Assistive Technology Industry Association : So, you want to start a Reuse Program?
AT Reutilization Program for Independent Living

Carla Walker, MSOT, OTR/L, ATP

Paraquad Inc.

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AT Reutilization Program for Independent Living

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Research

Programs & Services

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Collaborations

• Primary: 3 Regional Independent Living Centers and 1 International Organization and 1 environmentally sound recycler

• Secondary: State Programs, Community Organizations, Rehabilitation Facilities

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Program Purpose

• To increase access to assistive technology devices and services for people with disabilities in the St. Louis metropolitan area

• Original Funding

  • Emerson Corporation

  • Missouri Medicaid cuts

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Grant Activities

• Collect, sanitize, evaluate, repair, and distribute reutilized AT, ensuring proper fit to person through training and evaluation

• Program Outreach (equipment drive/AT Fair)

• Implementation of outcome measures for program evaluation and continued improvement

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Types of AT Reutilized

• • • Mobility devices, Positioning aids, Daily living aids

    • Recreational devices, Exercise equipment

    • Augmentative Communication Devices

    • Adaptive Baby care (i.e. Cribs)

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Program Challenges

• Addressing educational and outreach needs, clinical service processes

• Keeping skills (clinical, repair, etc.) up to date

• Tracking Data and Outcomes

• Managing staff workload

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Program Challenges

• Expanding types of Reutilized AT, Inventory Control

• Seeking Self-Sustainability

• Building community collaborators

• Establishing contracts for expanded services (i.e. Repair)

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Types of Data Collected

• Inventory Data

  • devices donated, sanitized, evaluated, repaired, distributed

• Consumer Data

  • Demographics

  • Clinical Evaluation/Training

• Longitudinal Data (outcomes)

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Inventory Data

• Equipment Donations

  • Donor demographics (i.e. name, address, phone number, etc.)

  • Type of equipment being donated

• Sanitization Checklist

  • • Disinfected, Cover washed, Axles cleaned

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Inventory Data – Equipment Evaluation
14 Point Check

• Tips/grips

• Rear tires

• Anti-tippers

• Wheel locks

• Push button

• Caster tires

• Bearings

• Front Riggings

• Upholstery

• Axles/Axle Plates

• Positioning devices

• Arm Rests

• Manual Tilt/Recline

• Cushion/Back

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Consumer Data

• • Fit to person/Clinical Evaluation

    • Current mobility device

    • Device requested and planned use

    • weight, height and diagnosis

    • seat width and depth

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Consumer Data

• • • Device fit to their environment (vehicle, home, caregiver)

    • Payment plan established or donation

    • Eligibility for new device

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Consumer Data

• • Training

    • Device usage

    • Device breakdown and transportation

    • Cleaning and maintenance

    • Safety

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Mobility Skills Course

• Includes:

  • Curb Cuts

  • Stairs

  • Ramps

  • Curbs

  • Carpet

  • Gravel

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Ramp

1:20

Ramp

1:12

Potholes

Stairs

3” curb

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Turning Radius

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Mobility Skills Course

• Evaluation

• Training

• Demonstration equipment

• Modify/adjust equipment

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Beyond Outputs to Outcomes

• • Implementation of skills training & evaluation for AT-Reutilization

• • Implementation of outcome measure for AT-Reutilization Program

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Why Outcomes ?

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Funded through Centers of Disease Control and Prevention and National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research

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PARTS/M

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• Dressing • Bladder Care

• Bathing • Bowel Care

• Meals

• Moving Inside Home

• Leaving Home

• Taking Vacation

• Work Inside Home

• Exterior maintenance

• Parenting

• Intimacy

• Employment

• Volunteering

• Managing Money

PARTS/M Participation Domains:

1. Self Care

2. Mobility

3. Domestic Life

5. Major Life Areas Domain

4. Interpersonal Interactions and Relationships

• Community Activities

• Religious Activities

• Active Recreation

• Leisure

• Socializing

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Low

Moderate

High

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Next Steps:
Evaluation of Outcome Measure Results

• What’s working well, not well and why?

• What can we do to address problem areas?

• What did we learn that was unexpected?

• How can we utilize existing resources (staff, collaborative partners, outreach efforts)

• What may need to be organized differently or additional resources considered?

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A few tips

• Keep track of success stories and share

• Ask questions of potential recyclers, partners to ensure good business practices

• Collaborate (take advantage of expertise)

• Continuous Outreach

• Track what you do and seek to measure impact (funding sources appreciate and often require it)

• Set a realistic timeframe for addressing problem areas, including stakeholders in plan of action

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Questions?

Thank-You!

Contact Information