Amy Hanna
Iowa Program for Assistive Technology
Last Spring the Iowa Legislation passed a new law called the Assistive Technology Device Tax Credit Act that was part of a larger tax package signed by Governor Vilsack. This Act provides tax incentives to small Iowa businesses to hire persons with disabilities. This program will benefit small businesses that buy, rent, or modify an assistive device or make physical changes to the workplace for employees with disabilities. The tax credit is 50% of the first $5,000 paid for the devices or modifications, with an annual cap of $2,500.
There are approximately 70,000 businesses in Iowa with fewer than 20 employees. This represents almost 90% of all Iowa businesses.
Currently, Iowa is being hard hit by an acute labor shortage, though persons with disabilities remain unemployed. This means that Iowa small businesses have a limited number of people to chose from when searching for employees, and that there are many people with disabilities available to fill those positions. By creating a tax credit for small businesses, they are encouraged to hire persons with disabilities who require assistive devices or workplace accommodations at a relatively low cost to themselves. The tax credit would help provide qualified workers for small businesses, allow persons with disabilities greater independence, and reduce the number of people dependent on government support.
Before the bill passed, small businesses did not have any incentive to hire or retain persons with disabilities who required assistive devices or workplace modifications. Tax programs already in place focus on the initial hiring of persons with disabilities, barrier removal, or apply only to ADA Title I employers or ADA Title III public accommodations. The Assistive Device Tax Credit for small businesses addresses those businesses not required to comply with the ADA, cover assistive devices and workplace modifications, and is eligible each taxable year.
Professor Len Sandler was the director of the project and is a clinical law professor at the University of Iowa Law School. Sandler worked with several clinical students on this project, which was funded by the Iowa Program for Assistive Technology. Two of the students working on the project were Janette Rodecap and Tria Lawton-Russell who provided technical assistance on the bill just before it passed last Spring. They met with individuals with disabilities to get their input on how the bill would impact their lives. They contacted legislators to give them information, and made recommendations to lawmakers about amendments they could make to the bill. They bill had been defeated the previous year and the recommendations were made to address some of the concerns. They also encouraged constituents to call their legislators and express their support for the bill.
Lawton-Russell and Rodecap felt that their work gave them a broader knowledge of disability issues as well as policy work. "Speaking with people with disabilities gave us insight into some of the barriers and difficulties still faced and the changes that need to be made to overcome them. Our work on this project gave us an inside look at the legislative process by speaking with legislators, their assistants, the State Public Policy Group, and the Legislative Services Bureau."
"We were a bit surprised at how much politicking indeed occurs, especially at the end of the session when compromises must be made to get the bill passed. We did not expect that the leadership would wield so much power over the process. However, we learned that individual calls can make a difference."
One of the goals of the Assistive Technology Legal Project funded by IPAT is to train future lawyers in disability issues and policy. Both Lawton-Russell and Rodecap felt that their work on this Project would help them be better lawyers. "The experience enhanced our communication and writing skills with individuals in position of power as well as the average layperson. We learned a lot about the inside workings of the legislative process."
To be eligible, the business must be located in Iowa and employee fewer than 14 full-time employees, or have less than $3 million in gross annual receipts in the preceding tax year. The Iowa Department of Economic Development (IDED) and the Iowa Department of Revenue and Finance (IDRF) jointly administer the program. To apply for the tax credit, a business must submit a form available from either office. Once the application is approved, the IDED will issue a Certificate of Entitlement to attach to the Iowa individual or business tax return. For more information on the application process and for copies of the form, go t the web site of the IDED at www.smart.state.ia.us/financial.htm. Click on "Assistive Device Tax Credit."
I have worked for many years with people with disabilities in vocational rehabilitation, independent living, and now, assistive technology (AT). Recently, I substantially increased my personal use of technology. A great deal of thought went into my decisions and I have come to understand the decision making process. The outcomes achieved are similar to others in my position. I have and juvenile rheumatoid arthritis for 27 years.
