ERIC ED610923: Annual Report to Congress on the "Assistive Technology Act of 1998," as Amended, for Fiscal Year 2006

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by  ERIC

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
A R C
NNUAL EPORT TO ONGRESS
ON THE
A T A
SSISTIVE ECHNOLOGY CT
O 1998, A ,
F AS MENDED
F F Y
OR ISCAL EAR
2006

ANNUAL REPORT TO CONGRESS ON THE
ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY ACT OF 1998, AS AMENDED,
FOR FISCAL YEAR 2006

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
OFFICE OF SPECIAL EDUCATION AND REHABILITATIVE SERVICES
REHABILITATION SERVICES ADMINISTRATION
2009

Staff of the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) produced this annual report, with assistance
from the Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America (RESNA) under
Grant No. H224A050003 and the Association of Assistive Technology Act Programs (ATAP) under
Grant No. H224B060002. The content of this report does not necessarily reflect the views or policies of
the U.S. Department of Education, nor does the mention of trade names, commercial products or
organizations imply endorsements by the U.S. government. This publication also contains URLs for
information created and maintained by private organizations. This information is provided for the reader’s
convenience. The U.S. Department of Education is not responsible for controlling or guaranteeing the
accuracy, relevance, timeliness or completeness of this information. Further, the inclusion of information
or URL does not reflect the importance of the organization, nor is it intended to endorse any views
expressed, or products or services offered.

