Specifications include, but are not limited to: The State of Maine is seeking proposals to manage a federal grant awarded to Maine under the Assistive Technology Act of 2004. The purpose is, “to support State efforts to improve the provision of Assistive Technology (AT) to individuals with disabilities through comprehensive statewide programs of technology-related assistance, for individuals with disabilities of all ages.” The AT Manager will address the needs of Maine students for Accessible Educational Materials (AEM) as required under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 2004. The AT Manager will coordinate a statewide comprehensive program to improve students’ access to AEM and to facilitate the acquisition of AT devices for people of all ages and disabilities. Maine’s AT Program supports statewide services to increase access to: a) AT device demonstrations, b) device reutilizations, c) public awareness, d) trainings and technical assistance, and e) coordination of AT services. • Coordinate a statewide system of AT access, training and technical assistance in local settings to meet the educational, employment, information technology/telecommunications, and community living needs of individuals with disabilities. Participants will include individuals from School Administrative Units (SAUs), early intervention programs, adult service programs, health care facilities, higher education campuses, businesses and others. • Support the use of accessible educational materials throughout the state in accordance with federal regulations under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, 34 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) § 300.172 (b)(4) to: “… ensure that all public agencies take all reasonable steps to provide instructional materials in accessible formats to children with disabilities who need those instructional materials at the same time as other children receive instructional materials.” • Manage and implement grant programs with AT organizations to provide acquisition and access to AT, including device loans, device reuse, public awareness, training and technical assistance. • Lead and coordinate the activities of the AT Advisory Council, who’s membership will continue to include 51% of individuals with disabilities who use AT. • Coordinate, participate and support collaborative activities with national and statewide initiatives concerning AT and AEM. • Provide assistance to individuals with disabilities who are transitioning from school to post-school activities and other individuals with disabilities who are transitioning into community living. • Deliver training and technical assistance on AT and AEM to agencies/organizations, educators, service providers, policy makers, parents, children and adults with disabilities and the public. • Facilitate public awareness activities, targeting individuals and entities, on the acquisition and access to AT and AT services in work, school, information technology and community settings. • Develop and implement public awareness activities statewide and nationally to increase the number of people and entities reached concerning AT and AEM. • Maintain and keep Maine’s AT website up-to-date.
