Assistive Technology Training Facility Proposal

 By: Carrie Stinson

Admin 690 - Winter 2006

Dr. Grammy

I. INTRODUCTION

Tulare County is a rural area that consists of just over 374,000 people, with a disabled population of approximately 18 1/2%.  Individuals with disabilities have a brighter future than in the past due to the extraordinary Assistive Technology that is now available to many; however most technology is not readily available to all individuals with disabilities due to financial issues and or training for the use of that technology.  I propose to write a grant to form a partnership with one or several of the agencies currently in place in Tulare County, with the end result being an Assistive Technology Training Center.  The minimum staffing should include a Speech-Language pathologist, an Occupational Therapist, two Technology Specialists, and a Director/Grant Writer to continue funding on a yearly basis.

I expect that data gathered from expert interviews will clearly illustrate the need for an Assistive Technology Training Center to be developed and implemented in Tulare County, California.  The Center for Independent Living, Tulare County Office of Education (TCOE), and the Disability Resource Center (DRC) at Porterville College may offer partnership potential and therefore must be included in the research process. Current data and records from these three organizations, as well as Expert interviews will provide adequate figures regarding populations served in Tulare County.

KEY TERMS

Adaptive Hardware: This type of equipment may refer to switches used to operate computer equipment, daily living aids such as oversized remote controls, key guards for keyboards, and etcetera.

Alternative Computer Access: Specialized input devices for typing or mousing.

Assistive Technology (AT):  Assistive Technology may be tools or resources used by individuals with disabilities to assist in the improvement of the quality of life and easement of overcoming obstacles due to a disability.  AT can be many things from low-tech designs such as hearing aids and eyeglasses to high tech such as voice activated computer software.

Augmentative Communication: Voice output devices.

Low Vision & Blindness Technology: Screen readers, CCTV's, screen enlargement software, and Braille note-takers, etc.

ECU or EADL: Electronic aids for daily living needs.

Ergonomics: Equipment and services to help optimize the workplace to increase productivity and minimize job-related injuries.

Universal Design: A usable design that not only is accessible to individuals with disabilities, it is more usable by all.  "By addressing the limitations of all people in the design of everyday products and building spaces, we can make products and structures accessible and safer for everyone to use, thereby making them more marketable and commercially viable" (Assistive Technology and Universal Design).

II. PURPOSE

Illustrating the need for an Assistive Technology-training center located within Tulare County can easily be accomplished by comparing the current services offered with a different county that offers such a facility; Orange County.

By comparison Orange County, according to the U.S Census Bureau, accounts for a population of 2,890,444.  Those figures show that approximately 15% or 434,000 listed in Orange County’s population have some sort of disability.  Tulare County, although rural with less people, has a higher percent of individuals with disabilities per capita.  According to the U.S Census Bureau, Tulare County has 374,249 people accounted for with 69,888 listed as having a disability.  These figures show that just over 18 1/2 % of Tulare County's population has a disability.

Orange County is significant in this study because they have the one facility in California that Tulare County must replicate if the disabled community is expected to succeed in education and career.  The Assistive Technology Exchange Center (ATEC) of Orange County is a nonprofit organization that is funded partially with grants, partially from the Department of Rehabilitation (DOR), and partially from Goodwill Industries, a form of thrift stores and donation centers.

The ATEC provides services that are greatly needed in Tulare County, proven by the percentages in comparison above.  ATEC offers services that simply are not available in Tulare County, such as comprehensive assessments of client's needs and abilities.  The process begins with a new client and full assessment with one of the staff, which consists of two Speech-Language Pathologists, Rehabilitation Engineer, Occupational Therapist, and two Technology Specialists.  Once the client has been assessed, recommendations are made as to what equipment or technology may assist the person with their disability; training is executed with the center's equipment while the client awaits the arrival of their new equipment.  When the new equipment arrives it is placed with the new owner and a final assessment is complete before release.  The referring agency, i.e., DOR or private insurance, purchases the new equipment and pays the ATEC.  They are paid hourly for their expertise and training, in which the funds are returned back into the budget to support staffing, the facility, and etcetera, remembering that it is a non-profit organization.

