Maine State Plan for Assistive Technology Summary

The Department of Education submitted Maine's three-year state plan to the federal government, the Rehabilitation Services Administration that describes how the State will meet the requirements of the new Assistive Technology law.

Maine’s Assistive Technology (AT) Plan is designed to improve access to and the acquisition of assistive technology (AT) devices and services for individuals with disabilities of all ages through a comprehensive statewide program.

History of Maine CITE Program

In 1989 the Governor appointed the Department of Education (DOE) as the lead agency for the Maine CITE Program. The Office of Special Services within the Department assumed responsibility for overseeing the activities of the Program.

The Program started with the Department of Education, the University of Maine System and Alpha One as the original partners. Partnerships broadened over the years to include private and public entities that provide AT devices and services to Maine people of all ages and disabilities. This partnership is now known as the Assistive Technology Consortia and includes the:

• Maine Parent Federation
• C.A.R.E.S. Inc.
• Disability Rights Center
• ALLTech
• Technical Exploration Center at Husson College
• The IRIS Network
• AT Maine
• Mainely Access
• the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation
• Pine Tree Society
• University of Maine at Farmington
• AlphaOne
• Maine Center on Deafness
• Very Special Arts (VSA) of Maine
• mPower Loan Program 
• University of Maine Center for Community Inclusion and Disability Studies
• Association for Computer Technology Educators of Maine - ACTEM

Maine State AT Advisory Council

The Maine CITE Program also has a State Assistive Technology Advisory Council made up of individuals who represent state agencies, higher education, users of AT and family members.

AT State Plan Goals:

The Maine CITE Program will focus on the goals of improving access to and the acquisition of AT in Education, Employment, Community Living, and Information Technology & Telecommunications. Additionally, there is a goal of improving inclusion of AT in statewide data collection activities. The goals will be implemented in collaboration with the AT Consortia and other interested parties.

State Financing Activities

The Association of Computer Technology Educators of Maine (ACTEM) in collaboration with Maine CITE has developed its cooperative buying consortium to include AT. This serves as an alternative financing opportunity for local school systems in Maine to purchase assistive technology.

In addition, the State’s long standing revolving loan program, mPower, provides affordable low interest, revolving loans to Maine citizens to buy AT that they want and need as well to make home modification changes.

Device Reutilization Program

The Maine CITE Program works with Technical Exploration Center (TEC) to create TEC-Assist. This is Maine’s first AT refurbishing and reassignment program. TEC-Assist, has begun providing low cost, lightly used refurbished AT devices to consumer, families, children and seniors in Maine.

The Maine CITE Coordinating Center, in partnership with the other five New England AT Act Programs, created a web based AT device Exchange called www.getatstuff.com.This is a free classified add service for individuals to buy, sell or donate AT devices, adaptive equipment, adapted vehicles and durable medical equipment (DME).

Device Loan Program

The Maine CITE Program will support short-term device loans and device demonstrations through the TEC program in Bangor. Equipment for short-term loan is available in the Bangor office as well as at two satellite sites. Members can borrow AT for two weeks at a time; loans can be renewed by phone if no one is waiting.

The Maine CITE Coordinating Center will work with TEC, ALLTech, Pine Tree Society, CARES, Inc., and other AT Consortia members and interested groups to expand the device loan services statewide.

Device Demonstration Program

The Maine CITE Program will provide support for TEC, ALLTech, Pine Tree Society, Univerity of Maine Farmington , and CARES, Inc. to conduct AT demonstrations across all ages.

Information on existing device demonstration services will be available on the Maine CITE Coordinating Center's web site to serve as a central point of information about the network of AT demonstration resources throughout the state.

The Maine CITE Coordinating Center will work with AT Consortia members and others seek input about potential organizations that would benefit from demonstrations on web accessibility and captioning.

Training and Technical Assistance Activities

The Maine CITE Coordinating Center will coordinate or provide training using Maine’s distance learning technologies such as ATM, ITV, videoconferencing and web based technology. Programs will be developed with AT Consortia members and other interested entities.

AT Training programs will focus on Education, Employment, Community Living, and Information Technology & Telecommunications.

The Maine CITE Program will continue to provide technical assistance to individuals and agencies on AT related issues.

Public Awareness

The guiding principle for public awareness will be to integrate AT information into existing information networks and to publicize AT service providers and equipment resources.

Web site

The MaineCITE Coordinating Center's web site with the capacity for video conferencing will be used to feature information on AT resources, accessible information technology, telecommunications and universal design.

Publications

The Coordinating Center materials that remain timely such as “Tools and Ideas for Easier Living” and the “Parent Guidebook to Assistive Technology” will continue to be distributed. New materials such as informational brochures, CD’s, and other multi media tools that describe AT Consortia organizations and their services, AT vendors and AT policies and issues will be developed and distributed.

Distance Learning and Media

The Maine CITE Coordinating Center will examine the feasibility of broadcasting public awareness programs on AT delivered over the distance learning network. If resources are available live interactive programs will be developed.

Conferences and Exhibits

The MaineCITE Coordinating Center will continue to exhibit at statewide conferences to demonstrate low- tech devices and distribute information about AT.

Information and Referral

The MaineCITE Program personnel will meet with existing organizations that have toll free numbers and provide information and referral (I & R) services to determine if AT is part of their I&R system. They will work with these organizations to integrate information about AT services and device resources into their I&R services

Coordination and Collaboration

Maine has a strong tradition of collaboration as part of its history. The AT Advisory Council members and AT Consortia partners will help to broaden the Maine CITE Program’s communication and involvement across Maine to meet the ongoing challenges of assuring that AT is included in changing state policies.