Getting to Know the ATXChange

Aimee Sterk, MSWMichigan Disability Rights Coalitionaimee@prosynergy.org(616) 797-9769

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A note about our webinar

It works better if you shut down all other windows that are open on your computer

Please use the chat function on the right hand side if you have a question or comment

Questions and comments are encouraged and expected!

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What is the ATXchange?A free way for people with disabilities to

locate used Assistive Technology and buy, sell, or give it away online. People can also post an item that they are looking to buy. ATXchange is basically a craigslist for Michigan AT.

www.atxchange.org

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What am I going to do

with that used device?

I sure do need a new

device…

AT Xchange

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Have you used ATXchange?

How did you hear about it?What has been your experience?

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Funding for the ATXchange

Michigan’s State Plan for Assistive Technology under the Assistive Technology Act of 2004

Administered in the Rehabilitation Services Administration in the Department of Education

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Proving our success Original prices of the items vs. sales price

will help to demonstrate savings through the program

We tried to streamline this process and make it as user-friendly as possible

Please bear with us and help us collect data whenever possible so we can show how useful this program is!

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We will be contacting buyers and sellers to: Confirm sales Evaluate satisfaction Identify the purpose of the AT (education,

community living, employment) Determine the reason people chose to use the

ATXchange (only way to afford the AT, only place AT was available, or regular channels were too complex/lengthy)

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ATXchange Works!

Last quarter (April, May & June 2010) 7 devices were exchanged There were 1,462 hits on the site 107 people contacted sellers through the site 91 new users signed up The devices that were exchanged saved

Michigan community members with disabilities $10,000!

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Features of ATXchange

Can browse anonymously…must log in to get full contact information

Navigation by equipment categories Printable search results Enables email exchange between parties

without revealing email addresses

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Features, continued

Enables upload of pictures Highlights new listings Auto-notification of listings Ability to bookmark listings

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Accessibility Michigan is using the same program for

the ATXchange as 18 other states The developers have assured accessibility

to screen reading and other assistive software

Please contact us if you have any problems or questions!

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Using the ATXchange

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Searching for Items Create an account & log in Use your own account if you are browsing for yourself Assist people to create their own account

You may want to have a standard way of creating accounts with the same password for all

Use the persons first initial and last name (lowercase) as the id and a password of atx

Search parameters – type of AT, geography, & cost If an item you want is not on the site, post it as an “item

needed”

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Posting Items Do not post an item for someone under your

own id and password. Create an account for each person.

Check out the “items needed” section to see if someone is looking for what you have

Read & accept the disclaimer and terms and create an account Keep track of your id and password!

Check out the FAQs

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Posting Items We need the address and contact information for

people posting the items for tracking purposes and for buyers to get in contact with sellers.

Select how buyers should contact you Email—not listed on the site, but through a form

with registered buyers Phone—listed on the site for registered users.

Select how ATXchange should contact you if we have any questions or to follow-up and check on item sales

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Posting Items Create the most obvious title possible

for your item. Give a good description!

Condition, color, shape, size, etc Decide on price. MSRP helps us with the federal data

requirements.

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Posting Items Decide on how widely available you wish to make an

item (throughout the state, local area, just to consumers in the agency you are affiliated with) Decide on contact information (default, or specific to item)

Submit description Add picture and edit

Photos must be of type gif, jpg or png and must be less than 2000 KB in size. Photos will be automatically resized.

Confirm submission and await final approval of your item

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Safe Online Transactions—when you find an item or sell your item Options for Payment

Check or Money OrderCredit CardOnline Payment Service

Cash is not recommended unless paying in person

Always get a receipt

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Is this the right device for you?

Things to consider when buying:What is the condition of the item?

Pictures Contacting the seller for more information

How far away is the item located?What will the shipping costs be?

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Michigan Assistive Technology Loan Fund Low-interest loan program for people with disabilities,

seniors, and their family members Use your loan to buy AT You may borrow up to $30,000, flexible loan terms Make monthly loan payments back to the credit union Visit www.michiganloanfunds.org or call 1.800.828.2714

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Want to learn more about AT? Information on the vast variety of AT

availablewww.abledata.comhttp://assistivetech.net

To read more about Michigan’s AT Program and the Tech Actwww.copower.org