Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative ServicesOffice of Special Education and Rehabilitative ServicesU.S. Department of EducationU.S. Department of Education

Overview of the Rehabilitation Services Administration’s Initiative on Assistive Technology

Reuse

Overview of the Rehabilitation Services Administration’s Initiative on Assistive Technology

Reuse

Jeremy Buzzell, Program SpecialistSt. Paul, MN July 24, 2007

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Why focus on reuse?Why focus on reuse?

•Reauthorization of the Assistive Reauthorization of the Assistive Technology Act of 1998Technology Act of 1998

•New Freedom InitiativeNew Freedom Initiative

•Hurricane KatrinaHurricane Katrina

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Goal of Reuse InitiativeGoal of Reuse Initiative

To increase the availability of To increase the availability of assistive technology (AT) assistive technology (AT) through promoting and through promoting and supporting the appropriate, supporting the appropriate, effective reuse of AT devices at effective reuse of AT devices at the state and local level.the state and local level.

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Goal of Reuse InitiativeGoal of Reuse Initiative ( (cont’d.cont’d.))

ToTo increase the availability of increase the availability of assistive technologyassistive technology through through promoting and supporting the promoting and supporting the appropriate, effective reuse of appropriate, effective reuse of AT devices at the state and AT devices at the state and local level.local level.

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Who, What, When, Where and Why?Who, What, When, Where and Why?

Increase the availability of AT Increase the availability of AT for . . . for . . .

•Persons of any agePersons of any age

•Persons with any type of Persons with any type of disabilitydisability

•Persons who use all types of ATPersons who use all types of AT

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Who, What, When, Where and Why?Who, What, When, Where and Why?

Increase the availability of AT Increase the availability of AT for . . . for . . .

•Any reasonAny reason

•In any environmentIn any environment

•Anywhere people need itAnywhere people need it

*Victims of disaster**Victims of disaster*

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Lack of DataLack of Data

We lack reliable national data about:We lack reliable national data about:

•How many people receive reused ATHow many people receive reused AT

•Who uses recycled ATWho uses recycled AT

•Why users want or need ATWhy users want or need AT

•Why users want or need Why users want or need reusedreused AT AT

•What happens after users get AT, What happens after users get AT, reused or newreused or new

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Lack of DataLack of Data ( (cont’d.cont’d.))

We lack reliable national data about:We lack reliable national data about:

•What AT is donated (and where What AT is donated (and where donations come from)donations come from)

•What AT is recycledWhat AT is recycled

•How much AT is recycledHow much AT is recycled

•The value of recycled equipmentThe value of recycled equipment

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Lack of DataLack of Data ( (cont’d.cont’d.))

Some data will come from Some data will come from grantees under the grantees under the

Assistive Technology ActAssistive Technology Act and demonstration grants, and demonstration grants,

but . . .but . . .

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Lack of DataLack of Data ( (cont’d.cont’d.))

We lack reliable national data We lack reliable national data about:about:

•How many AT reuse How many AT reuse programs exist programs exist

•Where they are locatedWhere they are located

•What they doWhat they do

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National Scope of ReuseNational Scope of Reuse

To address the lack of national data, RSA is helping To address the lack of national data, RSA is helping to develop a national network of AT reuse programs.to develop a national network of AT reuse programs.

•A formal preliminary survey has been completed.A formal preliminary survey has been completed.

•Further survey work and classification will be done. Further survey work and classification will be done.

•Venues for networking and communication are to beVenues for networking and communication are to be established established

•The end result will be a central place for AT reusers The end result will be a central place for AT reusers and consumers to find reuse programsand consumers to find reuse programs

*Network response to disasters**Network response to disasters*

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Goal of Reuse InitiativeGoal of Reuse Initiative ( (cont’d.cont’d.))

To increase the availability of To increase the availability of assistive technology through assistive technology through promotingpromoting and supporting the and supporting the appropriate, effective reuse of appropriate, effective reuse of AT devices at the state and AT devices at the state and local level.local level.

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Promoting ReusePromoting Reuse

•National Conference on AT ReuseNational Conference on AT Reuse

•Brochure on AT reuseBrochure on AT reuse

•Visits to AT reuse programs and forumsVisits to AT reuse programs and forums

•Participation in conferencesParticipation in conferences

•Listserv messagesListserv messages

•Interagency discussionsInteragency discussions

•Press coveragePress coverage

•““Pass It On” CenterPass It On” Center

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Goal of Reuse InitiativeGoal of Reuse Initiative ( (cont’d.cont’d.))

To increase the availability of To increase the availability of assistive technology through assistive technology through promoting and promoting and supportingsupporting the the appropriate, effective reuse of appropriate, effective reuse of AT devices at the state and AT devices at the state and local level.local level.

