Initiative Description
Easterseals Iowa Assistive Technology Center's successful pilot project of demonstration kits with Elderbridge Area Agency on Aging provided motivation for project implementation to all six Area Agencies on Aging across the state of Iowa. Each Area Agency on Aging has, in their possession, a kit of 25 types of Assistive Technology that staff is trained by Easterseals Iowa team members on demonstrating and trialing with their consumers, as well as sanitation of the devices.
Lessons Learned/Replication
Access to Assistive Technology is now in the hands of more direct support professionals across the state of Iowa. These DSPs have a long-standing relationship with the consumers and are now equipped to provide demonstration and support implementation of AT in the consumer's environment. Easterseals Iowa continues to communicate with each AAA, including reminders for data submission and continued satisfaction assessment with consumers, and training for AAA staff. This initiative does not have an end date and the current plan is to assess on an annual basis and determine if devices, within each kit, require replacement or if the kits require enhancement of additional devices.