iPad-based SGD Funding During Transition: Essential Strategies
and Funding Options
Presenter: Chris Gibbons, PhD, CCC/SLP Where do I come from? SGD
specialist, clinician, researcher, educator since Currently work
for AbleNet as the Director of SGD Services building a funding
program for all of AbleNets SGDs including the iPad-based
QuickTalker Freestyle. Agenda: 1) SGDs and Transition, what
happens?
2) SGD Transition Planning 3) SGD Funding Options 4) SGD Funding
Strategies 5) iPad-based SGD Funding Funding Definitions SPED:
Educationally relevant AT
Section 504: AT for students who do not qualify for SPED DVR:
Employment relevant AT Medicaid: Medically necessary AT Medicare:
Medically necessary AT Private Ins: Medically necessary AT What we
expect for typical kids after High School
Typically developing kids are done Cooked and ready for the table
of life What we expect for typical kids after High School
They have been coddled enough Boot em into the world to make
mistakes College or career Learn the hard lessons and grow up
Thrive as independent souls Participate Contribute Love Discover
success What we expect for kids using SGDs after High School
Often dont even know where to sit at the table People using SGDs
after High School frequently
Unemployed or underemployed Do not pursue post secondary ed Use
outdated or inappropriate communication technology Little no SGD
support in new evolving environments Dont know how to
maintain/replace their SGD Lose SGD altogether Transition with SGDs
Huge step from one life setting to another
Happens with little planning Unexpected Occurs without prior
experience Complicated Fragmented Tons of resource connecting
Calculated risk For most, transition with a SGD is a very bumpy
road Transition: Who Affected?
Person using SGD IEP Team Family Caregivers Future employer Future
household support Social circle Health professionals Transition:
The SGD Questions
Who owns current SGD? Is it an SGD? Was it funded strategically?
How is it supported? How will it be supported? What are future
funding options? Can it grow with life out of school? Can the
person manage it independently? SGD Resources Before transition,
resources bundled SGD Resources Before transition, SGD support
guided by: The IEP
Best practice Legal precedence Access to broad technology in-house
Advocacy approach Developmental perspective Structure imposed
Organizational memory SGD Resources Post-transition, resources
thin, targeted SGD Resources Post-transition, SGD support guided
by:
Individual when possible Community Setting (post 2ndary Ed,
occupation, supported environment) Their Transition Plan developed
since 14 y/o SGD Transition Planning SGD Transition Planning
Aided by asking big questions: Where are you going? Where do you
want to go? How will you get there? What critical supports need to
be in place to make it happen? Will those supports be available in
the future? Who is in charge of the process? SGD Transition
Planning
An SGD users team must consider: Age of device How current system
will/not follow the person What support needed for success in
variety of contexts SGD Transition Planning
An SGD users team can: Provide practice for student in vocational
settings with SGD Make academics relevant to potential
employment/social/post-2ndary settings Provide strategies for
student specifically related to their disability and SGD use Be
open about the changes and challenges they will soon encounter
Teach self advocacy SGD Transition Planning
An SGD users team must consider: SGD is persons paddle for their
boat. Dont leave them adrift! SGD Transition Planning
Involve parents right away Gently remind them that they will not
live forever Person using SGD, family, and team, must dream about
future Leader must be identified to carry SGD transition plan
forward Find local people who have successfully transitioned with
an SGD SGD Transition Funding
While under SPED umbrella funding often not addressed SGD is school
owned/provided This comfortable, but leads to The Cliff Transition
& SGD Funding
Plan ahead by funding a student-owned device when possible Private
insurance Medicaid DVR at transition Work sites/potential employers
Some restricted state money at transition (telephone access
programs) Medicare Transition & SGD Funding
Every SGD funding option at transition requires purposeful
connection to resources Most successful are woven into future (e.g.
DVR for future employment) Most successful are natural result of
long-term assessmentand thoughtful strategic planning What if they
already have an iPad as SGD? What if they already have an iPad as
SGD?
May have been provided by school May be owned by school May be
successfully used with AAC app and other academically relevant apps
May be expected to stay at school after transition What if they
already have an iPad as SGD?
Funding Problem: iPad loaded with a communication app is not an SGD
What if they want to fund an iPad as SGD?
To fund for transition via DVR or employer, iPad and app may be
funded. Nearly all other funders require SGD to qualify as DME Must
conform to SGD criteria set by funder (most use Medicare
guidelines) What if they want to fund an iPad as SGD?
SPED: Yes Section 504: Yes DVR: Usually Medicaid: No, SGD only (few
state exceptions) Medicare: No, SGD only Private Ins: No, SGD only
What if they want to fund an iPad as SGD?
AbleNet solution: QuickTalker Freestyle iPad-based SGD, $2995
QuickTalker Freestyle
Like all dynamic SGDs, QTF uses a tablet, in this case the iPad
iPad functions restricted to AAC app only Durable case Switch
control Speaker Warranty QuickTalker Freestyle Step 1 Choose Tablet
QuickTalker Freestyle Step 2 Choose App QuickTalker Freestyle Step
3 Choose Case QuickTalker Freestyle Fund SGD QuickTalker
Freestyle
May unlock un-funded functions of SGD if allowed Different funders,
different states, allow more or less unlocking options Summary:
iPad-based SGD Funding in Transition
Organize early Structure assessments Make everything relevant to a
future in the big world Strategically plan funding for device and
timing Dream Thanks and have a great day! iPad-based SGD Funding
During Transition: Essential Strategies and Funding Options
Your new AbleNet catalog should have been delivered by now. You can
see what the cover looks like on the screen. Presenter: Chris
Gibbons, PhD, CCC/SLP
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