1. Nebraska’s Exchange Program AT4ALL Assistive Technology for All “Won’t You Be Our Partner?” National Reuse Conference: May 8-10, 2006

2. “Won’t You Be Our Partner?” History • Assistive Technology Partnership (vs. Project) • Established REEL in 1992 (Recycled Equipment Exchange Listing)

3. Technology …What a Concept

4. Technology …What a Concept

5. www.AT4ALL.com 2001 - 2006 • Established TechConnectors which is now AT4ALL • Encourage direct participation of consumer and other programs • Avoid a central program model • Wanted to “be a repository of information – not a depository of equipment”

6. www.AT4ALL.com 2001 - 2006 • Features for consumers • Pictures of devices, URL to manufacturer of device, email links to programs or other consumers listing equipment, email reminders when items were due for return or when listing will expire, “bookmark” items when searching for equipment • Features for programs • Add consumers who did not have email addresses, print out loan forms, print customized reports, duplicate an entry for multiple items, bar coding capability, email reminders of overdue items • 508 Compliant

7. Task Bar Search Menu Main Content Box

15. Land of “Possibilities” (Not Make Believe) Our goals • Seamless service/one stop resource for consumer – reutilization/loans/demos • General public involvement • Increased partner participation • Inclusion of other states • Ability to grow/flexibility of site • Tracking information for easy data reporting • Systems change

16. “Would you be mine …?” • Identified programs involved in recycling, loan, and demo programs • Existing community programs • Faith-based, non-profit • Disability-related organizations • Existing state/federal agencies • NCDHH, NCBVI • Veterans organizations

17. Incentives

18. “Could you be mine …?” • Incentives for Programs included: • Access to resources/sharing of resources • Cost savings • Reporting accuracy • Loan closet “buy out” - potential to work with Medicaid for funding items in loaner pool • Survey of Programs • Needs • Time • Money

19. “Could you be mine …?” Solution • Request for Proposals (RFPs)/Mini-grants • 1-year grant period • Maximum of $5,000 • Funding Source • Federal Tech Act Dollars • $40,000

20. RFP/Mini-Grants Eligible Activities • Upgrading current or purchasing new computer equipment to utilize the website • Support staff to input & update inventory in the website throughout the 1-year grant period (or costs associated with importing data through web developer) • Support costs associated with internet access • Marketing materials and efforts • Operational costs including purchasing equipment to expand inventory, refurbishing costs, transportation costs, mailing equipment

21. RFP/Mini-Grants Project Requirements • Key personnel to participate in training session on use of website • Inventory must be listed and maintained • Marketing materials must be distributed and include information about program participation with www.at4all.com • Program agrees to participate in any publications, etc., that may be released to the media for the purposes of promoting the website • Key personnel to participate in focus/exit meeting

22. RFP/Mini-Grants Process • Public notice • 30-Day application period • Applications reviewed and scored by ATP staff and Advisory Council Members

23. RFP/Mini-Grants In 2005 • Sent out approximately 35 packets • Received 3 applications • Approved all 3 • Outcomes • Increased available inventory on website from 471 items to 2435 items • Increased the number of hits to the website from 1060 to 7098 • Increased marketing to areas/groups may have had difficulty reaching

24. RFP/Mini-Grants In 2005 • Challenges • New idea • Identifying programs • Encouraging programs to participate (sharing is good) • Technology • Outcomes • All 3 programs are participating (some delays) • Because of delays only have reporting from 2 of 3 programs • Positive comments on usability • Training • Increase/decrease in number of loans made • Marketing occurring through all 3 programs • 2 programs used money to purchase additional equipment

25. RFP/Mini-Grants In 2006 • Email to 19 programs with email reminders, form in electronic format on ATP website & AT4ALL website • Received 3 applications, approved 2 • Challenges • Identifying programs • Encouraging program participation • Future goals • Identify small loan closets (churches, VFW, etc.) • Schools • Disability-related organizations • State programs - neighboring states

26. AT4ALL Neighborhood

27. “Won’t You Be Our Partner?” • Website • https://www.at4all.com • http://www.demo.at4all.com • http://nde.state.ne.us/ATP • Contacts • Lisa Oberg, ATP Omaha (402) 595-1920/1923 lisa.oberg@atp.ne.gov • Patti Neill, ATP Cozad/NEAT (308) 784-4525 pneill@esu10.org