Real Choice Systems Change

DELAWARE

Grant Information

Name of Grantee

Delaware Health and Social Services

Title of Grant

Assistive Technology Access: Infrastructure for Community Living

Type of Grant

Real Choice Systems Change

Amount of Grant

$1,200,000

Year Original Funding Received

2001

Completed

Contact Information

Joseph B. Keyes, Ph.D.
Director, Professional Services
Division of Developmental Disabilities Services
Woodbrook Professional Center
1056 S. Governor's Avenue
Dover, DE 19904
302-744-9600
Joseph.Keyes@state.de.us

Subcontractor(s)

Delaware Assistive Technology Initiative
University of Delaware
Beth Mineo Mollica, Ph.D.
302-651-6836

Center for Disabilities Studies
University of Delaware
Jim Salt, Ph.D.
302-831-6735

Target Population(s)

People with one or more disabling conditions. A more specific subpopulation is individuals with a disability currently receiving services through various state agencies.

Goals

  • Increase awareness and knowledge of assistive technology (AT) at all levels.
  • Streamline and improve access to funding options.
  • Expand the range of AT access options and alternatives.
  • Establish a comprehensive tracking system for AT.

Activities

  • Conduct a needs analysis.
  • Conduct an awareness campaign and specific training activities for various target groups.
  • Develop a Web site.
  • Revise policies that decrease access to AT and expand funding options for assistive technology.
  • Design and implement a tracking system for AT.
  • Design and implement an alternative financing program (Low Interest Loan Program).
  • Develop an Equipment Re-Use/Recycling Program Business Plan.

Abstract

AT often makes it possible for people with disabilities to move from institutional to community living arrangements or to continue to live in their own homes as their support and service needs change. Numerous studies and stakeholder polls reveal that Delaware residents with disabilities encounter barriers in their attempts to obtain the AT they need. With this project, the State of Delaware will strengthen its support infrastructure for people with disabilities by increasing access to AT devices and services. Doing so expands the options afforded to consumers—a central tenet of person-centered planning—and enables the service infrastructure in Delaware to become increasingly consumer responsive.

Building on several extensive planning processes undertaken in the past year (involving consumers, providers, state agencies, and advocates)—and using a groundbreaking initiative led by the Delaware Division of Developmental Disabilities Services as a model—a work group comprising key stakeholders developed a 3-year plan. Grant activities over the 3 years will lead to significant increases in awareness of the benefits of technology options; opportunities to explore technology options prior to making purchase decisions; provider sophistication in facilitating technology selection and use; consumer sophistication in selecting and using AT; the comprehensibility and comprehensiveness of policies impacting AT access; consumer and provider access to a range of supports that facilitate efficient and appropriate AT access; and accessibility of state information and services for people with disabilities.

The activities of this project will improve stakeholder awareness, knowledge, and skills relative to AT and to the infrastructure supporting technology exploration, acquisition, and use. These improvements will help ensure that AT will become a readily available component of community-based supports and services in the years following project completion.