Assistive Technology &

Regional Centers

This training is provided by the AT Network and the California Foundation for Independent Living Centers

in partnership with the Department of Rehabilitation.

© 2013 – AT Network – All rights reserved

AT Network materials may be reproduced for non-commercial purposes provided their source is identified.

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http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/011713-at-and-regional-centers

A Program of PHP

Library, Ed Dept., Parent Trainings, Support Groups iTECH

Techsplorations ; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x2G1U6U3zh8

AT Loan Kits Don Johnston Learning Center Proloquo2Go and Therapy Box Demonstration Centers Crick Software “Clicker” Center Information and Referral Trainings and Consultations Technology for Infants & Preschoolers (TIP) Member AT Network of California

A Word on the Loan Kits

Available only for PHP members through the PHP library

Recommend families have a Techsploration first Kits available:

LD Low-Tech Kits K-4th

LD Low-Tech Kits 5th- 12th

Math Low-Tech Kit LiveScribe Pen Kit Low-Tech Communication Kit Early Literacy Kits-Spanish and English

Outline of Presentation

Participants will: Understand how the Lanterman Act guides the

Regional Center in service priority delivery Receive an overview of the process for getting

Assistive Technology through the Regional Center, including the importance of the IPP/IFSP

Understand how iPads and Apps fit under Regional Center criteria

Find out how to appeal a Regional Center decision

What is a Regional Center ?

What is a Regional Center?

A Regional Centers is a community-based, private nonprofit corporation that is funded by the State of California to serve people with developmental disabilities as required by the Lanterman Developmental Disabilities Act

There are 21 Regional Centers throughout the State of CA

Eligibility Criteria: https://dds.ca.gov/general/Eligibility.cfm

Regional Center and Lanterman Act

Lanterman Act: Individual qualifies for services if they have a substantial disability in three or more areas:

Self-Care Receptive and Expressive Language Learning Mobility Self-Direction Capacity for Independent Living Economic Self-Sufficiencyhttp://www.dds.ca.gov/Statutes/WICSectionView.cfm?Section=4500-4519.7.htm

Lanterman Act and Assistive Technology

Assistive Technology is called “adaptive equipment and supplies” and “transportation services”.

Specifies "special adaptive equipment such as wheelchairs, hospital beds, communication devices, and other necessary appliances and supplies” – but no complete listing of tools is provided.

www.disabilityrightsca.org/pubs/532401.htm

Regional Centers Must be a client of a Regional Center; eligibility

based on Developmental Disability Funder of last resort-must show other possible

funding sources (medical insurance, Department of Rehab, Schools, etc) have been denied

Must also show that Assistive Technology is needed to meet an IPP (Individual Program Plan) or IFSP (Individual Family Service Plan) goal

http://www.dds.ca.gov/AT/at_RC.cfm

Schools

Is the device needed to meet, or make adequate progress, on an IEP goal?

Does the school have the data needed to justify that tools as the right AT tool, vs using other tools?

Medical Insurance

Is the device going to meet a medical need? Does the family have Durable Medical Equipment

coverage on their medical insurance? Co-Pays? Caps?

What does the medical insurance company need to justify purchase of tools for medical reasons? TAR if Medi-Cal , etc

Department of Rehabilitation

If the Assistive Technology needed helps them meet a vocational goal on the clients Individual Plan for Employment (IPE), then Department of Rehabilitation will pay for it.

Regional Centers – Last Resort

Does the device help the client meet an IPP/IFSP goal?

Are there any other funders that will cover the technology?

Is there proof that the device is both appropriate and cost-effective?

Regional Center Goals

Highest Priority: Allows children to live with families Allows adults to live as independently as possible

in the community Allow all people with developmental disabilities to

positively and meaningfully interact with people without disabilities

Welfare and Institution Code 4648(a)(1)

Regional Centers and AT Assist consumers/clients in obtaining services from

another agency Mandated to provide “cost-effective” services to their

clients If Regional Center purchases equipment, it is owned

by them, but consumer/client has exclusive use of it Move within CA, Regional Centers can allow equipment to

move with you Move outside of CA, supposed to turn equipment back into

Regional Center Note- Day Programs need to provide AT tools for

clients to meet Day Program goals

What about Repair Costs?

The regional center has the primary responsibility to make sure that you get needed supports and services, including assistive technology. Welf. & Inst. § 4648(a).

Can help you get services from other agencies, or contract with outside vendors and services for repairs and maintenance.

http://www.disabilityrightsca.org/pubs/532401.pdf

How Should the Regional Center Consider AT needs?

Quality Indicators for Effective Considerationwww.qiat.org Team has the knowledge and skills to make informed

decisions A continuum of AT devices and services is explored Team uses good team process to make decisions Decisions are made based on IPP/IFSP goals and

objectives Determination of need is based on data about client,

environments, tasks Decisions and supporting data are documented Team decisions are made in compliance with federal and

state statutes

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Consideration Steps

1. Review present levels of achievement & functional performance.

2. Develop annual goals.

3. Determine the difficulty of the client’s tasks or barriers to success.

4. Identify appropriate supports and services, including AT.

Does the client need AT or not?