Their facility is a 7,000 square foot building that is used for training and to house over 1,000 technology devices and state-of-the-art software and technology.  However the ATEC does offer in home, work, or school training, since not all clients are able to travel to the facility.  Assistive technologies available at the ATEC include augmentative communications, Alternative Computer Access, Low Vision and Blindness Technology, ECU, EADL's, Ergonomics, and Technical Services such as computer testing, installation, setup, delivery, upgrades, and programming.

As noted in the Current Developments section, Tulare County does offer some Assistive Technology support services.  The major deficit however resides in the fact that there is not a training facility that can handle the large numbers of individuals with disabilities requiring one-on-one training.  In addition most of these facilities in Tulare County do not provide travel to the client or loan equipment out of the office, preventing the individual the ability to use what they have learned, and use of the aid to be used in their home or workplace. 

The ATEC is partially funded by the Department of Rehabilitation and it is feasible that a partnership could be established with the DOR, the Center for Independent Living and/or the Employment Connection to create a facility similar to that of the existing ATEC in Orange County.

III. LITERATURE REVIEW

A. PAST DEVELOPMENTS

All too often individuals with disabilities are overlooked for employment, untrained, unemployed, forced or expected to rely on Social Security, and have been an untapped resource to California's economy.  Before legislation such as the Americans with Disability Act (ADA) and the Assistive Technology Act of 1998, individuals with disabilities were discriminated against, withheld special accommodations in school or employment, creating unattainable goals and impossible obstacles.  President George Bush made the comment, "Let the shameful walls of exclusion finally come tumbling down" upon signing the ADA into law in 1990.

It has been reported in an article titled “Disabilities Affect One-Fifth of All Americans” by the Census Brief that in 1997, “In the prime employable years of 21 to 64, for example, 82 percent of people without a disability had a job or business compared with 77 percent of those with a non-severe disability, and 26 percent of those with a severe disability.”  The existing data proves without a doubt that those with disabilities have in the past not been as employable as persons without disabilities.

B.  CURRENT DEVELOPMENTS

Tulare County has many programs to offer individuals with disabilities; however the resources are diminutive and unimpressive in comparison to other areas, which are not as demographically rural as Tulare County. 

Currently Tulare County offers K-12 educational institutions Assistive Technology through an Assistive Technology center funded through the Tulare County Office of Education.  The program has two technicians who travel from school to school in Tulare County that provide one-on-one training for Assistive Technology and adaptive hardware.  "Approximately 9,000 students from birth to 21 years of age are served by Special Education in the 47 school districts in the county and by the Tulare County Office of Education" (“Tulare County Office of Education, Special Services Division”).  Many of the 9,000 students fall under programs whereby the students are assisted in special day programs or designated instructional services.

The Center for Independent Living is also located in Tulare County, with a branch office located in Visalia.  Their services include peer support, housing resources, individual advocacy, personal assistance services, Client Assistance Program, Community Education, financial counseling, independent living skills and training, information and referral, BRIDGES-High School Transition program, and Assistive Technology.  The program is a wonderful program with excellent resources for individuals; however they only have one AT Technician who works out of Fresno, who also has not been to Tulare County to provide services at all in the past year.

The Department of Rehabilitation awarded the California Foundation for Independent Living Centers, Inc. (CFILC) $1.3 million to establish the AT Network.  It is a statewide program, which includes Tulare County, to help address the need for AT among Californians.  Their goals include providing information, education, and outreach to the public regarding AT.  They provide training on the use of AT to healthcare providers and service providers, along with being legislative advocates regarding funding for AT programs.

The Tulare County Employment Connection located in Porterville also offers a form of assistive technology.  They have an office with several computers with adaptive software installed for use by individuals with hearing, sight or learning impairments.  Their facility is open to the public Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM.  The equipment there must be used within the facility and may not be removed.

The Porterville Sheltered Workshop also provides individuals with disabilities special services.  Much of the services that they provide revolve around the Employment Connections.  The Workshop employs two job coaches who work with individuals to assist in the location of employment and maintaining that employment.  However they do not provide use of or training for use of daily living aids or AT.

