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

1. Overview of the Rehabilitation Services Administration’s Initiative on Assistive Technology Reuse Jeremy Buzzell, Program SpecialistSt. Paul, MN July 24, 2007

2. Why focus on reuse? • Reauthorization of the Assistive Technology Act of 1998 • New Freedom Initiative • Hurricane Katrina

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

4. Goal of Reuse Initiative (cont’d.) • Toincrease the availability of assistive technology through promoting and supporting the appropriate, effective reuse of AT devices at the state and local level.

5. Who, What, When, Where and Why? • Increase the availability of AT for . . . • Persons of any age • Persons with any type of disability • Persons who use all types of AT

6. Who, What, When, Where and Why? • Increase the availability of AT for . . . • Any reason • In any environment • Anywhere people need it *Victims of disaster*

7. Lack of Data • We lack reliable national data about: • How many people receive reused AT • Who uses recycled AT • Why users want or need AT • Why users want or need reused AT • What happens after users get AT, reused or new

8. Lack of Data (cont’d.) • We lack reliable national data about: • What AT is donated (and where donations come from) • What AT is recycled • How much AT is recycled • The value of recycled equipment

9. Lack of Data (cont’d.) • Some data will come from grantees under the Assistive Technology Act and demonstration grants, but . . .

10. Lack of Data (cont’d.) • We lack reliable national data about: • How many AT reuse programs exist • Where they are located • What they do

11. National Scope of Reuse • To address the lack of national data, RSA is helping to develop a national network of AT reuse programs. • A formal preliminary survey has been completed. • Further survey work and classification will be done. • Venues for networking and communication are to be established • The end result will be a central place for AT reusers and consumers to find reuse programs • *Network response to disasters*

12. Goal of Reuse Initiative (cont’d.) • To increase the availability of assistive technology through promoting and supporting the appropriate, effective reuse of AT devices at the state and local level.

13. Promoting Reuse • National Conference on AT Reuse • Brochure on AT reuse • Visits to AT reuse programs and forums • Participation in conferences • Listserv messages • Interagency discussions • Press coverage • “Pass It On” Center

14. Goal of Reuse Initiative (cont’d.) • To increase the availability of assistive technology through promoting and supporting the appropriate, effective reuse of AT devices at the state and local level.

15. Supporting Reuse • State and local entities OSERS’ supports include: • Statewide AT Programs funded under the Assistive Technology Act and supported by the National Assistive Technology Technical Assistance Partnership (NATTAP) and the Pass It OnCenter • Demonstrations of AT reuse funded under the Rehabilitation Act and supported by the Pass It On Center • Nonaffiliated community-based programs supported through technical assistance and networking through the Pass It On Center

16. Provision of Technical Assistance

17. Goal of Reuse Initiative (cont’d.) • To increase the availability of assistive technology through promoting and supporting the appropriate, effective reuse of AT devices at the state and local level.

18. What Is ‘Appropriate’ Reuse? • Appropriate reuse: • Is safe for consumers and reusers • Results in positive outcomes for consumers • Is environmentally friendly

19. Safe for Consumers and Reusers • Work needs to be done on: • Clinical issues • Sanitary and hygienic issues • Useful life issues • Liability issues • Industrial design issues

20. Positive Outcomes for Consumers • What is the benefit of reuse to the consumer: - receipt of AT? - cost savings? - clinical outcomes? - other? • How do we measure this benefit? • What practices produce this benefit?

21. Environmentally Friendly • Useful life issues: • Deciding when enough is enough • Internal and external recycling of parts • State and local disposal laws (electronics, batteries)

22. What Is ‘Effective’ Reuse? • Effective reuse: • Meets the needs of consumers • Produces cost savings • Is sustainable • Has a positive or neutral effect on the AT field

23. Effective Reuse Meets Consumer Needs • We need to know more about: • What kinds of consumers most need reused AT • What kinds of AT are most available • How reuse programs properly match device to consumer • What kind of follow-up is necessary

24. Effective Reuse Produces Cost Savings • Who saves as a result of reuse? • Consumers? • Funding sources (public or private)? • Both? • What does savings mean and how is it determined? • What about cost neutrality?

25. Effective Reuse Is Sustainable • In the long term, how does a reuse program produce cost savings or remain cost neutral while covering: - Inventory management? - Labor? • Marketing and outreach? - Storage? • Transportation? - Overhead? • Supplies (cleaners, spare parts, tools, etc)? What “practices” make this viable?

26. Effective Reuse Has a Positive Or Neutral Effect on the AT Field • Effective AT reuse does not undermine: • AT manufacturers and vendors • - It does not create bad impressions of good products • - It does not create liability problems • The responsibility of funding sources to provide AT - It does not make reuse the primary or only option

27. What’s Next?