State Advisory Council
The consumer-responsive AT Advisory council has a majority of AT consumers and their family members. It is a subgroup of the long-standing Utah Assistive Technology Council that was organized (under a different name) in 1989. Then, the so-called Utah Assistive Technology Program (UATP) Management and Implementation (M&I) Board (comprised of vendors, state agency directors and AT providers) was designed to work with the UATP Consumer Council (a separate, but affiliated group) to identify and reduce or remove barriers to the acquisition of AT in Utah. The consumer group held veto power, with a two-thirds majority of its members, over all M&I board decisions. Over the years, the M&I board and Consumer Council combined into one large group to more efficiently advise the UATP as it developed and implemented new initiatives. Additionally, when this change was made it was agreed that a consumer who uses AT would serve as the Chairperson of the M&I Board. It met bimonthly and is largely responsible for the current success of the statewide AT network in Utah.
In 2002, it became evident that the M&I Board had met its mandate. It revised its role and name consistent with the national discussions at the time regarding a new AT Act. Members of the board, at the request of consumer members, decided to focus the M&I Board role on serving as an information sharing, problem solving, and networking organization for all state entities interested in providing assistive technology devices and services. They changed the name to the Utah Assistive Technology Council (or AT Council), and determined to meet biannually. With the passage of the AT Act of 1998, as amended, rather than disband this cohesive group, the AT Council determined to identify those members required to serve under the Act and designate them as the Utah AT State Grant Program Advisory Council (or Advisory Council). This council is the official advisement body of the UATP, but it interacts closely with the larger AT Council that was already in existence. The same AT user/consumer is the chair of both groups.
The interaction between these two groups is being defined. The long-established AT Council is designed to serve as a statewide resource and data sharing mechanism for AT-related initiatives statewide. This includes the variety of activities undertaken by UATP and by others. The AT Council sets the “general course” of AT related initiatives in Utah. The Utah AT State Grant Program Advisory Council is a mandated subset of the larger Council whose primary responsibility is to advise on the development, implementation and monitoring of activities undertaken specifically by UATP.
The Advisory Council (as mandated in AT Act of 1998, as amended) will meet biannually in conjunction with the AT Council. It is anticipated that all present will have voice in decisions effecting UATP initiatives, but it is the mandated Advisory Council, particularly the consumer/family members that will have official advisory power on the specific UATP goals and activities. At the chairperson’s discretion, council decisions will be made either through consensus or by member vote. The Advisory Council will review and revise the existing AT Council bylaws to encompass the role of the Advisory Council. The Advisory Council will function under these bylaws.
Utah AT State Grant Advisory Council, effective May 2005
| Consumer or Agency | Name/Appointee and County | |
| Individual who uses AT |
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| Family Member of AT user |
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| Representative of center for independent living | Cheryl Atwood, Association of IL of Utah. This person changes annually and is based on who currently serves as the chair of the Association. This position will always be filled by an executive director of a center for independent living. | |
| Representative of Utah State Office of Rehabilitation | Gus Materazzi, Utah State Office of Rehabilitation | |
| Representative of Utah Workforce Investment Board | Doyle Bender, Department of Workforce Services | |
| Representative of Utah State Office of Education | Jocelyn Taylor or Karl Wilson1, Utah State Office of Education, Special Education Services. |
The first meeting of the Utah AT State Grant Advisory Council and the regularly scheduled meeting of the AT Council was held on May 4, 2005. It was a half day event. Based on a 2003 statewide AT provider survey conducted by UATP and commissioned by the AT Council, and information from a recent statewide AT strategic plan2 developed by the AT Council, members of the Advisory Council (who are part of the AT Council) advised the development of UATP activities for the next three years. The Advisory Council discussed the survey data and strategic plan information at length and, by consensus voice vote, determined the priority activities listed in the “How Funds Will Be Used” sections below. The Advisory Council and AT Council will meet again soon after this plan is approved and approximately 2 months prior to the end of the first annual reporting period so that Advisory Council input can be collected and included in the plan for years two and three. This will include the establishment of the long-term and short-term goals. Meetings will occur at approximately 6 month intervals thereafter.
The Advisory Council will meet twice per year, in conjunction with the AT Council in Salt Lake City, Utah. Travel arrangements and accessible meeting accommodations for consumer members will be arranged and paid for by the Statewide AT Program. Membership on the Advisory Council will be for three years to coincide with the duration of the state plan. Current members have agreed to serve through 2008.
This baseline will be established by using a data collection instrument and procedures to be determined by RSA after the State plan process has been completed. The formula for calculation of baseline will be determined by RSA as part of the data collection procedures in order to ensure a consistent method nationwide.
4.1 Improving Access to AT in Education
4.2 Improving Access to AT in Employment
4.3 Improving Access to AT in Community Living
4.4 Improving Access to IT and Telecommunications
4.5 Improving Acquisition of AT in Education
4.6 Improving Acquisition of AT in Employment
4.7 Improving Acquisition of AT in Community Living
1When one or more individuals is listed, it is understood that only ONE will participate in the Council meetings. The agencies did not provide a specific name, only a commitment to be represented on the Council by one of the two people listed.
2The long term outcomes identified in the strategic plan were:
- Improved access to services: Establish and operate a network that effectively and efficiently serves all people in Utah who need assistive technology;
- Improved statewide system: Develop legislation, policies and procedures to support the creation of a statewide, seamless assistive technology system;
- High quality, competency-based training: Provide appropriate, up-to-date training in assistive technology for consumers, their families, direct service providers, educators, health care providers, agency administrators, advocates, staff, employers, and other relevant individuals.
- Increased public awareness: Conduct awareness activities that will help the general public to be aware of technology solutions that enhance individual functioning and capabilities of people with disabilities.
- Management information system: Develop and operate a statewide, integrated management information system to support assistive technology.
- Increased funding: Seek and secure adequate funding to support the statewide system.