C. SPECIFIC AREAS TO STUDY

California Law

Assistive Technology Act of 1998 has several purposes, the first being, "To provide financial assistance to States to undertake activities that assist each State in maintaining and strengthening a permanent comprehensive statewide program of technology-related assistance, for individuals with disabilities of all ages…".  The second purpose is, "To identify Federal policies that facilitate payment for Assistive Technology devices and Assistive Technology services, to identify those Federal policies that impede such payment, and to eliminate inappropriate barriers to such payment".  The third purpose is, "To enhance the ability of the Federal Government to provide States with financial assistance" (Assistive Technology Act of 1998, 105-394, S.2432).

            Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) has four sections, those being: ADA Title I: Employment, ADA Title II: State and Local Government Activities/Public Transportation, ADA Title III: Public Accommodations and ADA Title IV: Telecommunications Relay Services.

            More in depth, The Americans with Disability Act, "Title I requires employers with 15 or more employees to provide qualified individuals with disabilities an equal opportunity to benefit from the full range of employment-related opportunities available to others" (The Americans with Disability Act of 1990).  It also states that, "It restricts questions that can be asked about an applicant's disability before a job offer is made, and it requires that employers make reasonable accommodation to the known physical or mental limitations of otherwise qualified individuals with disabilities, unless it results in undue hardship".  Title II protects individuals with disabilities with State and local governments in that it guarantees them an equal opportunity with all programs and services, for example, " public education, employment, transportation, recreation, health care, social services, courts, voting, and town meetings".  In addition Title II mandates that, "State and local governments are required to follow specific architectural standards in the new construction and alteration of their buildings. They also must relocate programs or otherwise provide access in inaccessible older buildings, and communicate effectively with people who have hearing, vision, or speech disabilities. Title II; transportation provisions are in place to protect individuals with disabilities from discrimination from such service providers as city transit, rail, subway and etcetera.  Service providers may not discriminate against a person with a disability and must purchase new equipment that is fully accessible, make an attempt to only use accessible buses and vans, or try to use Para transit whenever possible.  Title III states that, "Public accommodations must comply with basic nondiscrimination requirements that prohibit exclusion, segregation, and unequal treatment. They also must comply with specific requirements related to architectural standards for new and altered buildings; reasonable modifications to policies, practices, and procedures; effective communication with people with hearing, vision, or speech disabilities; and other access requirements. Additionally, public accommodations must remove barriers in existing buildings where it is easy to do so without much difficulty or expense, given the public accommodation's resources. Courses and examinations related to professional, educational, or trade-related applications, licensing, certifications, or credentialing must be provided in a place and manner accessible to people with disabilities, or alternative accessible arrangements must be offered." Title IV covers telecommunications and has placed provisions that are enforced by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).  A 24-hour relay service has been put into place in which a hearing individual can communicate on the telephone with a non-hearing individual by way of a third party and teletypewriters.

D. POPULATION OF INTEREST

The US Census Bureau reported that the State of California had a population of 5,923,361 persons with disabilities.  Tulare County was reported to have 69,888 total persons with disabilities.  "Individuals were classified as having a disability if any of the following three conditions was true:

1. They were five years old and over and reported a long-lasting sensory, physical, mental or self-care disability;

2. They were 16 years old and over and reported difficulty going outside the home because of a physical, mental, or emotional condition lasting six months or more; or

3. They were 16 to 64 years old and reported difficulty working at a job or business because of a physical, mental, or emotional condition lasting six months or more" (“U. S. Census Bureau, 2000 Census of Population and Housing, Demographic Profile”).

The U.S Census Bureau also made note that, "Disability status was not tabulated for persons in institutions, people in the Armed Forces, and people under 5 years old…These data are collected on the census long form. Roughly one in every six households received this sample questionnaire. The data are estimates and are subject to sampling variability".

IV. METHODS

An expert interview is a superior method to gather valuable information about a population’s true need and services provided.  The correct representation can be estimated by school district websites, the U.S. Census Bureau and etcetera, but for a real-time descriptive representation, often one must go to the source of that data. 