U.S. Department of Education
Arne Duncan
Secretary
Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services
Andrew J. Pepin
Executive Administrator delegated the authority to perform the functions of Assistant Secretary
Rehabilitation Services Administration
Edward Anthony
Deputy Commissioner
January 2009
This report is in the public domain. Authorization to reproduce it in whole or in part is granted. While
permission to reprint this publication is not necessary, the citation should be: U.S. Department of
Education, Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, Rehabilitation Services
Administration, Annual Report to Congress on the Assistive Technology Act of 1998, as Amended,
for Fiscal Year 2006. Washington, D.C., 2009.
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CONTENTS
TABLES............................................................................................................................................V
ABBREVIATIONS............................................................................................................................VII
INTRODUCTION.................................................................................................................................1
OVERVIEW OF THE ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY ACT................................................................................3
THE HISTORY OF THE ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY ACT...............................................................3
THE ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY ACT OF 1998, AS AMENDED.....................................................4
TITLE III OF THE AT ACT OF 1998.........................................................................................8
PART I. SECTION 4 OF THE ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY ACT OF 1998, AS AMENDED:
THE STATE GRANTS FOR ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM......................................11
DATA COLLECTION AND LIMITATIONS................................................................................13
FY 2006 FUNDING..............................................................................................................14
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE STATE GRANTS FOR AT PROGRAM IN FY 2006.........................14
CONCLUSION.......................................................................................................................40
PART II. TITLE III OF THE ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY ACT OF 1998:
ALTERNATIVE FINANCING PROGRAMS (AFPS).............................................................41
DATA COLLECTION AND LIMITATIONS................................................................................42
FUNDING.............................................................................................................................43
FY 2006 ALTERNATIVE FINANCING PROGRAM DATA........................................................48
SUCCESSFUL OUTCOMES FOR AT LOAN RECIPIENTS: CASE STUDIES.................................65
CONCLUSION.......................................................................................................................69
PART III. APPENDIXES....................................................................................................................71
APPENDIX A. STATE-LEVEL ACTIVITIES CONDUCTED IN FY 2006 UNDER THE
STATE GRANTS FOR AT PROGRAM...............................................................................73
APPENDIX B. STATEWIDE ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM PROFILES..........................83
APPENDIX C. CONTACT INFORMATION FOR STATE GRANTS FOR ASSISTIVE
TECHNOLOGY PROGRAMS...........................................................................................151
APPENDIX D. CONTACT INFORMATION FOR ALTERNATIVE FINANCING PROGRAMS
FOR FISCAL YEAR 2006..............................................................................................159
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ANNUAL REPORT TO CONGRESS ON THE ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY ACT OF 1998, AS AMENDED, FOR FISCAL YEAR 2006
TABLES
TABLE 1. TYPES OF ALTERNATIVE FINANCING MECHANISMS FOR THE PURCHASE OR
LEASE OF ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY DEVICES AND SERVICES...............................................9
TABLE 2. TOTAL APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE STATE GRANTS FOR ASSISTIVE
TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM: FY 2005 AND FY 2006..............................................................14
TABLE 3. STATE-LEVEL ACTIVITIES CONDUCTED OR PLANNED USING STATE GRANTS FOR
AT PROGRAM FUNDS: FY 2006...........................................................................................16
TABLE 4. FINANCING ACTIVITIES CONDUCTED OR PLANNED BY STATES USING STATE
GRANTS FOR AT PROGRAM FUNDS: FY 2006.....................................................................20
TABLE 5. DEVICE REUTILIZATION ACTIVITIES CONDUCTED OR PLANNED BY STATES USING
STATE GRANTS FOR AT PROGRAM FUNDS: FY 2006..........................................................25
TABLE 6. DEVICE LOAN ACTIVITIES CONDUCTED OR PLANNED BY STATES USING STATE
GRANTS FOR AT PROGRAM FUNDS: FY 2006.....................................................................28
TABLE 7. DEVICE DEMONSTRATION ACTIVITIES CONDUCTED OR PLANNED BY STATES
USING STATE GRANTS FOR AT PROGRAM FUNDS: FY 2006..............................................31
TABLE 8. TITLE III OF THE ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY ACT OF 1998: REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
FOR THE ALTERNATIVE FINANCING PROGRAMS..................................................................42
TABLE 9. NUMBER OF GRANTS AND FUNDING FOR ALTERNATIVE FINANCING PROGRAMS
UNDER TITLE III OF THE ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY ACT OF 1998:
FY 2000 TO FY 2006...........................................................................................................44
TABLE 10. FEDERAL AND STATE FUNDING FOR ALTERNATIVE FINANCING PROGRAMS
UNDER TITLE III OF THE ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY ACT OF 1998:
FY 2000 TO FY 2006..........................................................................................................46
TABLE 11. ALTERNATIVE FINANCING PROGRAM FEATURES UNDER TITLE III OF THE ASSISTIVE
TECHNOLOGY ACT OF 1998 BY STATE: FY 2006..................................................................49
TABLE 12. ALTERNATIVE FINANCING PROGRAM PARTNERS UNDER TITLE III OF THE
ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY ACT OF 1998: FY 2006...................................................................53
TABLE 13. ALTERNATIVE FINANCING PROGRAM LOAN ACTIVITY UNDER TITLE III OF THE
ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY ACT OF 1998: FY 2005 AND FY 2006............................................58
TABLE 14. ALTERNATIVE FINANCING PROGRAM LOAN ACTIVITY UNDER TITLE III OF THE
ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY ACT OF 1998 NOT REPORTED IN THE UNIVERSITY OF
ILLINOIS AT CHICAGO (UIC) WEB-BASED REPORTING SYSTEM: FY 2006.........................60
TABLE 15. AMOUNT OF APPROVED ALTERNATIVE FINANCING PROGRAM LOANS UNDER
TITLE III OF THE ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY ACT OF 1998: FY 2005 AND FY 2006................60
TABLE 16. DEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS OF ALTERNATIVE FINANCING PROGRAM
BORROWERS UNDER TITLE III OF THE ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY ACT OF 1998:
FY 2005 AND FY 2006........................................................................................................62
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ANNUAL REPORT TO CONGRESS ON THE ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY ACT OF 1998, AS AMENDED, FOR FISCAL YEAR 2006
TABLE 17. TYPES OF AT PURCHASED BY ALTERNATIVE FINANCING PROGRAM BORROWERS
UNDER TITLE III OF THE ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY ACT OF 1998:
FY 2005 AND FY 2006........................................................................................................64
TABLE 18. FUNCTIONS AFFECTED BY AT PURCHASED BY ALTERNATIVE FINANCING PROGRAM
BORROWERS UNDER TITLE III OF THE ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY ACT OF 1998:
FY 2005 AND FY 2006..............................................................................................................65
TABLE A. STATE-LEVEL ACTIVITIES CONDUCTED UNDER THE STATE GRANTS FOR
AT PROGRAM: FY 2006......................................................................................................75

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