Pass it On

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Pass it On

• National Conference
• On Reuse of
• Assistive Technology
• May 9, 2006
• Atlanta, Georgia

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• ESTABLISHING
• AT REUSE NETWORKS

Ken Knorr, Director Virginia Assistive Technology
System
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Virginias Approach to Creating a Statewide AT
Reuse Network.
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Session Goal

• To assist grass root organizations
• agencies understand the advantages
• of strategies for establishing a
• Statewide network of community
• recycling efforts

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Session topics include

• Why Virginia established a recycling network ?
• What is the Process used ?
• Who are the Partners their roles ?
• What Challenges are faced ?
• What Creative solutions have been identified ?
• What are the Benefits ?
• Advice?

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Why Virginia Chose to Establish a Statewide AT
Reuse Network

• Interest and support from Administration
• Abandonment increasing while consumer needs are
  unmet.
• Stretches limited state and federal resources
• Opportunity to extend existing recycling programs
  to other areas
• Positive impact on people with limited resources
• Most efficient approach

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The Process to Establish a Statewide AT Reuse
Network

• Identify stakeholders in local community
• Provide a forum for communication among the
  stakeholders

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The Process to Establish a Statewide AT Reuse
Network

• Statewide Collaborative Forums
• Hosted by SHHR
• Purpose - encourage localities to establish reuse
  programs
• Representatives from medical, business, and
  disability communities
• Creating partnerships with existing successful
  recycling programs to provide effective
  approaches for consideration

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The Process to Establish a Statewide AT Reuse
Network

• Present model recycling initiatives for
  consideration
• Establish planning teams
• Assess communities level of interest and
  commitment
• Determine if additional players are needed
• Identify all recycling initiatives in communities
  for inclusion in network

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The Process to Establish a Statewide AT Reuse
Network

• Assist planning teams to identify challenges and
  find solutions
• Help communities secure resources to support the
  program
• Provide mechanism for network partners to share
  equipment

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Strategies for Identifying Potential Network
Partners
Contact disability-related agencies
organizations

• CILs
• DSA
• DSBs
• VDA
• AAAs
• CSBs
• Case managers
• Advisory Councils

• MS Society
• Easter Seals
• United Way IR
• SRC
• Churches
• Civic Organizations
• ESOs

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Strategies for Identifying Potential Network
Partners

• Consumer Advocacy Organizations
• Disability-related agencies
• Newsletters
• Presentations to civic clubs
• Articles in local newspapers

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Partners and Their Roles

• VATS
• Identify all network partners
• Catalyst for expanding the network of recycling
• Provide tools for networking i.e., web-based
  databases
• Identify resources to implement and sustain reuse
  initiatives
• Technical assistance to support these efforts

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Partners and Their Roles

• Established Reuse Programs
• Provide reused equipment to consumers
• Identify all network partners
• Coordinate services including transportation,
  refurbishment and AT assessments
• Replicate model programs in other communities
• Technical assistance to recycling teams

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Partners and Their Roles

• Community Reuse Teams
• Role
• Identify key community stakeholders
• Determine community interest
• Develop reuse implementation plan
• Identify resources for implementation

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Partners and Their Roles

• Network Partners
• Role
• Provide information on population served,
  eligibility criteria, and inventory
• Share AT among network partners
• Provide basic data on acquisitions and uses of
  equipment

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Partners and Their Roles

• Civic Clubs and Missions Organizations
• Role
• Identify community players
• Ship surplus equipment to developing nations
• Fund raising

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Overall solution is communications and info
sharing among all the Tech Act Programs.Challeng
es Creative Solutions

• State AT Programs
• Best source of creative solutions.
• Selflessly share ideas, solutions resources

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Overall solution is communications and info
sharing among all the Tech Act Programs.Challeng
es Creative Solutions

• Challenge
• Finding a champion
• Solution
• FREEs approach
• Community recycling teams
• Community leaders

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Challenges Creative Solutions

• Challenge
• Collection distribution of equipment
• Solution
• AT users
• Goodwill
• Lawn care service
• Local vendors
• Goodwill

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Challenges Creative Solutions

• Challenge
• Lack of storage space
• Solution
• Goodwill
• Recycling team members
• Churches
• Hospitals

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Challenges Creative Solutions

• Challenge
• Lack of staff expertise for assessments
• Solution
• Rehabilitation centers (protocols)
• Hospitals
• Vendors

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Challenges Creative Solutions

• Challenge
• Control types of AT received
• Solution
• Advertise need for high end AT only
• Post restrictions at collection points

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Challenges Creative Solutions

• Challenge
• What to do with surplus equipment
• Solution
• Send to developing nations
• Rotary Club
• Missions organizations

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Challenges Creative Solutions

• Challenge
• Finding start-up funds
• Solution
• State AT Programs
• Community leaders
• Foundations
• Grants
• Agencies

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Challenges Creative Solutions

• Challenge
• Sustaining programs
• Solution
• Consumer Advocacy
• VATS Advisory Council - legislative agenda
• Other disability-related councils
• Partners
• Governors budget

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Benefits

• Stretches limited state and federal resources
• Encourages sharing of AT among network partners
• Reduces abandonment of AT purchased by state
• Allows people stay at home safer and longer
• Encourages public/private partnerships
• Provides communities a way to give to others
• Responds to the AT needs of persons with limited
  to no resources

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Virginias Approach to Creating a Statewide AT
Reuse Network.
Thank You