Consideration Outcomes www.wati.org

No AT required AT is required and specific devices are

known AT is required, but trials with different devices

are needed to make a final decision More information is needed

Trial Period

Decide who, what, where and how Acquire technology to trial

www.atnet.org for local resources Vendors may offer loans or free 30-day trials

Collect data on effectiveness of each tool. Does it provide the expected benefit?

Discuss data and reach a team decision

Team Needs Help Obtain additional information or assistance

Web-Based Resources Local AT centers

http://www.atnet.org/resources/AT-centers.php Local Independent Living Center AT advocate

http://www.atnet.org/resources/advocacy/at-advocates.php Refer for full AT assessment

For AAC assessment: http://www.atnet.org/resources/speech/aac-evaluations.php

Assessment Best Practices Procedures of assessment clearly defined Conducted by a group of professionals who are

knowledgeable in the clents’s deficit areas Client and family should be actively involved in

the AT process Conducted in the client’s customary

environment Extended trial-period Data-collection List of recommended tools to team based on

data Reassessment if changes occur in client, task

or environment

Quality Indicators for AT www.qiat.org

How does the team arrive at an outcome?

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There’s got to be an easier way!

A well-defined process….

Frameworks & Guidelines SETT – Student Environment, Task &

Tools developed by Joy Zabala www.joyzabala.com

Georgia Project for AT www.gpat.org Wisconsin Assistive Technology Initiative

www.wati.org

CETT

Client, Environment, Tasks and Tools (adapted from HIAT) http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/hiat/ATCycle/SETT.shtm

Assistive Technology Consideration: Client, Environment, Tasks and Tools

Client: DOB: Date:

Team participants: names and titles

Contact Name & Phone Number: Case Manager:

IPP/IFSP Goal(s) AT being considered for:

Client:What are the client’s strengths and needs?

ENVIRONMENT:

Places and situations where help is needed?

TASKS: What are the tasks that the client needs to

be able to accomplish to meet goals?

TOOLS:What AT or services

will address these tasks?

Next Steps: _________________________________________________________________

Before the Device… What's the task?  What is the client’s level of performance and

participation at this time? In what environments does client need help? What are the device features the client needs?  How does the device you are considering match

those tasks and features?  What data do you have that the client can use the

device for those tasks? What's the expected benefit to the client?

Don’t forget CETT!

What About iPads and Apps?

Let’s Review!

Does it help a client meet an IPP/IFSP goal? Is there another funding source for the iPad and apps? Is this the most “cost-effective” tool to help the client meet

that goal? Is there data to show that this is the right tool for the client

to meet that goal? Nothing prevents the Regional Centers from

purchasing an iPad and an App if the right conditions are met.

Learning Activity

Ben’s parents have requested an iPad from the Regional Center for Ben, who has autism. Ben is 10. What is the Regional Center’s role?

What is the Goal?

Communication?

Behavior?

Education?

Independent Living?

Ben will learn to read 30 high-frequency words.

Ben is 25. What is the Regional Center’s role?

What is the Goal?

Educational?

Communication?

Independent Living?

Behavior?

Employment?

Ben will learn to independently cross the street safely.

How do we know if Ben “really” needs an iPad?

Assistive Technology Consideration: Client, Environment, Tasks and Tools

Client: Ben DOB: 01/01/1998 Date: 01/17/13

Team participants: names and titles

Contact Name & Phone Number: Case Manager:

IPP/IFSP Goal(s) AT being considered for: Ben will learn how to independently cross the street safely

Client:What are the client’s strengths and needs?

ENVIRONMENT:

Places and situations where help is needed?

TASKS: What are the tasks that the client needs to

be able to accomplish to meet goals?

TOOLS:What AT or services

will address these tasks?

Visual Learner – likes the iPad

Hands-on Learner

Learns best one-to-one

Friendly

Unaware of surroundings and possible dangers

In the community

Crossing streets

Taking public transportation

Recognize danger

Look both ways while crossing street

Understand traffic lights and pedestrian signs

Mobility Trainer

Safety curriculum

Safety signs manipulatives

Computer w/ Safety signs software

iPad with Safety Signs app

Next Steps: _________________________________________________________________

When would an iPad be the tool of choice under the Regional Center?

Goal Supporting data Funding not available from another agency Cost-effective

Regional Center Limitations

Regional Center must notify you in writing if; does not have money to provide equipment listed on an

IPP, (runs out of funds) wants to cut back, change or stop a service on the IPP refuses to provide a service you request

Can appeal- request a Fair Hearing postmarked within 10 days of receipt of written notice-stay is put in place on IPP

How to appeal – http://www.dds.ca.gov/Complaints/Home.cfm

Parents Helping Parents iTECH Center

408-727-5775

855-727-5775 Toll free

Janet Nunez ext. 173janet@php.com

Debbie Drennan ext. 106debbied@php.com

Jan Tuber ext. 104 jan@php.com

www.php.com

Thank you!

We would appreciate if you would share your

experience with us by completing a survey at the

end of this webinar. Your feedback is highly valued

and participation is greatly appreciated for our future

webinar opportunities. When you exit the webinar

platform a pop-up training survey window will

appear.

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/011713-at-and-regional-centers