a state at act program perspective: virginia expanding statewide at reuse services through formal...

A State AT Act Program A State AT Act Program Perspective: VirginiaPerspective: Virginia

Expanding Statewide Expanding Statewide AT Reuse Services AT Reuse Services

Through Through Formal and “Virtual Formal and “Virtual

Networks”:Networks”:

ATIA Chicago AT Reuse Strandwww.passitoncenter.org

Evolution of AT Reuse

• Grassroots Efforts: Loan Closets to Formalized ProgramsGrassroots Efforts: Loan Closets to Formalized Programs

• FREE Foundation’s “Pioneer” EffortsFREE Foundation’s “Pioneer” Efforts

• Federal Government’ Support of Reuse (AT Act 2004):Federal Government’ Support of Reuse (AT Act 2004):• ““Systems Change Agent” to Direct Service Provision Systems Change Agent” to Direct Service Provision • Availability of ATAvailability of AT• Support “Appropriate and Effective” reuse of AT devices Support “Appropriate and Effective” reuse of AT devices • Not to undermine consumers options of getting new ATNot to undermine consumers options of getting new AT• ““Reuse is a Solution, NOT The Solution”Reuse is a Solution, NOT The Solution”

• 2006 RSA funded Model Demonstration Grant (3 years) / Virginia 2006 RSA funded Model Demonstration Grant (3 years) / Virginia was one of 12 States to receive grant (VATNet)was one of 12 States to receive grant (VATNet)

• 2009 - VATS Received Virginia Reuse Network (VRN) Grant from 2009 - VATS Received Virginia Reuse Network (VRN) Grant from CNI / ARRACNI / ARRA• Expand services for persons with SCI, TBI, Veterans and VR ParticipantsExpand services for persons with SCI, TBI, Veterans and VR Participants


Virginia’s Formal AT Reuse Network(Contractual)


Partnerships –You Don’t Have to Look Far!

• Vocational Rehabilitation ProgramVocational Rehabilitation Program– Assistive Technology SpecialistsAssistive Technology Specialists– Therapists – OT/PTTherapists – OT/PT– Computer Accommodation SpecialistsComputer Accommodation Specialists– Rehab EngineersRehab Engineers

• Existing Non Profits (Reuse)Existing Non Profits (Reuse)


Obvious Partnerships • Goodwill / Disabled Veterans / Salvation ArmyGoodwill / Disabled Veterans / Salvation Army• Civic/ Community Service Organizations: Ruritans / Kiwanas / Women’s Clubs / Civic/ Community Service Organizations: Ruritans / Kiwanas / Women’s Clubs /

Lions ClubsLions Clubs• MedicaidMedicaid• National MS SocietyNational MS Society• ALS AssociationALS Association• Spinal Cord Injury ServicesSpinal Cord Injury Services• Brain Injury ServicesBrain Injury Services• Aging ServicesAging Services• Independent Living ServicesIndependent Living Services• Funeral Home DirectorsFuneral Home Directors• Bank Trustee OfficersBank Trustee Officers• Alternative Financing ProgramsAlternative Financing Programs• Healthcare OrganizationsHealthcare Organizations

– Hospitals, Nursing Homes, Hospitals, Nursing Homes, • Faith-Based OrganizationsFaith-Based Organizations• ““Other” State AgenciesOther” State Agencies


Mission Statements / Services – Obvious Partnerships• Many Organizations Have Similar MissionsMany Organizations Have Similar Missions

• Almost all refer to “helping improve the lives of persons living with….”Almost all refer to “helping improve the lives of persons living with….”

• Many Organizations Serve Persons with Functional NeedsMany Organizations Serve Persons with Functional Needs

• Many Organizations Have Equipment Exchange ServicesMany Organizations Have Equipment Exchange Services

Example: National MS Society – Central Va.Example: National MS Society – Central Va.• Equipment Exchange: The Central Virginia Chapter is proud to present the Equipment Exchange: The Central Virginia Chapter is proud to present the

new new Equipment Exchange web pageEquipment Exchange web page where people can post equipment to sell where people can post equipment to sell and buyers can find equipment they need. This program can save people living and buyers can find equipment they need. This program can save people living with MS a considerable amount of money and it gives people who have with MS a considerable amount of money and it gives people who have equipment they do not need a connection to buyers. It’s common to find people equipment they do not need a connection to buyers. It’s common to find people who are just looking to donate equipment they no longer need. Donating who are just looking to donate equipment they no longer need. Donating equipment is a great way to positively impact the life of someone living with MS.equipment is a great way to positively impact the life of someone living with MS.

