Vendor Partnership Information

Note: The following information is also available as downloadable PDF files.

• Vendor Memo.pdf
• Vendor Intent to Participate Form.pdf
• Vendor Spotlight Form.pdf

Vendors, Suppliers, and Manufacturers of Assistive Technology:

The Ohio Department of Education, Office for Exceptional Children; the Ohio SchoolNet Commission; and ORCLISH are very excited to announce an opportunity for Ohio schools to request assistive technology for an individual student. This project will provide $9.4 million to Ohio's local education agencies (LEAs) to purchase assistive technology devices through a competitive application process. Districts are responsible for assistive technology services (evaluation, training, repair, maintenance) as part of their local contribution. Applications will be due November 2001, May 2002, and November 2002. The purpose of this grant is to facilitate the provision of assistive technology necessary to promote access to general education for students with disabilities.

For detailed information on the Assistive Technology Infusion Project (ATIP), please go to www.orclish.org.

Assistive technology vendors and manufacturers are important to this initiative. Many districts will be seeking opportunities to learn about assistive technology and the benefits of specific devices for students. They will also be inquiring about equipment to use on a trial basis, as this is a requirement of the grant application. We value the contribution your company can make and invite you to become a vendor/manufacturer partner with our initiative. As an ATIP partner, your company will benefit in the following ways:

• Opportunities to present company products and services
• A link to your company website on the ORCLISH Assistive Technology Website
• National marketing online through the Vendor Video Spotlights Program

Partner companies should consider supporting ATIP in the following ways:

Exhibit at the Early Childhood Statewide Conference

November 3, 4, and 5, 2002
The Greater Columbus Convention Center, Columbus, Ohio

This is an opportunity to provide an awareness of your products to early childhood educators. The conference is attended by over 2,000 general and special educators. Please consider exhibiting at the conference if appropriate.

Exhibit at the Ohio SchoolNet Technology Conference

February 4, 5, and 6, 2002
The Greater Columbus Convention Center, Columbus, Ohio

The OSN Technology Conference will be a targeted conference for Ohio educators. It is attended by over 5,000 general and special educators. In addition to the exhibits, we will conduct a Bidder's Conference to review the grant application process with educators.

Discount Pricing

Purchase of equipment, hardware, and software will be made by the local education agency (school district). This does not allow for state purchase/consolidation of orders; however, any discount that can be provided based on your estimate of market share and sales is encouraged. The assistive technology will be chosen based on the educational needs of an individual student with a disability.

Sample Products

Hardware and software trials will be a requirement of the grant application process. Access to the equipment will be essential. Ohio has 16 Special Education Regional Resource Centers that have Assistive Device Collections for loan in addition to a statewide collection. We understand the market well enough to know that some manufacturers will not be able to provide hardware, software, or assistive technology at no cost; ho wever, please consider this option if feasible. Also, consider offering districts free equipment trail periods directly from your company.

Training

Training as appropriate to support the equipment after sale is expected. Product awareness training prior to sale is encouraged.

Participation In Vendor Video Spotlight

To further promote an awareness of the assistive technologies, ATIP would like to implement a Vendor Video Spotlights program. Using video streaming technologies, ATIP could provide access to 15-minute assistive technology video presentations to desktop computers using common media programs. The vendor would be required to supply a transcript of the presentation, which would post on the web to provide access for our educators with hearing impairments. Multiple videos could be submitted. A schedule would be established based on vendor response and video cache capabilities. In addition, vendors must agree to provide a copy of any video supplied for video cache to Ohio educators at no charge if the educator is unable to access the video on demand. Please let us know if your company is interested in participating in the Vendor Video Spotlights program.

 

 

This is an exciting opportunity to ensure that we help Ohio educators to make informed choices for their children. Please join us in this effort.