundation (Charleston).
WV AgrAbility
WVATS coordinated with WV
AgrAbility to present “Service
Animals for Farmers and Ranchers”
at the National AgrAbility Workshop.
WV Green Thumbs, Healthy Joints
WVATS collaborates with the WV Department of Health and
Human Resources, Division of Health Promotion and Chronic
Disease to implement the WV Green Thumbs, Healthy Joints
project. WVATS staff provide technical assistance and
demonstrations to community groups on accessible gardening
structures, tools and techniques.
WVATS Advisory Council Members
Ron Brown, Consumer (Chair)
Brenda Lamkin, Parent (Vice Chair)
Ed McDonald, Consumer (Secretary)
Annette Carey, WV Department of Education
Jim Cremeans, DD Council
Karen Davis, Consumer
Jan Derry, WV Northern Center for Independent
Living
Darla Ervin, Consumer
Herbert Hess. Consumer
Kathryn Hudnall, WV Department of Education
Cynthia Lokey, WV Division of Rehabilitation
Services
Lauren McCauley, Disability Action Center
Jack McIntire, Consumer
Angie Richardson, WorkForce West Virginia
Amee Shah, Consumer
Kevin Smith, Consumer
Alvin Wiggins, Parent
Dena Wildman, Offices of the Insurance
Commissioner
Kathy Knighton, Council Member Emerita
West Virginia Assistive Technology System
Center for Excellence in Disabilities at WVU
959 Hartman Run Road
Morgantown, WV 26505
Toll-free – 800-841-8436
Web – www.wvats.cedwvu.org
Email – wvats@hsc.wvu.edu
The project described was supported by Grant
Number 90AG0011 from the Administration
for Community Living. Its contents are solely
the responsibility of the authors and do not
necessarily represent the official views of the
Administration for Community Living (ACL),
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
(HHS).
All printed materials are available in braille,
electronic format, CD and large print. WVU is an
Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Institution.
CENTER FOR EXCELLENCE IN DISABILITIES
The Center for Excellence in Disabilities (CED)
is designated as the State’s lead agency for
assistive technology services.