The expert interviews that I conducted clearly illustrate the need for an Assistive Technology Training Center to be developed and implemented in Tulare County, California.  Precisely due to the fact that the Center for Independent Living and Porterville College's Disability Resource Center may be options to form partnerships; they conceded to interviews and formed very positive supportive opinions suggesting a need for such a facility. 

The Department of Education, although out of the scope of this project at this time, is an excellent organization to include in further research to form an Assistive Technology Training Center in Tulare County.  They offer grants to agencies whose main purpose is to, “produce, & advance the use of, knowledge to improve the results of education & early intervention for infants, toddlers, & children with disabilities” (Disability grants available from U.S. Dept. of Education); hence, the ideal agency to add to current grant research such as this.

The Tulare County Office of Education served as an adequate replacement for the Department of Education, even though they are smaller in scale.  They were able to provide invaluable information including exact figures regarding populations served.

Many expert interviews were targeted and are listed in the “Expert Interviews” section.  Some of the selected interview candidates were unable to attend the appointment and therefore were replaced with other helpful community members and support service providers.

Expert Interviews

Carol Barnett, Program Manager, Tulare County Office of Education.

Ms. Barnett will be useful to provide information as to combining services that Tulare County offers with the program that will be developed from this research. Tying together the services that Tulare County Office of Education provides may be imperative to student success within the K-12 system.

Joann Rogers, Job Coach, Porterville Sheltered Workshop.

Ms. Rogers has confirmed over the telephone that she is very excited and more than willing to do an interview with myself with respect of developing a new program which would offer Assistive Technology and training to a diversified population.  She currently assists individuals with disabilities, in the Porterville community with job development skills and placement.  It is imperative to work with Ms. Rogers and her staff with the implementation of this program in that employment placement may be a service offered.

Casey Sisneros, Human Resources Director, Orange County Goodwill Industries.

Mr. Cisneros has worked closely in the ATEC program through OC Goodwill Industries.  He understands the human resources, marketing, and funding aspects to developing a program such as this.  His information will be important as far as funding from the Department of Rehabilitation, Goodwill Industries, and staffing.

Robin Libbee, Program Manager, Center for Independent Living.

Ms. Libbee directs the program for independent living in the Visalia office.  She will have a great deal of information regarding services offered, preventing a duplication of effort, and is a key contact to create a partnership with the Department of Rehabilitation for an Assistive Technology Center.

Department of Rehabilitation.

The main contact is yet unknown; however I have spoken with Maria Gonzales who is a rehabilitation counselor in the Porterville Area.  She is currently working to find a contact for funding of an AT Center, who I can contact for an interview and information.

Sharon Pearson, Employment Connection.

Ms. Pearson has offered to provide a tour of their facility which houses AT equipment.  Individuals with disabilities in Porterville may use their facility for such services as specialized software for individuals with sight impairments, hearing impairments and other various disabilities.  This equipment cannot be loaned out and must be used within their facility.  An interview with Ms. Pearson is a starting point to form a partnership with the DOR and the Center for Independent Living, to create an AT facility.

Expert Interview Amendment

Scott Unser, Assistive Technology Specialist, Tulare County Office of Education.

Mr. Unser agreed to be interviewed in order to share his knowledge of the Assistive Technology utilized and needed in Tulare County.  He worked for TCOE for several years, and currently works with LB Hill educational facility working with individuals with special needs.

Cliff Davids, Retired Director/Current Advocate, Disability Resource Center, Porterville College.

Mr. Davids is an essential element to the building blocks creating an Assistive Technology Training Facility in Tulare County.  He developed the Disabled Student Programs and Services (DSPS) twenty-seven years ago, which is now called the Disability Resource Center.  He retired four years ago and is still a very prominent advocate for individuals with disabilities.

Joyce Tackett, Resource Specialist/Learning Disabled, Lindsay Unified School District.

Ms. Tackett works with learning challenged youth at Lindsay High School, located in Lindsay, California.  Not only does she assist students with support services and posses statistical knowledge of the area, she also has a learning disability.  Her interview may voice the opinions of the learning disabled community and how they overcome daily obstacles.

