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Vol. 10 No. 1 Winter 2002 |
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Survey Results Confirm Need for the DATI
In the Spring 2001 issue of The AT Messenger, we asked our readers to take a few minutes to let us know about their familiarity and satisfaction with DATI services. We also wanted to know whether they thought that AT access had changed in Delaware over the past 10 years, and what they regarded as remaining barriers to that access. Finally, we asked them to tell us whether they would be likely to utilize a low-interest loan fund for AT if we were to establish one here in Delaware. The results of the survey confirmed that, while Delaware has come a long way in improving access to AT, there is still a lot more work to be done. Read on for more detailed survey results.
The Changing Landscape
The first section of the survey examined the extent to which AT access has changed since the DATI began in 1991. The results, which combine the responses received from consumers, family members, service providers, and others, appear in Table 1 (below). As you can see, the majority of respondents feel that the AT-related climate in Delaware is better now than it was ten years ago. Sixty-nine percent agree that awareness of the need for AT has increased; 81% agree that laws and policies have become more consumer-responsive; 65% agree that more people are aware of the benefits of AT; 57% agree that it is easier to find assistance in purchasing AT devices and services; and 71% agree that public and private agencies are working together more effectively. Your feedback indicates that there is still room for improvement in all areas, but especially in areas related to increased awareness and assistance with funding.
Table 1
Comparing 10 years ago to today, please tell us whether you agree or disagree with the following statements.
| Statement |
Strongly Agree
|
Agree
|
Disagree
|
Strongly Disagree
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| People are aware of the need for AT devices and services for people with disabilities |
19%
|
50%
|
26%
|
5%
|
| Laws or program policies have been changed to help persons with disabilities get AT |
21%
|
60%
|
18%
|
1%
|
| More people are aware of and know how AT can benefit persons with disabilities |
11%
|
54%
|
30%
|
5%
|
| It is easier to find assistance to purchase AT devices and services |
10%
|
47%
|
37%
|
6%
|
| Private and public agencies are working together to make AT devices and services more available to persons with disabilities |
16%
|
55%
|
25%
|
4%
|
Statewide Reliance on DATI
Another survey item asked readers to indicate whether they had other sources of AT-related supports on which they could rely if the DATI ceased operation. The results, which appear in Table 2, demonstrate how reliant Delawareans are on DATI for the AT supports that they need. There is particular dependence on the DATI for the newsletter, equipment demonstration, technical assistance, funding and policy information, the availability of equipment for short-term loan, and training.
Table 2
If the DATI and its three Assistive Technology Resource Centers (funded under subcontract to Easter Seals) ceased operation, would you have an alternative source for the following resources?
|
Resource
|
Alternative Source
|
|
|---|---|---|
|
Yes
|
No
|
|
| Newsletter |
17%
|
83%
|
| Conferences |
31%
|
69%
|
| Workshops |
38%
|
62%
|
| Equipment Demonstration |
30%
|
70%
|
| Short-Term Equipment Loan |
20%
|
80%
|
| Funding/Policy Information |
32%
|
68%
|
| Info. And Referral |
46%
|
54%
|
| Technical Assistance |
31%
|
69%
|
Training Needs
The greatest training needs identified by our readers were in the areas of funding, home modifications, aids for daily living, educational software, and augmentative and alternative communication. Other areas of particular interest to consumers and their families were recreation and adaptive computing.
Barriers to AT Access
Although we received quite a diversity of responses relative to the barriers
that remain-many of them very specific to an individual respondent's needs-a
few consistent themes emerged. Among these were:
- The prohibitive cost of many devices and services
- The difficulty in accessing funds to assist with device/service purchase
- The lack of accessible housing and/or the supports to modify existing homes
to make them accessible
- The lack of organizational support (expressed most often by service providers)
- The scarcity of adequately trained service providers.
Interest in Low-Interest Loans
Finally, the enthusiasm for the availability of a low-interest loan program
was quite mixed, with about half of the respondents indicating that they would
be likely or very likely to take advantage of a low-interest loan program for
the purchase of AT and/or home modifications that they need.
P.S. Thank You!
A heartfelt thanks to those of you who took the time to share your opinions with us. Your feedback was incredibly helpful, and it will certainly influence the shape of Delaware's AT-related supports in the future.
