Centers for Independent Living and
Assistive Technology Reuse National Conference
Shaping a National Collaborative for Excellence in Assistive Technology Reutilization
OPTIONAL PRE-CONFERENCE TOUR OF FODAC and
VIRTUAL TOUR OF PARAQUAD | December 11, 2012
CONFERENCE | December 12-13, 2012
GEORGIA TECH HOTEL AND CONFERENCE CENTER
ATLANTA, GEORGIA
Meeting Goals
1. To identify points of collaboration to build intrastate, interstate and national networks for delivering
assistive technology (AT) devices and services to meet the needs of people with disabilities in the
states and territories.
2. To recognize the accomplishments of reuse programs and their partners.
3. To share innovative strategies that reuse programs have found to work.
4. For each participating organization to develop or collaborate with a quality and sustainable AT Reuse
Program to further address the AT needs of people in independent living, and to develop achievable
action steps for participants and other key entities to meet these goals.
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
1:00 PM to 4:30 PM Pre-conference: A Look at Two Model AT Reuse Programs
Visit Friends of Disabled Adults and Children (FODAC) in Stone Mountain and
Take a Virtual Tour of Paraquad, a Center for Independent Living (CIL) in St. Louis
FODAC is the refurbishing hub for Georgia’s Tools for Life Reuse Program and STAR
Network, a collaborator with centers for independent living (CILs) in Georgia and
throughout the U.S., and a partner in emergencies for organizations serving people in
need beyond our borders. Paraquad, one of the nation’s largest centers for independent
living, operates a model reuse and repair program.
4900 Lewis Road
Stone Mountain, GA 30083
Phone: 770-491-9014 or 1-866-977-1204
Need Directions? Click Here.
Meet in Hotel Lobby at 12:30 PM, buses start loading at 12:45 PM.
Buses will plan to be back at the hotel at 5:00 PM.
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Day One - Wednesday, December 12, 2012
8:00 AM
Registration, Continental Breakfast and Networking
Check in and pick up registration packet.
Foyer
9:00 AM
Welcome
Salon 1 – 3
Presenters: Joy Kniskern and Carolyn Phillips, Pass It On Center; and Billy Altom, Association of
Programs for Rural Independent Living
This session lays the groundwork for discussions related to assistive technology and independent
living and the unique potential that AT reuse offers to enable and support independent living. It
overviews what has been accomplished since the first national conference on AT Reuse in 2006,
reports national data and outcome measures, and examines the national scope of reuse programs.
10:30 AM Break
10:45 AM General Session:
Salon 1 – 3
Where We Are, What We Have Accomplished
Moderator: Carolyn Phillips and Liz Persaud, Pass It On Center
Speakers: Lindsey Bean Kampwerth, Paraquad
Examines the growth and progress of AT Reuse programs during the past six years, explore
successful strategies, and review the expansion of the Pass It On Center Knowledge Base on
issues such as liability, sanitization, and lessons learned by AT Reuse programs.
11:45 PM Break
12:00 PM Lunch with Keynote – AT Reuse and Independent Living: What It Really Means Salon 1 – 3
Moderator: Liz Persaud, Pass It On Center
Presenters: Jerilyn Leverett, Disability Connections, Georgia; Dan Maljanian and Jesse Avila, Jr.,
Convalescent Aid Society, California; and Mystie Rail, Assistive Technology of Alaska
1:30 PM
Break
1:45 PM
General Session:
Salon 1 – 3
A Closer Look: Models for AT Reuse within Independent Living Centers
Moderator: Carolyn Phillips, Pass It On Center
Speakers: Chris Brand, Friends of Disabled Adults and Children; Wanda Remmers, CIL Berkeley;
Lindsey Bean Kampwerth, Paraquad; and Mystie Rail, Assistive Technology of Alaska
Throughout the states and territories, Centers for Independent Living actively serve individuals with
disabilities through AT Reuse. The panel examines various models, identifies successful strategies
and explores lessons learned along the way.
