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Pennsylvania’s AT Lending Library
The Institute on Disabilities, University Center of Excellence
in Developmental Disabilities, at Temple University in
Philadelphia is the lead agency for Pennsylvania’s Initiative on
Assistive Technology (PIAT). Established in 1992, PIAT maintains
Assistive Technology Resource Centers (ATRCs) in locations
across the Keystone state: Community Resources for Independence,
Three Rivers Center for Independent Living, Life and
Independence for Today, United Disability Services, Center for
Independent Living of Northcentral Pennsylvania, United Cerebral
Palsy of Central PA, UCP of Northeastern PA, and Easter Seals.
As a result of conducive public policy (the “Governor’s
Disability Agenda” set by then-Governor Ridge) and advocacy, in
1997 the Pennsylvania General Assembly appropriated funds to
provide free equipment loans to people with disabilities and
older Pennsylvanians across the state. As the designated “lead
agency” for the Assistive Technology Act program, the Institute
on Disabilities was designated to implement Pennsylvania’s
Assistive Technology Lending Library. Funded by private
contributions as well as federal and state dollars,
Pennsylvania’s Technology Lending Library partners with 170
volunteer “local branches” to promote the program and assist
consumers in completing loan applications. State funding for the
program has ranged from $500,000 to $890,000, and the 2005-06
appropriation is anticipated at $810,000. In addition, the
program leverages contributions from vendors and manufacturers
as well as from individuals who have benefited from the program.
In order to serve as many potential consumers as possible,
Pennsylvania’s Assistive Technology Lending Library (the
“Lending Library”) contacted organizations throughout
Pennsylvania with the goal of placing a local branch in each of
the state’s 67 counties. For effective outreach, the device loan
program sought applications from organizations to establish
local branches that were already natural sources of information
and assistance for persons with disabilities. Given the
geography and demographics of the state, it was recognized that
there was a need to provide Pennsylvanians easier access to
assistive technology resources. The program targeted local
branches in places where people could meet—non-profit and
advocacy organizations, resource centers, libraries, local
governments, independent living centers, colleges, and
volunteers in the business community.
To qualify as a local branch, volunteer agencies must adhere to
access requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act and
agree to provide the following:
1. Outreach information about the Assistive Technology Lending
Library.
2. General assistance to consumers regarding the Assistive
Technology Lending Library inventory.
3. Referral to other resources for evaluations, assistance with
product selection, more information regarding items in the
lending library catalog, and referral for funding assistance.
4. Assistance to consumers regarding completion of the device
loan application.
Local branches also provide optional services:
1. Information to consumers regarding status of device loan
applications.
2. Interim contact with consumers during their loan period.
3. Follow-up contact with late returns.
4. Free set-up and training on assistive technology devices.
5. House a selection of assistive technology devices for
demonstration and use in outreach efforts.
In addition to publicity, visibility, and public recognition,
local branches receive the following:
1. Assistive Technology Lending Library resource inventory book
and information about the policies, procedures, and inventory of
the library.
2. Materials relating to promoting the Assistive Technology
Lending Library, applications, and general assistive technology
information, in print and alternate formats including a
quarterly newsletter, the AT Focus.
3. Training and technical assistance.
4. Invitations to attend product trainings demonstrations and
trainings, either at reduced or no cost.
5. Opportunities to host training events.
Access to functional equipment is extremely important since
assistive technology is expensive and often cannot be returned
or easily replaced if a poor purchase decision has been made.
The current inventory includes an extensive selection of devices
that help people communicate with others, control their
environment, hear what others are saying, perform everyday
activities, access computers, and read printed materials. Those
who wish to borrow a device can call toll free to obtain a loan
application or pick one up from a local lending library branch
or download an application from the web.
The centralized inventory is housed in southwestern
Pennsylvania. There is no cost to consumers for delivery and
pickup of loan devices, which is handled through UPS. 2004-05
shipping costs are expected to reach $100,000. A specified loan
period is displayed in the equipment catalog and a borrower who
requires assistance learning how to use a device can call a
regional ATRC toll free to locate available resources for
assistance or services of a support person. The Lending Library
does not provide such support, although minimal trouble-shooting
may be available by phone.
ATRCs play a key role in assuring the library is “consumer
responsive” while at the same time consumers are “responsible
borrowers.” ATRCs follow a set of policies and procedures that
help maintain communication with borrowers and reduce loss (e.g.
notice of when the device is going to be shipped, or if they
have to wait for a device, suggestion of alternate devices:
reminder of approaching the end of the loan period; follow up
with devices that are returned with missing components).
Borrowers receive a “Satisfaction Survey” several weeks after an
item is returned. This survey also asks for a report on any
outcomes, including plans to purchase the device (and who will
pay). The survey also directs borrowers to contact
Pennsylvania’s Initiative on Assistive Technology for additional
assistance in identifying the devices and services they need, or
for assistance in finding funding for those devices and
services. The evaluation component is funded through federal
dollars, as is a portion of staff support in processing
applications in SE Pennsylvania.
Credit:
This section is indebted to information from the Rehabilitation Engineering & Assistive
Technology Society of North American (RESNA), especially for their April, 2005,
Survey of State AT Act Projects (The RESNA Technical Assistance Project, Grant #H224B020001,
funded by the Rehabilitation Services Administration, U.S. Department
of Education, under the Assistive Technology Act of 1998).
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