iPad-based SGD Funding During Transition: Essential Strategies and Funding Options
Presenter: Chris Gibbons, PhD, CCC/SLP Where do I come from? SGD specialist, clinician, researcher, educator since Currently work for AbleNet as the Director of SGD Services building a funding program for all of AbleNets SGDs including the iPad-based QuickTalker Freestyle. Agenda: 1) SGDs and Transition, what happens?
2) SGD Transition Planning 3) SGD Funding Options 4) SGD Funding Strategies 5) iPad-based SGD Funding Funding Definitions SPED: Educationally relevant AT
Section 504: AT for students who do not qualify for SPED DVR: Employment relevant AT Medicaid: Medically necessary AT Medicare: Medically necessary AT Private Ins: Medically necessary AT What we expect for typical kids after High School
Typically developing kids are done Cooked and ready for the table of life What we expect for typical kids after High School
They have been coddled enough Boot em into the world to make mistakes College or career Learn the hard lessons and grow up Thrive as independent souls Participate Contribute Love Discover success What we expect for kids using SGDs after High School
Often dont even know where to sit at the table People using SGDs after High School frequently
Unemployed or underemployed Do not pursue post secondary ed Use outdated or inappropriate communication technology Little no SGD support in new evolving environments Dont know how to maintain/replace their SGD Lose SGD altogether Transition with SGDs Huge step from one life setting to another
Happens with little planning Unexpected Occurs without prior experience Complicated Fragmented Tons of resource connecting Calculated risk For most, transition with a SGD is a very bumpy road Transition: Who Affected?
Person using SGD IEP Team Family Caregivers Future employer Future household support Social circle Health professionals Transition: The SGD Questions
Who owns current SGD? Is it an SGD? Was it funded strategically? How is it supported? How will it be supported? What are future funding options? Can it grow with life out of school? Can the person manage it independently? SGD Resources Before transition, resources bundled SGD Resources Before transition, SGD support guided by: The IEP
Best practice Legal precedence Access to broad technology in-house Advocacy approach Developmental perspective Structure imposed Organizational memory SGD Resources Post-transition, resources thin, targeted SGD Resources Post-transition, SGD support guided by:
Individual when possible Community Setting (post 2ndary Ed, occupation, supported environment) Their Transition Plan developed since 14 y/o SGD Transition Planning SGD Transition Planning
Aided by asking big questions: Where are you going? Where do you want to go? How will you get there? What critical supports need to be in place to make it happen? Will those supports be available in the future? Who is in charge of the process? SGD Transition Planning
An SGD users team must consider: Age of device How current system will/not follow the person What support needed for success in variety of contexts SGD Transition Planning
An SGD users team can: Provide practice for student in vocational settings with SGD Make academics relevant to potential employment/social/post-2ndary settings Provide strategies for student specifically related to their disability and SGD use Be open about the changes and challenges they will soon encounter Teach self advocacy SGD Transition Planning
An SGD users team must consider: SGD is persons paddle for their boat. Dont leave them adrift! SGD Transition Planning
Involve parents right away Gently remind them that they will not live forever Person using SGD, family, and team, must dream about future Leader must be identified to carry SGD transition plan forward Find local people who have successfully transitioned with an SGD SGD Transition Funding
While under SPED umbrella funding often not addressed SGD is school owned/provided This comfortable, but leads to The Cliff Transition & SGD Funding
Plan ahead by funding a student-owned device when possible Private insurance Medicaid DVR at transition Work sites/potential employers Some restricted state money at transition (telephone access programs) Medicare Transition & SGD Funding
Every SGD funding option at transition requires purposeful connection to resources Most successful are woven into future (e.g. DVR for future employment) Most successful are natural result of long-term assessmentand thoughtful strategic planning What if they already have an iPad as SGD? What if they already have an iPad as SGD?
May have been provided by school May be owned by school May be successfully used with AAC app and other academically relevant apps May be expected to stay at school after transition What if they already have an iPad as SGD?
Funding Problem: iPad loaded with a communication app is not an SGD What if they want to fund an iPad as SGD?
To fund for transition via DVR or employer, iPad and app may be funded. Nearly all other funders require SGD to qualify as DME Must conform to SGD criteria set by funder (most use Medicare guidelines) What if they want to fund an iPad as SGD?
SPED: Yes Section 504: Yes DVR: Usually Medicaid: No, SGD only (few state exceptions) Medicare: No, SGD only Private Ins: No, SGD only What if they want to fund an iPad as SGD?
AbleNet solution: QuickTalker Freestyle iPad-based SGD, $2995 QuickTalker Freestyle
Like all dynamic SGDs, QTF uses a tablet, in this case the iPad iPad functions restricted to AAC app only Durable case Switch control Speaker Warranty QuickTalker Freestyle Step 1 Choose Tablet QuickTalker Freestyle Step 2 Choose App QuickTalker Freestyle Step 3 Choose Case QuickTalker Freestyle Fund SGD QuickTalker Freestyle
May unlock un-funded functions of SGD if allowed Different funders, different states, allow more or less unlocking options Summary: iPad-based SGD Funding in Transition
Organize early Structure assessments Make everything relevant to a future in the big world Strategically plan funding for device and timing Dream Thanks and have a great day! iPad-based SGD Funding During Transition: Essential Strategies and Funding Options
Your new AbleNet catalog should have been delivered by now. You can see what the cover looks like on the screen. Presenter: Chris Gibbons, PhD, CCC/SLP