My functional limitations have changed over the years, but for the past several years my primary limitations have been in strength and reach. For example, any tasks that require manipulating objects above my shoulders or below my knees is difficult. Excessive lifting and other physical activity can cause pain and soreness that can last for weeks and may even damage my joints.
Attendants
In the past, I have employed an attendant to help me dress, bathe, do laundry, housecleaning, put groceries away, etc. I paid the attendant approximately $330 per month. On top of my rent, car insurance and maintenance, student loan payments, and general living expenses, this was not a trivial expense! Often I had to accommodate my schedule with the attendant's.
For example, I like to sleep in on the weekends, but my attendant had to be at her regular job by 8:00 a.m. on Saturday's. I had to get up a couple of hours before I wanted, to ensure that I was dressed and bathed before she had to go to work. I decided to see if I could use AT to reduce my dependence on a paid attendant.
Starting the Process
First I listed all the tasks that involved help from my attendant. I had to be specific. I needed to decide if I could modify a task to do it independently, if there was a device that allowed me to perform it independently, or if I would continue to need assistance. This first, "functional assessment" was critical. There were a wide variety of choices that differ widely in cost. Having good data increases the chances for a good solution and an economical fit.
Identifying Solutions
Once I had collected the data on the tasks of daily living, I began a general search for technology which could help me live more independently. I reviewed catalogs, both mainstream and disability specific. I went to hardware stores, kitchen stores, and house wares outlets looking for off-the-shelf ideas. "Mainstream technology" is usually less expensive than AT and easier to support. Finally, I consulted with a friend of mine who is an occupational therapist with years of AT experience (and is a user of AT himself). As a result of this search, I found the AT that allows me to eliminate my dependence on an attendant for bathing and dressing. I purchased a shower chair and hand-held shower from Eagle Hardware and two adapted long handled/curved bathing brushes from an AT catalog. Now I shower independently. I also purchased a dressing stick, a sock aid, and an extended handle hairbrush, which allow me to dress independently.
Implementing and Modifying Solutions
The first morning I bathed and showered independently I realized I needed to rethink the process of using the AT. I needed to reorganize my clothes and some other areas of my apartment to increase the efficiency of my activities and reduce my energy demands. For example, I bought a couple more reachers and grabbers and placed them around the apartment. I reorganized the kitchen, making it more accessible. It became clear to me that although I could, theoretically, gain independence in housekeeping and laundry, it would not be "cost effective' in terms of either money or energy. This is an important point in considering AT: just because a task may be performed using AT does not mean it should be! Sometimes it is more economical and more practical to use a people solution.
Outcome
The total cost of the AT I purchased was about $350. Housekeeping assistance costs me $120 per month. You can see that it has taken less than two months of not paying my attendant to pay for the AT and I now realize about $210 a month more in spending money. Clearly, each person's situation will be different. The principles, however, should be similar.
These include doing a complete and in-depth task analysis of the activities you want to address, considering all the options including specialized AT, off-the-shelf assistive technology, and "no tech". A part of this you need to honestly access the cost effectiveness of AT vs. "people" solutions since it may be more efficient to pay for assistance.
The QuadtracTM is a trackball designed for people with quadriplegia. It is developed to allow the user to operate the computer without the difficulty of having to simultaneously move the pointer and click switches. There are give special features: 1) two large remote click switches that complete trackball click switches, 2) remote switches that can be independently positioned, 3) a large, smooth trackball that can be easily manipulated, 4) a scrolling feature that allows users to scroll through documents and web pages with the trackball with a switch, and 5) a wrist rest to prevent fatigue while using the trackball. These features allows the user to create documents, work on spreadsheets, do engineering drawings, and even play computer games. For more information contact GPK, Inc., at 800-468-8679 or http://www.gpk.com/qt.htm.
The 2 Seater is a new 4-wheel scooter offered by Shoprider. It is specifically designed to accommodate the user and a companion, with a 600 lb. capacity. It has two high back Captain's chairs, open design for extra leg room, safety bar for the passenger seat, dual headlights, hazard lights, and turn indicators. For more information on the 2 Seater, contact Shoprider at 800-743-0772 or visit their web site at www.dcc-shoprider.com.
