Skip to main content
Purpose
- Identify areas of support for improving wireless technology access and competency in people with disabilities by examining the home- and community-based services (HCBS) policy coverage for mainstream wireless technologies and surveying the State AT Programs and alternative financing programs (AFPs) to understand their roles in facilitating access to and providing training of mainstream wireless technologies to people with disabilities.
Needs
- With technology playing an increasingly important role in supporting home and community living, AT services listed under HCBS are expanding and many mainstream wireless technologies are beginning to be considered as AT. AT services under HCBS vary across the states in terms of not only the scope of services, but also provider qualifications and limitations on the amount, frequency, and duration.
- The State AT Programs, and AFPs are major organizations that help increase awareness and access to AT for people with disabilities under the Assistive Technology Act. They hold first-hand information on how their clients are receiving AT services including mainstream wireless technologies under HCBS waivers. These organizations also provide services on AT device acquisition, training, and funding recommendations to people with disabilities.
Activities
- Examine the coverage of mainstream wireless technologies (including mobile devices, smart home technology, and wearables) and associated services under AT services in Medicaid HCBS waivers across the states.
- Examine services provided by State AT Programs and AFPs to support device acquisition, training, and funding recommendations for mainstream wireless technologies used as AT for people with disabilities using a scoping literature review, a survey, and interviews.
- Develop actionable recommendations utilizing a Delphi approach with a panel of stakeholders.
Deliverables
- A list of recommendations that could inform changes in AT services under Medicaid HCBS and AT services provided by the State AT Programs and AFPs, improve outcome collection, identify research priorities, and ultimately improving access and funding for mainstream wireless technologies and associated services to support health, independence, and participation of people with disabilities.
