The Maryland A.T. Co-op is a program of AT:LAST, Inc. that provides discounted purchasing and training opportunities to schools, agencies, organizations, and families. With initial funding and support from the Maryland Technology Assistance Program (Governor’s Office for Individuals with Disabilities), the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE- Division of Special Education), and the Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council (DDC) the Co-op uses the combined purchasing power of Maryland’s schools to make A.T. more affordable.

AT:LAST, Inc., dba The Maryland Assistive Technology Cooperative
FY 2006 Accomplishments
Cooperative Purchasing

• Purchasing arrangements with over 90 companies for well over 15,000 products
• 38 new institutional members enrolled and purchased $103,249 of A.T.
• Processed Total Orders of $1,013,249 of which
• $842,176 was to schools, remaining
• $171,073 was to private organizations, institutions, and families
• Total Savings to members in FY06 : $111,703 or approx. 11%
• Total Savings since March 1999: just under $1,700,000

FY 2006 Accomplishments
Cooperative Training

• 26 sponsored trainings and expos
• Exhibited at 9 events
• Made 10 presentations to organizations, conferences
• Face to face contact with at least 1357 persons

• The Co-op negotiates directly with and conducts semi-annual bids with over 90 manufacturers and vendors of A.T. to get the best price for YOU.
  
• The Co-op allows participants to put items from multiple manufacturers on a single purchase order for efficiency and economy.
  
• Parents and individuals with disabilities can participate in cooperative purchasing of A.T. software or devices needed at home or in the community. The Co-op works closely with the Maryland A.T. Guaranteed Loan Fund (www.mdtap.org; See the Programs section) so that individuals can get the lowest possible cost plus the lowest possible interest rate when financing the purchase of A.T.
  
• The Co-op displays/ distributes manufacturers catalogs/ demo disks, etc. at training events open to the public (Training Section)
  
• The Co-op brings nationally renown speakers to Maryland for quality professional development activities, many of which carry MSDE and other professional CEU’s. (Training Section)
  
• The Co-op assists local school systems to write and implement grants to improve the achievement of students with disabilities through the use of A.T.

The Co-op can offer such good prices because we know the products and the "players" through years of professional contact and on-going conference attendance. Our price list is constantly changing due to competitive bids being conducted every six months to take advantage of price reductions and new product developments. We also conduct additional direct negotiations with manufacturers. The Co-op serves as a "reseller" to offer the best pricing on certain product lines where margins are small. We believe in low overhead (we pay minimal rent, advertising, etc.). Another way we bring you discounted products is by getting permission from numerous manufacturers to hold "statewide" versions of "district" licenses, allowing small systems to benefit from the purchase levels of large systems.

• Educational Software


• Communication Devices


• Computer Access


• Aides for Daily Living


• Visual Supports Software


• Sensory Aids


• Therapeutic supplies

• 23 of Maryland's 24 public school systems
  
• 14 private schools
  
• Government agencies: County Health Departments, DDA, DDC, MDTAP Guaranteed Loan Program, MSDE, US Veterans Affairs Office for Western MD
  
• Colleges and Universities: Johns Hopkins, Loyola, Towson, Frostburg, Bowie
  
• Organizations: UCP; ARCs; Easter Seals, Head Start, Garrett Special Needs Children, Abilities Network, Day Care Centers, Amerigroup MD Inc. CSAAC, Lion's Club, Mikel Foundation
  
• Parent groups and individuals
  
• Teachers and Therapists
  

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