Aids for Better Living:Tools to help with vision, hearing,

mobility, and communication

WATAP’s Library Program

The Purpose of the Aids for Better Living Program is…• to offer the consumer a selection of devices that are readily available

and to stimulate decision making.• to get the consumer thinking about how AT can foster independence in

everyday life.

• The program is targeted to and reaches individuals who commonly do not self identify as having a disability, in particular those aging with functional changes.

The Benefit

Historical Partnership

King County Library System (KCLS)• WATAP initially partnered with the King County Library System (49 locations) to offer

library patrons (county residents) the opportunity to see and try a small selection of assistive devices to help with a variety of daily tasks.

• 35 in 2003 and 32 in 2007. These devices are organized into categories of dressing, kitchen tasks, household management, reading and writing, leisure, and communication. • The program was refreshed with new items, including computer access devices such as alternative

keyboards and mice and additional hearing assistance devices, in December 2007.

• Start-up costs were about $5700 ($1800 for marketing materials, traveling tri-fold displays, and brochures plus $3800 for devices). The 2007 re-fresh cost about $7300 ($5300 for devices and $2000 for updated catalogs, and marketing materials).

• The devices were checked out using the online library system catalog and in the beginning of the program would be delivered by mobile library services. Later the devices were delivered a local library branch for pick up.

End and Outcomes of the KCLS Partnership• Our collaboration with the KCLS ended in the summer of 2010. • Over the life of the program from 2003-2010, the total circulation was

262 device loans. • More than half (148) of the total device loans occurred after the 2007 refresh.

• Overall, this program accounted for 25% of our total device loans from 2008-2010. • Archived catalog: http://kcls.watap.org/

Program Re-Boot

Timberland Regional Library System (TRL)• Starting in 2012, WATAP began a partnership with the Timberland

Regional Library System that serves 5 counties in largely rural SW WA (Grays Harbor, Lewis, Mason, Pacific, and Thurston) with 34 locations • Devices can be checked out from library branches and by using the

online library system catalog. Devices are delivered to a local library branch for pick up. • Re-boot cost were about $5000 ($3000 for updating and supplementing

devices and $2000 for new catalogs and other materials).• Program page: http://www.trl.org/Services/Pages/AssistiveDevices.aspx• Catalog: http://trl.watap.org/

The Upside

• Great support from TRL Administration• TRL gives the program high visibility in outreach efforts and as a

result, WATAP has had large increase in name recognition in the region.• Agreement has been very collaborative and supportive. See MOU.

The Data

2011 2012 2013 20140

20

40

60

80

100

120

140Number of Devices by Category

CommunicationComputer AccessDaily LivingEnvironmental ControlHearingRecreationVision

Years

Num

ber o

f Dev

ices

The Data (continued) 2011 2012 2013 2014 Total TRL Devices Borrowed 55 (16%) 122 (24%) 129 (24%) 64 (15%)Total Devices Borrowed 352 503 533 424 TRL Borrowers 55 (28%) 122 (45%) 129 (45%) 64 (27%)Total Decision Borrowers 197 272 287 236 TRL Borrowers 55 (54%) 122 (67%) 129 (68%) 64 (52%)Total Community Living Borrowers 101 181 189 122

Most Popular Devices Checked Out

• Pocket Talker• Handy Bar• Lap Desk• Direct Ear• Magnifiers• Big Keys Keyboard• Kensington Trackball

The Downside

• The program suffered from a history of non-respondents / lack of performance and satisfaction data.• Devices are shipped to the borrower by the library system and

although a self-addressed postage paid survey postcard is included, we are reliant on the borrower to return the survey.• Other options have been tried and we will be trying out other

strategies in the near future.

The Sad Data

2011 2012 2013 2014TRL Non-respondents 46 (84%) 108 (89%) 121 (94%) 59 (92%)Total TRL Borrowers 55 122 129 64 Resulting Device Loan Performance- Community Living 80.73% 61.20% 55.35% 79.45%

To the Future…NOLS!

• New partnership is being negotiated with NOLS – North Olympic Library System (4 locations) serves Clallam county including the Jamestown S’Klallam, the Lower Elwha, the Quileute, and Makah tribes.• Frank discussions about the challenges of device maintenance and data

collection.• The project will be very similar to the TRL ADL program except we will be

bundling AT into kits (i.e: vision kits, eating kits, dressing kits, computer access kits). • NOLS, like TRL, plans to highlight the program during their outreach

efforts.

Evolution

• We are creating “kits” that include a range of low cost, simple devices for daily living, vision, hearing, computing, communication, etc.• Available for borrowing through our own Device Lending Library• Deployed at Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs), Aging and Disability Resource

Centers (ADRCs), and Centers for Independent Living (CILs).

• We are looking at creating a kit includes appropriate devices for farmers and agricultural workers.• Available for presentations and community events at Washington State

University County Extensions, Granges, and state fairs.

Data Challenge

• The greatest challenge is data collection. • Data on which devices were borrowed is generally easy to obtain.

Performance (decision) and satisfaction data is much more difficult to collect.• Since WATAP does not have direct contact with the participants, we have

relied on use of self-addressed postage pre-paid post cards.• Partner staff need to be proactive in making sure participants receive the post

card.

• If the partner organization/ agency is small enough, this data could be collected by partner staff using a short interview or survey (we are exploring this with both TRL and NOLS).

More Considerations

• Device maintenance and sanitation: • Devices break, pieces and instructions are lost, devices become obsolete.

Partner staff need to insure all pieces and instructions are included when a device is returned to them (bags for the device and all pieces and checklists help).• Some devices may need batteries and these need to be replaced regularly.• Devices need to be properly sanitized when returned. If libraries already rent

devices like Kindles, then they should have sanitation policies and procedures in place.

• Website maintenance: Keep device and vendor information current. • On-going partner/ partner staff training: Keep your partner engaged!

Considerations of Devices for a Similar Program• The devices should be easy to use out of the box or with simple

instructions and need no or little support or set-up.• All promotional and informational materials should specifically state

the collection is not meant to be comprehensive. • Provide resources for where consumers can purchase the devices.• Consumers who would like more information about or have problems

with the devices in the collection or want to know what other related devices are available should be directed to contact your state’s AT Act Program.

Thanks!

Alan J. Knue State Project DirectorWashington Assistive Technology Act Program (WATAP)University of Washington Center for Technology and Disability StudiesBox 357920Seattle, WA 98195-7920206.685.6836aknue@uw.eduhttp://watap.org