Robin Libbee, Program Manager, Center for Independent Living.

Ms. Libbee directs the program for independent living in the Visalia office.  She will have a great deal of information regarding services offered, preventing a duplication of effort, and is a key contact to create a partnership with the Department of Rehabilitation for an Assistive Technology Center.

Sharon Pearson, Employment Connection.

Ms. Pearson has offered to provide a tour of their facility which houses AT equipment.  Individuals with disabilities in Porterville may use their facility for such services as specialized software for individuals with sight impairments, hearing impairments and other various disabilities.  This equipment cannot be loaned out and must be used within their facility.  An interview with Ms. Pearson is a starting point to form a partnership with the DOR and the Center for Independent Living, to create an AT facility.

Carol Wilkins, Director, Disability Resource Center, Porterville College.

Ms. Wilkins has been a counselor in an educational setting for over twenty-five years.  Her knowledge base gained over so many years of service may have a significant effect on the development of an Assistive Technology Center in Porterville relating to individuals utilizing an educational facility.

Interviews Beyond Scope

Department of Rehabilitation.

The Department of Rehabilitation was unfortunately out of the scope of this research to commit to an interview, during this early stage of project development.

Casey Cisneros, Human Resources Director, Orange County Goodwill Industries.

Mr. Cisneros was not available for an interview and there was not an adequate replacement with his knowledge base

Joann Rogers, Job Coach, Porterville Sheltered Workshop.

Ms. Rogers has been unreachable by telephone or email.

Carol Barnett, Program Manager, Tulare County Office of Education.

Ms. Barnett’s schedule did not permit an interview at this time.  She did however offer to contact one of the Assistive Technology Specialists who she works with.  Her interview was replaced with Scott Unser.

Expert Interview Summary

The first question that the interview began with was designed to explore the need for an Assistive Technology (AT) Center to be located in Tulare County.  There was an overwhelming positive response indicating that there is a need for an AT center.  Although there are many facilities within Tulare County that offer assistive technology, there appears to be a lack of available resources.  The Program Manager at the Center for Independent Living voiced her concerns that the, “Percentages of services are not adequate to individuals with disabilities.”  The founder of the Disability Resource Center (DRC) at Porterville College stated that, “Absolutely without a doubt” there was a need for an AT Training Center in Tulare County.  He argued that, “This area is destitute as far as employment opportunities, and even more so for people with disabilities.”  An Assistive Technology Training Center would allow for greater awareness, access, and training to individuals with disabilities, creating a more balanced opportunistic environment in Tulare County. 

The second question was intended to further explore the need for an AT center by notating any duplication of effort that may be caused by the implementation of such a center.  The idea behind the need for this information is such that if there is a great deal of effort, there would be no need for a new center.  However the findings were far supportive that there would not be a duplication of effort, and any that may come would be marginal.  Many of the centers interviewed do not provide training, such as the Center for Independent Living.  Others that provide training do not lend equipment, and those that lend equipment do not allow the individuals to continue usage after they exit the program.  The current Director of the Disability Resource Center made a critical point in that the individuals who receive support services such as training and equipment check out, must be a student at Porterville College, and must have an active file within the DRC office. The Assistive Technology Specialist for the Tulare County Office of Education had the opinion that any overlap would be beneficial.  He said that, “Even though there might be some overlap, it wouldn’t be a bad thing.  It would actually be beneficial because there would be a second opinion concurring with TCOE.” 

Question three further demonstrated the need for an AT Training Center by illustrating the improvements of services to individuals with disabilities that would occur by the creation of such a facility.  The Center for Independent Living reported that their office receives countless calls from individuals utilizing Supplemental Security Income (SSI) requesting support services and training so that they may enter the workforce successfully.  Their center must decline such requests since they do not provide training for assistive technology; only assessment.  Considering that they can provide an entire assessment for those individuals, the service is inefficient since they neither can teach how to use the technology nor offer the technology they recommend.  The representative from TCOE further stated that, “The center would have access to a broader range of devices that TCOE cannot carry because the overall objectives are slightly different.”