• Type of Equipment : Ambulation & Walking, Bath Safety, Ramps & Lifts, Rehab Type of Equipment : Ambulation & Walking, Bath Safety, Ramps & Lifts, Rehab Exercise, Seating & Positioning, Transportation, Wheelchairs & Scooters….Exercise, Seating & Positioning, Transportation, Wheelchairs & Scooters….


Finding Common Ground – Aging Services

• Understanding the common links among Understanding the common links among groups can lead to service collaboration groups can lead to service collaboration and enhance expansion!and enhance expansion!

““People who are aging, will acquire People who are aging, will acquire disabilities…”disabilities…”

““People with disabilities are aging…”People with disabilities are aging…”


Less Obvious Partnerships• PD-6 Network (Planning District 6- Email Exchange/Virtual Network)PD-6 Network (Planning District 6- Email Exchange/Virtual Network)• I&A HotlineI&A Hotline• Volunteer GroupsVolunteer Groups

• www.volunteermatch.org• Physicians for PeacePhysicians for Peace• Prosthetics Recycling & Reuse: Doctors Without Borders-Va. Beach Prosthetics Recycling & Reuse: Doctors Without Borders-Va. Beach

(medical humanitarian emergencies)(medical humanitarian emergencies)• Emergency Managers (nationally: role of AT reuse in disaster planning, Emergency Managers (nationally: role of AT reuse in disaster planning,

response, recovery)response, recovery)• Allied Health Programs (OT, PT etc.)Allied Health Programs (OT, PT etc.)• Bio Med ProgramsBio Med Programs• Access Partnership (next page)Access Partnership (next page)• Sportable, Inc. (next page)Sportable, Inc. (next page)

What Obvious Partnerships Have You Found?


Sound Familiar?• Access PartnershipAccess Partnership is a community collaboration of medical providers, is a community collaboration of medical providers,

charities, universities, churches, civic groups, free clinics, community charities, universities, churches, civic groups, free clinics, community health centers, departments of health, city community service boards health centers, departments of health, city community service boards and social services departments, and a broad representation of and social services departments, and a broad representation of volunteers and medically indigent consumers. The Partnership is volunteers and medically indigent consumers. The Partnership is focused on strengthening the depth and breadth of existing programs, focused on strengthening the depth and breadth of existing programs, implementing new services for identified gaps in primary care and implementing new services for identified gaps in primary care and chronic illness prevention; and coordinating care for medically indigent chronic illness prevention; and coordinating care for medically indigent families. families. Access PartnershipAccess Partnership is dedicated to bringing health care to all is dedicated to bringing health care to all residents of Greater Hampton Roads so that anyone in need of care will residents of Greater Hampton Roads so that anyone in need of care will not have to go without.not have to go without.

• Sportable, Inc.: Sportable, Inc.: “Breaking Down Barriers One Sport At A Time”“Breaking Down Barriers One Sport At A Time”: : Sportable is a not for profit organization focused on providing recreation Sportable is a not for profit organization focused on providing recreation and sports opportunities for individuals with physical disabilities in the and sports opportunities for individuals with physical disabilities in the Richmond area. Our mission is to improve the quality of life for Richmond area. Our mission is to improve the quality of life for individuals with physical disabilities by enabling them to develop their individuals with physical disabilities by enabling them to develop their true potential though recreation, sport, social integration, and community true potential though recreation, sport, social integration, and community involvement.involvement.


Physicians For Peace Donation


Partnerships: Always A Good Idea?• Good PartnershipsGood Partnerships

– Common Mission?Common Mission?– Clearly Defined Services?Clearly Defined Services?– Clear Communication?Clear Communication?– Data Collection?Data Collection?– Does It Help Constituents?Does It Help Constituents?– Is It Forced?Is It Forced?– Does It Makes Sense!Does It Makes Sense!

• Bad PartnershipsBad Partnerships– Opposite of the Above!Opposite of the Above!– Examples…Examples…


Providing Statewide Services Through Formal and Virtual Networks!

RE= VR Program Rehab RE= VR Program Rehab EngineersEngineers

OT= VR Occupational OT= VR Occupational TherapistsTherapists

Access Partnership “Virtual Access Partnership “Virtual Exchange”Exchange”

PD-6= Planning District 6 “Virtual Exchange”PD-6= Planning District 6 “Virtual Exchange”


The Possibilities Are Limitless!


Questions…Contact this Guy!

Barclay M. ShepardBarclay M. Shepard

Virginia Assistive Technology System (VATS)Virginia Assistive Technology System (VATS)

Email: Email: [email protected]

Phone (757) 309 – 1079Phone (757) 309 – 1079

a state at act program perspective: virginia expanding statewide at reuse services through formal...

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reuse services

effective reuse

type of equipment

agingatia chicago

profits reuseatia chicago

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service collaboration