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Supporting ReuseSupporting ReuseState and local entities OSERS’ supports include:State and local entities OSERS’ supports include:

•Statewide AT Programs funded under the Statewide AT Programs funded under the AssistiveAssistive Technology Act Technology Act and supported by the National Assistive and supported by the National Assistive Technology Technical Assistance Partnership (NATTAP) and Technology Technical Assistance Partnership (NATTAP) and the Pass It On the Pass It On CenterCenter

•Demonstrations of AT reuse funded under the Demonstrations of AT reuse funded under the RehabilitationRehabilitation Act Act and supported by the Pass It On Center and supported by the Pass It On Center

•Nonaffiliated community-based programs supported throughNonaffiliated community-based programs supported through technical assistance and networking through the Pass It On technical assistance and networking through the Pass It On Center Center

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Provision of Technical Assistance

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Goal of Reuse InitiativeGoal of Reuse Initiative ( (cont’d.cont’d.))

To increase the availability of To increase the availability of assistive technology through assistive technology through promoting and supporting the promoting and supporting the appropriateappropriate, , effectiveeffective reuse of reuse of AT devices at the state and AT devices at the state and local level.local level.

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What Is ‘Appropriate’ Reuse?What Is ‘Appropriate’ Reuse?

Appropriate reuse:Appropriate reuse:

•Is safe for consumers and reusersIs safe for consumers and reusers

•Results in positive outcomes for Results in positive outcomes for consumersconsumers

•Is environmentally friendlyIs environmentally friendly

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Safe for Consumers and ReusersSafe for Consumers and Reusers

Work needs to be done on:Work needs to be done on:

•Clinical issues Clinical issues

•Sanitary and hygienic issuesSanitary and hygienic issues

•Useful life issuesUseful life issues

•Liability issuesLiability issues

•Industrial design issuesIndustrial design issues

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Positive Outcomes for ConsumersPositive Outcomes for Consumers

•What is the benefit of reuse to the consumer: What is the benefit of reuse to the consumer:

- receipt of AT? - receipt of AT?

- cost savings?- cost savings?

- clinical outcomes? - clinical outcomes?

- other?- other?

•How do we measure this benefit?How do we measure this benefit?

•What practices produce this benefit?What practices produce this benefit?

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Environmentally FriendlyEnvironmentally Friendly

Useful life issues:Useful life issues:

•Deciding when enough is enoughDeciding when enough is enough

•Internal and external recycling of Internal and external recycling of partsparts

•State and local disposal laws State and local disposal laws (electronics, batteries)(electronics, batteries)

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What Is ‘Effective’ Reuse?What Is ‘Effective’ Reuse?

Effective reuse:Effective reuse:

•Meets the needs of consumersMeets the needs of consumers

•Produces cost savings Produces cost savings

•Is sustainableIs sustainable

•Has a positive or neutral effect on the Has a positive or neutral effect on the AT fieldAT field

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Effective Reuse Effective Reuse Meets Consumer NeedsMeets Consumer Needs

We need to know more about:We need to know more about:

•What kinds of consumers most need What kinds of consumers most need reused AT reused AT

•What kinds of AT are most availableWhat kinds of AT are most available

•How reuse programs properly match How reuse programs properly match device to consumerdevice to consumer

•What kind of follow-up is necessaryWhat kind of follow-up is necessary

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Effective Reuse Effective Reuse Produces Cost SavingsProduces Cost Savings

Who saves as a result of reuse?Who saves as a result of reuse?

•Consumers?Consumers?

•Funding sources (public or private)?Funding sources (public or private)?

•Both?Both?

What does savings mean and how is it What does savings mean and how is it determined?determined?

What about cost neutrality?What about cost neutrality?

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Effective Reuse Is SustainableEffective Reuse Is Sustainable

In the long term, how does a reuse program produce In the long term, how does a reuse program produce cost savings or remain cost neutral while covering:cost savings or remain cost neutral while covering:

- Inventory management?- Inventory management? - Labor? - Labor?

- Marketing and outreach?Marketing and outreach? - Storage?- Storage?

- Transportation?Transportation? - Overhead? - Overhead?

- Supplies (cleaners, spare parts, tools, etc)?Supplies (cleaners, spare parts, tools, etc)?

What “practices” make this viable?What “practices” make this viable?

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Effective Reuse Has a Positive Effective Reuse Has a Positive Or Neutral Effect on the AT FieldOr Neutral Effect on the AT Field

Effective AT reuse does not undermine:Effective AT reuse does not undermine:

•AT manufacturers and vendorsAT manufacturers and vendors

- It does not create bad impressions of good- It does not create bad impressions of good products products

- It does not create liability problems- It does not create liability problems

•The responsibility of funding sources toThe responsibility of funding sources to provide AT provide AT

- It does not make reuse the primary or only- It does not make reuse the primary or only option option

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What’s Next?What’s Next?

Make decisions about Make decisions about what data we need what data we need about reuse and how to about reuse and how to get itget it

Make decisions about Make decisions about what makes programs what makes programs appropriate and appropriate and effectiveeffective

Inform the fieldInform the field

Find out what data Find out what data existsexists

Learn about current Learn about current appropriate and appropriate and effective programseffective programs

Inform the Task Force Inform the Task Force andand The Pass It On The Pass It On CenterCenter