The fourth question assisted to identify those facilities that lend assistive technology equipment to users on a temporary basis.  The results were that the Center for Independent Living, The Employment Connection, and The Sheltered Workshop does not lend any type of equipment and do not have equipment available to train with.  Tulare County Office of Education also does not provide equipment in general but there are a few exceptions. Porterville College does lend equipment as well as train the individual how to use the equipment. The Department of Rehabilitation purchases equipment for individuals with extenuating circumstances but never lends equipment.

Question number five gathered information regarding the expense of services provided. Each facility was either non-profit, part of an educational system, or state funded and therefore does not charge for services rendered.

The sixth question allowed for discussion regarding the staffing of each program.  It was designed to question whether adequate training is provided at the facilities that do provide training.  TCOE reported that they provide support services to over 1000 children in the K-12 educational system in Tulare County.  They have one full time specialist, one part time specialist, and one intern for all of those children.  It is evident that three positions cannot possibly provide adequate training to individuals with disabilities in the K-12 system within Tulare County.  The responses to this question effectively illustrate the need for a new training facility where individuals with disabilities may go for training and support services.  Lindsay High School’s Special Resource Practitioner stated that they employed two Resource Practitioners, one that works six hours per day and the other who works three hours per day.  She reported that they provide support services to over 110 students.  Realistically those two positions add up to just over one full time position.

The seventh question inquired how each facility was funded.  Most organizations were state funded either by categorical funds or title monies.  The Assistive Technology Educational Center actually is funded partially by the state and partially by grants, to insure an equal risk factor if and when state funding was reduced or grants exhausted.

Question eight was to allow for the interviewee to include their own thoughts, opinions, and additional information pertaining to the development of an Assistive Technology Training Center.  The Center for Independent Living was very eager to discuss assistive technology and its potential future within Tulare County.  They feel that a new program would be positive and even took the idea a step further to include a mobile unit.  She said that, “I think a mobile unit would be the answer to an inexpensive AT training facility.”  The Director of the DRC at Porterville College added that, “AT has made a huge difference for many students.  They have told me how much easier their life has become as the AT facility has improved.”  She was referring to Porterville College’s High Tech Center for students with disabilities.  She also voiced her concern for those individuals who no longer have the ability to utilize the college’s equipment and facility since they are no longer a student at the college.  She felt that it was imperative to point out that a new AT Training Center in Tulare County would assist those who no longer may use the college’s facility.

The ninth and final question pertained to forming a partnership if a grant were funded.  This question is important because once a grant is funded, current resources may pull together to form the best possible facility and services in the county.  Individuals would not need to go from program to program in search of something that will fit their needs and their lifestyle.  Instead they would be able to receive expert advice, effective assessment, outstanding training, and an overall support system that allows them to overcome obstacles in their lives.  The Center for Independent Living, Employment Connection, and Porterville College all voiced interest in forming a new partnership upon grant funding.

V. SUMMARY

To summarize, I propose that writing this grant and securing funding will open wide opportunities for other agencies to contribute, creating an impact on Tulare County with an Assistive Technology Training Center like no other the county has seen previously.  The facility would accommodate individual's disabilities ranging from acquired brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, cerebral palsy, visual impairments, stroke, MS, repetitive stress syndrome, and many others.  The interviews I have conducted prove that there is an interest and a lack of services in Tulare County requiring a competent program, which could utilize the nominal support services now available, and create an exemplary program once a partnership is formed.

It would be wise for further research to be conducted in order to add to this research project.  It is imperative that once funded, the program continually grow and more funding be sought out.  It would also be wise to continue the research by completing surveys of individuals with disabilities in Tulare County that were out of the scope of this project at this time.

Works Cited and Consulted

Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Retrieved on January 14, 2006 from

http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/pubs/ada.txt.

Assistive Technology Act of 1998, 105-394, S.2432. Retrieved on February 07, 2006

from http://www.section508.gov/docs/AT1998.html.