The KidTrackerTM is a new device from MedTrack Electronics Inc., that is designed to track a child that has ventured too far. The parent can establish a perimeter distance up to 200 feet. By activating the KidTrackerTM an alarm will sound if the child goes farther then the predetermined distance. By pressing the corresponding child button (KidTrackerTM can track up to 3 children) the "Direction Finder" is activated and has a range up to 1,000 feet. You can also activate the direction finder at any time to locate the child. The child's unit can be attached to belts, pockets, or with a security belt. It has an anti-removal feature that alerts the parent if the child's unit is removed. MedTrack also makes a similar unit called AdultGaurdTM for senior citizens. The Trackers sell for $179.95 and the remote units are $69.95. For more information contact MedTrack at 310-546-4044 or email them at sales@medtrakinc.com, or check out their web site at www.medtracinc.com.
CyberlinkTM is a hands-free computer controller which allows you to move and 'click' a mouse cursor, play interactive video games and music, and control external devices, all without using your hands. The user wears a headband with three sensors which detect electrical signals on the forehead resulting from subtle facial muscle, eye, and brain activity. The headband connects to an interface box which amplifies, and digitizes the forehead signals and sends them to the computer's serial port. The CyberlinkTM Software decodes the signals from the forehead movements into ten "BrainfingersTM" for continuous cursor control. It also decodes your eye motion and facial gestures into multiple discrete commands for mouse button clicks, keystrokes, and cursor resolution control. With a little practice, the user can master most or all of these commands to operate virtually all of the computer's functions hands-free. For more information on the CyberlinkTM contact Brain Actuated Technologies, Inc. at 937-767-2674 or check out their web page at www.brainfingers.com.
The MCTOS (Mind Controlled Tool Operating Switch) is a single switch that can be operated by many students who have severe disabilities. MCTOS requires no movement or no controlled movement. MCTOS is a stand alone single switch that does not require a computer and can be plugged directly into any assistive technology device that uses a standard 1/8 inch plug. MCTOS is operated by the bio-signals measured at the forehead. With quiet mind/quiet body, the switch is 'off'. An excited mind activates the switch. Students begin by controlling toys or music; with practice they learn to control other things, such as communication devices and a simple adapted mouse. For more information on this switch, contact Technos America LTD, 303-816-0495, or email them at info@mctos.com, or visit their web site at www.mctos.com.
The 24-hour Speech-to-Speech (STS) service, which provides speech assistance for people whose speech impairment may make it difficult to be understood over the telephone, can now be accessed throughout the US, including Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.
STS allows users to make phone calls using a trained communications assistant who is familiar with many speech patterns. By dialing a toll-free number, STS users first access a live speech assistant, who will then place the call and participate in a three-way conversation by repeating to the call recipient exactly what the caller says. In contrast to TDD/TTY services, the caller does not have to type his or her message.
The Iowa STS Relay is provided by Sprint at 1-877-735-1007. For more information on STS log onto the web site at www.stsnews.com.
The InfoTech newsletter is a publication of the Iowa Program for Assistive Technology, a project of the Center for Disabilities and Development, nationally designated as Iowa's University Center for Excellence on Disabilities. The Center is a component of the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, University of Iowa Health Care. InfoTech aids individuals with disabilities, parents, families, and professionals by providing information on the availability of both new and used adaptive devices. No endorsement of products or services is intended. For more information on devices or for help in locating other types of specialized equipment, call: 800-331-3027 (voice) 877-686-0032 (TTY).
IPAT is supported by the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research, United States Department of Education (NIDRR/ED). This material does not necessarily reflect the views of NIDRR/ED or indicate official endorsement of their contents.
InfoTech, Iowa Program for Assistive Technology, Center for Disabilities and Development, 100 Hawkins Drive, Room 295, Iowa City, Iowa 52242-1011
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