3:15 PM
Break
3:30 PM
Concurrent Sessions – Sharing Innovative Strategies
Concurrent sessions highlight strategies that AT Reuse programs have found successful within and
in collaboration with CILs. Choose a session of interest to attend.
a) How to Start and/or Improve a Reuse Program: Policies, Procedures
and Regulatory Issues
Conference C
2012 Centers for Independent Living and Assistive Technology Reuse National Conference
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Moderator: Carolyn Phillips, Pass It On Center
Presenters: Wanda Remmers, CIL Berkeley; Alma Burgess, CReATE, Utah; and Owen O'Neill,
Clinics Can Help
This session will share information on how to start a reuse program or for existing programs that
just need strategies and solutions for improvement. Get on the right path for development and
sustainability.
b) Return on Investment, Budget Development, and Measuring Outcomes
Salon 3
Moderator: Lindsey Bean Kampwerth, Paraquad
Presenters: Joy Kniskern and Trish Redmon, Pass It On Center
Measuring the effectiveness of AT reuse programs is important for making the business case for
AT reuse to financial supporters. This session addresses methods for calculating the return on
investment in AT reuse and using those calculations to leverage funding.
c) Staffing of Reuse Programs
Moderator: Martha Rust, Tools for Life
Presenters: Cathy Valdez, Project MEND and Tiffany Johnston, Walton Options
Panelists will review the use of paid and volunteer staff; how volunteers are recruited
and managed; and training and certifications to assure that refurbishing services are
consistent with manufacturer specifications.
Salon 1 & 2
d) Creative Collaborations with Partners
Conference D
Moderator: Liz Persaud, Pass It On Center
Presenters: Janet Jendron, South Carolina Assistive Technology Program; Kimberly Tissot,
Disability Action Center; Dan Maljanian and Jesse Avila Jr., Convalescent Aid Society; Mystie Rail,
Assistive Technology of Alaska; and Ann Shor, Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission
Panelists explain different models of partnerships and how those partnerships benefit the CILs, AT
reuse programs, manufacturers, suppliers and persons with disabilities.
5:00 PM Adjourn
Day Two - Thursday, December 13, 2012
8:00 AM
Continental Breakfast and Networking
Foyer
9:00 AM
General Session:
Salon 1 – 3
Raise Your IQ: Indicators of Quality and AT Reuse
Moderator: Carolyn Phillips, Pass It On Center
Presenters: Lindsey Bean Kampwerth, Paraquad and Trish Redmon, Pass It On Center
The Indicators of Quality for AT Reuse (IQ-ATR) can be used to evaluate how well the program
complies with promising practices and to identify strengths and weaknesses in the program.
Learn how to use the Online Program Assessment Tool to generate a report with resources for
program improvement.
9:45 AM
Break
10:00 AM More Concurrent Sessions – Sharing Innovative Strategies - Choose one session to attend.
a) Matching Persons to Equipment
Moderator: Liz Persaud, Pass It On Center
Conference D
2012 Centers for Independent Living and Assistive Technology Reuse National Conference
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Presenters: Lindsey Bean Kampwerth, Paraquad; Alicia Contreras, Independent Living Resource
Center; and Sharon Alderman, Vermont Family Network
Matching persons to equipment requires specific expertise. The presenters will examine what is
needed and recommend policies and procedures. The principles for matching can be beneficial to
programs of all sizes, and for exchange programs as well as refurbishing operations.
b) Promising Practices: Tracking Inventory and Data
Conference C
Moderator: Trish Redmon, Pass It On Center
Presenters: Helen Baker, Alabama STAR Program; Cathy Valdez, Project MEND; Paul Pelland,
Refurbished Equipment Marketplace; and Amber Fulcher, Vermont Assistive Technology Program
Successful reuse programs use databases for inventory tracking and customer service.
The panel reviews some of the options for affordable database software.
c) Mobile Devices and Computer Refurbishing
Salon 1 & 2
Moderator: Martha Rust, Georgia Tools for Life
Presenters: Lamar Polly, Georgia's Tools for Life Network and Steve Powell, Signal Centers AT
Center in Tennessee
Computer refurbishing: What works and why? A look at how programs have increased
efficiencies through partnerships and collaboration.
d) Alternative Financing and AT Reuse
Salon 3
Moderator: Carolyn Phillips, Pass It On Center
Presenters: Jackie Wilks, The Center for Financial Independence and Innovation; Patti Kraemer,
IndependenceFirst ILC, Wisconsin; Sam Murphy, Washington Assistive Technology Act Program;
and Susan Tachau, Pennsylvania Assistive Technology Foundation
Alternative financing programs can support acquisition of reused assistive technology and
durable medical equipment.
