Initiative Description
Assistive Technology for Kansans (ATK) prioritizes helping individuals with disabilities obtain assistive technology they need to retrain or obtain employment. Kansas Rehabilitation Services (KRS) staff had considerable turn over during the pandemic and staff training was a priority for KRS management. ATK staff provided virtual workshops on assistive technology devices, case studies highlighting AT used in employment and educational settings, and explained how to access AT services. KRS and ATK management reinforced the new knowledge through a series of Lunch n Learns virtual meetings targeting specific types of technology.
Lessons Learned/Replication
A 30% increase in requests for AT services to support KRS customers was documented in the past year. Since these referrals were from KRS staff, ATK staff recommendations were funded by KRS and all these individuals were provided with the technology they needed for employment or retraining.