Assistive Technology Exchange Center (ATEC).

www.ocgoodwill.com/atec/index.html

“Assistive Technology and Universal Design”. Pamphlet retrieved on January 17, 2004

from www.atnet.org.

Disability grants available from U.S. Dept. of Education. Retrieved on February 07, 2006

from http://www.connsensebulletin.com/res010203.html.

Hodges, Mary. Job Coach for the Porterville Sheltered Workshop. Telephone contact.

Contact number 559-784-1399.

Goodwill Industries – Orange County, Assistive Technology Exchange Center (ATEC).

Retrieved original information in February 2004.  Updated on January 16, 2006 from

www.ocgoodwill.com/atec/index.html. 

Libbee, Robin. Center for Independent Living. Telephone contact. Contact number:

559-622-9276. 

Pearson, Sharon. Site Coordinator for Employment Connection. Telephone contact.

Contact number 559-788-1420. 

Rogers, Joanne. Job Coach for the Porterville Sheltered Workshop. Telephone contact.

Contact number 559-784-1399.

“TABLE 1. DATA ON DISABILITY AND EMPLOYMENT: 1991/92, 1993/94,

1994/95, AND 1997 (From the Survey of Income and Program Participation)” Retrieved on January 14, 2004 and updated January 17, 2006 from http://www.census.gov/hhes/www/disable/emperndistbl.pdf.

Tulare County Office of Education, Special Services Division. Retrieved on January 16,

      2006 from http://www.tcoe.net/Special/index.shtm.

U. S. Census Bureau. Retrieved on January 12, 2006 from

http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/06/06107.html.

APPENDIX B

Interview Questions

1. Do you feel that there is a need in Tulare County for an Assistive Technology Training Facility?
2. What services are currently offered in your facility that you feel may be a duplication of effort by a new Assistive Technology Training Facility in Tulare County?
3. Are there services at your facility that you feel a new Assistive Technology Training Facility in Tulare County may improve upon?
4. Does your facility loan equipment to individuals with disabilities on a temporary basis?
5. Does your facility charge for support services?
6. Please tell me about the staffing of your facility?
7. Please explain how your facility is funded?
8. Is there any additional information that you would like to add?
9. Suppose a grant were funded, would you or your agency consider forming a partnership with a new Assistive Technology Training Facility?

APPENDIX C

INFORMED CONSENT

INFORMATION ABOUT:  Assistive Technology Training Facility

California State University, Bakersfield

ADM 690 – Capstone Project

RESPONSIBLE INVESTIGATOR:  Carrie Stinson

I am working on writing a grant proposal to develop an Assistive Technology Training Facility.  The focus of the study is to understand the benefits of assistive technology for individuals with disabilities, and the lack of the facility to provide that training in Tulare County, California.

In participating in this study, I agree to be interviewed by Carrie Stinson.  This interview will not require any information that may embarrass or harm my organization or myself. 

I understand that:

a)    There are no predicted risks for my organization or myself.

b)    There are no predicted benefits of this study for my organization, or myself but the results of this study will be available to me when completed.

c)    Any questions I have concerning my participation in this study will be answered by Carrie Stinson.  She can be reached at 559.359.0766.

d)    I understand that I may refuse to participate or may withdraw from this study at any time without any negative consequences.  Also, the Investigator may stop the study at any time. 

e)   I also understand that no information that identifies me will be released without

      my separate consent and that all identifiable information will be protected to the  

      limits allowed by law.  If the study design or the use of the data is to be    

      changed, I will be so informed and my consent re-obtained. 

f)     I acknowledge that I have received a copy of this form.

INFORMED CONSENT (CONTINUED)

INFORMATION ABOUT:  Assistive Technology

California State University, Bakersfield

ADM 690 – Capstone Project

RESPONSIBLE INVESTIGATOR:  Carrie Stinson

I understand that:

I have read the above and understand it and hereby consent to the procedure(s) set forth.

_________________________________________                          __________________

Signature of Participant                                                                                  Date

_________________________________________                          __________________

Signature of Witness                                                                                       Date

_________________________________________                          __________________

Signature of Investigator                                                                                Date