FAAST Access Online: Executive Director's Forum
The Florida Alliance for Assistive Services and Technology, Inc. (FAAST) is a 501 (c)(3) not-for-profit organization as of October 20, 1994, funded by the U.S. Department of Education, Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) through the Assistive Technology Act of 2004 and through Florida General Revenue funds under §413.407, F.S.
FAAST’s mission is “to improve the quality of life for all Floridians with disabilities through advocacy and awareness activities that increase access to and acquisition of assistive services and technology.”
FAAST, Inc. is sponsored by the Department of Education/Division of Vocational Rehabilitation and the State of Florida.
"In the coming fiscal year, FAAST will continue our work to support less restrictive living environments and to help promote economic self-sufficiency through access to and acquisition of assistive services and technology." - Steve Howells, FAAST Executive Director
In this issue:
2011 Annual Performance Report
State and regional device loan programs
Assistive technology device reutilization/recycling programs
Assistive technology skills development trainings and assessments
Assistive technology demonstrations and trainings
Annual Independent Auditor’s Report
2011 Annual Performance Report
FAAST, Inc. is pleased to present our 2011 Annual Performance Report. We are proud of the important work helping facilitate cost-effective access to and acquisition of assistive services and technology for Floridians with disabilities, their families, professionals, employers, and others.
As documented in our 2011 annual report, the assistive services and technology FAAST provides statewide have resulted in employment, independent living, and a better quality of life for those we serve as FAAST continues to work to help bridge the “digital divide” for individuals with disabilities and their families. FAAST’s partnerships with the Florida Department of Education, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, the Florida Legislature and federal funders make it possible for FAAST, six FAAST Regional Demonstration Centers and many other FAAST partners to loan and refurbish assistive technology; provide assistive technology skills development trainings and assessments; and educate thousands of individuals with disabilities and their families about assistive services and technology.
State and regional device loan programs
FAAST statewide and regional device loan programs, in 2011, purchased 743 new assistive technology devices available to lend and provided assistive technology equipment loans to 2,327 individuals statewide. Learn more.
Assistive technology device reutilization/recycling programs
FAAST was able to refurbish/reutilize 387 assistive technology devices distributed to individuals with disabilities and their families statewide including durable medical equipment and computers.
Assistive technology skills development trainings and assessments
In 2011, FAAST, in partnership with our six Regional Demonstration Centers, were able to conduct 918 assistive technology skills development trainings and assessments.
Assistive technology demonstrations and trainings
FAAST and our Regional Demonstration Centers were able to conduct 8,823 assistive technology device demonstrations and we provided assistive technology device specific training to 26,429 individuals.
Transition, IEP Planning process trainings
Comprehensive trainings on the individualized education program (IEP) planning process focusing on transition services and assistive technology and support services leading to employment.
In 2011, FAAST organized and presented 19 transition trainings across the state related to employment expectations for transition-age individuals for students with disabilities, parents, professionals and other interested parties.
Annual Independent Auditor’s Report Ending June 30, 2011 by James Moore and Co., CPA
FAAST received clean audits in 2010 and 2011. The most recent 2011 audit ending state fiscal year June 30, 2011 demonstrates that FAAST had no findings and no material weaknesses or deficiencies qualifying FAAST as a low-risk auditee.
Read the Annual Performance Report.
Public Policy Initiative
During Legislative session 2011, FAAST successfully advocated for a statutory revision that established a timeframe in which schools must conduct the assistive technology assessments that are required by law for students with disabilities.
Thanks to the efforts of concerned legislators and their staff, the Public Policy and Advocacy Committee of the FAAST Board of Directors, and many FAAST partners and stakeholders, House Bill 1255 was passed by the House and the Senate and signed into law by Governor Scott.
The bill to improve education accountability in part establishes a timeframe for required assistive technology assessments: “If an individual education plan team makes a recommendation in accordance with State Board of Education rule for a student with a disability, as defined in s. 1003.01(3), to receive an assistive technology assessment, that assessment must be completed within 60 school days after the team's recommendation.”
FAAST’s Resource Library
FAAST’s latest comprehensive 20-page technical assistance self-help resource guide providing General Self-Help and Resource Information Regarding Accessible Document Preparation and Website Accessibility was recently created to promote accessible, electronic and information technology accessibility to assist those working on document preparation in relation to website accessibility to help further compliance with accessibility requirements under the ADA, Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act, and §282.601 - .606, Florida Statutes.
This user-friendly self-help resource guide provides a table of contents that hyperlinks through the introduction, to wide-ranging resources to websites, videos, articles, tutorials, and other useful information to assist with accessible document preparation and website accessibility, to ADA settlement agreements and case law applicable to the obligation to provide accessible, electronic and information technology accessibility. This guide can and nine others can be found at: www.faast.org/resources/library.
FAAST webinar trainings providing technical assistance on the use of assistive technology
The Northwest Regional Demonstration Center (RDC) Coordinator recently offered a webinar for RDCs, speech language pathologists, and other interested parties who assist individuals with speech/communication disabilities. Through the courtesy of the Prentke Romich Company, this technical assistance training webinar provided step by step instruction on the use of a highly sophisticated augmentative communication device known as the Vantage Lite, which features a strong core vocabulary including the powerful Unity® language system in multiple display configuration settings that also provides an excellent starting point for the child or adult just beginning to use augmentative communication devices as well as those ready for the next level.
FAAST plans to provide additional technical assistance webinars. If you have questions, would like more information or if you have suggestions on assistive technology webinars you would like FAAST to host, contact Andre Howard, Northwest RDC Coordinator at 1-888-788-9216, ext. 103 or click here.