| CFDA Number: | 84.224 - Assistive Technology |
| Goal 8: To increase availability of, funding for, access to, and provision of assistive technology devices and assistive technology services. |
| Objective 8.1 of 2: Through systemic activity, improve access to an availability of assistive technology (AT) for individuals with disabilities who require assistive technology |
| Indicator 8.1.1 of 1: Barrier reduction: Annually, grantees activities will result in legislative and policy changes that reduce barriers. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Targets and Performance Data | Assessment of Progress | Sources and Data Quality | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Frequency: Annually. Collection Period: 2002 - 2003 Data Available: December 2004 Validated By: On-Site Monitoring By ED. |
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| Objective 8.2 of 2: Through protection and advocacy, increase access to and funding of assistive technology deveices and services for persons with disabilities. |
| Indicator 8.2.1 of 1: Outcome-oriented measure of loans: The number of loans to individuals with disabilities per $1 million in Federal investment and state matching funds | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Targets and Performance Data | Assessment of Progress | Sources and Data Quality | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Progress: The Title III Alternative Financing Program was funded for the first time in FY 2000 to increase access to assistive technology for individuals with disabilities. Of the $7.6 million of government funds available in the first year, grantees made 247 loans to individuals with disabilities for a rate of 33 loans per $1 million in Federal investment and state matching funds. The total amount loaned out was $2.3 million. Of the $18.2 million of new government funds available in FY 2001, grantees made 594 loans to individuals with disabilities for a rate of 33 loans per $1 million in Federal investment and state matching funds. The total amount loaned in the second year was $5.8 million. Explanation: Comparing the data from FY 2000 and FY 2001 is difficult because this is a fairly new program and the number of years of participation differs among grantees. In FY 2000 6 states were funded. In FY 2001, 10 new states received grants and 4 states were refunded from year one for a total of 14 awards. Actual performance for FY 2001 also included loans made by two states that only received one award in FY 2000 but made loans over both years. Since there were no new awards in FY 2002, it will be easier to compare data from FY 2001 and FY 2002 because the amount of Federal investment and state matching funds, will remain the same. NIDRR is establishing a target of 33 for FY 2004 and FY 2005. Further analysis of trends and performance outcomes is required to establish baseline data. A revision of the target may be required for use in future years. It is important to point out that the AFP program allows for other, non-loan financing mechanisms. NIDRR will further evaluate the AFP to identify factors that have a potentially adverse effect on the program activities and program performance outcomes. NIDRR will use the results of this evaluation to develop strategies to improve outcomes. |
Additional Source Information: Annual web-based reporting system. Frequency: Annually. Collection Period: 2002 - 2003 Data Available: March 2004 Limitations: The data on the # of loans approved and closed during the performance period of October 1, 2000 to September 30, 2001 differ between the first annual report (229 loans) and the second annual report (247). This discrepancy suggests that grantees submitted additional data after the first annual report was published. The data collection tool for the AFP needs to be evaluated and then modified to improve the reliability of the data used to calculate the total number of loans reported for the AFP for a given performance period. At the present time, there are two reporting systems for the AFP. At the end of the AFP grant year, grantees submit loan program data in a Web-based program data collection system using the Annual Loan Program Data Form. Grantees also submit loan program data on a regular basis in a Web-based applicant data collection system that includes the initial applicant survey, the follow-up survey for an approved loan and the follow-up survey for a denied loan. For 2001, the total number of approved loans reported by states was 537 in the program data collection system and 594 in the applicant reporting system. Further evaluation of the data systems is necessary. Improvements: NIDRR will work with the technical assistance grantee for the AFP to improve the reliability of the data used to measure the performance of the AFP by (1) evaluating the two data collection systems, (2) identifying the cause(s) for the differences in the total number of loans reported in the two data collection systems, and (3) modifying the data collection system to address the problems that were identified. |
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