11:00 AM Break
11:15 AM General Session:
Salon 1 – 3
Nursing Home Transition and AT Reuse: Sharing Experiences
Moderator: Carolyn Phillips and Liz Persaud, Pass It On Center
Presenters: Cyndy Milstead Anzek, Walton Options, and Andreena Patton and Edwin McWilliams,
Disability Connections
Understand the real potential of the conference by hearing about actual experiences of individuals
with disabilities who have transitioned out of nursing homes, and the role of AT and AT reuse.
12:00 PM General Session:
Salon 1 – 3
Independent Living and AT Reuse: A Look at the Future – Pat Puckett, Executive Director,
Statewide Independent Living Council of Georgia
Musical Performance – Billy Altom, Association of Programs for Rural Independent Living
12:30 PM Break
12:45 PM Lunch with Keynote: Considering Whole Community Inclusion during Emergencies - Marcie
Roth, Director of Office of Disability Integration and Coordination, FEMA
2:00 PM
Break
2012 Centers for Independent Living and Assistive Technology Reuse National Conference
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2:15 PM
More Concurrent Sessions – Sharing Innovative Strategies - Choose one session to attend.
a) Sanitization, Evaluation and End-of-Life Practices
Salon 1 & 2
Moderator: Trish Redmon, Pass It On Center
Presenters: Chris Brand, Friends of Disabled Adults and Children; Cathy Valdez, Project MEND;
and Lindsey Bean Kampwerth, Paraquad
Explore the steps required for sanitizing equipment to make it safe for reuse how to evaluate
devices for repair, reuse or disposal.
b) Marketing Your Reuse Program
Salon 3
Moderator: Liz Persaud, Pass It On Center
Speakers: Lea Rosenauer, Project MEND; Janet Jendron, South Carolina Assistive Technology
Program; Helen Baker, Alabama's STAR Program; and Angela Lundy, Interfaith Specialty Services
Panelists share successful marketing campaigns and strategies to increase awareness in the
community, donations of equipment for reuse, and financial support for the program.
c) CILs, AT Reuse and Emergencies – Coordinating Resources for
Conference D
Emergency Response
Moderator: Amy Goldman, Pennsylvania Initiative on Assistive Technology
Presenters: Jamie Arasz Prioli, Pennsylvania Initiative on Assistive Technology; Jamie Landry
Karam, Louisiana Assistive Technology Access Network; Laura George, Educate and Advocate;
and Molly Gosline, Florida Independent Living Council
AT reuse can play a key role in emergency response. Presenters will address how individuals can
work with local emergency management agencies, a statewide CIL initiative to increase the
availability of AT for emergencies, and the use of formal agreements to facilitate the sharing of AT
resources. The group will identify components of a "model" Memorandum of Understand specifically
for assistive technology resources and services.
3:15 PM
Break
3:30 PM
General Session: Sustainability Planning
Salon 1 – 3
Moderator: Carolyn Phillips, Pass It On Center
Presenters: Chris Brand, Friends of Disabled Adults and Children; Lea Rosenauer,
Project MEND; Sheri Anderson, Tennessee Technology Access Program; and Lindsey Bean
Kampwerth, Paraquad
Panelists will discuss strategies for sustaining reuse programs. Topics include fundraising, fees for
reuse services, partnering with other organizations and individuals, and development of boards or
advisory groups.
4:15 PM Wrap Up: Next steps and Conference Evaluation
4:30 PM
Salon 1 – 3
Adjourn
This conference is sponsored by the Pass It On Center, the National Technical Assistance Center for AT Reuse, a program of The
Georgia Institute of Technology/AMAC. Pass It On Center is funded by the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education
and Rehabilitative Services, and administered by Tools for Life, Georgia’s AT Act Program.
Pass It On Center
AMAC | Georgia Institute of Technology
512 Means St., Suite 250, Atlanta, Georgia 30318
Call: (800) 497-8665 | Contact: Liz@passitoncenter.org | Visit: www.passitoncenter.org
2012 Centers for Independent Living and Assistive Technology Reuse National Conference
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